Oath of Blood

This archive episode originally aired in July 2017.

In the early summer of 1982, Israel invaded Lebanon. The First Lebanon War — as it would later be called — would ultimately lead to thousands of casualties, an eighteen-year-long Israeli presence in Southern Lebanon, and growing political disillusionment around the region.

But for two Jerusalem families, who just happened to share the same surname, the first days of war were an even more devastating emotional whirlwind. They each went through an unimaginable cycle of shock, grief, hope and despair. By the end of that cycle, the war had formed an oath of blood between them, a covenant of sorts.

Samuel Thrope brings us the biblical-like saga of Yuval Harel, or rather the three different Yuval Harels, whose lives, fates and stories became eternally intertwined.

The end song is “Brit Damim”, written by Emanuel Sabar, composed by Yair Rosenblum, and sung by Miri Aloni (Licensed by Israel Story through Acum).

About Israel Story: Israel Story is the award-winning podcast that tells extraordinary tales about ordinary Israelis. Often called “the Israeli ‘This American Life,’” we bring you quirky, unpredictable, interesting and moving stories about a place we all think we know a lot about, but really don’t. Produced in partnership with The Times of Israel.

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Transcript of this episode: