The IDDF Podcast with Chuck Freilich and Danny Ayalon
THE IDDF PODCAST WITH CHUCK FREILICH & DANNY AYALON: With guest Prof. Manuel Trajtenberg, Israel's enemies are astonished at the internal protests and political instability at home
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Episode notes
Episode 24 of the Israel Defense and Diplomacy Forum (IDDF) – with Prof. Chuck Freilich, former Israeli Deputy National Security Advisor, and Danny Ayalon, former Deputy Foreign Minister and Ambassador to Washington.
In this episode, Chuck and Danny interview Prof. Manuel Trajtenberg, one of Israel’s most prominent economists and a prominent global expert in the field of innovation and economic growth. Trajtenberg has vast experience in national security areas, as well, and is now as Executive Director of the Institute for National Security Studies, INSS, in Tel Aviv.
Trajtenberg is deeply concerned by the “legal reforms” proposed by the government. In a fascinating analysis of the situation, he believes it essential that a true process of national dialogue now begin, which will require that all sides make painful concessions, e.g. on the issue of ultra-Orthodox military service. He believes that the only way to do this is as part of a national unity government, which would be formed following new elections in the near future.
Danny agrees with Trajtenberg’s recommendations, believes that one cannot force military service on the Haredim and, in any event, that’s all sides are now fatigued by recent events. Chuck believes that these events are the Israeli equivalent of the French Bastille, the American Civil War, or the revolutions in Russia and China, one of those defining moments after which things never are – and should not be – the same. Hestresses that one should never waste a good crisis andthat well-meaning proposals for national dialogue miss this historic opportunity to finally address truly critical issues, such as the future of the West Bank, synagogue-state relations, the electoral system and more.
Danny believes that the national discussion should be limited to the domestic issues, primarily the legal dimensions, and that foreign policy, such as the future of the West Bank, should be kept separate. Danny does believe, however, that Netanyahu has fulfilled his historic role and must give way for a new generation of Likud leaders.
Following the discussion of the ongoing domestic crisis in Israel, Chuck and Danny turn to their deep concern over the crisis in relations with the US. Both agree that the domestic crisis in Israel is causing grave damage to the bilateral relationship. Chuck notes a recent poll showing, for the first time, that a majority of Democrats now support the Palestinians, not Israel
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