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.
Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.
There are at least 19 US warships in the Arabian Sea, including two aircraft carriers and an amphibious assault ship with more than 1,000 Marines aboard. This threat -- and US President Donald Trump's renewed blockade on the Strait of Hormuz -- is not deterring the Iranians' determined chokehold on the waterway. Berman delves into the logic behind Iran's moves.
Adding further nuance, we take a look at Iran's strikes on its Gulf neighbors and Jordan. What is being targeted and how is this conveying the regime's message?
Next, we turn to an unexpected escalation in the Gulf: The Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen said they launched missiles and drones at Saudi Arabia’s Abha International Airport on Monday in response to airstrikes they blamed on Saudi Arabia that struck Sanaa International Airport earlier in the day. What is behind this flare-up?
And finally, Rome is host this week to a sixth round of talks between Israel and Lebanon. On the agenda is a pilot IDF pullout from specific locations in southern Lebanon. Berman raises the pluses and minuses of this plan.
Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.
For further reading:
US reimposes naval blockade as Trump threatens to ramp up strikes on Iran: ‘You better make a deal’
Iran’s strikes show its priority is flexing muscle on Hormuz, not dealing with Trump
After blocking Hormuz, Iran signals it could ramp up pressure and shut Red Sea gateway, too
In major escalation, Yemen’s Houthis target Saudi Arabia’s Abha airport
Trump said to urge Netanyahu to pull Israeli troops from Syria, Lebanon in recent call
Sixth round of Israel-Lebanon talks begins in Rome, with focus on IDF pullout ‘pilot’
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.
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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.
Editor David Horovitz joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.
The US launched strikes on Iran early Tuesday, hours after President Donald Trump said Washington was “reinstating” a blockade on Iranian ports. Trump separately suggested the United States will act as "guardians" of the Strait of Hormuz and in return will charge ships for safe passage. With Iran lashing out against its Gulf neighbors and Jordan, has the war essentially restarted?
The New York Times reported Monday that Israel engaged in a multiyear effort to recruit and re-install as leader Iran’s former hardline president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. In the report, citing US officials and sources with knowledge of the failed Israeli plot, we learn of a detailed plan that fell apart on February 28, even as the US and Israel attacked Iran and picked off its top leadership. Horovitz relates what we know so far.
As part of a legislative blitz ahead of its dissolution on Friday, the Knesset voted 63-52 on Monday to pass a deeply divisive Basic Law declaring Torah study a “foundational value” of the Jewish people and the State of Israel. Horovitz delves into the problematic ripple effects of this law, other legislation catering to the Haredi community that is set to be passed this week, and the IDF chief of staff's rare public outcry against it.
Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.
For further reading:
US attacks Iran and Tehran retaliates across Middle East as both vie for control of strait
Trump resumes blockade of Iran’s ports, says US ‘guardian’ of Hormuz, will charge ‘20% on all cargo’
Report: Ahmadinejad met Mossad chief under Israeli plan to install him as Iran leader
Israel passes quasi-constitutional law declaring Torah study a foundational value
IDF chief denounces ‘inconceivable’ bill freezing ultra-Orthodox enlistment
Full text: IDF chief’s letter to Netanyahu, Katz against bill freezing Haredi enlistment
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 Ariela Karmel joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode.
The Knesset is in the midst of a legislative blitz before parliament dissolves on July 17. Karmel notes that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pushing to pass controversial bills important to the ultra-Orthodox and nationalist, right-wing parties in his coalition, to solidify his alliances ahead of October 27’s general election.
Karmel discusses the various bills likely to be passed into law, including a Basic Law on Torah study that would shield Haredi men from the army draft; the repeal of a kashrut reform that weakened the Orthodox rabbinate; and a bill to gut the powers of the attorney general. A bill to establish a politically appointed probe into the failures surrounding the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led invasion, which would give the coalition unilateral control over the commission to investigate its own conduct, may not be enacted due to time constraints.
Much of this legislation is vulnerable to constitutional challenges, reports Karmel, but there is no certainty that the coalition, if reelected, would abide by future High Court rulings, which, in turn, raises the question of whether the current government would concede if it loses on October 27.
Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.
For further reading:
Election date finalized for October 27, with government set to complete full term
Bill approved for final Knesset readings would freeze Haredi enlistment for at least 7 months
Bill to gut attorney general’s powers approved by Knesset committee for final readings
Coalition aims to pass raft of contentious bills in final week before Knesset dissolution
Netanyahu said seeking Haredi loyalty after election, but party leaders noncommittal
Knesset advances controversial bill for politically appointed Oct. 7 probe in 1st reading
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 appears on today's Daily Briefing podcast with host Jessica Steinberg (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
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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.
Military correspondent Emanuel Fabian joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.
The US military said it launched another round of strikes on Iran early Sunday, the third in recent days, after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps struck a container ship traveling through the Strait of Hormuz and declared the waterway closed until further notice. Fabian speaks to what it may take for the IDF to rejoin the fight.
US Democratic lawmaker Ro Khanna said he was detained by Israeli settlers armed with US-made rifles during a West Bank visit late last week. Also making headlines, four Israeli settlers were detained for allegedly attacking a CNN media crew near the West Bank town of Sinjil on Saturday. After allegations of IDF inaction, Fabian reviews the military's role in defusing similar situations.
The Israel Defense Forces on Friday announced that three Hamas commanders were killed in airstrikes in Gaza, including one who raided the IDF’s Re’im base in southern Israel during the October 7, 2023, onslaught that sparked the subsequent war in the Strip. This comes amid an uptick in similar announcements of targeted killings of terrorists who participated in the massacre or held hostages in Gaza. Fabian tells us about the apparent trend.
Yesterday, a US military delegation met with Lebanon’s army in Beirut to discuss the implementation of Israel’s withdrawal from a “pilot zone” in southern Lebanon. We hear where and how it may take place.
And finally, to end the program, we learn about Pvt. Yaakov Zarihan, killed in action on April 20, 1948, during Israel’s War of Independence. He had been considered missing for 78 years, and last week it was announced that he was identified as buried in a mass grave in a kibbutz near Jerusalem.
Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.
For further reading:
US strikes Iran again, after IRGC attacks ship in Hormuz and declares strait closed
US Democrat Ro Khanna says he was detained by armed settlers during West Bank visit
4 settlers detained for alleged attack on CNN crew in West Bank town of Sinjil
Off-duty IDF soldier, two Israeli women extracted from West Bank’s Jericho
IDF kills three Hamas commanders, including Oct. 7 invader, in Gaza airstrikes
US military delegation visits Beirut to discuss IDF ‘pilot zone’ withdrawal
IDF troops to withdraw from Lebanon pilot zones in coming days, says US official
IDF says soldier missing since 1948 war determined to be buried near Jerusalem
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 What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring key issues currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World, with host Amanda Borschel-Dan speaking with Deborah Gilboa, MD, an expert in resilience and navigating change.
The Pittsburgh-based family physician and author of "From Stressed to Resilient: The Guide to Handle More and Feel It Less" begins the program by defining what is -- and what is not -- resilience. We learn that it can be exercised and strengthened to be employed when we are presented with unexpected choices, positive or negative.
Gilboa, whose son served and was injured as a lone soldier in Gaza, shares how she personally found inner fortitude following his deployment in October 2023 and was able to be the mother he needed when called upon.
We also hear about Dr. G's Squirrel Hill community and its coping mechanisms in the wake of the October 27, 2018, shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue, in which 11 people were killed by a white supremacist terrorist. We learn that the community's response to US President Donald Trump's visit lines up with resilience tactics, including drawing boundaries and uniting through tragedy.
Finally, Gilboa gives quick tips for how listeners may hack their own resilience muscle in times of stress.
And so, this week, we ask Dr. Deborah Gilboa 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 edited by Yitzchak Ledee.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.