Ep. 25: Political Analysis & Debate: Prof. Dr. Johannes Becke (Hochschule für Jüdische Studien, Heidelberg)

Guest:Prof. Dr. Johannes Becke, Ben-Gurion Chair for Israel and Middle East Studies, Heidelberg University of Jewish Studies Hosts: Efe & Leif Bio: Prof. Johannes Becke is a political scientist and leading expert on Israel and Middle East studies in the German-speaking world. He studied political science and Romanic Languages in Heidelberg, at the University of Illinois, and at Cairo University. After completing his PhD in 2014 at Freie Universität Berlin, he conducted research at Tel Aviv University and Oxford. He holds the Ben-Gurion Chair for Israel and Middle East Studies at Heidelberg University and is a co-opted member of the Faculty of Philosophy. His research focuses on Israeli politics, Arab-Israeli relations, and state- and nation-building in the Middle East and North Africa. In this episode: Prof. Becke reflects on the Hamas massacre of October 7 and its historical significance, discussing Israel’s security and political failures and the attacks’ impact on Israeli society. He examines Hamas’s structure, ideology, and international networks, as well as Israel’s military strategy in Gaza. The discussion addresses international reactions, the role of regional powers such as Qatar and Iran, and the International Criminal Court. The episode concludes by considering possible futures: Gaza’s political order after the war, internal consequences for Israel, and the prospects for a two-state solution. This episode was recorded April 14, 2025. Links: Prof. Dr. Johannes Becke / Ben-Gurion Chair: https://www.hfjs.eu/professuren/ben-gurion-lehrstuhl-fuer-israel-und-nahoststudien/team/lehrstuhlinhaber/prof-dr-johannes-becke.html Please also explore our other episodes in the political debate chapter to explore multiple perspectives. On the ideological roots and structure of Hamas, listen also to the episodes with Dr. Joseph Croitoru and Prof. Dr. Dr. Gudrun Krämer Disclaimer:Guest opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the podcast team. Technical legal terms are explained in Episode 36 with Prof. Claus Kreß; contested histories are addressed by Prof. Gudrun Krämer in Episode 21.