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 health and science writer Nathan Jeffay join host Jessica Steinberg for today's podcast.

Berman speaks about the diplomatic experience of prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu will need to bring to his government, specifically because of actions from his coalition partners, particularly public security minister Itamar Ben Gvir.

Jeffay discusses the findings of Israel's largest health care fund, showing that the new Covid boosters cut hospitalization rates significantly for the 65-plus group, although booster rates have slowed overall in Israel.

Berman talks about foreign minister Eli Cohen who will be speaking soon to the Ukrainian foreign minister, and how the new government's attitudes toward Russia may shift Israel's ability to act as a mediator between Russia and Ukraine.

Jeffay looks at an open letter signed by obesity experts to Israel, expressing outrage at the scrapping of a year-old tax meant to slow sales of sugary soft drinks.

He also explains the US licensing of an Israeli immunotherapy that demonstrated a 56% remission rate in cancer.

Discussed articles include:

A week in, Netanyahu government already at odds with Biden administration

Israel, most Arab partners meet in UAE to prepare for Negev Forum summit in Morocco

Israeli study: Omicron-fighting boosters cut hospitalization in over-65s by 81%

Backlash from top international obesity experts after Israel scraps soft drink tax

After demonstrating 57% remission rate, Israeli immunotherapy licensed by US firm

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

IMAGE: 

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 health and science writer Nathan Jeffay join host Jessica Steinberg for today's podcast.

Berman speaks about the diplomatic experience of prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu who has had some bumpy first weeks in his government, specifically because of actions from his coalition partners, including public security minister Itamar Ben Gvir.

Jeffay discusses the findings of Israel's largest health care fund, showing that Covid boosters cut hospitalization significantly for the 65-plus group, although booster rates have slowed overall in Israel.

Berman also talks about foreign minister Eli Cohen who will be speaking to the Ukrainian foreign minister, and how the new government's attitudes toward Russia may shift Israel's ability to act as a mediator between Russia and Ukraine.

Jeffay looks at an open letter signed by obesity experts to Israel, expressing outrage at the scrapping of a year-old tax meant to slow sales of sugary soft drinks. 

He also explains the US licensing of an Israeli immunotherapy that demonstrated a 56% remission rate in cancer.

Discussed articles include:

A week in, Netanyahu government already at odds with Biden administration

Israel, most Arab partners meet in UAE to prepare for Negev Forum summit in Morocco

Israeli study: Omicron-fighting boosters cut hospitalization in over-65s by 81%

Backlash from top international obesity experts after Israel scraps soft drink tax

After demonstrating 57% remission rate, Israeli immunotherapy licensed by US firm

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

IMAGE: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu leads a government conference at the Prime Minister's office in Jerusalem on January 3, 2023 (Courtesy Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

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