Special Episode: David Daoud of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies

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.Chapters00:00 Introduction to David Daoud and His Background02:58 The Lebanese Jewish Community: History and Identity05:54 The Impact of the Lebanese Civil War on Jews08:39 The Decline of the Lebanese Jewish Community11:18 Personal Reflections on Growing Up as a Lebanese Jew14:15 Cultural Dynamics of Sephardic and Ashkenazi Jews17:06 The Evolution of Jewish Identity in Israel20:07 The Tension Between Right and Left in Israeli Politics22:57 The Future of Jewish Identity and Community34:08 Exploring Jewish Prayer Traditions37:39 Halachic Perspectives: Ashkenazi vs Sephardic41:25 Jewish Identity and Community Dynamics46:28 Lebanon’s Complex Historical Landscape01:00:19 The Sectarian System and Its Challenges01:02:25 Lebanon’s Cultural Identity: A Facade of Progressivism01:07:55 The Rise of Hezbollah: Historical Context and Dynamics01:18:15 Hezbollah’s Role in the Modern Geopolitical Landscape01:28:22 Understanding the Complexity of Lebanon’s Political Landscape01:32:55 The Role of Hezbollah in Lebanon’s Society01:39:17 Challenges in Addressing Hezbollah’s Influence01:47:42 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