The Times of Israel Daily Briefing

Welcome to "A Mandatory Listen," a new weekly podcast in which The Times of Israel deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan asks the big questions facing Israel and the Jewish people.
For this sixth episode in the new series, we speak with historian Sir Simon Schama, who recently published a lengthy essay titled "Jew-Hatred: The Latest Edition."
In this cry from the heart, the professor of art history and history at Columbia University gives a broad-strokes history of antisemitism and delves into reasons why it is rising globally.
The award-winning author and cultural essayist for The New Yorker, who has written and presented more than 30 documentaries on topics including the Holocaust, brings forth recent examples from his own life in which Jews have experienced a new form of hatred, which he wryly labels "its latest edition."
In this free-flowing conversation, we learn about the haters' misperceptions and how bias is being transmitted virally today.
'Jew-Hatred: The Latest Edition' by Sir Simon Schama is out now and available here.
A Mandatory Listen podcast episodes are available for download 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 Lazar Focus. Each Friday, join host and diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman for a deep dive into what's behind the news that spins the globe.
On Tuesday, Israelis went to the polls for the first time since the Hamas invasion of October 7, 2023.
One might think the massacre and the subsequent wars would result in a massive political shake-up. But they did not. Israelis stuck to their voting patterns from four years ago, despite everything that has happened since.
Neither the Benjamin Netanyahu bloc nor the opposition Gadi Eisenkot bloc has a clear path to 61 seats and a government.
A major headline from the elections is the massive turnout in the Arab sector, driven by a desire to get Itamar Ben-Gvir out of office. That only complicates the math. Though the two Arab parties want Netanyahu out of power, most parties in the opposition bloc have said they won't sit with them.
Another round of elections is a possibility, but that is not an ideal outcome. It will cost the economy over $1 billion, will extend the political deadlock for months, and will bring in another period of irresponsible campaign rhetoric.
More and more voices are calling for a unity government, but that won't be easy to bring about. Netanyahu will want to lead it, but the Eisenkot bloc ran on ousting him.
There is an outside force that could make that happen, and that force sits in the White House. US President Donald Trump has every reason to push for it, besides the taboo against involvement in other countries' domestic politics.
But Trump clearly doesn't care about that, having twice endorsed Netanyahu in the lead-up to elections.
He wants a stable Israel with which he can partner in confronting Iran and making peace with Saudi Arabia. A rotational government with Netanyahu leading Israel for two years -- the remainder of Trump's term -- then contending for the role of Israel's president as Eisenkot takes over would make sense for Trump. It could also get rid of Ben Gvir, whom the Trump Administration sees as a troublemaker who harms both Israeli and US interests.
If President Isaac Herzog isn't able to get the sides together, then look out for an invitation to the White House for the party leaders.
That could be a good outcome for Trump, and might be the best chance that Israel has as well.
Lazar Focus is available on all podcast platforms. This episode was produced by Gabriella Jacobs and video edited by Yitzchak Ledee.
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.
Editor David Horovitz joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.
With the ballot count nearing an end, as of Thursday noon, the bloc led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is on track to win 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset, and the bloc led by Yashar party chair Gadi Eisenkot is at 48 seats, leaving both blocs far from a 61-seat majority.
However, the two predominantly Arab parties are poised to win a record 19 seats between them, putting them in a potential kingmaker position. After Arab voters turned out in record numbers to vote in Tuesday’s election, hoping to oust Netanyahu and his far-right allies from the seat of power, will any of the Jewish Zionist party leaders reach out to combine forces? Borschel-Dan and Horovitz share opposing views.
At the same time, Israeli news outlets are abuzz with headlines about Likud suspicions of foreign influence in the elections -- specifically that the Arab parties' campaigns were funded by Qatar. In a rare move, Central Elections Committee chair Justice Noam Sohlberg has asked the Shin Bet to look into these charges. Following our recording, reports surfaced that Shin Bet head David Zini had instigated the probe based on information provided to the security service before the election. (Check out the liveblog for updates on this changing story.)
And finally, we discuss how the estimated 430,000 to 480,000 so-called “double envelope” ballots -- cast primarily by soldiers, diplomats stationed abroad and prisoners -- could influence the final results upon the conclusion of their count.
Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.
For further reading:
With 90% of votes counted, Netanyahu bloc has 53 seats, Eisenkot’s 48; Arab parties surge to 19
Netanyahu vows to stick with far-right partners as Eisenkot seeks path to ‘bring change’
For pro-Israel diaspora, Israel’s Arab voters are a point of pride. For Israeli Jews, they’re a national security threat
Progressive US Jews call for Eisenkot-led opposition bloc to welcome Arab parties
Last-to-be-counted ‘double envelope’ votes could shift Knesset seats, but not balance of power
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.
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.
Political correspondents Tal Schneider and Ariela Karmel join host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.
Both Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Yashar party chief Gadi Eisenkot gave celebratory remarks after exit poll results came in on Tuesday night, with each vowing to be the one to establish the next government. As Wednesday's dawn broke, the Netanyahu bloc began to pull ahead and we discuss what this may -- or may not -- mean.
One of the standout takeaways from yesterday was the massive percentage of voters -- the highest since 1999 -- and most especially in the Arab community. The duo weigh in on why this surge in the Arab community took place and how it may influence coalition calculations.
There's one man who has already claimed victory, and that is US President Donald Trump, who on Wednesday credited his endorsement of Netanyahu for boosting the premier in the Knesset election. Schneider explains why this may not be fake news.
Check out The Times of Israel’s ongoing liveblog for more updates.
For further reading:
Eisenkot and Netanyahu each vow to form next coalition, even as exit polls predict stalemate
‘He’s united Arab Israelis’: Ben Gvir’s harsh policies drive high turnout in Arab towns
Trump takes credit for Netanyahu’s election boost after endorsement
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.
Political correspondent Tal Schneider joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode.
As election day begins, Schneider discusses recent statements made by candidates, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s comments regarding possible economic sanctions against Israel and his suggestion of an alternative economy of cryptocurrency.
With a high turnout expected among Arab voters, pushing for a new government that will tackle the intensive crime problem in the local Arab population, Schneider notes that many will vote later in the day, possibly delaying exit polls.
Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.
For further reading:
Netanyahu: Israel should ready for global sanctions, use blockchain to circumvent them
Bank of Israel, opposition heads pan Netanyahu’s proposal to use crypto to evade sanctions
Netanyahu’s crypto bet signals a dangerous readiness to accept economic isolation
Turnout among Israel’s Arab voters could make or break hopes to unseat Netanyahu
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: Political correspondent Tal Schneider appears on the Daily Briefing with host Jessica Steinberg (Flash 90)
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.