Rubi Rivlin: the man; the contradictions. A pro-Palestinian settler leader: what gives? And the possible end of prisoner swaps? All on this episode of The Promised Podcast.

Freaking out over Hamas, fretting over Google, and finally facing up to Darwin. Plus, the brilliant Balkan Beat Box! All on the Promised Podcast.

A Knesset member put forth a proposal to end the draft in favor of an all-volunteer army, but most Israelis are against it. Apart from the more practical considerations, canceling the draft would undermine Israeli society’s romantic and nationalistic image of the army as a melting pot and expression of citizenship.

Is Tel Aviv winning the European basketball championship “proof that Zionism has failed?” Should the minimum wage be boosted by a third? Why is Israel awash with poetry? Plus, new searing protest music by David Broza!

Why is the American Jewish Establishment keeping J-Street out of the club? And why are “alternative” ceremonies pissing off the Israeli Jewish establishment?

Politicizing the Holocaust, psychologizing the Palestinian President and corporatizing Israeli school kid, oh my!

Should the IDF rely on donations to buy soldiers basic stuff like boots and socks? Is the peace process breathing its last? Should be we outraged that CEOs make 76 times what the rest of us make?

Why do more than 900,000 Israelis go to bed hungry? Is there a “character problem” in Israeli politics? Should store shelves stock sourdough on Passover?