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.

Editor David Horovitz and diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman join host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

Horovitz updates on the rumors circling about the upcoming week's developments in the teetering coalition.

Berman addresses dire headlines specific threats on Israelis who are currently in Turkey. Why would Iran target Israelis in Turkey of all places?

Russia is putting together a proposal for a UN Security Council resolution condemning Israel over last week's air strikes in Syria. Is this significant?

The world is waking up to the need for energy security in light of the ongoing Ukraine war. What is the trend here?

Horovitz gives highlights of in-depth op-ed he wrote about the potentially imminent threat on Israel’s judicial system.

And as a fun way to start the week, Horovitz shares a little anecdote about the new octogenarian, Sir Paul McCartney.

Discussed articles include:

Gantz vows retaliation to any Iranian attack in Turkey; one said foiled in past day

Lapid thanks Turkish FM for help thwarting Iranian attacks on Israelis

Russia said preparing UN resolution condemning Israel for Damascus airport attack

Blasting Russian ‘blackmail,’ EU chief calls for more energy cooperation with Israel

The imminent bid to quash the independence of Israel’s Supreme Court

Paul McCartney marks 80th birthday with Springsteen, 60,000 pals

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IMAGE: Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett leads a cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem on June 19, 2022. (Alex Kolomoisky/POOL)

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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 reviews US President Joe Biden's itinerary for his mid-July visit to the region, including his planned time in Israel.

He also looks at why PA president Mahmoud Abbas is annoyed with the US and how that could affect Biden's July visit.

Magid discusses US legislative plans to create an integrated air system between Israel and its neighboring Arab states -- including those with whom it doesn't have official relations -- for a united front against Iran.

Tress talks about Israel’s budget deficit dropping to nearly zero, and how recent high rankings for Tel Aviv and Jerusalem  in lists of best tech ecosystems and agtech, may have assisted in creating the beneficial economic news.

Discussed articles include:

White House announces Biden trip to Israel, West Bank and Saudi Arabia July 13-16

Top US official meets fuming Abbas in Ramallah ahead of expected Biden visit

US lawmakers aim to integrate defense systems of Israel, 9 Arab states against Iran

Deficit drops to nearly zero for the first time in 14 years

Tel Aviv ranked 7th in annual list of best global tech ecosystems

Jerusalem, Tel Aviv nab fourth place in list of best global agtech ecosystems

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IMAGE: US President Joe Biden walks down the steps of Air Force One at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, June 2, 2022, as he heads to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, for the weekend. (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.

Senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur and Palestinian affairs correspondent Aaron Boxerman join host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

We begin with the media storm surrounding the truly un-politically correct remarks made by Deputy Religious Affairs Minister Matan Kahana and their fallout. How did Ra'am head Mansour Abbas rebut?

Rettig Gur gives highlights from an interview with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, speaking about her background and the increasingly woven ties between the EU and Israel.

Boxerman looks at von der Leyen’s visit through the prism of EU funding for the Palestinian Authority.

Rettig Gur is working on an analysis that, he claims, explains how and exactly when the government will fall. They say prophecy is dead. What is he basing his theories on?

Boxerman discusses the promises made to Ra'am in entering the diverse coalition and whether Israeli Arabs are actually seeing improvements.

Discussed articles include:

Yamina’s Kahana says he’d expel all Arabs, but admits they’re here to stay

Abbas to Kahana: Accepting coexistence out of necessity isn’t genuine tolerance

As Russia threat grows, visiting European Union chief looks to Israel for solutions

Visiting Ramallah, EU president confirms resumption of some Palestinian aid

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IMAGE: European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen speaks to the media before a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett in Jerusalem, June 14, 2022.  (Amir Cohen/Pool Photo 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.

Environmental correspondent Sue Surkes and real estate reporter Danielle Nagler join host Jessica Steinberg for today's podcast.

Surkes discusses the Supreme Court decision that allows a right-wing Jewish group to purchase Greek Orthodox Church properties in Jerusalem's Old City.

Nagler offers an overview of housing prices in Israel and whether a new government program will help create more affordable housing.

Surkes looks at the revival of the discussion over new marina construction, and what that could mean for Israel's Mediterranean shoreline.

Nagler talks about different kinds of tourism accommodation underway, including more comfortable camping and Airbnbs.

Discussed articles include:

Supreme Court upholds Greek church sales to far-right group, ending legal battle

In unveiling major housing program, government signals more of the same

Planning chief says shelved proposal for 6 new marinas to be raised again

Tourism Ministry earmarks $50 million for new hotels as visitors return

IMAGE: Housing construction in Holon. Illustrative. (100 via iStock by Getty Images)

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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 military correspondent Emanuel Fabian join host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

We’re a year to the coalition that formed the 36th government. Did Scheneider expect it to make it so long?

Schneider spoke with New Hope head Gideon Sa’ar yesterday. The justice minister has issued strong warnings against his fellow members of the diverse coalition. How does he see the possibility for continued cooperation across a swath of parties?

One of the big sticking points is the West Bank regulations. Let’s say that they don’t pass. Then what happens?

Fabian makes sense for us of the many reports over the weekend about an Israeli strike on the Damascus international airport.

Fabian also reports on an unprecedented conference that took place yesterday where military and civilian leaders assessed Israel's readiness under a variety of emergencies.

And finally, Schneider unveils a number of new Hebrew words recently released by the Academy of the Hebrew Language in the field of politics.

Discussed articles include:

Bennett, Lapid in unity plea as coalition teeters: ‘We won’t give up on our country’

Shuttering Damascus airport, Israel ramps up its efforts to foil Iran arms transfers

At conference, officials warn Israel unprepared to deal with major emergency

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Illustrative image: Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Israeli Minister of Internal Affairs Ayelet Shaked attend the Jewish Maroccan celebration of Mimuna, in Moshav Shilat, April 23, 2022. (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 Carrie Keller Lynn and diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman join host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

We start with you and the ever-crumbling coalition and three foci of ire: Meretz MK Ghaida Rinawie Zoabi, Ra'am MK Mazen Ghanaim and Yamina MK Nir Orbach. What do we have to look forward to this week?

A United Nations Commission of Inquiry released a damning 18-page report last week, essentially blaming Israel for the ongoing conflict with the Palestinians. The report will be presented to the Human Rights Council session on June 13. Berman explains the salient points of the report and its blowback.

Norway ruffled some feathers in Israel by announcing that agricultural goods coming from the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights must be labeled with their place of origin. Why is that controversial?

Last week, Berman reported on an envoy of eastern European politicians and diplomats who are looking to Israel for cues in how to prepare their citizens in case of war. What were some unexpected diplomatic resonances of the trip?

Discussed articles include:

Rebel Meretz MK says she’s ‘lost faith’ in coalition leaders

UN probe blames Israel for perpetuating conflict with Palestinians

Israel bristles as Norway mandates labels for produce from West Bank, Golan

With Russia threat looming, Europe’s eastern flank looks to Israel for expertise

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Image: Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, Israeli president Reuven Rivlin and Israeli ministers pose for a group photo of the newly sworn-in Israeli government, at the President's Residence in Jerusalem on June 14, 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.

Tech Israel editor Ricky Ben David and Palestinian Affairs correspondent Aaron Boxerman join host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

Women’s rights activist Johara Khnifes was killed in a car bombing on Tuesday night. She is the daughter of the deputy mayor of the northern town of Shfaram and the granddaughter of a former MK. Initially, it was thought that her father was the target, but that seems to have been ruled out. What do we know now?

We next discuss what are perhaps "greatly exaggerated" rumors of an ailing Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. Boxerman weighs in on the looming power vacuum his demise would leave.

Ben David explains the use of unicorns and centaurs in hi-tech parlance. Get ready to hear what is the next big -- and ferocious -- thing.

A week after Israel and the UAE signed a historic free trade deal, we are hearing reports that the Dubai International Chamber, one of the emirate’s three chambers of commerce, is set to open a representative office in Tel Aviv. What would such an office hope to accomplish?

Discussed articles include:

Anti-violence activist, daughter of Shfaram deputy mayor, killed in car bombing

Out with the unicorns, in with the centaurs? A new tech milestone takes shape

Dubai International Chamber to open office in Tel Aviv

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Image: Winter dragon sitting on rock at snowy mountains landscape. (iStock photos/klyaksun)

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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 Religions correspondent Judah Ari Gross join host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

Senior US diplomat Amos Hochstein will travel to Beirut next week to discuss Lebanon’s dispute with Israel over maritime drilling in the Karish offshore natural gas field. Fabian explains how the IDF is preparing to defend Israeli interests.

On the heals of an in-depth feature on the mainstreaming of Jewish prayer on the Temple Mount, Gross delves into how Israelis today view the struggle. Who supports and who most definitely does not?

Yesterday the IDF announced that it would open more combat roles to female fighters, beyond the mixed-gender light infantry units where some already serve. What is new here?

Gross reports on pioneering religious women who have recently been granted state recognition as halachic advisors. Who does this actually affect and who is paying them?

Discussed articles include:

Top general threatens to target Hezbollah operatives who are building at the border

Fighting rabbinic ban, Jewish activists push Temple Mount prayer toward mainstream

IDF expands combat roles for women, but says most are not cut out for elite units

In milestone, Israeli government to pay salaries of female religious authorities

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

Image: Soldiers of the Bardales Battalion prepare for urban warfare training on an early foggy morning, near Nitzanim in the Arava area of southern Israel, on July 13, 2016. (Hadas Parush/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 reporter Carrie Keller-Lynn and diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman join host Jessica Steinberg for today's podcast.

Keller-Lynn reviews Monday's loss for the coalition on the settlement bill and what that will mean in coming weeks.

Berman discusses what could happen at the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Board of Governors meeting in Vienna, the first in two years.

Keller-Lynn talks about her visit to Homesh in the West Bank and what she found in her conversations with settlers and Palestinians.

Berman offers a heads up to his upcoming feature about the first Lebanon War and what has and hasn't changed for Israel since then.

Discussed articles include:

In major blow to coalition, two of its MKs help defeat vital West Bank legal bill

After Knesset loss, opponents tell PM to quit, coalition vows to come back stronger

Frustrated West beginning to turn up heat on Iran – Israeli official

There’s no place like Homesh: The West Bank’s most politically charged hilltop

IMAGE: Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett with Minister of Foreign Affairs Yair Lapid during a discussion and a vote on the vote on the settlement bill at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem on June 6, 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.

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

Schneider previews Monday's Knesset session, as the coalition and opposition will continue debating the crucial settlement bill and what that could mean for the beleaguered government.

Magid discusses why US President Joe Biden postponed his planned late June trip to Israel, revolving around the stop in Saudi Arabia.

He also looks at the ongoing conversations between the US and the Palestinian Authority, some of it revolving around the question of reopening the US consulate in East Jerusalem.

Schneider, Magid and Steinberg discuss the latest episodes in Kan 11 drama "Tehran," and Steinberg's interview with creator and head writer Moshe Zonder.

Discussed articles include:

Biden’s visits to Israel, Saudi Arabia pushed back to July

With crucial settlement bill set for plenum, unclear coalition has votes to pass it

US readies steps to boost ties with Palestinians after freezing consulate reopening

In call, Abbas tells Blinken US must ‘turn talk into actions,’ end ‘silence’

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

IMAGE: Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett attends a discussion and a vote on The vote on the "Flag Bill" at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem on June 1, 2022 (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

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