The Times of Israel Daily Briefing

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The Times of Israel Daily Briefing

Welcome to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing: Your update on what’s important in Israel, the Middle East and The Jewish World.

  1. Day 404 – With Biden's term nearly up, US retires threatened embargo

    6 HR AGO

    Day 404 – With Biden's term nearly up, US retires threatened embargo

    Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. US State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel acknowledged during a press briefing on Tuesday that Israel implemented some — but not all — of the steps demanded by the US in an October 13 letter giving Jerusalem a month to act or risk being deemed out of compliance with US law, which bars offensive weapons from being transferred to countries that block aid from reaching civilians. We hear what Israel did accomplish and why the US may have overlooked some shortcomings. In a flurry of announcements, President-elect Donald Trump said he had chosen former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee as ambassador to Israel. Huckabee is a staunch defender of Israel, and his intended nomination comes as Trump has promised to align US foreign policy more closely with Israel’s interests as it wages wars against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. We hear what Rettig Gur sees taking shape in terms of Trump's predicted approach to Israel. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich paid a visit to Kibbutz Nir Oz, one of the Israeli communities hit the worst in Hamas’s onslaught of October 7, 2023, and met families of local hostages as well as former captives. It is Smotrich’s first visit to Nir Oz, more than 13 months after Palestinian terrorists rampaged there, killing or kidnapping 117 out of its 400 residents. There are still 29 hostages from Nir Oz held captive in Gaza. Why now? For news updates, please check out The Times of Israel’s ongoing live blog. Discussed articles include: US says it won’t withhold weapons to Israel, as deadline to address aid crisis passes Trump taps Fox News host who said US must ‘stand by strong ally’ Israel to head Pentagon US slams Smotrich’s vow to annex parts of West Bank following Trump’s win In first, Smotrich visits Oct. 7-ravaged Nir Oz, says he feels ‘responsibility, guilt’ Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves. IMAGE: A handout picture released by the official Jordanian news agency Petra shows an airdrop of humanitarian and relief aid to the southern Gaza Strip carried out by members of the Jordanian army on November 12, 2024. (PETRA News Agency / AFP) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    23 min
  2. Day 403 - Trump administration begins to take shape

    1 DAY AGO

    Day 403 - Trump administration begins to take shape

    Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. US bureau chief Jacob Magid joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode. Magid looks at why it was announced following the US election that Qatar is leaving its negotiating role in the Israel-Hamas hostage talks, the back-and-forth of its decision-making process and whether the US or Qatar were making this decision. Magid discusses the positive report from a phone call between President-elect Donald Trump and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, and the help Trump has received from his daughter's father-in-law, Lebanese billionaire, Massad Boulos, with regard to Arab voters in the US. Magid looks at recent messaging from Trump aides warning giddy right-wing Israeli ministers that their hopes to annex West Bank settlements during a Trump administration would only be under the right conditions and may never happen. Magid reviews some of the names bandied about for Trump's cabinet, the battle between the more isolationist members and neo-Conservatives, the ousting of former US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who both served during the previous Trump administration. For news updates, please check out The Times of Israel’s ongoing live blog. Discussed articles include: Diplomat says Qatar quitting Gaza mediation role, Hamas to be booted from country At US behest, Qatar has ordered Hamas to leave Doha — Biden officials PA says Trump, in phone call with Abbas, vowed he ‘will work to stop the war’ Ex-Trump aides warn Israeli ministers not to assume he’ll back annexation in 2nd term IMAGE: An IDF soldier passes by a sign that displays a photo of US President-elect Donald Trump that reads "Congratulations! Trump, make Israel great!" two days after the US election, in Jerusalem, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    17 min
  3. Day 402 - Trump pushes to end wars, but can the US pull off a deal?

    2 DAYS AGO

    Day 402 - Trump pushes to end wars, but can the US pull off a deal?

    Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Diplomatic reporter Lazar Berman joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. President-elect Donald Trump has told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he wants the war in Lebanon to end before his inauguration and has also signaled to the Biden administration that it needs to step up efforts to shut down the Gaza front. How could ceasefire negotiations be affected now that Qatar has stepped away from the negotiator role? Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President-elect Donald Trump see “eye-to-eye” on the Iranian threat, the premier said in a video statement on Sunday, also revealing that he and Trump had spoken three times since the latter’s American presidential election triumph last week. Berman weighs in. Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer secretly visited Russia last week, Army Radio reported Sunday, in what appeared to be part of Israel’s efforts to reach a ceasefire in Lebanon where it is battling the terror group Hezbollah. Why Russia? Dutch police arrested dozens of anti-Israel demonstrators on Sunday, after they defied a temporary ban on protests, imposed after mass violence against Israeli tourists following a Thursday night soccer game in Amsterdam. On Thursday, Israeli officials said 10 people were injured in the overnight violence by local Arab and Muslim gangs against Maccabi Tel Aviv soccer fans. Hundreds more Israelis huddled in their hotels for hours, fearing they could be attacked. Berman describes what he sees is Israel's responsibility in such situations. For news updates, please check out The Times of Israel’s ongoing live blog. Discussed articles include: Diplomat says Qatar quitting Gaza mediation role, Hamas to be booted from country Trump looms over Saudi-hosted meeting of Arab, Muslim leaders on Mideast war Netanyahu says he and Trump see ‘eye to eye’ on Iran after holding 3 calls within days Top Netanyahu confidant visited Russia last week amid Lebanon ceasefire efforts — report Dutch police arrest dozens who defy protest ban after antisemitic riots in Amsterdam Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves. IMAGE: IDF troops operating in southern Lebanon in this picture released for publication on November 11, 2024 (Israel Defense Forces) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    25 min
  4. Day 401 - Once hush-hush, IDF's strikes in Syria now out in the open

    3 DAYS AGO

    Day 401 - Once hush-hush, IDF's strikes in Syria now out in the open

    Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Military reporter Emanuel Fabian joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. As the war continues on the ground in Gaza and in Lebanon, we learn how the IDF is overtly taking credit for strikes inside Syria -- and why. US president-elect Donald Trump has informed the Biden administration that he expects to see progress in the efforts to obtain a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah and his advisors claim he would like the Gaza war wrapped up by the time he takes office in January. Fabian weighs in on whether the IDF is in a position to pull back right now -- without Hamas or Hezbollah simply filling the vacuum. New Defense Minister Israel Katz spoke with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Friday, who conveyed a “sharp” message to his new Israeli counterpart during their first phone conversation, to the effect that Israel risks jeopardizing the ongoing provision of US weaponry for the Gaza war if it does not credibly show that it has improved the supply and distribution of aid to Gazan noncombatants. We hear about new IDF efforts to introduce more aid into the Strip and discuss Katz's challenges in taking on his new role. For news updates, please check out The Times of Israel’s ongoing live blog. Discussed articles include: Hezbollah fires dozens of rockets at Israel as IDF pounds Lebanon, Syria targets US warplanes hit Houthis’ advanced weapons storage facilities in Yemen strikes Israel rejects ‘biased’ warning of famine in Gaza, says aid trucks enter war-torn towns Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves. IMAGE: People inspect a bridge allegedly damaged in an Israeli strike near the Syrian village of Tall al-Nabi Mando, in the countryside of Qusayr on October 28, 2024. (Louai Beshara / AFP) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    22 min
  5. Day 400 - Bonus: Deep dive into post-Holocaust theology

    4 DAYS AGO

    Day 400 - Bonus: Deep dive into post-Holocaust theology

    Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Today, we bring you a bonus episode of What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring key issues currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World. This week, we hand the mic over to Yossi Klein Halevi, a senior fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute and an author, thinker and writer for The Times of Israel and many other outlets. Recently, Klein Halevi shared with us his longtime interest in interviewing Rabbi Irving Yitz Greenberg, whom he called one of this generation's most important Jewish theologians. Greenberg has been a central figure in the creation of a post-Holocaust Jewish identity and in establishing Holocaust commemoration projects like the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC. He is a leader in inter-denominational Jewish pluralism and in Jewish-Christian interfaith dialogue. Now, at age 91, Greenberg has published his magnum opus, “The Triumph of Life,” which, according to Klein Halevi, offers a brilliant and original argument for a new understanding of Judaism. So this week, we ask both Yossi Klein Halevi and Rabbi Yitz Greenberg, what matters now. For news updates, please check out The Times of Israel’s ongoing live blog. Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves. IMAGE: Left to right: Author Yossi Klein Halevi. (Shalom Hartman Institute); Rabbi Irving (Yitz) Greenberg. (Courtesy) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1 hr
  6. Day 399 - Knesset tightens coalition after Gallant ousted

    5 DAYS AGO

    Day 399 - Knesset tightens coalition after Gallant ousted

    Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Political correspondent Sam Sokol and reporter Sue Surkes join host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode. Sokol discusses this week's surprise dismissal of former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, it's effect on the Likud party and the government coalition as well as the prime minister's continued efforts to appease his ultra-Orthodox coalition partners, regarding the draft evasion bill. Surkes talks about her visit down south to several Gaza border communities that are trying to rebuild their homes and structures and replace equipment but are hampered by the holdup in compensation funds from the government. Sokol looks at a series of government bills aimed at fighting terror, including deporting terrorists' relatives, cutting welfare benefits for convicted terrorists and firing teachers who identify with terror. Surkes talks about climate confab COP29 beginning next week with the Israeli delegation attending under heightened security efforts. For news updates, please check out The Times of Israel’s ongoing live blog. Discussed articles include: Likud clamps down on dissent over Haredi draft bills after Gallant pushed out In new coalition deal with Likud, Sa’ar relinquishes right to oppose Haredi draft bills MKs push bill to create new intelligence oversight body under Netanyahu Despite constitutional concerns, Knesset passes law on deporting terrorists’ relatives Lawmakers advance bills cutting welfare benefits for convicted terrorists Knesset passes law allowing government to fire teachers it asserts identify with terror Buzzed but never drunk: Research shows Oriental hornets defy alcohol’s effects Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves. IMAGE: A plenum session on the appointment of Israel Katz as Defense Minister and Gideon Sa'ar as Foreign Minister at the assembly hall of the Knesset  on November 8, 2024. (Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    20 min
  7. Day 398 - What might Israel expect from President Trump?

    6 DAYS AGO

    Day 398 - What might Israel expect from President Trump?

    Welcome to The Times of Israel’s Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what’s happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Editor David Horovitz joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today’s episode. In the wake of Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election on Tuesday, two settler leaders called for Israel to annex the West Bank, describing the development as a new opportunity to expand Israeli sovereignty to the disputed territory. The demand was also backed by far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir. We discuss Israeli perceptions of a new Trump term in comparison to his actions during his previous presidency. In light of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant’s ouster on Tuesday evening, Horovitz discusses the new constellation of Israel Katz as defense minister and Gideon Sa’ar as foreign minister and what this means for the increasingly strong push to conscript Haredi men. For news updates, please check out The Times of Israel’s ongoing live blog. Discussed articles include: Two very different comebacks 79% of US Jews voted for Harris, according to largest preliminary exit poll GOP spokesperson says Trump wants Israel’s wars to end soon, with decisive victory Two settlement leaders, Ben Gvir call to annex West Bank after Trump victory In new coalition deal with Likud, Sa’ar relinquishes right to oppose Haredi draft bills Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves. IMAGE: A billboard that displays a photo of US President-elect Donald Trump and reads 'Congratulations! Trump, make Israel great' is projected a day after the US election, in Tel Aviv, Israel, November 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    20 min
  8. Day 397 - PM fires defense minister Gallant on US election day

    6 NOV

    Day 397 - PM fires defense minister Gallant on US election day

    Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. US bureau chief Jacob Magid and political correspondent Tal Schneider join host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode. Schneider discusses Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's unexpected Tuesday evening dismissal of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, during the US elections. She examines the presumed political reasons for the dismissal, given Gallant's support for an ultra-Orthodox draft, the issue that has shaken the current government coalition. Magid looks at the US administration's reactions to the dismissal, which came as a surprise. The initial US reaction was measured, while Magid's follow-up interview with a US official conveyed the administration's dismay and the belief that the prime minister is looking out for his own political survival. Schneider talks about her conversations with Jewish voters in Philadelphia prior to Election Day, most of them Democrats, while Magid reports from Dearborn, Michigan, where many Arab voters appeared to be voting for Trump because of their disappointment with US President Joe Biden regarding the war in Gaza. For news updates, please check out The Times of Israel’s ongoing live blog. Discussed articles include: Netanyahu fires Gallant, says disagreements, lack of mutual trust helped the enemy Gallant, after he’s fired, warns Israel is abandoning captives, risks ‘mark of Cain’ US caught off guard, ‘concerned’ by defense minister’s ouster on Election Day Jewish regent at U of Michigan says Trump not the answer to anti-Israel campus unrest IMAGE: 'Gallant Night 2' (referring to the intense demonstrations when Gallant was first fired in March 2023) protests at Tel Aviv's Begin Gate on November 5, 2024 (Credit: Roni Shapiro) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    19 min
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Welcome to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing: Your update on what’s important in Israel, the Middle East and The Jewish World.

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