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.

Political correspondent Tal Schneider and health and science writer Nathan Jeffay join host Jessica Steinberg for today's podcast.

Schneider discusses the highlights of the in-depth interview she and ToI founding editor David Horovitz conducted with President Isaac Herzog ahead of Israel Independence Day, and the "soft power, soft diplomacy" that Herzog brings to his job.

Jeffay looks at his analysis of the recent salmonella outbreak from the Strauss food group, which necessitated the removal of certain Strauss and Elite products from supermarket shelves, and the temporary closure of an Elite factory.

He also offers an update on Israel's new blood bank, underground and rocket proof, a strategic asset in case of war, terrorism and attacks.

Finally, Steinberg tells listeners about the latest Netflix purchase from Yes Studios, historical drama "Beauty Queen of Jerusalem," set in the holy city during the Ottoman Empire and British Mandate periods.

Discussed articles include:

Herzog champions dialogue as key path to warm ties, slams ‘fake news’ stirring hate

A 5-month salmonella crisis in ’94 shows just how far Israel has come on food safety

Israel opens world’s most protected blood bank, rocket-proof and underground

Netflix picks up Ottoman-era Israeli drama ‘Beauty Queen of Jerusalem’

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

IMAGE: President Isaac Herzog at Beit Hanassi, the President's residence in Jerusalem, April 2022 (Ariel Jerozolimski for The Times of Israel)

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.