Welcome to The Times of Israel’s Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what’s happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world.

Today is day 174 of the war with Hamas. Political correspondent Tal Schneider joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode.

Schneider discusses the 11th-hour government request for an extension to the High Court petition to avoid mandatory Haredi conscription that would begin April 1, reporting that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holed up in his office with his ultra-Orthodox coalition partners late Wednesday night in a last-minute attempt to find a solution that would appease them.

She then looks at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political flip-flopping and political spinning over the last few days, discussing his desperate attempts to save his political base of Likud voters despite a series of adverse reactions from the US administration and fellow politicians to his latest actions.

Schneider also talks about the passing of former Senator Joe Lieberman, his friendship with Israel, and his relationships with political conservatives on the other side of the spectrum, and what colleagues are saying about him.

For the latest updates, please see The Times of Israel’s ongoing live blog.

Discussed articles include:

Live blog March 28, 2024

Government seeks 11th hour-High Court extension to avoid mandatory Haredi conscription

Netanyahu desperately seeks to strengthen his base, at the expense of US ties, hostages

Former US senator Joe Lieberman, first Jewish VP nominee for major party, dies at 82

THOSE WE HAVE LOST: Civilians and soldiers killed in Hamas's onslaught on Israel

THOSE WE ARE MISSING: The hostages and victims whose fate is still unknown

Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves.

IMAGE: Israelis protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the current Israeli government, in Tel Aviv, on March 23, 2024. (Photo by Erik Marmor/Flash90)

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