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 Times of Israel senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur and our environment reporter Sue Surkes, along with producer Raoul Wootliff in the host's chair.

On today's show, we focus on the devastating oil spill that coated Israel’s coast this week with thick black tar.

Is this the biggest ecological disaster in Israel's history? What's the extent of the damage and how long will it take to clean up? What do we know about the cause? How ready were the authorities to deal with a disaster of this magnitude? And, what's the likelihood of it happening again?

Turning to Israeli politics, we look at Rettig Gur's profile of Otzmah Yehudit leader and Religious Zionism number three, Itamar Ben Gvir, and ask -- is he really a Kahanist? And why is Netanyahu pushing him into the Knesset?

Finally, looking for some light amid the black tar, we hear about an Israeli miracle cure for tar-covered sea turtles, and find out how the public can get involved in the cleanup efforts.

Discussed articles include:

Tarred and shuttered: Anatomy of the oil disaster that closed Israel’s beaches

Report: Greek tanker suspected in oil spill that polluted Israeli beaches

Long battle ahead to rid beaches of tar, senior official says after flyover

After oil spill, Environment Ministry to pursue funding pledged 12 years ago

Government allocates NIS 45 million to clean up tar-polluted beaches

In Israel, mayonnaise proves a miracle cure for tar-covered turtles

Kahane lives? What does Itamar Ben Gvir, backed by Netanyahu, really stand for?

Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on iTunes, Spotify, PlayerFM, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts.

PHOTO: Israeli soldiers clean tar off the Palmachim beach following an offshore oil spill that covered most of the Israeli coastline in tar. February 22, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.