(EDITOR NOTE - This episode was filmed on 05/15/25)
Boaz coordinated with Yaara Segal for over half a year to gather a multi-cultural group of experts on the Abraham Accords. Not everyone agreed throughout, but it was a polite, enjoyable and fruitful conversation about what was, what is, and what is likely to happen next.
Joining Boaz Hepner on the show:
Abdullah Antepli - Director, Polis Center for Politics, Duke University
Nir Boms - Co-Director, Regional Cooperation Program, Tel Aviv University
Soraya Deen - CEO, Muslim Women Speakers
Dan Feferman - Co-Chair, Sharaka. Mideast Affairs Expert
Zach Grashin - Writer-Director
Ahmed Khuzaie - Political Consultant
Chama Mechtaly - Founder & Policy Advisor
Alex Plitsas - Director, Counterterrorism Project, The Atlantic Council
Ahmed Quraishi - Journalist & Regional Affairs Specialist
Yaara Segal - Abraham Accords Expert & MENA Strategy Consultant
Marc Sievers - Director, AJC Abu Dhabi
Ksenia Svetlova - Executive Director, ROPES
Amjad Taha - Politcal Strategist in Middle East Affairs
Ethan Winterstein - ICC Geller Senior Fellow
0:00:19 – Boaz introduces the Abraham Accords panel
0:15:25 – Boaz to Amjad Taha: \"Where do the Abraham Accords stand after October 7?\"
0:20:54 – Boaz thanks Amjad before his exit
0:25:13 – Boaz to Dan Feferman: \"What are you doing in Poland and what's next for Sharaka?\"
0:34:50 – Boaz asks: \"How many of you are Muslim? Any Christians or non-denominationals?\"
0:45:05 – Ahmed explains Islamic roots of Muslim-Jewish prayer toward Jerusalem
0:48:28 -- Chama finishes speaking and Dan says goodbye
0:48:56 -- Ethan telling about his experiences with the Geller Fellowship
0:52:23 – Boaz shares personal stories of Muslim solidarity after October 7
0:56:30 – Chama describes her dual Muslim and Jewish heritage
1:02:40 – Chama: “The Abraham Accords created a new foundation for belonging”
1:09:57 – Dan Feferman exits the episode
1:10:30 – Ethan shares post-Oct 7 student experience and UAE-Israel trip
1:16:30 – Boaz to the group: “Is there urgency on the Arab side too?”
1:17:13 – Chama: “The Accords came from fear of extremism post-Arab Spring”
1:21:16 – Ahmed: “Muslim societies need Israel to confront ideological demons”
1:39:30 – Boaz asks: “Are the Abraham Accords a partisan issue?”
1:42:02 – Boaz thanks Chama as she exits
1:48:47 – Zach reports live from Tel Aviv as rocket sirens go off
1:53:38 – Boaz launches lightning round: “Rapid-fire audience questions to the panel”
2:01:02 – Boaz to the group: “Are the Abraham Accords being promoted outwardly?”
2:13:38 – Boaz: “We have 15 minutes left — final questions to each of you”
2:15:09 – Boaz reads question from Owen Zaret: “Are Abraham Accords countries recruiting others?”
2:17:52 – Guests reflect on missed implementation & organizing challenges
2:18:55 – Example shared: UAE mediating indirect talks between Israel and Syria
2:44:25 – Boaz reflects on complexity, diversity, and disagreement
2:45:50 – Boaz invites closing remarks: “20 seconds each — what didn’t you get to say?”
2:46:01 – Final thoughts from Yaara, Ethan, Ambassador Sievers, and Ahmed
2:48:06 – Boaz closes the episode
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