The Times of Israel Daily Briefing

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.

Knesset correspondent Tal Schneider and religion and diaspora affairs reporter Canaan Lidor join host Jessica Steinberg for today's podcast.

Schneider discusses the crucial voting taking place Wednesday for the selection of Knesset and government's representatives on the judicial selection committee, which chooses the nation's judges. She looks at how it's been done in the past and what may happen now, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants to avoid mass protests, and how that may affect his coalition's voting.

Lidor talks about what Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė said in her pro-Israel speech this week to the American Jewish Committee Global Forum taking place in Tel Aviv, and how it connects to Lithuania's World War Two history with Russia.

He also looks at the new eruv erected by Hong Kong's Jewish community, explaining how the symbolic enclosure created by Jewish communities for the purpose of carrying on the Sabbath, was carried out.

Steinberg offers the latest on concert tours coming to Israel, including funk pop star Bruno Mars who sold out one Tel Aviv show in two hours and scheduled a second, as well as a new album and performance from Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood and Dudu Tassa.

Discussed articles include:

Coalition heads to meet Wednesday before crucial vote on judge-picking panel

In Tel Aviv, Lithuanian PM extols Israel alliance but sidesteps Nazi collaboration

Bruno Mars adds 2nd Tel Aviv show after first sells out in 2 hours

Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood, Dudu Tassa announce Tel Aviv gig after album release

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IMAGE: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee meeting at the Knesset on June 13, 2023 (Courtesy Oren Ben Hakoon/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.

Zman Yisrael editor Biranit Goren and senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur join host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's episode.

Opposition head Yair Lapid was in court yesterday for his first day of testimony in Case 1000 as a witness to talk about 2013 incidents when he served as finance minister. His testimony was wrapped up rather quickly. What are we hearing so far in the cross-examination?

The next big fight between the coalition and opposition is over the two MKs that will be placed on the judicial selection committee. The vote is tomorrow. Rettig Gur speaks to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s dilemma.

Tel Aviv, get ready: Bruno Mars is set to "Uptown Funk you up” for two nights in early October. Goren gives insight into the ticket-buying craze.

Discussed articles include:

In court, Netanyahu’s defense attorney accuses Lapid of being an unreliable witness

Lapid testifies at Netanyahu corruption trial: PM said Milchan tax law was ‘good’

Liberman claims opposition will fold in judicial talks, predicts deal by Wednesday

Bruno Mars adds 2nd Tel Aviv show after first sells out in 2 hours

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IMAGE: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, in Jerusalem on June 13, 2023. (Oren Ben Hakoon/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.

Editor David Horovitz and health reporter Renee Ghert-Zand join host Amanda Borschel-Dan in today's episode.

Israel’s national Under-20 soccer team clinched third place in the youth World Cup tournament on Sunday, ending its unprecedented run in the global competition with a 3-1 consolation match win against South Korea. Horovitz lauds the players.

Head of the opposition Yair Lapid began testifying today in the Case 1000 trial. What do we know so far?

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for the Shin Bet to step into the fight against the wave of violent crime in the Arab community. Why is Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara reportedly claiming this is another strike against democracy?

Ghert-Zand gives highlights from a deep dive into youth and smoking here in Israel. We hear about new research and what efforts are being taken for change.

This week marks Israel’s 31st annual Skin Cancer Awareness and Early Detection Week. Every day in Israel, five people are diagnosed with malignant skin melanoma. How is the country promoting fighting and early detection of the deadly disease?

Discussed articles include:

Israel clinches 3rd place in soccer’s U-20 World Cup, capping thrilling run

Overruling objections, PM says Shin Bet must join fight against deadly Arab mob crime

Proposed bill said to give Ben Gvir, cops power to jail Israelis without charge

With tobacco use on rise in Israel, kids and teens see their health go up in smoke

In sizzling Israel, Skin Cancer Awareness Week shines light on safety in the sun

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IMAGE: Ronen Bar, head of the Shin Bet security services speaks during a conference at the Reichman University in Herzliya, September 11, 2022. (Avshalom Sassoni/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.

Military correspondent Emanuel Fabian and news editor Amy Spiro join host Amanda Borschel-Dan in today's episode.

Two men were shot dead in separate violent incidents in central Arab-majority cities Saturday night, bringing the first half of the year to an unprecedented number of dead in the community. What, if any, new steps are being taken to combat this wave?

On Thursday, the IDF entered Ramallah to demolish the home of the Palestinian terrorist charged with carrying out a deadly twin bombing attack in Jerusalem last year. We remind listeners of the details of the November bombing and hear why entering Ramallah is unusual.

Friday afternoon, the Israeli military clashed with Lebanese nationals along the northern border. How rare are such incidents and what is Israel doing to prevent them?

Spiro talks about the new book "Ruth Blau," which describes the numerous incarnations of the longtime member of the extremist anti-Zionist ultra-Orthodox Neturei Karta sect who was pivotal in a kidnapping -- but never prosecuted.

On September 6, 1970, 12-year-old Martha Hodes boarded a flight in Tel Aviv bound for New York, which was hijacked for six days and nights. Some 50 years later, the historian mines her journal and revisits her memories to make sense of the indelible experience.

Discussed articles include:

Two men shot dead, raising 2023 toll to 102, in devastating week for Arab community

IDF razes Ramallah home of terrorist accused of deadly Jerusalem bus stop bombings

Rioters hurl stones at IDF during standoff on tense Lebanon border

Villain or heroine? New book documents the complex, astonishing life of Ruth Blau

Trauma revisited: Historian reconstructs her week aboard a hijacked jet in Jordan

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IMAGE: Israeli security forces demolish the house of Palestinian terrorist Eslam Froukh, in the West Bank city of Ramallah, June 8, 2023. (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.

Knesset correspondent Carrie Keller-Lynn and health reporter Renee Ghert-Zand join host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's episode.

A 10-week-old infant in Jerusalem has died of whooping cough and there’s been a 12-fold increase of whooping cough cases in 2023 over the same period in 2022. What is the Health Ministry recommending?

The judicial selection committee is the current focus of political angst, with Justice Minister Yariv Levin addressing the issue yesterday from the podium. What did he say?

Yesterday, Opposition parties got behind Yesh Atid MK Karine Elharrar as their candidate for a June 14 vote on selecting two lawmakers to serve on Israel’s judicial appointments panel. But in the coalition, we're not seeing complete alignment. What's the deeper story here?

For those who are contemplating immigrating to Israel, on Tuesday, the interior minister got one step closer to having the power to refuse to issue a passport to a new immigrant who arrived under Israel’s Law of Return until the immigrant has proven that their center of life is in Israel. We hear what are some reasons behind this change.

The first known case of the genetic disease progeria, commonly called Benjamin Button disease, was reported yesterday in Israel. What is this disease?

Some good news for a change: Researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev have developed a new bio-sensing technology that predicts cancer patients’ response to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) immunotherapy. Ghert-Zand explains how it works.

Discussed articles include:

10-week-old infant dies of whooping cough in Jerusalem

Levin calls current judge selection process ‘invalid’ and ‘unworthy’ of a democracy

Ending squabble, opposition aligns behind Yesh Atid’s Elharrar for judicial panel

Wrangling over nominations for judicial selection panel strains overhaul talks

Government moves to reinstate 1-year residency requirement for passports

Israel sees its first-ever case of rare rapid aging ‘Benjamin Button’ disease

New Israeli technology improves prediction of patient response to immunotherapy

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IMAGE: File: Heads of opposition parties Yesh Atid head MK Yair Lapid, National Unity head MK Benny Gantz and leader of the United Arab List MK Mansour Abbas hold a joint press conference in Tel Aviv, on March 16, 2023. (Avshalom Sassoni/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.

Military correspondent Emanuel Fabian and Diaspora reporter Canaan Lidor join host Amanda Borschel-Dan in today's episode.

Last night, an Israeli driver was lightly hurt in yet another shooting attack near the northern West Bank town of Huwara. His vehicle was hit with some dozen bullets at this flashpoint, which saw another attack earlier this week. Fabian explains what makes this such a ripe target for terrorism.

Fabian updates with more details of the perpetrator of the shocking tragic killing of three IDF soldiers on the Egyptian border on Saturday.

At about 3 am local time Tuesday night, the Nova Kakhovka dam exploded in what Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy calls Europe’s largest human-made disaster in decades. The masses of water have flooded two dozen villages and forced the evacuation of 17,000 people. Lidor updates on the status of the Kherson Jewish community.

On Thursday, 2-year-old Mohammed Tamimi and his father were hit by gunshots as Israeli soldiers returned fire at Palestinian gunmen who had shot at the settlement of Neve Tzuf. Mohammed died at Sheba Hospital on Monday and was buried yesterday. Fabian explains how has the IDF responded to his death and what happened after his funeral yesterday.

The decade-long charged saga involving the site of a Jewish cemetery in Vilnius that was slated to become an events center has come to a resolution. Lidor describes the site now meant to be used for and talks about the Foundation for Jewish Heritage's recent report on how similar sites should be handled.

Discussed articles include:

Israeli motorist lightly hurt in terror shooting near flashpoint Huwara — IDF

Egyptian cop who killed IDF troops is named, said to have griped about border duty

Ukraine, Russia trade blame for devastating dam collapse that displaces thousands

Kherson Jews among thousands forced to flee rising water after Ukraine dam rupture

Clashes erupt as Palestinians hold funeral for toddler mistakenly shot by IDF

Lithuanian city vows to preserve ancient Jewish cemetery it had sought to dig up

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IMAGE: Streets are flooded in Kherson, Ukraine, June 7, 2023, after the Kakhovka dam was blown up. (AP Photo/Libkos)

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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.

Editor David Horovitz and diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman join host Amanda Borschel-Dan in today's episode.

This morning, activists opposed to the proposed judicial overhaul demonstrated outside the Tel Aviv home of Opposition Leader Yair Lapid in what seems to be a new tactic. What are they asking for?

Over the weekend, New York hosted its annual Israel parade and the anti-judicial overhaul protestors were there, too. Horovitz shares what were some of the scenes there as opposed to what we've been seeing in Jerusalem.

The US again appears receptive to restarting nuclear talks, in what many are calling a “less for less deal.” What would the new deal likely involve -- and how could it benefit Israel?

Speaker of the Knesset Amir Ohana is set to visit Morocco tomorrow in the first official visit by a Knesset speaker to the parliament of a Muslim country. Why else is it significant?

Horovitz interviewed comedian Dan Ahdoot, who is wrapping up a tour of Israel with Comedy for Koby. We hear about the rising star who charmed audiences throughout the country.

Discussed articles include:

‘No compromise’: Anti-overhaul protesters rally outside Lapid’s home

Anti-overhaul protesters disrupt Economy Minister Barkat’s speech at NY conference

On 22nd week, anti-overhaul protests enjoy bump in turnout amid anger at police

Echoes of the Judean People’s Front: Monty Python’s in Jerusalem, and it isn’t funny

Iran unveils claimed hypersonic missile, says it is able to beat air defenses

Casting wary eye on IAEA, Israel fears US laying groundwork for new Iran deal

Knesset speaker Amir Ohana set to visit Morocco’s parliament this week

Comedy for Koby’s Dan Ahdoot: Why Falafel Phil and over-tipping hold the keys to peace

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IMAGE: In this picture released by an official website of the office of the Iranian supreme leader, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks during a ceremony commemorating the death anniversary of the late revolutionary founder Ayatollah Khomeini, shown in the poster at top right, at his mausoleum just outside Tehran, Iran, June 4, 2023. (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader 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.

Environment reporter Sue Surkes and culture editor Jessica Steinberg join host Jacob Magid for Monday's podcast.

Some 300,000 Israelis lost power Friday at the peak of a heatwave that reached over 40°C (104°F) in many parts of the country. Surkes discusses how the outages exposed Israel's ill-preparedness for extreme weather caused by climate change.

Relatedly, she shares the bleak findings of a recent Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report that found Israel faired very poorly on a range of environmental issues compared to other countries in the 38-member bloc. Surkes discusses how Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government is working to close those gaps, comparing its performance to that of the previous unity government.

Steinberg provides an update on the concert schedule for the summer in Israel while also recapping last week's performance from British pop star Robbie Williams. She shares which artists have come under pressure from the anti-Israel Boycott Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement to cancel their scheduled appearances and why some have been unmoved by the noise.

To close, Steinberg reviews “My Happy Ending,” an Israeli-written new film featuring Andie MacDowell. The Hollywood star plays actress Julia Roth, who strides into a small oncology day clinic outside London for chemotherapy, and while seeking privacy and anonymity given her familiar face, ends up meeting fellow patients who make her rethink her own life goals.

Discussed articles include:

Power outages spark heated accusations as grid fails to meet sweltering demand

Government greenlights 2 gas-fired power stations to meet electricity demands

OECD slaps Israel with poor marks on environmental performance in new report

Robbie Williams at Tel Aviv show: ‘You have something incredibly f*cking special here’

Robbie Williams bonds with Noga Erez ahead of Tel Aviv show

Andie MacDowell stars in Israeli film about life choices, based on Cameri play

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IMAGE: Firefighting trucks near the scene of a blaze in central Israel on June 2, 2023. (Fire and Rescue Service)

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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.

Military reporter Emanuel Fabian and legal and settlements reporter Jeremy Sharon join host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's podcast.

Three combat soldiers in the Bardelas Battalion tasked with guarding the border with Egypt were shot and killed yesterday by an Egyptian police officer. We hear about the timeline of the incident that killed Staff Sgt. Ori Yitzhak Iluz, Staff Sgt. Ohad Dahan and Sgt. Lia Ben Nun.

An estimated 30,000 marched in solidarity with Jerusalem’s gay community on Thursday. And, despite threats earlier in the week, it seemed to go off without a hitch. Sharon shares what he saw, heard -- and smelled -- at the march.

Former Supreme Court Yaakov Turkel, who served with distinction in the judiciary for 38 years, died last week at the age of 88. We learn how he too was an ally of the gay community and what were other key points of his legacy.

Discussed articles include:

Netanyahu vows to probe deadly shooting of troops by Egyptian policeman ‘to the end’

Troops killed along Egypt border named: Ohad Dahan, Lia Ben Nun, Ori Yitzhak Iluz

30,000 march in Jerusalem Pride Parade under tight security but without incident

Former Supreme Court justice Yaakov Turkel dies aged 88

In sensational upset, Israel downs Brazil 3-2 to reach U-20 World Cup semifinal

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IMAGE: Israeli soldiers and rescue forces seen at Mount Harif military base in the southern Negev desert, close to the border with Egypt, on June 3, 2023. (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.

Legal and settlements reporter Jeremy Sharon and senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur join host Jessica Steinberg for today's podcast.

Sharon discusses the stream of far-right coalition member proposals, including the Jewish right to settle the entire land of Israel and banning the waving of the Palestinian flag at Israeli campuses, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to put a halt to all proposals for now, and why.

Rettig Gur follows those politics of negotiation with a look at what's happening with the ongoing talks at the President's Residence between coalition and opposition members regarding the judicial overhaul, and which parts of the overhaul could possibly be considered by both sides.

Sharon speaks briefly about Jerusalem's Gay Pride march taking place Thursday afternoon, with police on high alert amid threats of violence from far right group Lehava whose leader was once a close political ally of National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.

Steinberg mentions Thursday night's Tel Aviv concert of UK pop rock star Robbie Williams, where he's hosting indie singer Noga Erez, as well as the grand reopening of the Tower of David Museum, which just completed a six-year $50 million renovation that included making the 3,000-year-old citadel almost completely accessible and brought together technology and archaeology in some very surprising ways.

Discussed articles include:

Why Netanyahu has put a halt to a handful of radical coalition measures – for now

Police on high alert ahead of Jerusalem Pride Parade threatened by violence

‘Incredibly excited’: British pop star Robbie Williams lands in Israel

Modern and ancient coexist in $50 million Tower of David renovation

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IMAGE: A woman at the annual Gay Pride Parade in Jerusalem, on June 2, 2022, holds up a sign with the biblical phrase 'Love thy neighbor as thyself.' (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

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