For months, I’ve been looking forward to hosting my friend — top Israeli human rights lawyer Michael Sfard — on The Debrief. Our conversation didn’t disappoint, and even included a little surprise from me to Michael (see the thumbnail pic for a spoiler).
This podcast showcases what I hope will become the hallmark of The Debrief: tackling tough topics with sharp intellect, uncompromising integrity, and lots of heart.
Here are some of the topics we discussed:
Apartheid: Michael authored a 2020 legal opinion for Israeli human rights org Yesh Din, concluding that Israel was committing the crime of apartheid in the West Bank. How did he look at the issue of apartheid then and now?
Genocide: Did Israel commit genocide in Gaza? Michael provides a close reading of relevant statutes and how they have been interpreted by international courts
Occupation: Responding to those who deny that the occupied Palestinian territories (OPT) are occupied — and who claim that people who speak about “apartheid” and “genocide” with regard to Israel are ipso facto antisemitic
ICJ’s 2024 ruling that Israel’s continued presence in the OPT is unlawful: Why Michael believes this will eventually result in material consequences for Israel
Israel’s legal system: Its unwillingness (and perhaps inability) to hold Israelis to account for potential crimes committed against Palestinians
Zygmunt Bauman: The famed sociologist’s life and work and how it has influenced the path of his grandson (Michael!)
The future of Israel-Palestine: What Michael is fighting for — and what he believes will happen if Israel’s opposition prevails in this year’s elections
I would love to hear what you think! I hope you’ll share this podcast widely on social media, among your networks, and with family and friends who should see it.
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As promised, here are some relevant links for Michael Sfard:
Occupied from Within: A Journey to the Roots of the Constitutional Coup - English translation of Michael’s book, which is due to be released this summer
The Wall and the Gate: Israel, Palestine, and the Legal Battle for Human Rights - Michael’s seminal 2021 book
Modernity and the Holocaust - I read the first edition in grad school; this 2002 edition has a new afterward by author Zygmunt Bauman! I’m trying to track down the later essay Michael referenced — I suspect it may be chapter entitled “The Holocaust’s Life as a Ghost.
M. Gessen, “How to Be a Good Citizen When Your Country Does Bad Things” (Nov. 2025 NYT piece featuring Michael Sfard and others)
Judi Rudoren, “A Champion for the Displaced in Israel” (2012 NYT profile of Sfard)
Shany Littman, “Human Rights Lawyer Michael Sfard Wants to Expose the Dark Side of Israel’s High Court” (2025 Haaretz interview with Sfard)
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That’s it from me for now. More soon!
Warm regards,
Debra
