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 editor David Horovitz and political and diplomatic reporter Tal Schneider, along with host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

The Israeli political scene is enjoying a split screen today with citizen Benjamin Netanyahu's third appearance in court taking place even as his Likud party recommends him again for the role of prime minister. In an all-day marathon, President Reuven Rivlin hosts all 13 parties to hear not only which MK they are recommending to put together the next coalition, but also their number 2 choice.

One of the most important parties in shoring up the next government is also the smallest. We discuss the Ra'am party charter and what exactly its philosophical underpinnings are.

Finally, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has issued interesting statements over the past few days. On Friday, he told Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi that Israelis and Palestinians should enjoy "equal measure of freedom, security, prosperity and democracy." And yesterday Blinken and the Biden administration issued a statement addressing a week of Holocaust remembrance currently being held in the US, in conjunction with the Israeli Yom Hashoah on Wednesday night. Coincidence?

Discussed articles include:

Political fate in balance, Netanyahu in court at start of trial’s evidence stage

Rivlin meets with party representatives to hear their preferred candidate for PM

Ra’am’s guiding charter backs Palestinian right of return, calls Zionism racist

Blinken tells Israel: Palestinians should enjoy same rights, freedoms as you do

Ahead of Israeli Holocaust remembrance, Blinken speaks of duty to stop evil

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IMAGE: File photo -- Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu seen as he arrives for a court hearing at the District Court in Jerusalem on February 8, 2021, PM Netanyahu is on trial on criminal allegations of bribery, fraud and breach of trust. (Reuven Kastro/POOL)

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