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 guests are health and science correspondent Nathan Jeffay and environment correspondent Sue Surkes, with Raoul Wootliff as host.

Summer holidays are over and school is set to restart tomorrow. On today's show, we discuss the new regulations allowing the school year to begin and how they are set to work.

Israel yesterday passed 7,000 fatalities from the virus since the start of the Pandemic last year. We look at the current rate of infection and ask how the vaccine booster is having an impact.

Turning to the environment, we assess a new government report released yesterday which claims Israel has much high methane emissions than the world average. Why is it so high and what can be done?

And finally, we'll look at how the new agricultural reform as part of the state budget is set to impact both Israeli farmers and consumers.

Discussed articles include:

Bennett says schools will open Wednesday, eases in-person learning rule

Ministers OK barring unvaccinated and untested teachers, doctors from workplaces

Israel’s COVID death toll passes 7,000; over 500 felled by virus in August alone

Israel widens 3rd COVID booster shot to those aged 12 and over

Government report finds Israel methane emissions much higher than world averages

Syrian oil spill spreads into Mediterranean, may reach Cyprus

Tar still washing up onto Israel’s beaches six months after oil spill

Doubts crop up as bid to lower price of produce targets farms for reform

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PHOTO: A child poses with her COVID-19 home kit test that she received from her school, ahead of the opening of the new school year, in Jerusalem, August 30, 2021. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

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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 guests are Times of Israel founding editor David Horovitz with Arab affairs correspondent Aaron Boxerman, and Jessica Steinberg as host.

Horovitz reviews aspects of Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's meeting in the Washington, DC with US President Joe Biden, including Bennett's ability to converse easily and fluently with Biden, a clear advantage that former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu always favored in his moments on the world stage.

Boxerman discussed the logistics and content of the Sunday night meeting in Ramallah between Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Defense Minister Benny Gantz, the first in over a decade. 

He also spoke about ongoing conversations regarding how Israel can help strengthen the PA economy, which has suffered tremendously as a result of the coronavirus and internal politics.

Horovitz closes Monday's podcast with a look at how the US is suffering post its pullout from Afghanistan, and how it needs to play a role as the world's superpower, particularly in the Middle East.

Discussed articles include:

In shadow of Kabul chaos, Bennett tells Biden why US must stay engaged in region

Catastrophe in Afghanistan — for Afghans, Israel, the region… and for America

In first top-level meeting in a decade, Gantz holds talks with Abbas in Ramallah

PM’s office downplays Gantz-Abbas meeting, says there won’t be peace talks

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PHOTO: Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas speaks alongside US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, May 25, 2021, in West Bank city of Ramallah. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool)

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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.

We're speaking today with Times of Israel military correspondent Judah Ari Gross and US correspondent Jacob Magid, with Jessica Steinberg hosting.

Gross opens with a discussion about the IDF airstrikes in the Gaza Strip late Saturday night in retaliation for airborne arson attacks, and whether that portends a return to conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Magid takes us to the US and an overview of Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's visit in the US, reviewing his meetings with US President Joe Biden, which included a pledge from Biden that Iran will "never" get a nuclear weapon, although he stopped short of offering a military option.

Along those lines, Gross added more information about the IDF's plans to strike Iran’s nuclear program in light of the Islamic Republic’s ongoing march toward the technology needed for an atomic weapon.

Bennett's visit with Biden also included conversations about aid to Ramallah amid fears of an economic collapse, and Biden's opposition to the Sheikh Jarrah evictions and thoughts about reopening the US consulate in Jerusalem.

Finally, Magid shares some more details about Bennett's extended visit over Shabbat in DC, including a makeshift synagogue service in the hotel and his words of Torah to the assembled minyan on Shabbat day.

Discussed articles include:

IDF strikes Gaza after violent border riots, airborne arson attack

3 months after Gaza conflict, IDF gearing up for another round of fighting

At first meeting, Biden pledges to Bennett that Iran will ‘never’ get nukes

As Bennett meets Biden, IDF ramps up plans for strike on Iran’s nuke program

Israel, PA discuss potential aid to Ramallah amid fears of economic collapse

Biden raised reopening of Jerusalem consulate, opposition to evictions, with PM

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IMAGE: President Joe Biden shakes hands with Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett as they meet in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, Aug. 27, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

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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 includes Times of Israel Ops & Blogs editor Miriam Herschlag and political analyst Haviv Rettig Gur, with Jessica Steinberg as your host.

Herschlag and Rettig Gur discuss blogs written by former Israel ambassador Michael Oren and American sociologist Samuel Heilman, examining the US withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Oren looks at how the US used the Middle East peace process in the 1970s to reclaim its role as peacemaker post Vietnam, suggesting it can do the same again, using the Abraham Accords as a starting point.

Meanwhile, sociologist Heilman offers five lessons the Afghanistan withdrawal can teach to democracies.

Finally, Herschlag and Rettig Gur discuss Israel's new mother by surrogacy, Labor Party head Merav Michaeli, an outspoken champion of women's right to opt-out of motherhood, who could have averted a backlash with more transparency about her plans, suggests blogger Naomi Chazan.

Discussed articles include:

The Taliban win forces the question: What’s next for the US?

5 Afghan lessons (‘the US as unreliable ally’ is not one of them)

Merav Michaeli should have been up front about the surrogate baby

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IMAGE: Paratroopers assigned to the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division help facilitate the safe evacuation of U.S. citizens, Special Immigrant Visa applicants, and other at-risk Afghans out of Afghanistan, at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan, Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021. (Sgt. Jillian G. Hix/U.S. Army via AP)

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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 includes Times of Israel political correspondent Tal Schneider and US correspondent Jacob Magid, with Jessica Steinberg as your host.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett landed early this morning in the US, and Schneider fills us in on what to expect in the initial meeting between Bennett and US President Joe Biden, who are meeting in person for the first time.

Magid, already on the ground in Washington, DC, shares some of his expectations for topics and issues under discussion between the two leaders, including tensions regarding Iran, fallout from the US pullout from Afghanistan and how to proceed with Israel-Palestinian relations.

Finally, Schneider speaks about how former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be watching the US-Israel meeting from his vacation in Hawaii, where he is still tweeting his displeasure about Bennett's diplomatic progress.

Discussed articles include:

Bennett lands in US on first state visit as PM, ahead of meeting with Biden

Bennett: Israel won’t annex territory or establish Palestinian state on my watch

Bennett to US congressmen: Preventing a nuclear Iran is America’s interest

Netanyahu on vacation at island owned by Larry Ellison, a witness in graft trial

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PHOTO: Prime Minister Naftali Bennett boards plane for the US (Courtesy Avi Ohayon/GPO)

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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 Palestinian affairs correspondent Aaron Boxerman, along with host Raoul Wootliff.

We open today's show with a look at tensions between Israel and Hamas after the IDF carried out a series of airstrikes in the Gaza Strip following the launch of incendiary balloons and a violent incident on the border.

What does Hamas want? How is Israel avoiding escalation? And has Israel lost its deterrence?

Then, as COVID cases continue to rise both in Gaza and inside Israel we look at Israel's strategy is for trying to contain the Delta outbreak and examine the steps taken so far.

And finally, with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on his way to Washington, we analyse the issues that could divide him and US President Joe Biden, and how the Israeli premier may approach Iran.

Discussed articles include:

Israeli jets strike Gaza following fires set by arson balloons

IDF strikes Hamas targets in Gaza in response to shooting of soldier at border

Security officials believe Israel, Hamas on collision course in Gaza — TV

Israel passes 1 million total COVID cases, approaches one-day record

COVID positivity rate hits highest figure since February

Delta surprised Israel, which dropped the ball on vaccination, admits COVID czar

Bennett to present Biden with strategy for stopping Iran without nuclear deal

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PHOTO: Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during a protest at the Israel-Gaza border, east of Gaza City, on August 21, 2021. (Abed Rahim Khatib/Flash90)

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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 includes diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman and senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur.

Berman fills us in on expectations for Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's upcoming 48-hour trip to the US, his first time meeting with US President Joe Biden.

The two leaders differ ideologically, and Berman, part of the press corps in attendance, wonders about their chemistry and chances of finding common ground.

Rettig Gur is working this week on a piece about Israel’s firefighting policies in the wake of the destructive forest fire last week in the Jerusalem hills. His research so far shows that Israel needs more than additional firefighters or planes, and must consider bigger picture forestry policies.

Berman closes today's podcast with a look at Foreign Ministry Yair Lapid's visitors this week, the Greek and Cypriot foreign ministers. The visit is part of Lapid's efforts to push toward a broad alliance of Gulf countries and those in the Eastern Mediterranean, including Egypt, Jordan and Morocco.

Discussed articles include:

Bennett and Biden meeting in Washington set for August 26

‘We said it’s all over’: Hospital staff describe recall rescue as flames neared

Lapid hosts Greek, Cypriot FMs, hails regional alliance

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IMAGE: Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett holds a presss conference at the Prime Minister's office in Jerusalem on August 18, 2021 (Courtesy Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

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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 includes health and science correspondent Nathan Jeffay and Paralympics 2021 reporter Amy Spiro, along with host Jessica Steinberg.

Jeffay helps us make sense of the race taking place between soaring COVID-19 infections and the vaccination drive. Israelis are wondering how it will all pan out, particularly ahead of the September 1 school year and Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year starting September 6;

Jeffay also discusses the coronavirus statistics inundating the news, which can be confusing and misleading. He breaks down the numbers, helping us understand what the vaccines and boosters are doing for us.

Ahead of the Tuesday, August 24 start of the 2021 Paralympics in Tokyo, Spiro previews the Israeli athletes at the Games, letting us know who to watch. It's a far larger Israeli delegation at the Paralympics than at the recent Olympics Games, and with greater diversity as well, something Spiro investigates in her piece (see below).

Finally, Jeffay gives us a brief look into his upcoming feature on coronavirus czar Salman Zarka, an in-depth interview with the Druze doctor who's doing everything he can to bring the pandemic under control.

Discussed articles include:

Health chief says Israel may limit family gatherings on Rosh Hashanah 

Rapid virus test stations boosted amid complaints of slow service 

Rowing, shooting, wheelchair tennis: Israel sets its sights on the Paralympics 

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IMAGE: Israelis present their vaccination certificates at the entrance of the Rimon Cafe on August 18, 2021 (Photo by Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

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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 includes diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman and US correspondent Jacob Magid, along with host Jessica Steinberg.

Berman reflects on the ongoing Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, an event unfolding almost 4,000 kilometers (2,485 miles) from Israel, but which will have important ramifications for Israel, the US ally in the region, in the coming months.

Magid updates his Times of Israel report last week revealing allegations of child sexual abuse spanning decades by a leader in the US Conservative movement’s United Synagogue Youth branch. The ToI article prompted eight more individuals to reach out to share allegations of abuse at the hands of former USY Nassau County divisional director Ed Ward.

Back on the diplomatic front, further developments in the crisis between Poland and Israel following last week's Polish legislation that severely restricts World War II-era restitution claims.

And finally, a look ahead at Prime Minister Naftali's very brief upcoming trip to the US, amid rising COVID numbers.

Discussed articles include:

With US credibility gashed by Kabul fiasco, Israel may be bruised by association

More victims, lawsuits and mounting anger at USY after ToI report alleging abuse

Warsaw threatens to end ‘anti-Polish’ Israeli youth Holocaust memorial trips

Bennett and Biden meeting in Washington set for August 26

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IMAGE: Marines assigned to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) await a flight to Kabul Afghanistan, at Al Udeied Air Base, Qatar Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021 (1st Lt. Mark Andries/U.S. Marine Corps via AP)

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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 environmental reporter Sue Surkes and Palestinian affairs correspondent Aaron Boxerman, along with host Jessica Steinberg.

Surkes assesses the extent of ecological damage wreaked by the massive fires that ripped through the Jerusalem Hills since Sunday, turning some 25,000 dunams (6,200 acres) of woodlands into scorched earth, harming complex ecosystems.

The Palestinian Authority sent four firefighting teams to assist in putting out the fires in the Jerusalem hills, prompting public thanks from Defense Minister Benny Gantz and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid.

Back on the environmental front, a look at a $1 million prize kickstarted by Canadian philanthropist Jeff Hart aimed at bringing Israeli-based innovation technology to fight climate change worldwide.

And finally, while several rockets were shot into Israel from Gaza this week, Israel isn't responding, in an effort to allow talks to proceed between Gaza and Israel, three months after Operation Guardian of the Walls.

Discussed articles include:

Ecologists worry over ecosystem’s recovery after huge Jerusalem-area blaze

Palestinian firefighters help Israel battle Jerusalem-area blazes

With $1m annual prize, donor hopes Israeli ideas will help solve climate crisis

TV: Israel not responding to Gaza rocket due to progress in talks with Hamas

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IMAGE: Smoke and red fire retardant sprayed by Israeli firefighting aircraft mingles on a hillside on the third day of wildfires in the Jerusalem mountains, August 17, 2021. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

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