The Times of Israel Daily Briefing

Available Episodes

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Day 673 - Haviv Rettig Gur: When Temple Mount prayer is a call to settle Gaza
Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring key issues currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World, with host Amanda Borschel-Dan speaking with ToI's senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur. During the Tisha B'Av fast on Sunday, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir again made headlines for going up to the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem. There were two big differences this time: One, he led a prayer service out loud, and two, he called for the Jewish resettlement of the Gaza Strip. Both aspects of Ben Gvir's trip were highly documented, including his statement on the ongoing war in Gaza. Ben Gvir said, “I am saying, davka [intentionally] from here, from the Temple Mount — the place from which it was proven that it is possible to have sovereign rule — davka from here, we are relaying a message that from today on, we are conquering the entire Gaza Strip, announcing our sovereignty on the entire Gaza Strip, and taking down every Hamas member and encouraging voluntary emigration. Only in this way will we return the hostages and win the war.” Ben Gvir's semi-messianic vision may come partially true as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appears poised to announce an IDF operation aimed at conquering the entire Gaza Strip. Resettlement of the Palestinian enclave, says Rettig Gur, is a completely different matter. We hear how this latest publicity stunt is a disservice to the Temple Mount movement, which stresses that Jews may have freedom of worship at Judaism's most holy site. And so this week, we ask Haviv Rettig Gur, 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 the Pod-Waves. IMAGE: Haviv Rettig Gur (courtesy) / Illustrative: Jews visit the Temple Mount in Jerusalem's Old City, on Jerusalem Day, May 26, 2025. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Day 672 - Micah Goodman: 20 years to Disengagement as Israel is set to occupy Gaza
Welcome to The Times of Israel's newest podcast series, Friday Focus. Each Friday, join host deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan for a deep dive into what's behind the news that spins the globe. This week, as Israel stands poised to re-occupy the entire Gaza Strip, public intellectual and author Dr. Micah Goodman takes us through the Disengagement from Gaza 20 years ago. Goodman, the author of influential works such as “Catch-67,” returns to the origins of the settlement movement and dissects the motivations driving Israelis from the right and left. We learn how the First and Second Intifadas shifted stalwart settler leaders such as prime minister Ariel Sharon and set the table for the idea of unilateral disengagement from Gaza. Goodman proposes that the trauma from the Disengagement has shaped the face of the Israeli right, with extremist party heads, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir openly supporting the resettlement of Gaza from the halls of the Knesset -- or the Temple Mount. And finally, we turn to the Israeli cabinet's Thursday night decision to push for a reoccupation of Gaza and what this may do to the country. Friday Focus can be found on all podcast platforms. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves. Young settlers cry and pray on the roof during the Disengagement in Neve Dekalim on August 17, 2005. (Nati Shohat/ Flash90)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Day 671 - US mum on potential Israeli plan to occupy Gaza
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 discusses how US President Donald Trump was very impacted by the the hostage videos that came out last week of an emaciated Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski, and he responded that Israel should do what it needs to regarding Gaza. Trump isn't pushing Israel regarding its possible occupation plan of Gaza, but is planning to expand the Gaza Humanitarian Fund beyond its current three locations. Magid comments on GHF's need for funding, its reliance on US funding to date and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's 180-degree turnaround on the matter and the need to give aid to Gaza. Magid also examines the complex relationship between the US and the Palestinian Authority regarding financial support and governance, and the US denial of visas to Palestinian Authority officials as a form of pressure, while the PA's legitimacy is at risk due to its financial instability. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Chiefly focused on food aid, Trump says Gaza occupation ‘pretty much up to Israel’ Almost 9 in 10 aid trucks looted before reaching Gaza destinations, UN figures show Aiming to boost aid, Israel to allow gradual flow of goods to Gaza’s private sector US to deny visas for PA officials over efforts to ‘internationalize’ the conflict Hamstrung PA weighs options as Israel continues to withhold its much-needed funds Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Ben Wallick. IMAGE: US President Donald Trump speaks with reporters before boarding Air Force One at Lehigh Valley International Airport, August 3, 2025, in Allentown, Pennsylvania. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Day 670 - Inside the final 25% of Gaza the IDF doesn't control
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. According to leaked reports, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will likely declare a new war goal of conquering the entire Gaza Strip. Following the three-month-long Gideon's Chariots operation, Israel currently has operational control of 75 percent of the Strip. Fabian delves into the operation and gives a picture of whether it met its goals of conquering Gaza and retaining the territory; moving the Palestinian civilian population toward the south of the Strip; targeting Hamas; and preventing the terror group from taking control of humanitarian aid supplies. We discuss the stepped-up humanitarian aid efforts and Fabian offers insight into what happens once it reaches the Strip, citing a new UN report that states that almost nine out of every 10 UN trucks that entered Gaza with humanitarian aid over the last several months were looted — either by hungry Gazans or by armed groups. We get updates on how much aid is still standing at the Kerem Shalom crossing and how effective airdrops are. Finally, we learn about the IDF’s new Haredi brigade, known as the Hasmonean Brigade. After completing seven months of basic and advanced training, the first company of troops from the Hasmonean Brigade received their navy berets today. What is this new ultra-Orthodox company and how could it impact the 80,000 Haredi youth who are eligible for conscription? Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: After war meet, Netanyahu said to favor complete conquest of Gaza even if hostages harmed Operation ‘Gideon’s Chariots’ comes to a close, with promised goals unfulfilled Almost 9 in 10 aid trucks looted before reaching Gaza destinations, UN figures show Aiming to boost aid, Israel to allow gradual flow of goods to Gaza’s private sector 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: Palestinians carry personal belongings in the Mawasi area of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on July 28, 2025. (AFP)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Day 669 - Is Israel about to conquer the entire Gaza Strip?
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. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to convene a limited security meeting today to discuss military plans for Gaza. According to reports based on leaked information, following yesterday’s cabinet meeting, Netanyahu told ministers he intends to seek cabinet approval for a full re-occupation of the Gaza Strip. Horovitz delves into the pushback from several sectors of Israeli society -- including hostage families and security officials past and present -- and raises the possibility that this plan could be a negotiating lever to bring Hamas to the table. This idea to conquer and/or occupy the entire Gaza Strip comes as a report released Monday by the Hostages and Missing states that the 20 living hostages held by Hamas in Gaza are at an “immediate risk of death” due to starvation. The terrible conundrum of whether it is possible to simultaneously defeat Hamas and still get the hostages out alive has become increasingly more acute as the war continues. With this new leaked potential plan, Borschel-Dan wonders, has Netanyahu given up on the hostages? Horovitz responds. The government voted unanimously on Monday to dismiss Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara from office, following months of confrontation between the two sides, in a decision that will have deep legal and political reverberations given the government’s long-running efforts to weaken the judiciary. The move was then frozen by the High Court until the justices can rule on its legality. Horovitz gives three scenarios explaining why the government moved forward -- during the Knesset recess -- with this controversial step. Also on Monday afternoon, lawmakers on the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee voted 9-7 to appoint Likud MK Boaz Bismuth as their chairman, officially pushing out former chairman Yuli Edelstein in a move designed to end an impasse over legislation on military draft exemptions for the ultra-Orthodox community. What makes Bismuth a better candidate to push legislation forward? Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Netanyahu said set to order full takeover of Gaza, despite IDF qualms, risk to hostages Medical report: Hostages face ‘immediate risk of death’ from ‘systematic starvation’ ‘On the precipice of defeat’: 19 former defense chiefs demand end to Gaza war Government fires attorney general; High Court immediately freezes her dismissal MK Bismuth elected to head key defense panel, push through Haredi draft exemption law Edelstein shares Haredi draft proposal, hours before vote on his ouster as panel head 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: Illustrative: Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sits in a military vehicle in the southern city of Rafah in the Gaza Strip, July 18, 2024. (Avi Ohayon/Israel Prime Minister's Office via AP)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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