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.
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.
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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.
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.

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.
Australia correspondent Nomi Kaltmann joins host Gabriella Jacobs for today's episode.
A royal commission is Australia’s highest form of public inquiry, with sweeping powers to compel witnesses and documents.
Australia’s royal commission into antisemitism was established by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese following the Bondi Beach Hanukkah massacre in Sydney. Kaltmann discusses to what extent its findings can shape Australian law, policy and society.
Kaltmann describes how the hearings have become a rare public forum for Australian Jews to describe how antisemitism has reshaped life in the aftermath of the bloody October 7, 2023, Hamas invasion of Israel and the subsequent war against the terror group in Gaza.
She describes two weeks of hearings which are now nearing their conclusion, in which Jewish Australians and other witnesses gave evidence before the commission.
Kaltmann concludes by explaining the trajectory of the commission going forward and its conclusions thus far.
She remains uncertain whether the commission’s recommendations will, in actuality, stem the surge of antisemitism that Australian Jews have been witnessing of late.
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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.
Political correspondent Ariela Karmel and reporter Amy Spiro join host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode.
It's been an intensive week for lawmakers, reports Karmel, as the government begins dissolving the Knesset to trigger earlier elections and accelerates several controversial pieces of legislation. Karmel discusses the attorney general bill, a final effort by the right-leaning coalition to remove what remains of the only checks and balances on executive power in Israel.
Another element of the attorney general legislation is intended to allow elected officials to operate with less scrutiny, says Karmel, making it more difficult to open investigations or indictments against a prime minister or cabinet members.
After singer Noam Bettan garnered second place in the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night, Spiro discusses the surprising result, given the intensive politics behind the competition, with several countries that dropped out of the contest in protest of Israel's participation.
If Bettan had won first place, Spiro notes that it would have complicated decisions about having Israel host the Eurovision next year, but notes that the song contest has survived other wars, boycotts and geopolitical dramas.
Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.
For further reading:
MKs vote to advance bills splitting and weakening role of AG, making it harder to indict PM
New bill aims to make it harder to indict senior officials, including PM, ministers
Smotrich attacks AG, rule of law in dramatic Knesset committee hearing
Defying predictions, Eurovision juries gave Israel a boost amid voting reforms
Israel’s Noam Bettan finishes second at Eurovision as Bulgaria takes the win
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: Political correspondent Ariela Karmel 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.
US bureau chief Jacob Magid joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode.
As negotiations falter, again, between Iran and the US, and the Gulf States express wariness about renewing war, Magid discusses the two sides' current positions on terms to permanently end the war. Among other demands, Iran is seeking guarantees that hostilities will not resume and, in return, would reopen the Strait of Hormuz. It also continues to seek deferring negotiations over its rogue nuclear program — a stance President Donald Trump has thus far rejected.
In the meantime, Magid reports, the Board of Peace is getting nowhere regarding Hamas's disarmament. The terror group feels emboldened by Iran's ability to withstand US demands, says Magid, and is tightening its grip in the Gaza Strip.
Initial results from last weekend's elections for Fatah’s Central Committee show that PA President Mahmoud Abbas was elected to the panel, reports Magid, as well as his son, millionaire Yasser Abbas. Supporters of exiled prominent Palestinian Mohammed Dahlan were not permitted to participate in the elections, throwing the entire process into question.
Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.
For further reading:
Trump says US attack on Iran called off after Gulf assurances that deal now possible
US-Iran talks stalled after Tehran tried skirting up-front nuke concessions — officials
US thought Iran war would hasten Gaza’s demilitarization. Instead, Hamas is emboldened
Board of Peace envoy: Hamas tightening its grip on Gaza, taxing those with nothing left
US mulls asking Israel to provide PA tax funds for Trump’s Gaza plan — sources
Early results in Fatah leadership vote show Abbas’s son, intelligence chief elected
Backers of Abbas rival excluded from Fatah confab, despite Egypt’s push for inclusivity
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: US bureau chief Jacob Magid joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's Daily Briefing (ToI)
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.