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.

Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman and Heath reporter Nathan Jeffay join host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

Esther Pollard, the wife of Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard, died on Monday from coronavirus-related complications at the age of 68. We hear why hers is a household name in Israel.

Israeli President Issac Herzog took an unprecedented trip to the United Arab Emirates on Sunday, meeting with Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and members of the Jewish community, among others. Later that day, however, the UAE’s air defenses intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched by the Houthi terrorist group towards the country. Why are the optics on this so important geopolitically?

Jeffay wrote a heart-wrenching article last week after speaking with Shaarei Zedek’s Dr. Ariel Rokach, who minutes prior had just lost another patient. With all the media discussions on how Omicron is a relatively "light" wave, Jeffay explains why is it important to hear these stories as well. Next, we hear how Israel's HMOs are the real frontline of the Omicron wave, and how successful they have been in keeping the hospitals functioning.

Jeffay brings us newly published research conducted during that Alpha and Delta waves that shows how children living with inoculated parents had 72% fewer infections than unvaxxed parents’ offspring.

And finally, Berman brings us a few words about Tom Brady.

Discussed articles include:

Esther Pollard, wife of Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard, dies at 68

As Herzog visits, UAE downs ballistic missile fired by Yemen’s Houthis

In meeting with UAE Jewish leaders, Herzog says he draws inspiration from MBZ

‘I see death daily’: Under record strain, doctor describes misery of Omicron wards

Tireless triage: How Israeli community medicine prevents Omicron swamping system

Vaccinated, boosted parents slash their kids’ COVID risk — pre-Omicron Israeli study

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IMAGE: Israeli President Isaac Herzog, center, and First Lady Michal Herzog are received by UAE Foreign Minister, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, January 30, 2022.(Amos Ben Gershom/GPO via AP)

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