Conflict & Justice

US officials say they hope Israel’s tensions with Iran don’t widen and deepen. At the same time, Israel’s military chief now says that his armed forces will respond to Iran’s weekend missile attack. Retired Adm. John Kirby, the spokesman for the National Security Council, talks with host Marco Werman about the role the US will play as its ally Israel decides how to retaliate. 

The country has begun rationing artillery on the front lines as Congress prepares to vote on a stalled military aid package for Ukraine. It’s also increasingly exposed to Russian aerial attacks as it awaits further support from its partners. The World’s Daniel Ofman reports from Riga, Latvia, on how this affects Ukraine’s war efforts and morale.

The biggest issue in Israel today is the fate of the 133 hostages still held captive in Gaza. Israel says, according to military intelligence, 33 of them are dead. Demonstrators have held sit-ins, marches and protests almost every day over the past six months demanding their return. The World’s Marco Werman spoke with Rachel Goldberg and Jon Polin, the parents of 23-year-old Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who was taken hostage on Oct. 7. They have just returned from a trip to the US where they met with top officials.

As Israel’s war in Gaza continues, its impact on the lives of Palestinians in the occupied territories of the West Bank can be felt acutely in terms of water access. The World’s host Marco Werman visited one Palestinian farming area just outside the city of Ramallah to learn more. 

FeelBeit is an event space and bar in Jerusalem that brings together Palestinian and Israeli artists to share the stage. Before Oct. 7, 2023, this was already a difficult thing to do. But after, it’s been almost impossible. FeelBeit closed for a while but realized that it was important to reopen their doors. The World’s Marco Werman went there to see what it’s all about.