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 military correspondent Judah Ari Gross, along with host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

As everyone who follows Israeli politics knows, it's not over till it's over. All the same, as the "change bloc" seems poised to take the reins on Sunday afternoon after a swearing-in ceremony, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made eminently clear that he will move to the opposition kicking and screaming. Likewise, yesterday, a group of ultra-Orthodox parties roundly denounced incoming prime minister Naftali Bennett, an overtly religious Jew, and called for him to take off his kippa.

For the past week, the mysterious death of an imprisoned IDF intelligence officer has held headlines throughout Israeli media. What are we allowed to say and why is there such a strict censorship on this case?

Finally, we discuss the continuing post-op of May's Operation Guardian of the Walls. This week, the UN's Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) released a statement that there was indeed a terror tunnel under one of its schools in the Gaza Strip, which was targeted by the IDF. Likewise, Israel's Ambassador to the United States Gilad Erdan met with the Associated Press management to shed more light on the bombing of its tower, claiming there were disruptors to Iron Dome on the building. But why are we hearing this a month later?

Discussed articles include:

Netanyahu was long appreciated for keeping Israel safe. Now he’s endangering us

Haredi party chiefs: Jewish state in danger if wicked Bennett succeeds Netanyahu

Army chief defends censoring death of officer accused of grave security crimes

IDF: Officer who mysteriously died in prison seriously harmed national security

Family rejects possible suicide in death of imprisoned intelligence officer

UNRWA: Tunnel found under Gaza school hit by Israel in last month’s conflict

Israeli envoy tells AP: Hamas sought to jam Iron Dome from your Gaza tower

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IMAGE: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a ceremony honoring medical workers and hospitals for their fight against the COVID-19 epidemic, in Jerusalem, on June 6, 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 panel comprises political correspondent Tal Schneider and United States correspondent Jacob Magid, along with host Raoul Wootliff.

On today's show, we look at the emerging coalition agreements between the eight parties in the new Israeli government set to be sworn in next week. What are its guiding principles? Which key reforms will it try to advance, and which issues will be avoided? And how will it differ from the previous government?

With the ultra-Orthodox outside coalition, all government parties are expected to back an agreement on the Western Wall pluralistic plaza, with several highlighting the plan in recent meetings with American Jewish leaders. Will the proposal finally be implemented?

As a key settler leader says prime minister-designate Naftali Bennett, has promised there will be no settlement freeze, we look at the likely government's position on the West Bank and how it may impact relations with the US.

And finally, we assess the chances of a new Israeli administration changing rhetoric on Iran in a bid to build ties with Biden.

Discussed articles include:

‘Change government’ agenda: Electoral reform, budget and Jerusalem building boom

Unity government to approve egalitarian plaza at Kotel frozen by Netanyahu

Yamina denies seeking law that would bar Netanyahu from running for Knesset

Settler leader: Bennett, Sa’ar have promised there will be no settlement freeze

A PM Bennett won’t fix tensions with Dems, but ties with Biden should endure

Gantz urges softer tone with US on Iran, seems to knock Netanyahu’s ‘provoking’

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IMAGE: Head of the Yamina party Naftali Bennett arrives to a faction meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on May 7, 2021. (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 comprises senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur and health reporter Nathan Jeffay, along with host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

As the Yair Lapid/Naftali Bennet-led "change bloc" nears potentially reaching the finish line -- a vote of confidence and swearing-in ceremony in the Knesset -- its opponents are pulling out all stops. Will Speaker of the Knesset delay scheduling? And what else does Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have up his sleeves?

Even amid Shin Bet warning about inflammatory rhetoric targeting certain members of the potential new coalition, at a Likud faction meeting Sunday night, Netanyahu said, "We are witness to the greatest election fraud in the history of the country, in my opinion, in the history of democracies." Rettig Gur explains why this is in keeping with the PM's MO.

Israel serves as a beacon to the world in its fight against COVID and widespread vaccination drive. Now that 12-15 year olds are able to be vaccinated, however, parents are stumped. Jeffay brings us Ministry of Health research about how about 1:3 youth aged 12-15 appear to have COVID antibodies, creating a de facto "herd immunity." So should parents even bother to vaccinate their children?

Discussed articles include:

Knesset to meet on setting date for vote on new government, likely June 14

New Hope, Yamina reject idea Netanyahu considering stepping down: ‘It’s a trick’

Bennett to Netanyahu: Let Israel go, don’t leave ‘scorched earth’

Netanyahu bemoans incitement, raps ‘dangerous left-wing’ coalition, claims fraud

Israel to drop indoor mask requirement on June 15, as daily cases near zero

Kids line up for COVID shots saying they want to protect family, go on vacation

Study finds 1 in 3 young teens had COVID, fueling debate over need for vaccine

Reduced to ‘begging’ for funds, 7 hospitals to boycott pandemic victory ceremony

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IMAGE: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a ceremony honors medical workers and hospitals for their fight against the COVID-19 epidemic, in Jerusalem, on June 6, 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 panel comprises ToI editor David Horovitz and diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman, along with host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

There is a clear surge in inflammatory rhetoric surrounding the 'change bloc' even as the Yair Lapid-led coalition creeps toward solidifying a new government. In a rare public statement, Shin Bet head Nadav Argaman has warned that there may be blood. In the era of social media, is this incitement unprecedented?

In this particularly sensitive period, Defense Minister Benny Gantz has demanded that the far-right flag march that is tentatively scheduled for Thursday be canceled. But wait -- didn't that already happen on Jerusalem Day last month?

And finally, Berman explains the background behind IDF decorations that will be issued starting tomorrow for those who served in the southern Lebanon security zone from 1985-2000. Why is this pin so late in coming and what of the Christian SLA soldiers who aided the IDF in this area?

Discussed articles include:

When Shin Bet warns of political violence, Israel’s history requires we listen

Shin Bet head in rare warning: Stop violent discourse now, someone will get hurt

Yamina MK requests additional security after threats, says she was followed

Top rabbis urge followers to ‘do everything’ to thwart new government

Knesset speaker may hold vote on new government as soon as Wednesday

Gantz indicates he’ll demand cancellation of Jerusalem right-wing parade

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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 ToI editor David Horovitz and our Hebrew sister-site Zman Yisrael editor Biranit Goren, along with host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

Yesh Atid head Yair Lapid announced late Wednesday night that he has managed to herd the "change" bloc into a 61-member coalition. Yamina head Naftali Bennett is set to assume the prime ministerial role until September 2023, after which time Lapid will take up the mantle until November 2025.

But will the coalition actually come to pass? We discuss some of the innumerable obstacles facing the (motley) crew of politicians as its leaders continue herding their members until the -- possibly much delayed -- Knesset vote.

Who says there's nothing new under the sun? If the Lapid/Bennett coalition comes to pass, there are a full string of firsts to accompany it. It is not, however, the first time an Arab party is part of a Knesset coalition. Goren counts down.

Discussed articles include:

Lapid informs president he can form government removing Netanyahu from power

Lapid and Bennett have a coalition on paper, but Netanyahu will fight to the end

Change bloc seeks to replace Knesset speaker; Yamina MK says he won’t back move

History made as Arab Israeli Ra’am party joins Bennett-Lapid coalition

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Image: Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid (L), Yamina leader Naftali Bennett (C) and Ra'am leader Mansour Abbas sign a coalition agreement on June 2, 2021 (Courtesy of Ra'am)

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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.

Congratulations Mr. President! Former MK Isaac "Bougie" Herzog won a landslide victory over Miriam Peretz, earning an unprecedented 87 votes from Knesset members. The head of the Jewish Agency said he plans “to build bridges” within Israeli society and with the Jewish Diaspora, to encourage entrepreneurship, “fight antisemitism and hatred of Israel,” and “safeguard the foundations of our democracy.” Who is Herzog and what does he represent?

As of our taping, the "change" bloc still has not announced a coalition under Yesh Atid head Yair Lapid and Yamina head Naftali Bennett. What are some of the differences of opinion and can they be resolved by midnight?

Finally, in the course of these days of negotiations, several members of the change bloc and their families have been threatened -- including Meretz MK Tamar Zandberg's baby. What is going on here?

Discussed articles include:

Isaac Herzog elected Israel’s 11th president, with 87 votes of Knesset’s 120

Wednesday’s presidential race is a microcosm of Israeli Jews’ deeper divides

Judicial appointments the only remaining snag as Lapid set to declare government

Meretz MK flees her home after right-wing threats to her baby, protests outside

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Image: Presidential candidate Isaac Herzog visits at the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site in the Old City of Jerusalem, June 1, 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 panel comprises Palestinian affairs correspondent Aaron Boxerman and investigative reporter Simona Weinglass, along with host Raoul Wootliff.

On today's show, as a new coalition emerges, we look at the reactions to a possible Prime Minister Naftali Bennett from both the Palestinians and Arab Israelis.

How does the Palestinian Authority view the likely new government? What of the Arab Israeli parties in the Knesset? Could we see Ra'am in the coalition?

And, following the recent hostilities between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, we look at how the conflict played out online and how various players are manipulating social media to spread fake news.

Discussed articles include:

Palestinians happy to see Netanyahu go, but fear more of the same in Bennett

Lapid, Bennett said hoping to tell Rivlin Tuesday they can form government

Ra’am chief meets Shaked, reportedly demands deputy interior minister role

With Israel and Hamas @war, algorithms and fake accounts fueled #hatred online

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PHOTO: Palestinians shout slogans during a protest against the peace agreement to establish diplomatic ties between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, in the West Bank city of Ramallah, September 15, 2020. (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 diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman, along with host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

Sunday night, Yamina head Naftali Bennett vowed to work with head of Yesh Atid Yair Lapid to forge a unity, “change” government to unseat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. What are the chances that this coalition will coalesce, what are more obstacles that must be overcome with the Arab parties and how could Likud’s speaker of the Knesset draw out the process?

Yesterday also saw several high-level meetings between Egyptian and Israeli officials, both in Cairo and Jerusalem. Why are these significant and could these talks include a prisoner exchange with Hamas?

And finally, Berman discusses a recent analysis in which he tries to understand where Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is a reformist, revolutionary or republican, and how that will influence the election of Iran’s next president.

Discussed articles include:

Negotiations advance as Lapid said aiming to announce government within 1-2 days

Saying Netanyahu-led effort futile, Bennett opts for unity government with Lapid

Planned Lapid-Bennett security cabinet would have right-wing majority

Ashkenazi visits Egypt in 1st trip by Israeli foreign minister in 13 years

Netanyahu meets Egyptian spy chief, demands return of captives in Gaza

Egypt said to convey to Hamas long-term truce with Israel must see prisoner swap

Was Khamenei behind the barring of moderate presidential candidates in Iran?

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PHOTO: Head of the Yamina party Naftali Bennett gives a press conference at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on May 30, 2021. (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 comprises editor David Horovitz and senior analyst, along with host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

Nothing is finalized as the clock winds down on Yesh Atid head Yair Lapid's chance to form a coalition. As the June 2 date looms, will Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's new offers to Yamina head Naftali Bennett and New Hope head Gideon Sa'ar be enough to torpedo the nascent "change" government?

The shloshim or month of formal mourning for the 45 victims of the disaster at Mount Meron is observed today. Why is there still no formal state inquiry -- and why are the ultra-Orthodox parties the ones who are most vehemently objecting to one?

Danielle Wolfson, 43, was the first Israeli woman to summit Mount Everest last week. She used her platform to call for coexistence while reminding the world that anything is possible.

Discussed articles include:

Last-ditch offer: Netanyahu says Sa’ar can be PM 1st in 3-way deal with Bennett

Bennett to meet with Yamina MKs to coax them into government with Lapid

Forty-five people died at Meron. Why are Haredi parties blocking a probe?

Danielle Wolfson becomes 1st Israeli woman to reach Mount Everest summit

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IMAGE: MKs Yair Lapid and Naftali Bennett during an event inaugurating a new monument in memory of Emannuel Morano, in the Netiv Avot neighborhood in Gush Etzion, on July 23, 2017. (Gershon Elinson/Flash90)

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Welcome to the 100th episode of 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 culture editor Jessica Steinberg, along with host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

As the Israeli news cycle continues from the 11-day Operation Guardian of the Walls to more mundane matters of coalition politics, Jews in the Diaspora are left to struggle with a lingering eruption of antisemitism. Horovitz brings some insights from a recent interview with former head of the Anti-Defamation League Abe Foxman.

Even as rockets hammered down from Gaza, racist rioting hit the streets of mixed Jewish-Arab cities and towns, setting the stage for Arab rapper Sameh Zakout and Jewish educator Uriya Rosenman's “Bo Nedaber Dugri,” (Let’s Talk Straight), a six-minute, 28-second rap. Steinberg discusses the song's impetus, long gestation, and "luckily" timed release.

Israeli television exports are drawing ever-increasing fans. Will Kan's "Hamefakedet" ("Dismissed"), about an all-female unit of army misfits, make for another hit?

Next, the tables are turned and Horovitz grills Borschel-Dan about a recent article she wrote about a study of ancient "bad Judaeans" who apparently didn't get the memo that they weren't supposed to eat non-kosher fish.

Discussed articles include:

At a moment of crisis for Israel in US, ex-ADL head warns: Israel has no vision

Antisemitic acts in US soared 80% in a month, Jewish security group reports

Straight talk rap confronts Arab-Jewish racism from both sides

Bad Judeans? Despite biblical ban, non-kosher fish were eaten in ancient Israel

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IMAGE: FILE - In this December 4, 2019 file photo, Strasbourg chief Rabbi Harold Abraham Weill looks at vandalized tombs in the Jewish cemetery of Westhoffen, west of the city of Strasbourg, eastern France. (AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias, File)

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