Welcome to The Times of Israel’s Daily Briefing, your 15-minute audio update on what’s happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world, from Sunday through Thursday.

News editor Luke Tress and US bureau chief Jacob Magid join host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's episode.

Today's show begins with a brief report from diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman, who is traveling with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the United States.

Tress sheds light on what anti-judicial overhaul protesters have in store for the prime minister this week and delves into who they are and where their funding comes from.

Magid reports on an optimistic initiative put together by Saudi Arabia, the European Union, the Arab League and other international partners that is aimed at incentivizing Israel and the Palestinian Authority to restart peace talks.

Magid reported last week that the United Arab Emirates Ambassador to the United States said that the Israeli government is engaged in a process of de facto annexation of the West Bank, and that it may be up to other countries weighing normalization with Israel to stop it. He speaks about this carrot versus stick approach.

And finally, the Orthodox Union has certified a strain of lab-grown meat as kosher for the first time. We hear what kind of cells these are and where they can be found.

Discussed articles include:

TOI Webinar: No vote, no voice? Diaspora Jews’ influence on Israel’s judicial overhaul crisis

PM says original overhaul proposal ‘was bad,’ but must fix how Israel chooses judges

New York anti-overhaul activists launch week of protests as Netanyahu arrives

‘100% carrots’: Arab states, EU unveil plan to entice Israel, PA to sign peace deal

Saudi-backed EU venture aims to incentivize Israeli-Palestinian peace

UAE envoy: De facto West Bank annexation unfolding, but our ability to stop it wanes

In first, leading kosher authority Orthodox Union certifies lab-grown meat

Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on iTunes, Spotify, PlayerFM, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts.

IMAGE: A plane flies a banner protesting against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he visits Tesla's Fremont, California, factory on September 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

Welcome to The Times of Israel’s Daily Briefing, your 15-minute audio update on what’s happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world, from Sunday through Thursday.
News editor Luke Tress and US bureau chief Jacob Magid join host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's episode.
Today's show begins with a brief report from diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman, who is traveling with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the United States.
Tress sheds light on what anti-judicial overhaul protesters have in store for the prime minister this week and delves into who they are and where their funding comes from.
Magid reports on an optimistic initiative put together by Saudi Arabia, the European Union, the Arab League and other international partners that is aimed at incentivizing Israel and the Palestinian Authority to restart peace talks.
Magid reported last week that the United Arab Emirates Ambassador to the United States said that the Israeli government is engaged in a process of de facto annexation of the West Bank, and that it may be up to other countries weighing normalization with Israel to stop it. He speaks about this carrot versus stick approach.
And finally, the Orthodox Union has certified a strain of lab-grown meat as kosher for the first time. We hear what kind of cells these are and where they can be found.
Discussed articles include:
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/no-vote-no-voice-diaspora-jews-influence-on-israels-judicial-overhaul-crisis/">TOI Webinar: No vote, no voice? Diaspora Jews’ influence on Israel’s judicial overhaul crisis</a>
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/pm-says-original-overhaul-plan-was-a-bad-one-months-after-championing-it/">PM says original overhaul proposal ‘was bad,’ but must fix how Israel chooses judges</a>
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/new-york-anti-overhaul-activists-launch-week-of-protests-as-netanyahu-arrives/">New York anti-overhaul activists launch week of protests as Netanyahu arrives</a>
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/100-carrots-arab-states-eu-unveil-plan-to-entice-israel-pa-to-sign-peace-deal/">‘100% carrots’: Arab states, EU unveil plan to entice Israel, PA to sign peace deal</a>
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/saudi-backed-eu-venture-aims-to-incentivize-israeli-palestinian-peace/">Saudi-backed EU venture aims to incentivize Israeli-Palestinian peace</a>
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/uae-envoy-de-facto-west-bank-annexation-unfolding-but-our-ability-to-stop-it-wanes/">UAE envoy: De facto West Bank annexation unfolding, but our ability to stop it wanes</a>
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-first-leading-kosher-authority-orthodox-union-certifies-lab-grown-meat/">In first, leading kosher authority Orthodox Union certifies lab-grown meat</a>
Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-times-of-israel-daily-briefing/id1547404042"> iTunes</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1vhvFPvN0fFn5YRHCEcxrn">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://player.fm/series/the-times-of-israel-daily-briefing">PlayerFM, </a><a href="https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9vbW55LmZtL3Nob3dzL3RoZS1kYWlseS1icmllZmluZy9wbGF5bGlzdHMvcG9kY2FzdC5yc3M=">Google Play</a>, or wherever you get your podcasts.
IMAGE: A plane flies a banner protesting against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he visits Tesla's Fremont, California, factory on September 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

Welcome to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing: Your update on what’s important in Israel, the Middle East and The Jewish World.

Welcome to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing: Your update on what&rsquo;s important in Israel, the Middle East and The Jewish World.

The Times of Israel Daily Briefing

The Daily Briefing

Anti-overhaul protesters nip at PM Netanyahu's heels on US trip

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 and environmental reporter Sue Surkesjoin host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode.

Following Israel's procedural victory at the International Criminal Court, in which the Jewish state argued it could challenge the court's jurisdiction to try Israeli citizens for war crimes, Sharon examines the basis for the jurisdiction reasoning and what it could mean going forward regarding the arrest warrants issued last year for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant.

Sharon also discusses the potential for a constitutional crisis following the allegations made in writing to the High Court by Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar against Netanyahu. Now that Bar has backed up his initial claims with documentation and evidence in his affidavit to the High Court, Sharon says it will be far harder for the court to avoid ruling on the substantive issues of the case, potentially bringing the government and judiciary into direct conflict.

A highly unusual shark attack in which an Israeli man was mauled to death brought visitors to the beach where it happened, reports Surkes, despite police attempts to keep people away. Surkes discusses the environmental changes that have affected shark behavior along the Israeli coast.

Surkes also discusses her visit to the southern city of Ofakim and the neighborhood that was most heavily attacked on October 7, 2023, and how the small city has reacted, with community efforts to draw together in healing and unity.

This conversation can also be viewed here:

Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing live blog for more updates.

For further reading:

ICC Appeals Chamber rules lower court must hear Israel’s challenge to jurisdiction

Bar’s allegations against Netanyahu have raised the risk of a constitutional crisis

Diver missing, feared dead, after rare shark attack off the coast of Hadera

Seasonal fish mortality draws sharks to central beach, alarming bathers

A scarred Ofakim neighborhood grows into a community after October 7

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 and video edited by Thomas Girsch.

IMAGE: 

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 and environmental reporter Sue Surkesjoin host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode.

Following Israel's procedural victory at the International Criminal Court, in which the Jewish state argued it could challenge the court's jurisdiction to try Israeli citizens for war crimes, Sharon examines the basis for the jurisdiction reasoning and what it could mean going forward regarding the arrest warrants issued last year for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant.

Sharon also discusses the potential for a constitutional crisis following the allegations made in writing to the High Court by Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar against Netanyahu. Now that Bar has backed up his initial claims with documentation and evidence in his affidavit to the High Court, Sharon says it will be far harder for the court to avoid ruling on the substantive issues of the case, potentially bringing the government and judiciary into direct conflict.

A highly unusual shark attack in which an Israeli man was mauled to death brought visitors to the beach where it happened, reports Surkes, despite police attempts to keep people away. Surkes discusses the environmental changes that have affected shark behavior along the Israeli coast.

Surkes also discusses her visit to the southern city of Ofakim and the neighborhood that was most heavily attacked on October 7, 2023, and how the small city has reacted, with community efforts to draw together in healing and unity.

This conversation can also be viewed here:

Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing live blog for more updates.

For further reading:

ICC Appeals Chamber rules lower court must hear Israel’s challenge to jurisdiction

Bar’s allegations against Netanyahu have raised the risk of a constitutional crisis

Diver missing, feared dead, after rare shark attack off the coast of Hadera

Seasonal fish mortality draws sharks to central beach, alarming bathers

A scarred Ofakim neighborhood grows into a community after October 7

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 and video edited by Thomas Girsch.

IMAGE: Israelis on the beach in Hadera on April 26, 2025, where a man was attacked and killed by a shark during Passover (Photo by Yossi Zamir/Flash90)

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.
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/jeremy-sharon/">Legal correspondent Jeremy Sharon </a>and <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/sue-surkes/">environmental reporter Sue Surkes</a> join host<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/jessica-steinberg/"> Jessica Steinberg</a>&nbsp;for today's episode.
Following Israel's procedural victory at the International Criminal Court, in which the Jewish state argued it could challenge the court's jurisdiction to try Israeli citizens for war crimes, Sharon examines the basis for the jurisdiction reasoning and what it could mean going forward regarding the arrest warrants issued last year for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant.
Sharon also discusses the potential for a constitutional crisis following the allegations made in writing to the High Court by Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar against Netanyahu. Now that Bar has backed up his initial claims with documentation and evidence in his affidavit to the High Court, Sharon says it will be far harder for the court to avoid ruling on the substantive issues of the case, potentially bringing the government and judiciary into direct conflict.
A highly unusual shark attack in which an Israeli man was mauled to death brought visitors to the beach where it happened, reports Surkes, despite police attempts to keep people away. Surkes discusses the environmental changes that have affected shark behavior along the Israeli coast.
Surkes also discusses her visit to the southern city of Ofakim and the neighborhood that was most heavily attacked on October 7, 2023, and how the small city has reacted, with community efforts to draw together in healing and unity.
This conversation can also be viewed here:
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-april-27-2025/?utm_source=article_hpsidebar&amp;utm_medium=desktop_site&amp;utm_campaign=diver-missing-after-rare-shark-attack-off-the-coast-of-hadera">Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing live blog for more updates.</a>
For further reading:
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/icc-appeals-chamber-rules-lower-court-must-hear-israels-challenge-to-jurisdiction/">ICC Appeals Chamber rules lower court must hear Israel&rsquo;s challenge to jurisdiction</a>
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/bars-allegations-against-netanyahu-have-raised-the-risk-of-a-constitutional-crisis/">Bar&rsquo;s allegations against Netanyahu have raised the risk of a constitutional crisis</a>
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/diver-missing-after-rare-shark-attack-off-the-coast-of-hadera/">Diver missing, feared dead, after rare shark attack off the coast of Hadera</a>
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/seasonal-fish-mortality-draws-sharks-to-central-beach-alarming-bathers/">Seasonal fish mortality draws sharks to central beach, alarming bathers</a>
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/a-scarred-ofakim-neighborhood-grows-into-a-community-after-october-7/">A scarred Ofakim neighborhood grows into a community after October 7</a>
Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-times-of-israel-daily-briefing/id1547404042"> Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1vhvFPvN0fFn5YRHCEcxrn">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnR6FOcOvFdMbb0w1n0Ev0orcVkufgZ89">YouTube,</a> or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves and video edited by Thomas Girsch.
IMAGE:&nbsp;
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.
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/jeremy-sharon/">Legal correspondent Jeremy Sharon </a>and <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/sue-surkes/">environmental reporter Sue Surkes</a> join host<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/jessica-steinberg/"> Jessica Steinberg</a>&nbsp;for today's episode.
Following Israel's procedural victory at the International Criminal Court, in which the Jewish state argued it could challenge the court's jurisdiction to try Israeli citizens for war crimes, Sharon examines the basis for the jurisdiction reasoning and what it could mean going forward regarding the arrest warrants issued last year for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant.
Sharon also discusses the potential for a constitutional crisis following the allegations made in writing to the High Court by Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar against Netanyahu. Now that Bar has backed up his initial claims with documentation and evidence in his affidavit to the High Court, Sharon says it will be far harder for the court to avoid ruling on the substantive issues of the case, potentially bringing the government and judiciary into direct conflict.
A highly unusual shark attack in which an Israeli man was mauled to death brought visitors to the beach where it happened, reports Surkes, despite police attempts to keep people away. Surkes discusses the environmental changes that have affected shark behavior along the Israeli coast.
Surkes also discusses her visit to the southern city of Ofakim and the neighborhood that was most heavily attacked on October 7, 2023, and how the small city has reacted, with community efforts to draw together in healing and unity.
This conversation can also be viewed here:
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-april-27-2025/?utm_source=article_hpsidebar&amp;utm_medium=desktop_site&amp;utm_campaign=diver-missing-after-rare-shark-attack-off-the-coast-of-hadera">Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing live blog for more updates.</a>
For further reading:
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/icc-appeals-chamber-rules-lower-court-must-hear-israels-challenge-to-jurisdiction/">ICC Appeals Chamber rules lower court must hear Israel&rsquo;s challenge to jurisdiction</a>
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/bars-allegations-against-netanyahu-have-raised-the-risk-of-a-constitutional-crisis/">Bar&rsquo;s allegations against Netanyahu have raised the risk of a constitutional crisis</a>
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/diver-missing-after-rare-shark-attack-off-the-coast-of-hadera/">Diver missing, feared dead, after rare shark attack off the coast of Hadera</a>
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/seasonal-fish-mortality-draws-sharks-to-central-beach-alarming-bathers/">Seasonal fish mortality draws sharks to central beach, alarming bathers</a>
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/a-scarred-ofakim-neighborhood-grows-into-a-community-after-october-7/">A scarred Ofakim neighborhood grows into a community after October 7</a>
Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-times-of-israel-daily-briefing/id1547404042"> Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1vhvFPvN0fFn5YRHCEcxrn">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnR6FOcOvFdMbb0w1n0Ev0orcVkufgZ89">YouTube,</a> or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves and video edited by Thomas Girsch.
IMAGE: Israelis on the beach in Hadera on April 26, 2025, where a man was attacked and killed by a shark during Passover (Photo by Yossi Zamir/Flash90)

Day 569 - Legal wrangles at ICC, shark attack in Hadera

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 Prof. Manuela Consonni, director of Hebrew University's Vidal Sassoon International Center for the Study of Antisemitism.

Consonni, a leading scholar of Holocaust memory, gender, and post-war European culture, decided to mark Yom Hashoah, Israel's Holocaust Remembrance Day, with an exhibition at the Mount Scopus campus called, "Faces of Women's Resistance."

The exhibition looks at how women -- Jewish and non-Jewish -- resisted the Nazi regime. Like men, many were fighters, partisans and rescuers, but also the sheer survival of their family was put on the shoulders of many mothers.

We discuss definitions of resistance and what means were available to women during the Nazi regime.

And finally, we delve into the use of Holocaust language when discussing the hostages kept by Hamas in Gaza since October 7, 2023.

So this week, we ask Prof. Manuela Consonni, 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: Two young women who managed to survive over a year in the concentration camp at Belsen, Germany, are shown, April 30, 1945. (AP Photo)

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 Prof. Manuela Consonni, director of Hebrew University's Vidal Sassoon International Center for the Study of Antisemitism.
Consonni, a leading scholar of Holocaust memory, gender, and post-war European culture, decided to mark&nbsp;Yom Hashoah, Israel's Holocaust Remembrance Day, with an exhibition at the Mount Scopus campus called, "Faces of Women's Resistance."
The exhibition looks at how women -- Jewish and non-Jewish -- resisted the Nazi regime. Like men, many were fighters, partisans and rescuers, but also the sheer survival of their family was put on the shoulders of many mothers.
We discuss definitions of resistance and what means were available to women during the Nazi regime.
And finally, we delve into the use of Holocaust language when discussing the hostages kept by Hamas in Gaza since October 7, 2023.
So this week, we ask Prof. Manuela Consonni, what matters now?
What Matters Now podcasts are available for download on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/il/podcast/times-will-tell/id1067953235?mt=2">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/5Hqgs4Cy5VkdXB51eW2jjd">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnR6FOcOvFdMHmmVLVJUNrE198zXKQWna">YouTube</a> or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by <a href="https://thepodwaves.com/">the Pod-Waves.</a>&nbsp;
IMAGE: Two young women who managed to survive over a year in the concentration camp at Belsen, Germany, are shown, April 30, 1945. (AP Photo)

Day 568: Prof. Manuela Consonni on how women resisted the Nazis

Welcome to The Times of Israel's newest podcast series, Friday Focus. Each Friday, join diplomatic reporter Lazar Berman and host deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan for a deep dive into what's behind the news that spins the globe.

Over the Passover holiday, some 6,315 Jews visited the Temple Mount, a 37% rise over last year. Among them, Religious Zionism MK Zvi Sukkot, where he participated in a prayer service and prostrated himself on the ground in worship — activities that are nominally prohibited for Jews at the flashpoint holy site.

Sukkot hailed the “tremendous change” since he was arrested for the same act 14 years ago.

Meanwhile, far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who oversees the Israel Police, which enforces law and security on the Mount, boasted that a shift in the unwritten status quo that governs the site was a result of his policies. He was up on the mount earlier in the month.

In a statement, Ben Gvir said, “I’m happy to see that MK Zvi Sukkot, like many thousands, is prostrating himself and praying at the Temple Mount.. What wasn’t done for 30 years is being done on my watch, and I’m glad to have the honor, by the grace of God, to lead this huge change.”

So this week, Berman delves into whether this is such a "huge change" and how we arrived at the current precarious balance.

Friday Focuscan be found on all podcast platforms. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves and the video was edited by Thomas Girsch.

IMAGE: Jewish visitors walk protected by Israeli security forces at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, also known as the Temple Mount complex to Jews, in Jerusalem on April 9, 2023, during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, also coinciding with the Jewish Passover holiday. (AHMAD GHARABLI / AFP)

Welcome to The Times of Israel's newest podcast series, <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/friday-focus/">Friday Focus</a>. Each Friday, join <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/lazar-berman/">diplomatic reporter Lazar Berman</a> and host <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/amanda-borschel-dan/">deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan</a> for a deep dive into what's behind the news that spins the globe.
Over the Passover holiday, some 6,315 Jews visited the Temple Mount, a 37% rise over last year. Among them, Religious Zionism MK Zvi Sukkot, where he participated in a prayer service and prostrated himself on the ground in worship &mdash; activities that are nominally prohibited for Jews at the flashpoint holy site.
Sukkot hailed the &ldquo;tremendous change&rdquo; since he was arrested for the same act 14 years ago.
Meanwhile, far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who oversees the Israel Police, which enforces law and security on the Mount, boasted that a shift in the unwritten status quo that governs the site was a result of his policies. He was up on the mount earlier in the month.
In a statement, Ben Gvir said, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m happy to see that MK Zvi Sukkot, like many thousands, is prostrating himself and praying at the Temple Mount.. What wasn&rsquo;t done for 30 years is being done on my watch, and I&rsquo;m glad to have the honor, by the grace of God, to lead this huge change.&rdquo;
So this week, Berman delves into whether this is such a "huge change" and how we arrived at the current precarious balance.
Friday Focus can be found on all podcast platforms. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves and the video was edited by Thomas Girsch.
IMAGE: Jewish visitors walk protected by Israeli security forces at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, also known as the Temple Mount complex to Jews, in Jerusalem on April 9, 2023, during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, also coinciding with the Jewish Passover holiday. (AHMAD GHARABLI / AFP)

Anti-overhaul protesters nip at PM Netanyahu's heels on US trip

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