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.

Health and science correspondent Nathan Jeffay and, from Ukraine, diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman join host Anne Gordon on today's episode.

There have been some interesting and exciting developments by Israeli health researchers, specifically to benefit potential sufferers of fibromyalgia and those who experience male infertility. Jeffay reports on what the future may hold. He also gives us the lowdown on Israel’s newest and largest emergency room, and explains why Israelis are not getting enough iodine.

Berman recounts his experiences with the ZSU - Armed Forces of Ukraine, and updates us about an odious commission of inquiry at the United Nations that smacks of all-too-familiar antisemitism.

Discussed articles include:

Israeli finding may make hard-to-diagnose fibromyalgia easy to confirm

World’s largest ER opens in Israel, raising bar for tech and scale in emergency med

Israeli lab grows proto-sperm from stem cells, in potential fertility breakthrough

Concerned by low iodine levels in desalinated water, Israel starts nationwide study

B’nai B’rith calls to dismiss UN probe against Israel over members’ ‘odious remarks’

Israel: Disband UN Gaza war probe over member’s ‘antisemitic comments’

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IMAGE: Illustrative. Stem cells. (via 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 Carrie Keller-Lynn and military correspondent Emanuel Fabian join host Anne Gordon on today's episode, with diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman reporting in from Kharkiv, Ukraine.

A new political party has emerged from the remnants of the old political parties, as the politicians jockey for strategic advantage in the November election. Keller-Lynn reports on "Zionist Spirit."

Berman updates us about the Ukrainian town of Uman, site of an annual Orthodox Rosh Hashanah mass pilgrimage, and the refugees who have settled in, given the pilgrims' absence. But what will happen to them come September?

He also describes the lay of the land in Kharkiv, Ukraine, 20 kilometers (nearly 12.5 miles) from the Russian front, and his own experience in a shelter, during several not-too-distant explosions.

Fabian explains why the IDF was briefing foreign press on the locations of Hamas weapons stockpiles and the like, and why it will continue to do so.

Discussed articles include:

Beleaguered right-wing leaders Shaked and Hendel unite as Zionist Spirit party

With pilgrims coming, Uman’s ‘miracle’ refugee shelters will be forced to clear out

Uman’s mayor to ToI: We don’t have enough shelters, can’t guarantee pilgrims’ safety

IDF exposes ‘Hamas sites’ in Gaza civilian areas, in bid to explain future strikes

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IMAGE: Times of Israel diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman, on location in Kharkiv, Ukraine, in the wake of an attack by Russian artillery, on July 27, 2022. (Lazar Berman)

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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 Religion and Diaspora affairs correspondent Judah Ari Gross join host Anne Gordon on today's episode.

Russia wants to close the doors of the Jewish Agency there -- a decision that may be made in a Russian court tomorrow. We'll hear from Gross about the ramifications of shuttering the quasi-government agency and the diplomatic significance that this story has recently garnered.

Horovitz weighs in on the resonance of this case for the Israeli public, especially given Russia's history of antisemitism.

Gross updates us about the new measures to keep the peace at the Western Wall, and he and Horovitz reflect on the lack of attention in the Israeli press to this issue that is deeply important to key segments of Diaspora Jewry.

Horovitz describes the growing financial inequality in Israeli society, and explains the impact of the wage gap and rising prices on people's daily lives -- including why Israel has a deficit of 5,600 teachers.

Discussed articles include:

Israel gears up to fight, as Russia puts screws to Jewish Agency for unclear reasons

Ex-Jewish Agency head, analyst back firm stance on Russia: ‘Not a time for weakness’

Lapid warns Russia: Jewish Agency closure would be ‘grave event’ with impact on ties

Israel moves to reduce Russia tensions: ‘The less we talk about it the better’

Netanyahu blames PM for Russia ‘crisis’; Lapid: You haven’t bothered to get updates

Israel to send team to Moscow as Russia threatens to shutter Jewish Agency offices

Government bans gender-separation barriers at Western Wall egalitarian plaza

‘The party is over’: Histadrut chair urges consumer boycott amid rising prices

Education Ministry says 5,600 teaching positions unfilled ahead of school year

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IMAGE: The Jewish Agency headquarters in Jerusalem, November 29, 2016. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90/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.

US correspondent Jacob Magid and Tech Israel editor Ricky Ben-David join host Anne Gordon on today's episode.

Magid will update us on how the United States has been handling its relationship with Israel since President Joe Biden's trip to the Middle East -- from the Augusta Victoria Hospital visit to the investigation into Shireen Abu Akleh's death and Palestinian dissatisfaction with the US approach.

Ben-David describes the successful hover test of Israeli startup AIR's prototype electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft that may herald flying cars. She also updates us about both the layoffs and labor shortage in the tech sector.

Discussed articles include:

How Israel nearly turned Biden’s East Jerusalem visit into a diplomatic incident

Biden holds firm on refusal to open new Abu Akleh probe, despite push from Democrats

Biden pressing Palestinians to cooperate on Abraham Accords, but Abbas undecided

Biden unfazed by Saudi denial of advancement in Israel ties — senior US official

Liftoff: Israeli startup’s ‘flying car’ aces first test

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IMAGE: Israeli startup AIR developed an eVTOL aircraft called AIR ONE for the consumer market. (AIR/courtesy)

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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 diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman, on the ground in Ukraine, join host Anne Gordon on today's episode.

With the Israeli government dissolved on June 30 and the next election on November 1, how is the country functioning? Rettig Gur explains how the outgoing government keeps going, even when it no longer quite exists. Key issues include the education budget for the new academic year and the IDF chief of staff.

Berman recounts his experience in the Kyiv suburbs and in Old Kyiv, where Ukrainians have made destroyed Russian tanks a sightseeing event for their children.

He also updates us on his conversation with Israel Ambassador to Ukraine Michael Brodsky, weighs in on the Uman question for those Jews who want to travel there for Rosh Hashana, and sheds some light on Ukraine's long history of relations with neighboring Russia.

Discussed articles include:

Education Ministry says 5,600 teaching positions unfilled ahead of school year

Teachers end strike, return to negotiations with treasury

Citing security needs, AG says new IDF chief can be selected before election

Gantz narrows IDF chief of staff race down to two candidates

Rage, pride draw Ukrainian families to sightsee destroyed Russian tanks

Envoy: No final decision from Kyiv on Uman pilgrimage, but Jews urged to stay away

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IMAGE: A father photographs his son against a Russian missile in Old Kyiv, July 21, 2022. (Lazar Berman/The 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.

Environment reporter Sue Surkes and health and science correspondent Nathan Jeffay join host Anne Gordon, in for Amanda Borschel-Dan, on today's episode.

With a heatwave in Israel's forecast this week, and the mercury rising dramatically elsewhere throughout the world, we might ask if this is the future. Surkes reports on a dire claim that meeting the terms of the Paris accords will not do enough to save humanity. But, she says, there are several plans afoot that may do the trick.

Jeffay explains Israel's policy on the monkeypox vaccine, including who may be at risk and who can avoid too much worry.

He also recalls US President Joe Biden's fist-bumps, in light of his recent infection with COVID-19, with a reminder about how the virus is transmitted.

Surkes tells the story of how the Tottenham Hotpur soccer (football) club came to be particularly meaningful to her family. Tottenham plays A.S. Roma in a friendly game on Saturday in Haifa.

Discussed articles include:

UN official sees Israel primed to lead globe in developing carbon capture tech

Israel’s monkeypox vaccines strategy: Stop sexual spread to those most at-risk

Moderna’s new variant-busting COVID vaccine starting trial in Israel

Fist-bumping Biden isn’t reducing COVID risk in Israel by avoiding handshakes

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IMAGE: Illustrative. Gian kelp growing in the ocean, near the Channel Islands in California. (iStock)

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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 Settlements, Police, and Legal Affairs reporter Jeremy Sharon join Anne Gordon, in for Amanda Borschel-Dan, on today's podcast. Lazar Berman, diplomatic correspondent, also checks in from Ukraine.

Fabian reveals that the Israeli military censor is finally allowing publication of one of the Israel Defense Forces' worst kept secrets: the drones.

He also explains the significance of IDF chief Aviv Kohavi's trip to Morocco, and what it means for Israel's ties to the country, going forward.

Berman describes how Ukraine has changed since his last trip to the region, and shares his recent somber experience in Vinnytsia. 

Nachala, an activist group promoting new settlements in the West Bank, has been busy. Sharon tells us about their efforts this week, and why they keep at it.

Sharon also fills us in on the unreliable, yet influential poll that suggests Itamar Ben Gvir is the man to watch in the November elections.

Discussed articles include:

After almost two decades, IDF finally admits to using armed drones in airstrikes

Kohavi meets Morocco’s defense minister, army chief on second day of landmark trip

Between security briefings, IDF chief meets Jewish community in Marrakesh

Thousands of settler activists create mayhem in West Bank campaign

Poll shows Religious Zionism party would soar if headed by Ben-Gvir

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IMAGE: A drone flies above the Gilboa region North Israel on July 13, 2022. (Nati Shohat/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 Tech Israel editor Ricky Ben-David join host Jessica Steinberg for today's podcast.

Schneider briefly discusses possibility of former Meretz leader Zehava Galon taking on the party's leadership role once again.

She also dives into a piece about the Straits of Tiran and Sanafir, the Saudi-controlled islands that were briefly under Israel's control, and where Schneider's father spent a month, more than 50 years ago, as the officer of an IDF unit that was the first to step foot on the island.

Ben-David discusses more Saudi Arabian news, as Israeli-founded smart energy tech firm SolarEdge Technologies signed an agreement last week with a Saudi entity.

She also looks at how Israel is moving ahead with plans to lay the foundation for quantum computational ability, which harnesses quantum mechanics to quickly solve problems too complex for classical computers.

Steinberg speaks about Israeli wine, and the newly tinted appellations of Judean, the lower Judean Foothills and Judean Hills, with 30 boutique wineries in place.

Discussed articles include:

Zehava Galon announces political comeback in bid to recapture Meretz leadership

Israeli-American energy tech firm SolarEdge inks investment deal with Saudi group

Israel to establish quantum computing R&D center, build quantum computer

It’s a quick ride from Bordeaux red to sparkling Champagne in the Judean Hills

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IMAGE: A facility outfitted with SolarEdge's technology. Illustrative. (Screenshot/YouTube)

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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 Carrie Keller-Lynn and environment correspondent Sue Surkes join host Amanda Borschel-Dan in today's episode.

Yesterday, MK Merav Michaeli was victorious in a strangely unprecedented win to head Labor for a second term. What is her vision heading into these elections?

Meretz is the other left-wing party with a leadership jostle. What’s happening there?

As the right-wing parties seem to strengthen, are these stalwart left-wing groups fighting over the same electorate?

We hear about a massive fight over wind turbines in the Negev and Golan. What are the different sides saying?

Surkes wrote a about a fascinating study that explains coral’s fluorescence, including those that live between the shallow reef area and the deep, completely dark zone of the sea.

And finally, Modiin’s unofficial mascot, Ruti the hyena, was run down this weekend. We learn about this most determined animal.

Discussed articles include:

Michaeli clinches second elected term as Labor leader, a first in party’s history

Merav Michaeli, recapturing Labor leadership, vows to tackle cost of living

Deep sea corals glow in the dark to lure prey, Israeli researchers find

Ruti the celebrity hyena run over and killed near Modiin

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Image: Renewable energy wind turbines as seen next to the snowy peaks of Mount Hermon on January 3, 2021, in the northern Golan Heights. (Michael Giladi/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.

Religions and Diaspora Affairs correspondent Judah Ari Gross and news editor Amy Spiro join host Anne Gordon, in for Amanda Borschel-Dan, on today's episode.

Gross updates us on reactions to the Western Wall conflict regarding the harassment of several bar and bat mitzvah celebrations a few weeks ago. Where the State of Israel has been lukewarm in its response, the Board of Governors of the Jewish Agency is seeking a hard line against the disruptive conduct.

Gross also sets the scene for the 21st Maccabiah Games, which are now going on in Israel. These so-called Jewish Olympics are a kind of ingathering of the exiles, bringing Jewish athletes from all over the world to compete. But will they drum up support on the local front?

Sticking with the sports theme, Spiro elaborates on the most recent woes of the Beitar Jerusalem soccer club, from the team's need for a budget to the furious fans who fear their team will be disbanded.

She also explains why Israel has already chosen its Eurovision 2023 contestant. But will pop star Noa Kirel go the distance to compete?

Discussed articles include:

Jewish Agency demands boosted security at Western Wall after ‘despicable’ protest

Rainbow of flags as largest-ever Maccabiah kicks off in Jerusalem with Biden on hand

Paying the penalties: The stranger-than-fiction rise and fall of Beitar Jerusalem

Chart-topper Noa Kirel chosen to represent Israel at Eurovision 2023

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Image credit: US President Joe Biden poses for a picture with US athletes competing in the Maccabiah Games at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem on July 14, 2022. (Mandel Ngan/AFP)

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