Podcast Summary: The NewsWorthy – Special Edition: Two Years of War – Israel, Gaza & Searching for Peace
Host: Erica Mandy
Guest: Dr. Boaz Atzili, Professor at American University, expert on territorial conflict and border politics
Release Date: October 4, 2025
Episode Focus: Reflecting on the two-year anniversary of the Hamas attack and the subsequent war in Gaza, examining personal and societal impacts, perspectives on peace, and the complexity of being both "pro-Israel" and "pro-Palestinian."

Episode Overview

In this special edition, Erica Mandy interviews Dr. Boaz Atzili, an academic and dual Israeli-American citizen whose family was directly affected by the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack. The conversation navigates the personal trauma experienced by his family, evolving public sentiment in Israel, the government's role in the ongoing conflict, and the challenges—yet necessity—of forging a peaceful solution for both Israelis and Palestinians.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Day of the Attack: Personal Impact

• Dr. Atzili's Recollection (02:06)
  • Was in the US when news broke, overwhelmed by panicked messages.
  • His immediate and extended family live in the "Gaza envelope" near the border, including his elderly father and many relatives.
  • Learned gradually that his cousin Aviv and Aviv's wife Liot were missing, later confirmed as hostages.
  • Quote: “The news was completely crazy and weird and unbelievable. So obviously we were very worried about everybody… it took a while until it was clear that they are not, not in Israel...confirmation that they...are hostages in Gaza.” (02:06-03:18)

Trauma, Anger, and the Israeli Government's Role

• Deep and lingering trauma for his family and the Israeli community.
• Initially displaced for months, suffering compounded by the actions—or inaction—of the Israeli government.
• Dr. Atzili is sharply critical of Prime Minister Netanyahu, asserting that government decisions have obstructed peace and the return of hostages.
  • Quote: “The main obstacle to get all the hostages back home and to end this terrible war is the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, and the government as a whole.” (03:47)
• Government blamed not just for its military strategy, but for exploiting "the fog of war" to erode Israeli democracy (06:00-07:05).

Israeli Public Opinion & The War's Actual Impact

• Most Israelis favor ending the war, especially to bring hostages home; polls show 70-80% support ending the war in exchange (05:55).
• Atzili highlights the danger of conflating the government's position with the will of the people, emphasizing pluralism in both Israeli and Palestinian societies.
  • Quote (on diversity of opinion): “What the Israeli government is doing is not necessarily how all of the Israeli people feel... similarly for Palestinians about how they feel about Hamas.” (05:33, host Erica Mandy)

The Hamas Dilemma & Counterterrorism Failures

• Recognizes Hamas as a "vicious terrorist organization," but condemns the Israeli government's response as counterproductive.
• Indiscriminate attacks harm civilians, undermine Israel’s moral standing, and, paradoxically, boost Hamas’s support.
  • Quote: “If [Netanyahu] wants to weaken Hamas... he’s doing the exact opposite... indiscriminate attacks against civilian population is the exact opposite [of] what you need to do to defeat a terrorist organization.” (04:52-05:33)
  • “Let’s talk about the children... there’s no justification for, like, this mass killing of innocent citizens in the name of getting Hamas.” (07:18-08:17)

International Perception: Is It Genocide?

• Atzili reluctantly admits that, by UN definitions, Israeli actions may qualify as genocide, but criticizes the focus on labels at the expense of policy change.
  • Quote: “As much as it hurts, I have to admit that it does fit the definition of genocide... there’s way too much energy... on this question, which doesn’t in and of itself affect any kind of policy or response.” (08:22-09:15)

Hostages and Their Families: Desperation and Activism

• 48 hostages remain in Gaza; many may no longer be alive.
• Families are exhausted, traumatized, and desperate for information and action, with many protesting daily for two years.
• Only path to securing the return of any survivors, according to Atzili, is ending the war (12:01-13:13).

Remembering Aviv & Supporting Survivors

• Aviv was a warm, creative man—respected mechanic and artist, beloved friend.
• His wife Liot, herself a former hostage, is recovering through activism and educational work, including involvement with bereaved families and teaching.
  • Quote: “He would talk to somebody for five minutes and they will be friends for the rest of their life… he created this wonderful creation from scrap metals...” (13:21-14:18)
  • Quote: “She’s holding back really well. She’s...joined the bereaved family form... came back to teach in high school and... also an instructor at Yad Vashem...” (14:28)

Paths Forward: Possibility of Peace

• Viable plans exist for ending the war and addressing security, governance, and the fate of the hostages—e.g., Egyptian and Saudi proposals.
• Lasting peace depends on acknowledging both Israelis and Palestinians as legitimate, enduring nations occupying the same land.
  • Quote: “If enough people believe that they are a nation, then they are a nation... the only solution long term is a peaceful solution... and on both sides there are a lot of people... that if they believe that there is a genuine way to find a solution that will also make them feel safer and not all the time threatened by their neighbors, they will go with it.” (16:00-17:30)
• Need for leadership that unites moderates, emphasizes being "pro-peace" over divisive binaries.
  • Quote: “The solution is to be pro peace and to be pro Israel and pro Palestinian at the same time.” (17:50-18:25)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On government obstruction:
  “The main obstacle to get all the hostages back home and to end this terrible war is the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, and the government as a whole.” (03:47)

• On definitions of genocide:
  “As much as it hurts, I have to admit that it does fit the definition of genocide... But I think that there’s way too much energy and discussion gets into this question... which doesn’t in and of itself affect any kind of policy or response.” (08:22-09:15)

• On peace and coexistence:
  “Nations are socially constructed. If enough people believe that they are a nation, then they are a nation... the only solution long term is a peaceful solution.” (16:00-16:55)

• On being Pro-Israel and Pro-Palestinian:
  “The solution is to be pro peace and to be pro Israel and pro Palestinian at the same time.” (17:50-18:25)

Important Timestamps

• Introduction & Boaz Atzili’s background – 00:00-01:54
• The Day of the Attack – 01:56-03:18
• Personal Impact and Critique of Israeli Leadership – 03:32-04:50
• Impact on Israeli Democracy and Divergence of Public Opinion – 05:33-07:05
• Counterterrorism, Hamas, and Civilian Harm – 07:05-08:17
• Discussion on Genocide Label – 08:22-09:15
• Hostage Families’ Plights – 12:01-13:13
• Personal Memories of Aviv and Update on Liot – 13:13-15:11
• Paths Forward & Hope for Peace – 15:11-17:30
• Final Thoughts on Coexistence – 16:00-18:25

Tone & Language

The conversation is compassionate and sober, balancing personal narrative, critical analysis, and hope. Dr. Atzili uses precise, scholarly language when discussing political complexities, but his recollections of family are heartfelt and accessible. Erica Mandy maintains a non-confrontational, empathetic tone, often summarizing and clarifying points to ensure nuance and balance.

Conclusion

This episode brings a poignant, human perspective to an ongoing international crisis. Dr. Boaz Atzili’s dual expertise and personal loss enable him to reflect candidly on the suffering caused by the war, the failures of leadership, and the potential for a better future grounded in mutual recognition and peace. The conversation is a powerful reminder of the complexity and urgency of finding a resolution that honors both Israeli and Palestinian lives.

Note: Listeners can find further resources, including details about the upcoming documentary "Holding Liat," in the episode's show notes at thenewsworthy.com.