logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2023
11m 37s

Israel’s hostage dilemma

Financial Times
About this episode

Sir Keir Starmer made a pitch for the votes of disillusioned former Conservative supporters, abductions of dozens of civilians present Israel with risky options to get them back, and the EU has put its development funding to the Palestinian territories under review after Hamas’s attack on Israel. 


Mentioned in this podcast:

Keir Starmer promises ‘national renewal’ in appeal to UK voters

Hamas kidnappings leave Israeli forces with painful hostage dilemma

EU to review development funding for Palestinian territories

Brussels blames commissioner for Palestinian aid freeze blunder

Access 50% off of a digital subscription FT.com/briefingsale


The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Samantha Giovinco, Monica Lopez, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.


Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Today
Canada’s push to become an energy superpower
The UK and France have pledged for the first time to co-ordinate the use of their nuclear weapons, the copper markets are reeling from US President Donald Trump’s threat to impose 50 per cent tariffs on the metal, and Canada has a plan to offset American energy levies by exportin ... Show More
11m 17s
Yesterday
BCG tries to limit Gaza work fallout
EU negotiators are closing in on a trade deal with Donald Trump that would cement higher tariffs than those granted to the UK, and Boston Consulting Group’s chief executive said the group’s involvement with a postwar plan for Gaza had been “reputationally very damaging”. Plus, Eu ... Show More
10m 31s
Jul 8
Liechtenstein's zombie-trust apocalypse
US President Donald Trump extended tariff deadlines, and Liechtenstein’s trust industry is in a crisis spurred by American sanctions against Russia. Plus, Shein filed for an initial public offering in Hong Kong, and Elon Musk is trying to save Tesla from Trump. Mentioned in this ... Show More
11m 18s
Recommended Episodes
May 2024
Could Israel & Hamas agree a ceasefire?
Today we look at the potential ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.On Monday, Hamas agreed to terms put forward by Egyptian and Qatari mediators, but Israel has rejected them, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying they are far from meeting Israel’s “core demands”. Mea ... Show More
38m 25s
Dec 2023
Israel-Hamas truce ends
The truce between Israel and Hamas is over. Once again, explosions rock Gaza as the IDF enters the next stage of its offensive against Hamas. Plus, Rep. George Santos faces his expulsion vote. And, Ron DeSantis debates Gavin Newsom during a presidential primary. Also this morning ... Show More
2h 9m
Oct 2023
The UK politics of Israel-Palestine
Over the weekend, Palestinian flags flooded central London as thousands marched for 'Free Palestine'. But has legitimate support for the rights of Palestinian citizens been merged with more sinister support, or acquiescence of, the presence of Hamas, a deeply illiberal, misogynis ... Show More
37m 14s
May 2023
Israel on the Brink
Ben and Tommy are joined by Max Fisher for a special episode on the roots of the judicial crisis in Israel that has brought millions of protestors out into the streets and still threatens to tear the country apart. They dig into the unresolved constitutional questions from Israel ... Show More
55m 33s
Oct 2023
Can the Gaza conflict be contained?
Gideon talks to Baroness Catherine Ashton, former high representative of the EU on foreign affairs, about the role of diplomacy in helping to contain the Israel-Gaza conflict. Clip: The White House Free links to read more on this topic:The Israel-Hamas war in maps: latest updates ... Show More
26m 5s
Feb 2024
Rafah, the last “safe” zone
Palestinians are trapped in Rafah, Gaza’s southernmost city, where about 1.5 million people have sought refuge. After bombings this weekend, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is threatening a ground invasion. Palestinian journalist Aseel Mousa takes us inside Rafah, and t ... Show More
26m 1s
Apr 2024
US approves $14 billion to Israel, blocks Palestine UN membership
We are coming to you on Sundays with weekly roundups as Israel's war on Gaza continues. The United States voted against granting Palestinians full UN membership. Israel attacked Iran. The U. S. Congress approved more military aid to Israel.  It is day 198 of the war. More than 34 ... Show More
6m 12s
Jun 2024
Israel signals a shift in the war on Gaza
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says his country is ending the “intense” phase of the war on Gaza and signals a shift of focus to the simmering conflict on the country's northern border with Lebanon. So, what will this mean on the ground? In this episode:  Daniel Levy, ... Show More
18m 15s
May 2024
“Israel is becoming a burden to those who support it" w/ Mouin Rabbani
The brothers welcome the political analyst Mouin Rabbani (@MouinRabbani) to the show to discuss the broader implications of Israel’s genocidal campaign in Gaza, the loss of Israeli military credibility, the implications of the recent ICJ and ICC decisions for Israel’s growing glo ... Show More
1h 34m
Jul 2024
Who are the Middle East power brokers?
Gideon talks to John Sawers, a former head of MI6, Britain’s secret intelligence agency, about the Israel-Hamas conflict. Is there any prospect of peace in Gaza? And how do the region's most powerful countries see their interests? Clip: BBC Free links to read more on this topic:B ... Show More
27m 11s