Call Me Back – with Dan Senor

Episode: Amit on whether he’s ideologically closer to Bennett or Netanyahu, and more… (INSIDE Call Me Back sneak peek)
Date: February 21, 2026
Host: Dan Senor
Guest: Amit Segal
Podcast by Ark Media

Episode Overview

This members-only sneak peek features journalist and commentator Amit Segal in a candid Q&A with host Dan Senor. The conversation tackles pressing questions from listeners—including the likelihood of imminent military action involving Israel and Iran, Amit's ideological proximity to Israeli leaders like Naftali Bennett and Benjamin Netanyahu, and a personal discussion about the meaning of aliyah (Jewish immigration to Israel) in light of recent events. The tone is informal and conversational, with moments of humor, introspection, and familial reflection.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Will There Be a US/Israel Military Operation Against Iran?

Timestamps: 01:01–04:22

• Dan’s Dilemma: Dan explains he’s inundated with questions about the timing of a possible military operation against Iran—primarily from people anxious about their travel plans, not geopolitical strategy.

  • "I feel like I'm basically an info desk. ... All asking me the same question, when is the US Military operation against Iran going to happen?" (01:01)

• Amit’s Take: Amit jokes that he should print a T-shirt stating, “I don’t know when the attack is going to happen” to fend off constant inquiries. He points out the difference between theoretical analysis and giving practical advice to someone with a flight ticket—emphasizing the personal risks of being wrong.

  • "While I still think that the attack is imminent, not within days, but within weeks and inevitable, I would question those, you know, waves of reports or reporting saying exactly the same ... This looks like a spin to me." (03:40)

• Amit’s bottom line: He predicts a military confrontation is “inevitable” and likely “massive,” but not imminent—“not a matter of hours or days.”

  • _"My general assumption hasn't changed. There is going to be an attack, it's going to be massive, unprecedented ... yet it is not a matter of hours or days." _(04:10)

• Dan's closing advice: Don’t change your travel plans yet.

2. Where Does Amit Stand? Bennett, Netanyahu, or Neither?

Timestamps: 04:22–07:14

• Listener Question (Dan from Atlanta): Wonders why Amit seems closer ideologically to Bennett, yet positions himself as opposed to Bennett and more aligned with Netanyahu.

• Amit on Political Labels and Ideologies:

  • Amit recounts being accused by each camp of being the other’s mouthpiece:
    • "Over the last 15 years, I have been blamed by Netanyahu for being Bennett's mouthpiece and by Bennett for being Netanyahu's mouthpiece." (05:13)
  • Amit stresses he doesn’t endorse politicians but ideologies—estimating he shares about “75–80% of the ideology that Netanyahu has, and perhaps 80–85% of the ideology that Bennett used to actually possess.” He warns that in Israel, it’s not just about the main candidate, but also about their coalition partners.
  • Netanyahu’s coalition partners (“Smotrich, Ben Gvir, and the ultra Orthodox parties”) are not to Amit’s taste.
  • Bennett’s newer coalition partners (Yair Golan, Yair Lapid) are even further from Amit’s positions, particularly on issues like the judicial reform.
    • "If you examine what Bennett says, or has said recently ... his coalition consists of Yair Golan, Yair Lapid, etc., which is ... quite far from [my] ideology, both in terms of capitalism vs socialism, the future of the settlements, and ... the judicial reform." (06:10)
  • Amit points out Bennett has become more moderate and less outspoken about positions like judicial reform, making it harder for right-wingers to support him.

3. Personal & Ideological Reflections on Diaspora, Aliyah, and Family

Timestamps: 07:14–11:16

• Listener Question (Dr. Oliver Sanders, Israel): Cites Amit’s father’s editorial in Makor Rishon advocating for aliyah—arguing the response to anti-Semitic attacks should be moving to Israel, not strengthening Diaspora communities.

• Family Histories and Values:

  • Amit weaves family stories, humor, and candor, explaining both grandfathers made aliyah; his mother was American, born in Pennsylvania then Beverly Hills ("90211—that’s the tragedy," jokes Amit at 08:45).
  • He notes his family’s internal debates about the place of Diaspora Jews—his father writes harsh op-eds against Jews who "refuse to make aliyah" but is personally polite.
  • Amit recalls the gradual emotional and cultural distance in the extended Jewish family, moving from “uncle” and “cousin” relationships to the disconnected “second cousin once removed syndrome,” reflecting the weakening bonds between Israeli and Diaspora Jews.
    • "We used to have an uncle, very rich ... He died, and we must manage without him ...The next generation saw the cousin syndrome ... Now we reach the point of the second cousin once removed syndrome, in which we barely have mutual language." (09:35)
  • Amit’s view: Support Diaspora communities, but don’t assume they’re eager or likely to make aliyah. The dynamic is evolving, requiring more than just “a budget to meet them here.”
    • "We have to support Jewish communities abroad. We have to call the second cousin once removed in Passover and to say, do you need anything? Can I help you with something? I think this is at least my perception." (10:48)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I am seriously about to print a T-shirt… ‘I don’t know when the attack is going to happen.’”
  — Amit Segal (02:15)

• “My general assumption hasn't changed. There is going to be an attack, it's going to be massive, unprecedented... yet it is not a matter of hours or days.”
  — Amit Segal (04:10)

• “Over the last 15 years, I have been blamed by Netanyahu for being Bennett's mouthpiece and by Bennett for being Netanyahu's mouthpiece...”
  — Amit Segal (05:13)

• “In Israel, it’s not only who is running for prime minister, but who’s on the hidden ticket ... just think about it as if you already know the so-called Vice President, we call it coalition partners.”
  — Amit Segal (05:56)

• “Now we reach the point of the second cousin once removed syndrome, in which we barely have mutual language.”
  — Amit Segal (10:03)

• Family banter:

  • “No, 90210.”—Dan. “No, no, no. She was in 90211. That’s the tragedy.” —Amit. (08:44)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:01 – The Iran question: anxiety over war and travel
• 02:15 – Amit’s humorous “T-shirt” response to constant predictions
• 03:40 – Differentiating media spins from substantive likelihood of conflict
• 04:22 – Listener asks about Amit’s political affinities
• 05:13 – Amit explains being accused by both sides, clarifies his ideological criteria
• 06:10 – Coalition partners and Bennett’s changing stance
• 07:14 – Listener question on aliyah after the Sydney attack
• 08:44 – Personal family immigration stories and humor about Beverly Hills zip codes
• 09:35 – “Uncle” and “cousin” syndrome in Jewish Diaspora relations
• 10:48 – Amit advocates supporting Diaspora but with realistic expectations

Final Thoughts

This episode blends urgent geopolitics with deeply personal explorations of identity, belonging, and ideological nuance within Israeli society. Amit Segal’s candid, sometimes self-deprecating replies address the complexity of Israeli political life, the unpredictable nature of conflict, and the evolving bonds between Israel and the Jewish Diaspora. The episode is peppered with wit and family anecdotes, making serious topics feel accessible and relevant for an international audience.