Bari Weiss with Natan Sharansky | FP in Israel

The conversation centers on the ideological and societal shifts in Israel following the October 7th attacks, emphasizing the country's transition from a polarized society to a unified front. Natan Sharansky, a former Soviet dissident and Israeli cabinet minister, argues that the failure of past policies—specifically the reliance on dictators like Arafat and Hamas to maintain stability—demonstrates that true peace requires the development of civil society and democratic values. The discussion extends to the global rise of anti-Semitism, which Sharansky links to neo-Marxist ideologies infiltrating academia, and critiques the Israeli government's cautious stance toward Russia’s war in Ukraine. Sharansky maintains that the survival of the Jewish state and the preservation of freedom depend on abandoning the illusion that enemies can be moderated through economic incentives, urging a return to the core principles of liberty and historical resilience.