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.
It is day 216 of the war with Hamas. US bureau chief Jacob Magid and news editor Amy Spiro join host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to deliver a report to Congress this week that will criticize Israel but ultimately conclude that the Biden administration has accepted assurances from Jerusalem that the IDF is using American weapons in accordance with international law. How could this shift the contentious US-Israel relationship -- or would it?
The conceptual dissonance over the Gaza war between Israel and the US was highlighted Thursday with statements by White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby who stated, “Any kind of major Rafah ground operation would actually strengthen Hamas’s hands at the negotiating table, not Israel’s. That’s our view." Magid looks into the differing stances.
Israel’s Eden Golan advanced to the grand final of the Eurovision on Thursday night in Malmo, Sweden, qualifying with her song “Hurricane” despite months of anti-Israel protests against her participation. Spiro gives the full picture.
For the latest updates, please see The Times of Israel’s ongoing live blog.
Discussed articles include:
Report: State Department set to confirm Israel not breaking international law in Gaza
Despite Biden’s pause, billions of dollars in US arms for Israel still in pipeline
‘Didn’t fall from the sky’: Biden threat follows months of feeling PM ignored his warnings
US says it’s not abandoning Israel, asserts Rafah offensive would embolden Hamas
Defying haters, Israel’s Eden Golan advances to the Eurovision grand final on Saturday
THOSE WE HAVE LOST: Civilians and soldiers killed in Hamas's onslaught on Israel
THOSE WE ARE MISSING: The hostages and victims whose fate is still unknown
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.
IMAGE: Israeli soldiers at a staging area near the Israeli-Gaza Border, southern Israel, May 9, 2024. (Flash90)
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Day 244 - On Jerusalem Day, a celebratory march turns violent
Day 243 - Can Biden push Israel and Hamas to a hostage deal?
Day 242 - Will the deaths of four hostages push PM to a deal?
Day 241 - How many of Hamas's 4 Rafah battalions still stand?
Day 240 - Why did Biden urge Israel to take a deal it proposed?
Day 239 - ADL head Greenblatt on 900% rise in US antisemitism
Day 238 - Will Trump verdict give an antisemitic trope new life?
Day 237 - ToI reports back from inside Nablus and the Gaza Strip
Day 236 - MKs on right and left seek alliances, oppose PM
Day 235 - Will hostage talks resume as Rafah operation continues?
Day 234 - Hamas calls to 'rise up' after deadly airstrike in Rafah
Day 233 - After ICJ ruling, Rafah op continues unabated
Day 232 - ICJ order to 'halt' IDF depends on how it's parsed
Day 231 - Netanyahu to 'soon' address Congress. What's his goal?
Day 230 - Harrowing video spotlights female soldiers held by Hamas
Day 229 - Trio of countries to recognize Palestine. Why now?
Day 228 - Same-same? ICC prosecutor equates Israeli & Hamas leaders
Day 227 - The butcher Raisi is dead. What now for Iran?
Day 226 - Bold IDF op recovers bodies of 4 hostages from Gaza
Day 225 - US explores sanctions for extremists blocking Gaza aid
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Call Me Back - with Dan Senor
The Commentary Magazine Podcast
Honestly with Bari Weiss
WSJ What’s News
Morning Wire