The Commentary Magazine Podcast: "The Information War Against Israel" – Detailed Summary
Introduction and Context
In the episode titled "The Information War Against Israel," released on July 21, 2025, The Commentary Magazine Podcast delves into the multifaceted challenges Israel faces beyond its immediate military engagements. Hosted by John Podhoretz, along with executive editor Abe Greenwald, Washington columnist Matthew Continetti, and social columnist Christine Rosen, the discussion centers on the ongoing information warfare that undermines Israel's efforts to secure its interests in the region.
Israel's Military Success and Ongoing Conflicts
The conversation begins with a reflection on Israel's recent military achievements. Approximately a month after a highly successful joint strike by Israel and the United States against Iran, which was deemed a significant blow to Iran's regional ambitions, Israel finds itself in a precarious position. Despite eliminating major threats like Hezbollah and intervening in Syria to protect vulnerable populations such as the Druze, Israel is grappling with the aftermath of the 12-Day War and the persistent threat posed by Hamas.
John Podhoretz highlights the complexity of the current situation, stating:
"Israel would have won in Gaza by now were it not for the hostages. [...] It is being frozen in place at various moments during the calendar of this war by the deep concern of the body politic in Israel for those 20 people, by its humanity, by its very."
[32:20]
Information War and Media Portrayal
A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the "information war" against Israel. Continetti criticizes mainstream media outlets like NPR, The New York Times, and The Washington Post for uncritically reporting Hamas-controlled sources, which perpetuate false narratives about Israeli actions in Gaza. He argues that these media organizations are complicit in disseminating misinformation, thereby damaging Israel's global reputation.
"The information war aspect of this is very important, because this is a similar dilemma that Israel faces with regard to the remaining hostages. [...] That's the information war that Israel might have to choose to lose because there is going to be no winning for them in terms of the optics of say, blowing up a house to get hostages out who are being held by private citizens."
[33:22]
Specific Incidents Affecting Israel's Image
The podcast addresses specific incidents that have exacerbated the information war. One such incident was an errant Israeli strike that severely damaged the only remaining Catholic church in Gaza. Podhoretz emphasizes that this was unintentional and underscores Israel's generally respectful treatment of Christian populations in the region.
"The attack was not Israel's intent to hit a Catholic church. But this nicely dovetails with another second front attack on Israel, which involves disruption and violence going on in the West Bank that is being caused by extremist settlers."
[08:19]
Additionally, the discussion touches on the visa dispute involving Christian groups, resolved swiftly by officials like Mike Huckabee and Netanyahu, highlighting attempts to portray Israel as antagonistic toward Christians—a narrative the hosts strongly contest.
Anti-Semitism and Anti-Zionism in Western Media
Christine Rosen and Matthew Continetti delve into the conflation of anti-Semitism with anti-Zionism in Western discourse. They argue that prominent media figures, such as Ezra Klein, perpetuate this narrative by labeling anti-Zionist sentiments as merely another facet of liberal ideology. This, they contend, shifts the Overton window, normalizing extreme anti-Israel positions within mainstream liberal thought.
"Poll after poll shows 80% support for Israel in the Jewish population. But there's 20%. [...] Debates about Israel often circle the same strangely posed question. Does Israel have the right to exist? [...] To unwrap this, October 7th took place in 2023."
[39:02]
Continentti further criticizes Klein's op-ed in The New York Times, arguing that Klein's claims are chronologically and factually flawed, thereby undermining the argument that Israel was not under existential threat prior to the October 7th attacks.
Internal Struggles and Political Dynamics
The hosts discuss internal political dynamics within the United States and Israel that impact the perception and support of Israel. They highlight the role of influential figures like Ron Dermer, Netanyahu aides, and Trump-aligned influencers who are contributing to a growing anti-Zionist sentiment within the U.S. administration and media.
"This is clearly a plant by the same folks inside the administration who were arguing against Operation Midnight Hammer [...] And the quotes are just dumb."
[14:03]
Moreover, the podcast examines Israel's strategic interventions in Syria to protect the Druze population, emphasizing Israel's role as a regional stabilizer, in contrast to the negative portrayal in Western media.
"Israel is intervening on behalf of a minority population to protect it from sectarian violence is very significant. And you don't see any other Arab governments doing that."
[20:15]
Conclusion and Future Implications
In wrapping up, Podhoretz underscores the critical choice Israel faces: to continue its multifaceted battle against both tangible military threats and intangible information warfare or to concede under mounting international criticism. The hosts express concern that the ongoing information war could not only compromise Israel's strategic objectives but also fuel a broader anti-Semitic backlash globally.
"The principle, ancient principle, that it is the obligation of the Jewish community to ransom hostages taken by non Jews [...] It's an ancient principle [...] It's being used against Israel as though to say that because it cannot deliver the coup de grace, it cannot deliver the final blow which any other country would have by now, that it is immoral and Genocidal and mean and horrible."
[38:59]
Notable Quotes
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John Podhoretz:
"Israel would have won in Gaza by now were it not for the hostages."
[32:20] -
Matthew Continetti:
"The information war that Israel might have to choose to lose because there is going to be no winning for them in terms of the optics."
[33:22] -
Christine Rosen:
"The information war is always there and it's always rigged against Israel."
[05:23]
Final Thoughts
"The Information War Against Israel" offers a comprehensive analysis of the subtle and overt challenges Israel faces in maintaining its security and international standing. By dissecting media narratives, highlighting specific incidents, and exploring internal political dynamics, the podcast provides listeners with a nuanced understanding of the complexities surrounding Israel's ongoing conflicts and the broader information warfare that shapes global perceptions.