Political parties form new constellations ahead of elections

Extremist settlers dealt blow with EU sanctions

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. Following US President Donald Trump's comment about the ceasefire with Iran being on "life support," Magid reports on possible Iranian willingness to give up on stockpiles of highly enriched uranium that are buried far underground and Trump's frustration when those terms weren't included in their latest proposal. The European Union approved a round of sanctions against violent Jewish settlers, and Magid names the settler organizations involved in establishing settlements and outposts and the individuals associated with them, which now won't have access to funds from Europe. A donation of $100 million from the United Arab Emirates will help set up a Gaza police force to maintain internal security in the Gaza Strip, reports Magid, although he notes that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not fully on board with this latest Board of Peace plan. Yasser Abbas, the millionaire son of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, is up for a position on the powerful central committee of Fatah, and Magid discusses the possible scenarios that could take place during the upcoming conference. Magid briefly notes a slight kerfuffle between Israel's US ambassador Yechiel Leiter and several American Jewish organizations that are cosponsoring an event with the Spanish government that has been strongly critical of Israel. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. [https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-may-12-2026/] For further reading: Trump says Iran ceasefire ‘on life support’ after Tehran submitted ‘garbage’ proposal [https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-convenes-security-meeting-iran-calls-us-greatest-threat-to-world-peace/] EU foreign ministers approve sanctions on violent Israeli settlers, Hamas leaders [https://www.timesofisrael.com/eu-foreign-ministers-approve-sanctions-on-violent-israeli-settlers-hamas-leaders/] UAE sends Board of Peace $100 million for training of new Gaza police force — officials [https://www.timesofisrael.com/uae-sends-board-of-peace-100-million-for-training-of-new-gaza-police-force-officials/] Abbas seen positioning son for Palestinian leadership, dismaying those seeking new blood [https://www.timesofisrael.com/abbas-seen-positioning-son-for-palestinian-leadership-dismaying-those-seeking-new-blood/] Israeli envoy takes rare swipe at US Jewish groups for cosponsoring Spanish exhibit [https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-envoy-takes-rare-swipe-at-us-jewish-groups-for-cosponsoring-spanish-exhibit/] 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 Ari Schlacht. IMAGE: US bureau chief Jacob Magid joins host Jessica Steinberg in today's Daily Briefing podcast. (ToI) See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

BONUS - Cochav Elkayam-Levy: Hamas weaponized rape and humiliation on Oct. 7

Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring one key issue currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World. This week, host deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan [https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/amanda-borschel-dan/] speaks with legal expert Dr. Cochav Elkayam-Levy [https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/cochav-elkayam-levy/]. Almost immediately following Hamas’s murderous onslaught on southern Israel, humanitarian law expert Elkayam-Levy established and now heads The Civil Commission on Oct. 7th Crimes by Hamas against Women and Children. On May 12, the commission released a massive report that documents and chronicles Hamas’s systemic use of rape and sexual violence against women -- and men -- on October 7, while taking hostages and during their captivities. Elkayam-Levy visited The Times of Israel's Jerusalem studio for this wide-ranging conversation. Listener discretion is advised. Since the Hamas onslaught on southern Israel, Elkayam-Levy and her team of forensics and legal experts, alongside professional archivists and others, have carefully gathered witness testimony and over 10,000 pieces of visual evidence that prove the terrorists' use of sex abuse as a tactical war crime. We hear about 13 categories of abuse perpetrated on people from over 50 nationalities. We learn that the tactic of broadcasting the crimes via livestreams has made Hamas heroes in the eyes of some fundamentalists who are already importing the terror group's sadistic methods, as seen in Syrian attacks on Druze in July. Elkayam-Levy discusses the impossible mission of providing a voice for the voiceless and creating a historical database that accurately portrays the scope of the horror. She has faced unfathomable blowback and is clear-eyed about how the commission's report will be received. So this week, we ask Dr. Cochav Elkayam-Levy, 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 Yitzchak Ledee. [https://thepodwaves.com/]  IMAGE: Dr. Cochav Elkayam-Levy (Muki Schwartz) / On October 13, 2023, Israeli soldiers inspect the site of the Nova music festival where at least 340 Israeli festival-goers were killed during the attack by Hamas militants on Oct 7, near the border with the Gaza Strip in southern Israel. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit, File) See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Will 'unacceptable' Iran proposal push Trump to war?

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. Yesterday, Iran handed over its much-anticipated response to the latest US peace proposal. US President Donald Trump quickly declared it "totally unacceptable." We delve into the ongoing skirmishes between Iranian drones and Gulf states, including Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, and speak about potential scenarios facing Trump in the near future. In a lengthy "60 Minutes [https://www.cbsnews.com/news/read-the-full-transcript-of-major-garretts-interview-with-israeli-prime-minister-benjamin-netanyahu-here/]" interview last night, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that the war is “not over” despite Trump’s apparent desire to end hostilities and insistence that Iran had been roundly defeated. We hear highlights from what was on -- and off -- camera, including his quasi-acceptance of some responsibility for the October 7, 2023, massacre on Israeli soil. The US will host the third round of ambassador-level talks between representatives from Israel and Lebanon on May 14 and 15. What are the aims of the ongoing talks -- and how feasible is any kind of agreement as long as Hezbollah is still firmly entrenched in Israel's neighbor to the north? A former senior US official and a former senior Israeli official are offering a new vision to restart their nations' bilateral relationship. Berman met with former US ambassador to Israel Tom Nides and former IDF Military Intelligence chief Amos Yadlin last week and brings back a vision with some cautious optimism. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. [https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-says-iran-regimes-fall-not-guaranteed-acknowledges-hormuz-standoff-wasnt-foreseen/] For further reading: ‘Unacceptable’: Trump rejects Iran response to US peace offer, as Netanyahu insists war ‘not over’ [https://www.timesofisrael.com/iran-sends-response-to-latest-us-peace-proposal-as-netanyahu-insists-war-not-over/] UAE, Kuwait and Qatar all report drone attacks as Iran ramps up its threats [https://www.timesofisrael.com/uae-kuwait-and-qatar-all-report-drone-attacks-as-iran-ramps-up-its-threats/] Netanyahu concedes he bears some responsibility for Oct. 7, but says ‘everyone’ shares it [https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-concedes-he-bears-some-responsibility-for-oct-7-but-says-everyone-shares-it/] IDF reservist killed in Hezbollah explosive drone attack in northern Israel [https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-reservist-killed-in-hezbollah-explosive-drone-attack-in-northern-israel/] Past top Israeli, US officials reveal new vision for ties rooted in tech partnership [https://www.timesofisrael.com/past-top-israeli-us-officials-reveal-new-vision-for-ties-rooted-in-tech-partnership/] 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. Yitzhak Ledee filmed and edited this episode. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Political parties form new constellations ahead of elections

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 correspondents Sam Sokol and Ariela Karmel [https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/sam-sokol/]join host Jessica Steinberg [https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/jessica-steinberg/] for today's episode. The opposition parties are shaping up ahead of the upcoming elections, as Sokol and Karmel discuss the familiar and new political figures and the jockeying among parties to maximize votes. Karmel also reports on a new Druze political party, the first time the community has formed one in decades, following their deep sense of frustration with the government. As the Knesset returns to its first session after a prolonged break, Sokol and Karmel discuss the expected legislative blitz, including proposed laws to split the role of the attorney general, a controversial proposed political probe into October 7, restricting Israel’s broadcast media landscape, as well as the military exemption service law for the ultra-Orthodox. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. [https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-may-10-2026/] For further reading: Former Shin Bet chief Yoram Cohen joins Eisenkot’s Yashar party [https://www.timesofisrael.com/former-shin-bet-chief-yoram-cohen-joins-eisenkots-yashar-party/] After joining Yashar, ex-head of Shin Bet says Smotrich a ‘legitimate’ partner, but not Ben Gvir [https://www.timesofisrael.com/after-joining-yashar-ex-head-of-shin-bet-says-smotrich-a-legitimate-partner-rules-out-ben-gvir/] Amid speculation of merger, Eisenkot and Liberman say they’re ‘deepening cooperation’ [https://www.timesofisrael.com/amid-speculation-of-merger-eisenkot-and-liberman-say-theyre-deepening-cooperation/] Golan: Zionist opposition must partner with Arab party Ra’am to topple government [https://www.timesofisrael.com/golan-zionist-opposition-must-partner-with-arab-party-raam-to-topple-government/] Yisrael Beytenu, said to eye merger with Eisenkot, adds hostages’ brother to ranks [https://www.timesofisrael.com/sharon-sharabi-brother-of-former-hostages-eli-and-yossi-joins-yisrael-beytenu/] Contentious proposals dominate planned legislative blitz as Knesset readies to resume [https://www.timesofisrael.com/contentious-proposals-punctuate-planned-legislative-blitz-as-knesset-gets-back-to-work/] PM said to ask Haredim to again shelve draft exemption bill — this time until after election [https://www.timesofisrael.com/pm-said-to-ask-haredim-to-again-shelve-draft-exemption-bill-this-time-until-after-election/] 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 Ari Schlacht. IMAGE: ToI political correspondents Ariela Karmel and Sam Sokol join host Jessica Steinberg on today's Daily Briefing podcast. (ToI) See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib: Israel has re-embraced Hamas rule in Gaza

Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring key issues currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World, with host deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan [https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/amanda-borschel-dan/] speaking with Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib [https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/author/ahmed-fouad-alkhatib/], the head of Realign for Palestine, an Atlantic Council project that challenges entrenched narratives in the Israel and Palestine discourse. This week, the Board of Peace’s top Gaza envoy, Nickolay Mladenov, is in Israel in an attempt to kick-start the Trump peace plan. He has previously urged the international community to pressure the Hamas Palestinian terror group to disarm and prevent another cycle of violence in the Gaza Strip. This week, we hear why Alkhatib believes the current stalemate in Gaza is being embraced by both Hamas and official Israel. But first, Alkhatib paints a dismal picture of life in the Strip -- rat infestations, sewage in the streets and a strong Hamas presence on the ground. We learn about the recent elections for Hamas leadership and hear background about the leading candidates. Finally, among all the darkness, Alkhatib shares pinpoints of light from among the people who are still not cowed by the terrorist regime. And so this week, we ask Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, 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 Ari Schlacht. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.