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.

ToI founding editor David Horovitz and diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman join host Jessica Steinberg for today's podcast.

Horovitz discusses the various statements being made regarding the judicial overhaul, and the effect of Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's comments last week about Huwara on reserve duty pilots who have now expressed concern about possibly having to carry out illegal orders in the future with a muted high court.

Berman expands on how companies of reservists -- including his own -- try to keep politics out of their continued army service, and that there is broad consensus that the judicial reform is of concern in army circles as well.

Horovitz and Berman also discuss the growing world criticism from allies, including European diplomats who have watched the nationalism in Hungary and Poland, statements made by former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg and whether Smotrich's comments about Huwara will affect his upcoming US trip.

Discussed articles include:

Pilots’ alarm shows Israel now in danger of entering a death spiral

Gantz urges IDF reservists to show up ‘no matter what,’ opposes any refusal to serve

Lapid, Liberman oppose reservists refusing to serve, but say their fears justified

Netanyahu welcomes Smotrich’s retraction of ‘inappropriate’ call to wipe out Huwara

Michael Bloomberg warns Israel ‘courting disaster’ with judicial overhaul

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IMAGE: FILE: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the graduation ceremony of new Israeli Air Force pilots at the Hatzerim Air Force base, December 31, 2015 (Photo by Amos Ben Gershom/GPO)

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

Organizers of the anti-judicial overhaul protests throughout the country claim that some 400,000 came out Saturday night. Police again used horse-mounted cops and water cannons against the demonstrators as they sought to disperse them. Keller Lynn sets the scene and previews Thursday's announced Day of Distubance.

On Thursday a Jerusalem court ordered police to release all of the suspects in the rampage on the Arab city of Huwara following the murder of two brothers Hallel Yaniv and Yagel Yaniv from the settlement of Har Bracha, on Sunday. But the Defense Ministry signed off on an administrative detention order for two of them, including a minor. What does this mean?

On Wednesday, Israeli troops arrested the alleged terrorists who carried out a deadly shooting attack Monday that killed Israeli-American Elan Ganeles near Jericho. Fabian explains how it played out.

On the heals of the riots in Huwara, several politicians have weighed in, causing waves of response, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, head of the Religious Zionists party. Keller Lynn describes his statements and their continued ripple effect.

A soldier was arrested late last night for attempting to smuggle two Palestinians through a checkpoint near the West Bank city of Elad. We hear what is unusual here.

And finally, ahead of what appears to be another stormy week for and against the judicial overhaul in the Knesset, Keller Lynn gives us a rundown of what to expect.

Discussed articles include:

Hundreds of thousands protest government; new ‘disruption day’ called for Thursday

Soldiers, Israeli peace activists clash as army blocks solidarity march to Huwara

Two suspects in Huwara rampage, one a minor, sent to administrative detention

IDF arrests suspected terrorists behind deadly Jericho attack as victim is buried

Smotrich’s DC visit still on amid uproar, but US officials not planning to meet him

Netanyahu welcomes Smotrich’s retraction of ‘inappropriate’ call to wipe out Huwara

Israel’s judicial overhaul: What is the coalition planning and where does it stand?

What Matters Now to Haviv Rettig Gur: Taking advantage of this ‘moment of decisions’

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IMAGE: Israeli Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotirch holds a press conference in Jerusalem on February 28, 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.

Zman Yisrael editor Biranit Goren and Knesset correspondent Carrie Keller Lynn join host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's packed episode.

Yesterday’s widespread Day of Disruption saw anti-judicial overhaul protestors stop traffic at strategic junctions to slow down the nation. The reprisal in Tel Aviv was shocking to many. Keller Lynn was there and tells us what she saw.

Goren explains the symbolism of last night’s "siege" on Sara Netanyahu’s hair stylist. What happened there?

Fitch Ratings affirmed Israel’s A+ credit rating with a stable outlook on Wednesday, while at the same time warning that the government’s planned judicial changes could have a “negative impact” on the country’s credit profile. A group of economists wrote another open letter this morning protesting the judicial overhaul. Who was signed on?

In the past day, a plethora of Israeli leaders have made public speeches for and against the judicial overhaul, from President Isaac Herzog, Justice Minister Yariv Levin, National Unity head Benny Gantz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Goren explains what conclusions can be drawn after hearing all these voices?

And finally, Keller Lynn fills us in on the current status of the judicial overhaul legislation.

Discussed articles include:

As protests sweep nation, police use aggressive means to clear Tel Aviv rally

Officers said to accuse top cop Shabtai of using force to impress Ben Gvir

Sara Netanyahu accosted by protesters at Tel Aviv hair salon, extricated by police

Fitch affirms Israel’s A+ rating, but warns of impact of planned judicial overhaul

Netanyahu compares Tel Aviv protesters to settlers who set fire to Huwara

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IMAGE: Mounted police are deployed as Israelis block a main road to protest against plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's new government to overhaul the judicial system, in Tel Aviv, Israel, March 1, 2023. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

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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 reporter Tal Schneider and US correspondent Jacob Magid join host Jessica Steinberg for today's podcast.

Schneider discusses Wednesday's planned 'day of disruption,' with protests across the country, as voting continues in the Knesset and law committee on aspects of the planned judicial overhaul. 

Magid talks about the US response to the riot begun by Jewish settlers in the Palestinian town of Huwara, and US expectations of prosecution of those who took part.

Schneider speaks about remarks made by former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit at the INSS conference Monday, in which he described the government’s judicial overhaul program on Tuesday as “a regime coup."

Magid unpacks the comments slung back and forth between US Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides and Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli.

Discussed articles include:

Roads, trains blocked as thousands march in ‘day of disruption’ against overhaul

US says it ‘expects’ Israel to prosecute settlers involved in Huwara rampage

US State Department report says Israel failing to prevent settler attacks

Former attorney general: High Court must strike down ‘regime coup’ laws if passed

Clapping back at minister, envoy Nides says US won’t stay out of Israel’s business

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IMAGE: Israelis clash with police during a protest in Tel Aviv on March 1, 2023 against the Israeli government's planned judicial overhaul (Photo by 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.

Environmental reporter Sue Surkes and legal affairs and settlement reporter Jeremy Sharon join host Jessica Steinberg for today's podcast.

Sharon discusses attempts by Israel's border police to evacuate the Evyatar settlement outpost on Monday, after settlers spent the night on the West Bank hilltop following the terror shootings of brothers Halleli and Yagel Yaniv.

Surkes looks at the rehabilitation plans for a section of the Jordan River, which has experienced shrinkage, partially because of water being diverted by Syria, Jordan, and Israel for human needs. 

Sharon talks about some possible first signs of compromise on the highly controversial judicial reform during Monday's Constitution committee, as chair MK Simcha Rothman and opposition MK Yariv Kariv held a constructive debate.

Surkes describes an Israeli-run company that uses compost to make a variety of products, including biodegradable plant pots.

Discussed articles include:

Security forces begin emptying Evyatar outpost, reoccupied by settlers after attack

Environmental groups to press for rehabilitation of Jordan River, Dead Sea

First hint of compromise on judicial review legislation emerges at Knesset panel

Who chooses judges: The evolution and planned radical overhaul of judicial selection

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IMAGE: Settlers protest for the return to the Evyatar outspot, near the West Bank city of Nablus, on February 18, 2022 (Photo by Sraya Diamant/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 in today's episode.

Yesterday 21-year-old Hallel and 19-year-old Yagel Yaniv were shot dead in a terror attack in the northern West Bank town of Huwara. Residents of the nearby Har Bracha settlement, they were shot while in a traffic jam on the Route 60 highway that bi-sects the Arab city. Fabian tells about the brothers and explains what we know about the murders.

In retribution for the attack, last night a protest march held by dozens of Israeli settlers turned violent as they allegedly set fire to Palestinian property near the spot where the two Israeli brothers were shot dead. Where was the IDF or the Border Police during all of this?

The manhunt is ongoing for the brothers’ murderers. What steps is the IDF taking to find the gunman?

Rettig Gur weighs in on the brothers' murders and the subsequent "pogrom" by Jews at the murder site. He asks, where are the newly minted ministers who are tasked with National Security -- Otzma Yehudit head Itamar Ben Gvir -- and settlements -- Religious Zionism head Bezalel Smotrich?

Discussed articles include:

Two Israeli brothers shot dead in West Bank terror attack — IDF

Palestinian killed as settlers rampage in Huwara after deadly terror attack

Settler rioting slammed by US, Abbas as some point finger at government

IDF bolsters forces in West Bank amid manhunt for Huwara gunman, after settlers riot

‘We need burning villages’: Coalition lawmaker backs unprecedented settler rampage

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IMAGE: View of a car burned by Jewish settlers during riots in Hawara, in the West Bank, near Nablus, February 27, 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.

Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman and Tech Israel editor Sharon Wrobel join host Amanda Borschel-Dan in today's episode.

We start with an update from last night's rallies where, for the eighth week in a row, Israelis took to the streets throughout the country to protest the looking judicial overhaul. According to organizers, some 300,000 took part in rallies around the country, making the latest demonstrations the largest ones yet.

In the past several weeks Wrobel has extensively covered the financial implications of the overhaul package, from hi-tech leaders threatening to pull their companies out of Start-up Nation, to the tanking shekel. We start with the shekel and move on to warnings from Bank of Israel Governor Amir Yaron.

We marked a year to the Russian invasion of Ukraine on Friday. Berman reflects on his several trips there for on-the-ground reporting and how things have shifted over the past year.

Today Jordan is hosting a “political-security” meeting between Israel and the Palestinians to try and restore calm to the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. What does Berman expect to come out of this meeting?

Berman fills us in with a bit of news for us regarding Papua New Guinea's soon-to-open embassy.

Sharon, finally to take us out, as I was waiting on line in the supermarket on Friday, I just kept thinking, isn’t there a better way? So tell us, is there?

Discussed articles include:

‘Largest protests yet’: Masses around country rally against curbing of judiciary

Amid mass protests, government set to keep advancing legal overhaul at full steam

Central bank chief said to warn economic crisis could break out at any moment

A year of war in Ukraine: A reflection

A year into the Russian invasion of Ukraine, ‘What Matters Now’ to Ksenia Svetlova

Jordan to host Israel, Palestinians for Sunday summit in bid to restore calm

Startup’s clip-on device for smart carts deployed at Shufersal

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IMAGE: Israelis march in Tel Aviv during a protest against the Israeli government's planned judicial overhaul, February 25, 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.

Military correspondent Emanuel Fabian and Diaspora affairs reporter Judah Ari Gross join host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's episode.

Israeli warplanes carried out bombing raids against the Hamas terror group in the Gaza Strip early Thursday morning, hours after Palestinians fired six rockets into southern Israel in an apparent revenge attack for a deadly Israeli incursion into Nablus. Fabian explains what happened in Nablus then moves forward in the timeline until this morning's airstrikes. Is a bigger war on the close horizon?

Yesterday morning, clashes that broke out at the Western Wall as hardline Jews blocked and harassed supporters of the Women of the Wall group while they tried to hold a combination protest-prayer service at the holy site. Is there anything new here?

Unusually, on Tuesday, the Jewish Federations of North America sent a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition head Yair Lapid against the government’s plan to legislate an “override clause.” Is this a sign that US Jews will increasingly weigh in on internal Israeli politics?

Discussed articles include:

Israel bombs Hamas sites in Gaza hours after rockets shot toward Ashkelon, Sderot

Reform rabbis assailed as they try to bring Torah scrolls to women at Western Wall

In highly unusual move, major US Jewish group decries proposed judicial overhaul

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IMAGE: A Palestinian gestures to Israeli military vehicles during clashes in the West Bank city of Nablus, February 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed)

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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 senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur join host Jessica Steinberg for today's podcast.

Schneider offers overview of bills being discussed in preliminary voting in Knesset on Wednesday, including the much-discussed Override Clause that would enable the parliament to re-legislate laws struck down by the Supreme Court, as well as granting more authority for local rabbinical courts to be able to rule using Jewish law, and the Aryeh Deri bill, to reinstate the Shas politician.

Schneider also discusses comments made by former US ambassador to Israel David Friedman regarding the proposed judicial overhaul, and specifically the Override Clause.

Rettig Gur discusses who are the coalition forces radicalizing this judicial reform and preventing compromise, and how Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is calling for negotiation, adopting President Isaac Herzog's suggestions, but his own coalition won't let him compromise.

Discussed articles include:

In highly unusual move, major US Jewish group decries proposed judicial overhaul

Netanyahu urges talks on overhaul; Lapid fires back that legislation must stop first

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

IMAGE: Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a discussion and a vote in the Knesset on February 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.

Knesset correspondent Carrie Keller Lynn and legal affairs reporter Jeremy Sharon join host Jessica Steinberg for today's podcast.

Keller Lynn talks about the scenes outside and inside the Knesset on Monday, as tens of thousands rallied against the judicial reform, while the first, key piece of legislation was voted on by the coalition committee.

Sharon discusses some of the comments made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the faction meeting and his clear message that there would be no slowing down of the reform process.

He also explains a new part of the bill introduced by MK Simkha Rothman, in which the right to freedom of expression and other basic civil rights would all become unprotected if the government’s proposed legislation passes into law and the reactions to that new information.

Keller-Lynn closes the podcast, reviewing the passage of the first bill in the first of three readings, 63 votes in favor and 47 against, in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Discussed articles include:

Tens of thousands rally near Knesset ahead of 1st plenum vote on judicial overhaul

Knesset legal adviser: Overhaul leaves equality, freedom of expression unprotected

Knesset passes first reading of bill to give coalition control over choosing judges

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IMAGE: Opposition MKs holding Israeli flags during the discussion and vote on the government's judicial overhaul plans in the Knesset, February 20, 2023 (Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

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