The Times of Israel Daily Briefing

Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring key issues currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World, with host Amanda Borschel-Dan [https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/amanda-borschel-dan/] speaking with senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur [https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/haviv-gur/]. Dozens of Jewish extremists set fire to a security installation and rioted outside a West Bank base overnight Sunday-Monday, days after an officer in the Israel Defense Forces was assaulted by settlers, who threw rocks and attempted to harm other IDF soldiers. If there’s one institution that a majority of Israelis still get behind, it’s the IDF. So this attack, to many, was a wake-up call to the bubbling issue of settler extremists. In this week's What Matters Now, Rettig Gur describes the origins of the settler movement and how there were several visions that at times competed with each other -- and overlapped. He explains how the extremists who are repeatedly attacking neighboring Palestinian villages -- and now IDF soldiers -- are disenfranchised and largely shunned by the diverse settler communities. And we learn how politicians, some of whom serve as role models for these "hilltop youth" -- are finally also waking up to the problem. But while the leaders are changing their tunes, the youth are no longer listening. And so this week, we ask Haviv Rettig Gur, what matters now. What Matters Now podcasts are available for download on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/il/podcast/times-will-tell/id1067953235?mt=2], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/5Hqgs4Cy5VkdXB51eW2jjd], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnR6FOcOvFdMHmmVLVJUNrE198zXKQWna] or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves [https://thepodwaves.com/] and video edited by Thomas Girsch.  IMAGE: Illustrative: Young Jewish protesters throw rocks as Israeli police forces arrive at the illegal outpost of Amona, on February 1, 2017, on the morning of the settlement's evacuation. (Hadas Parush/Flash90) See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Welcome to The Times of Israel's newest podcast series, Friday Focus [https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/friday-focus/]. Each Friday, join diplomatic reporter Lazar Berman [https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/lazar-berman/] and host deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan [https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/amanda-borschel-dan/] for a deep dive into what's behind the news that spins the globe. This week, we're joined by John Spencer [https://www.johnspenceronline.com/], the chief of urban warfare studies at the Modern War Institute at West Point, a research center dedicated to the study of war and warfare. Spencer is a retired Major in the US Army and is a leading expert in military operations in dense and subterranean urban areas. Spencer reached out to us after we released a Friday Focus podcast, "10 truths about the Gaza war, 20 months in," [https://www.timesofisrael.com/friday-focus-with-lazar-berman-10-truths-about-the-gaza-war-20-months-in/] based on Berman's in-depth analysis, "For now, victory is still within reach: 10 truths about the Gaza war, 20 months in." [https://www.timesofisrael.com/for-now-victory-still-in-reach-10-truths-about-the-gaza-war-20-months-in/] Today's conversation is a meeting of the minds in which Berman and Spencer delve into the nuts and bolts of the war in Gaza so far. 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: IDF forces operate in the Gaza Strip in this July 3, 2025, handout photo. (IDF) See omnystudio.com/listener [https://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. US bureau chief Jacob Magid [https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/jacob-magid/] joins host Jessica Steinberg [https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/jessica-steinberg/] for today's episode. As Israel is said to be hoping to finalize a comprehensive Gaza deal before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the White House next week, Magid discusses the details and complexities of the ongoing hostage negotiations, including a framework of a two-month truce in which 10 living hostages would be returned and the bodies of 18 deceased hostages. Magid reports on the political implications of Netanyahu's upcoming visit to the White House next week, and the possibility of the two leaders celebrating the successful military campaign against Iran. He also notes that while a ceasefire is being negotiated for Gaza, Netanyahu's rhetoric still suggests an ongoing military campaign. The humanitarian aid distribution in Gaza continues to be exacerbated by the conflict and Magid discusses the Ha'aretz report of excessive IDF fire at aid distribution sites, leading to an IDF investigation into potential war crimes. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. [https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-july-03-2025/] For further reading: Trump says Israel ‘agreed to necessary conditions to finalize’ 60-day Gaza ceasefire [https://www.timesofisrael.com/trump-says-israel-agreed-to-necessary-conditions-to-finalize-60-day-gaza-ceasefire/] Trump says he will be ‘very firm’ with Netanyahu on ending Gaza war [https://www.timesofisrael.com/trump-says-he-hopes-gaza-ceasefire-will-be-reached-sometime-next-week/] Netanyahu set to visit White House July 7 as US pushes for end to Gaza war [https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-set-to-visit-white-house-july-7-as-us-pushes-for-end-to-gaza-war/] IDF confirms probe into killings near Gaza aid site, denies troops ordered to shoot civilians [https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-confirms-probe-into-killings-near-gaza-aid-site-denies-troops-ordered-to-shoot-civilians/] Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-times-of-israel-daily-briefing/id1547404042], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1vhvFPvN0fFn5YRHCEcxrn], YouTube, [https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnR6FOcOvFdMbb0w1n0Ev0orcVkufgZ89] or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves. IMAGE: Mothers protesting the war in Gaza call on IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir to end the war, holding posters that read: 'How do you dare to send our children to die?', 'We don't have children for a political war', 'Zamir, the soldiers are dying in vain.' (Credit Danor Aharon/Pro-Democracy Protest Movement) See omnystudio.com/listener [https://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. New York reporter Luke Tress [https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/luke-tress/] joins host Jessica Steinberg [https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/jessica-steinberg/] for today's episode. US President Donald Trump threatens to arrest New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani should he win the mayoral elections in November, and Tress discusses the president's repeated comments about the anti-Zionist candidate and Mamdani's proposed plan to oppose Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities in New York City. Tress offers an overall look at the trajectory of Mamdani's political ascent and his surprise upset of former New York governor Andrew Cuomo during last week's New York City Democratic party mayoral primary. He discusses the likelihood of Mamdani winning the November general election in the mostly Democratic city, and how Mamdani's anti-Israel activism, a facet of his political life since his college days, will challenge New York City's Jewish dwellers, who comprise the world's largest Jewish population outside of Israel. Tress examines Mamdani's opponents, including former governor Cuomo, who leaned into the Jewish vote, and current New York City mayor Eric Adams, who kicked off his independent candidacy after Mamdani won the primary. He discusses the pro-Jewish initiatives rolled out by Adams during his mayorship and in recent months, and that Cuomo and Adams share a similar voter base in New York, an overwhelmingly Democratic city. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. [https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-july-02-2025/] For further reading: Trump threatens to arrest anti-Israel New York City mayoral candidate Mamdani [https://www.timesofisrael.com/trump-threatens-to-arrest-new-york-city-mayoral-candidate-mamdani/] Jewish political organizers grapple with fallout from Mamdani’s NYC primary victory [https://www.timesofisrael.com/jewish-political-organizers-grapple-with-fallout-from-mamdanis-nyc-primary-victory/] Do Zohran Mamdani’s opponents have a path to defeating him in NYC mayoral election? [https://www.timesofisrael.com/do-zohran-mamdanis-opponents-have-a-path-to-defeating-him-in-nyc-mayoral-election/] After NYC primary upset, anti-Israel activist Mamdani vows not to ‘abandon my beliefs’ [https://www.timesofisrael.com/after-nyc-primary-upset-mamdani-vows-not-to-abandon-my-beliefs-about-overseas-issues/] Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-times-of-israel-daily-briefing/id1547404042], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1vhvFPvN0fFn5YRHCEcxrn], YouTube, [https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnR6FOcOvFdMbb0w1n0Ev0orcVkufgZ89] or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves. IMAGE: Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani takes selfies with supporters after speaking at his primary election party, Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa) See omnystudio.com/listener [https://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. Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman [https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/lazar-berman/] joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan [https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/amanda-borschel-dan/] for today's episode. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will embark on his third trip to to Washington early next week to meet with US President Donald Trump. This comes alongside increased pressure to end the war in Gaza and perhaps the potential of a domino-type deal between Israel and regional players. Berman speaks about reports that Israel and Syria are holding “advanced talks” on a bilateral agreement halting hostilities between the countries. Could this lead to Syria joining the Abraham Accords? And what position does this put Turkey in, even as its neighbor, Iran, just suffered a defeat at the hands of the US and Israel. Israel’s military chief has advised cabinet ministers against ordering the Israel Defense Forces to expand operations in the Gaza Strip, over fears that doing so could significantly endanger the lives of hostages still held in the Palestinian enclave, according to Hebrew media accounts Monday. Berman speaks about the terrible decision that has faced Israel's political echelons for almost 21 months -- hostages or defeating Hamas -- and how Israeli soldiers in Gaza will likely increasingly be on Hamas's radar as long as no decision is taken. At least 11 people in Gaza were killed yesterday in the area of a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) aid distribution center, according to local Palestinian media outlets. Also Monday, the military admitted in a statement that it has killed several civilians near aid sites in recent weeks and said it has learned lessons that will avoid similar incidents in the future. Berman recently spoke with the head of GHF, Reverend Johnnie Moore Jr. He brings us highlights from their conversation. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. [https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-july-1-2025/] For further reading: Netanyahu set to visit White House July 7 as US pushes for end to Gaza war [https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-set-to-visit-white-house-july-7-as-us-pushes-for-end-to-gaza-war/] Israel in ‘advanced talks’ for deal to end hostilities with Syria, says senior official [https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-in-advanced-talks-for-deal-to-end-hostilities-with-syria-says-senior-official/] Israel says Hezbollah must disarm before any Lebanon peace talks can advance [https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-says-hezbollah-must-disarm-before-any-lebanon-peace-talks-can-advance/] Dozens said killed in Gaza; IDF admits it has killed several civilians near aid sites [https://www.timesofisrael.com/dozens-said-killed-in-gaza-idf-admits-it-has-killed-several-civilians-near-aid-sites/] Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-times-of-israel-daily-briefing/id1547404042], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1vhvFPvN0fFn5YRHCEcxrn], YouTube, [https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnR6FOcOvFdMbb0w1n0Ev0orcVkufgZ89] or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves. IMAGE: President Donald Trump, right, shakes hands with Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 14, 2025. (Bandar Aljaloud/Saudi Royal Palace via AP) See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.