The Times of Israel Daily Briefing

The Times of Israel
  • 4.5 (1.1K)
  • News
  • Updated Daily

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

  1. 10h ago

    Higher Arab turnout could mean evening lines, delayed exit polls

    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 Tal Schneider joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode. As election day begins, Schneider discusses recent statements made by candidates, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s comments regarding possible economic sanctions against Israel and his suggestion of an alternative economy of cryptocurrency. With a high turnout expected among Arab voters, pushing for a new government that will tackle the intensive crime problem in the local Arab population, Schneider notes that many will vote later in the day, possibly delaying exit polls. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Netanyahu: Israel should ready for global sanctions, use blockchain to circumvent them Bank of Israel, opposition heads pan Netanyahu’s proposal to use crypto to evade sanctions Netanyahu’s crypto bet signals a dangerous readiness to accept economic isolation Turnout among Israel’s Arab voters could make or break hopes to unseat Netanyahu Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Ari Schlacht. IMAGE: Political correspondent Tal Schneider appears on the Daily Briefing with host Jessica Steinberg (Flash 90) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Higher Arab turnout could mean evening lines, delayed exit polls

  2. 1d ago

    Legal groups brace for right-wing interference at Arab polls

    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. Legal correspondent Jeremy Sharon joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode. As Election Day approaches, Sharon discusses the civil and legal rights organizations that filed legal motions to ensure Likud and Religious Zionist party activists don’t intimidate Arab voters, including a motion to prohibit polling station officials from bearing firearms on site. The parties had announced plans to send some 2,000 activists to polling stations in Arab towns and cities, supposedly to prevent “fraudulent votes.” There hasn’t been much serious discussion of the judicial reform agenda during the election campaign, reports Sharon, who asked all major political parties to detail their legal reform plans. Most major parties provided at least some details, but Sharon noted the lack of attention paid to one of the most contentious political agendas advanced by a government in recent decades. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Civil rights groups increasing efforts to ensure election integrity ahead of vote A voter’s guide to judicial reform: The moves parties are planning after the election Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Yitzchak Ledee. IMAGE: Legal correspondent Jeremy Sharon appears on the Daily Briefing with host Jessica Steinberg (Flash 90) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Legal groups brace for right-wing interference at Arab polls

  3. 2d ago

    Slaying of two soldiers sparks widespread IDF op in Hebron

    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 correspondent Emanuel Fabian joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. Two Palestinian gunmen opened fire at a military checkpoint near the southern West Bank city of Hebron on Friday, killing two soldiers and wounding three in a gunfight that lasted for more than 20 minutes, before soldiers killed both attackers. A subsequent Israeli military operation in and outside the city of Hebron has displaced some 2,000 Palestinians from their homes as of Saturday evening, according to Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz. Fabian reports on the goals of the IDF's operation. We also discuss the greater question of ongoing West Bank violence -- from both sides. The Israeli Navy held a joint drill with the Hellenic Navy in the Mediterranean this week, the military said on Saturday. The drill involved Israeli missile boats and naval vessels from several Greek units, and the IDF said the forces “practiced a variety of operational scenarios," including “identifying and thwarting threats in the maritime domain, sailing as a joint force, and sinking an enemy vessel using missile fire.” Fabian weighs in on some of the motivations for this drill and whom it's really aimed at. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: 2 soldiers killed in West Bank shooting; IDF believes Palestinian gunmen planned larger attack IDF op in Hebron after soldiers’ killing displaces 2,000, Katz says; PM vows ‘big surprise’ for PA Israeli, Greek navies drill in Mediterranean, in apparent message to Turkey Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Ari Schlacht. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Slaying of two soldiers sparks widespread IDF op in Hebron

  4. 3d ago

    The Reel Schmooze on 'The In-Laws': How a shmendrik dentist and crazy CIA agent share a mid-life crisis

    Welcome to The Reel Schmooze with ToI film reviewer Jordan Hoffman and host Amanda Borschel-Dan, where we bring you all the entertainment news and film reviews a Jew can use. Continuing in our decade-by-decade comedy viewing, this week's featured Schmooze film is "The In-Laws." The 1979 comedic adventure stars the great Jewish actors Alan Arkin playing dentist Sheldon "Shelly" Kornpett and Peter Falk as Vince Ricardo, a loose-cannon CIA agent who initially poses as an eccentric businessman. The script's outlandish premise sees the soon-to-be in-laws travel to "Tijata," a small island south of Honduras, where they eventually meet the insane dictator, General Garcia, and his hand puppet. With slapstick humor and car chases, Hoffman was right back, chuckling away in his childhood living room. For Borschel-Dan, the highlight was the amazing 1970s clothing. Let’s hear who gave this film an “oy,” “meh” or the prized “not bad” this week on The Reel Schmooze. The Reel Schmooze is produced by Ari Schlacht and can be found wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    The Reel Schmooze on 'The In-Laws': How a shmendrik dentist and crazy CIA agent share a mid-life crisis

  5. 4d ago

    A Mandatory Listen - Yossi Klein Halevi: Spiritually coping with this Israeli election

    Welcome to "A Mandatory Listen," a new weekly podcast in which The Times of Israel deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan asks the big questions facing Israel and the Jewish people. For this fifth episode in the new series, we speak with author Yossi Klein Halevi. A deep pre-election political conversation had been planned for this episode. However, in a conversation that could have been called "Mann tracht un Gott lacht" (Man plans and God laughs), Borschel-Dan and Klein Halevi firmly pivot away from the profane -- politics -- and veer toward the sacred. Spurred by questions on how he maintains equilibrium in the face of the fateful upcoming election, Klein Halevi, a longtime practitioner of meditation and Jewish spirituality, guides Borschel-Dan through his philosophical pillars. What is faith -- and in what God? What is the purpose of prayer, and who is it for? We hear some wisdom from Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook's teachings, as well as a mix of Eastern philosophies. How does the activist aspect of Klein Halevi -- which sounds the shofar and warns the people of Israel of potential evils -- reconcile with the man of faith in the eternal nature of that same people? A Mandatory Listen podcast episodes are available for download on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Yitzchak Ledee. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    A Mandatory Listen - Yossi Klein Halevi: Spiritually coping with this Israeli election

  6. 4d ago

    Tamir Hayman: We should be worried about Israel's post-Oct. 7 security doctrine

    Welcome to The Times of Israel's Lazar Focus. Each Friday, join host diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman for a deep dive into what's behind the news that spins the globe. On Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did something rare -- he convened a group of Israeli journalists to give a briefing on his new national security concept. A national security concept is no trivial matter. It affects how armies build their forces, how they fight wars, and how they think of core ideas like war and peace. Gen. (res.) Tamir Hayman, the head of the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv, argues that there is a new, unofficial national security concept that has emerged after the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023 and the subsequent wars. He says that peace is no longer the goal in this new concept, and instead there is openness to unending wars as the best way to guarantee security. Moreover, Jewish superiority is becoming a dominant belief, Hayman warns, in violation of Israel's Declaration of Independence. Hayman also cautions that Israel has no way of replacing its relationship with the US, not with other countries nor through autarky. It makes sense to be more self-sufficient, but Israel doesn't have a "diversification path." Hayman was the IDF's chief of military intelligence before Aharon Haliva, the general in office on October 7. He says that only a commission of inquiry will be able to truly provide answer on what went wrong in the leadup to the attack, and acknowledges that he should appear before the commission as well. He lays out several failures in intelligence during his tenure -- Israel never thought the Palestinians could lead the Iranian axis, it didn't take Hamas's attack plan seriously enough once it gained access to it, and there were 9 pieces of intelligence from October 4 that should have been evaluated in a more comprehensive manner.  On Iran, Hayman doesn't see many paths that don't lead to another military confrontation. "We are in a no-deal, no-strike situation," he says. "The conclusion unfortunately, is you need to do something." Lazar Focus is available on all podcast platforms. This episode was produced by Gabriella Jacobs and video edited by Ari Schlacht. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Tamir Hayman: We should be worried about Israel's post-Oct. 7 security doctrine

  7. 5d ago

    Arab states weigh in on post-election potential for regional ties

    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 Nava Freiberg joins host Gabriella Jacobs for today's episode. Arab capitals are assessing whether the 26th Knesset could usher in a new chapter in Israeli leadership and policy or keep in place those currently in power, and what either outcome will mean for Israel and the wider region. Freiberg explains that while many Arab states may find new Israeli leadership easier to work with, few expect any plausible successor government to fundamentally redirect Israel’s foreign policy. Where Arab capitals do see real room for change is in policies considered less central to the post-October 7 security doctrine. Freiberg delves in and gives examples. We close the episode by reviewing the latest updates on the Board of Peace and the Gaza peace plan. Freiberg reports that US-led training on the International Stabilization Force began in August, with some troops now ready for deployment, and there has also allegedly been modest progress on UAE-backed reconstruction efforts. Though implementation is slow, there are hopes of greater headway following Israeli elections. Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Yitzchak Ledee. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Arab states weigh in on post-election potential for regional ties

  8. 6d ago

    Is Netanyahu gearing up to strike Iran?

    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 correspondent Lazar Berman joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu planned to carry out strikes against Iran earlier this month, but President Donald Trump opposed reigniting the fighting before the US midterms, the Financial Times reports. This comes as Israel Air Force planes reportedly have been conducting drills in preparation for a renewed attack. What could be in the offing? Britain will fly Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jets on defensive missions to help protect Saudi cities and critical national infrastructure from Houthi aerial attacks, the Ministry of Defence said yesterday. As the UK joins Egypt in coming to Saudi Arabia's aid, is there increased pressure on the United States? In a searing piece, Berman writes, "Attacks by Jewish extremists and a mealy-mouthed response from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu undermine Israel’s ability to prevent new sanctions against settlements, to restore relations with key partners, and to show Israel cares about Christians. Instead of denouncing and combating the attacks, he has consistently downplayed them, even before last weekend." We ask, "What could Netanyahu be thinking?" Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: A renewed Iran war is only a matter of time, Israeli experts warn Iran security chief rejects moving enriched uranium abroad, as Netanyahu vows to topple regime Houthis strike besieged city in Yemen that UN warns is at ‘grave risk’ Settler violence harms Israel’s interests. But for PM, halting it could spell political trouble Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Yitzhak Ledee filmed and edited this episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Is Netanyahu gearing up to strike Iran?
See All (100)

Hosts & Guests

4.5
out of 5
1,065 Ratings

About

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

Information

You Might Also Like