TOI talks: Dana Internationalizing the foreign press

On this week’s episode, the next step for Israel after Iranian sanctions relief; Margot Wallstrom is at it again; a place among the nations for Shimon Peres; and finding the Jew in David Bowie

The Government Press Office’s annual New Year’s toast — held last week for foreign journalist based in Israel — featured a rare open press conference with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and a surprise performance by famed Israeli transgender singer Dana International.

Based on the prime minister’s answers, the panel this week looks at how Israel can move forward following the implementation of the Iranian nuclear deal, and the official reaction to the Swedish foreign minister’s latest controversial comments.

After former president and prime minister Shimon Peres suffers a mild heart attack, sending the international media into a frenzy, the panel asks how Peres still manages to capture the world’s imagination.

Plus, striving to find David Bowie’s Jewish side as the legendary British singer dies.

Also on this week’s podcast…

Reporter’s notebook

Military correspondent Judah Ari Gross shares his experience joining the IDF in an overnight raid in the West Bank town of Qalqilya.

Blog spotlight

Harold Goldmeier reads part of his blog “Daughter, lost and found” and tells Miriam Herschlag about his impetus behind writing about the struggle facing religious families whose children go “off the path.”