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 NY reporter Luke Tress join host Amanda Borschel-Dan in today's Hanukkah-flavored episode.

Yesterday, during a press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, US President Joe Biden made reference to Hanukkah, saying that it is “A time when Jewish people around the world, President Zelensky and many families among them, honor the timeless miracle of a small band of warriors fighting for the values and their freedom against a much larger foe and how they endured and how they overcame.” Is this overt normalization of the Jewish holiday another White House effort to combat antisemitism?

On Tuesday night, US Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides attended a candle-lighting ceremony hosted by the Reform movement at the egalitarian section of the Western Wall in Jerusalem. Was this some kind of protest against the incoming Netanyahu coalition?

The Biden administration stated it intends to hold Netanyahu responsible for his coalition partners. What does it mean practically?

The FBI’s recent report on hate crimes in the US in 2021 did not contain any data from New York City, most of Florida and all of California, areas where some of the largest American Jewish populations are located. What are the consequences?

The Ben & Jerry's saga appears to have been resolved. Sweet success for the pro-Israel camp?

Discussed articles include:

Meeting Zelensky, Biden likens Ukraine’s fight against Russia to Hanukkah story

US envoy Nides attends Reform candle lighting at Western Wall’s egalitarian plaza

US said planning to hold Netanyahu responsible for actions of far-right ministers

US lawmakers urge FBI to improve hate crimes data collection after limited report

Ben & Jerry’s settles its lawsuit against parent company over settlement boycott

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IMAGE: President Joe Biden meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office of the White House, December 21, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

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