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.
Editor David Horovitz joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.
With the ballot count nearing an end, as of Thursday noon, the bloc led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is on track to win 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset, and the bloc led by Yashar party chair Gadi Eisenkot is at 48 seats, leaving both blocs far from a 61-seat majority.
However, the two predominantly Arab parties are poised to win a record 19 seats between them, putting them in a potential kingmaker position. After Arab voters turned out in record numbers to vote in Tuesday’s election, hoping to oust Netanyahu and his far-right allies from the seat of power, will any of the Jewish Zionist party leaders reach out to combine forces? Borschel-Dan and Horovitz share opposing views.
At the same time, Israeli news outlets are abuzz with headlines about Likud suspicions of foreign influence in the elections -- specifically that the Arab parties' campaigns were funded by Qatar. In a rare move, Central Elections Committee chair Justice Noam Sohlberg has asked the Shin Bet to look into these charges. Following our recording, reports surfaced that Shin Bet head David Zini had instigated the probe based on information provided to the security service before the election. (Check out the liveblog for updates on this changing story.)
And finally, we discuss how the estimated 430,000 to 480,000 so-called “double envelope” ballots -- cast primarily by soldiers, diplomats stationed abroad and prisoners -- could influence the final results upon the conclusion of their count.
Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.
For further reading:
With 90% of votes counted, Netanyahu bloc has 53 seats, Eisenkot’s 48; Arab parties surge to 19
Netanyahu vows to stick with far-right partners as Eisenkot seeks path to ‘bring change’
For pro-Israel diaspora, Israel’s Arab voters are a point of pride. For Israeli Jews, they’re a national security threat
Progressive US Jews call for Eisenkot-led opposition bloc to welcome Arab parties
Last-to-be-counted ‘double envelope’ votes could shift Knesset seats, but not balance of power
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 correspondents Tal Schneider and Ariela Karmel join host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.
Both Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Yashar party chief Gadi Eisenkot gave celebratory remarks after exit poll results came in on Tuesday night, with each vowing to be the one to establish the next government. As Wednesday's dawn broke, the Netanyahu bloc began to pull ahead and we discuss what this may -- or may not -- mean.
One of the standout takeaways from yesterday was the massive percentage of voters -- the highest since 1999 -- and most especially in the Arab community. The duo weigh in on why this surge in the Arab community took place and how it may influence coalition calculations.
There's one man who has already claimed victory, and that is US President Donald Trump, who on Wednesday credited his endorsement of Netanyahu for boosting the premier in the Knesset election. Schneider explains why this may not be fake news.
Check out The Times of Israel’s ongoing liveblog for more updates.
For further reading:
Eisenkot and Netanyahu each vow to form next coalition, even as exit polls predict stalemate
‘He’s united Arab Israelis’: Ben Gvir’s harsh policies drive high turnout in Arab towns
Trump takes credit for Netanyahu’s election boost after endorsement
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.
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.

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.

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.