Podcast Summary:
Call Me Back – with Dan Senor (Live with Tal Becker and Nadav Eyal – INSIDE Call Me Back Sneak Peek)
Date: December 27, 2025
Host: Dan Senor (Arc Media)
Guests: Tal Becker (Shalom Hartman Institute), Nadav Eyal
Location: JCC in New Jersey
Episode Overview
The episode presents a candid, live-recorded conversation probing the dilemmas and future paths facing Israelis and the global Jewish community. Dan Senor, joined by Tal Becker and Nadav Eyal, explores how events since October 7th have shifted both the geopolitical landscape of Israel and the sentiments toward Israel and Jewish identity, particularly in the West. Central themes include the decline of regional threats, the uncertainty of Gaza’s future, shifting Western attitudes, and generational changes in Jewish identity.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Setting the Stage: Hypothetical Outcomes Post-October 7th
(02:09–04:54)
- Dan Senor proposes a hypothetical: If Yahya Sinwar (Hamas leader) could see the region two years after the October 7th attacks, he'd witness Hamas and Hezbollah decimated, Iran destabilized, and Israel emerging as a regional powerhouse.
- Despite Israel’s military victories, the ultimate outcome, especially regarding Gaza’s governance and long-term regional stability, remains highly uncertain.
Quote:
"Let me tell you what Israel, Gaza and the Middle East will look like in exactly two years… Israel stands, Mr. Sinwar, two years from this war, as the most powerful geopolitical actor in the Middle East."
— Dan Senor (03:15–04:21)
2. The Gaza Dilemma: Three Schools of Thought
(04:54–11:45)
- Tal Becker responds by outlining three prevailing perspectives regarding the future of Gaza and Hamas:
- Military Solution: Only the IDF can truly disarm Hamas; war must continue.
- International Solution: A combination of military success, an international stabilization force, regional development pressures, and Arab world involvement can gradually disarm Hamas.
- Pessimistic View: Gaza and Palestinian society are inherently linked to resistance; full demilitarization may be impossible.
- Becker emphasizes Israeli cynicism, noting that pessimism is often equated with wisdom in Israeli discourse.
- There’s hope placed in international solutions but recognition that no one knows the answers.
Quote:
"There is no university, you can get a degree in it. Israelis tend to think cynicism or pessimism and wisdom are the same in theme. And in the Middle East, you're not always off that you have that assumption."
— Tal Becker (07:39–08:23)
3. The West’s Changing Relationship with Israel
(11:45–12:55)
- The guests discuss Israel’s shifting diplomatic context: military success in the Middle East has coincided with mounting challenges in the West.
- Israelis, once reliant on Western support, now feel acute uncertainty over whether the West remains on their side.
- Anecdotes from the Emirates: Israelis are increasingly asked by regional allies why they care so much about Western criticism.
Quote:
"We used to rely on the West to support us in confronting our enemies in the Middle East. Now […] we look to the West and we ask ourselves: are you still with us?"
— Tal Becker (09:49–10:19)
4. Israeli Resilience: The Story of Bar Kupershtim’s Mother
(10:55–11:45)
- Tal Becker shares a story exemplifying Israeli spirit:
- During hostage negotiations, a Hamas terrorist pressures a mother to publicly protest against Israel in exchange for her son's release. She responds that only God holds her son and the terrorist, leaving him speechless.
- The story showcases Israeli courage and unwavering communal spirit even under threat.
Memorable Moment:
"You do not have my son in your hands. God has my son in his hands. And God has you in his hands as well."
— Bar Kupershtim’s mother (11:26)
5. Generational Shifts & Social Attitudes in the West
(11:45–12:55)
- Tal Becker delivers a sobering account of changing Jewish identity among young Western Jews, particularly on U.S. campuses:
- A Jewish student confides that associating with Israel is “costly” socially and only anti-Israel stances alleviate the pressure of being seen as “part of the oppressor class.”
- Social norms, not reasoned arguments, shape young people’s attitudes toward Israel and Jewish identity.
- Iranian and Hamas leadership may draw consolation from global shifts in attitude toward Israel, even as they suffer strategic losses.
Quote:
"The only thing that removes the cloud from my head is if I'm anti-Israel and dilute my Jewish identity on campus. [...] In my social circle, associating with Israel is a costly, embedded [burden]."
— Tal Becker, recounting a student conversation (12:12–12:36)
6. Politics, Culture, and the Future
(12:36–12:55)
- The panel alludes to the adage “politics is downstream of culture.” If the cultural climate remains hostile to Israel, political consequences will follow.
- There are no guarantees that time or changing headlines will heal the rifts or recalibrate social attitudes.
Quote:
"There's a famous saying that politics is downstream of culture, and if the association people have socially with Israel remains problematic, that will have expressions in a lot of different places."
— Tal Becker (12:39–12:51)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 02:09 — Setting up the “future history” scenario post-October 7th.
- 04:54 — Tal Becker discusses perspectives on Gaza’s future.
- 09:49 — Reflections on Western-Israeli relations post-war.
- 11:26 — Moving anecdote about Bar Kupershtim’s mother.
- 12:12 — Emerging generational challenges for Jewish identity in the West.
- 12:39 — The cultural and political downstream effects for Israel abroad.
Notable Quotes
- "Let me tell you what Israel, Gaza and the Middle East will look like in exactly two years… Israel stands, Mr. Sinwar, two years from this war, as the most powerful geopolitical actor in the Middle East." — Dan Senor (03:15–04:21)
- "There is no university, you can get a degree in it. Israelis tend to think cynicism or pessimism and wisdom are the same in theme. And in the Middle East, you're not always off that you have that assumption." — Tal Becker (07:39–08:23)
- "We used to rely on the West to support us [...] now we look to the West and we ask ourselves: are you still with us?" — Tal Becker (09:49–10:19)
- "You do not have my son in your hands. God has my son in his hands. And God has you in his hands as well." — Bar Kupershtim’s mother (11:26)
- "The only thing that removes the cloud from my head is if I'm anti-Israel and dilute my Jewish identity on campus." — as recounted by Tal Becker (12:12–12:36)
- "Politics is downstream of culture, and if the association people have socially with Israel remains problematic, that will have expressions in a lot of different places." — Tal Becker (12:39–12:51)
Episode Flow & Tone
The conversation is unguarded and reflective, marked by a mix of realism, gentle humor, and sincere concern. The speakers balance strategic analysis with personal stories and cultural observations, providing an engaging and comprehensive picture of today’s dilemmas facing Israel and the Jewish people.
For More
- The sneak peek concludes with a teaser for the full discussion (topics include Prime Minister Netanyahu’s future, the Abraham Accords, and changes in American Jewish life).
- Listeners are encouraged to join the “Inside Call Me Back” platform for access to the complete conversation.