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 US correspondent Jacob Magid and breaking news editor Emanuel Fabian, along with host Raoul Wootliff.

On today's show, we look at the Biden administration's appointment of Holocaust historian Deborah Lipstadt to serve as US Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism.

We check in with preparations from both the US and Israeli administrations for Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's planned trip to Washington. What is Israel doing to bolster the relationship with the US ahead of the visit?

We've seen a couple of incidents involving IDF troops in the West Bank over the past day. We assess the various claims being made about them from both sides.

And finally, we look at how McDonald's avoided a bust up with Israel even as it announced the same policy that caused huge controversy for Ben and Jerry's.

Discussed articles include:

Holocaust historian Deborah Lipstadt nominated as US antisemitism envoy

Israel seeking to bolster PA, says senior official ahead of Bennett’s US visit

Israel eyeing East Jerusalem housing project ahead of Bennett’s Washington visit

Heavy gun battle in Jenin between Israeli troops, attackers; 6 Palestinians hurt

IDF shoots Arab Israeli allegedly trying to break through West Bank barrier

Testing troops’ readiness, IDF launches drill along Lebanon border

How McDonald’s took the same stance as Ben & Jerry’s but avoided public backlash

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PHOTO: Prime Minister Naftali Bennett delivers televised remarks at Ben Gurion Airport, on June 22, 2021. (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 comprises senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur and breaking news editor Amy Spiro, our Olympics correspondent, along with host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

For the first time in over three years, the cabinet has approved the state budget. Filled with reforms and plans for the future, the budget will now go to the Knesset where it must pass in early November or the government will fall.

Yesterday, all of Israel celebrated the country's second-ever Olympic gold medal, the nation's first medal in gymnastics, which was awarded to Artem Dolgopyat. What else is in store from Team Israel this week?

Freedom of religion activists got a boost from Dolgopyat's mother, Angela Bilan, who explained that while her son has been in a serious relationship for three years, because only his father's side of the family is Jewish, he cannot be married in Israel. Rettig Gur explains the system and how it may soon get an update -- at the initiative of the ultra-Orthodox.

Discussed articles include:

Cabinet approves state budget for 1st time in 3 years in key test for government

Israel’s modest gold medalist: Artem Dolgopyat proves a disarming Olympic hero

Artistic gymnast Artem Dolgopyat wins Israel’s 2nd-ever Olympic gold

Israel’s Olympic gold medalist Dolgopyat: I’m already planning for Paris 2024

After trouncing by South Korea, Israeli Olympic baseball hopes hang on next game

Israel’s Olympic gold medalist can’t marry in the country, his mother laments

Facing religious reforms, some Haredim now call to separate religion and state

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IMAGE: Artem Dolgopyat of Israel celebrates after winning the gold medal on the floor exercise during the artistic gymnastics men's apparatus final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, August 1, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

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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 diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman and health reporter Nathan Jeffay, along with host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

On Thursday, an alleged Iranian drone attack killed a Romanian and British citizen on the Israeli-managed MT Mercer Street oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman. Foreign Minister Yair Lapid has called for an international response in talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and “joint activities against Iranian terrorism and the formulation of a substantive and effective international response,” according to a Lapid tweet.

Next, we hear about the pluses and minuses of Israel’s campaign to give those over 60 a third dose of the Pfizer COVID vaccine. Jeffay also brings a new test that may help doctors evaluate how much a patient could deteriorate from the virus, very early on.

Berman updates us about the three-week saga of three Israeli filmmakers who were arrested in Nigeria while making a documentary about Igbo Jews.

Then, a humanitarian ripple effect in light of the Abraham Accords: a domino kidney donation between the United Arab Emirates and Israel.

And finally, we speak baseball with super-fan Berman and the status of the sport in Israel.

Discussed articles include:

Israel in diplomatic campaign for a forceful world response to attack on ship

US said increasingly skeptical return to Iran nuclear deal is possible

Experts: Third vaccine dose for elderly might not help, but it won’t hurt either

Israeli test tells COVID patients their chance of deterioration, on 0-100 scale

Israeli filmmakers arrive home after 20 days in Nigerian prison

3 women receive kidneys in Israel-UAE organ exchange, 1st with Arab state

Israel’s Olympic baseball team beats Mexico, keeping medal hopes alive

MLB vets immerse themselves in Jewish heritage, build Israel’s baseball team

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PHOTO: Israelis above 60 years old receive their third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at a Clalit health care maintenance organization, on August 01, 2021, in Jerusalem. (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 comprises political correspondent Tal Schneider and senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur, along with host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

Diving right into the Knesset, we discuss which reforms passed in a flurry of activity this week -- and which did not. The rabbinical courts may soon move into a more modern Orthodox sphere and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid is now officially the alternate prime minister and is meant to step into office in two years. But high hopes for cannabis went up in smoke.

On Sunday, the budget will get its debut in the Knesset with a first reading of the Arrangements Bill. What is this bill and what are some of the hot-button issues? Hint: Israeli farmers are throwing eggs on the highway today.

And finally, Rettig Gur distills his long-read essay on antisemitism versus Zionism. It is a thought-provoking look at the historical and current contexts of this ongoing debate that is well worth a read.

Discussed articles include:

After blunder, Knesset gives initial ok to bill for rabbinical court reform

New budget bill shows coalition launching sweeping reforms despite fragility

Smashing produce on road, farmers block highways over planned agriculture reform

A hatred that dwells alone? Antisemitism debate cuts to heart of Zionist vision

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IMAGE: Israeli farmers block junctions all over Israel in protest of the Finance and Agriculture ministries plan to open up the fruit and vegetable market for import, at the Bilu Junction, on July 29, 2021. (Yossi Aloni/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 comprises breaking news editor and current Olympics correspondent Amy Spiro and Palestinian affairs correspondent Aaron Boxerman, along with host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

We launch into Olympics news with brief updates on what are Israel's current medal chances and what else can we look forward to watching with Team Israel in the next few days. Then we turn to the continuing saga of judokas who are forfeiting matches against Israel to express solidarity with the Palestinian people. Kosher?

Next, we hear about the Palestinian five-member Olympics delegation: how they entered the games despite not qualifying, and more interestingly, which Palestinian Authority politician is in charge of the team -- and why.

The Israeli government appears to be asking for a delay in the High Court's delivery of a decision regarding Sheikh Jarrah. Why now, and will this ploy work?

And finally, back to the games and the amazing story of Israeli siblings who both competed in the triathlon this week.

Discussed articles include:

Winning judo silver in Tokyo, Iranian defector Mollaei dedicates medal to Israel

International Olympic Committee ‘concerned’ by forfeits to avoid Israeli judoka

Palestinian Olympians from Gaza, Canada, US, Jerusalem compete in Tokyo

Fearing fresh unrest, Bennett gov’t weighing delay for verdict on Sheikh Jarrah

For Israeli triathlete brothers, the Olympics is a family affair

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IMAGE: Iranian defector Saeid Mollaei, competing under a Mongolian flag, reacts after losing to Takanori Nagase of Japan, unseen, during the men -81kg final of the judo match at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, July 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

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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 military correspondent Judah Ari Gross and US correspondent Jacob Magid, along with host Raoul Wootliff.

On today's show, ripples continue across the globe from the revelation that dozens of countries were targeted by Israeli spyware firm NSO Group. We look at what was revealed and how it's impacting Israel.

In Israel's south, things appear to be heating up in Gaza. We ask what Hamas wants and how likely they are to get it.

And finally, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is meant to be going to the US next month. We hear an update on preparations for his trip and what issues are at stake.

Discussed articles include:

Worldwide probe finds tech by Israel’s NSO Group targeted media, politicians

Government said to form team to deal with fallout of NSO spyware revelations

Israel: If NSO Group violated export permits, ‘appropriate action’ will be taken

European leaders blast use of Israeli spyware to target activists, reporters

Critics call for curb on spyware after revelations about Israel’s NSO

IDF strikes Gaza after incendiary balloons spark fires in south

Message in a balloon: Hamas threatens violence unless Israel allows Qatari aid

Bennett aides to travel to DC for meetings with Biden staff ahead of PM’s visit

Biden pushing off Jerusalem mission reopening until coalition stabilizes

Months after it was downed, Iran UAV still swimming with fishes in kibbutz pond

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IMAGE: This August 25, 2016 file photo shows the logo of the Israeli NSO Group company on a building where they had offices in Herzliya, Israel. (AP Photo/Daniella Cheslow, File)

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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 diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman, along with host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

Overnight we heard of an Environment Ministry freeze of the United Arab Emirates-driven gas pipeline deal. In the Abraham Accords-led deal, Gulf oil would be brought by tankers to Eilat and then piped over mainland Israel to the port city of Ashkelon, from where it would be distributed to Europe. But the ministry has many doubts and accuses the Europe Asia Pipeline Company of not fulfilling its due diligence. How could this affect Israel diplomatically?

Foreign Minister Yair Lapid named a first permanent envoy to the UAE, Amir Hayek. Why is this move significant and who is Hayek?

Lapid gave a wide-ranging briefing to journalists yesterday. According to Lapid, the past decade-plus of neglect and poor budgeting for the Foreign Ministry has created a rise in global antisemitism. Who is to blame? He who must not be named.

Surkes brings us the tragically ironic tale of an Israeli-led expedition to Sudan that was tasked with saving Red Sea coral. Until the ship ran aground in the Straits of Tiran and inflicted untold damage on a coral reef.

And finally, the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History has a new exhibit on that explains the concept of global warming to the masses. It's a must see, says Surkes.

Discussed articles include:

Israel partially freezes UAE oil pipeline deal over environmental concerns

Lapid taps business executive as first permanent envoy to UAE

Lapid assails Netanyahu-era neglect for diplomacy as antisemitism soared

Winds of peace fuel Israeli-led expedition to Sudan to save Red Sea coral reefs

With coral research delayed by crash, scientist not waiting to dive back in

New exhibit seeks to explain climate change, how to arrest it

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IMAGE - In this September 15, 2020, file photo, from left; former Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former US president Donald Trump, and United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan, sit during the Abraham Accords signing ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

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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 senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur and health reporter Nathan Jeffay, along with host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett announced late last week that vaccine refusers are endangering the entire nation. How is this spicy language playing out for him in the populace? And who is this unvaccinated minority?

Jeffay gives context to a series of recent articles citing conflicting stats over the coronavirus vaccine. Also, what is the length of efficacy of the shots?

We take a look at two new bills being proposed by Justice Minister Gideon Sa’ar that have been dubbed “anti-Bibi” legislation. One pushes for term limits and the other suggests that an indicted politician must not be tapped to be prime minister.

Finally, we hear highlights from the recent Times Will Tell weekly podcast, in which Borschel-Dan spoke with a high-risk pregnancy specialist about her own pregnancy at age 45.

Discussed articles include:

First Tokyo medal: Avishag Semberg wins taekwondo bronze, Israel’s 1st in field

Israeli COVID vaccine in pill form to start clinical trial in Tel Aviv

Israeli study claims major drop in vaccine protection; experts don’t believe it

Sa’ar says he’s preparing bill to ban indicted person from forming government

Shaked opposes bill to ban indicted politician from forming government

Podcast: Pregnancy at 45 explained by Israeli high-risk maternal-fetal expert

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

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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 breaking news editor Amy Spiro and cinema writer Jordan Hoffman, along with host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

The Tokyo 2020 Olympics are set to officially open tomorrow and Team Israel is bigger and better than ever. We discuss medal chances -- the Associated Press has predicted an unprecedented seven medals this Olympics -- and a profile of swimmer Andi Murez, who happens to also be a third-year medical student in her spare time. Also, how did the Holocaust suddenly get involved with the opening ceremony?

New Apple TV musical series "Schmigadoon!" is burning up the streaming service. Hoffman dives into his hilarious interview with director Barry Sonnenfeld -- who really, really dislikes musicals.

And finally, was Superman a Jew? A new book by Roy Schwartz sets out all the reasons to believe so in 400 pages.

Discussed articles include:

From gymnastics to judo, Israel primed to strike Olympic gold in Tokyo

AP predicts Israel to win 7 medals in Tokyo, including gold in men’s gymnastics

Olympic opening ceremony director fired over Holocaust joke in 1998 comedy act

A marvel in comics: 2012 interview with Stan Lee

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IMAGE: The glove of Israel Olympic baseball player Jake Roseberg sits on the field at Salt River Fields spring training facility, Wednesday, May 12, 2021, in Scottsdale, Arizona. Israel has qualified for the six-team baseball tournament at the Tokyo Olympic games which will be its first appearance at the Olympics in any team sport since 1976. (AP Photo/Matt York)

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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 political correspondent Tal Schneider and United States correspondent Jacob Magid, along with host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

We again dip into the media meltdown over the recent Ben & Jerry's announcement that it will no longer distribute its politically flavored ice cream in the West Bank after the current Israeli franchise contract is up. Israeli Ambassador to the US Gilad Erdan has tapped over 30 US governors to apply their states' anti-BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) legislation and pull state employees' pension funds from Unilever investments.

Next, Schneider brings us the last chapter in a curious court case involving the son of former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Yair. The social media butterfly was accused of slander for statements he posted on his robust Twitter account accusing Wexner fellowship alumni of being part of an alleged Jeffrey Epstein-led "pedophile cult."

And finally, we take a deeper look at a disturbing poll that came out of the US last week, which saw a quarter of US Jews believing that Israel is an "apartheid state."

Discussed articles include:

US states’ fully baked anti-BDS laws could put the freeze on Ben & Jerry’s

Israeli envoy urges 35 US states to activate anti-BDS laws against Ben & Jerry’s

Yair Netanyahu apologizes to Wexner fellowship alumni for ‘pedophile cult’ claim

Poll finds a quarter of US Jews think Israel is ‘apartheid state’

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

IMAGE: View of the Ben & Jerry's factory shop in Yavne, July 20, 2021. (Flash90)

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