Israeli-palestinian issues: keys to understanding

Since the terrorist attacks of 7 October 2023 carried out by Hamas against Israeli civilian populations and the war in Gaza that followed, all eyes have been on the Middle East. Although the region has rarely known calm, 7 October 2023 marks a turning point in the history of Israeli–Palestinian relations.

But what do we really know about the situation in the Middle East? And how can we distinguish fact from fiction amid the vast amount of information circulating in the media and on social networks about the Israeli–Palestinian conflict?

With the aim of addressing this complex issue with more reason than passion, the Fondation pour la Mémoire de la Shoah (FMS), the Fondation for Political Innovation (Fondapol), and the Jean Jaurès Foundation have joined forces to offer a programme of informative videos on the history of the region and the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.

Through these ten videos, each devoted to a specific theme, the three foundations seek to provide parliamentarians and all elected officials, as well as anyone wishing to understand the conflict better, with analytical tools grounded in rigorous academic and factual foundations.

These videos have also been available since 12 November 2025 as original podcasts, accessible on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Deezer, Podcast Addict et Amazon Music. 

►Listen to the podcasts

Bande annonce des vidéos

« Israeli-palestinian issues: keys to understanding » offers ten filmed interviews, moderated by two journalists Jean-Philippe Moinet (founder of La Revue Civique) and Guillaume Erner (producer of Les Matins on France Culture) featuring speakers widely recognised for their expertise.

Video 1: The Birth of the Region: From the End of the Ottoman Empire to the End of the European Presence in the Region
Speaker: Jean-Claude Lescure, historian

Video 2: Zionism and the Creation of the State of Israel
Speaker: Alain Dieckhoff, sociologist

Video 3: Since 1948: Between Wars and Peace Agreements
Speaker: Jean-Claude Lescure, historian

Video 4: Issues Surrounding Gaza and the West Bank
Speaker: Denis Charbit, Professor of Political Science

Video 5: Jerusalem, at the Heart of All Tensions
Speaker: Catherine Nicault, historian

Video 6: France’s Role in the Region
Speaker: Frédérique Schillo, historian

Video 7: The Place and Perception of Israel and the Palestinian Territories in the International Community (1948–2023)
Speaker: Bruno Tertrais, political scientist

Video 8: International Relations: A Diplomat’s Testimony
Speaker: Éric Danon, diplomat

Video 9: Since 7 October 2023: A Paradigm Shift
Speaker: Danny Trom, sociologist

Video 10: Resonances in French Society
Speaker: Brice Teinturier, political scientist

Video 1: The Birth of the Region: From the End of the Ottoman Empire to the End of the European Presence in the Region - Speaker: Jean-Claude Lescure, historian

Video 2: Zionism and the Creation of the State of Israel - Speaker: Alain Dieckhoff, sociologist

Video 3: Since 1948: Between Wars and Peace Agreements - Speaker: Jean-Claude Lescure, historian

Video 4: Issues Surrounding Gaza and the West Bank - Speaker: Denis Charbit, Professor of Political Science

Video 5: Jerusalem, at the Heart of All Tensions - Speaker: Catherine Nicault, historian

Video 6: France’s Role in the Region - Speaker: Frédérique Schillo, historian

Video 7: The Place and Perception of Israel and the Palestinian Territories in the International Community (1948–2023) - Speaker: Bruno Tertrais, political scientist

Video 8: International Relations: A Diplomat’s Testimony - Speaker: Éric Danon, diplomat

Video 9: Since 7 October 2023: A Paradigm Shift - Speaker: Danny Trom, sociologist

Video 10: Resonances in French Society - Speaker: Brice Teinturier, political scientist

You can find these videos on the websites of the Jean Jaurès Foundation and the Fondation for Political Innovation.

► Press release (pdf)

Press review