Podcasts

A year after Hamas’s October 7 attacks and the start of the war in Gaza, outside attention remains diverted away from Jerusalem. Evan Gottesman, Danny Seidemann, and Jumana Jaouni reflect on how the anniversary played out and what observers are missing with much of international focus trained on Iran and Lebanon.

With the specter of a wider Israel-Iran war looming over the Middle East, Evan Gottesman catches up with TJ’s Danny Seidemann and Palestinian affairs expert Jumana Jaouni about the latest out of Jerusalem. Despite recent provocations at the Temple Mount/Haram al Sharif—and shameless obfuscations by Israeli politicians—might the contested holy city actually be the perfect, imperfect example for the region to follow?

Evan Gottesman checks in with TJ’s Danny Seidemann and Jerusalem expert Jumana Jaouni about developments in Kufr Aqab—a Palestinian neighborhood and oft-ignored governing void located within Jerusalem’s official borders—but on the east side of the Israel-West Bank barrier.

At the end of May, Spain, Ireland, and Norway recognized the State of Palestine alongside Israel. The right-wing Israeli government’s response raises questions about the future Spain’s consulate in Jerusalem—and other diplomatic offices in the contested city. Evan Gottesman joins TJ’s Danny Seidemann and Jumana Jaouni to break down the state of international representation in Jerusalem.

Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir visited the Temple Mount/Haram al Sharif for the first time since the Hamas attacks of October 7 and the war in Gaza. Was this a message from Ben Gvir’s handlers on Balfour Street to the international community? Evan Gottesman, Danny Seidemann, and Jumana Jaouni unpack the firebrand minister’s contentious visit. Plus, a look at the latest in Sheikh Jarrah.

The Axis Mundi team welcomes Palestinian affairs expert Jumana Jaouni to the show. Evan Gottesman, TJ’s Danny Seidemann, and Jumana discuss Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s corrosive influence on the situation at the Temple Mount/Haram al Sharif and the chilling of public discourse in Jerusalem since Hamas’ October 7 attacks and the start of the war in Gaza.

Listen to “The Goat”—a previous installment of TJ’s Axis Mundi podcast referenced in this episode.