This past Monday evening, Jan. 9, Over 150 friends and supporters of the Max and Ruth Schwartz Sderot Hesder Institutions gathered in the main auditorium of Congregation Keter Torah, Teaneck, to celebrate the city of Sderot, Torah and the Land of Israel.
Josh Hasten
The Sour Grapes Protest
Thousands of Israelis demonstrated against the government this past Saturday night under the guise of “democracy,” saying they were against the new government’s proposed judicial reforms. However, on this week’s Israel Uncensored, Josh Hasten says the protest reeked of sour grapes by “liberals,” who in reality don’t respect Israel’s election results or its democratically elected leadership.
Photo Credit: SMcGarnigle / Commons Wikimedia
Smotrich: Government Will Fight to Prevent Dismantlement of Homesh Yeshivah
Israel’s new government is committed to strengthening the Jewish presence in Judea and Samaria and is therefore contesting a Supreme Court order to evacuate Homesh, Finance Minister and Minister within the Defense Ministry Bezalel Smotrich told JNS.
Haters Gonna Hate
On today’s Israel Uncensored, Josh Hasten calls out those Israelis who have already taken to the streets to protest the new government – despite the fact that the government hasn’t been given a chance to implement any policies. Josh says that the concepts of “liberalism” and “free speech” have been hijacked by those protestors who claim to be open-minded folks who respect democracy, yet take to the streets when they don’t get what they want.
Photo Credit: Flickr
Pilgrimage to Joseph’s Tomb an Increasingly Perilous Journey

Palestinians take over Joseph’s Tomb in Nablus in 2000. It was under Israeli control until the tomb was attacked by a Palestinian mob. Photo by Flash90.
Since the current wave of Arab terrorism began in March, worshippers and the IDF soldiers guarding them have come under gunfire during the monthly organized pilgrimages to the Jewish holy site of Joseph’s Tomb in the city of Shechem, aka Nablus, in Samaria.
Give Up on Sovereignty for Peace with Saudi Arabia?
A news report over the weekend indicated that incoming Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is once again considering pushing off applying sovereignty over Judea and Samaria in exchange for a normalization agreement with Saudi Arabia. Sovereignty was pushed off in exchange for the Abraham Accords agreement with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain several years ago. On today’s Israel Uncensored, Josh Hasten says that while an alliance against Iran is a top priority, Israel should stay strong on the sovereignty issue.
Photo Credit: Commons Wikimedia
Great Neck, NY, Signs ‘Sister Pact’ with Israeli Towns

Great Neck, New York, Mayor Dr. Pedram Bral (left) and Binyamin Regional CounciI head Israel Ganz sign a friendship and cooperation agreement last week. Courtesy of the Heartland Initiative.
A declaration of friendship and cooperation was signed in Israel this week at a festive ceremony between the mayor of Great Neck, New York, Dr. Pedram Bral, and Israel Ganz, the head of the Binyamin Regional Council, north of Jerusalem.
UN Legitimizes Hamas, “Horrified” When Terrorist Killed
Two parallel stories in the news this week coming out of the United Nations. First, UN special rapporteur for the “Palestinians” spoke at a Hamas conference in Gaza and welcomed their resistance (see: terrorism). Then, the UN Special Coordinator for the so-called Middle East Peace Process expressed that he was “horrified” that a terrorist who tried to murder Israelis in a village near Shechem was shot dead. On today’s Israel Uncensored with Josh Hasten, Josh says that once again the UN is showing that it has no moral compass. This and all the latest news from Israel on this week’s podcast.
Photo Credit: Jacob Richman – Pictures
A Druze “Guide to the Middle East”
This past week, a young Druze Israeli citizen injured in car accident was murdered in Jenin, after terrorists from the PA took him off life support and held his body for ransom. The Druze community threatened that if his body was not returned, there would be blood. Within 24 hours, the family received the body back and gave him a proper burial. Officially, negotiations between Israel, the IDF, and the PA led to his release. But on this week’s Israel Uncensored, Josh Hasten argues that what really caused the gunmen to cave, was the show of strength by the Druze community, issuing an ultimatum that the terrorists would pay a steep price if the body was not returned. Josh argues that Israel, years ago, should have taken a similar approach in securing the release of two Israelis, and the bodies of two IDF soldiers being held by Hamas in Gaza.
Photo Credit: ליהיא מרום / Commons Wikimedia
Who Are the English-Language Podcasters of Israel?
Josh Hasten was interviewed for Jpost’s cover story in their magazine about podcasters in Israel.
It shouldn’t be surprising that in a Jewish state, so many people have so much to say. And with the proliferation of podcasts, the ability to put one’s views “out there” for others to hear is easier than ever.