The Times of Israel Daily Briefing

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.
ToI founding editor David Horovitz joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode.
As US President Donald Trump seeks to finalize an agreement with Iran that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz but won't limit the regime's ballistic missile program, thwart its nuclear ambitions or constrain its capacity to wage terrorism around the world, Horovitz discusses Israel’s absence from the negotiations and its need to assert its independent capacity to defend itself.
After National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir taunted hundreds of detainees from the latest flotilla and received only a light rebuke from Netanyahu, Horovitz recalls that the prime minister just a few years ago said that the hawkish Ben Gvir didn't represent Israel's values and would never have a seat in his government.
Ben Gvir is in charge of the prisons that New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof has accused of carrying out the strategic sexual assault of Palestinian detainees. Israel, however outraged, will not end up suing the publication, Horovitz assesses, explaining why.
Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.
For further reading:
With Trump conflicted and Iran emboldened, vital bid to end regime’s nuclear drive is being botched
Trump’s emerging Iran deal forces Israel to seek guarantees, not victory
Netanyahu needs to fire Ben Gvir after his flotilla provocation, but of course he won’t
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: Times of Israel founding editor David Horovitz joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's Daily Briefing. (ToI)
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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.
News editor Ben Sales joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode.
As the US closes in on a deal with Iran based on talks that didn't include Israel or Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Sales discusses the war that began with Israel and the US standing shoulder to shoulder, and that appears to be ending with Israel's leader watching from the sidelines, and what that means for the country.
While many Israelis are relishing the ability to live without the day-to-day threat of rocket fire from Iran or its Lebanese proxy, Hezbollah, Sales examines the unprecedented period and its psychological effect on the country and its residents.
Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.
For further reading:
Israel began the Iran war as a partner of the US — and is ending it on the sidelines
Ceasefire nation: Caught between war and peace, can Israelis move forward?
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: News editor Ben Sales joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's Daily Briefing. (ToI)
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.
Iran and the United States played down hopes for an imminent breakthrough in the three-month-old war on Monday, with Tehran saying that while it had reached understandings on many issues with the US, an agreement was not imminent. For his part, US President Donald Trump says the deal will be "great and meaningful" or won't happen at all.
While there was no official Iranian confirmation of the contents of the potential agreement, Freiberg delves into the differing narratives being presented by US and Iranian press.
US President Donald Trump sought to reassure Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call that a final agreement with Iran will fully dismantle Tehran’s nuclear program, a senior Israeli official said yesterday. We learn of blowback from politicians in the US and Israel and explore how this potential deal could affect the Lebanon front.
As part of an ongoing series of conversations, Freiberg communicated with five residents of Iran who described widespread unemployment and economic hardship, tighter surveillance and targeting of dissidents, and further restricted internet access since the war’s start. We hear more.
Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.
For further reading:
Iran and US voice optimism but temper expectations for imminent breakthrough in talks
US official: Iran deal to be signed in coming days; Trump derides ‘loser’ critics
Trump said to assure Netanyahu he will thwart Iran nuke program as Israel fears ‘very bad’ deal
As US moves to end war, Iranians tell ToI they fear regime clampdown just starting
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.

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 Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.
The US and Iran are close to signing a deal involving a 60-day ceasefire extension, during which the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened, Iran would be able to freely sell oil, and negotiations would be held on curbing Iran’s nuclear program — including it giving up its stockpile of enriched uranium, the Axios news site reported on Sunday, citing a US official. Schneider gives insight into Israel's reaction to the potential deal and delves into what could happen on the Lebanon front: Is Hezbollah part of the package?
A soldier was killed Friday by a drone near the Lebanese border, the Israel Defense Forces announced Saturday. The slain soldier was named as Staff Sgt. Noam Hamburger, 23, a technology and maintenance soldier in the 401st Brigade, from Atlit in northern Israel. Schneider underlines that this occurred on Israeli soil, where Hezbollah drone attacks are still an everyday occurrence for residents of the north.
On Friday night, Yashar! party head Gadi Eisenkot gave his first major interview in recent memory to the Uvda TV news magazine. We hear what was said -- and unsaid.
Since the establishment of the State of Israel, young women, from the age of 18, have been obligated to enlist in the IDF. We learn about how the ranks of female fighters have swelled in the past decade -- and the intense backlash from the religious community. Schneider brings us an update from this morning, which illustrates this delicate balance.
Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.
For further reading:
US-Iran deal said to open strait for 60 days, Iran to discuss giving up enriched uranium
Trump says deal with Iran ‘largely negotiated, will be announced shortly,’ Hormuz will be opened
Liberman slams emerging Iran deal, accuses Netanyahu of failing to win war ‘on any front’
Soldier killed in northern Israel by Hezbollah drone from Lebanon
Female troops are under assault, and not just in Bnei Brak
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.

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.
Environmental reporter Sue Surkes joins host Gabriella Jacobs for today's episode.
Four years ago, Israel’s National Security Council established a unit focused on climate policy. In what Surkes calls a "shock decision," the NSC’s Climate and National Security Forum and Climate Intelligence Forum had ceased to operate as of April 1. We learn what the potential implications could be.
Next, we learn about Elad Blumental, the head of OneDay, which provides one-time social volunteering activities. Recently, the NGO pivoted to training volunteer earthquake rescue teams on the heels of repeated State Comptroller reports and Knesset committee hearings warning that Israel is woefully unprepared for an inevitable earthquake.
Finally, we learn about a new initiative earmarked for reservists and soldiers who are living with trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Metiv — The Israel Psychotrauma Center launched a new campaign on Sunday to encourage restaurants, cafes, bars and other social venues to create spaces that are more aware, sensitive and accessible. Surkes gives details.
Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.
For further reading:
In shock decision, National Security Council stops work on climate change
New ‘PTSD-friendly’ scheme aims to adapt Israel’s public spaces
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.