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 culture editor Jessica Steinberg join host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's podcast.

Schneider discusses the latest in the Benjamin Netanyahu corruption trial, including whether the former prime minister will testify on the stand, even though he does not have to, according to Israeli law.

Schneider looks at recent statements made by Ra'am party leader Mansour Abbas regarding the Jewish nature of Israel, and why he made those comments now.

She also reports on the state secrets allegedly revealed by former ex-Mossad chief Yossi Cohen to his former lover and her now ex-husband, which were then revealed to the media.

Steinberg discusses the new Maggie Gyllenhaal-directed film based on an Elena Ferrante novel and produced by the Israeli Pie Films team.

She also talks about the new Gordon Gallery branch in Jerusalem's Givat Shaul neighborhood, better known for its ultra-Orthodox residents and big box stores.

Discussed articles include:

Netanyahu will likely testify in trial if no plea bargain reached, report says

Arabs should move past contesting Israel’s Jewish identity, Ra’am chief Abbas says

Report: Ex-Mossad chief had affair, shared state secrets with woman and her husband

Israeli producers put passion into movie version of Ferrante’s ‘The Lost Daughter’

Tel Aviv’s Gordon Gallery brings contemporary art to an unlikely corner of Jerusalem

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IMAGE: Opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu during a Likud party meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem on December 13, 2021 (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

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