The Times of Israel Daily Briefing

Welcome to a bonus episode of Times Will Tell, The Times of Israel's weekly feature podcast.

We're speaking with Joshua Cohen, the prize-winning author of "The Netanyahus, An Account of a Minor and Ultimately Even Negligible Episode in the History of a Very Famous Family," who is in Israel for the Writers Festival and a residency at Jerusalem's Mishkenot Sha'ananim.

We speak about his fictionalization of the very famous political Israeli family and how he chose the Netanyahus as his focus for the novel, as well as the twists of fact and fiction.

Cohen talks about winning the Pulitzer for a book about identity, tokenism and, the Jews.

IMAGE: American novelist Joshua Cohen speaks during a meeting with Journalists as part of the International Writers Festival, in Jerusalem, May 16, 2022. (Courtesy Yonatan Sindel/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.

Knesset correspondent Carrie Keller-Lynn and reporter Amy Spiro join host Jessica Steinberg for today's podcast.

Keller-Lynn reviews Wednesday's Knesset session, as Likud members argued among themselves and with coalition members about the bill for academic scholarships for newly released IDF soldiers.

Spiro discusses her feature looking at the Haredi community six months after the Chaim Walder abuse scandal broke, researching whether anything has changed in the ultra Orthodox community.

She also talks about next week's planned exhumation of a grave, the long-awaited next stage in the decades-old Yemenite Children affair, in which the Israeli government is accused of allegedly kidnapping Yemenite children for adoption by Ashkenazi families.

Discussed articles include:

Defying Netanyahu, Likud MKs want to back coalition bill on funding for IDF vet

6 months after the Walder abuse scandal broke, has the Haredi world seen change?

For first time, grave of alleged ‘disappeared’ Yemenite baby to be exhumed

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IMAGE: Leader of the opposition and head of the Likud party Benjamin Netanyahu leads a Likud faction meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem on May 16, 2022. (Olivier Fitoussi/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 writer Tal Schneider and Religion and Diaspora Affairs reporter Judah Ari Gross join host Jessica Steinberg for today's podcast.

Gross talks about start of Lag B'Omer festival in Israel, marking one year since Mount Meron tragedy and steps government has taken this year to streamline the event and make it safer.

Schneider discusses Knesset bill regarding army education scholarships and how it may become a test for the shaky coalition.

Gross also looks at official apology from World Zionist Organization following their involvement in protests against Women of the Wall at the prayer services earlier this month.

Discussed articles include:

Entry limits, structural fixes as Israel aims to avoid repeat of 2021 Meron disaster

Police arrest group suspected of planning to sabotage Lag B’Omer events at Mt. Meron

Scalpers offer fake Meron festival tickets, subverting new safety measures – report

WZO says cooperation with group that violently protested Women of the Wall was error

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 IMAGE: Police evacuate Jewish worshipers ahead of the Lag B'omer festival, at the Tomb of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, in Meron, northern Israel on May 17, 2022 (Courtesy David Cohen/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.

Palestinian Affairs correspondent Aaron Boxerman and environment reporter Sue Surkes join host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

Last night thousands of Palestinians participated in the funeral procession for 21-year-old Walid a-Sharif whom Palestinians said died after being hit by a sponge-tipped bullet during the clashes on April 22. Israeli police said he fell and hit his head while throwing rocks. We’re again in a He Said, He Said situation. How is this affecting tensions on the Temple Mount?

We also learned of the death of Daoud Zubeidi, the brother of notorious terror chief and Gilboa prison escapee Zakaria Zubeidi. He reportedly died of wounds he sustained during a gun battle with Israeli soldiers. Is this contributing to the clashes as well?

We hear about take-aways from Boxerman's conversation with Anton Abu Akleh, the brother of Shireen Abu Akleh, the veteran Palestinian journalist shot dead under disputed circumstances in Jenin last week.

This week the Supreme Court gave the planned Jerusalem Cable Car a real boost. What are the next steps?

The Jewish holiday Lag Ba’Omer is set to spark off tomorrow night. How is Israel attempting to prevent wild fires ahead of the holiday -- and the long, hot summer?

Discussed articles include:

Clashes erupt at Jerusalem funeral of Palestinian mortally wounded on Temple Mount

Daoud Zubeidi, brother of jailed terror chief, dies of wounds from battle with IDF

Abu Akleh’s brother slams police ‘brutal force’ at funeral, expresses hope for peace

High Court rejects petitions against plan to build cable car to Jerusalem’s Old City

Fire chief bans bonfires on Lag B’Omer festival outside of designated areas

May 24 – Who By Fire: Leonard Cohen and the Yom Kippur War

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IMAGE: Mourners carry the coffin of Palestinian, Waleed Shareef, 21, during his funeral at the Al Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem's Old City, May 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)

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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 diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman join host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

We first hear updates on the Ukraine War, which has now entered its 81st day. Finland and Sweden have announced they will join NATO. How does this change things?

Berman recently spoke with a close advisor to President Zelensky and wrote about a Jewish soldier fighting in Mariupol. What did he learn?

Yesterday, elections were held in Lebanon for the first time since late 2019. What are the expectations here? Will it change anything for the relationship with Israel?

There were a pair of troubling reports released yesterday. We first hear about the need for more government investment in R&D to keep the tech sector growing. Also, the cost of living report was released and housing prices have, yet again, soared.

Finally, we recently spoke with comic book super stars, Maya and Yehuda Devir. We hear some impressions.

Discussed articles include:

Senior Zelensky adviser: 40 ‘Jewish heroes’ fighting in Mariupol steel plant

Jewish Ukrainian soldier in besieged Mariupol plant asks Israel to rescue garrison

Government must invest more in R&D to keep tech sector growing, warns new report

Housing prices soar by more than 16% in past year, highest rise in over a decade

Famed Israeli comic artists explore new worlds with NFT collection

May 24 – Who By Fire: Leonard Cohen and the Yom Kippur War

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IMAGE: Picture of a wounded soldier in the besieged Mariupol steel factory distributed May 10, 2022, by Ukraine's Azov Regiment via social media. (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.

Editor David Horovitz and military correspondent Emanuel Fabian join host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

Horovitz was in Jerusalem’s Old City on Friday and witness to part of the funeral procession for journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. What did he see there and what are the competing narratives explaining the disturbing images that came out of it?

There was a lot of back and forth last week about who could and could not take part in the probe over Abu Akleh's death. What is the status now?

Counterterrorism officer Noam Raz was killed in clashes near Jenin on Friday. He was part of the Yamam unit. What is this unit and why was he there?

This morning, the Israel Defense Forces released the name of an Israeli special forces officer Lt. Col. Mahmoud Kheir el-Din until now known as "Mem." He was killed in a botched nighttime operation in the Gaza Strip in November 2018. Why was his name released today?

Finally, last night the world turned its eyes to the silliest, most political event in the year, the Eurovision. No surprise, but Ukraine won. Does expat Brit Horovitz know who won second place?

Discussed articles include:

Scenes from one part of a funeral, as Shireen Abu Akleh is laid to rest in Jerusalem

PA: International groups can participate in probe into reporter’s death, not Israel

‘One of the best’: Officers, officials mourn death of police commando Noam Raz

After 3.5 years, IDF releases name of officer killed in botched Gaza operation

Ukraine wins Eurovision Song Contest amid Russian invasion

May 24 – Who By Fire: Leonard Cohen and the Yom Kippur War

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

IMAGE: Mourners carry the casket of slain Al Jazeera veteran journalist Shireen Abu Akleh during her funeral in Jerusalem's Old City, Friday, May 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)

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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 Diaspora Affairs correspondent Judah Ari Gross join host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

We begin with a briefing on the tragic death of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, 51, who was shot in the head during clashes between Israeli troops and Palestinian gunmen while covering an Israeli army operation in the West Bank city of Jenin on Wednesday.

Yesterday was an action-packed day in the Knesset. Let's hear what did -- and didn't -- happen.

Ari Gross describes take-aways from a new survey out of the Jewish People Policy Institute that shows deepening entrenchment of attitudes among different segments of Israeli society.

And finally, we hear about a kerfuffle between the Jewish Agency, the World Zionist Organization and Women of the Wall.

Discussed articles include:

Palestinians refuse joint Israeli probe into reporter’s death; won’t transfer bullet

Likud pulls bill to dissolve Knesset after Ra’am gives coalition another chance

Poll: In Israel, right-wing Jews now less likely to see shared future with Arabs

Jewish Agency pans violence against Women of the Wall at event its own chief backed

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 reporter Nathan Jeffay and environment reporter Sue Surkes join host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

A state comptroller’s report released yesterday found that “around 89% of ecosystems in Israel have declined in terms of biodiversity.” The report also talks about the spread of invasive species. What else does the report say?

Masks came off in Israel about three weeks ago. What are we seeing in terms of new Covid infections? Here in Israel, we are able to get a fourth coronavirus vaccine, but that’s hardly the case world-wide. A new study underlines the urgency of rolling out a third vaccine dose.

Next, we hear about how the human brain appears programmed to overestimate the size of minority groups around it, potentially fueling prejudice.

Surkes tells us about the upcoming November environmental awareness relay, "Running out of Time."

Discussed articles include:

Israeli study shows importance of COVID boosters, lacking in much of the world

Prejudice psychology? Israeli study finds brain inflates numbers in minority groups

Israel to take part in world’s longest non-stop relay to highlight climate change

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

Illustrative image: A small green sea turtle makes his way through the sand towards the sea after hatching from a nest, at Palmachim Beach on August 17, 2020. (Mila Aviv/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 Palestinian Affairs correspondent Aaron Boxerman join host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

There was an action-packed Knesset session yesterday in which the coalition fought off two votes of no-confidence, with a little help from — not Ra’am, which is still in the midst of a three-week freeze from voting with the coalition — but its "friends" in the six-member Arab Joint List party. What’s going on here?

Jordanian King Hussein is set to meet with US President Joe Biden at the White House. Among the topics up for discussion is a demand from Jordan that it be allowed to increase the staff of the Waqf, which is responsible for day-to-day administration of the Temple Mount.

Last week we began hearing reports that Israel is planning to green light some 4,000 new units in Jewish settlements in the West Bank. Additionally, it will legalize some already built neighborhoods and settlements. Predictably, the US opposed, saying it would harm the path towards a two-state solution. How does this affect the US-PA relationship?

Yesterday, Judge Khaled Kabub became the first Muslim appointed to Israel’s Supreme Court. The 64-year-old Kabub, who until now served as vice president of the Tel Aviv District Court, will take the place of retiring justice Neal Hendel. Who is he?

Discussed articles include:

Coalition fends off no-confidence challenges as Knesset gets back to work

Jordanian king expected to meet Biden at White House amid Temple Mount tensions

Israel to agree to Jordanian request to expand Waqf staff on Temple Mount – report

US slams slated settlement approvals: ‘Deeply damages prospect for 2 state solution’

Israel set to advance 4,000 settlement homes, testing US opposition

Khaled Kabub sworn in as Israeli Supreme Court’s first Muslim justice

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

IMAGE: Ahmad Tibi and Ayman Odeh of the Arab Joint List during a plenum session in the assembly hall of the Israeli parliament, in Jerusalem, on July 6, 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.

Political correspondent Tal Schneider and diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman join host Jessica Steinberg for today's podcast.

Schneider offers a look at the expected atmosphere in the Knesset Monday as the politicians return for the summer session, with a coalition crisis and opposition party Likud talking about a no-confidence vote in the current government.

Berman discusses Victory Day for Russia, as Putin considers his possibilities in his beleaguered invasion of Ukraine. He also talks about the removal of Russian mercenaries from Syria, and whether that poses any kind of threat for Israel.

Steinberg talks about the ongoing efforts of kosher supervisory alternatives in Israel, as a new Jerusalem restaurant abruptly switched from the Tzohar kosher supervision to a non-kosher status.

Discussed articles include:

Knesset reopens with coalition teetering, opposition seeking to bring down gov’t

Russia said to pull troops from Syria to bolster forces in Ukraine

Jerusalem cocktail bar drops kosher certification in bid for broader clientele

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 leads a cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem on May 8, 2022 (Courtesy Olivier Fitoussi/Flash 90)

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