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 144 of the war. Zman Yisrael editor-in-chief Biranit Goren and political correspondent Tal Schneider join host Jessica Steinberg.
Schneider discusses election day for local authorities and municipalities, describing the expectation that most Israelis will vote for incumbent politicians, rather than push forward on other issues, given the status of war and hostage situation.
Goren explains the latest in the matter of the Haredi draft, concerning a government resolution and the High Court, and how this could lead the ultra-Orthodox community and government toward finding a compromise for drafting Haredi yeshiva students.
Schneider and Goren look at the latest revelation regarding intelligence ahead of the October 7 Hamas terrorist assault, examining the political machinations behind the revelations.
For the latest updates, please look at The Times of Israel’s ongoing live blog.
Discussed articles include:
Live blog February 27, 2024
Polls open across much of Israel for twice-delayed local elections under shadow of war
As Israel heads to municipal elections mid-war, here’s what you need to know
High Court orders the government to explain why its refusal to draft Haredim is legal
Hours before Hamas attack, IDF noticed dozens of terrorists activating Israeli SIMs
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
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IMAGE: Families of hostages set up booths next to polling stations during local elections on February 27, 2024, reminding voters to 'Choose the hostages' (Courtesy Hostages and Missing Families Forum) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Day 144 - Israelis cast votes in local elections, amid war

Welcome to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing: Your update on what&rsquo;s important in Israel, the Middle East and The Jewish World.

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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.
It is day 224 of the war with Hamas. Political reporter Sam Sokol joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode.
Sokol discusses Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's opposing pressures this week between his coalition and cabinet regarding governance in Gaza after the war, as Defense Minister Yoav Gallant is pushing for some decisions. The disagreement has created another looming coalition crisis, as some far-right politicians call for Gallant's ouster, and not for the first time in this government.
He then looks at the other pressure playing out for the prime minister, as Netanyahu attempted this week to revive an older piece of legislation regarding the ultra-Orthodox draft, in a political scramble to find some degree of enlistment while keeping his coalition intact. 
For the latest updates, please see The Times of Israel’s ongoing live blog.
Discussed articles include:
Far-right politicians demand Gallant be fired for challenging PM on Gaza’s future
Gallant to PM: Reject Israeli military, civil rule of Gaza after Hamas; I won’t allow it
Netanyahu says he’ll advance Haredi IDF enlistment bill that lowers exemption age
Ministerial pushback may have nixed cabinet discussion on Haredi enlistment bill
Diverse backgrounds give way to shared fate as Gaza friendly-fire victims eulogized
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: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a state memorial ceremony for victims of terror at Mount Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem, May 13, 2024 (Photo by Chaim Goldberg/Flash90) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Day 224: PM crisis looms with post-Gaza plans, Haredi draft

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.
It is day 223 of the war with Hamas. Editor David Horovitz joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan in our Jerusalem offices for today's episode.
Five Israeli soldiers were killed and another seven were wounded, including three seriously, in an incident of so-called friendly fire in northern Gaza’s Jabaliya on Wednesday evening, the military announced today. Prior to the official announcement of the soldiers' deaths, last night Defense Minister Yoav Gallant sounded the alarm to force the hand of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to take steps and promote a reasonable option for governance of the strip -- in part to prevent more soldiers’ and civilians’ deaths. Horovitz puts the speech into perspective.
Yesterday, Netanyahu revived a 2022 proposal by cabinet minister Benny Gantz to lower yeshiva students’ age of exemption from military service from 26 to 21. Today, the Attorney General weighed in and stated the Gantz bill is based on outdated data and therefore opposes it because it doesn’t reflect today’s reality. The bill has since been approved by the Ministerial Committee for Legislation this morning. But are there really any winners if this bill moves forward?
The official date for the next elections are October 2026. Horovitz explains why Netanyahu must move the date forward and call for a new democratically validated mandate of his leadership -- or cede the throne.
For the latest updates, please see The Times of Israel’s ongoing live blog.
Discussed articles include:
5 soldiers killed, 7 hurt in ‘friendly fire’ incident in northern Gaza’s Jabaliya
Gallant to PM: Reject Israeli military, civil rule of Gaza after Hamas; I won’t allow it
Full text: Gallant demands PM rule out Israeli military, civil control of post-Hamas Gaza
Netanyahu says he’ll advance Haredi IDF enlistment bill that lowers exemption age
To save and heal Israel, Netanyahu must quit or at least face the electorate
ICJ’s urgent hearings over IDF’s Rafah operation spell more trouble for Israel
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: This handout picture released by the Israeli army on May 7, 2024 shows Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant standing with soldiers by a self-propelled artillery howitzer during a visit to a position along the border with the Gaza Strip in southern Israel near Rafah. (Israeli Army / AFP) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Day 223 - Gallant (again) delivers an explosive speech. Now what?

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.
It is day 222 of the war with Hamas. Military correspondent Emanuel Fabian and Diaspora and Jewish world reporter Canaan Lidor join host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode.
Fabian discusses the latest updates in the Gaza Strip, as more IDF tanks move into Rafah and the first IDF fatality was announced Tuesday. He describes the different areas where the IDF is currently operating in Gaza and the larger number of troops involved once again in the region.
He also talks about the Hezbollah attack in the north on Tuesday, when a civilian was killed and several IDF soldiers injured as three separate rocket attacks targeted a surveillance balloon. The IDF appears to have retaliated with a drone attack on a Hezbollah commander who was killed in the operation.
Lidor discusses the alternative Yom Ha'atzmaut Independence Day ceremony held in the northern suburb of Binyamina on Monday night, during which bereaved parents, hostage family members and evacuees doused torches rather than lighting them, as they spoke about the failures and losses of the last seven months.
He also speaks about an antisemitic incident at the University of Amsterdam, emblematic of the ongoing protests and attacks that are taking place across European campuses.
For the latest updates, please see The Times of Israel’s ongoing live blog.
Discussed articles include:
Soldier killed in south Gaza fighting, in first Israeli fatality of Rafah offensive
Israeli tanks move deeper into Rafah, Palestinians say, as 450,000 flee
Civilian killed, 5 troops hurt by Hezbollah missile; northern residents protest inaction
Top Hezbollah field commander killed in IDF drone strike in south Lebanon
In foil to official state event, those hit hardest by Oct. 7 lead torch-dousing ceremony
On Europe’s campuses, explosions of violent antisemitism have become de rigueur
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: At the alternative Independence Day ceremony held by hostage family members in Binyamina on the eve of Israel's 76th Independence Day, May 13, 2024 (Photo by Flash90) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Day 222 - Gaza heats up as Independence Day marked alternatively

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.
It is day 221 of the war with Hamas. In this special Independence Day episode, host Amanda Borschel-Dan speaks with Rabbi Avi Poupko, an immigrant from North America who, at age 43, joined the IDF following the massacre on October 7.
Through his early 20s, Poupko was raised in a "haredi-leaning" milieu and he came to Israel in 1999 to study at the Mir Yeshiva, arguably the largest yeshiva in the world. He returned as an immigrant in 2007, but did not then get called to the IDF.
Poupko discusses what led him to enlist at this time and his experiences during his service so far. We also hear his thoughts on the chances of a more universal conscription that would include at least parts of the haredi community.
For the latest updates, please see The Times of Israel’s ongoing live blog.
Discussed articles include:
Government may submit Haredi draft proposal to cabinet next week
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: At 43 years old, Rabbi Avi Poupko joined the IDF following the October 7 massacres and serves in the north in a reserves unit. Pictured here in Kiryat Shemona, May 2024. (courtesy) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Day 221 - Why a 43-year-old rabbi joined the IDF post-Oct. 7

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.
It is day 220 of the war with Hamas. Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman and news editor Amy Spiro join host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.
As the IDF operation in Rafah appears poised for expansion, Egypt announced Sunday it would support South Africa’s ongoing lawsuit in the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza. Is it a warning shot or something more serious?
In an Israeli Channel 12 interview last night, US Ambassador to Israel Jack Lew insisted that “fundamentally, nothing has changed in the basic relationship” between Israel and the US — despite the decision last week by US President Joe Biden’s administration to delay a shipment of high-payload bombs to Israel, and Biden’s declaration that he would not supply offensive weapons to Israel for a major IDF offensive affecting population centers in southern Gaza’s Rafah. What is the significance of Lew's rare Israeli media appearance?
Speaking at the Memorial Day ceremony at the Western Wall in Jerusalem on Sunday night, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi said he is responsible for providing answers to the families of slain troops. While his remarks were not new, Berman talks about their importance on this day.
Following October 7, The Times of Israel has been working nonstop to bring readers the personal stories of those who were killed through our Those We Have Lost project, a dedicated page to share the names, faces and stories of those who can no longer speak for themselves. Project coordinator Spiro describes the process behind these memorials and shares the story of Mark Mordechai Peretz, 51, from Rishon Lezion, who was murdered on October 7 while trying to save his daughter from the Supernova music festival.
Borschel-Dan speaks about Cpt. Amir Zur, 23, a paramedic in the elite Sayeret Matkal unit, fell in battle while attempting to “save and free” Kibbutz Kfar Aza on October 7. Borschel-Dan describes Zur, her husband's cousin, and talks about the last time she and her family spent time with him.
For the latest updates, please see The Times of Israel’s ongoing live blog.
Discussed articles include:
Egypt joins ICJ case against Israel as one official warns Rafah op puts peace at risk
US envoy denies ties with Israel have changed: Only ‘1 set of munitions’ held back
‘A tear in the heart of Israel’: Nation marks a visceral post-October 7 Memorial Day
Mark Peretz, 51: Father slain while trying to rescue his daughter
Cpt. Amir Zur, 23: ‘You will always be our guardian angel’
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: Bereaved families, friends and Israeli soldiers visit the graves of fallen soldier during Memorial Day which commemorates the fallen Israeli soldiers and victims of terror, at Mount Herzl Military Cemetery in Jerusalem on May 13, 2024. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Day 144 - Israelis cast votes in local elections, amid war

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