Transcript [00:00] Good evening and thank you for joining [00:03] the New York Jewish Week and UJA [00:05] Federation of New York for our monthly [00:07] folio literary series. I'm Theo [00:10] Weaselier, director of public programs [00:12] at 70 Faces Media, the parent company of [00:15] the New York Jewish Week. It's a [00:17] pleasure to welcome you to tonight's [00:19] conversation with Israel Israeli [00:21] journalist and author Amir T-Bone. Amir [00:25] will speak about his deeply personal [00:26] book, winner of the prestigious 2026 [00:29] Sammy Roar Prize for Jewish Literature, [00:32] The Gates of Gaza. He will share his [00:35] family's firsthand story of surviving [00:37] October 7 and deciding to rebuild their [00:40] life beside the Gaza border. Blending [00:43] this intimate account with his expertise [00:45] as a journalist, he will address the [00:48] critical issues shaping the region and [00:50] what is at stake in Israel's upcoming [00:52] election on October 27. [00:55] Andrew Silo Carroll, editor at large at [00:57] 70 Faces Media, will lead the [01:00] conversation to unpack these insights [01:03] and consider what they mean for American [01:05] Jews and the broader USIsrael [01:07] relationship. [01:09] Our partner, U.J.A. began their work in [01:11] Israel long before the establishment of [01:14] the state in 1948 and remains central to [01:17] its mission today, helping Israelis in [01:20] crisis every day, strengthening the bond [01:22] between Israel and the diaspora and [01:25] supporting a Jewish democratic state. To [01:28] learn more, you can find the link in the [01:30] chat. And now I'm pleased to turn things [01:33] over to Andy and Amir. [01:37] >> Thank you so much, Thea. Um it's an [01:40] honor again to be talking to Amir [01:41] Tibone. Uh we had the pleasure of [01:44] talking um maybe just over a month ago [01:46] for a piece that appeared in the Jewish [01:48] Telegraphic Agency when Amir won the [01:51] Sammy Roar Prize uh for Jewish [01:53] literature which is given out every year [01:55] to a book of outstanding merit in the [01:58] Jewish world. One year it's fiction and [02:00] this year it was for non-fiction for [02:02] your book. Um, so Amir, welcome. Um, and [02:06] um, I don't want to, no spoiler alerts, [02:08] but welcome home. I understand you're [02:10] back in Nalos. [02:13] >> Hi. Yes, good evening everyone. And hi, [02:18] Andy. It's great to be speaking with you [02:19] again. [02:21] I hope you can hear me. Okay. And yes, [02:25] right now I'm speaking with you actually [02:27] from the kibbutz library in O. That's [02:30] why there are all these books behind me. [02:32] Uh, this is not my living room. Um, you [02:36] know, it's kind of late here in Israel. [02:37] It's just after 1:00 a.m. And so, [02:40] because I didn't want to wake up Mary, [02:43] my wife, and our two little daughters [02:44] who are asleep now, [02:46] >> um, I came here to the library. And, uh, [02:50] I used to do these kinds of zoom [02:53] conversations, interviews, events, [02:55] whatever. um quite often from this [02:57] library before October 7 whenever I [03:00] would give interviews to American [03:03] television you know CNN Fox News and the [03:06] others this would usually be the [03:07] background but tonight is actually the [03:10] first time I'm doing that kind of event [03:13] um since [03:16] >> um so I'm also excited um for that [03:19] reason among others [03:20] >> right so I want I want to get back to [03:22] the homecoming um so but maybe before we [03:25] do for folks. I mean, the book is [03:27] stunning. Your story is well known. Uh [03:29] there's a a documentary that was also [03:31] made about you and your father and your [03:33] mother and Mary. So, maybe let's start [03:36] by just orienting people. Remind us [03:39] where you were on October 8th. It's a [03:42] harrowing place to be and and how that [03:45] how the events played out over the next [03:47] uh my guess was it 24 hours? [03:52] >> October 7th, right? Not [03:54] >> October 7th. Right. Yeah. Okay. Okay. [03:55] Cuz October, by the way, that's a that's [03:57] a story by itself as well. [03:59] >> That was my question. [04:01] >> Yeah. Yeah. Of course. Uh but so [04:03] obviously we were here in O which is the [04:07] closest community in Israel to the Gaza [04:10] border. It's located less than a mile [04:12] from the border between Gaza and Israel [04:15] and it is facing directly Gaza city. [04:18] It's a small kibbutz that was founded in [04:20] the 1950s. And in the book uh alongside [04:24] the story of October 7, I also detail [04:27] the history of this kibbutz. And I [04:29] always say it's a small place with a [04:32] very big history. It was founded here [04:35] with a mission [04:37] to hold and protect this border and to [04:42] hold on to this land that is part of the [04:45] internationally recognized borders of [04:47] the state of Israel [04:49] and with a sense of hope also that [04:53] perhaps by showing determination to be [04:56] here through all the difficulties of [04:58] living in a border community and [05:01] unfortunately it's a border that has [05:02] known many wars [05:04] that the determination to be here will [05:06] also send a message to our neighbors on [05:08] the other side that we're not going [05:10] anywhere. So maybe we should think about [05:12] finding a way to live together. And [05:14] that's and again the history of this [05:17] very unique place is told throughout my [05:20] book. And we had moved here um in 2014. [05:26] Mary, my wife and and I um we we came [05:30] here for ideological reasons. you can [05:33] say um we believe in the importance of [05:36] this place. We believe in the mission [05:38] that is it has taken upon itself and we [05:41] believe that the state of Israel needs [05:44] strong, secure and defined borders. You [05:47] know, if you ask me what is the biggest [05:49] problem our country faces today? Well, [05:52] there are many problems, but one of them [05:54] for sure is the question of what are the [05:57] borders of Israel? How do we define [05:59] them? [06:01] And that's what brought us here. [06:03] And we got married here. Um became a [06:06] family here, raised two girls. And um [06:10] we're very proud to be part of this [06:12] place, October 7, 2023. It was supposed [06:16] to be a day of celebration here in this [06:18] kibbutz because the community was [06:21] founded in October 1953. [06:24] And so on October 7, 2023, [06:28] we were planning to celebrate the 70 [06:31] year anniversary of Kibutal. And on that [06:34] evening, on that Saturday evening, [06:36] October 7, there was supposed to be a [06:38] party at the communal pool with hundreds [06:41] of guests and of course the entire [06:43] community. And we were all preparing for [06:46] it with great excitement. [06:48] And that party never took place. Um [06:50] because we woke up on the morning of [06:53] October 7 to a very different day. Um at [06:56] first it was a a very [07:00] let's say extraordinary [07:03] rocket and [07:05] missile and mortar attack which is [07:09] something we had were more used to [07:11] because over the years kamas had [07:12] launched thousands of rockets and and [07:15] mortars at this community. Um, but [07:18] that's how it started on the morning of [07:20] October 7. And then shortly after 7 [07:23] a.m., the bombardment was followed up by [07:26] a ground invasion. And it's important to [07:29] understand that October 7 was not a [07:31] terror attack and it was not something [07:36] limited. It was basically a military [07:39] invasion. Kamas had built over the years [07:42] an army of terror just a mile away from [07:47] here on the other side of the border. [07:49] And that army invaded Israel on October [07:51] 7 at 30 different locations along the [07:54] Israel Gaza border. One of those scenes [07:58] of action was here in Kibut. The kibbuts [08:02] was attacked, invaded, conquered for [08:06] long hours by more than 150 kamas [08:09] terrorists who were going from door to [08:11] door looking to murder and kidnap and [08:16] destroy everything they could. And our [08:19] family was caught in the way like [08:21] everyone living here in the community. [08:23] We sheltered in a small [08:26] dark room in our house without [08:28] electricity, without food for 10 hours. [08:32] There was very intense fighting in the [08:34] kibbuts and I write about that in the [08:36] book. Um, it was a massacre, but it was [08:39] also a battle. There was a small [08:42] security team here in the kibbutz that [08:44] led a very heroic fight to try to slow [08:48] down the kamas invasion and save whoever [08:53] they could and try to hold on until the [08:56] military would arrive. And eventually [08:58] the military did arrive but it took many [09:01] hours too many uh if you ask me and [09:04] everybody else living here. And so I [09:06] tell that story as well. And then there [09:08] is another part of the story which is [09:11] told in the book and that's the story of [09:13] my parents who live in Tel Aviv which is [09:15] just over an hour away from here. You [09:17] know Israel is a very small country. So [09:20] from Tel Aviv to the Gaza border on a [09:22] Saturday morning without traffic it [09:24] should take just over an hour. Um my [09:26] parents are in their early 60s and what [09:30] they decided to do that day after [09:31] realizing that all the defenses of the [09:34] country have collapsed and that the [09:36] military was not coming here to Nal on [09:40] time. They just got in their car and [09:42] they drove down here and they did a lot [09:44] of extraordinary things along the way. [09:46] They saved many people and rescued [09:48] injured soldiers. and my father who is a [09:51] retired officer himself served served [09:54] for more than 30 years in the IDF [09:56] eventually made it here to the kibuts [09:58] and joined the fighting and in the [10:01] afternoon around 4 p.m. also managed to [10:04] arrive to our house. All of that and and [10:07] much more, you know, I'm just [10:08] summarizing here, but much more is told [10:11] in the book, you know, also the stories [10:12] of neighbors of ours who were killed and [10:16] murdered and kidnapped on that day, the [10:19] story of the heroic security team of the [10:21] kibuts and also the aftermath, a little [10:24] bit of the aftermath, what happened [10:25] after October 7 when we were all [10:27] evacuated late at night from this kibuts [10:30] and taken to different places in the [10:32] country and the experience of becoming [10:35] refugees in our own land. Um, you know, [10:38] that's kind of, you know, in a nutshell, [10:41] um, the different stories that together [10:44] make up this one big story, um, the [10:46] gates of Gaza, [10:48] >> right? When we spoke last time, um, you [10:51] said you, it was it was a book, of [10:52] course, you wish you'd never had to [10:53] write. Um, why don't you tell me a [10:55] little bit about why you felt compelled [10:58] to write it and what did you hope to [11:00] convey to to readers outside of Israel, [11:03] inside of Israel? [11:06] Yes, it's true. Um and and it's always a [11:08] bit um awkward because last month when [11:12] the book won the Sammy Roar Prize for [11:14] Jewish Literature, which is an [11:16] achievement I'm very proud of. Uh that [11:19] was literally the first sentence I said [11:21] at the ceremony that was held in the um [11:24] National Library of Israel in Jerusalem. [11:27] I said, "It's a great honor, but I wish [11:29] I had never written this book." uh this [11:32] book was born out of terrible [11:34] circumstances and the world would have [11:37] been a much better place and my life [11:38] would have been much better if those [11:41] things never happened and there was no [11:42] need to write it. But because those [11:45] terrible things did happen, October 7 [11:48] happened and we lost so many friends, so [11:51] many people that we love, we almost um [11:56] joined that list and we went through [11:59] this very very dramatic and tense [12:05] experience. [12:06] I realized that I had to write it. And [12:10] one of the factors that drove me to do [12:12] it was seeing already from October 8 the [12:17] concentrated efforts to deny, minimize [12:20] and even justify the atrocities of [12:23] October 7. And it started right away. [12:27] Maybe it took a little time to gain [12:29] steam and reach popularity. But the idea [12:32] that either this did not happen or it [12:35] wasn't exactly as the Israelis are [12:37] saying it happened or it wasn't that bad [12:41] compared to other things or they had it [12:44] coming. All those things um that was all [12:48] over social media and it sipped slowly [12:51] into more mainstream discussion as well [12:54] right from the start. And I just [12:56] realized that if there's one thing I can [12:58] do at this very very difficult time in [13:01] my life and in the life of my community, [13:03] my friends, my neighbors, it's simply to [13:05] tell the story. Uh to tell it from the [13:08] beginning as it happened, to tell it in [13:11] a serious way. And when I say a serious [13:13] way, what I mean is it's it's not only a [13:16] memoir, which is also a serious thing to [13:19] do, but there's also research that I had [13:21] to invest in this book. I did dozens of [13:24] interviews with people here from [13:26] Iikiboot, with the soldiers and the [13:28] police officers who took part in the [13:30] battle here and also with historians and [13:32] experts and politicians and decision [13:35] makers. Um, that's more relevant for the [13:38] chapters in the book that deal with the [13:40] history of Nal and through it the [13:43] history of Israel and Gaza. I felt [13:45] compelled to to tell the story to give [13:48] context to put things on on the record, [13:53] if you will. Um, and I hope that I made [13:56] some contribution in this battle for [13:59] memory and truth that we are fighting [14:01] every day. We're still fighting that [14:03] battle. And I have to say, Andy, that [14:05] from my point of view, it's a bit of um [14:09] um strange situation, but it's a battle [14:12] that we're fighting both externally and [14:15] internally here in Israel because there [14:18] are very very powerful forces out there [14:21] in the world who would like everyone to [14:23] forget October 7 or again to color it in [14:27] very different colors of some kind of a [14:30] response that was justified because of [14:33] this or [14:34] And then there are also powerful forces [14:36] here in Israel that would like us to [14:38] forget that day because it's a [14:40] humiliating day for every Israeli. It's [14:43] a tragic day. And uh maybe it's easier [14:46] to pretend that the story of the last [14:49] three years in Israel began on October 8 [14:52] with the response and the enlistment and [14:54] the spirit of fighting back and [14:57] protecting our country and unity and so [14:59] forth. So there is this very eclectic [15:02] and weird coalition um from in and out [15:05] that is trying to make us forget October [15:08] 7 and uh my responsibility my duty is to [15:13] say no we have to remember October 7 and [15:16] we have to learn about that day and we [15:18] have to understand what happened on that [15:20] day and how we got there what what led [15:22] us to that day and that's what I try to [15:24] do in the book and in events like the [15:27] one we're having this evening [15:29] Right. You know, speaking of that, you [15:30] know, that eclectic coalition, I I find [15:33] especially in the United States, when [15:35] people talk about October 7th, the [15:37] polarization is incredibly wide. Um [15:40] there's an assumption that if you're [15:42] writing a book about that puts, you [15:44] know, what happened on October 7th at [15:47] the center of the book that somehow that [15:50] turns you into a, you know, you're [15:52] justifying everything that came [15:53] afterwards. that automatically throws [15:55] you in as an Israeli nationalist. And [15:58] then you have the other side that, you [15:59] know, um, doesn't want to look at it at [16:01] all. They want to just say, like you [16:04] said earlier, they had it coming. You [16:07] know, Israel, this is, you know, the [16:09] Israel had created the conditions for [16:11] its own for its own suffering. How do [16:14] you see your role as someone who is both [16:18] a Zionist, you know, a patriot? Oh, [16:20] >> proud of someone who I think can be [16:22] critical and be can be critical of your [16:24] own government. [16:26] Well, first of all, I have to say that [16:28] there's I'm a very proud liberal Zionist [16:31] and this is my political ideological [16:34] identity here in Israel and also I think [16:38] it's a very relevant one for the [16:42] American Jewish community today and [16:43] Jewish communities around the world. And [16:46] it's a not always the easiest place to [16:48] be um because uh you're kind of stuck in [16:53] the middle. Um, there are people who [16:57] think that you are [17:00] not loyal enough uh to the Zionist [17:03] element of your identity and others who [17:06] think you're not loyal enough to the [17:07] liberal element of your identity. And [17:11] yes, um I I understand the the criticism [17:14] from every direction, but I that's what [17:16] I believe. I believe the Jewish people [17:19] need a safe and secure homeland and that [17:22] the best place for it is here in the [17:26] state of Israel in the world's one and [17:28] only Jewish state. And at the same time, [17:30] I think it's urgently important to [17:34] highlight the failures and the bad [17:38] policy decisions that were made over the [17:41] years by the current Israeli leadership [17:44] and contributed in great degree to [17:47] October 7. You know, Andy, we're [17:49] speaking tonight after a bombshell of a [17:53] report appeared this morning in Harets, [17:56] the newspaper that I work for by Schlomi [17:59] Alar, who is a veteran Israeli [18:01] journalist covering the covering the [18:03] Israeli Palestinian conflict for and [18:05] actually his expertise was always on [18:07] Gaza. and he reported that a week and a [18:11] half before October 7, Prime Minister [18:13] Netanyahu received a direct warning from [18:17] the leadership of the United Arab [18:18] Emirates, probably the most pro-Israeli [18:21] country in the Middle East today, the [18:23] UAE, that the the leaders of the UAE [18:26] directly warned Prime Minister [18:27] Netanyahu, that something was being [18:30] planned by Hamas in Gaza, that something [18:34] very bad could emerge from the place [18:37] right next to where I'm speaking with [18:39] you right now and he dismissed it, did [18:43] not share the information with the [18:44] chiefs of the military and the [18:46] intelligence. Uh he denies it [18:47] completely. He says it's a total lie and [18:49] fabrication. And the Emirates, [18:53] interesting enough, they published a [18:54] response a few hours ago basically [18:56] saying we don't discuss private [18:58] conversations between leaders of [19:00] countries, which is what we call in [19:02] journalism a non-denial denial or it's [19:05] not even a denial. It's just it's a [19:06] non-denial period, I think. Mhm. [19:09] >> So, it's important to highlight those [19:11] failures and those problems and the bad [19:14] decisions that contributed to October 7 [19:17] without losing sight of the fact that [19:19] October 7 was a day when Kamas committed [19:23] war crimes and massacred innocent [19:27] civilians and used gruesome violence and [19:30] also brought a disaster upon the people [19:33] of Gaza. Because we look today at the [19:36] reality in Gaza. [19:39] It's not like things were perfect on the [19:42] morning of October 7 before Kamas [19:44] launched this attack. There were many [19:46] problems at the time as well. But anyone [19:49] in Gaza, anyone will tell you that the [19:52] situation was better considerably than [19:56] it is today. And today Gaza is a [19:59] disaster zone. It's it's a refugee camp [20:01] of of two million people and they are [20:04] living on only half of the territory of [20:07] the Gaza Strip compared to prior to [20:10] October 7. And the destruction is [20:15] widespread, severe, disturbing, [20:18] and none of that should have happened. [20:21] And it's a result of the decision by [20:24] Hamas to launch the war. And again, that [20:26] does not exempt Israel and the Israeli [20:28] government from responsibility for the [20:31] decisions that were made during the war. [20:34] It does not justify every decision that [20:36] was made during the war. It does not [20:39] mean that there should be no scrutiny [20:41] and no criticism of how the war was [20:43] conducted by Israel. That's not what I'm [20:46] arguing at all. And if if you read what [20:48] I've been writing during these past [20:50] three years in Harare and what I've been [20:53] saying in interviews like the one we're [20:54] having today, you know where I stand on [20:56] this and and how uh how many times I [21:00] called during those years to stop the [21:04] war, to focus on saving the Israeli [21:06] hostages, reaching an agreement. That [21:09] was my line for quite a long time. But [21:11] it's also important to remember none of [21:13] it would have happened if not for [21:15] October 7th. And that's something I will [21:18] continue to say until my last breath [21:20] because it's the truth. [21:23] >> How would you respond to someone who [21:24] said that maybe right now on the ground [21:27] in Gaza, you know, they can't count [21:29] their, you know, it's certainly they can [21:30] only count their losses. But in terms of [21:33] world opinion, uh, governments in [21:36] Europe, governments, you know, factions [21:38] of the Democratic Party, factions of the [21:40] Republican party turning against Israel, [21:43] um, is that something that, you know, [21:44] Hamas can count as a victory in the, you [21:47] know, the worldwide propaganda war? [21:48] >> Yeah. Yeah. It's their only victory. [21:51] their only victory is actually um the [21:54] again in my opinion um [21:58] in a way um an own goal by by Israel um [22:03] because militarily they lost the war um [22:07] the people of Gaza lost more than anyone [22:10] else I will argue um [22:14] I don't think for the Palestinians in [22:16] what we call Judea and Samaria and [22:18] others called the West Bank It's I think [22:21] things are much better for them right [22:23] now. And if you're watching the news [22:25] about attacks by violent settlers and [22:29] displacement of Palestinian communities [22:31] during these past 3 years, that's [22:33] another heartbreaking and incredibly [22:35] serious story that we can discuss more [22:38] in depth. So I don't think that's been [22:40] any kind of victory. But it's true that [22:42] in the international arena and in the [22:45] glo global court of public opinion, [22:48] that's where things have gotten better [22:49] for the Palestinians. Not necessarily [22:52] because there is more or I would say [22:56] organic support for the Palestinian [22:58] cause, but certainly because there is [23:00] much more hostility toward Israel. And [23:04] that hostility is seen across the board [23:06] everywhere. uh you look at different [23:09] political, demographic [23:12] and uh religious so I mean you know it [23:16] breaks through all the categories in the [23:18] United States the biggest problem is the [23:22] age [23:24] issue. I mean when I talk about the [23:27] problems that Israel has today in [23:28] American public opinion what I always [23:30] say is that Israel doesn't have a [23:32] Democratic party problem or a Republican [23:34] party problem. It has a generational [23:37] problem. People under the age of 40 are [23:40] overwhelmingly [23:42] negative in their view of Israel. [23:44] Doesn't matter if they're Democrats or [23:46] Republicans or unaffiliated politically [23:48] or not so interested in politics. The [23:51] one thing you see very clearly is that [23:53] their view of Israel is influenced by [23:56] the events of the past three years, by [23:58] the war, by the destruction in Gaza, by [24:00] the violence in the West Bank and other [24:03] things contributed to it. the the war in [24:05] Iran and how it is dragged on and the [24:08] idea that Prime Minister Netanyahu [24:10] played a very consequential role in [24:14] convincing President Trump to launch [24:16] that war. All of that together combined [24:19] with other problems, you know, [24:21] anti-semitism, [24:23] hatred toward Israel, campaigns in [24:26] social media, college campuses, it's [24:28] like one giant explosion. For me as an [24:31] Israeli though, I always ask what can my [24:35] country, what can my government, what [24:37] can we do to improve the situation? [24:40] Because to just complain that everybody [24:42] hates us and the whole world is against [24:44] us, uh that's not a very Zionist thing [24:47] to do. The the Zionist movement, the way [24:50] I was taught and the way I understand [24:53] it, it's always about asking what can we [24:55] do to make things better? What actions [24:57] can we take? [24:58] uh complaining is not the solution and [25:02] there are some people who will hate us [25:04] no matter what we do. We have to [25:06] acknowledge that and understand it. But [25:08] when we see polls today showing that [25:11] more than 60% of Americans have a [25:14] negative view of the state of Israel, I [25:17] don't think 60% of Americans are [25:19] anti-semitic or hateful of Israel. I [25:23] just don't think that's true. I've had [25:25] so many interactions over the years in [25:27] different parts of your great country. [25:29] Um I visited until today 25 US states [25:33] for speaking engagements and reporting [25:36] and other things. Um I don't think 60% [25:40] of Americans hate Israel or hate Jews. [25:43] There is maybe a certain segment, you [25:45] can argue if it's 20%, if it's 30%, if [25:48] it's less, that is truly [25:52] hostile in its approach to Israel or [25:54] Jews. I think it's actually smaller than [25:56] even 20%. I think the real problem is a [26:00] huge segment of American society that [26:02] has adopted very critical views of [26:05] Israel because that's what they're [26:08] seeing, that's what they're hearing, [26:10] that's what they're getting. And there [26:12] is no alternative positive vision [26:15] outlined by leadership. [26:19] >> So, so new as we say in Hebrew. Um, what [26:23] is that vision and where's it going to [26:24] come from? And I think that takes us to [26:26] the election really. [26:28] >> Um, where is the Israeli public right [26:30] now? And what do you think, you know, [26:32] what's the best case outcome to change [26:34] that story so that [26:37] >> America that 60% of Americans, you know, [26:40] begins to see Israel in a different [26:42] light and and and what kind of time [26:43] frame are we talking about? [26:46] >> So, so first of all, just a disclaimer [26:48] so we're we are transparent. My father [26:50] is running in the election. He is part [26:53] of the Ntali Bennett's party which is [26:55] one of the opposition parties [26:57] challenging this government and hoping [26:59] to replace it. So when you listen to my [27:01] political analysis, you should know that [27:04] I would have said exactly each and every [27:07] word the same regardless of his [27:09] involvement in politics. But take it [27:11] into consideration as you listen to me [27:13] because it's important to put to put [27:15] things on the table. That's great. [27:16] >> Yes, it's important and I wish him luck [27:19] of course. But but my in my view I [27:23] believe it is definitely possible to [27:26] turn around the ship and I know it will [27:29] take time and it's not going to be easy [27:30] and I don't think that replacing the [27:33] Netanyahu government is going to bring [27:35] us the desired results on day one or [27:37] maybe not even on day 100 because that's [27:40] not how things work. We want to be [27:41] serious and not make false promises. [27:44] Right? But I do think that if we have a [27:48] change of leadership in this country and [27:51] first of all, it's no longer Netanyahu [27:53] who has become so toxic in American [27:56] public opinion and so [28:01] associated with all of these problematic [28:03] things that I mentioned. [28:06] That by itself would give us an [28:08] opportunity, a fresh start, a new page [28:12] to try and present a different side of [28:15] Israel, but it will not be enough. I [28:18] think it is a necessary condition for [28:21] changing things, but it's not going to [28:23] be sufficient by itself. There will also [28:26] have to be a convincing argument that [28:30] will have to be made by this government [28:31] that there are also changes happening on [28:35] the ground. It doesn't mean a [28:37] Palestinian state will be founded, [28:40] you know, within months of or even in [28:43] the entire term of this government. I [28:46] don't think that's a realistic [28:47] expectation today. Although, I mean, [28:50] it's just, you know, you don't really [28:51] know the international [28:54] situation is changing, Palestinian [28:57] politics, different dynamics. But I I [28:59] think we have to be realistic and [29:01] cautious. Today the Israeli public is [29:03] very suspicious about the idea of giving [29:07] any territory and there is very little [29:12] hope for peace. And by the way on the [29:14] Palestinian side, you know, we're [29:16] talking here also about a population [29:18] that is traumatized and scarred by three [29:21] years of war. The level of suspicion [29:23] between the two people is probably the [29:25] highest it's been in my lifetime. But [29:28] with all that being the reality, you can [29:31] still show much better results, for [29:34] example, on fighting this cancer of [29:38] violence against Palestinian civilians [29:41] by uh Israeli extremists in the [29:45] settlements in in the West Bank. That's [29:48] something that it's not even a question [29:50] of Palestinian state, yes or no. It's [29:52] really a question of is Israel a [29:54] functional country? Do do we have a [29:56] police than an army that fulfill their [29:59] role of having law and order and [30:01] protecting innocent people from harm? [30:04] That's just a basic condition of [30:06] sovereignity of a country. [30:09] And I think that you can show much [30:11] better results on everything that has to [30:14] do with the Arab population of Israel. [30:17] 20% of the citizens in this country. I'm [30:21] not talking now about Palestinians in [30:22] the West Bank were not citizens of [30:24] Israel. That's a different story. But [30:26] 20% of Israeli citizens are part of the [30:31] large Arab minority in this country. And [30:34] the last Israeli government, the one [30:36] before the current Netanyahu Benvir [30:40] government, you know, what we called at [30:42] the time the government of change that [30:44] was led by Nafali Bennett in laid made [30:46] some very important moves toward greater [30:49] integration and cooperation [30:52] with the Arab population in Israel. And [30:55] that's something that can be renewed and [30:59] developed further. And there is actually [31:02] an urgent need for it, not just for how [31:05] it will look outside of Israel and how [31:07] it will impact the country's image, but [31:09] just because these are 20% of the [31:11] citizens in this country and we want and [31:13] we need to integrate them in the Israeli [31:17] modern economy and they can play a very [31:20] very important role in pushing forward [31:24] our education and healthcare and all [31:27] these other public systems. [31:29] So there are a lot of things that can be [31:31] done that I think first of all will be [31:33] better for Israel as a country because [31:35] we first of all have to look inside [31:37] before we look outside. The issue of [31:39] settler violence should be solved not [31:41] just because of how it impacts the [31:43] country's image in the eyes of people [31:45] watching in America but because no [31:48] country can allow that kind of violence [31:50] to happen without law enforcement and [31:52] and accountability and stopping it. and [31:55] the question of the Israeli Arab [31:58] population. [32:00] We need to find ways to integrate them [32:02] better economically and society. Not [32:04] just because of how it will impact our [32:06] image abroad, but because that will be a [32:09] good thing for our economy and our [32:10] society. But if those things actually [32:13] happen over time, I think it will also [32:15] have a positive impact on the issue that [32:17] you raised, which I understand is also [32:19] urgent and important for Israelis and [32:21] for supporters and allies of Israel in [32:24] America. So there's a lot of work that [32:26] has to be done but I think that the [32:29] first step is indeed a change of [32:31] leadership. That's something that is a [32:34] condition for change. Not sufficient but [32:37] it's the first step. [32:40] >> So American Jews I think are are kind of [32:43] looking for something to kind of channel [32:46] their upset, their distress, their um um [32:51] you know and their and their love of [32:52] Israel. Do have you thought I mean [32:54] you've spent a lot of time here. You [32:56] covered Washington Washington for um [32:59] have you thought about the roles the [33:01] constructive roles American Jews can [33:04] play in the vision of Israel that you [33:06] just outlined. [33:08] Uh, first of all, I I have to say, and [33:10] and I say this every time I speak with [33:14] the Jewish American audiences, what the [33:16] American Jewish community has done for [33:18] Israel and specifically for communities [33:21] like mine in Israel since October 7, [33:25] that deserves a book of its own. It's [33:28] it's an incredible story of love and [33:30] partnership and uh familiarity and [33:34] support and solidarity. Uh the American [33:37] Jewish community has been with us since [33:39] day one of this nightmare that we are [33:42] still living in. I can tell you that [33:45] when my community was evacuated to [33:48] Kibbut Mishar in north central Israel [33:52] near Kyifa, that's where we spent much [33:54] of the last two and a half years. [33:58] Right from the beginning, from the very [34:00] first days when we were there completely [34:04] um traumatized and uh kind of you know [34:08] sleepwalking and out of our element. [34:12] There were delegations I I don't know [34:14] how they made it but they came to [34:18] support us and to listen to us and to [34:20] give us whatever we needed. I I remember [34:22] specifically a visit by Rick Jacobs the [34:24] leader of the URJ the reform movement. [34:27] He came with a small delegation. It was [34:29] like I don't know like five or six days. [34:31] I I don't understand how they got on a [34:32] flight even [34:33] >> but they made it and they came to see us [34:35] and they came to listen to our story and [34:38] it [clears throat] was just like what do [34:39] you need? And there was and you know if [34:41] I start thanking people I'm I'm going to [34:43] forget someone but there were so many [34:45] communities and synagogues and and [34:48] rabbis and community leaders and just [34:50] ordinary people who who helped us in so [34:53] many ways. That's really an incredible [34:55] story. Another [34:58] thing that I always say when I talk to [35:00] Jewish American audiences, and this is [35:02] maybe a more controversial statement, [35:05] uh, but I think American Jews, um, have [35:07] to be very involved in what's happening [35:10] here in Israel, and I'll explain why. I [35:13] think Israel, being the only Jewish [35:16] state in the world, it's the insurance [35:18] policy of every Jew on this planet. And [35:22] I really hope that my friends and family [35:26] uh who live in the United States [35:29] will continue to have a wonderful [35:33] wonderful life and and and you know a [35:36] successful Jewish existence over there. [35:40] You know, I think the American Jewish [35:42] community is such an incredible [35:46] chapter in the history of our people and [35:49] I wish that it will stay that way. But I [35:52] think a Jew always has to prepare for a [35:54] rainy day. And when you look at the [35:56] world today, the state of Israel is the [35:59] insurance plan. It's the the plan B of [36:02] of every Jewish person and maybe not for [36:05] yourself, but then for your kids, for [36:07] your grandkids. [36:08] And if you have life insurance for [36:10] yourself and for your children and [36:13] grandchildren and you start to notice [36:16] some weird things, disturbing things are [36:19] happening within the insurance company. [36:21] Okay, I mean one day the company always [36:24] almost goes bankrupt. basically almost [36:26] ceases to exist, you know, one day, [36:29] three years ago. And the managers are [36:33] making very responsible decisions [36:36] and they're ignoring [36:38] basic things in reality that are causing [36:43] a deterioration in the stock of the [36:45] company. They're endangering company. [36:50] You you have to speak up, right? Because [36:52] this is your life insurance. this is [36:53] your your children, your grandchildren's [36:55] life insurance. You cannot ignore this. [36:57] You cannot say, "Oh, well, these guys at [37:00] the at the insurance company, they got [37:02] it figured out that they're going to [37:03] solve it. You know, it's not of none [37:04] none of my business." Uh that you would [37:08] never do that, you know, with with your [37:11] life insurance. So, that's the way to [37:13] look at Israel. And if you think that [37:17] everything that's happened here over the [37:18] past four years is wonderful, great. [37:21] Okay. you know, we can argue about it. I [37:23] have my opinion, you have your opinion, [37:25] great. If you think otherwise, it's [37:28] important to make your voice heard and [37:30] to find ways to get involved and have an [37:32] impact because if Israel goes in the [37:36] wrong direction, that is also a problem [37:38] for you and for the future generations [37:40] in your family. And it's something that [37:42] I always say, not everybody likes to [37:44] hear it. uh but I think it's an [37:46] important way it's important framing to [37:49] understand the relationship between [37:51] Israel and the diaspora. [37:54] >> So with that charge I'm going to turn [37:56] just remind our readers our our wa or [37:59] what do we call them our our watchers to [38:02] if you have a question for air uh you [38:05] can drop it in the Q&A. I see we have a [38:07] few already and I'll get to them just [38:09] shortly. Um, so yeah, do that and I'll [38:11] get to on the ones that I can. Um, [38:14] before they start showing up, I want to [38:15] ask you Amir, about your homecoming. Um, [38:19] like you said, you were evacuated to [38:20] Mishmar Hayameck. [38:22] >> Yes. [38:24] >> How long and what was it like to come [38:26] back to this place that has [38:28] >> great memories and some harrowing [38:30] memories? [38:32] >> Yes. So, first of all, I want to thank [38:34] Misharamek, [38:35] an incredible community um located again [38:39] in north central Israel, close to Kyifa. [38:41] They opened their hearts and their doors [38:45] um and their entire kibbuts really to to [38:48] us to the people of Nakalos from October [38:51] 8 um when we arrived there in buses very [38:55] early in the morning and they took care [38:58] of all our needs. And um you know it was [39:00] a time when the government here in [39:02] Israel simply collapsed and didn't [39:04] function for many long weeks and uh [39:08] thank God that the people of Misha and [39:10] many others who helped us uh were so [39:13] generous and so committed and and did so [39:17] much to to help us get through those [39:19] terrible days. And uh we found ourselves [39:22] staying there at least my family and [39:25] some other families for almost two and a [39:27] half years. It's quite a long time. We [39:30] made many friends there. For for my two [39:33] young daughters, you know, Galia is now [39:35] six years old. She just started first [39:37] grade here in Nalo in the regional [39:40] school of the um Gaza border [39:43] communities. And Carmel, she's four and [39:45] a half. She just went into kindergarten [39:47] here in Nal. But for them, Misha was [39:50] their home for half or more of their [39:52] lives. And uh we had to think all the [39:56] time how do we keep them connected to O [40:01] because we expected that we would come [40:04] back here. We didn't know exactly when [40:06] and exactly how but we did have to keep [40:08] this in mind. And so once the war in [40:11] Gaza ended and I'm putting it in kind of [40:13] you know supposed because it didn't [40:17] really end. And when you're here in [40:19] Akalos, you still hear every night [40:22] explosions and gunfire and then you get [40:24] these like little updates from the [40:26] security team of the kibuts that there [40:28] is some incident on the other side of [40:31] the border and you read about it the [40:33] next day in the news. Most people in [40:34] Israel don't really feel it anymore, but [40:37] over here you definitely do. Um, but [40:40] still [40:42] it's different than how it was until [40:44] October 2025 when President Trump [40:47] basically got with a lot of pressure [40:50] both Israel and Kamas to agree to some [40:53] kind of a ceasefire. [40:55] And when that happened, it was [40:57] >> after two years of war. And that's when [41:00] we began to bring the girls to visit [41:03] Nalos because until October 2025, I [41:06] would come all the time to visit. We [41:09] renovated our house. Um I would meet [41:12] groups and delegations from the US quite [41:15] often. Sometimes I would come even once [41:17] a week. I would spend the night here. U [41:20] Mary came several times. But until [41:22] October 2025 when the war ended or at [41:26] least you know the very very very loud [41:29] very very aggressive [41:32] very dayto-day phase of it had ended [41:35] until then we did not bring the girls to [41:36] visit here and so throughout late 2025 [41:42] early 2026 we began to come here more [41:44] regularly. we would bring them for [41:46] weekends and and we come on holidays and [41:49] visit and still we didn't make up our [41:52] mind 100% that we're moving back. We [41:55] just wanted to keep that option open and [41:58] not have them detach from the space. And [42:01] I think in the spring month approaching [42:04] the summer, that's when we really made [42:06] the final decision that we're doing this [42:08] that we're coming back that we want [42:10] Galia to start first grade over here. [42:13] Um, in in Israel, first grade is when [42:15] you begin school. I know in the US [42:17] kindergarten is like your entry point [42:20] into school, but in Israel it's [42:22] different. In Israel, you really start [42:24] going to school when you begin first [42:25] grade. And that's a very important [42:27] moment in in a child's life. And we [42:30] realized that if we don't come back for [42:33] her to start first grade over here, we [42:35] may never come back because you know if [42:37] she started first grade up north, [42:40] you know, that would have been a [42:42] detachment. [42:43] >> Sure. [42:43] >> And and that was a motivating factor in [42:46] the decision to come back here and and I [42:48] have to say we're happy about it because [42:50] he was an amazing teacher and a [42:52] wonderful school and we're happy about [42:54] everything over there. But it was also [42:57] difficult you know to to come back. Um [43:01] the community here is still repairing [43:03] itself. You have here about I don't know [43:06] 70 to 80% of the population from [43:09] beforehand. [43:11] Um there are a lot of exciting things [43:14] happening. There is rebuilding. The pool [43:17] is open again. Now you know it's for two [43:21] more weeks we're going to have it. uh [43:23] and we're doing community events and [43:25] holidays together. A lot of wonderful [43:27] things are happening and it's good to be [43:29] back in our house. We really missed our [43:30] house. We have a beautiful home here [43:32] that we built. Um but also, you know, [43:36] there is fear, there is uncertainty, [43:39] there is concern about the future. And [43:42] all of that is part of this one big [43:44] package, the good, the bad, the [43:46] uncertain. Um but we are here daytoday [43:50] uh learning to relive our old new life [43:55] and um we try to be optimistic and [43:58] hopeful. [43:59] >> Great. Um I want to ask a couple of [44:03] reader um viewer questions. Um so this [44:07] one's going to demand that you change [44:08] gears for a second. They ask about what [44:10] do you make of the board of peace? And [44:12] I'll expand on that and say [44:15] >> what is the Trump administration playing [44:17] a constructive role in what comes next [44:21] is if not what can they do and uh and [44:25] and really I guess you know how do you [44:27] assess where you know Trump and his [44:29] advisers have been since October 7th? [44:34] If I had to write the board of peace [44:38] plan for the future of Gaza, maybe I [44:41] would have changed some of the content [44:43] compared to this 20point document that [44:46] they had produced which later became a [44:48] 15point document. But that doesn't [44:51] really matter because their plan whether [44:54] you like it or not is the only game in [44:57] town right now. It's the only plan that [45:00] there is an international consensus [45:02] around that is supported by all the [45:05] important players in the region and that [45:07] has already been set in motion with some [45:10] I would say partial acceptances by [45:14] Israel and kamas. Both kamas said yes [45:18] and then said no and then said okay but [45:21] this and that. There is no kind of [45:25] definite acceptance of the plan, but [45:27] there is something to work with. And I [45:30] hope they succeed. [45:32] I hope they succeed in demilitarizing [45:34] Gaza, in collecting the weapons from us, [45:39] in rebuilding Gaza, in taking care of [45:42] the needs of people in Gaza, health and [45:45] education and sanitation and work and [45:50] and create some sense of hope for the [45:52] future. I don't want Gaza to remain a [45:56] very hopeless place. You know, I used to [45:58] say I don't want Gaza to be like [46:00] Somalia, but I actually read an article [46:02] in The Economist a few weeks ago about [46:05] how Somalia was changing for the better [46:07] and there is less terrorism and less [46:10] extremism and there is more job [46:13] opportunities and young people are going [46:15] out and having ice cream in the evening. [46:17] Um, so I I'm not going to use that [46:20] example anymore, I guess. But but I [46:22] don't want Gaza to be like a Mogadishu [46:24] of the 1990s. that's just not good for [46:26] anybody who wants to live in in this [46:28] neighborhood. [46:30] Um, so I hope that they manage to do it. [46:33] And I think Jared Kushner said something [46:35] very sincere the other day. He he said [46:39] the Israeli side pretty much agrees with [46:41] our plan, but because of the election [46:44] and because Netanyahu has to appear like [46:47] he's the toughest [46:49] candidate, it's causing the Israeli [46:52] government to respond in ways that are [46:55] um a little crazy, I think, is how he [46:57] called it. So, I I think we will only [46:59] know where this is truly going after [47:01] October 27. Um but it's the only plan [47:05] that anybody's talking about that that [47:08] has the support of so many international [47:11] players and uh it makes some sense. I [47:15] have also criticisms of elements of it [47:17] but again it doesn't matter because the [47:19] alternative is a deterioration that [47:22] brings us back to war at some point and [47:24] I don't think anybody wants that at this [47:26] point. [47:28] Um, I hope there's a way maybe we could [47:30] save some of these comments because a [47:31] lot of them have very complimentary [47:33] things to say about your book. Um, so [47:36] and so just let you know there's [47:38] >> but there is a little push back against [47:40] your notion that American Jews should [47:42] get involved in the internal doings of [47:45] Israel. So maybe I'll combine that with [47:47] a couple questions. One says not our [47:49] business. We don't live there. We don't [47:50] vote there. We don't pay taxes. Our [47:52] children don't serve in the army. But [47:54] other people on the flip side say well [47:56] they do want to get involved and they're [47:57] they're asking you what are some of the [47:59] most effective ways to do so. So you [48:02] mentioned those kinds of personal visits [48:03] you got from leaders. How do you square [48:05] those two things that you know do we [48:08] have a say and what's the most [48:10] constructive way for us to engage with [48:12] the Israeli reality? [48:14] >> So I I'm not going to argue with someone [48:16] who says I don't feel it's my role to be [48:19] involved. I don't feel it's any of my [48:22] business. Okay, I respect that. I mean I [48:24] I look at it differently. I explained [48:26] why. But I totally respect somebody who [48:29] says, you know, that it's not [48:32] appropriate and and we can just um [48:34] constructively and respectfully disagree [48:36] on that. For people who do want to get [48:39] involved, I think the the best example [48:41] always to look at is the example of the [48:44] Adelson family. um the idle sons, you [48:47] know, Sheldon, late Sheldon and then [48:50] Miriam, they decided to kind of take [48:53] sides in the Israeli political societal [48:58] divide. Um and they went allin, you [49:02] know, they they founded a daily [49:04] newspaper that for many years was very [49:06] very supportive of Netanyahu. I would [49:09] say in the last two or three years, it [49:10] has changed its tone a bit and become [49:12] more balanced. Um but for many years it [49:15] was extremely supportive of Netanyahu [49:18] and they helped him politically and and [49:20] donated and [clears throat] and they you [49:22] know that's how they interpret [49:25] their or well at least you know in the [49:28] past used to uh their support for [49:32] Israel. And I think the lesson here is [49:35] you need to ask yourself who are your [49:37] partners in Israel? Who are the people [49:40] that you see as allies in Israel? who [49:42] are the people that you would like to be [49:47] most impactful in Israel so that the [49:49] country remains a viable [49:53] insurance policy for you, for your [49:55] children, for your grandchildren. And [49:57] from that question, you can draw the [49:59] conclusion on how to get involved, how [50:02] to support. Um I I think that the old [50:06] kind of idea of just a blanket American [50:10] Jewish support for Israel um is is [50:15] losing its impact in a way. And the real [50:18] question is today in a a a community, an [50:22] organization, [50:24] uh a movement that you identify with, [50:28] that shares your values, that shares [50:31] your vision of what Israel should look [50:34] like. [50:35] And that's the most impactful thing you [50:38] can do. And if I if I mentioned earlier [50:41] this example of the reform movement, the [50:43] URJ and the the way they supported our [50:46] kibbut, part of it is because [50:50] in this area [50:51] >> around the Gaza border, there is an [50:53] active presence of the reform movement, [50:58] you know, with a rabbi that does events [51:01] and and religious ceremonies. our [51:04] wedding when Mir and I got married in [51:07] the communal pool of Nal in 2016, a [51:11] small Israeli wedding of 450 guests. And [51:14] if you've been to Israeli weddings, you [51:15] know that this is not a joke. Um it was [51:19] conducted by Rabbi May Razari of the [51:21] reform movement of the Betanel [51:23] congregation in Tel Aviv. So, so this is [51:26] a a partnership that also reflects [51:29] shared values and beliefs. And I think [51:32] that's the way to look at involvement is [51:34] is to ask yourself, okay, who are the [51:36] people that share my values and my [51:38] beliefs and my vision for Israel? And [51:40] that those are the people I want to [51:41] strengthen and support versus just oh [51:44] you know those poor Israelis you know [51:48] let's say give a donation through some [51:51] establishment organization and it will [51:53] help the poor people of Israel [51:56] >> right [51:57] >> uh someone asks um what what is the [52:00] emotional toll and I think they're [52:01] asking how are you doing? How's Mary [52:04] doing? How are the kids doing? You're [52:06] back home again. And I say it could be, [52:08] you know, it's a lovely thing, but it [52:09] could also be a triggering thing. How [52:11] are you do, how are you handling it? [52:13] And, um, what have you found effective [52:15] in kind of dealing with the trauma? [52:20] >> Thanks for asking. [52:22] Um, the girls are doing great. They're [52:24] happy to be home. In Mishara, we lived [52:28] for half a year basically in a dorm [52:31] room. I write about that in the book. [52:33] Um, that was a very difficult time. Then [52:37] we moved to kind of like a trailer [52:39] neighborhood that Mishar had built for [52:42] the Nalos families and we lived in a in [52:44] a like in a caravan for two years and [52:47] that was better than the dorm room for [52:49] sure, but it got crowded over time. We [52:52] got tired of it. And so they are just so [52:54] happy to have a home right now and uh [52:58] and to have some space and to have the [53:00] the lawn outside and and the front porch [53:03] where we sit in the evening and and [53:05] they're just so happy with that. Um [53:08] Galia loves her school and Carmel loves [53:10] her kindergarten here in the kibuts and [53:13] you know they they have friends and [53:16] they are very happy. They still miss and [53:19] we we don't discourage them from talking [53:21] about that. It's natural and we plan to [53:24] go and visit there now in the holidays [53:26] in the Khagim. We plan to go and visit [53:28] there and meet some friends and we want [53:30] to keep our connection to that place as [53:32] well. We have very fond memories. But [53:35] but overall they are in great great um [53:38] kind of mental situation. They're happy [53:40] to be here. They sleep well at night. [53:42] They go happily in the morning to uh [53:45] school or kindergarten. [53:47] For Mary and myself, it's more [53:49] difficult. Um we do wake up at night [53:51] sometimes from the noises of you know [53:54] the incidents that are still happening. [53:57] We are much more worried about the [53:59] future. You know it comes with the [54:01] responsibilities of being a parent. You [54:03] have to think about those things. You [54:05] know what happens if this Kushner plan [54:08] doesn't work? What happens if there's a [54:10] war again? What happens if kamas [54:13] surprises Israel again in the in you [54:17] know at some point? What happens if the [54:20] election results don't go well? What [54:21] happens if there's another four years of [54:24] this kind of government? There are all [54:26] kinds of questions [54:28] and that does keep us up at night, I [54:30] have to say. But we are fundamentally um [54:33] optimistic people and we believe in [54:36] doing and taking action. And right now [54:39] what we are doing is is just being here [54:41] and getting up in the morning and going [54:42] to work. You know, Mary is a social [54:45] worker. She works with children on the [54:47] autistic spectrum and um she went back [54:51] to work two months after October 7. Uh [54:55] she does emotional therapy and she's [54:58] working here now as well. I'm very proud [55:00] of her and that what that's what we do [55:03] basically daytoday. [55:06] >> Well, you anticipated my last question [55:08] which was you know let um please leave [55:10] us on a note of hope and I think you [55:12] just did. So, I want to just say the [55:14] name of the book is The Gates of Gaza, a [55:17] story of betrayal, survival, and hope in [55:19] Israel, Israel's borderlands. U the [55:21] author is Amir T-Bone. Emir, thank you [55:23] so much for um the time. You've been so [55:26] generous. I know it's really, you know, [55:27] it's time for bed. So, [55:29] >> yes. Yes. Yeah. I'm gonna I'm gonna say [55:32] thank you to everyone and thank you Andy [55:34] for a wonderful interview. Um and thank [55:37] you to everyone who wrote kind things [55:39] about the book in the comments. I really [55:40] cherish that. Um, and thanks for the [55:43] opportunity to to share my story and my [55:45] thoughts. Um, I really appreciate it. [55:48] >> And I'm going to end also with some [55:49] thank yous. I thank our partners at U.J. [55:51] Federation of New York, one of those [55:53] organizations that that has a big stake [55:55] in Israel. Um, and uh, 70 Faces Media, [56:00] uh, my company uh, and my colleagues [56:02] there who made this happen, Theo [56:04] Weaselier and Mara Swift, um, who did [56:07] all the behindthe-scenes work. And most [56:09] of all, thank thank you everyone who [56:11] came and and listened and watched and um [56:14] offered some great comments. I'm sorry I [56:16] couldn't get to them all. Amir, thank [56:18] you again and uh we'll see you soon, I [56:21] hope. [56:21] >> Yeah. And shhata to everyone. [56:23] >> Shhatatva.
