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.

Knesset correspondent Carrie Keller-Lynn and deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan join host Jessica Steinberg for today's podcast.

Keller-Lynn discusses defense minister Benny Gantz looking for possible alliances with Haredi politicians in election campaigning.

She also talks about Prime Minister Yair Lapid’s push to get Arabs to vote; not necessarily for his party Yesh Atid, but as a method to pull votes away from the rival Likud party.

Borschel-Dan explains an Israeli archaeologist's use of groundbreaking archeomagnetic dating to help pinpoint specific dates in biblical history.

Discussed articles include:

Gantz plugs possible alliance with Haredi politicians, but UTJ says it won’t zigzag

Israeli researchers say magnetic fields provide way to securely date biblical events

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IMAGE: The ruins of Beit Shean, ancient Scythopolis (Yossi Zamir/Flash 90)

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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 on today's episode.

Lion’s Den member Tamer Kilani, a member of the upstart Palestinian terror organization, was killed early Sunday by an explosive device attached to a motorcycle detonated in Nablus’s Old City. Why or why not could Israel be behind the killing?

Yesterday, the Kan television channel aired a recording of Religious Zionist head Bezalel Smotrich that was apparently made last year in which he sounded pretty disloyal to opposition head Benjamin Netanyahu. What was on the recording?

We hear why Horovitz thinks that the November 1 elections will indeed be decisive.

Three men from northern Israel were indicted on Thursday for allegedly sending a large volume of sensitive information to the Hamas terror group in Turkey, and for plans to sabotage Israel’s cellular network in a future war. We hear why this is so dangerous to the IDF.

Finally, Horovitz briefly compares Israel's chaotic electoral processes with that of England.

Discussed articles include:

Alleged assassination in Nablus may signal major Israeli policy change in West Bank

Senior member of Palestinian terror group Lion’s Den killed in Nablus explosion

Smotrich: Netanyahu ‘lying through his teeth,’ was desperate to ally with Ra’am

Why this election is a defining moment for Israel, how it’s run, what it stands for

3 Israelis charged in Hamas plot to sabotage telecom networks used by IDF during war

Why the British public is not choosing its leader

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IMAGE: Mourners carry the body of Tamer al-Kilani, a top fighter in the Palestinian militant group Den of Lions, who the group said was killed by an explosive device planted in a motorcycle, during his funeral in the West Bank city of Nablus, October 23, 2022. (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.

Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman and real estate reporter Danielle Nagler join host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

Berman discusses a 28-page report by The United Nations’ ongoing Commission of Inquiry investigating rights abuses in Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip following last year’s 11-day fight between Israel and Hamas in Gaza that was released on Thursday. What crimes does it accuse Israel of -- and does the report have teeth?

Ukrainian President Zelensky’s chief of staff Andriy Yermak held a virtual meeting with leaders of Jewish organizations and prominent Russian-speaking Israelis, asking them to push Jerusalem to provide Kyiv with air defense systems. However, according to a Channel 13 news report over the weekend, Israel has indeed proposed to supply Ukraine with an alert system for aerial threats. We hear why Kyiv is perhaps unhappy with the offer.

Israeli housing prices soared a record 19% over the last year, according to a report by the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), the largest year-on-year jump since price tracking began. Nagler digs in.

The former Dan Pearl hotel, which sits just next to Mamilla, has sat empty for some 15 years. Nagler describes how things may soon change.

Discussed articles include:

UN report denounces Israel’s ‘unlawful occupation,’ demands prosecution of officials

Top Zelensky aide asks Jewish leaders to press Israel on Ukraine weapons

Report: Ukraine not cooperating with Israel on proposed missile alert system

Israeli housing prices keep soaring, up a record 19% from last year

Plans underway for new Jerusalem hotel after city gets okay to raze central eyesore

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IMAGE: The United Nation flag waves in the wind on the top of an UN building in Geneva, Switzerland, June 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber, File )

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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 settlements reporter Jeremy Sharon join host Jessica Steinberg for today's podcast.

Keller-Lynn discusses the political whitewashing of Otzma Yehudit's Itamar Ben Gvir as the November 1 elections loom closer.

Sharon looks at the efforts of Bezalel Smotrich of the Religious Zionism party, as he unveils a program of radical legal reforms, including one that could lead to the end of Benjamin Netanyahu’s criminal trial.

Steinberg talks about two films detailing ultra-Orthodox life, one a humorous rom-com, the other a complicated family drama.

Discussed articles include:

From far right to ‘cuddly care bear,’ Ben Gvir’s political whitewashing is underway

Smotrich launches bid to neuter judiciary, potentially halt ally Netanyahu’s trial

Matchmaking, infertility in focus in 2 new films on Haredi life

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

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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 Tech Israel editor Ricky Ben-David join host Jessica Steinberg for today's podcast.

Magid discusses updates regarding assurances made by President Joe Biden during his visit to the region in July, regarding the Allenby crossing, 4G networks in the West Bank and funding for East Jerusalem hospitals.

Ben-David looks at the startup put together by the former CEO of cybersecurity firm NSO with former Austrian chancellor Sebastian Kurz, who quit politics after being implicated in a corruption scandal.

She also talks about the drop in investments in Israeli startups  in the third quarter of 2022, and expectations for the end of the year.

Magid speaks about his interview with Ted Deutch, former US representative from Florida who is now at the held of the American Jewish Committee.

Discussed articles include:

Biden-promised plan to operate Allenby crossing 24/7 faces new hurdle

Former NSO CEO and ex-chancellor of Austria establish new cybersecurity startup

Investments in Israeli startups drop by 36% in third quarter of 2022 — report

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IMAGE: US President Joe Biden speaks at the White House complex in Washington, October 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

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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 health reporter Nathan Jeffay join host Amanda Borschel-Dan in today's episode.

This morning, Australia said it would no longer recognize West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, reversing a 2018 decision by the previous conservative government. Schneider gives background.

Yesterday, former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu refused to step onto a stage during a Simchat Torah event in Kfar Chabad until far-right MK Itamar Ben Gvir stepped down so as to avoid being photographed with the number two on the Religious Zionism-Otzma Yehudit faction list, a member of Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc. What's going on here?

Israeli scientists are holding trials on an even newer method of screening for fetuses and say it could provide all the information received from an amniocentesis without the risks. How is this different from the NIPT screening already on the market?

Relatedly, there are rumors running around Israeli social media that the country’s hospitals are running out of the medicines used in epidurals. Jeffay updates.

Discussed articles include:

Join us in Jerusalem for a live pre-elections event in which you set the agenda

Lapid assails Australia for dropping recognition of Jerusalem; ambassador summoned

Australia officially drops recognition of West Jerusalem as Israeli capital

Netanyahu refuses to get onstage at holiday event until Ben Gvir steps down – report

Israeli needle-free alternative to amnio can detect thousands of mutations

Doctors scramble to avert possible epidural shortage in Israel as stock dwindles

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IMAGE: In this image taken from video, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong speaks during a press conference, October 18, 2022, in Canberra, Australia (Australia Pool 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.

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

We begin with a discussion of renewed requests for Israel to send the Iron Dome anti-missile defense systems to Ukraine. Berman and Fabian explain why that's a complicated ask.

Berman talks about the use of Iranian drones in Ukraine is not a good look for Russia or Iran.

We hear security updates from over the weekend from Fabian, including the case of a terrorist-aligned Palestinian doctor who was killed.

And finally, TikTok bans upstart Nablus terrorist group The Lions' Den. Why this may or may not matter.

Discussed articles include:

As West works on Ukraine missile defense needs, Israel shows no sign of pitching in

US presses allies, including Israel, to assemble patchwork air defenses for Ukraine

Israel said providing Kyiv with intel on Iranian suicide drones

‘It was a miracle,’ says Israeli who was only lightly injured in West Bank shooting

IDF drone crashes in Nablus due to malfunction; armed faction captures it

Palestinian killed, another seriously wounded in clash with IDF in West Bank

Palestinian doctor, claimed as terror group member, dies in Jenin gun battle

TikTok bans account of Palestinian armed group behind West Bank shootings

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IMAGE: Iron dome anti-missile system fires interception missiles as rockets fired from the Gaza Strip to Israel, in Ashkelon on August 7, 2022. (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.

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

Magid talks about US politics regarding Israel's maritime deal with Lebanon, and whether Biden pushed to do this prior to Israeli and US mid-term elections.

Tress discusses interview with Reform Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch about his new pro-Israel program to bolster support for Israel, amid anti-Zionism in liberal US circles.

Magid examines PA President Mahmoud Abbas comments made during closed meeting about Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, lack of US measures pushing for Israel-PA peace and why it's important to speak to AIPAC.

Tress looks at recent lawsuit against New York state by two Jewish, Orthodox, gun-owning plaintiffs, seeking to protect their neighborhood synagogue following new law barring firearms in places of worship.

Discussed articles include:

‘You’re making history’: Biden hails border deal in calls with Lapid, Lebanon’s Aoun

Leading New York Reform rabbi launches push against anti-Zionism in the movement

‘You little boy’: Abbas says he scolded Blinken for not pressuring Israel

Jewish gun owners sue NY leadership over law barring firearms in places of worship

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

IMAGE: Illustrative: In this Nov. 2, 2018 photograph, Beth Israel Congregation members drive past security officer Jim Lowman, who has been providing armed protection over 20 years at the synagogue in Jackson, Miss. Recent events of violence at houses of worship have cause the Congregation to increase security. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

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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 culture editor Jessica Steinberg join host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

On Tuesday, 21-year-old Staff Sgt. Ido Baruch was shot and killed near the settlement of Shavei Shomron in the northern West Bank. Fabian fills in the details of this tragic death during the ongoing wave of terror.

Fabian describes a recent tour he took of the Southern Command Training Base, known in the army by the Hebrew acronym Baf Darom.

Steinberg describes Israel’s premiere satirical sketch comedy show, “Eretz Nehederet” (“It’s a Wonderful Country”), which is marking 20 years on air.

While many Marvel comics fans were pleased to hear about the inclusion of Israeli actress Shira Haas as Sabra in an upcoming movie, not all comic book fans — or creators — are on board. Steinberg brings us up to super speed.

Discussed articles include:

Soldier killed in checkpoint shooting buried as hunt for suspect enters third day

Soldier killed in shooting attack while securing settler march in northern West Bank

In the Negev, a fake fence prepares troops for fighting Gaza from the outside

Israel’s favorite sketch comedy show celebrates 20 years of political satire

Sabra may get Marvel role, but she’s a superficial character, say comic book artists

IMAGE: Comic book artist Uri Fink drew and posted his Sabraman retort on Twitter to Marvel's Sabra character in an upcoming 2024 film. (courtesy, Uri Fink/Twitter)

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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 settlements reporter Jeremy Sharon join host Amanda Borschel-Dan in today's Sukkot episode.

We’ve been following the potential maritime border deal with Lebanon very closely on the Daily Briefing. This morning saw some very optimistic announcements from both sides.

The world is following the latest deadly strikes throughout Ukraine following Saturday’s bombing of a bridge connecting Russia with Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky claims Russia used missiles and Iran-made drones to target civilians and Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in a series of deadly strikes. What are the implications for Israel?

Sharon fills us in on the recent brouhaha over an ongoing legal battle with the police over Temple Mount activists' efforts to blow the shofar at what is known as the Eastern Wall of the Temple Mount complex.

Discussed articles include:

Israel and Lebanon hail imminent ‘historic’ maritime deal after latest US draft

Zelensky: Russia used Iran-made drones, missiles in deadly strikes on several cities

Report: Police chief says MK’s shofar-blowing near flashpoint site could ignite war

Temple Mount activists, police feud over shofar-blowing near flashpoint site

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IMAGE: An Orthodox Jewish man walks past the Golden Gate, as he circles around all the gates to the Temple Mount while praying in Jerusalem's Old City, early morning on August 4, 2019. (Hadas Parush/Flash90

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