Asher Fredman discusses a historic day, crediting President Trump, his team, Prime Minister Netanyahu, and the IDF’s military pressure for achieving the “impossible” and securing the release of hostages. He emphasizes that crucial Israeli military pressure—including entering Gaza City and striking Doha—and close coordination between the United States and Israel were necessary to force Hamas to release the hostages and signal that the conflict must conclude.

The interview took place on Fox News, on October 13, 2025.

Meir Ben Shabbat: It is a combination of the Israeli military operation in Gaza, the attack in Qatar, Trump’s desire to implement his grand vision for the Middle East, and Israel’s feeling that it has achieved a large part of what it set out to achieve.

Israel has to explain to its enemies and all the other players through actions that the rules of the game have changed. Israel had to show initiative, determination, and a willingness to take heavy risks in facing all of its enemies anywhere in the world.

The UAE foreign policy is one that seeks to have a mitigating effect on regional conflicts. It is no secret that the war in Gaza brought pressure in terms of public opinion, and the end of the war should have a positive effect on this.

There is no doubt that there is burnout after two years of an intense multi-front war. But out of all the fronts, the one in Gaza proved that the army, the reservists, and the Israeli homefront are capable of withstanding a long war.

Published in The Jerusalem Post, October 10, 2025.

Asher Fredman emphasized that President Trump’s vision of regional integration and expanding the Abraham Accords is “critical” for Israel, the region, and the Palestinians. He sees this regional cooperation—building an “axis of peace” with moderate Middle Eastern countries—as vital for American security and economic interests.

The full interview took place on Fox News, on October 7, 2025.

https://youtu.be/fn5Oln_Bl9o

Prof. Kobi Michael: Ultimately, this entire situation is an indication of the problem of the West much more than the problem of Israel.

Furthermore, the increase in antisemitism is observed, but it is argued that it is not connected directly to the Israeli response, but rather to the inherent problems within Western society and mainly the Western leadership, particularly that coming from the left.

Antisemitism was always present, sometimes hidden and implicit, and the situation is compounded by a ‘bizarre and very dangerous green-red coalition’ between the progressives and the ultra-radical Muslims.
Leaders who believe that appeasing this constituency while criticizing Israel will lead to safety and security in their own countries are incorrect.

The full interview took place on W Radio Colombia on October 7, 2025.

Ruth Wasserman Lande rejects the notion that Israel is an aggressor, arguing it is a small country that only responds to attacks, as demonstrated by the unprovoked massacre and kidnapping of its citizens on October 7th. She accuses Qatar of playing a “double game” by fueling regional instability while posturing as a mediator, noting that other Gulf states like Saudi Arabia have “zero trust” in Qatar for this reason. She draws a sharp distinction between Qatar and countries like Saudi Arabia, which, unlike Qatar, do not harbor terrorist leaders from Hamas or the Muslim Brotherhood who call for the murder of Israeli civilians. Finally, she asserts that Israel has no intention of harming Gazan civilians and that the IDF actively tries to secure their evacuation from combat zones.

The interview took place in Al Arabiya, on September 29, 2025.

Prof. Kobi Michael: Netanyahu understands that annexation now would be problematic for the substantial and essential national interest of Israel and this is a very comfortable way to deal with the extreme wing or right wing of his coalition when it comes from Trump.

Published in The National News, September 26, 2025.

Asher Fredman: The Abraham Accords were an outpouring of cooperation on every level — the diplomatic level, the people-to-people level, the economic level, literally in almost every field imaginable. 

If we want a better future in the region, we have no choice but to rebuild. The ties that have been built in the Abraham Accords hopefully will serve all of us as we do the hard work of beginning to rebuild the ties following the war in Gaza.

The full interview was published in The Media Line, on September 16, 2025.

Prof. Kobi Michael: I see no problem with Yoram Halevi’s appointment to the position. I think he has the background and the skills that can be suitable, certainly no less than another general in the army or a brigadier general who would be promoted to the rank of major general.

The problem is not in the appointment, but in the decision to place him in an IDF uniform with the rank of major general. I did not understand this move, as there have already been civilian heads of COGAT. COGAT is part of the Ministry of Defense and is subordinate to the Minister of Defense. Why could he not have been appointed to the position as a civilian?

The larger problem is the evolution of COGAT into an integral part of the IDF General Staff. The fact that COGAT has over the years become an inseparable part of the army, and the head of COGAT a part of the General Staff, is the problematic issue in my view. The essence of COGAT is civilian, and its entire reason for existence is in the connection and cooperation with the PA on a very wide range of civilian issues.

Security coordination can be separated from COGAT as was the case until 2001, leaving that part in the military, while the whole of COGAT can become a civilian body.

Published in JNS, September 12, 2025.

Prof. Kobi Michael: Hamas may only control around a quarter of Gaza, but that’s where most of the population is. As long as the people of Gaza believe that Hamas is an option for a future governance … they will not support any other alternative. Hamas doesn’t play games.

Published in AP & Independent, September 24, 2025.

Prof. Kobi Michael:I  think the strike is very successful, regardless of the final outcomes. Even if not all the senior officials of Hamas’s external leadership were eventually killed, it is still a very clear signal from the Israeli side that they are no longer immune. They will be targeted anywhere, at any time.

What we saw today is something that should have been done two years ago, on October 8th, because Qatar is an enemy. Qatar is the biggest provider and supporter of Hamas.

The full interview takes place on Channel I24, on September 9, 2025.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4B-iq3gjac