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 Amanda Borschel-Dan.

On today's show, we focus solely on the disaster that took place on Mount Meron in the early hours of Friday morning, in which 45 people were crushed to death, including over a dozen children and teenagers.

What is the significance of the site, Israel's second most popular pilgrimage destination, and the Lag B'Omer festival during which the disaster took place? And how have police allowed the annual celebration, Israel's largest, to take place without adequate oversight?

Representing the country's deadliest-ever civilian disaster, the fatal tragedy appears to be forcing a reckoning within the ultra-Orthodox community over the benefits of the relative autonomy the community holds over various issues. Could the disaster represent a turning point?

And what of the state authorities, beyond the police, who were meant to be in charge of the event but appeared to have passed off responsibility for it to each other? Where does the buck lie?

Discussed articles include:

‘Death trap’: Packed walkway, slippery metal floor – how Meron tragedy unfolded

Victims of Meron tragedy include 2 sets of brothers, father of 11, 6 US citizens

Israel enters day of mourning for 45 victims of Meron stampede

Mount Meron, the disaster everyone knew was waiting to happen

Meron disaster site revealed as a place where nobody was ever really in charge

After tragedy, reports emerge that politicians pressed not to limit Meron event

State comptroller warned for years of overcrowding danger at Meron site

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PHOTO: A man weeps at the funeral of Rabbi Eliezer Goldberg, who died during Lag B’Omer celebrations at Mt. Meron in northern Israel, in Jerusalem on Friday, April 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

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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 environmental reporter Sue Surkes, along with host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

Horovitz provides perspective on the fallout generated by the Knesset cabinet committee chaos that broke out on Tuesday night over a vote over the next Justice Minister. Has this spurred unlikely forces towards teaming up as the clock winds down on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's chance to forge a coalition?

The Jewish-founded, New York-based Human Rights Watch has come out with a new 213-page report condemning Israel as an "apartheid state" and stating that Israeli Arabs face widespread discrimination. What are some reactions?

Tonight the Jewish world marks Lag B'Omer. Have coronavirus restrictions gone up in smoke? Also, what is the environmental impact of this festival of pyromania?

Surkes discusses two man-made environmental issues facing Israel and the need for "eco-corridors" to protect biodiversity.

And, finally: Whale speech may soon be deciphered, thanks to Project CETI, some robot fish recorders, and a whole lot of intelligence -- artificial and human.

Discussed articles include:

Bennett, Sa’ar meet to talk unity gov’t, as Shaked said hoping to thwart efforts

Gantz appointed justice minister after Netanyahu U-turn; court cancels hearing

Rivlin: Constitutional functionality collapsed in fight over justice minister

Human Rights Watch lodges ‘apartheid’ accusation at Israel, which dismisses it

US rejects Human Rights Watch’s accusation of Israeli ‘apartheid’

For Earth Day, leading green group sets out its 10 priorities for Israel

A key stop on the great bird flyway, Eilat sees steep dive in migrating flocks

Deep thought in deep blue: 5 Israelis in pioneering project to decode whale talk

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Illustrative image: An ultra-Orthodox Jewish boy runs near a giant bonfire, during celebrations of the Jewish holiday of Lag Baomer in Jerusalem's Meah Shearim neighborhood, April 28, 2013. (Yaakov Naumi/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 health reporter Nathan Jeffay, along with host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

The past 24 whirlwind hours have seen what can only be described as chaos in Israel's political sphere. Rettig Gur breaks down this fast-changing situation, in which the cabinet (illegally?) voted and approved a new Justice Minister, despite the protestations of Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit. This morning, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recanted and agreed to allow Blue and White Head Benny Gantz serve as acting minister, but the High Court may have its own say today.

Next, Jeffay describes a newly developed precise, scalpel-free form of diagnosing early skin cancers, which could be a gamechanger for high-risk individuals.

This week, amid fears of the spread of the new Indian variant, some 150 Israelis who flew in from India and Mexico refused COVID testing at Ben Gurion Airport. Likewise, Jeffay describes visits he's recently made to ultra-Orthodox communities in which youth are refusing the COVID vaccine. Is this a new wave of non-compliance?

Finally, we discuss two new studies involving the coronavirus vaccination -- one troubling and one optimistic.

Discussed articles include:

‘Insane’ cabinet bedlam as Netanyahu tries to wriggle out of unity straitjacket

Israeli tech said to give precise, knife-free skin cancer diagnosis in seconds

150 Israelis who arrived from India, Mexico refusing tests; 55 cases on flights

‘I’m young, I don’t need it’: Ultra-Orthodox non-vaxxers dig in their heels

Israel said probing link between Pfizer shot and heart problem in men under 30

COVID vaccines don’t harm ovaries and neither does virus, Jerusalem doctors find

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Illustrative image: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Prime Minister's office in Jerusalem, on April 20, 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 diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman and United States correspondent Jacob Magid, along with host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

To start the episode, Berman explains the nuances behind why Israel won’t follow Biden’s lead and recognize the 106-year-old Armenian genocide in which some 1.5 million civils were slaughtered between 1915-1917.

The head of the Mossad Yossi Cohen is currently in Washington, DC, with several Israeli security officials to discuss the US's return to the Iran nuclear deal. Could they actually influence Biden policy, or is this just another political pose by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu?

Domestically, two far-right Israeli politicians have raised eyebrows and ire recently after picking up the mic and spouting extremist statements. Yesterday, freshman MK Itamar Ben Gvir used his debut Knesset speech to air his long-standing grievances and head of the National Zionism party appeared to reopen the question of whether Arab Israelis will continue to be citizens of the Jewish state. Magid dives in.

And finally, Berman reviews the tragic case of French Jew Sarah Halimi, who was murdered in April 2017 by an Islamist neighbor, who is now deemed unfit to stand trial due to marijuana use during the murder. Will Israel take up the gauntlet?

Discussed articles include:

Why Israel won’t follow Biden’s lead and recognize Armenian genocide

Marking shift, US Jewish groups welcome Biden’s designation of Armenian genocide

Erdogan says Biden’s genocide recognition ‘groundless,’ harms ties with US

Far-right MK: Meir Kahane suffered ‘character assassination’ by the media

Far-right party leader: Arabs are citizens of Israel ‘for now at least’

Sister of murdered French Jewish woman Sarah Halimi to ask Israel to try case

Israel blasts French ruling keeping Sarah Halimi’s killer from trial

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ILLUSTRATIVE IMAGE: Members of the Jerusalem Armenian community protest outside the Knesset in demand that the State of Israel finally recognizes the Armenian Genocide, July 5, 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.

Today’s panel comprises senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur and political correspondent Tal Schneider, along with host Raoul Wootliff.

On today’s show, we cover politics, politics, politics, and a little bit more politics.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has just 8 days left to form a coalition and all paths to 61 seats appear to blocked. We hear about some of the ideas he’s considering to remain in power.

Yamina leader Naftali Bennett looks on the way to agreeing to join and lead a unity government. What would such a government look like and is he serious?

With the pressure on, some of Netanyahu allies appear to be giving up on him. Could some of them even support an alternative government?

And finally, with Netanyahu blocking the appointment, Israel still has no justice minister. Could we be on the way to an intervention from the High Court?

Discussed articles include:

Likud mulls a ‘Putin plan’ to keep Netanyahu in charge

Netanyahu said to offer Gantz to be prime minister first in new unity deal

Bennett: I’m making intensive efforts to form a national unity government

‘Change bloc’ said to reach agreement on religious issues in possible gov’t

Panning Jerusalem riot response, Smotrich says maybe time to ‘replace’ Netanyahu

High Court urges appointment of justice minister within 2 days; Gantz wants job

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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the Israel Prize ceremony in Jerusalem, prior to Israel's 73 Independence Day, on April 11, 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 founding editor David Horovitz and military correspondent Judah Ari Gross, along with host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

Gross gives us an update on the circa 40 rockets that were fired from the Gaza Strip over the weekend. Only six were intercepted by the Iron Dome anti-missile battery -- is that cause for concern? Also, who is taking responsibility for the fire, and who does Israel blame?

The rain of rockets from Gaza is allegedly in retaliation for recent ongoing unrest in Jerusalem. What sparked the long, violent protests and who is to blame?

Finally, we herald the recent victory of Aslan Karatsev over No. 1 player in the world Novak Djokovic at the Serbian Open's semi-finals. Why is this win a loss for Israel?

Discussed articles include:

Rockets fired from Gaza into Israel as fighting enters second day

PM says to ‘prepare for any scenario’ in Gaza; IDF chief postpones US trip

Fresh clashes between Israeli forces, Palestinians in Jerusalem and West Bank

Jerusalem man beaten by Palestinian mob on Friday says city in ‘Third Intifada’

Extremist to Arab reporter neighbor: I want to expel you, not burn your village

In biggest win yet, Russian-Israeli Karatsev defeats tennis world champ Djokovic

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PHOTO: Protesters chant anti Israel slogans during a protest in solidarity with fellow Palestinian worshippers in Jerusalem, at the main street of Shati refugee camp in Gaza City, April 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Adel Hana)

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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 the editor-in-chief of ToI's Hebrew-language sister site Zman Yisrael, Biranit Goren.

As the clock ticks down and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu still hasn't formed a coalition, Yamina head Naftali Bennett is again in the spotlight as a potential gamechanger. The panel proposes that this is a new Bennett, out of Netanyahu's shadow and ready to stand on his own two feet and join other political wheelers and dealers, such as New Hope's Gideon Sa'ar and Zeev Elkin, former Bibi supporters who learned from the master. And, warns the panel, there are still 12 days left and no one should count Netanyahu out.

US President Joe Biden is reportedly set to officially recognize the Armenian genocide, in which an estimated 1.5 million Armenian civilians were killed under the Ottoman Empire 106 years ago. Rettig Gur explains why Israel has not yet recognized this atrocity as genocide, which politicians are on board to take the recognition forward, and why now might be the opportune time.

Finally, today is Earth Day and Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations and United States Gilad Erdan penned an op-ed for ToI in support of the Abraham Accords as a step towards environmental cooperation in water technology. Goren breaks down the elephant in the room -- how Gulf states have contributed to the climate crisis -- and how in the spirit of "friendship" Israel should push for solutions to the crisis, in addition to new tech startups.

Discussed articles include:

As Netanyahu eyes a fifth election, is he driving Bennett into Lapid’s arms?

Bennett: If Netanyahu can’t build coalition, I’ll try to form a unity government

Biden readying to recognize Armenian genocide in move sure to test Turkish ties

Israeli politicians call for recognition of Armenian genocide after US vote

The climate threat can widen the circle of Mideast peace

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PHOTO: Yamina party chair Naftali Bennett gives a press conference at the Knesset on April 21, 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 investigative reporter Simona Weinglass and US correspondent Jacob Magic, along with host Raoul Wootliff.

On today's show, we look at a direct consequence of Weinglass' reporting – the recent indictments announced by the US Securities and Exchange Commission against the heads of one of the cornerstones of Israel's fraudulent binary options industry. We find out what is being alleged against the founders of SpotOption, and why it's not being alleged by Israeli authorities.

In more fraud crime news linked to Israel, we'll hear abo the double murder charge being brought against French billionaire Arnaud Mimran as part of the case and his close ties to both the Jewish state and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

J Street held its annual conference this week, hosting Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas as its keynote speaker as well as numerous high-profile Democrats. What do the speakers and their messages say about the left-wing group's current direction?

And finally, we assess Netanyahu's current efforts to radically change the rules of Israeli democracy by introducing a direct vote for prime minister.

Discussed articles include:

SEC charges Israel’s main binary options firm, and its 2 chiefs, with vast fraud

Convicted fraudster Arnaud Mimran indicted in France for two murders

In J Street speech, Abbas urges Biden to scrap US law deeming PLO a terror group

Sens. Sanders, Warren call for ‘restricting’ US aid to Israel at J Street confab

Netanyahu admits Ra’am-backed government not an option, urges direct vote for PM

To avert 5th elections, block Lapid, right-wing parties float direct vote for PM

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PHOTO: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and SpotOption founder Pini Peter pose together at a charity event in the Prime Minister’s Office in October 2011. (Berele Sheiner/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.

Today's panel comprises editor David Horovitz and political correspondent Tal Schneider, along with host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

Seemingly overnight, the tide has potentially turned for Likud's chances of forming a coalition under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Schneider explains how Monday's vote over control of a usually minor Knesset Arrangements Committee could signal a tidal wave.

Among the catalysts behind Monday's vote is Ra'am head Mansour Abbas, who eschews closed-door dealing and is no longer willing to be mainstream political parties' "mistress," says Schneider.

The United States is cracking down on binary options. Horovitz explains the impetus to a years-long campaign spearheaded by The Times of Israel to raise awareness and outlaw the practice in Israel.

And finally, citizen Netanyahu's ongoing corruption trial is catching headlines with the lengthy testimony of former Walla news CEO Ilan Yeshua. Why is his testimony staggering?

Discussed articles include:

Did a dry, procedural Knesset vote just signal the end of the Netanyahu era?

In blow to Netanyahu, Ra’am gives Lapid’s bloc control of key Knesset panel

After defeat in key vote, Likud whip concedes Netanyahu won’t form government

Lashing Bennett’s ‘absurd’ ambition, Netanyahu urges direct vote for PM

Walla CEO told to scrap article on PM son’s non-Jewish girlfriend ‘at any cost’

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Image: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the annual Bible Quiz held at the Jerusalem Theatre on Israel's Independence Day, on April 15, 2021. (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.

Today host Amanda Borschel-Dan is joined by The Times of Israel's Ops&Blogs editor Miriam Herschlag, who discusses her recent trip to Dubai and its Jewish communities.

Herschlag's first trip to the United Arab Emirates was in 2018, when she and a few other journalists were finally given the OK to write about Dubai's decade-old Modern Orthodox Jewish community of expats.

Today, since the signing of the 2020 Abraham Accords, the Jewish communities there -- now numbering at least three -- are practicing their faith much more publically and Jewish men feel comfortable walking the streets with their yarmulkes on heads. 

Herschlag attended the Dubai community's first ceremony in honor of Yom HaShoah, Israel's Holocaust Remembrance Day, and talks about a fledgling movement towards educating the public about the genocide of the Jews.

Discussed articles include:

Thoughts on Israel at 73 while flying over the Saudi desert

In new playground Dubai Israelis find parties, Jewish rites

For the first time, Dubai's Jewish community steps hesitantly out of the shadows

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IMAGE: Jewish Community of the Emirates board member Alex Peterfreund, JCE Chief Rabbi Yehuda Sarna and JCE President Ross Kriel hold torah scrolls at V Hotel Dubai, April 11, 2021 (Miriam Herschlag/ Times of Israel)

 

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