Welcome to Passages Pulse Episode 41 (Part 2) — recorded in Jerusalem with a breathtaking view of the Old City from the roof of the Austrian Hospice. In this second half of our on-location “hot seat” conversation, Josiah McGee is joined again by Olivia Layne to tackle the next round of difficult, emotionally charged, and often misunderstood questions about Israel — especially those facing Gen Z in today’s digital media landscape.

This episode dives deeper into the moral, geopolitical, and theological arguments surrounding Israel, while also addressing viral claims, misinformation, and how Christians can think clearly and compassionately about an incredibly complex conflict.

In this episode, we cover:

-Why it matters for Gen Z — and Christians — to support Israel

-The moral vs. geopolitical case for U.S. support of Israel

-Does Israel “drag” the United States into war?

-How to think logically and compassionately about genocide claims

-What war really looks like in the modern Middle East

-Empathy, suffering, and truth in the fog of war

-Does “those who bless Israel will be blessed” apply today?

-Is the Israel of the Bible the same as the Israel of today?

-How to spot credible sources in an age of social media and AI misinformation

Recommended books, podcasts, and resources for learning about Israel:

Honest Reporting: https://honestreporting.com/

Local Sources of Israel News: Times of Israel, Jerusalem Post, etc..

Israel by Daniel Gordis: https://www.amazon.com/Israel-Concise-History-Nation-Reborn/dp/0062368745

Israel Unpacked Podcast

Olivia’s Google Doc: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HL9B5NWf9t1MDF6OE5PXODmLD9YdlEiWZiFUtfxsxFs/edit?usp=sharing

Disclaimer: Individual views are their own and do not necessarily represent those of Passages. Want to learn more about Passages?

Visit www.passagesisrael.org and follow us on Instagram @passagesisrael.