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 and science correspondent Nathan Jeffay, along with host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

We begin today’s program with an update on Israel's battle with the coronavirus pandemic as it leads the world in both vaccinations and lockdown days.

Can Israel reach herd immunity without vaccinating children? When will the restrictions be lifted? Why is Israel seeing a slowdown in its vaccine drive? When will vaccinations be open for all age groups. Jeffay answers all our questions.

And with two days left until parties must present their final slates before March's national election, we look at the latest mergers, defections and departures from across the political spectrum, and how they may affect the final results.

Discussed articles include:

We will have to live with COVID-19 for a long time, says Israeli expert

Israel’s vaccine drive slowing, with clinics struggling to bring people in

Ya’alon bows out of politics: The ‘battle for change’ has more chance without me

Ex-commando, social activist, Reform rabbi take top slots in Labor primary

Helping make obstacles for TV ninjas, a mom shows girls how to defy life’s tests

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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 Times of Israel editor David Horovitz and Palestinian affairs correspondent Aaron Boxerman, along with host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

We begin today’s program with an update on the "fabled" Palestinian elections. Boxerman explains that signs are again pointing that they will be indefinitely be put on hold.

Israel has begun shipping vaccinations to the Palestinian Authority. Who will receive the 5,000 promised doses -- and where?

The lockdown in Israel has been extended until Friday morning, but enforcement has been uneven. Boxerman explains an Israeli Arab viewpoint on the fines.

And finally, Borschel-Dan gives a synopsis of a new study of the biblical "argaman" or true purple.

Discussed articles include:

Palestinians say they’ll start vaccine rollout by mid-February

Israel to send Palestinians 5,000 coronavirus vaccine doses for health workers

When funerals are fatal

Ministers extend lockdown until Friday morning, keep the airport closed for week

Ancient cloth with Bible’s purple dye found in Israel, dated to King David’s era

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PHOTO: A Palestinian man casts his vote at a polling station in the West Bank city of Nablus, Saturday, May 13, 2017. (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.

Today’s panel comprises Times of Israel editor David Horovitz and military correspondent Judah Ari Gross, along with host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

We begin today's program with an update on what appears to be a terrorist attack near the Israeli embassy in New Delhi. Next, we discuss controversial remarks made by IDF chief of staff Aviv Kohavi in regards to the United States' plan to rejoin the Iran nuclear deal.

How was the IDF deploy at the beginning of the coronavirus crisis, and is it being implemented today in enforcing the ongoing lockdown?

Horovitz gives impressions of his interview with New Hope leader Gideon Sa'ar, who is angling to become Israel's next prime minister "as a national interest."

Discussed articles include:

Mossad said involved in probe of blast near Israeli embassy in New Delhi

Picking a fight with US over Iran deal, IDF chief baffles even accord’s critics

‘Netanyahu plays a dirty game,’ says challenger Sa’ar, ‘but he doesn’t scare me’

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PHOTO: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kohavi during an event for outstanding soldiers as part of Israel's 71st Independence Day celebrations, at the President's Residence in Jerusalem, May 9, 2019. (Noam Revkin Fenton/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 Times of Israel senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur and environmental reporter Sue Surkes, along with host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

Today Israel and the rest of the Jewish World is celebrating Tu Bishvat, the new year of the trees. We turn to Surkes for an update on where Israel stands vis a vis the rest of the world in terms of its carbon footprint and renewable energy. She also reveals which tree was named Israel's national tree by the Jewish National Fund.

Surkes speaks about the debate between emphasizing solar versus gas energy between the Environmental and Energy ministries. She speaks about the differences between a zero carb pledge and a zero net carb pledge.

Turning to the country's south, Surkes updates on a new danger to the rare Eilat corals in the Red Sea.

Horovitz updates on more fallout from the Biden administration's new world order, including the Iran nuclear deal and the suspended sale of F-35s to the United Arab Emirates.

Discussed articles include:

Erupting with flowers before spring, almond tree a bounty of Jewish symbolism

Environment minister welcomes Biden, Harris, with zero carbon pledge

UAE pipeline deal will imperil Eilat’s critical coral reefs, scientists warn

US suspends $23 billion sale of F-35s to UAE that followed Abraham Accords

Netanyahu warns virus strain resistant to current vaccines is inevitable

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PHOTO: Almond tree blossom, January 21, 2016. (Melanie Lidman/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.

Today’s panel comprises Times of Israel senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur and diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman, along with host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we look at the growing debate among US Jewish groups over the IHRA anti-Semitism definition and ask what it represents about Israel's place in the battle against modern Jew hatred.

With the Biden's State Department already announcing renewed relations with Palestinians, our panel assesses the possible coming policy changes and wonders how Israel can avoid conflict with the new administration. And with new diplomatic horizons emerging, we look at how Israel is approaching rapprochement with Turkey.

Finally, Berman discusses his interview with Israel's new envoy to the UAE and how the mission is preparing for the fruits of normalization.

Discussed articles include:

International Holocaust Remembrance Day to focus on 1.5 million children killed by Nazis

Most members of US Jewish umbrella group adopt IHRA definition of anti-Semitism

US announces it’s renewing relations with Palestinians, seeking 2-state solution

At odds on Iran and settlements, Netanyahu and Biden can still avoid a brawl

Boxed-in Turkey tries to rekindle ties, but Israel can now play hard to get

Arriving in UAE, Israeli envoy sets sights on budding trade bonanza

PHOTO: A general view of the Old City skyline, as seen from a roof top in the Christian Quarter, in Jerusalem, on August 5, 2013. (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.

Today’s panel comprises Times of Israel editor David Horovitz and senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur, along with host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

We speak today about the continued rioting in the streets among Israel's ultra-Orthodox population. Is it a matter of faith? United Torah Judaism's MK Yitzhak Pindrus said that Torah study among children "will stop the pandemic... that's what can save the entire world." Or a political ploy?

Facebook sanctioned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for fishing for private medical information. In the run-up to the March 23 elections will we see more crack downs?

As the world marks a decade to the Arab Spring, Horovitz relates some of the conflicts he faced when sending a female reporter to cover what became a violent event in Cairo's Tahrir Square.

And finally, Israel has picked its song for the annual Eurovision contest. What are some of the tournament's political implications? And have a listen to the new tune, "Set me free."

Discussed articles include:

Haredi protesters endangered light rail passengers’ lives, operator says

Police, firefighters stood by for an hour as ultra-Orthodox mob torched bus

As 4 cops hurt in fresh clashes, chief rabbi slams ‘delinquent’ Haredi rioters

Under Haredi pressure, PM said to agree to soften bill hiking lockdown fines

Facebook suspends Netanyahu’s chatbot for seeking to ID unvaccinated Israelis

Arab Spring exiles look back 10 years after Egyptian uprising

‘Set me free’: Israel picks Eurovision song entry for 2021

PHOTO: Israeli police officers clash with ultra-Orthodox Jewish men during enforcement of coronavirus emergency regulations in Jerusalem, January 26, 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 is comprised of Times of Israel editor David Horovitz and health and science correspondent Nathan Jeffay, along with host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

We speak today about what the world is learning from Israel's vaccination drive, and why the data published so far may allow some hope for countries struggling to contain the latest wave of the pandemic -- including the Jewish state.

As Israel pushes ahead with the vaccine campaign, more and more questions arise over its possible responsibility, both moral and legal, to also provide vaccines for Palestinians. We look at what is in Israel's interest, and its obligation.

And with clashes continuing between Israeli police and members of Israel's ultra-Orthodox communities over the ongoing national lockdown, we ask who is responsible for the flagrant flouting of restrictions and the total breakdown of trust, and who can fix it.

Discussed articles include:

Israel sees 60% drop in hospitalizations for age 60-plus 3 weeks after 1st shot

Israel to almost completely shut Ben Gurion Airport for week amid mutation fears

Israeli immunity hinges on Palestinians getting COVID shots too, doctors say

Bus driver recounts ‘nightmare’ after Haredim torch vehicle at closure protest

Fresh clashes in Bnei Brak as Haredi leaders blame police for violence

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Image: Workers from Chevra Kadisha Kehilat Yerushalayim, getting dressed with full protective gear to prepare a body before a funeral at a morgue for people who died from Covid-19, at the Sanhedriya Cemetery in Jerusalem, January 25, 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 Times of Israel editor David Horovitz and political correspondent Tal Schneider, along with host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

We speak about today's Labor Party primaries, ahead of the looming Israeli elections on March 23. Also, the recent announcement that Likud "prince" Benny Begin, the son of former prime minister Menachem Begin, has joined with fellow former Likudnik Gideon Sa'ar New Hope party. 

Amidst mixed messaging over the United States' stated intention to rejoin the controversial Iran nuclear deal, the first Israeli official to meet with the Biden administration is head of the Mossad Yossi Cohen.

As a result of flagrant flouting of the coronavirus crisis lockdown, the past few days have seen ongoing clashes between Israeli police and members of Israel's ultra-Orthodox communities in highly populated areas such as the city of Bnei Brak and Jerusalem's Mea Shearim neighborhood. What took the police so long to attempt to enforce the rules?

Discussed articles include: 

Labor to pick new leader as frontrunner Michaeli looks to renew struggling party

Former Likud MK Benny Begin, son of late PM, joins Sa’ar’s New Hope

In boost for Bennett, small business owners’ protest leader joins Yamina

TV: Israel warns ‘nothing to discuss’ with Biden if returns to Iran deal as is

TV: Mossad chief to meet Biden, set out terms for overhaul of Iran nuclear deal

Hasidic rabbi calls for reopening ultra-Orthodox schools, then backtracks

Father of ZAKA emergency rescue chief dies of COVID-19, days after his mother

Image: Israeli police officers clash with ultra-Orthodox Jewish men during enforcement of coronavirus emergency regulations, in the ultra-Orthodox Jewish neighborhood of Mea Shearim, Jerusalem, January 24, 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 Times of Israel editor David Horovitz and United States correspondent Jacob Magid, along with host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

US President Joe Biden was inaugurated yesterday in a ceremony with muted pomp and circumstance, and much conciliatory messaging. Invoking his mother, St. Augustine, and Psalm 30, Biden gave a heart-felt cry for empathy, unity and the dawn of a better day.

Immediately following the ceremony, Biden signed 15 Executive Orders that unraveled much of the work of the Trump administration. Will Biden's team continue the Trump-led Abraham Accords? Magid fills us in on which Muslim countries were next in line to sign agreements with the Jewish state.

Ron Dermer stepped down yesterday from his role as the Israeli ambassador to the US. Just how instrument was he in swinging the pendulum of Israel support into partisan territory?

Finally, among the first challenges facing Biden is whether or not to rejoin the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appears primed for a fight.

Discussed articles include:

Joe Biden, his mother, and the Golden Rule

Full text of Biden’s speech: ‘America has been tested; we’ve come out stronger’

Fashion icon Bernie Sanders, and his mittens, star at inauguration

With 15 strokes of a pen, Biden reverses Trump on climate, virus and immigration

Trump officials: Mauritania, Indonesia were next to normalize, but time ran out

Netanyahu envoy Dermer departs US, but to Democrats he’s been gone for years

All the Jews Biden has tapped for top roles in his new administration

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Image: President-elect Joe Biden, wearing a medical boot, raises his leg as he enters The Queen theater, December 1, 2020, in Wilmington, Del. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

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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 Times of Israel Ops and Blogs editor Miriam Herschlag and senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur, along with host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

On today's show, as Donald Trump finishes his term as president, we look at the reaction of the Times of Israel blogosphere to the tumultuous presidency and its turbulent final days.

Discussed blogs include:

Can America inoculate against the dire threat of ‘us vs. them’?

American Orthodoxy’s political suicide

Dear Trump-supporting friends, we love you and forgive you. Now apologize.

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PHOTO: US President Donald Trump arrives to address the nation from the White House on the ballistic missile strike that Iran launched against Iraqi air bases housing US troops in Washington, January 8, 2020. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci)

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