© 2025 Kansas City Public Radio
NPR in Kansas City
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

WATCH: Israeli couple reflects on watching the war unfold from Michigan

Ariel Rak and Iris Mehler of Midland.
WCMU Public Media
Ariel Rak and Iris Mehler of Midland.

As the war between Israel and Hamas continues to unfold in the Middle East, WCMU wanted to learn what it's like for people with close ties to the conflict to watch it from afar.

Ariel Rak and Iris Mehler both grew up in Israel and have been together since they were 13 years old and both served in the Israeli Defense Force.

They recently moved their family to Midland.

During this conversation, we talk about what their family in Israel is seeing, how this war has changed their view of Israel and why they're sympathetic to the Palestinian people amid the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Editor's note: This conversation was recorded on Oct. 18, 2023.

Rick Brewer has been news director at WCMU since February 2024.
No matter what happens in Washington D.C., Kansas City needs KCUR. And KCUR needs you.

Our ability to report local news — accurate, independent and paywall-free — depends on you. Donate now to support fact-based news.