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.

Today’s panel comprises editor David Horovitz and senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur, along with host Raoul Wootliff.

On today's show, after a week of fighting between Israel and the Hamas terror group in Gaza, we look at the current state of play and the latest developments in Israel's military operation and the attacks on Israeli cities.

What are the goals of either side? What has been achieved so far? Is a ceasefire looming or not? We break down what the players want, and what they are willing to do to get it.

In one of the most controversial incidents of recent days, an Israeli airstrike flattened a tower in Gaza City that housed offices of The Associated Press, Al Jazeera and other media outlets on Saturday afternoon. Why is Israel claiming it was a legitimate military target? And what can it do to persuade the world of that?

And finally, we look at the US administration's role in claiming the conflict and ask whether President Joe Biden has been missing in action.

Discussed articles include:

Heavy rocket fire hits center, south; Hamas leader’s home targeted in IAF strike

While Israel makes tactical gains, Hamas is proving the strategic victor

While all eyes are on Gaza, Gaza is only half the story

‘No ceasefire yet’: Israel said to want IDF to complete ‘missions’ against Hamas

IDF fells Gaza tower used by media outlets, says it housed Hamas military assets

IDF spokesman denies deliberately misleading press on nonexistent Gaza invasion

Netanyahu assures Biden that Israel is seeking to limit Gaza civilian casualties

In their first phone call, Abbas urges Biden to intervene, stop Israeli attacks

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PHOTO: Fire and smoke rises from the Jala Tower as it is destroyed in an Israeli airstrike after the IDF warned the occupants to leave, Gaza City, May 15, 2021 (MAHMUD HAMS / 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.

Today’s panel comprises editor David Horovitz and ToI Hebrew sister site Zman Yisrael editor Biranit Goren, along with host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

To begin today’s program, Goren briefly describes what the past few nights has been like for residents of Tel Aviv.

Wednesday marked one of the most violent nights of internal Jewish-Arab chaos in years as mob attacks spread across the country, from Haifa to Tiberias and Bat Yam to Lod. A horrific mob of extremist Jews was caught on film attacking a young Arab man and beating him senseless in Bat Yam. Defense Minister Benny Gantz calls this “as dangerous as Hamas.” We speak about why it may be even worse for the fabric of Israeli society.

There was condemnation for the past few days’ mob violence from all sides of the political echelon. We ask, however, where are the political boots on the ground? How is Israel’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as the country stands on the precipice of civil war?

Discussed articles include:

Jewish-Arab violence rolls through cities like wildfire, with police overwhelmed

Jewish mob’s vicious attack on presumed Arab in Bat Yam caught live on Israel TV

From far-right to Islamist parties, leaders condemn Jewish-Arab violence

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PHOTO: A fire burns in the central Israeli city of Lod, where synagogues and cars were torched as well as shops damaged by Arab-Israeli riots, May 12, 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.

Today’s panel comprises Palestinian affairs correspondent Aaron Boxerman and senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur, along with host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

Late Tuesday night, head of the Hamas Ismail Haniyeh declared a victory in the battle for Jerusalem, saying that Jerusalem is the axis of the conflict. But is this current flare-up, which has seen over 1,000 rockets and mortars shot from the Gaza Strip, really about the holy city?

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared a state of emergency in the Jewish-Arab city of Lod following violence and rioting, including arson that destroyed a synagogue. Mayor Yair Revivo has compared the recent events to the 1938 Kristallnacht, saying this is an intifada of Arab-Israelis.

The much-awaited Pew Report on American Jewry came out amid the ongoing conflict. We start analyzing the 250-page survey and give a few highlights.

For more on the ongoing conflict please join the Times of Israel Community for a special live session tonight: Israel under fire: Join ToI Community for live Q&A with our senior editors.

Discussed articles include:

Hamas hails ‘victory in battle for Jerusalem’ after onslaught on central Israel

In Jerusalem crisis, Hamas sees opportunity to retake center stage

Overnight barrages kill father and daughter in Lod, woman in Rishon Lezion

‘Kristallnacht in Lod’: State of emergency as Arab mobs set synagogues on fire

10 key takeaways from the new Pew survey of American Jews

There are more American Jews – and they’re staying Jewish

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PHOTO: A car set on fire by Arab Israeli residents during riots and clashes with Jewish residents in the central Israeli town of Lod, on December 11, 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.

Today’s panel comprises military correspondent Judah Ari Gross and US correspondent Jacob Magid, along with host Raoul Wootliff.

Amid rocket fire from Gaza toward Israeli cities, today's show looks at the escalation in the south and other incidents across Israel currently shaking the country.

Hundreds of rockets have been fired Hamas, eliciting an Israeli response that has seen multiple terror targets hit by airstrikes in the Gaza Strip. What is the state of play at the moment? Where are things headed?

And with the renewed violence also eliciting multiple international reactions, we assess the US response and its efforts to tone down a UN Security Council statement condemning both sides for the situation.

Discussed articles include:

Gaza terrorists hundreds of rockets at Israel; IDF pummels Hamas, Islamic Jihad

Gaza terrorists fire barrages at Jerusalem, southern Israel, raising fear of war

Netanyahu vows Hamas will pay ‘heavy price’ for firing rockets at Jerusalem

IDF sends reinforcements to Gaza border as Hamas issues ultimatum on Jerusalem

UN Security Council statement on Jerusalem held up by US

Israel pushes back against US ‘concern’ over Jerusalem violence

International condemnation of Israel grows over Jerusalem violence, evictions

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PHOTO: Rockets fired toward Israel from Gaza are intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome on May 10, 2021. (MAHMUD HAMS / 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.

Today’s panel comprises senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur and health and science reporter Nathan Jeffay, along with host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

A seething capital is marking Jerusalem Day, the day which “unified” east and west Jerusalem during the 1967 Six Day War. Due to the continuing clashes and rioting on al-Aqsa/Temple Mount, no Jews are permitted to visit the site today. Thousands of police are in the Old City and three extra battalions were deployed to the West Bank on this increasingly hot-button day.

Israeli doctors are on strike today over the potential firing of some 600 MDs who were employed during the coronavirus pandemic. Jeffay explains why the union heads believe this would be a tragic mistake.

What is happening with the next unity government? Rettig Gur shares why time is of the essence and why an agreement could be signed immediately — or pushed off to next week, or never.

Jeffay ends our program with a new brilliant, itsy bitsy molecular tweezer which may soon allow doctors to beat bacteria, without antibiotics.

Discussed articles include:

Major clashes at Temple Mount as police close site to Jews on Jerusalem Day

IDF sends 3 more battalions to West Bank in bid to curb violence

3 rockets fired from Gaza in early morning attack, at least 1 intercepted

Doctors strike Monday, say government neglecting health now that COVID is beaten

Active COVID cases in Israel fall below 1,000 for 1st time since March 2020

Lapid, Bennett know they must form a government quickly – or not at all

2 Haredi MKs call on Netanyahu to step aside to avert Bennett-Lapid government

Israeli scientists develop tiny swallowable ‘tweezers’ for use against bacteria

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PHOTO: Palestinians clash with Israeli security forces at al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem's Old City, May 10, 2021. (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.

Today’s panel comprises editor David Horovitz and Palestinian affairs reporter Aaron Boxerman, along with host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

Jerusalem has so far experienced two consecutive nights of rioting on the al-Aqsa/Temple Mount compound. Boxerman rewinds time to fill in gaps and contextualize the strife in the holy site. As protests and rage spread, are we headed for another intifada? 

Israel's new Gulf State partners have condemned the Israeli police's measures in attempting to quell the unrest. Why is this significant?

In the political arena, efforts are full steam ahead to forge a unity government led by Yamina head Naftali Bennett and Yesh Atid head Yair Lapid. But it's not without its hiccups. 

Discussed articles include:

Jerusalem’s on fire, and it’s poised to spread in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank

90 Palestinians hurt in Jerusalem clashes; IDF strikes Gaza after rocket fired

Israel fears further escalation within days; Fatah warns of ‘all-out conflict’

UAE, Bahrain pan Israel’s ‘storming’ of Al-Aqsa, amid international condemnation

Lapid, Bennett know they must form a government quickly – or not at all

‘Change bloc’ seeking to swear in new government as early as Tuesday

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IMAGE: People hold Hamas flags as Palestinians gather at the Dome of the Rock after praying on the last Friday of Ramadan, to protest over the possible eviction of several Palestinian families from homes on land claimed by Jews in the east Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah, May 7, 2021. (Jamal Awad/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.

Today’s panel comprises political reporter Tal Schneider and diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman, along with host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

On Wednesday, President Reuven Rivlin tapped Yesh Atid head Yair Lapid to attempt to forge a new coalition. Can the former opposition leader herd the disparate parties together to get the numbers needed for a unity government?

Israel is on the line to purchase some 10 million superfluous vaccine doses from the Swiss-British company AstraZeneca. Berman explains the options the country has in getting rid of them — none of them good.

For the past several years, the United States has been mediating between Israel and Lebanon over the two Mediterranean countries’ maritime border. Find out why this is significant.

And finally, Rhode Island-native Berman gives an ode to his home state to honor its independence day.

Discussed articles include:

President tasks Lapid with forming coalition; Bennett would likely head it first

Bennett battles to keep his own party on board as he pushes for unity government

Israel may toss millions of vaccines. Why won’t it give them to the PA instead?

Israel and Lebanon wrap up six-hour-long maritime border talks

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PHOTO: Yesh Atid party leader Yair Lapid arrives at the president's residence in Jerusalem, May 05, 2021. (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.

Today’s panel comprises editor David Horovitz and culture editor Jessica Steinberg, along with host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

Failing to form a coalition, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returned the mandate to President Reuven Rivlin last night. Today Rivlin is meeting with the head of the outgoing Knesset's opposition, Yair Lapid of Yesh Atid, and head of Yamin Naftali Bennett. Who will get the nod, and why?

The Jewish world continues to mourn the 45 victims of the massive crush at Mount Meron's Lag B'Omer celebrations on Friday. We highlight the entwined stories of the Hayut and Levy families, who each lost a son, and the moving shiva visit of Beduin police officer Rami Alwan, who rescued the Hayut family's younger son Shmuel. What do we know today about warnings ahead of the Meron disaster?

Tourism to Israel is set to reopen from May 23 for groups. What is in the forecast for individual tourists? Who is in, and who is out?

Coronavirus restrictions on culture and sporting events are being lifted and any with the "Green Pass" immunization record may attend. Steinberg explains what else is in store, and how Jerusalem Day has morphed into a weeklong celebration starting May 6.

Discussed articles include:

Rivlin starts talks on new mandate to form a government, expected to tap Lapid

Netanyahu blames Bennett, but it’s his own far-right protégés who doomed him

Man to Bedouin cop who rescued son at Meron: You saved my child, saved the world

TV: Police document warned of need to ‘widen exit’ where Meron disaster unfolded

Israel to lift all crowd limits at ‘Green Pass’ sports, cultural events

Back onstage, dance troupes work out the anxieties of the last year

Capital readies for solid week of Jerusalem Day festivities

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ILLUSTRATIVE IMAGE: Members of the Ra'am meeting with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin at the President's Residence in Jerusalem on April 5, 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.

Today’s panel comprises senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur and ops and blogs editor Miriam Hershlag, along with host Raoul Wootliff.

On today's show, we open with a look at the state of play in Israeli politics on the final day of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's opportunity to form a coalition, with his deadline to do so being midnight tonight.

What's his game plan right now? What last-minute maneuvers is he pulling from his bag of magic tricks? And what's next?

And, four days from the tragedy on Mount Meron that left 45 people dead after a deadly crush during lag B'Omer celebrations last week, we look at two voices from our blog platform trying to process the disaster.

Discussed articles include:

Last-minute maneuvers as Netanyahu’s mandate to form government set to expire

Netanyahu: I’ll let Bennett be PM first; Bennett: But you don’t have a majority

Netanyahu said to back Bennett forming coalition in return for legal protections

Rivlin said set to ask Lapid to form coalition, won’t give mandate to Bennett

Eyewitness: All I could see were faces of agony

Praying together in the depths

Mount Meron Disaster

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PHOTO: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a Likud Party election event in the northern Israeli city of Tzfat, March 8, 2021. (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.

Today’s panel comprises health reporter Nathan Jeffay and Palestinian Affairs correspondent Aaron Boxerman, along with host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

Since Friday’s early morning disaster which left 45 dead and over 100 wounded, Jeffay has visited the site of Mount Meron, hospitals in the area and the United Hatzalah offices there. He recently spoke with Avi Marcus, Hatzalah’s chief paramedic, and describes the ripples of trauma felt by the first responders.

Jeffay has a long personal history with the holy site, which is the second most-visited Jewish holy site in the country. He describes its significance.

Condolences were sent to Israeli President Reuven Rivlin by leaders of nations around the world, including Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who wrote Rivlin a letter. Why a letter? Perhaps because a day prior, the PA leader effectively canceled the first Palestinian Authority elections in 15 years — by staunchly blaming Israel.

Ramadan is in full swing and the coronavirus pandemic is on the rise in the PA and the Gaza Strip. Jeffay explains why this and the recent mass outbreak in India are causes for concern.

Discussed articles include:

‘Broken’: Meron tragedy reduced Israel’s toughest rescuers to tears, trauma

Palestinian leader Abbas, Jordan’s king, Gulf allies send condolences over Meron

Abbas delays first Palestinian elections in 15 years, blaming Israel

Hamas slams Abbas’s decision to delay Palestinian vote as a ‘coup’

The only real herd immunity is global: Why India’s COVID crisis threatens us all

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PHOTO: Israeli rescue forces and police at the scene after a mass fatality scene during the celebrations of the Jewish holiday of Lag Baomer on Mt. Meron, in northern Israel on April 30, 2021. (David Cohen/Flash90)

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