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.

Political correspondent Tal Schneider, military correspondent Emanuel Fabian and legal affairs reporter Jeremy Sharon join host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's episode.

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror group's Khader Adnan died in Israeli custody on Tuesday after an 86-day hunger strike. Fabian updates on what we know so far and weighs in on how concerned citizens should be at this point after Gaza terror groups have vowed reprisal.

The Knesset’s summer session opened this week. Schneider tells us about yesterday’s stormy session and what the opposition is saying about the ongoing negotiations at the President’s Residence.

At a special Knesset plenum, Speaker of the US House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy pledged that the US would continue to fully fund Israel’s security needs. Sharon fills in what else McCarthy said in his very polite and enthusiastic speech.

Also yesterday at the Knesset, Likud lawmaker May Golan was confirmed as Minister for the Advancement of the Status of Women. Why was she ejected from the Knesset floor a few minutes later?

Discussed articles include:

Rockets fired, terror groups warn ‘price to be paid’ as hunger-striking suspect dies

Senior member of Islamic Jihad dies in Israeli prison after 86-day hunger strike

Knesset summer session opens with slugging match over judicial overhaul

Gantz: No progress in talks with government on judicial reform compromise

McCarthy extols ties at Knesset, vows full support for Israeli security against Iran

Likud’s Golan made a minister, ejected from Knesset plenum during row minutes later

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IMAGE: FILE: Protestors shout slogans during a demonstration in support of Palestinian Khader Adnan, a senior member of Islamic Jihad who is jailed in Israel without a trial, at the Al-Aqsa mosque in the old city of Jerusalem on June 5, 2015. (Sliman Khader/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.

Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman and military correspondent Emanuel Fabian join host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's episode.

Israel awoke to news of another murdered woman, this time, alongside two of her very young children, in the northern town of Taibe. Fabian explains what we know so far and puts these murders into context with the troubling increase of murders in Israel's Arab community.

Speaker of the US House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy is in Israel and even before his planned Knesset plenum session and press conference, he’s grabbing headlines with an "invitation" to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanayhu to speak in Congress. Berman breaks this down.

Over the past week and a half, amid a rise in intelligence surrounding the potential of violent terrorist attacks, the Israel has imposed heavy restrictions on movement in and out of the West Bank city of Jericho. Fabian explains happened there early this morning.

Arab foreign ministers from Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Syria will gather in Jordan today to discuss Syria’s long-running conflict. This will effectively end Damascus’s diplomatic isolation in the region. Looking at it from Israel’s standpoint, is this a positive step?

At Thursday’s protest in support of the judicial overhaul, an IDF officer with the rank of major who was filmed at the event. Fabian discusses why his subsequent punishment is somewhat controversial.

Discussed articles include:

Mother and two baby sons found stabbed to death in Taibe

US House Speaker McCarthy: If Biden doesn’t invite Netanyahu to DC soon, I will

Ahead of Knesset address, US House Speaker McCarthy calls Israel ‘blessed nation’

Palestinian teen killed, six others hurt during IDF raid near Jericho

Jordan to host Arab regional discussion on way forward with Syria

IDF officer ousted from his position for attending pro-overhaul rally in uniform

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IMAGE: Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy attends a bilateral meeting with his Israeli counterpart, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, at the Knesset, Israel's Parliament, in Jerusalem, Israel, April 30, 2023. (Amir Cohen/Pool Photo 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.

Senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur and news editor Amy Spiro join host Amanda Borschel-Dan in today's episode.

For the 17th straight week, protesters against the judicial overhaul took to the streets Saturday night. Organizers claim that nationwide, about 430,000 people were out throughout the country, about 200,000 of which were in Tel Aviv. Last Thursday in Jerusalem, another 200,000 or more people were out in support of the judicial overhaul. Rettig Gur describes the scene in Jerusalem and the protest's significance.

The Knesset is reopening today and it appears that the judicial overhaul will be on the back burner and all eyes are on the budget. Rettig Gur weighs in.

Spiro speaks about Netflix's new series, “Rough Diamonds,” which she describes as “The Godfather” meets “Shtisel.” We hear about the Israeli creators -- and the non-Jewish actors taking lead roles and why.

Spiro also recently interviewed Aleeza Ben Shalom, the star of the new reality TV show “Jewish Matchmaking.” Why would Netflix put this on its roster?

Discussed articles include:

Masses rally against prospect of fresh overhaul push, as Knesset about to reconvene

Pro-overhaul protest showed the right’s strengths — and the government’s weakness

‘Godfather’ meets ‘Shtisel’: New Netflix thriller delves into Haredi diamond dealers

Matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a TV show? ‘Jewish Matchmaking’ set to hit Netflix

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Check out this weekend's What Matters Now episode:

https://omny.fm/shows/times-will-tell/what-matters-now-to-prof-gil-troy-identity-zionism

IMAGE: Right-wing Israelis attend a rally in support of the government's planned judicial overhaul, outside the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on April 27, 2023. (Arie Leib Abrams/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.

Today, the capital is preparing for a “March of the Million,” in which supporters of the coalition and the judicial overhaul are being pushed to show up in great numbers and
organizers are hoping for upwards of 250,000 demonstrators. Who is doing the pushing?

On Monday night, the beginning of Israel Memorial Day observance, Keller-Lynn attended the annual joint ceremony in Tel Aviv in which Israelis and West Bank Palestinians mutually commemorate those lost on both sides of the conflict. What did she see there?

At the opening of the Independence Day ceremony on Tuesday night, one of the 12 torches was lit by an unusual pair of doctors. Shock trauma pioneer Prof. Avi Rivkind of Hadassah and infection control expert Dr. Khetam Hussein of Rambam. We hear about their dedicated work.

Internationally renowned Weizmann Institute of Science professor of neuroimmunology Michal Schwartz received the Israel Prize for science yesterday afternoon, only the fourth woman to do so. We learn about Schwartz's scientific breakthrough.

Also at the Israel Prize ceremony, there were two ripples of protest -- in a speach from Amnon Shashua, the president and CEO of Mobileye, and from Michal Rovner, who won the prize for her work in plastic art. Rovner was filmed handing Netanyahu a personal note on stage as she received her award. What was the content of their protests?

Keller-Lynn reminds us that the Knesset opens again next week and shares her thoughts on what can we expect.

Discussed articles include:

Israeli teen girls win first, second place in annual Bible quiz

Religious, settler groups lead charge on Thursday’s pro-overhaul ‘Million March’

15,000 attend controversial joint Israeli-Palestinian Memorial Day event

Doctors tapped for Independence Day torchlighting hope to heal fractured nation

For scientist Michal Schwartz, Israel Prize is rewarding milestone in ongoing journey

Meeting PM at Israel Prize event, two recipients warn of danger to society

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Check out yesterday's Daily Briefing episode:

https://omny.fm/shows/the-daily-briefing/what-would-israels-founding-parents-think-about-it

IMAGE: The 75th anniversary Independence Day ceremony, held at Mount Herzl, Jerusalem on April 25, 2023. (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.

The Times of Israel's partner podcast Israel Story joins the Daily Briefing for a special Independence Day episode. We hear Israel Story creator Mishy Harman and producer Mitch Ginsburg discuss their new project, "Signed, Sealed and Delivered?" with host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

The 40-odd episode series, still currently being rolled out, looks at our founding moral compass -- the Declaration of Independence.

Through the descendants of the men and women who, with the stroke of a pen, gave birth to Israel, the podcast team asks questions about Israelis and the nation as it turns 75.

At times surprising, but always provocative, what these children and grandchildren of the 37 men and women who founded the nation have to say is anything but predictable.

Discussed Israel Story episodes include:

Introducing “Signed, Sealed, Delivered?”

Signed, Sealed, Delivered? David Ben-Gurion

Signed, Sealed, Delivered? Rachel Cohen-Kagan

Signed, Sealed, Delivered? Zorach Warhaftig

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IMAGE: The signers of Israel's Declaration of Independence, at a ceremony at the Tel Aviv Art Museum, May 14, 1948. First prime minister of Israel David Ben Gurion stands up to speak during a session of the new Israeli government. (AP Photo)

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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.

Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman and diaspora affairs and religion reporter Canaan Lidor join host Jessica Steinberg for today's podcast.

Just before Israelis heard the morning siren marking Yom Hazikaron, Israel's Memorial Day, Lidor discusses some of the gatherings for the General Assembly of the Jewish Federation of North America, including protestors who tried to infiltrate the speeches and the interruption of one talk being given by MK Simcha Rothman.

Berman speaks about the Jordanian MP who smuggled 200 guns into Israel via the Allenby crossing, and how the Foreign Ministry is presenting the situation as the individual actions of MP Imad al-Adwan and not representative of the Jordanian government.

Berman also looks at the events marking Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, and the complex efforts of Jerusalem's Armenian community to understand why the Israeli government works with Turkey and Azerbaijan, the countries that committed atrocities against the Armenians.

Lidor talks about Christians in Haifa marking Iftar and the end of Ramadan with their Moslem neighbors, part of a complex relationship that has changed over the years, partially due to educational shifts in the Wadi Nisnas neighborhood.

Discussed articles include:

Don’t give up on us: Lapid urges US Jews to stand by Israel despite overhaul strains

‘The Jewish people won’t forgive, won’t forget’: Protesters target Rothman at JFNA

Israel arrests Jordanian MP for trying to smuggle 200 guns into West Bank, says Amman

FM Cohen: We don’t hold Jordan responsible for its MP’s weapons smuggling attempt

On genocide memorial day, Jerusalem Armenians hold out hopes for Israeli recognition

In mixed, tolerant Haifa, Christians are discovering the benefits of Ramadan

Cinematheque opens archive to global viewers for Israel’s 75th

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IMAGE: Protesters against the government's judicial overhaul greet participants of the Jewish Federations of North America’s General Assembly in Tel Aviv, April 23, 2023. (Carrie Keller-Lynn/Times of Israel)

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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 ops&blogs editor Miriam Herschlag join host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's episode.

We begin the program with a few minutes of President Isaac Herzog’s speech last night at the Jewish Federations General Assembly in Tel Aviv, in which he announced his idea of Kol Ha’am—Voice of the People: The President’s Initiative for Worldwide Jewish Dialogue.

Horovitz provides some initial reactions to the initiative, including what he thinks are its chances of success. He also updates on the ongoing judicial overhaul negotiations taking place in the President's Residence.

Herschlag presents a new project on The Times of Israel's blogs platform called, That Song. The collection of short essays from different bloggers explores Israeli songs that mattered to them at a particular moment (and maybe continue to matter to them today). The public is invited participate and to draft short pieces in which they remember where they were when they first heard a song, and how they felt about it. (The project will be launched this week.)

Discussed articles include:

Herzog’s global Jewish dialogue initiative is laudable, as long as it’s not too late

Herzog announces launch of ‘Voice of the People’ initiative for global Jewish dialogue

Israel’s greatest existential threat is from within, Herzog tells Jewish Federations

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IMAGE: President Isaac Herzog speaks at the Jewish Federations General Assembly in Tel Aviv, April 23, 2023. (Nimrod Gluckman)

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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.

Senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur and military correspondent Emanuel Fabian join host Amanda Borschel-Dan in today's episode.

Ahead of Israel’s Memorial Day for the Fallen Soldiers of the Wars of Israel and Victims of Actions of Terrorism, Fabian breaks down for us the numbers of fallen soldiers and victims of terror.

Rettig Gur gives insight into the very personal nature of the day marking Israel's fallen.

Fabian explains the messaging of a united front being put forth from all sides of the judicial overhaul conflict ahead of the national and local ceremonies marking the soldiers and terror victims.

On Thursday, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant gave a briefing for reporters and warned that Israel would likely no longer see limited conflicts on single fronts, but rather would have to face a multi-front escalation in the near future. Fabian explains why Gallant believes that and what the IDF is dong to prepare.

Several of Israel’s main television networks have commissioned polls on feelings about the country’s future leading up to our 75th independence day this week. Rettig Gur shares the dire results and explains why there is room for optimism.

Discussed articles include:

With memorial candles, protesters across Israel rally against judicial overhaul

59 soldiers added to list of Israel’s fallen since last Memorial Day

Halevi calls to keep ‘noise of debate’ out of IDF cemeteries on Memorial Day

Gallant warns multi-front war far more likely for Israel than limited conflicts

Ahead of Israel’s 75th anniversary, majority pessimistic about nation’s future – poll

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IMAGE: Israelis protest against the Israeli government's planned judicial overhaul in Tel Aviv on April 22, 2023. (Erik Marmor/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.

Political correspondent Tal Schneider, diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman and environment reporter Sue Surkes join host Amanda Borschel-Dan in today's episode.

We begin with a short report from the Turkmenistan-Iran border from Schneider, who is with Foreign Minister Eli Cohen as he is set to open Israel’s first embassy in the Islamic nation today

Berman discusses why the new Turkmenistan embassy is important to Israel's strategic position in the region.

Reports are circulating that young MK May Golan may be up for the important role of New York Consul. Why is she a controversial choice?

Surkes explains how the crazy spring weather could pay off with a late-season wildflower boom. Where should be go to find them?

And finally, Jews all over the world are currently counting the Omer. Before Surkes dives into the agricultural reasons, Berman explains this practice is.

Discussed articles include:

Turkmenistan looking to open embassy in Israel, president tells FM Cohen

Top diplomat Cohen arrives in Turkmenistan to open embassy near Iran border

Netanyahu said looking to appoint far-right firebrand as New York consul

Israel’s total rainfall normal, despite dry start; cold promises late floral show

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ILLUSTRATIVE IMAGE: Voters applaud dancers wearing national costume at a polling station in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, March 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Alexander Vershinin)

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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.

US bureau chief Jacob Magid and Diaspora affairs reporter Canaan Lidor join host Jessica Steinberg for today's podcast.

Lidor offers color and perspectives from March of the Living in Poland, as some 9,000 people made the trek between two former Nazi-run death camps, in Oswiecim, Poland, marking Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Magid discusses what US Senator Lindsey Graham told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the possibility of a normalization agreement with Saudi Arabia, following his recent visit in the region.

Magid also dives into his analysis of the US visa waiver program, pushed by US Ambassador Tom Nides who wants Israel in the program, but has conditioned it upon allowing Palestinian-Americans to travel freely through Ben Gurion Airport.

Steinberg mentions a new album of 13 songs, “Paskol Shlishi” (Third Soundtrack), written by headlining Israeli musicians, the latest endeavor that aims to connect the third and fourth generations to the tragedies and lessons of the Holocaust.

Discussed articles include:

At Auschwitz March of the Living, displays of Jewish unity in a sea of Israeli flags

Halina Birenbaum survived the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. She saw heroism elsewhere

GOP senator: Window for Israel-Saudi normalization deal could close within a year

Senior Hamas delegation seen in Saudi Arabia ahead of expected rapprochement talks

Despite baggage, some Palestinians rooting for Israel to secure US visa waiver

Mainstream Israeli artists make an album of new music to connect youth to Holocaust

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IMAGE: People participate in the annual 'March of the Living', a trek between two former Nazi-run death camps, in Oswiecim, Poland, on April 18, 2023 to mourn victims of the Holocaust and celebrate the existence of the Jewish state. (AP Photo/Michal Dyjuk)

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