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 and diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman join host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's episode.

The United States and Israel relationship continued to grab headlines yesterday, including statements from Vice President Kamalla Harris and White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby. We hear updates from Berman and analysis from Schneider.

Yesterday, most of the Knesset’s parties sat with President Isaac Herzog in Jerusalem with the aim of forming a compromise to the judicial overhaul package. Schneider weighs in.

Berman delves into the recent spate of disturbing attacks on Christians and Christian property here in recent weeks. Why is the police still considering them isolated incidents?

Discussed articles include:

US praises Netanyahu call for compromise, lowering heat after Biden overhaul rebuke

US vice president Harris joins Biden in expressing concern over Israeli upheaval

As attacks on Christians become more frequent, a crisis looms for Israel

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IMAGE: Church of the Holy Sepulchre on March 10, 2020. (Jacob Magid/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.

US correspondent Jacob Magid and religion and diaspora affairs reporter Canaan Lidor join host Jessica Steinberg for today's podcast.

Magid offers a deep dive into the current crisis in Israel-US relations, as US President Joe Biden delivered an unexpected statement about US views on the judicial overhaul on Tuesday, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded that Israel won't bow to overseas pressure.

Lidor speaks about the different kinds of protests and responses that took place late last week in ultra-Orthodox Bnei Brak and the working class town of Or Akiva, where some other sides of the situation came into play.

Lidor also describes the Karaite community of Israelis who seek their own signs of spring in order to celebrate the upcoming holiday of Passover, given that they do not hold by the Israeli rabbinate and its definitions of the Jewish calendar and other rituals.

Discussed articles include:

For months, PM ignored mounting US concerns; Biden decided to drive the point home

Biden: Israel ‘cannot continue down this road’; no Netanyahu invite in ‘near term’

Breaking silence, GOP lawmakers lament overhaul’s security ramifications for Israel

US ‘deeply concerned’ after PM fires Gallant, urges compromise on judicial revamp

In Or Akiva, social strife driving overhaul conflict rises to the surface

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IMAGE: President Joe Biden speaks to reporters before boarding Air Force One at Raleigh-Durham International Airport in Morrisville, N.C., Tuesday, March 28, 2023, en route to Washington. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

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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 Knesset correspondent Carrie Keller-Lynn join host Amanda Borschel-Dan in today's episode.

After the Histadrut labor union teamed up with private sector leaders yesterday and deployed its so-called “nuclear option” of a general strike, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a speech calling for a delay in legislation until April 30. Goren analyzes the speech and the move's significance.

To maintain his coalition, Netanyahu promised Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to establish a national guard. Keller-Lynn explains why this isn't a new promise.

Keller-Lynn shares the mood in Jerusalem at the Knesset -- inside and out.

Goren boils down the next steps towards talks, which are set to be held at the President's Residence. She also speaks to how, for the grassroots protest movement, there is no "pause."

Discussed articles include:

Netanyahu says he’s delaying overhaul to allow dialogue, but vows reform will happen

To okay overhaul delay, Ben Gvir gets promise for ‘national guard’ under his control

In first, tens of thousands rally to back overhaul; ministers promise it will pass

Over 100k at Knesset as PM delays planned speech; right organizes counter-protest

Herzog phones PM, Gantz, Lapid to launch talks on compromise after overhaul paused

Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on iTunes, Spotify, PlayerFM, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts.IMAGE: Israelis protest outside the Supreme Court in Jerusalem against the government's planned judicial overhaul, March 27, 2023. (Jamal Awad/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, political correspondent Tal Schneider, senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur and Tech Israel editor Sharon Wrobel join host Amanda Borschel-Dan on this special extended episode.

Mass spontaneous protests erupted throughout the country last night with hundreds of thousands estimated to have taken to the streets after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who asked for a pause in the judicial overhaul on Saturday night. Today, unions and manufacturing heads have joined together in an unprecedented mass general strike, including hospitals and the airport, that one analyst has called, deploying the nuclear option, even as the judicial overhaul marches ahead in the Knesset.

Horovitz starts us off by weighing in on whether the firing of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant could be the tipping point in changing the course of the judicial overhaul.

Schneider updates on what has been happening inside the Knesset last night and this morning, including the passage in committee of key legislation.

Head of the massive Histadrut union Arnon Bar David announced a nationwide strike aimed at stopping “the country’s descent into the abyss.” Wrobel updates us on the status of the market leading into the massive strike and what it may do to the economy.

This widespread mercantile unity is unprecedented. Rettig Gur explains what it may signify.

Our analysts project what could be some of Netanyahu's options now, as the country waits for an official announcement.

Discussed articles include:

Live blog, March 27, 2023

Netanyahu fires Defense Minister Gallant for calling to pause judicial overhaul

Amid protests after Gallant fired, calls grow in coalition to halt judicial overhaul

Firing his defense minister, Netanyahu raises public anger at his rule to new heights

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IMAGE: Israelis protest against the Israeli government's planned judicial overhaul, in Haifa, March 27, 2023. (Shir Torem/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 military correspondent Emanuel Fabian join host Amanda Borschel-Dan in today's episode.

Yesterday, two Israeli soldiers were wounded in a drive-by shooting attack in the flashpoint northern West Bank Palestinian town of Huwara, where brothers Hallel and Yagel Yaniv were killed on February 26. Fabian updates on the soldiers' health and a further incident following that attack.

Last night, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant delivered explosive remarks in support of a legislative pause of the overhaul package as hundreds of thousands of protesters attended rallies across the nation. What has been the fallout so far?

Just ahead of flying to London, on Thursday night, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave a speech in which, among other topics, announced that he no longer will restrain himself from interfering in the process. Horovitz weighs in.

Finally, Ramadan began this weekend. What special measures are in place to ensure peaceful prayer on the Temple Mount?

Discussed articles include:

IDF: Two soldiers wounded in shooting in West Bank town of Huwara

Hundreds of thousands join nationwide protests, with key overhaul law about to pass

With dire public warning, Gallant tries to compel Netanyahu to put state before self

Full text of Gallant’s call to pause judicial overhaul over danger to state security

PM said to mull firing dissenting defense chief Gallant, tapping Dichter instead

Gallant calls to pause judicial overhaul, citing ‘tangible danger’ to state security

200 more pilots to skip weekly training flight over PM’s refusal to halt overhaul

Netanyahu crushes a potential mini-revolt, insists on politicizing the judiciary

Jerusalem security forces on alert as tens of thousands at 1st Friday Ramadan prayers

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IMAGE: Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, left, speaks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a vote in the Knesset plenum in Jerusalem, February 15, 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.

Political correspondent Tal Schneider and Knesset correspondent Carrie Keller-Lynn join host Amanda Borschel-Dan in today's episode.

Early Thursday morning, the Knesset passed into law a bill that would protect Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from a potential future court order to recuse himself, in a final vote of 61 Knesset members in favor and 47 against. Keller-Lynn sets the scene.

Earlier this week, the Knesset passed a repeal of part of the 2005 Disengagement Law. Schneider discusses the blowback from the United States and Israel's Abraham Accord partners ahead of tonight's start of Ramadan.

Keller-Lynn reported yesterday that a "grinning" Minister Itamar Ben Gvir was enveloped by 20 opposition members when he stepped down from the podium in “a chaotic spectacle even by the Knesset’s often indecorous standards.” What was so objectionable about his speech?

We hear about the many bills that are on deck for next week, including judicial overhaul legislation -- and initial discussions on the budget.

And finally, we hear about Schneider's interview with one of the grassroots protest leaders, Shikma Bressler that she wrote for our Hebrew sister site Zman Yisrael. Shortly after recording today's Daily Briefing episode, Bressler was detained by police while protesting on Israel's Route 4 highway. (To hear more about -- and from -- internationally recognized physicist Bressler, check out this week's What Matters Now podcast, which is released every Friday.)

Discussed articles include:

Knesset passes law shielding Netanyahu from court-ordered recusal 61-47

Israeli envoy called to US State Department in protest of Disengagement Law’s repeal

PM’s failure to secure calm on home front hastens inevitable breakdown in US ties

MKs confront Ben Gvir with cries of ‘shame’ as bill to monitor abusers voted down

Anti-overhaul protesters block roads, rally at MKs’ homes in ‘day of paralysis’

Knesset panel to resume vote on reservations to judicial appointments bill on Sunday

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Image: A convoy of motorcycles with Israeli flags as part of a protest against the planned judicial overhaul, in Herzliya, on March 23, 2023. (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.

US correspondent Jacob Magid and New York reporter Luke Tress join host Jessica Steinberg for today's podcast.

Magid discusses more missteps made by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, this time in Paris, where his remarks about Palestinians and the greater Israel created a diplomatic event with Jordan.

Tress talks about the growing numbers and locations of anti-judicial overhaul protests in New York and New Jersey, and how the American Jewish community views this controversial issue.

Magid speaks about President Joe Biden's phone call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the judicial overhaul and the US president's words about Israel's democratic values.

He also reviewed the meetings between Israel, Jordan, Egypt, the US and the Palestinian Authority in Sharm el Sheikh about the increase in tensions as Ramadan begins Thursday, with some guarded optimism about the cooperative efforts.

Tress reviews the latest Ben & Jerry's brouhaha, this time as the Vermont ice cream maker is being sued for child labor, seemingly inconsistent with its declared social mission that caused the company decided to stop selling its ice cream in East Jerusalem and the West Bank two years ago.

Discussed articles include:

Jordan summons Israeli envoy over ‘racist’ Smotrich speech, ‘Greater Israel’ map

Hundreds demonstrate in New York, London against Israeli judicial shakeup plan

On trip to the US, high-level IDF veterans issue warning against judicial overhaul

Israel activists in New York take aim at US group backing judicial overhaul push

Leading NY rabbi: Israeli government speeding ‘headlong toward abyss’ with overhaul

Biden voices concern over judicial overhaul in ‘candid’ phone call with Netanyahu

Israel, PA renew vow to curb violence and halt unilateral moves at Egypt summit

‘Hypocritical’: Ben & Jerry’s sued over child labor, after attempted Israel boycott

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IMAGE: A Ben & Jerry's ice cream store is seen in Watkins Glen, New York on Monday, November 1, 2021 (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)

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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 environment reporter Sue Surkes join host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's episode.

MK Simcha Rothman's revised version of the bill changing the mechanism of judicial appointments is set to be brought before Rothman’s Constitution, Law and Justice Committee today to be readied for its second and third (final) readings in the plenum. Horovitz explains what the new bill entails and its significance to the judicial branch as a whole.

The United Nations released its Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Sixth Assessment Synthesis Report yesterday. With a focus on Israel, Surkes breaks down some areas where the country is moving away from its commitments.

Surkes recently visited the Hula Lake where she investigated what's happening with migrating cranes. She describes the natural grandeur.

And finally, Horovitz gives some insight into Israe's surprisingly high fourth-place ranking in the UN-sponsored World Happiness index.

Discussed articles include:

Ostensibly softened, Rothman bill gives coalition broad control over choice of judges

Changes to judicial overhaul leave just 10 days to re-do constitutional framework

‘Red line we won’t accept’: Levin warns Court not to block judicial appointments bill

Scientists urge further cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2035 to meet Paris goals

Israel soars to 4th place in global happiness list, highest since ranking started

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IMAGE: Cranes seen at the Hula Lake in northern Israel on January 26, 2023. (Tomer Neuberg/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 legal reporter Jeremy Sharon join host Jessica Steinberg for today's podcast.

Sharon discusses a last-minute addition in the judicial overhaul, a late-stage proposal from the coalition, in which it would get to choose two new judges without opposition input, and any further appointments would be more balanced.

Berman talks about the meeting that took place in Sharm El Sheikh between Israel, the US, its Arab neighbors and the Palestinian Authority ahead of Ramadan, which begins Wednesday, in an effort to calm tensions during the month-long religious holiday.

Sharon also discusses the latest tensions between National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and the high court, as it ruled he can't issue orders to the police forces, which Ben Gvir has attempted to do during recent protests.

Berman reviews remarks made by Israel's consul general in New York about the judicial overhaul, bringing his personal politics into the public diplomatic persona.

Berman also reports on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's latest European visit, to Berlin late last week, a trip that the prime minister appeared to enjoy, including a lengthy conversation about public policy and the judicial reform with Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Discussed articles include:

Coalition to bring judicial appointments bill for final votes before Passover

Top court says police don’t take orders on protests from Ben Gvir, who slams ‘coup’

Israel’s envoy in NY summoned to Jerusalem over criticism of judicial overhaul

Netanyahu says he is ‘attentive’ to protests, vows ‘responsible’ judicial changes

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IMAGE: MK Simcha Rotman, Head of the Constitution Committee, at a committee meeting at the Knesset on March 20, 2023. Photo by 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.

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

For the 11th straight week, protestors against the judicial overhaul took to the streets all over the nation. According to a count by company Crowd Solution that was cited by Channel 13 news, a combined 260,000 people demonstrated across the country. But what appeared to be different this time was an escalated level of violence between protestors and counter-protestors. Fabian updates.

On Saturday, two German tourists who entered the northern West Bank city of Nablus in an Israeli ride-sharing vehicle from Tel Aviv were violently attacked by Palestinians. Fabian explains what we know so far.

On Wednesday night all eyes were locked on President Isaac Herzog as he unveiled his “People’s Framework” proposal to replace the government’s plans to radically overhaul the judicial system. Rettig Gur explains how, even after hours of talks, Herzog likely dropped the ball.

Discussed articles include:

As violence against protesters escalates, opposition blames Netanyahu’s ‘incitement’

‘Destroying Zionism’: Masses protest overhaul; rise in violence against demonstrators

Two German tourists attacked by Palestinians after entering Nablus with Israeli car

Warning of civil war, Herzog unveils framework for judicial reform; PM rejects it

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IMAGE: Thousands of Israeli protesters rally against Israeli Goverment's judicial overhaul bills in the coastal city of Tel Aviv on March 18, 2023. (Gili Yaari /Flash90)

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