Nieuws podcast van vandaag 7 april 2026 met Hans Knoop
·55 min·5 clips
Hans Knoop reveals how Israelis now use medical certificates to avoid army service, calling it the apocalypse.
The episode begins with Joop Soezoon introducing the podcast and noting the rainy weather in Israel. He is joined by guest Hans Knoop, and they immediately discuss the frequent air alarms that have been occurring, including three alarms in a short period the previous day. Hans describes the impact on an apartment building in Ramadhan and damage in other areas like Rozaïn and Tel Aviv. The conversation shifts to societal changes, with Hans explaining that unlike during the Six-Day War, many Israelis now try to escape reservist service using medical certificates, which he calls the apocalypse. They talk about the lack of perspective in the current conflict, with Netanyahu unable to stop it, and mention Trump's potential involvement, including threats to attack Iran. Hans critiques the idea of a buffer zone in Lebanon, stating it is ineffective against Hezbollah's long-range rockets from Iran and is more about land hunger than security. The economic toll is detailed, including a drop in GDP growth to 2.5%, hundreds of companies collapsing due to reservist call-ups, and family separations. Personal stories highlight the disruption, such as Joop not visiting family for six weeks due to rocket risks and difficulties in travel, with limited flights and routes through Egypt. The episode also covers issues like school closures, demonstrations in Tel Aviv, and censorship in Israeli media. Hans shares his method of cross-referencing news articles to verify facts, and they end on a note of cautious hope despite the grim situation.
