The Promised Podcast

Episode: “The Let My Bibi Go!” Edition
Date: July 3, 2025
Host: TLV1 Studios
Panelists: Noah Efron, Linda Gradstein, Don Futterman

Episode Overview

This episode delves into the deep tensions and ironies of modern Israeli life, focusing on two urgent issues: the erupting public debate over whether the ongoing corruption trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should be ended, postponed, or pardoned—a controversy inflamed by direct social media interventions from US President Donald Trump—and the outcry following a Haaretz exposé alleging IDF orders to fire at unarmed Gazan civilians during humanitarian aid distribution. As always, the hosts mix serious analysis of politics and society with stories and moments reflecting both the heartbreak and irrepressible spirit of life in Israel.

Key Discussion Points

1. Social Media, Music, and Irony: “Boom Boom Tel Aviv”

(00:33–05:36)

The episode opens with a discussion of "Boom Boom Tel Aviv," a virally promoted anti-Israel song, reportedly pushed by the Iranian government.
- Host Noah Efron details the lyrics’ anti-Semitic themes and the disconcerting celebration of Iron Dome's supposed “crack.”
- Despite the negativity, Israelis respond on social media with wry humor and memes—dancing Haredim and Iron Dome coffee.
- Music reviewer Yiftach Karmeli (MAKO) ironically laments:
  
  “It’s just a shame that like always, all the focus is on Tel Aviv and everyone ignores the periphery.” (03:02)
Insight: The ability of Tel Avivians (and Israelis at large) to subvert animosity with humor and irrepressible vitality.

2. Personal Updates and Light Moments

(05:36–11:17)

Linda Gradstein returns from Australia and New Zealand, sharing the logistical hassle of traveling during a period of grounded flights.
Don Futterman canceled a 30th wedding anniversary trip to Rome (Caravaggio exhibit) due to the war, spends time shuttling kids to the bomb shelter.
Noah Efron attends (virtually) a religion and environment conference supposed to be in London—musings on Zoom-fatigue and accidental “out-of-body drug-like states.”

3. The Permeability of Performance & Sorrow: Ruth Efroni’s Reflection

(11:17–13:22)

A powerful retelling of Ruth Efroni’s Facebook post:
- On the set of a drama about October 7th, the bereaved father of murdered Nova partygoer Lirone Berda sits with the actress playing his daughter.
- The surreality and pain of war are captured in a moment of both healing and cruelty—a "cruel illusion” as Efroni calls it.
- Quote:
  
  “...for a moment it seems like the daughter herself has just dropped by to have lunch with her Abba… almost like a normal thing you don’t think about… yet it is something you do not see in this world... like in some horror movie.” (11:17)

Topic 1: Should Netanyahu’s Trial End? “Let My Bibi Go!”

(19:11–41:34)

Background

Five years after it began, the Netanyahu corruption trial returns to center stage—not due to new court developments, but due to explosive Truth Social posts from Donald Trump, who calls for the trial’s cancelation or Netanyahu’s pardon.

Key Issues Explored

The Trump Intervention:
- Trump’s posts (“witch hunt,” “decisive hero,” threats to cut US aid) employ Netanyahu’s favorite talking points and escalate to direct pressure.
- Most Israeli politicians respond tepidly, with the exception of Simcha Rothman, who insists:
  
  “It is not the job of the President of the United States to interfere in judicial procedures in Israel.” (29:44)
The Case for Plea Bargain or Pardon:
- President Herzog and Supreme Court President Aharon Barak advocate an agreement to end the trial, ideally as a plea deal requiring Netanyahu’s exit from politics.
- Barak:
  
  “The most important thing is that we come to an agreement… It can bring about calm.” (24:17)
The Panel’s Perspectives:
- Don:
  - Notes irony in Trump/Netanyahu parallelism; finds Trump’s threats serious, citing his history of following through.
  - Doubts Netanyahu would honor any promise to exit politics after a deal (“he’s not an honest person”).
- Linda:
  - Cites Ehud Olmert’s resignation as the “gentlemanly” precedent; believes once the trial began, it must continue.
  - Notes Barak’s suggestion was conditional on Netanyahu’s permanent exit from politics.
- Noah:
  - Has long said the trial shouldn’t have started or should have been postponed until Netanyahu is no longer PM—but abhors the manner of outside pressure:
    
    “It shouldn’t happen this way. If it were to happen at all, it shouldn’t happen this way.” (32:11)
- All agree:
  - Foreign pressure is undignified and dangerous for Israel’s democracy, but the internal debate over leadership accountability and legal fairness remains unresolved.

Notable Quotes

Don (re: Trump posts):

“These posts sounded to me like they were written by ChatGPT with instructions from Bibi’s advance team.” (24:17)
Linda:

“He [Netanyahu] refused to resign… therefore, I would say that ending the trial is a mistake.” (33:20)
Noah:

“If we allow prosecutors to remove prime ministers simply by virtue of opening a case against them, then we no longer will have a democracy.” (36:37)

Topic 2: “Moral Abyss”—IDF Actions at Gaza Food Centers & the Haaretz Exposé

(41:34–70:01)

The Report

Haaretz publishes a long piece alleging soldiers have orders to shoot at unarmed Gazans approaching humanitarian aid distribution points—English headline: “It’s a killing field; IDF soldiers ordered to shoot deliberately at unarmed Gazans…”

Panel Analysis

Linda (Journalist’s Perspective):
- Several things may be true: Palestinians have died near the centers; the scenes are “chaotic”; Hamas often infiltrates civilians.
- Army admits some civilians have been killed but denies deliberate orders to shoot at civilians.
- Finds allegations of “widespread orders” to fire indiscriminately unconvincing but acknowledges dangerous confusion, inadequate training, and horror of the situation.
- Quote:
  
  “Does the situation need to be reformed? Absolutely. Is it actual killing fields where Israeli soldiers are mowing down innocent Palestinians? I’m somewhat suspicious.” (50:26)
Noah & Don:
- The IDF had no plan for crowd control; responded to civilians with live fire or explosions to signal crowd movements, resulting in tragic deaths.
- The army has since altered its tactics.
- Noah notes:
  
  “…what the Haaretz article describes … is a true statement—the army had no strategy for controlling the crowds… and their only means of communication was shooting…” (54:11)
- Numbers Disputed:
  - IDF confirms 23 deaths by its soldiers; Gaza Ministry reports ~500. Much of the discrepancy stems from unclear circumstances and other armed actors’ involvement.

The Haaretz English-Language Controversy

Don:
- English version is much more damning than Hebrew; “killing field” headline is clickbait and exacerbates global outrage.
- “The people who write the headlines are not the people who write the articles—but that certainly was clickbait and may have been disastrous.” (56:47)
Noah:
- The English article is so extreme it “feels similar” to anti-Israel propaganda from abroad, whereas the Hebrew feels like a painful but knowable internal debate.
- Vows to stop writing for English Haaretz in protest.
Linda:
- Defends Haaretz’s essential role; says it’s a “slippery slope” to argue criticism should only happen in Hebrew.
All acknowledge:
- The translation issue matters; one phrase was rendered as "firing towards" in Hebrew, "firing at" in English—a significant moral difference.
Linda:
- “That's also important … Was Haaretz intentionally trying to skew the English to make it sound worse than it was? Or was it a perhaps translation error?”
Noah:
- “Either way, that’s not what a responsible newspaper should do.” (67:57)

Larger Questions Raised

Media’s global impact vs. local context and nuance.
The dangerous difference media framing can make for international perceptions and Israeli morale.
The IDF needs investigation and urgent reform, but public messaging must be careful not to inflame or mislead, especially in translation.

Personal Segments: “Vada Country”

(70:01–87:02)

Linda’s Odyssey: 72 Hours Home from New Zealand

An arduous and anxiety-laden journey home to Israel via Doha, Amman, and the Sheikh Hussein border, complicated by closed airspace after the Israel-Iran conflict.
Navigating as a dual US-Israeli citizen, hiding her passport, encountering passengers from all over the Mideast, and feeling (momentarily) alone—demonstrates both the dangers and the resilience needed by Israelis abroad during wartime.
Notable quote:

“I put my Israeli passport in my left pocket, my American in my right … right pocket, right pocket, right pocket…” (74:35)

Don: Life Resumes After Missiles

The “national folly” of expecting immediate return to routine after 12 days of war.
Postponed celebrations, weddings, funerals, and the powerful need to reconnect with friends and family.
A montage marriage proposal video (“run,” jokes the daughter), highlighting the mix of solemnity and laughter Israelis bring to life.

Noah: Shattered, Then Not—Stories from the Home Front

A colleague’s Tel Aviv apartment hit by a missile; one bookcase of prayerbooks left miraculously untouched—“the kind of thing that makes you think.”
The spirit of making the best out of adversity, even joking about a forced stay in a beachfront hotel.

Notable Quotes & Moments

On Israeli Resilience (03:02):

“Nothing captures the unsinkably buoyant nature of this city we love so well… better than responding to our social media filling up with a song filled with animus and ill will, responding with fine spirits, with humor, with bonhomie, and inevitably strong coffee.” – Noah
On the Haaretz Exposé (56:47):

“Clickbait… and that just may have been disastrous clickbait.” – Don
On the Netanyahu Trial (24:17):

“These posts sounded to me like they were written by ChatGPT with instructions from Bibi’s advance team…” – Don
On International Criticism vs. Internal Debate (61:40):

“It’s a slippery slope to say ‘what will the goyim say, we can’t be critical of Israel’ … I think that’s wrong.” – Linda

Important Timestamps

[00:33] — Opening remarks, viral music discourse (“Boom Boom Tel Aviv”)
[11:17] — Ruth Efroni’s moving production story
[19:11] — Start of main topic: Netanyahu trial and Trump’s intervention
[24:17] — Don reads AI-generated Trump posts
[41:34] — Second topic: Haaretz’s “Killing Fields” exposé
[50:26] — Linda critiques the article and army responses
[70:01] — Vada country: personal stories and moments of solace

Final Thoughts

With candor, exasperation, and love for their complicated country, the hosts dissect the endlessly fraught interplay of Israeli politics, media, and society. Whether tackling prime ministerial corruption trials or the perils of war-zone reporting, they model how to argue fiercely while savoring celebration, even under fire.

For Further Exploration:

For an in-depth dive on the IDF/Gaza aid controversy: Listen to the referenced “Ask Haviv Anything” podcast episode.
Music featured: Hatik Vashesh’s “Valleji,” Almog Tabeca’s “Regga,” and more—reflecting the “complicated days” of Israeli life.

Episode Title Quote:

“Let My Bibi Go!”—a play on Moses’s “Let my people go,” underscoring the episode’s blend of satire and political crisis.

The Promised Podcast

Episode: “The Let My Bibi Go!” Edition
Date: July 3, 2025
Host: TLV1 Studios
Panelists: Noah Efron, Linda Gradstein, Don Futterman

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points

1. Social Media, Music, and Irony: “Boom Boom Tel Aviv”

(00:33–05:36)

The episode opens with a discussion of "Boom Boom Tel Aviv," a virally promoted anti-Israel song, reportedly pushed by the Iranian government.
- Host Noah Efron details the lyrics’ anti-Semitic themes and the disconcerting celebration of Iron Dome's supposed “crack.”
- Despite the negativity, Israelis respond on social media with wry humor and memes—dancing Haredim and Iron Dome coffee.
- Music reviewer Yiftach Karmeli (MAKO) ironically laments:
  
  “It’s just a shame that like always, all the focus is on Tel Aviv and everyone ignores the periphery.” (03:02)
Insight: The ability of Tel Avivians (and Israelis at large) to subvert animosity with humor and irrepressible vitality.

2. Personal Updates and Light Moments

(05:36–11:17)

Linda Gradstein returns from Australia and New Zealand, sharing the logistical hassle of traveling during a period of grounded flights.
Don Futterman canceled a 30th wedding anniversary trip to Rome (Caravaggio exhibit) due to the war, spends time shuttling kids to the bomb shelter.
Noah Efron attends (virtually) a religion and environment conference supposed to be in London—musings on Zoom-fatigue and accidental “out-of-body drug-like states.”

3. The Permeability of Performance & Sorrow: Ruth Efroni’s Reflection

(11:17–13:22)

A powerful retelling of Ruth Efroni’s Facebook post:
- On the set of a drama about October 7th, the bereaved father of murdered Nova partygoer Lirone Berda sits with the actress playing his daughter.
- The surreality and pain of war are captured in a moment of both healing and cruelty—a "cruel illusion” as Efroni calls it.
- Quote:
  
  “...for a moment it seems like the daughter herself has just dropped by to have lunch with her Abba… almost like a normal thing you don’t think about… yet it is something you do not see in this world... like in some horror movie.” (11:17)

Topic 1: Should Netanyahu’s Trial End? “Let My Bibi Go!”

(19:11–41:34)

Background

Five years after it began, the Netanyahu corruption trial returns to center stage—not due to new court developments, but due to explosive Truth Social posts from Donald Trump, who calls for the trial’s cancelation or Netanyahu’s pardon.

Key Issues Explored

The Trump Intervention:
- Trump’s posts (“witch hunt,” “decisive hero,” threats to cut US aid) employ Netanyahu’s favorite talking points and escalate to direct pressure.
- Most Israeli politicians respond tepidly, with the exception of Simcha Rothman, who insists:
  
  “It is not the job of the President of the United States to interfere in judicial procedures in Israel.” (29:44)
The Case for Plea Bargain or Pardon:
- President Herzog and Supreme Court President Aharon Barak advocate an agreement to end the trial, ideally as a plea deal requiring Netanyahu’s exit from politics.
- Barak:
  
  “The most important thing is that we come to an agreement… It can bring about calm.” (24:17)
The Panel’s Perspectives:
- Don:
  - Notes irony in Trump/Netanyahu parallelism; finds Trump’s threats serious, citing his history of following through.
  - Doubts Netanyahu would honor any promise to exit politics after a deal (“he’s not an honest person”).
- Linda:
  - Cites Ehud Olmert’s resignation as the “gentlemanly” precedent; believes once the trial began, it must continue.
  - Notes Barak’s suggestion was conditional on Netanyahu’s permanent exit from politics.
- Noah:
  - Has long said the trial shouldn’t have started or should have been postponed until Netanyahu is no longer PM—but abhors the manner of outside pressure:
    
    “It shouldn’t happen this way. If it were to happen at all, it shouldn’t happen this way.” (32:11)
- All agree:
  - Foreign pressure is undignified and dangerous for Israel’s democracy, but the internal debate over leadership accountability and legal fairness remains unresolved.

Notable Quotes

Don (re: Trump posts):

“These posts sounded to me like they were written by ChatGPT with instructions from Bibi’s advance team.” (24:17)
Linda:

“He [Netanyahu] refused to resign… therefore, I would say that ending the trial is a mistake.” (33:20)
Noah:

“If we allow prosecutors to remove prime ministers simply by virtue of opening a case against them, then we no longer will have a democracy.” (36:37)

Topic 2: “Moral Abyss”—IDF Actions at Gaza Food Centers & the Haaretz Exposé

(41:34–70:01)

The Report

Haaretz publishes a long piece alleging soldiers have orders to shoot at unarmed Gazans approaching humanitarian aid distribution points—English headline: “It’s a killing field; IDF soldiers ordered to shoot deliberately at unarmed Gazans…”

Panel Analysis

Linda (Journalist’s Perspective):
- Several things may be true: Palestinians have died near the centers; the scenes are “chaotic”; Hamas often infiltrates civilians.
- Army admits some civilians have been killed but denies deliberate orders to shoot at civilians.
- Finds allegations of “widespread orders” to fire indiscriminately unconvincing but acknowledges dangerous confusion, inadequate training, and horror of the situation.
- Quote:
  
  “Does the situation need to be reformed? Absolutely. Is it actual killing fields where Israeli soldiers are mowing down innocent Palestinians? I’m somewhat suspicious.” (50:26)
Noah & Don:
- The IDF had no plan for crowd control; responded to civilians with live fire or explosions to signal crowd movements, resulting in tragic deaths.
- The army has since altered its tactics.
- Noah notes:
  
  “…what the Haaretz article describes … is a true statement—the army had no strategy for controlling the crowds… and their only means of communication was shooting…” (54:11)
- Numbers Disputed:
  - IDF confirms 23 deaths by its soldiers; Gaza Ministry reports ~500. Much of the discrepancy stems from unclear circumstances and other armed actors’ involvement.

The Haaretz English-Language Controversy

Don:
- English version is much more damning than Hebrew; “killing field” headline is clickbait and exacerbates global outrage.
- “The people who write the headlines are not the people who write the articles—but that certainly was clickbait and may have been disastrous.” (56:47)
Noah:
- The English article is so extreme it “feels similar” to anti-Israel propaganda from abroad, whereas the Hebrew feels like a painful but knowable internal debate.
- Vows to stop writing for English Haaretz in protest.
Linda:
- Defends Haaretz’s essential role; says it’s a “slippery slope” to argue criticism should only happen in Hebrew.
All acknowledge:
- The translation issue matters; one phrase was rendered as "firing towards" in Hebrew, "firing at" in English—a significant moral difference.
Linda:
- “That's also important … Was Haaretz intentionally trying to skew the English to make it sound worse than it was? Or was it a perhaps translation error?”
Noah:
- “Either way, that’s not what a responsible newspaper should do.” (67:57)

Larger Questions Raised

Media’s global impact vs. local context and nuance.
The dangerous difference media framing can make for international perceptions and Israeli morale.
The IDF needs investigation and urgent reform, but public messaging must be careful not to inflame or mislead, especially in translation.

Personal Segments: “Vada Country”

(70:01–87:02)

Linda’s Odyssey: 72 Hours Home from New Zealand

An arduous and anxiety-laden journey home to Israel via Doha, Amman, and the Sheikh Hussein border, complicated by closed airspace after the Israel-Iran conflict.
Navigating as a dual US-Israeli citizen, hiding her passport, encountering passengers from all over the Mideast, and feeling (momentarily) alone—demonstrates both the dangers and the resilience needed by Israelis abroad during wartime.
Notable quote:

“I put my Israeli passport in my left pocket, my American in my right … right pocket, right pocket, right pocket…” (74:35)

Don: Life Resumes After Missiles

The “national folly” of expecting immediate return to routine after 12 days of war.
Postponed celebrations, weddings, funerals, and the powerful need to reconnect with friends and family.
A montage marriage proposal video (“run,” jokes the daughter), highlighting the mix of solemnity and laughter Israelis bring to life.

Noah: Shattered, Then Not—Stories from the Home Front

A colleague’s Tel Aviv apartment hit by a missile; one bookcase of prayerbooks left miraculously untouched—“the kind of thing that makes you think.”
The spirit of making the best out of adversity, even joking about a forced stay in a beachfront hotel.

Notable Quotes & Moments

On Israeli Resilience (03:02):

“Nothing captures the unsinkably buoyant nature of this city we love so well… better than responding to our social media filling up with a song filled with animus and ill will, responding with fine spirits, with humor, with bonhomie, and inevitably strong coffee.” – Noah
On the Haaretz Exposé (56:47):

“Clickbait… and that just may have been disastrous clickbait.” – Don
On the Netanyahu Trial (24:17):

“These posts sounded to me like they were written by ChatGPT with instructions from Bibi’s advance team…” – Don
On International Criticism vs. Internal Debate (61:40):

“It’s a slippery slope to say ‘what will the goyim say, we can’t be critical of Israel’ … I think that’s wrong.” – Linda

Important Timestamps

[00:33] — Opening remarks, viral music discourse (“Boom Boom Tel Aviv”)
[11:17] — Ruth Efroni’s moving production story
[19:11] — Start of main topic: Netanyahu trial and Trump’s intervention
[24:17] — Don reads AI-generated Trump posts
[41:34] — Second topic: Haaretz’s “Killing Fields” exposé
[50:26] — Linda critiques the article and army responses
[70:01] — Vada country: personal stories and moments of solace

Final Thoughts

For Further Exploration:

For an in-depth dive on the IDF/Gaza aid controversy: Listen to the referenced “Ask Haviv Anything” podcast episode.
Music featured: Hatik Vashesh’s “Valleji,” Almog Tabeca’s “Regga,” and more—reflecting the “complicated days” of Israeli life.

Episode Title Quote:

“Let My Bibi Go!”—a play on Moses’s “Let my people go,” underscoring the episode’s blend of satire and political crisis.

The “Let My Bibi Go!” Edition

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Summary

The Promised Podcast

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points

1. Social Media, Music, and Irony: “Boom Boom Tel Aviv”

2. Personal Updates and Light Moments

3. The Permeability of Performance & Sorrow: Ruth Efroni’s Reflection

Topic 1: Should Netanyahu’s Trial End? “Let My Bibi Go!”

Background

Key Issues Explored

Notable Quotes

Topic 2: “Moral Abyss”—IDF Actions at Gaza Food Centers & the Haaretz Exposé

The Report

Panel Analysis

The Haaretz English-Language Controversy

Larger Questions Raised

Personal Segments: “Vada Country”

Linda’s Odyssey: 72 Hours Home from New Zealand

Don: Life Resumes After Missiles

Noah: Shattered, Then Not—Stories from the Home Front

Notable Quotes & Moments

Important Timestamps

Final Thoughts

Summary

The Promised Podcast

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points

1. Social Media, Music, and Irony: “Boom Boom Tel Aviv”

2. Personal Updates and Light Moments

3. The Permeability of Performance & Sorrow: Ruth Efroni’s Reflection

Topic 1: Should Netanyahu’s Trial End? “Let My Bibi Go!”

Background

Key Issues Explored

Notable Quotes

Topic 2: “Moral Abyss”—IDF Actions at Gaza Food Centers & the Haaretz Exposé

The Report

Panel Analysis

The Haaretz English-Language Controversy

Larger Questions Raised

Personal Segments: “Vada Country”

Linda’s Odyssey: 72 Hours Home from New Zealand

Don: Life Resumes After Missiles

Noah: Shattered, Then Not—Stories from the Home Front

Notable Quotes & Moments

Important Timestamps

Final Thoughts