Welcome to The Times of Israel’s Daily Briefing, your 15-minute audio update on what’s happening in Israel, the Middle East, and the Jewish world, from Sunday through Thursday.

Today’s panel comprises Zman Yisrael editor Biranit Goren and health reporter Nathan Jeffay, along with host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

We begin with a blitz of updates regarding the progress of the coronavirus in Israel. Jeffay presents new research out of Jerusalem which re-purposes existing drugs to fight COVID. Since they are already FDA-approved for other maladies, the time to market, if re-approved, will be light speed as opposed to new pharmaceuticals.

Next, we take highlights from a recent interview with Bar-Ilan University Prof. Cyrille Cohen, who gives the COVID big picture. What he has to say about children under 12 is especially intriguing.

Then we turn to the current scandal lighting up Jewish media headlines: The decision of Ben & Jerry's United States-based parent company to no longer sell its Israeli franchise's products in the West Bank. Is this just ice cream, or the beginning of a larger wave of Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaigns?

Discussed articles include:

Daily virus cases top 1,300 in 4-month high, as Israel set for new restrictions

3 existing drugs fight coronavirus with ‘almost 100%’ success in Jerusalem lab

Top immunologist: Douse Israel’s Delta ‘fire’ before it needs lake-full of water

Israel expected to require all travelers entering the country to self-isolate

Ben & Jerry’s says it will end sales in ‘Occupied Palestinian Territory’

Ben & Jerry’s board in dispute with owners Unilever over remaining in Israel

Big chill: Jewish world reacts to Ben & Jerry’s exit from Israeli settlements

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IMAGE: Ben & Jerry's ice creams on sale at a shop in Jerusalem on July 19, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

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