On this episode of IsraelCast, host Steven Shalowitz sits down with Catherine Perez-Shakdam for a candid conversation on extremism, antisemitism, and the forces shaping the Middle East and the West. Drawing from her firsthand experiences, Catherine discusses the influence of Iran, the Muslim Brotherhood, and Qatar, as well as the role propaganda can play in shaping attitudes toward Israel and the Jewish people. She also reflects on October 7, the rise of antisemitism, and why knowing our history and strengthening Jewish identity are so important for the next generation. A powerful conversation about confronting hatred, understanding the world around us, and standing proudly in who we are.
Catherine Perez-Shakdam is the Executive Director of the Institute for Free Societies and Chief Policy Advisor at Stop the Hate UK. Born and raised in Paris in a Jewish family, her life later took her to Yemen, where she lived for several years and witnessed the upheaval of the Arab Spring. Her experiences eventually brought her into contact with political and religious figures in Iran and shaped her work as a writer and commentator. She is the author of several books, including War Against God: How Radical Islamism Betrays Faith.