Breaking Points with Krystal and Saagar
Episode: 7/28/25: Bibi Denies Gaza Starvation, Liberals Flip On Israel, Rogan Rejects Bibi Interview
Release Date: July 28, 2025

Hosts: Krystal Ball and Saagar Enjeti
Produced by: iHeartPodcasts

I. Introduction

In this episode of Breaking Points with Krystal and Saagar, hosts Krystal Ball and Saagar Enjeti delve into the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the political ramifications of Israeli policies, and shifting sentiments among liberals and prominent political figures in the United States. The discussion also touches on media dynamics, including Joe Rogan's decision to decline an interview with Benjamin Netanyahu, and the ongoing fallout from the Epstein case.

II. The Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

Krystal Ball opens the discussion by highlighting the dire situation in Gaza, where starvation is reportedly affecting an increasing number of Palestinians, including children.

• Krystal Ball [02:47]: "Some horrifying updates coming out of Gaza and some new comments from President Trump, as well as Bibi Netanyahu, who is lying about the fact that Palestinians are starving to death."

III. Netanyahu’s Denial of Starvation

Yair Netanyahu, Benjamin Netanyahu's son, addresses the claims of starvation in Gaza, vehemently denying them and emphasizing the aid provided by Israel.

• Yair Netanyahu [05:05]: "It's terrible. You know, you really at least want to have somebody say thank you. No other country gave anything. We gave $60 million two weeks ago for food for Gaza, and nobody acknowledged."

• Krystal Ball [06:00]: "It's not a US Problem, it's an international problem."

Krystal refutes Yair's claims by presenting evidence from Israeli military officials and a New York Times article that state there is no routine theft of aid by Hamas and that starvation is a reality for many Palestinians.

• Krystal Ball [06:21]: "Number one, that's a lie. Number two, he says, if we weren't there, people would have starved. No, people are starving."

IV. U.S. Involvement and Trump's Comments

The hosts discuss President Trump's stance on the Gaza blockade, suggesting that despite the humanitarian crisis, Trump continues to support Israel's actions.

• Krystal Ball [07:43]: "They have an obvious massive responsibility for it from the beginning. It's not just a Trump problem, obviously, it's a continuation here of the policy."

Yair Netanyahu further criticizes U.S. diplomatic efforts, implying that the U.S. should exert more pressure on Israel to end the blockade.

• Yair Netanyahu [09:50]: "The World Food Program says they have enough food to feed every person in Gaza for the next three months."

V. Shift in Liberal and Prominent Figures' Stance

Krystal and Saagar observe a notable shift among liberals and key political figures who were previously staunch supporters of Israel now expressing concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

• Krystal Ball [36:08]: "There's been some realization of how this is all going to look in the history books."

They highlight statements from figures like Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton, and Cory Booker, who now acknowledge the starvation crisis, albeit in a milquetoast manner that avoids direct blame on Israel.

• Hillary Clinton [48:54]: "Eight organizations report thousands of children in Gaza at risk of starvation while trucks are full of food sit waiting."

VI. Media and Podcast Influence on Perception

The episode explores the role of media and podcasts in shaping public perception of the Gaza crisis. Krystal emphasizes the importance of exposing Netanyahu's true intentions rather than providing him a platform to reiterate his narrative.

• Krystal Ball [65:23]: "We get it all day long. So you have to ask yourself, what is the value in hearing the Israeli propaganda line one more time?"

VII. Joe Rogan's Rejection of Netanyahu's Interview

A significant moment discussed is Netanyahu's attempt to secure an interview with Joe Rogan, which Rogan declined, citing concerns over presenting a balanced viewpoint.

• Yair Netanyahu [56:47]: "Joe Rogan is not a conservative. He gave a platform to every single neo-Nazi anti-Semite on this planet. But he refused to have my father."

Krystal and Saagar interpret Rogan's decision as a refusal to legitimize Netanyahu's narrative without proper scrutiny.

• Krystal Ball [61:13]: "If you aren't prepared or equipped to expose him as the monster he is, then there is no value in hearing what he has to say."

VIII. Epstein Files and Political Ramifications

The conversation shifts to the Epstein case, highlighting how Trump continues to leverage it politically, potentially impacting figures like Ghislaine Maxwell.

• Krystal Ball [06:04]: "We'll continue to focus on Epstein because Trump is continuing to focus on Epstein."

They discuss the political maneuvers surrounding the release of the Epstein files and the narratives being constructed around them.

IX. Democratic Party's Approval Ratings

Saagar brings attention to the plummeting approval ratings within the Democratic Party, suggesting a disconnect between the party's leadership and its base.

• Saagar Enjeti [04:27]: "Democrats are reaching their lowest approval rating on record."

Krystal adds that this decline is partly due to the party's stance on Israel and the inability to effectively address the humanitarian crisis.

• Krystal Ball [34:31]: "If the Democratic Party weren't complicit, it would change how much this issue could turn things around for them."

X. Conclusion and Future Implications

Wrapping up, Krystal and Saagar reflect on the future of U.S.-Israel relations, the potential political fallout for American politicians supporting Israel unconditionally, and the broader implications for U.S. foreign policy.

• Krystal Ball [70:25]: "This is becoming a central dividing line in American politics."

• Saagar Enjeti [71:10]: "If we could, I would cut them off literally tomorrow. I would have done it October 17th or whatever."

They caution that without significant policy changes and increased accountability, the humanitarian crisis will worsen, further straining international relations and domestic politics.

Notable Quotes

• Krystal Ball [06:21]: "That's a lie. Number two, he says, if we weren't there, people would have starved. No, people are starving."

• Yair Netanyahu [05:05]: "We gave $60 million two weeks ago for food for Gaza, and nobody acknowledged."

• Krystal Ball [65:23]: "We have established over time that the only reason why Israel can continue blocking aid is because the United States backs them up without question."

• Hillary Clinton [48:54]: "Full flow of humanitarian assistance must be restored immediately."

Key Takeaways

1. Humanitarian Crisis: Gaza is facing a severe starvation crisis due to the Israeli blockade, which Netanyahu denies despite evidence to the contrary.

2. Political Shifts: Prominent liberals and political figures in the U.S. are beginning to voice concerns about the situation, indicating a potential shift in U.S. foreign policy.

3. Media Influence: There is growing skepticism towards traditional media narratives, with podcasts and independent media playing a crucial role in exposing the truth.

4. Internal U.S. Politics: The Democratic Party faces declining approval ratings, partly due to its consistent support for Israel amidst the humanitarian crisis.

5. Future Implications: Without intervention and policy changes, the situation in Gaza is likely to deteriorate further, impacting international relations and domestic politics in the U.S.

This summary encapsulates the critical discussions from the July 28, 2025 episode of Breaking Points with Krystal and Saagar. For a more in-depth understanding, listening to the full episode is recommended.