The latest episode of ALL CAPS, hosted by Nitsana Darshan-Leitner alongside Sarai Givaty, Titi Ayanaw and India Naftali, tackled some of the week's most controversial stories—from rising antisemitism and geopolitical influence campaigns to personal resilience and the voices refusing to be silenced.
The panel opened with a viral video from France showing a Haredi Jewish father and his children being harassed while wearing Moroccan national soccer jerseys. What should have been an ordinary family outing quickly became another example of how Jewish identity itself has become a target. The discussion highlighted the long and deeply rooted history between Moroccan Jews and Morocco, arguing that the harassment had nothing to do with football—and everything to do with antisemitism.
ALL CAPS ep. 20
The conversation then shifted to American politics after a New York Times headline questioned whether a pro-Israel Democrat could still win in 2026. The panel debated what they described as a growing political stigma around supporting Israel, while discussing the role of lobbying in Washington and the double standards they believe are applied when Israel is involved.
Another major topic focused on Qatar's expanding financial influence within American higher education. The hosts examined reports of new exchange programs aimed at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), arguing that foreign funding should face greater scrutiny when it comes from governments that do not share democratic values. The discussion also touched on broader concerns about outside influence shaping future political and business leaders through university partnerships.
Back in Israel, the panel turned to the devastating fire that destroyed multiple homes at Chavat Gilad in Samaria, including the home of Yael Sheva, whose husband was murdered in a terrorist attack in 2018. Beyond the physical destruction, the hosts reflected on the emotional loss of family memories and discussed the strategic role that agricultural communities play in protecting land in Area C. Rather than focusing only on tragedy, they highlighted the resilience demonstrated by families rebuilding after repeated attacks.
The centerpiece of the episode was an exclusive interview with Canadian comedian and social media personality Daniel-Ryan Spaulding, who has become one of the most recognizable international voices supporting Israel since October 7.
Spaulding explained that witnessing members of the LGBTQ+ community and progressive movements defend Hamas pushed him to begin speaking publicly. What started as a viral video quickly evolved into a new direction for his career, as he found himself addressing antisemitism, extremism and misinformation across social media.
Daniel Ryan Spaulding
He also spoke candidly about the personal price of taking a public stand, revealing that he lost followers, friendships and professional opportunities. Despite the backlash, Spaulding said he believes remaining silent would have been morally impossible, adding that many people privately agreed with him but were unwilling to risk their own reputations.
Reflecting on today's cultural climate, Spaulding described performing for live audiences as increasingly challenging, particularly for Jewish comedians, as political polarization and social media outrage have changed audience behavior. He discussed online harassment, censorship, shadow banning and the psychological toll of constant attacks while emphasizing the importance of remaining grounded in reality.
The conversation became more personal as Spaulding shared how major life changes—including dramatic weight loss, reconnecting with his Croatian roots and reassessing many of his own political assumptions—have reshaped his worldview. He spoke openly about being underestimated throughout his life and explained how embracing his own identity ultimately became one of his greatest strengths.
Nitsana Darshan-Leitner
The show then examined another case highlighting the growing cost of publicly supporting Israel. French DJ Barbara Butch, who performed during the Paris 2024 Olympic opening ceremony, was reportedly forced off stage after pro-Palestinian protesters disrupted her performance because of her public support for anti-antisemitism initiatives and Israel. The panel argued that incidents like these demonstrate how cultural figures increasingly face backlash simply for expressing support for Jewish communities.
The episode concluded on a hopeful note with the story of Nimrod Milhaus-Hassan, an Israeli who spent nearly a year riding his motorcycle 36,000 kilometers from Alaska to the southern tip of Argentina after completing four years of combat service as an IDF paramedic. Along the journey, he carried the memory of two fallen soldiers by placing speakers in the water at both ends of the Americas, creating a moving tribute to friendship, sacrifice and perseverance. His message—that people are fundamentally good and dreams are worth pursuing—served as an uplifting reminder to end the program.
Watch the full episode of ALL CAPS featuring Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, Sarai Givaty, Titi Ayanaw and India Naftali for more unfiltered conversations, exclusive interviews and analysis of the stories shaping Israel and the Jewish world.
To learn more about Shurat HaDin's efforts to fight terrorism and defend Israel through legal action, visit Shurat HaDin – Israel Law Center.