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.

Health and science correspondent Nathan Jeffay and Arab Affairs reporter Aaron Boxerman join host Jessica Steinberg today.

Jeffay offers some COVID updates, including the $4.3 million awarded by the Gates Foundation for the development of an Israeli variant-proof vaccine in tablet form, which would conceivably change the way people receive vaccines going forward.

Jeffay also discusses the work of a Tel Aviv University scientist who has identified the virus proteins that are triggering strokes and heart attacks in COVID-19 patients.

Boxerman looks at the pros and cons of a recently approved pilot project that would issue 500 work permits to West Bank Palestinian tech employees over three years, a shift that is less than seismic, he pointed out.

He also updates listeners about the recent movement in the ongoing legal battle over Jewish-owned homes in the Arab neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah in Jerusalem.

Discussed articles include:

Israeli plan for COVID vaccine tablet gets $4.3m from Bill Gates-backed fund

COVID proteins that trigger strokes and heart attacks identified by Israeli team

In first, government approves small quota of tech work permits for Palestinians

Sheikh Jarrah Palestinians reject Supreme Court deal to stave off evictions

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IMAGE: Palestinian medical workers work on samples test, at the coronavirus lab of the Al-Ahli hospital, in the West Bank city of Hebron, March 16, 2021v(Photo by Wisam Hashlamoun/Flash90)

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