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The Times of Israel Daily Briefing: Daily Summaries Delivered
by The Times of Israel
Your update on what’s important in Israel, the Middle East and The Jewish World.
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- Today29 min
Why only Lebanon can drive Hezbollah out. But it won't
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. Lt. Col. (res) Sarit Zehavi joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. This week, Hezbollah resumed striking Israel soon after an announcement out of DC that the Jewish state and Lebanon had agreed on Wednesday to renew their fragile ceasefire and create a number of “pilot” security zones inside Lebanon from which the terrorist group would be banned. From her vantage point, only 10 km from the northern border, Zehavi, the head of the Alma Research and Education Center, explains how this plan was unrealistic from the start: Hezbollah is not going to willingly vacate its territory and the Lebanese army -- many of whose members openly support Hezbollah -- is not the force to uproot the terrorist group from southern Lebanon. Zehavi gives us an overview of the options on the table -- none of them good -- and hypothesizes that the only way Hezbollah will be driven out of Lebanon is if the government takes a principled stance and risks civil war. And finally, Zehavi, a member of Forum Devora, speaks about how the organization is promoting the equal representation of women in key decision-making positions in the fields of national security and foreign policy. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Rockets, drones trigger warnings in north after Hezbollah rejects Lebanon ceasefire proposal 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.
- Yesterday29 min
Haredi-wrought 'Kristallnacht' smashes red lines at justice's home
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. Israel and Lebanon agreed on Wednesday to renew their fragile ceasefire and create a number of “pilot” security zones inside Lebanon from which Hezbollah terrorists would be banned. This comes as the US House, for the first time, approved a war powers resolution that would halt the US military action against Iran, even as the US is still negotiating a permanent ceasefire with the Islamic Regime. Horovitz unwinds the storm of headlines from the US and speaks about the relationship between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Dozens of ultra-Orthodox extremists smashed windows and caused property damage while trying to break into Supreme Court Deputy Chief Justice Noam Sohlberg’s house during a riot Wednesday night, in the latest such violent demonstration targeting law enforcement over the arrest of Haredi draft dodgers. Sohlberg’s wife, Meira, said to reporters outside her vandalized home. “Look at this devastation; it’s a pogrom. What is this, Kristallnacht?” Horovitz weighs in on what led up to this smashing of a societal red line. Lawmakers voted 61-57 in the Knesset on Wednesday to elect Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s personal lawyer, Michael Rabello, as state comptroller in a controversial do-over vote marred by accusations that illegal pressure tainted the election. Can Rabello freely criticize the government of his former client? We get Horovitz's take. And finally, Horovitz narrates a troubling conversation he held this week -- with AI. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Israel and Lebanon agree to renew truce, create ‘pilot’ zones where Hezbollah is banned US House backs symbolic resolution aiming to halt Iran war, in rebuke of Trump Netanyahu downplays row with Trump, says he and US leader agree on the ‘main things’ ‘A pogrom’: Haredi rioters smash windows, damage home of deputy Supreme Court chief Netanyahu forces through election of his lawyer as state comptroller amid tainted vote Google’s Gemini AI admits it is unfit for purpose: ‘You should not trust a single thing I say’ 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.
- 2 days ago26 min
Coalition MKs boast on X after screaming at Arab lawmakers
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 Ariela Karmel joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode. An overnight Knesset session ended early Tuesday with first readings of a bill that calls for dissolution of the Knesset, as well as of two controversial pieces of legislation that would split and weaken the role of the attorney general, reports Karmel. She puts the latter bills in context of the broader war the government has long waged against the judiciary. A meeting on aid for the Hezbollah-battered north of Israel was tied to a bill by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich that would increase tax benefits for West Bank settlements, and Karmel notes that the discussion ended once again without the much-needed financial aid for the north being approved. The aid was finally okayed on Tuesday. Karmel also reviews the harrowing images of far-right lawmakers disrupting a Knesset event on settler violence against Palestinians, with the MKs posting videos of their antics on social media to boost their image with voters. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Legislation to split and weaken role of attorney general passes first Knesset reading Funds for war-torn north delayed as Smotrich forges ahead with tax breaks for settlements Coalition MKs disrupt Knesset event on violence against Palestinians, threaten attendees 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 Ariela Karmel joins host Jessica Steinberg on today's Daily Briefing podcast. (ToI / Flash90)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
- 3 days ago23 min
Trump tells Netanyahu 'Don't' on striking Beirut
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 Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. Israel and Lebanon were set to hold a fresh round of talks between their ambassadors to the US on Tuesday, as Hezbollah continued to target Israeli troops in Lebanon and fresh IDF strikes were reported. The talks come as US President Donald Trump indicated on Monday that Washington had brokered a fresh truce between Israel and Hezbollah, after the one reached in April unraveled in recent days. Magid weighs in on US-Israeli relations after Trump reportedly fumed at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a Monday call, calling the premier “fucking crazy” and telling him that everyone “hates Israel.” He demanded Israel agree to a ceasefire with the Hezbollah terror group, and US officials were quoted as saying Trump told Netanyahu that he has kept him out of prison, an apparent reference to Trump’s repeated public demand that Israeli President Isaac Herzog pardon the prime minister, who is in the midst of a lengthy corruption trial. We hear how Gulf states are handling the Iran war after Kuwait’s military said its air defenses responded to an “enemy” attack on Thursday. Gaza mediators were set to renew disarmament talks with Hamas in Egypt on Thursday and were considering alternatives to US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan for ending the Gaza war, two Arab diplomats involved in the process told The Times of Israel. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Hezbollah and IDF trade fire despite nominal truce as Lebanon-Israel talks to resume Trump announces fresh Lebanon truce as Netanyahu appears to call off Beirut strikes Trump said to yell at Netanyahu: ‘You’re f**king crazy. You’d be in prison if not for me’ Ceasefire rattled as Iran targets 4 ships at Hormuz, US fires on Iran, which then targets US base Gaza mediators to resume Hamas disarmament talks in Egypt looking to unblock impasse 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.
- 4 days ago20 min
First we take Beaufort, then we take Beirut?
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. Israel announced Monday morning that it would renew strikes on Hezbollah’s stronghold in southern Beirut, after significantly curtailing attacks on the Lebanese capital for weeks at the request of US President Donald Trump’s administration. The joint statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yisrael Katz came as Israel has steadily expanded its ground offensive by capturing more areas in southern Lebanon, including the iconic Beaufort Castle, amid constant Hezbollah drone and rocket attacks on northern Israel and on IDF troops in Lebanon. We delve into what is actually happening on the ground -- and air -- during this "ceasefire" in Lebanon. Yesterday evening, two teenage girls were injured, including one seriously, in a car-ramming terror attack in the West Bank just outside of Jerusalem, with the attacker shot dead by IDF troops at the scene. Fabian fills us in. Netanyahu said Thursday that he ordered the IDF to take control of 70 percent of the Gaza Strip – well beyond the portion of the enclave that Jerusalem was allowed to temporarily continue occupying as part of an October 2025 ceasefire deal with Hamas. We discuss what this new directive means in practice and explore what the IDF is currently doing in the Strip. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Israel says it will renew strikes on Hezbollah in Beirut after lobbying for US green light IDF captures strategic Beaufort Castle, as soldier killed in Hezbollah drone strike IDF soldier killed, 3 hurt, in Hezbollah drone attack near newly seized Beaufort Castle Israel shuts schools near Lebanon border amid repeated Hezbollah rocket, drone attacks Two teen girls hurt, one seriously, in car-ramming terror attack at West Bank junction Netanyahu says he told IDF to seize 70% of Gaza, well beyond terms of truce ‘A jungle’: Reservists speak of permissive open-fire rules along Gaza’s Yellow Line 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.
- 5 days ago15 min
After 26 years, IDF retakes Lebanon's Beaufort fortress
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 northern Israel was battered by a barrage of rockets from Hezbollah over the weekend, Schneider discusses ongoing criticism of the government for allowing the situation to continue, while noting that Israel's hands are tied; it can't disrupt US negotiations with Iran, and that regime controls Hezbollah in Lebanon. Schneider also talks about Beaufort Castle, a strategic fortress in Lebanon last controlled by Israel in 2000 and now taken by the IDF once again. The Knesset will vote Monday on whether to dissolve this government, and will choose one of several possible dates for elections in September or October, as Schneider reviews the options. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Soldier killed in Hezbollah drone strike in Lebanon; IDF captures strategic Beaufort Castle Plurality of far-right voters oppose government with ultra-Orthodox parties — poll 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 joins host Jessica Steinberg for Daily Briefing podcast (ToI)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
- 6 days ago49 min
Jordan Hoffman on 'A Serious Man': Coen brothers craft the Jewiest film of all
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. This week, we learn that famed actress and chanteuse Barbra Streisand received an honorary Palme D’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. Borschel-Dan, who is reading the artist's massive memoir, calls on all podcast fans to send in the names of their favorite Streisand films for a future episode. We then turn to the monumentally Jewish movie, "A Serious Man," written, produced, edited and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen in 2009. Set in 1967 Minnesota, the film focuses on the Gopnik family: father Larry, mother Judith, kids Danny and Sarah, and uncle Arthur. On the surface, the middle-class family appears to be merrily rolling along, anticipating Danny's approaching bar mitzvah. And then everything falls apart and it becomes a very funny retelling of the Book of Job. However, before the movie takes off, the audience is treated to a quote from the great rabbinic sage Rashi and is shown a Yiddish-only shtetl ghost story short -- just... because. Stay tuned for our duo's thoughts on the much-recommended Coen brothers' film, "A Serious Man." The Reel Schmooze is produced by Ari Schlacht and can be found wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
- 1 weeks ago52 min
BONUS - Dara Horn: The answer to the Jewish question
Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring key issues currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World, with host deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan, speaking with author and scholar Dara Horn. Horn visited ToI's Jerusalem studio while on a break from this year’s International Writers Festival in Jerusalem, taking place May 25-28 at the city’s Mishkenot Sha’ananim cultural center An author of novels and non-fiction, including “People Love Dead Jews,” “Eternal Life,” “A Guide for the Perplexed,” Horn's latest book -- her first for young readers -- is “One Little Goat.” Her newest nonfiction work will be published by Simon & Schuster in September under the title, "The Final Solution to the Jewish Question: A Love Story for the Living." We hear about how, after Horn published her bestselling work, "People Love Dead Jews," readers asked her for the solution to this problem. This week, she speaks about her new education initiative, Tell, which is bent on teaching American schoolchildren about real, living Jews, and Jewish culture. To launch the wide-ranging conversation, Horn defines terms, explaining that Jews are not a religion, but a people with a religion. This difference, she states, is massive and must be internalized to understand the millennia of hate experienced by the Jewish people. Since the Hamas onslaught on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, and the resultant retaliatory war in Gaza, there has been an outsized focus on the trend of "non-Zionist" or "anti-Zionist" Jews. Who are these Jews -- and are they significant in the chronicles of Jewish history? And so, this week, we ask author Dara Horn, what matters now? What Matters Now podcasts are available for download on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Yitzchak Ledee. IMAGE: APSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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