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 deputy editor Josh Davidovich and environmental reporter Sue Surkes, along with host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

Israeli Environmental Minister Gila Gamliel announced yesterday that the cause of the massive environmental disaster that hit Israel's shores in mid-February was a ship called the Emerald, calling it "environmental terrorism" on the part of Iran. What exactly was going on there?

We discuss the ongoing cleanup efforts to make Israel's shoreline safe for visitation and the "traffic light" system the government has implemented.

Surkes visited the National Sea Turtle Rescue Center this week and caught up with efforts there to save a handful of rare species -- using mayonnaise. She discusses the center's work in general and shares a couple of colorful nicknames.

[caption id="attachment_2494369" align="alignnone" width="600"] A 6-month-old green sea turtle is cleaned from tar after an oil spill in the Mediterranean Sea; at Israel's Sea Turtle Rescue Center in Michmoret, Israel, February 23, 2021.(AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)[/caption]

The NBA's Washington Wizards is celebrating Jewish Heritage Night tonight with a special performance of the United States national anthem sung by Israeli pop star Kobi Aflalo. Davidovich updates with what else is Israeli about the Wizards.

David Mintz, the inventor of Tofutti, died this week aged 99. The panel remembers the luscious ice cream and salutes the great man of kosher desserts.

Discussed articles include:

Israel says it has identified ship that caused massive oil leak in Mediterranean

As more tar sweeps beaches, nature authority says sand will never be 100% clean

As tar keeps coming, Environment and Finance ministries spar over funds

After surviving marine oil spill, young turtles heal with fish, mayo and love

DC Wizards to hold Jewish heritage night featuring Israeli singer

David Mintz, who invented Tofutti as a dairy substitute for kosher meals, dies

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PHOTO: Results of an offshore oil spill that drenched most of the Israeli coastline, February 23, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

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