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 environmental reporter Sue Surkes and diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman, along with host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

Overnight we heard of an Environment Ministry freeze of the United Arab Emirates-driven gas pipeline deal. In the Abraham Accords-led deal, Gulf oil would be brought by tankers to Eilat and then piped over mainland Israel to the port city of Ashkelon, from where it would be distributed to Europe. But the ministry has many doubts and accuses the Europe Asia Pipeline Company of not fulfilling its due diligence. How could this affect Israel diplomatically?

Foreign Minister Yair Lapid named a first permanent envoy to the UAE, Amir Hayek. Why is this move significant and who is Hayek?

Lapid gave a wide-ranging briefing to journalists yesterday. According to Lapid, the past decade-plus of neglect and poor budgeting for the Foreign Ministry has created a rise in global antisemitism. Who is to blame? He who must not be named.

Surkes brings us the tragically ironic tale of an Israeli-led expedition to Sudan that was tasked with saving Red Sea coral. Until the ship ran aground in the Straits of Tiran and inflicted untold damage on a coral reef.

And finally, the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History has a new exhibit on that explains the concept of global warming to the masses. It's a must see, says Surkes.

Discussed articles include:

Israel partially freezes UAE oil pipeline deal over environmental concerns

Lapid taps business executive as first permanent envoy to UAE

Lapid assails Netanyahu-era neglect for diplomacy as antisemitism soared

Winds of peace fuel Israeli-led expedition to Sudan to save Red Sea coral reefs

With coral research delayed by crash, scientist not waiting to dive back in

New exhibit seeks to explain climate change, how to arrest it

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IMAGE - In this September 15, 2020, file photo, from left; former Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former US president Donald Trump, and United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan, sit during the Abraham Accords signing ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

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