Day 133 - PM 'categorically' rejects an imposed Palestinian state

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 133 of the war. Political correspondent Tal Schneider and culture editor Jessica Steinberg join host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.

Amid growing tensions between the two leaders, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden again spoke by phone for 40 minutes Thursday evening, talking about the hostages taken during the October 7 onslaught, Rafah and the next stage in the fight against Hamas, and touched on the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. After the call, Netanyahu released a statement in the middle of the night insisting that Israel will not be pressured into accepting a Palestinian state. Schneider weighs in on why he felt the need to release this statement.

On Wednesday Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ruled out sending an Israeli delegation for further hostage negotiations in Cairo. He apparently made this decision without consulting the war cabinet. Has there been any political blowback from Netanyahu taking this unilateral decision?

As the fear for their loved ones' safety grows, the hostages’ families are ramping up their efforts to bring global attention to their plight. Steinberg delves into some of the recent campaigns.

Schneider conducted a special project and turned to all 120 members of Knesset to hear their thoughts on the issue of ultra-Orthodox conscription. Did she find anything surprising?

Steinberg recently returned from the east coast of the United States where she spoke to numerous Jewish communities. What was her sense of how the Israel-Hamas war is affecting them?

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

Discussed articles include:

Live blog February 16, 2024

Netanyahu and Biden speak as divides sharpen on Palestinian state, Rafah operation

Hoping to jar world leaders, hostage’s cousin rebuilds captivity in virtual reality

‘What if they were your children?’: Families demand cabinet return to Cairo talks

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: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seen during a discussion and a vote on the state budget at the assembly hall of the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, February 7, 2024. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.