The latest edition of Facing the Middle East, hosted by Felice Friedson, takes a three-part look at Israel — examining efforts in higher education, faith-based diplomacy, and transportation innovation.
The episode opens with a conversation with Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, Israel’s special envoy for trade and innovation and a former deputy mayor of Jerusalem. She discusses Campus Israel, a newly launched initiative designed to make Israeli universities more accessible to Jewish students living outside the country. Hassan-Nahoum explains that the program grew directly from growing concern about antisemitism and hostility toward Israel on college campuses following October 7.
She makes the case that Israeli universities offer more than English-language academic programs — they also give students a firsthand look at the country’s culture of entrepreneurship and creative problem-solving. In her view, even a relatively small number of Jewish students choosing to study in Israel could produce lasting results, helping to shape a future generation of diaspora leaders with deeper ties to the country.
The discussion also covers the ongoing Iran conflict, the possibility of a US-Iran agreement, and the broader landscape of regional diplomacy. Hassan-Nahoum describes the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a significant barrier to any real or lasting change, and she stresses that the Iranian people deserve the chance to reclaim their freedom. She also speaks to the durability of Israel’s trade relationships with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, noting that commerce with the UAE actually grew during the war. She adds that Saudi Arabia’s path toward normalizing relations with Israel remains closely tied to how the situation with Iran and regional alliances develops.
Friedson then speaks with Albert Veksler, the global director of the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast, as the organization celebrates its 10th anniversary with a three-day event in Jerusalem. Veksler addresses the rise of antisemitism, the role of Christian communities in supporting Israel, the place of prayer in public life, and why he believes allies must remain visible and vocal even in times of conflict and instability.
The episode also includes a report by Gabriel Colodro from the Samson International Smart Mobility Summit 2026, held in Tel Aviv. Elon Musk joined the event via video call, offering praise for Israel’s track record of innovation and speaking about Tesla’s self-driving technology. Israeli Transportation Minister Miri Regev joined industry leaders in presenting the latest developments in autonomous vehicles, drone technology, elevated transit systems, child safety tools, and smart infrastructure. The central question driving the summit was whether these emerging mobility technologies can move beyond test programs and become regulated, trusted parts of everyday life.
Taken together, the episode presents a portrait of Israel confronting war, campus hostility, and an uncertain regional environment — while simultaneously investing in education, international partnerships, faith-based support networks, and technologies aimed at shaping what comes next.
