Promoted Podcast Wondering Jews

Exploring Religious Zionism with Yair Ettinger

We explore the historical roots of the movement, how it helped shape modern Israeli society, and its current role in Israel’s security, politics, and peace efforts.

Religious Zionism party chief Bezalel Smotrich (center) and party members at the settlement of Efrat in the Gush Etzion region of the West Bank, October 26, 2022. (Gershon Elinson/Flash90)

Mijal and Noam dive into the complexities of religious Zionism in Israel with renowned journalist, Yair Ettinger. They explore the historical roots of the movement, from the pragmatic vision of Rabbi Reines to the messianic approach of Rabbi Kook and discuss how these ideologies helped shape modern Israeli society. They ask tough questions, including why figures such as Meir Kahane are resurfacing in popular discourse. With the rise of hardline religious Zionist factions, Mijal and Noam delve into what religious Zionism means today, its diversity and its role in Israel’s security, politics, and peace efforts.

Frayed by Yair Ettinger

Click here for Yair Ettinger’s full bio.

Yair Ettinger is a former Kogod Research Fellow at Shalom Hartman Institute of North America and an Israeli journalist whose work focuses primarily on religious affairs, the religious and Haredi communities, and their politics. Previously, he covered issues relating to Palestinian citizens of Israel and was a foreign affairs correspondent in Paris. Until 2017, he served as a journalist with Ha’aretz for 20 years.

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