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 Tech Israel editor Sharon Wrobel join host Jessica Steinberg for today's podcast.

Magid discusses the protests and protestors who gathered outside during Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s speech to the Israel Bonds gathering in Washington, DC, as well as the finance minister's conciliatory words and gestures following his previous remarks about the Huwara riots.

Magid also looks at how Smotrich spent his four days in the US, given his lack of invitations from US officials as well as from mainstream Jewish organizations.

Wrobel talks about the consumer price index released on Wednesday, with Israeli inflation numbers higher than expected in February and central bank governor Amir Yaron's interview on CNN on Wednesday.

She also discusses the reactions and unity of the Israeli high-tech community following the failure of the Silicon Valley Bank, and plans to recover.

Discussed articles include:

Overhaul or occupation? Smotrich trip dredges up Israeli-Diaspora rift at DC protest

In US, Smotrich walks back Huwara remark, touts unity, as hundreds protest; 7 arrests

In New York, Smotrich predicts compromise on overhaul that ‘mainstream’ will accept

Israeli inflation higher than forecast in February, boosting odds of more rate hikes

Tel Aviv shares drop as SVB failure triggers cash-flow concern for Israeli startups

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IMAGE: Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich leads a Religious Zionism faction meeting in the Givat Harel settlement in the West Bank, February 14, 2023. (Sraya Diamant/Flash90)

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