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.
Berman, just back in Israel from the United Nations General Assembly, discusses how Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s 15th address to the hall on Thursday was in some ways a classic Bibi presentation -- and in many ways not. We hear what was said and unsaid during the 40-minute speech.
A flurry of reports has come out in the past several weeks surrounding what the prime minister was briefed on ahead of the October 7, 2023, onslaught by Hamas on southern Israel, including a statement from former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant this morning. Berman unravels which seem credible and why.
Finally, Iran stood firm Sunday on its conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, after US President Donald Trump rejected its proposal. While the Iranian offer had created some optimism around the prospect of breaking the war stalemate, there's one ToI analyst who has long said that nothing will change in the near future. Berman explains why.
Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.
For further reading:
What Netanyahu didn’t say at the UN was as telling as what he did
Days before Oct 7, PM ordered security forces to ‘minimize escalation’ in Gaza – report
Former PA minister details Sinwar’s pre-Oct. 7 warning to Israel of coming ‘earthquake’
Iran vows not to back down after US rejects its Hormuz proposal
Trump rejects Iranian ceasefire proposal, reportedly plans to renew strikes after midterms
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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