The Times of Israel Daily Briefing

Welcome to Times Will Tell, the weekly podcast from The Times of Israel.

This week, we're speaking to Danna Stern, the managing director of Yes Studios.

This is the studio that brought us "Fauda" and "Shtisel," "On the Spectrum" and "Your Honor," and many hours of viewing pleasure in this new era of streaming platforms and often shorter, sharper series.

We discuss what makes a successful Israeli show and when it can be 'translated' into success abroad, such as Kan 11's grocery store mockumentary "Checkout," being distributed by Yes.

Stern feels that Netflix's recently canceled "Hit and Run," from the "Fauda" team, can be considered a success, given the parameters that brought it about, and waxes poetic over her own recent viewing favorites, "Squid Game" and Apple TV's "Ted Lasso."

IMAGE: Yes Studios' Danna Stern (right), with Niv Majar (middle) and Naomi Levov of 'On the Spectrum,' during a 2019 awards ceremony in Monte Carlo (Courtesy Yes Studios)

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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 US correspondent Jacob Magid join host Jessica Steinberg.

Magid first discusses his interview with Diaspora Minister Nachman Shai, which included how to engage with young American Jews using social media and their interest in Israel and the Palestinians.

Magid also expounded on his recent interview with Transportation Minister Merav Michaeli, her emphasis on her role in the left Labor Party and her plans to only approve West Bank infrastructure projects that maintain prospect for future solutions with Palestinians.

Ben-David explains what's happening with the so-called Facebook Bill that has opened the door for government censorship, with questions now being asked about freedom of speech.

She also reports on the entry of private label drugmaker Teva which is developing pharmaceutical, therapeutic oils with cannabis grown in Israel, that would be distributed in Israel, the Palestinian Authority and Ukraine.

Discussed articles include:

Diaspora minister: To engage with young US Jews, we must advance Palestinian issue

Allied with the right, Labor’s Michaeli insists she’s keeping peace hopes alive

Proposed online censorship bill more intrusive than in any other democracy — expert

Teva makes first foray into medical cannabis sector, with new distribution deal

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IMAGE: Potted medical-grade cannabis plants growing in Israel. (Courtesy Israeli Medical Cannabis Agency)

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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 Hebrew sister site Zman Yisrael editor Biranit Goren join host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's episode.

Defense Minister Benny Gantz hosted Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas at his home in Rosh Ha’ayin on Tuesday night. It marked the first time the Palestinian leader held talks with a senior Israeli official in Israel since 2010.

Boxerman delves into what was the impetus behind the surprise meeting while Goren discusses its Israeli political blowback. We also hear how the Palestinian Authority views the event, within the context of Abbas's approval ratings.

Next, we discuss the Hebrew word of the year -- tirlul or "lunacy." Thousands of Israelis voted on 10 offerings from the Academy of the Hebrew Language in honor of the annual Hebrew Day last week. What else almost made the cut?

Discussed articles include:

Gantz hosts Abbas at his home, in PA leader’s first meeting in Israel in a decade

Gantz’s right-wing coalition partners assail him for hosting PA chief Abbas

Gantz announces series of gestures to Palestinians after meeting Abbas 

Academy of the Hebrew Language picks ‘lunacy’ as its word of 2021

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IMAGE -- From top: Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File) Bottom: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool, 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.

Military correspondent Judah Ari Gross and our New York-based film and culture reporter Jordan Hoffman join host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's podcast.

Israelis awoke to news reports this morning that Israeli warplanes fired a number of missiles at the port of the coastal city of Latakia, causing large explosions and fires, in the second alleged Israeli strike in a month on the key facility. Gross explains why this is significant, gives some reasons why the strike occurred now, and gives insight into the tactics the IDF reportedly used.

Next, we hear from Hoffman who gives readers his take on 20201's top five moments of Jewish entertainment -- plus one.

No spoilers, but among other films we discuss "Licorice Pizza," "West Side Story," and "Shiva Baby," plus his mystery television program.

Discussed articles include:

Israel said to strike key Syrian port of Latakia, causing ‘massive’ damage

Director Eric Steel on Jewish-LGBTQ film ‘Minyan,’ one of this year’s top 10

The next great ‘Jewish movie’ was just made by a 24-year-old female director

Spielberg’s beautifully choreographed ‘West Side Story’ update hits every note

Alana Haim is true to life in coming-of-age flick ‘Licorice Pizza,’ set in 1970s LA

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IMAGE: In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, firefighters work at the scene of a missile attack, at the seaport of the coastal city of Latakia, Syria, Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021. (SANA 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 reporter Sue Surkes and health and science writer Nathan Jeffay join host Jessica Steinberg on today's podcast.

Jeffay discusses current reports that Omicron will become the dominant strain of COVID in Israel within one to two weeks, with rampant quarantining. He also expands on a recent article, summing up what's known so far about the new variant and COVID.

Surkes looks at how the bird flu reached Israel and how its affecting local poultry farms and wild birds in the Hula Lake, along with recommendations about where to buy eggs and poultry.

Surkes offers some updates about progress in the government regarding climate change legislation, along with a victory from green groups to limit the oil deal that had been signed between a state company and an Israeli-United Arab Emirates business consortium.

Discussed articles include:

Transmission rate highest since July; positive COVID tests top 2% as Omicron spreads

Rising cases, empty wards: Israel’s COVID situation explained in six graphs

5,000 dead cranes counted at Hula Lake reserve amidst bird flu outbreak

Hundreds of thousands of chickens to be culled as bird flu spreads; egg shortage due

Coalition MKs to push climate law within weeks to force PM’s hand

Green groups claim victory, withdraw court petition against Eilat oil deal

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IMAGE: Health care workers take test samples of Israelis in a drive through complex to check if they have been infected with COVID-19, in Modi'in, on December 26, 2021. (Yossi Aloni/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 culture editor Jessica Steinberg join host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's podcast.

Schneider discusses the latest in the Benjamin Netanyahu corruption trial, including whether the former prime minister will testify on the stand, even though he does not have to, according to Israeli law.

Schneider looks at recent statements made by Ra'am party leader Mansour Abbas regarding the Jewish nature of Israel, and why he made those comments now.

She also reports on the state secrets allegedly revealed by former ex-Mossad chief Yossi Cohen to his former lover and her now ex-husband, which were then revealed to the media.

Steinberg discusses the new Maggie Gyllenhaal-directed film based on an Elena Ferrante novel and produced by the Israeli Pie Films team.

She also talks about the new Gordon Gallery branch in Jerusalem's Givat Shaul neighborhood, better known for its ultra-Orthodox residents and big box stores.

Discussed articles include:

Netanyahu will likely testify in trial if no plea bargain reached, report says

Arabs should move past contesting Israel’s Jewish identity, Ra’am chief Abbas says

Report: Ex-Mossad chief had affair, shared state secrets with woman and her husband

Israeli producers put passion into movie version of Ferrante’s ‘The Lost Daughter’

Tel Aviv’s Gordon Gallery brings contemporary art to an unlikely corner of Jerusalem

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IMAGE: Opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu during a Likud party meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem on December 13, 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.

Reporter Amy Spiro and senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur join host Jessica Steinberg on today's podcast.

Spiro and Rettig Gur discuss Spiro's recent piece about the nature of Israeli celebrity as portrayed by local reality TV shows — where well-known political and news figures often appear on these shows. Do they do it for the name recognition, a way to let off steam? Or are there just not enough recognizable faces in this small country, forcing producers to include socialist politicians, economic commentators and COVID-19 experts on a recent season of "The Masked Singer."

Rettig Gur also gives us a heads up regarding his upcoming piece on the Webb telescope, launching this weekend, and the American Jew and onetime Israeli who helped launch the program at NASA.

Discussed articles include:

‘The Masked Singer’ and the curious nature of celebrity in Israel

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IMAGE: Former MK Stav Shaffir on 'The Masked Singer' (Courtesy The Masked Singer Facebook page)

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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 Raoul Wootliff on today's podcast.

We start today's show with a look at the current visit to Israel of US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and assess Israeli influence over the Iranian nuclear talks in Vienna.

We try to understand the US decision to shelve plans to reopen the US consulate in Jerusalem serving Palestinians.

We hear about Shas leader Aryeh Deri's reported plea deal which would see him admit to various tax offenses but be able to remain in Israeli politics.

And finally, we look at the criticism of former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu for releasing an attack video against the new government -- in English.

Discussed articles include:

US national security adviser set to arrive in Israel for talks on Iran

US holding off on reopening Jerusalem consulate amid strong pushback from Israel

Deri said set to sign plea, quitting Knesset for second time over corruption charges

Coalition flogs Netanyahu over English-language attack ad

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PHOTO: Prime Minister Naftali Bennett speaks as he meets with US President Joe Biden in the Oval Office of the White House, on Friday, August 27, 2021, in Washington, DC. (GPO)

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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 reporter Sue Surkes and Arab Affairs correspondent Aaron Boxerman join host Jessica Steinberg.

Surkes discusses topics and technologies covered during last week's renewable energy conference in Eilat, including one exciting possibility for storing renewable energy.

Boxerman offers a glimpse at what’s happening with the Omicron variant in Gaza and the West Bank, especially in Gaza where vaccination incentives have helped, but where more than half of the population is not yet vaccinated.

Boxerman also talks about the recent spate of stabbings carried out by Palestinians against Israelis, discussing whether this constitutes a wave or individual incidents.

Finally, Surkes discusses industry complaints at the energy conference, as businesses and companies feel Israel's pace is too slow for introducing new technologies, as well as advances with hydrogen.

Discussed articles include:

At green energy confab, industry doubts Israel will reach renewable targets

Prison guard stabbed by Palestinian inmate, lightly hurt

Palestinian arrested over suspected stabbing attempt near Jerusalem’s Old City

‘Gas can wait,’ says energy minister, rejecting panel’s call for further exploration

IEC inks $8 million deal with company that uses air, water to store energy

Energy Ministry budgets NIS 100 million to advance hydrogen tech

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IMAGE: Energy Minister Karine Elharrar (center) visits the Augwind site at Kibbutz Yahel in southern Israel on December 15, 2021. To the right: Dr Or Yogev, Augwind's founder and CEO. To the right, Augwind chairman Gabi Seligsohn. (Lovan Studio)

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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.

Today's guests are founding editor David Horovitz and health and science correspondent Nathan Jeffay hosted by Jessica Steinberg.

Jeffay discusses his recent op-ed about the need to view the current threat of the Omicron threat more responsibly, and to recognize Israel's still significant vaccination achievements.

Horovitz speaks about the recent call from Christian leaders in the Holy Land who have warned that their communities are under threat of being driven from the region by extremist Israeli radical groups.

Jeffay talks about research advances by Israeli scientists regarding autistic mice becoming more sociable when given cannabis products.

Horovitz close up the podcast with a quick report about Israeli swimmer Anastasia Gorbenko who won two golds in the World Swimming Championships in Abu Dhabi, where Israeli anthem Hatikva was played.

Discussed articles include:

Vaccine grinches are wrong — Israel is still a paragon of immunization excellence

Jerusalem church leaders: ‘Radical’ Israeli groups driving Christians from Holy Land

Israeli study gives encouragement, and guidance, to cannabis-for-autism efforts

Israel’s Gorbenko wins astounding 2nd gold at World Swimming Championships

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IMAGE: A child is vaccinated against the coronavirus at an elementary school in Tzur Hadassah, December 19, 2021 (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

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