Shalom Chaverim –

Today we have a special episode featuring David Daoud. Normally, my Gam v’Gam episodes are reserved for political and social discussions and debate while my On the Road to Zion episodes are reserved for more intimate conversations, we are doing both today. Because David Daoud’s personal story intertwines so much with his professional career, I felt this was a unique opportunity to combine the two.

The first half of our conversation focuses on David’s upbringing and personal journey with Judaism and then we transition into extreme depth regarding the situation in Lebanon.

David Daoud is a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies focused on Lebanon and Hezbollah. He previously worked as a nonresident fellow at the Atlantic Council, director of Israel, Lebanon, and Syria research at United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), and a research analyst at FDD. David also has experience working as a staff member on Capitol Hill providing analysis on matters related to the Middle East, Israel, and Iran.

David holds a JD with a concentration in International Law and the Laws of Armed Conflict from Suffolk University in Boston. He is fluent in Arabic and Hebrew and has spent extensive time living in the Middle East, primarily in Israel and Lebanon. His work has been cited or published in outlets including Haaretz, Foreign Policy, Newsweek, New York Times, Washington Post, and the Wall Street Journal.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to David Daoud and His Background

02:58 The Lebanese Jewish Community: History and Identity

05:54 The Impact of the Lebanese Civil War on Jews

08:39 The Decline of the Lebanese Jewish Community

11:18 Personal Reflections on Growing Up as a Lebanese Jew

14:15 Cultural Dynamics of Sephardic and Ashkenazi Jews

17:06 The Evolution of Jewish Identity in Israel

20:07 The Tension Between Right and Left in Israeli Politics

22:57 The Future of Jewish Identity and Community

34:08 Exploring Jewish Prayer Traditions

37:39 Halachic Perspectives: Ashkenazi vs Sephardic

41:25 Jewish Identity and Community Dynamics

46:28 Lebanon’s Complex Historical Landscape

01:00:19 The Sectarian System and Its Challenges

01:02:25 Lebanon’s Cultural Identity: A Facade of Progressivism

01:07:55 The Rise of Hezbollah: Historical Context and Dynamics

01:18:15 Hezbollah’s Role in the Modern Geopolitical Landscape

01:28:22 Understanding the Complexity of Lebanon’s Political Landscape

01:32:55 The Role of Hezbollah in Lebanon’s Society

01:39:17 Challenges in Addressing Hezbollah’s Influence

01:47:42 Strategies for a Sustainable Future in Lebanon

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gamvgam.substack.com