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Behind Israel’s historic airstrike on Iran

WATCH: “Straight Up” with Danny Seaman and guest Shai Kalach

Israel’s offensive on Iran shocked the world. But was it also a turning point in Jewish destiny?

In this episode of “Straight Up,” former Prime Minister’s Office official Danny Seaman sits down with Israeli Air Force veteran Shai Kalach to unpack the operational brilliance behind Israel’s airstrikes on Iran and the deeper spiritual awakening that it has ignited across Israeli society.

Shai Kalach, a former F-16 pilot turned Torah scholar and grassroots leader, offers a firsthand account of Israel’s long-range air campaign, including the logistics, coordination and years of preparation that culminated in a mission likened to the 1967 Six-Day War. Kalach reveals never-before-heard details on midair refueling, aerial dominance and the critical role of elite IDF units on the ground. He also reflects on the presence of female combat pilots in the strike, and how the assault was a demonstration of both military and moral strength.

Kalach also speaks candidly about his personal transformation from being a secular fighter pilot to a religious activist, and how Israel today is undergoing its own national metamorphosis. Together, he and Seamon explore the post-war societal shifts underway—from a renewed sense of Jewish identity to the rise of a grassroots Zionism driven by purpose, faith and national pride.

Topics covered include:

  • Inside look at the Iran airstrike operation
  • Coordination between Mossad, IDF and Air Force
  • The emergence of a national-religious revival in Israeli society
  • The future of Israeli leadership after Netanyahu
  • Why Zionism is evolving from survival to destiny

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Daniel (“Danny”) Seaman is an Israeli media professional and former civil servant, mainly active in the fields of foreign service and public diplomacy.
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