Hostage Negotiations - A Deep Dive with Mickey Bergman

Hostage negotiator, Mickey Bergman, joins People Jew Wanna Know podcast to talk about his experience negotiating for the release of hostages in Gaza and reflect on his career. Mickey is responsible for negotiating pretty much all the major hostage cases in our generation, including the release of Brittney Griner, Paul Whelan, Otto Warmbier, Gilad Shalit, and the deal in Israel on November 2023 which released 105 hostages. Mickey has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize twice, and it is a tremendous privilege to have him on the podcast. Follow Mickey on X @mickeybergman and on Instagram @mickey.bergman and check out his work at www.reach.global .Support our work: buymeacoffee.com/peoplejewwannaknowWhat We Discuss: 00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda08:52 Who is Mickey Bergman & the world of hostage negotiations16:28 How Mickey defines luck 17:00 Releasing Gilad Shalit 19:04 The situation with 101 hostages in Gaza today & Mickey's call for a deal 27:00 The counterargument to securing a deal 28:36 "The problem with the Gilad Shalit deal wasn't in the deal" it's what happened after 29:38 On creating deterrence for Hamas & the struggle of working within the current Israeli administration31:37 Why aren't the hostages an American issue? 33:18 2 Cardinal Rules of Hostage Negotiation 35:10 "President Biden is most likely the last Zionist president"36:54 Antisemitism on the far left vs. far right - where is it worse? 42:57 On emotional intelligence & resilience in negotiations & life49:10 Case Study of Serena Williams' emotional intelligence 52:53 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination