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.

Senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur, Tech Israel editor Ricky Ben David and diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman join host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

Top diplomats from the United States, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco and Egypt are in Israel for a groundbreaking summit in Sde Boker, the final home and resting place of Israeli founding father David Ben-Gurion. Berman explains who is here and what is on the agenda for this “Negev Summit.”

Ben David fills us in on disinformation campaigns going on from both sides during the Ukraine War. What is she seeing?

Rettig Gur discusses his upcoming piece on Palestinian hopes of a BDS mobilization against Israel in light of the western world’s united front against Russia. Is the Ukraine War giving it a boost?

And finally, an update from Ben David on food tech. When will alt-meats be affordable and hit Israelis' tables?

Discussed articles include:

Lapid’s flagship Negev Summit sets sail on a sea of regional fears

Lapid and Blinken to meet in Jerusalem, then head south for ‘Negev Summit’

Israel’s alternative protein market up 450% in 2021, says report

Israeli food tech startup pulls in over $12m for 3D-printed plant-based fish

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

This Times of Israel podcast is sponsored by Thirty-Six, in which host Justin Hayet scours Israel to find the 36 most wonderful, interesting people doing the most wonderful, interesting things. Subscribe to Thirty-Six on your favorite podcast platform.

Image: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Israel's Foreign Minister Yair Lapid arrive to attend a news conference, Sunday, March 27, 2022, at Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, 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.

Arab Affairs correspondent Aaron Boxerman and Religion and Diaspora Affairs correspondent Judah Ari Gross join host Jessica Steinberg.

Boxerman discusses why the majority of Arab Israeli lawmakers skipped Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s speech to the Knesset Sunday night, in line with their general silence about the Russian war on Ukraine.

Gross looks at the huge uptick in Ukrainian immigration to Israel and what processing thousands of new immigrants means for Israel's Jewish Agency, tasked with much of the process of absorbing new Israelis into the country.

Boxerman speaks about his investigation into the shooting of 19-year-old Palestinian Ammar Abu Afifa, who was killed on March 2 by IDF soldiers in a questionable incident. 

Gross talks about Yom HaAguna, the annual day denoted by Israel for women whose husbands refuse to grant them a get, a religious divorce, and his interview with a woman whose former husband finally granted her one.

Discussed articles include:

Arab Israeli MKs skip Zelensky’s Knesset speech: ‘NATO imposed this war’

Jewish Agency to ramp up immigration flights from Ukraine to tackle refugee crisis

Israeli troops shot dead a Palestinian teen. The army hasn’t said what he did wrong

After 5 years as a ‘chained woman,’ Esty got her freedom this summer

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

This Times of Israel podcast is sponsored by Thirty-Six, in which host Justin Hayet scours Israel to find the 36 most wonderful, interesting people doing the most wonderful, interesting things. Subscribe to Thirty-Six on your favorite podcast platform.

IMAGE: The new aid center for Ukrainian citizens who have found refuge in Israel, in Kiryat Ono, on March 21, 2022 in Kiryat Ono. (Courtesy 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.

Military reporter Emanuel Fabian and health reporter Nathan Jeffay join host Amanda Borschel-Dan. Political correspondent Carrie Keller-Lynn reports in from Lviv.

We begin with Fabian's updates on the tragic terror attack, in which an Israeli Arab killed four and wounded two others. It is the deadliest attack on Israeli civilians since June 2016. What do we know about the attacker?

Keller-Lynn gives her final report from Lviv as she begins to make her way back home to Israel. We hear an interview she conducted with Dr. Adam Goldstein yesterday from the Israeli field hospital an hour and a half outside of Lviv.

Jeffay breaks down the reported increase of coronavirus cases in Israel. Can we see a roll-back of restrictions' roll-back ahead of Passover?

We hear about sobering research about a sharp decline in teens' mental health during the ongoing pandemic. What does this mean?

Discussed articles include:

4 killed, 2 wounded in stabbing attack at Beersheba mall; terrorist shot dead

Assailant in deadly Beersheba attack was terror convict who backed Islamic State

Terrorist was called a ‘ticking bomb’ in the past, was sentenced to 4 years

Israel’s field hospital in Ukraine welcomes first patients as air raid sirens wail

Big data shows mental health issues spiked during pandemic among teen girls

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

This Times of Israel podcast is sponsored by Thirty-Six, in which host Justin Hayet scours Israel to find the 36 most wonderful, interesting people doing the most wonderful, interesting things. Subscribe to Thirty-Six on your favorite podcast platform.

Image: The scene of a deadly terror attack outside the BIG shopping center in Beersheba, southern Israel, on March 22, 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.

US correspondent Jacob Magid and political reporter Tal Schneider join host Jessica Steinberg.

Schneider discusses what was probably discussed at Monday's trilateral summit of Prime Minister Naftali Bennett with Egyptian and Emirati leaders.

Magid looks at the US stance on the Iran deal and how that affects its relationship with Israel.

Magid and Schneider also discuss pro-Israel lobby AIPAC and its defense of its recent endorsement of Republican politicians who questioned the 2020 presidential election.

Finally, Magid talks about US envoy Tom Nides and his comments about improving 4G networks for Palestinians, part of his overall plans for the Palestinian economy.

Discussed articles include:

Bennett in Egypt for first-ever trilateral summit with Sissi and UAE crown prince

US ready to make ‘tough decisions’ to revive Iran nuclear deal, official says

AIPAC defends endorsement of Republicans who questioned 2020 election

US envoy looks to bolster West Bank economy with 4G service, tech offerings

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

 IMAGE: Prime Minister Naftali Bennett arrives to a cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's office in Jerusalem on March 20, 2022. (Marc Israel Sellem/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.

Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman and environment reporter Sue Surkes -- who just returned from a whirlwind trip to Moldova -- joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan. Ops and blogs editor Miriam Herschlag reports in from Tel Aviv's Habima Square.

We begin by discussing Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky's controversial speech Sunday evening to Israeli Members of Knesset that was broadcast throughout the country and live in Tel Aviv's Habima Square.

Herschlag was on-scene in Tel Aviv and brings us brief conversations with Ukrainian nationals Ludmilla and Liza. We also hear a spontaneous public singing of a nationalistic folk song.

Berman explains what hypersonic missiles are and what aid Zelensky could potentially see from Israel -- and what he won't.

Surkes has just returned from Moldova. She describes the immense aid efforts she witnessed there -- including from Tami Jeffay, the wife of our health reporter Nathan Jeffay. Hear what this ninja mother is up to now.

Discussed articles include:

Full text: Ukraine President Zelensky’s speech to Israeli lawmakers

Zelensky changes tack after caustic speech, says ‘grateful’ for Bennett’s mediation

As Zelensky prods Israel for aid, ‘Glory to Ukraine’ rings out at Tel Aviv square

Israeli medical clowns bring smiles, relieve stress for Ukraine refugees in Moldova

Ninja mom jets solo to Moldova to help Ukrainian refugees

At Ben Gurion Airport, Israeli soldiers process incoming Ukrainian refugees

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

This Times of Israel podcast is sponsored by Thirty-Six, in which host Justin Hayet scours Israel to find the 36 most wonderful, interesting people doing the most wonderful, interesting things. Subscribe to Thirty-Six on your favorite podcast platform.

Image: Demonstrators gather at Habima Square in Tel Aviv on March 20, 2022, to watch a televised video address by Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky. (Jack Guez/ AFP)

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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 from Jerusalem and political correspondent Carrie Keller-Lynn from Lviv, Ukraine, join host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

Keller-Lynn reports in after a weekend of escalation in the western Ukraine city of Lviv. She describes the more sober mood of the city since rockets landed on Friday.

It was the Jewish holiday of Purim on Wednesday night and Thursday. Keller-Lynn tells us about attending a unique reading of the Book of Esther in the ruins of a historic synagogue.

Keller-Lynn also visited the site of the Israeli field hospital, which is set to open on Tuesday. After all the hype, what are some of the disadvantages of its location?

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to give a speech later this afternoon to members of Knesset, which is being live-streamed in Tel Aviv. Horovitz give us a little background on the controversies surrounding it.

Horovitz explains his motivations behind his recent oped, "Being a good Jew is meant to be the same as being a good person."

And finally, Israel jumped to 9th place in the United Nation's World Happiness index, its highest-ever ranking. Just what makes Israelis so darn happy?

Discussed articles include:

A day after Russia strikes Lviv, residents find shelter in a political taproom

The Book of Esther is read, against the odds, in the ruins of oldest Lviv synagogue

Israeli flag raised at field hospital in Ukraine as gear, teams begin to arrive

Zelensky speech to Knesset to be live-streamed on TV and in central Tel Aviv square

Russia said to warn Israel not to be ‘unbalanced’ ahead of Zelensky Knesset speech

Being a good Jew is meant to be the same as being a good person

Israel jumps to 9th in World Happiness index, its highest-ever ranking

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

This Times of Israel podcast is sponsored by Thirty-Six, in which host Justin Hayet scours Israel to find the 36 most wonderful, interesting people doing the most wonderful, interesting things. Subscribe to Thirty-Six on your favorite podcast platform.

Image: Meylakh Sheykhet, lay leader of the Turei Zehav community, Lviv, Ukraine, March 16, 2022. (Carrie Keller-Lynn/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.

For Purim, The Times of Israel reporters' children ask diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman some of their burning questions about the Ukraine war, along with host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

First, in the spirit of Purim, we discuss a couple of “good news” items. Berman begins with efforts to rescue refugees’ pets that he encountered recently during his weeks in Lviv.

[caption id="attachment_2725647" align="alignnone" width="600"] A Ukrainian girl and her cat wait at the platform inside Lviv railway station, February 27, 2022, in Lviv, west Ukraine. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)[/caption]

Borschel-Dan brings a grassroots fundraising effort from international musicians called Violinists Support Ukraine. Illia Bondarenko begins the viral video from a basement shelter in Kyiv, playing his arrangement of the Ukrainian folk song “The Willow Board.” We hear a short clip.

Finally, we hear from 11-year-old Shai, son of senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur; 9-year-old Libby, the daughter of news editor Naomi Lanzkron; Elinor (6) and Lielle (8), daughters of Tech Israel editor Ricky Ben-David; and Ayyala (11) and Elad (9), Borschel-Dan's children.

Discussed articles include:

94 violinists from 25 countries form chorus in support of Ukraine

VIDEO: Violinists Across the World Play for Ukraine

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

This Times of Israel podcast is sponsored by Thirty-Six, in which host Justin Hayet scours Israel to find the 36 most wonderful, interesting people doing the most wonderful, interesting things. Subscribe to Thirty-Six on your favorite podcast platform.

IMAGE: School kids dressed up in costumes arrive to their school ahead of the the Jewish holiday of Purim, at the Gabrieli Carmel School in Tel Aviv, March 15, 2022. (Avshalom Sassoni/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 Health Reporter Nathan Jeffay join host Amanda Borschel-Dan. Carrie Keller-Lynn gives a special report from Lviv, Ukraine.

Some 35 Russian oligarchs have taken out Israeli citizenship or residency, but finding their assets can be like opening up a stack of babushka dolls. Starting with Roman Abramovich, whose movements have been the fodder for headlines this week, Ben-David breaks down the main issues.

We hear a brief update us on the newest coronavirus variant, Deltacron. What is unique about it?

Next, we turn to the the recent small polio outbreak. So far only three cases have been identified, but the ripple effects could be much broader. Jeffay explains why.

And finally, Jeffay discusses a recent government campaign to stop cigarettes-for-kids on Purim among Haredim. Say what?

Discussed articles include:

Live blog, March 16, 2022

Mission possible for Israel’s relocated Ukraine embassy, despite car crash, COVID

Israel’s last three emissaries in Ukraine rush to grant immigration visas

Not much use to Putin anymore, ‘toxic’ oligarchs in Israel come under scrutiny

New combo COVID strain Deltacron detected in Israel, report says

Expert warns polio’s return could shatter Israel’s public health image, hurt tourism

Cigarettes-for-kids Purim habit among Haredim must stop, pleads government campaign

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

This Times of Israel podcast is sponsored by Thirty-Six, in which host Justin Hayet scours Israel to find the 36 most wonderful, interesting people doing the most wonderful, interesting things. Subscribe to Thirty-Six on your favorite podcast platform.

IMAGE: People who fled the war in Ukraine rest inside an indoor sports stadium being used as a refugee center, in the village of Medyka, a border crossing between Poland and Ukraine, on March 15, 2022.(AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

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

Schneider update us on Israel’s shuttle diplomacy after yesterday Prime Minister Naftali Bennett held back-to-back phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Next, Israel has been working on putting up a field hospital along Ukraine’s border, but it has hit some snags. What is going on?

Gross explains how Israel is stepping up for the potential influx of tens of thousands of new immigrants. How is Israel changing its policy to accommodate more potential immigrants, faster?

Relatedly, we hear about next-level concerns regarding refugees, now that Israel is opening the doors to increasing numbers. Also, how the Minister of Immigration and Absorption responded to the easing of Ukrainians' paths to Israel.

And finally, Schneider brings us the tale of Rabbi Marc Schneier, an influential and controversial rabbi to American celebrities and Gulf sheikhs alike, and his role in bringing Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan together. And we should note, it’s been confirmed.

Discussed articles include:

Live blog March 15, 2022

Bennett holds back-to-back phone calls with Putin, Zelensky on ceasefire efforts

Israel rolls out plan to help incoming waves of new immigrants

Israel to significantly shorten entry process for would-be immigrants from Ukraine

Hundreds of new immigrants from Ukraine arrive Sunday in largest one-day airlift

Behind Israel’s rekindled flame with Turkey, a rabbi with a penchant for matchmaking

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

This Times of Israel podcast is sponsored by Thirty-Six, in which host Justin Hayet scours Israel to find the 36 most wonderful, interesting people doing the most wonderful, interesting things. Subscribe to Thirty-Six on your favorite podcast platform.

IMAGE: Israeli Ministry of Aliyah and Absorption arrives for a cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, March 14, 2022. (Jack Guez/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.

News editor Amy Spiro and Palestinian affairs correspondent Aaron Boxerman join host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

Spiro delves into the grassroots criticism of Israel’s refugee policies and what is happening now.

She recently published an in-depth report on the struggle for many in Israel who brush up against the chief rabbinate in issues of marriage and divorce. What will happen when those Ukrainians of Jewish descent -- those who have one or more Jewish grandparents -- who decide to immigrate will attempt to get married in Israel?

Boxerman updates on what happened late last week with the controversial Citizenship Law.

He then breaks down the very strange saga of journalist Catherine Perez-Shakdam. Who is she and why has she recently made headlines?

The winter Paralympics just wrapped up. We hear about Sheina Vaspi, Team Israel’s sole contender.

Discussed articles include:

Live blog March 14, 2022

Facing blistering criticism, Israel eases limit on entry of Ukrainian refugees

Ties that chafe: Israel’s stagnant marital system leaves thousands trapped

After coalition battle, Knesset reauthorizes ban on Palestinian family unification

I’m no Mossad spy, says Jewish journalist who interviewed Raisi, worked for Iran TV

Israel’s first-ever Winter Paralympian hits the slopes at Beijing Games

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

This Times of Israel podcast is sponsored by Thirty-Six, in which host Justin Hayet scours Israel to find the 36 most wonderful, interesting people doing the most wonderful, interesting things. Subscribe to Thirty-Six on your favorite podcast platform.

IMAGE: An ultra-Orthodox Jewish man wrapped in Ukrainian and Israeli national flags prays at the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray in Jerusalem's Old City, March 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)

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