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 environment reporter Sue Surkes join host Amanda Borschel-Dan in today's episode.

United States President Joe Biden is set to arrive in Israel this week. Let's hear what Horovitz sees as the goals and potential outcomes of the trip.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced he would resign late last week. How could this power shift affect the UK's relationship with Israel?

The annual state of nature report that came out on Thursday has concluded that Israeli nature loses an equivalent of a medium-sized city to development every year. What else did the report find?

Israel is set to be 1st in the world to pipe desalinated water into a freshwater lake -- the Sea of Galilee. We learn why this may, or may not, be a boon to nature.

A doctoral student at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in southern Israel is using fungi to create insulation for the construction industry. Another brick in the wall of sustainable development?

Discussed articles include:

Biden: Upcoming flight from Israel to Saudi Arabia a ‘small symbol’ of warming ties

Iron Dome, Yad Vashem, Maccabiah, Bethlehem: Biden’s 2 days in Israel and West Bank

Who could replace Boris Johnson as UK’s next prime minister?

Belfast, a broken menorah, listening to survivors: Johnson’s notable Jewish moments

Israeli nature loses equivalent of a medium-sized city to development every year

Israel to be 1st in world to pipe desalinated water into a natural lake, the Galilee

Student harnesses fungi to create sustainable building material

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Illustrative image: Then-US vice president Joe Biden at the President's residence in Jerusalem, March 9, 2016. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)

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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 Palestinian affairs correspondent Aaron Boxerman join host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's episode.

Newly minted Yamina party head Ayelet Shaked has called for a “broad national government” in her first real statement these elections. What does she mean by that?

Next, we talk primaries and hear updates on most of Israel's major parties, including the Arab parties currently in the Knesset.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas head Ismael Haniyeh met for the first time since 2016. What was the impetus of their meet-up?

A high court decision in May gave the IDF the green light to evict up to 2000 Palestinians in the south Hebron Hills. Boxerman lays out the background.

Discussed articles include:

Shaked calls for ‘broad national government’ in 1st statement on elections

Meretz leadership in play as Golan enters race against Horowitz

As Likud primaries near, final date and procedures still in the air

PA leader Abbas, Hamas’s Haniyeh hold first face-to-face meeting in years in Algeria

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Illustrative image: A polling station for people that is under quarantine because of the Covid-19 in Jerusalem, during the Knesset Elections, on March 23, 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.

Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman and senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur join host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's podcast.

Prime Minister Yair Lapid had several missions to accomplish on his trip to Paris on Tuesday. What were they and how did he do?

While Lapid was in Paris, did he by chance meet with Yael Braun-Pivet, the new speaker of the French National Assembly? She is the fourth most senior official in France after the president, prime minister, and Senate speaker.

Berman updates on the tenuous Israel-Poland relationship and how there is a recent warming of ties.

Rettig Gur lays out his argument for why these elections are former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's last hurrah.

Discussed articles include:

In Paris, Lapid urges response to Iranian nuclear violations, warns Hezbollah

Jewish lawmaker becomes first female speaker of French National Assembly

After year-long spat over Holocaust law, Poland says it’s returning envoy to Israel

Netanyahu embarks on a campaign that’s shaping up as his last hurrah

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Illustrative image: People stand in front of an election campaign billboard for the Likud party showing a portrait of its leader former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Ramat Gan, Israel, March 14, 2021. AP Photo/Oded Balilty, 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.

Political correspondent Tal Schneider and Diaspora affairs correspondent Judah Ari Gross join host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's episode.

A gunman on a rooftop in Chicago’s Highland Park neighborhood opened fire on a Fourth of July parade yesterday, killing six and wounding dozens. Gross updates us on what we currently know about the victims.

Schneider brings an exclusive report on a study conducted by Israel’s National Security Council which concluded that the country must include more women in decision-making capacities. We hear why that's probably not going to happen.

In videos that are burning up Israeli social media, Labor party leader MK Merav Michaeli is seen dancing with MK Moshe Gafni’s granddaughter in the women's section of her wedding. We hear why the sex-segregated dancing images are problematic for both sides.

Late last week, a fracas ensued at the pluralistic pavilion next to the Western Wall as three families attempted to conduct egalitarian bar and bat mitzvah ceremonies. Gross explains how the State of Israel let these Diaspora families down.

Discussed articles include:

Synagogue staffer, Mexican grandfather among 6 shot dead in Chicago’s Highland Park

In first, National Security Council report blasts lack of women in decision-making roles

Israeli lawmakers unite for one evening at wedding for MK Gafni’s granddaughter

Labor’s Michaeli won’t nix sitting with ultra-Orthodox, rules out merger with Meretz

Haredim interrupt Americans’ Western Wall bar, bat mitzvahs, tear up prayer books

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IMAGE: Ultra-Orthodox youths interrupt a bar mitzvah ceremony at the egalitarian section of the Western Wall on June 30, 2022. (Laura Ben-David)

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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 reporter Jacob Magid and tech editor Ricky Ben-David join host Jessica Steinberg for today's podcast.

Magid discusses decision to finally hand over the bullet that killed Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh to the US and what could happen next.

Ben-David looks at plans to open cybersecurity development center in Israel, as part of German phamaceutical giant Bayer's global cybersecurity operations.

Magid speaks about the latest chapter in the legal debate over Ben & Jerry’s Israel and Unilever, following the settlement boycott that began a year ago.

Ben-David looks at the government approval of NIS 4 million shekels to back academic research for new alternative protein technologies.

Steinberg previews Tel Aviv Museum of Art exhibit about photojournalist Micha Bar-Am and the gripping video and audio installation covering Israel’s history.

Discussed articles include:

Palestinian Authority hands US bullet that killed Shireen Abu Akleh for examination

Pharma giant Bayer to set up cybersecurity center in Israel

Ben & Jerry’s Israel, parent company Unilever reach deal to end settlement boycott

50 years of love, war and country: Photojournalist’s work expands to massive screens

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IMAGE: Courtesy Ben & Jerry's 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.

Editor David Horovitz and military correspondent Emanuel Fabian join host Amanda Borschel-Dan in today's episode.

The IDF said yesterday that it had successfully intercepted three drones flown by the Lebanese Hezbollah terror group that were heading for the Karish gas field off Israel’s Mediterranean coast. We’re hearing reports that the IDF had advanced information. How did that influence the interception?

According to Israeli television, also yesterday morning, the IDF allegedly hit a Syrian town near the port city of Tartus that was apparently the site of Iranian attempts to bring “game changing” air defense systems to Syria. The IDF hasn’t acknowledged the strike, but if true, what is different about this operation?

The new election date is set for November 1 but there’s still some last-minute business that has to be taken care of before the campaigns can really and truly be revved up. Horovitz brings us up to speed.

Prime Minister Yair Lapid gave his inaugural address in his new office last night. What were Horovitz's takeaways?

Lapid has already moved to Balfour, but not exactly to the residence. Where is he and why?

Finally, we speak briefly about our second ToI@10 event this Wednesday night, celebrating a decade of The Times of Israel with an evening of archaeology.

Discussed articles include:

IDF had advance intel on Hezbollah attempt to launch drones at Karish gas field

IDF shoots down 3 Hezbollah drones heading for Karish gas field

Syria says Israeli jets conduct rare daytime airstrike on southern coast

Alleged Israeli strike in Syria targeted ‘game changing’ Iranian air defenses — TV

Without naming him, Lapid seeks to portray Netanyahu as Israel’s national nemesis

Lapid moves into ‘secure’ apartment near PM’s residence, amid construction work

TICKETS for the LIVE EVENT: Hi-tech archaeology reveals secrets of ancient Jerusalem’s destructions

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IMAGE: Israeli caretaker Prime Minister Yair Lapid arrives for the first cabinet meeting days after lawmakers dissolved parliament, in Jerusalem, July 3, 2022. (Gil Cohen-Magen/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.

Political correspondent Carrie Keller-Lynn and religions reporter Judah Ari Gross join host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's episode.

By recording time Thursday morning, the 24th Knesset has just finished voting to disband. When is Israel set to vote?

There were a few outstanding issues that held up the breakup of the government and led to last-minute drama during the voting. Which pieces of legislation got left out in the cold?

Foreign Minister Yair Lapid will officially become prime minister at midnight tonight. What does the future hold for Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and his Yamina party?

The Maccabiah Games will be held across Israel from July 12 to 26. Some 10,000 Jewish athletes from about 60 countries are expected to compete in dozens of sports. Gross explains which countries will not be sending official delegations and why.

In a way to bring Judaism to the masses, Ruthy Leviev, the daughter of Russian billionaire diamond merchant Lev Leviev, reportedly paid secular Israeli female social media stars tens of thousands of shekels each to promote Jewish ritual purity laws that relate to menstruation. Gross delves into the fallout.

Discussed articles include:

Knesset disbands, sets elections for November 1; Lapid to become PM at midnight

Russians will compete in this year’s Maccabiah Games, but Russia won’t

Billionaire’s daughter pays ‘influencers’ to tout Jewish menstruation laws

TICKETS HERE for the LIVE EVENT: Hi-tech archaeology reveals secrets of ancient Jerusalem’s destructions

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

IMAGE: The Knesset, in Jerusalem, on June 30, 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.

Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman and United States correspondent Jacob Magid join host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's episode.

Yesterday, US Ambassador Tom Nides implored Israeli lawmakers to support legislation that is critical for Israel to be able to join the program. Before we talk about recent developments, Magid gives us a little background on why Israel is not in the program already.

The Negev Summit this spring brought a whole lot of headlines and some questions about whether the cooperation would continue to move forward. A meeting this week of the newly minted "Negev Forum" is indicating that it will. What is the forum working on? And how is the upcoming visit of US President Joe Biden playing a role?

On the heels of potentially neutralized threats of Iranian terror against Israelis in Turkey, yesterday, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid brought the travel warning level down significantly. We hear about the significance of the recent cooperation between the two countries as they broker a warmer diplomatic relationship.

Discussed articles include:

In rare plea, US ambassador urges MKs to back bills needed for Visa Waiver Program

US warns Israeli election wrangling will hold up visa exemption program

Israel, Arab allies agree to tighten cooperation ahead of Biden visit

Israel eases Istanbul travel warning, but says threat remains throughout Turkey

TICKETS HERE for the LIVE EVENT: Hi-tech archaeology reveals secrets of ancient Jerusalem’s destructions

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

ILLUSTRATIVE IMAGE: Israeli supporters of Donald Trump wave United States and Israeli flags to support his candidacy outside the US embassy in Jerusalem on October 27, 2020. (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 correspondent Carrie Keller-Lynn and Palestinian affairs correspondent Aaron Boxerman join host Amanda Borschel-Dan in today's episode.

Lawmakers passed the first reading of a bill to dissolve Israel’s 24th Knesset in the early hours of Tuesday morning, putting Israel another step closer to its fifth elections in three and a half years. What else ended up happening during yesterday’s action-packed day in the Knesset? And what is still to be resolved?

Hamas’s military wing claimed on Monday night that “the health of one of its Israeli prisoners has deteriorated,” after years in which repeated attempts to reach a prisoner exchange deal between the two sides have hit a dead end. Who is being held there, for how long and how did Israel respond to this claim?

In Israel, women do not have an automatic right to an abortion, but rather must request permission from a legally mandated end-of-pregnancy committee. Yesterday, the Knesset Labor Welfare and Health Committee approved a series of changes. What’s different now?

Also yesterday, the beautiful 3rd-4th century Lod mosaic officially came back home. Visitors can now see the globe-trotting wonder of Roman craftsmanship at the Shelby White & Leon Levy Lod Mosaic Archaeological Center.

Discussed articles include:

Knesset passes 1st reading of dispersal bill; final vote set for Wednesday at latest

Public funding for political parties’ campaigns to increase by some NIS 30 million

Hamas claims health of Israeli captive ‘deteriorating,’ in rare announcement

Israel eases access to abortion, days after US Supreme Court overturns Roe vs Wade

Stunning Roman-era Lod seafaring mosaic finally drops anchor in a home of its own

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IMAGE: The empty assembly hall of the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on June 27, 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 correspondent Tal Schneider and health reporter Nathan Jeffay join host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's episode.

Israel’s tit-for-tat parliamentary politics are on steroids today in the Knesset. We have bills to dissolve the government and a proposed bill to effectively block former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu from heading a new coalition. Scheneider tells us about the two pieces of legislations' chances in today's tumultuous sessions.

The US Supreme Court released a decision on Friday to repeal the federal right of abortion and to send it back to each state to decide. Schneider wrote a piece on our Zman Yisrael Hebrew sister site giving four cases in which the decision could affect Israel. She brings highlights.

Jeffay spoke with epidemiologist Prof. Ran Balicer, chair of Israel’s National Expert Advisory Team on the country’s COVID-19 response. We hear what is actually happening here with the coronavirus pandemic.

Jeffay also brings us news about an Israeli company that is set to test if fecal bacteria pills could boost cancer immunotherapy. What’s the science behind this?

Discussed articles include:

Battle lines drawn as coalition and opposition resume clash over Knesset’s fate

Government advances ‘problematic’ bill that would block defendant Netanyahu’s return

‘My country changed her face’: Pelosi responds to abortion ruling with Israeli poem

Science of uncertainty: Gov’t adviser on why this COVID wave is so hard to predict

Israeli company to test if fecal bacteria pills boost cancer immunotherapy

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

IMAGE: Magen David workers take COVID-19 rapid antigen tests from Israelis, at a Magen David Adom drive-thru complex in Jerusalem, on June 20, 2022. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

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