The Times of Israel Daily Briefing

Welcome to The Reel Schmooze with ToI film reviewer Jordan Hoffman and host Amanda Borschel-Dan, where we bring you all the entertainment news and film reviews a Jew can use. This week, before diving into our two films for this week, we revisit the 1960 film "Exodus" with a few reflections based on listeners' responses -- and Hoffman's musing while sweeping. We then hear about the movie maven's night out enjoying the Boss, Bruce Springsteen, and the E-Street Band's longtime Jewish musicians. The first film we chew over in this week's episode is a short, 13-minute indie production called "How to Make Challah" by Sarah Rosen. The intergenerational look at New York Jewry is framed within footage filmed by Rosen's aunt of her grandmother making challah in 1975. Now #1 on Netflix in Israel, Sadie Sandler's new "Roommates" left the team almost speechless, but they valiantly rallied at the sight of Jewish acting greats Natasha Lyonne, Nick Kroll and Carol Kane. Chloe East stars as Celeste, joined by Sadie Sandler as Devon. Does her apple fall far from the Adam Sandler tree? Stick around to see if "How to Make Challah" and "Roommates" got an "oy," "meh" or "not bad" in this week's The Reel Schmooze. The Reel Schmooze is produced by Ari Schlacht and can be found wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring key issues currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World, with host Amanda Borschel-Dan speaking with The Times of Israel's senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur. On Sunday, former prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid announced a joint run for this year's Israeli elections. Immediately, polling showed that the combined electoral slate, dubbed “Together,” would win a total of 26 seats if elections were held Monday, placing them ahead of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ruling Likud as the Knesset’s largest party, according to Channel 12. Later in the week, Opposition Leader Lapid told Bennett that he was willing to take third place, rather than second, on their joint electoral slate if it would help secure a broader merger with Yashar party chairman Gadi Eisenkot. On this week's episode, in the spirit of the newly completed NFL draft, we play fantasy football and weigh the merits of the current parties and politicians vyying for the Knesset in this year's election. And so this week, we ask Haviv Rettig Gur what matters now. What Matters Now podcasts are available for download on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Ari Schlacht. IMAGE: Haviv Rettig Gur (courtesy) / Green Bay Packers quarterback Taylor Elgersma (19) throws during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, August 16, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) 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. Environmental reporter Sue Surkes joins host Gabriella Jacobs for today's episode. We open the episode with a recent annual national monitoring report, carried out on behalf of the Energy and Environmental Protection ministries, on the state of the Mediterranean Sea. Surkes describes how the sea is growing saltier, warmer and more polluted, and why it has become a home to invasive tropical fish. We discuss what that means for beachgoers and fish eaters as we head into the summer season. We then move on to the latest updates in an unusual court case: The Jerusalem District Court on Tuesday ordered the Interior Ministry to grant temporary Israeli status to a Syrian-born woman, the wife of a disabled IDF veteran, who converted to Judaism. The Syrian Alawite woman and her husband have faced a series of legal hurdles as they seek to build a life together in Israel. We hear about their saga. In the second half of the program, Surkes walks through her recent op-ed on Israeli energy policy, which she describes as a growing security risk. We end off the program with an account of her recent visit to the orangutans at the Jerusalem Zoo, who, 10 days ago, welcomed a new baby to their troop. This is not the first orangutan to be born in Israel, but it’s the first at the biblical zoo, and an important addition to the world’s shrinking orangutan population. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: The Mediterranean: Warmer, saltier, more acidic, and rising fast — report After years in limbo, court lets Syrian convert live in Israel with husband, a disabled vet True independence must include the air we breathe Great excitement as first orangutan is born at Jerusalem Biblical Zoo 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. Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. It's no more Mr. Nice Guy for US President Donald Trump on Iran. At the same time, Trump said on Wednesday that talks with Iran have been taking place over the phone in recent days, after he canceled a trip over the weekend for US negotiators to travel to Pakistan to speak with Iranian officials. Berman brings us up to date on where things -- including the US military assets -- stand as Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and the US blockade of Iran continue. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said during a visit to troops posted in southern Lebanon on Wednesday that there “is no ceasefire,” as Israel and Hezbollah continued to exchange fire despite a truce that’s been in place for almost two weeks. We hear how Israel is even more restrained today than it was prior to the Iran war in terms of its freedom of movement against Hezbollah in Lebanon. The Israeli Navy late Wednesday began intercepting an activist flotilla sailing to the Gaza Strip in a bid to breach Israel’s naval blockade on the Hamas-ruled enclave, according to the activists and Israeli officials. As of Thursday morning, a third of the vessels were intercepted near Crete. How is Israel handling the PR stunt this year? Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar appointed veteran diplomat George Deek to a newly created role as special envoy to the Christian world last week. Berman is cautiously optimistic, but has major reservations. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: After rejecting Iran’s proposal to open Hormuz, Trump says talks ongoing over the phone IDF chief says there’s ‘no ceasefire’ in south Lebanon amid continued fighting with Hezbollah Navy begins intercepting Gaza flotilla hundreds of miles from the Strip Israel appoints first special envoy to Christian world after scandals strain ties Suspect arrested in attack on nun yesterday in Jerusalem Old City 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. 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. US bureau chief Jacob Magid joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. With the lack of progress in the negotiations between the United States and Iran, US intelligence agencies are studying how Iran would respond if US President Donald Trump were to declare a unilateral victory in the two-month-old war, according to a Reuters report. Magid weighs in on any potential schism within the Trump administration as Iran's newest proposal appears to shelve the issue of a nuclear program -- the very reason the war was launched. Amid a growing diplomatic incident, Israel said Tuesday it had yet to receive evidence that a shipment of Russian grain had been “stolen” from occupied Ukrainian territory, while Kyiv said it was preparing sanctions against those involved in the transaction. Magid unravels this tangled issue, which played out live on social media. A list backed by the Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’s Fatah party won most races in the weekend’s Palestinian municipal elections, election officials said Sunday, in a vote that for the first time in nearly two decades included a city in the Gaza Strip run by Hamas, the terror group that violently ousted Fatah from Gaza in 2007. We hear why this vote was significant -- and why it was not. Last week, Wendy Sherman, who served as deputy secretary of state for much of former US president Joe Biden’s administration, accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of being responsible for the perpetration of a genocide in Gaza. Magid explains how this opinion, coming from a former Biden official, is being heard more as the Democratic Party looks ahead to the next election. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: US intel agencies examining how Iran would react if Trump declares victory in war Trump reportedly unhappy with Iran’s proposal to reopen Hormuz but shelve nuclear issue Israel says no proof Russian grain shipment ‘stolen,’ as Ukraine threatens sanctions Smotrich confirms Finance Ministry hasn’t transferred any tax revenues to PA for past year PA leader Abbas’s loyalists win local elections, including in Gaza’s Deir al‑Balah Biden’s deputy secretary of state: Netanyahu helped ‘create a genocide in Gaza’ Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Podwaves and 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. Mideast and Russia expert Ksenia Svetlova joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. Former MK Svetlova is the executive director of ROPES (Regional Organization for Peace, Economics & Security) and a senior non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Council. We open the program with an exploration of Iran's historic and current ties with Russia, after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met yesterday with President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg. Svetlova explores Russia's influence in the region -- specifically its direct ties to Hezbollah -- and assesses how much leverage Moscow may have in the ongoing negotiations between Iran and the United States. In the second half of the program, we focus on Israel's relations with Arab Gulf states in the wake of the war in Iran. We hear how Israel deployed troops and the Iron Dome to its Abraham Accord partner, the United Arab Emirates. She discusses how the region is at a crossroads and the Gulf states are pragmatically discussing whether to deepen ties with Iran, or, potentially, with Israel. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Trump reportedly unhappy with Iran’s proposal to reopen Hormuz but shelve nuclear issue In Saint Petersburg, Iran’s FM blames US for failure of Pakistan talks Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Ari Schlacht edited this episode. 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 Sam Sokol and Ariela Karmal join host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode. Sokol reports on the Sunday announcement of a joint campaign and list for former prime minister Naftali Bennett and Opposition Leader Yair Lapid ahead of the 2026 elections, under Bennett's stewardship. Karmel and Sokol discuss that Yashar leader Gadi Eisenkot is not part of the campaign and list, given his own entry into the 2026 race, that his decisions will test the fortunes of the Bennett-Lapid bloc. Members of the Likud party and government coalition reacted to the announcement, reports Sokol, and he and Karmel discuss the possible Likud B breakaway party that would offer an alternative right-wing option. Karmel and Sokol also discuss that the government coalition is dismissive of the Bennett-Lapid merger, reviewing the comments and memes immediately circulated about the two politicians and their announcement. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Launching joint slate, Bennett and Lapid promise ‘the era of division is over’ Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid announce united run under Bennett in 2026 elections Bennett-Lapid reunion jolts electoral race, but path to unseating Netanyahu elusive as ever Eisenkot welcomes Bennett-Lapid union but says: To win, we need to bring in more votes Backing public transit on Shabbat, Bennett steers campaign into jammed center lane 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 correspondents Ariela Karmel and Sam Sokol joins host Jessica Steinberg on today's Daily Briefing (ToI) 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. Military correspondent Emanuel Fabian joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode. WATCH the full episode here: Fabian notes that the Iranian ceasefire still stands, although the IDF and air force are ready to return to fighting if necessary. With a Lebanese ceasefire still in place, Fabian reports that Israel continues to demolish Hezbollah sites while the terrorist group carries out attacks on Israeli troops stationed in Lebanon. Fabian discusses the latest disclosure of two Israel Air Force technicians who spied for Iran, trading information about their base and imagery for small sums of money. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: PM instructs IDF to strike Hezbollah targets ‘with force’ after repeated truce violations Amid truce, Hezbollah attacks IDF in south Lebanon; troops kill 6 gunmen in Bint Jbeil Hezbollah fires rocket salvo at northern Israel shortly before ceasefire extended IDF probes soldiers seen damaging solar panels in south Lebanon Christian village 2 IDF aircraft mechanics charged with spying for Iran, leaking fighter jet info 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: Military correspondent Emanuel Fabian joins host Jessica Steinberg on today's Daily Briefing. (ToI) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to The Reel Schmooze with ToI film reviewer Jordan Hoffman and host Amanda Borschel-Dan, where we bring you all the entertainment news and film reviews a Jew can use. This week, before diving into the nuts and bolts of the iconic epic Hollywood adventure, we learn how the 1960 film "Exodus" is part of Hoffman's genesis story. Hoffman lays out the film's plot, which is based on a 1958 Leon Uris novel. We learn about director Otto Preminger, who was a very big deal in Tinsel Town during his era, which is how he managed to capture an all-star cast including a dashing Paul Newman, high-heeled Eva Marie Saint, Sal Mineo's fury and the "good Arab" John Derek, whom we recently saw in "The Ten Commandments." We give a big shoutout to Ernest Gold's soundtrack -- as well as the many covers of it. We then hear a sharp criticism from Borschel-Dan on the poor historical accuracy of the film: The real boat, the Exodus 1947, never weighed anchor in Cyprus, where the first third of the film takes place. Hoffman notes that the film raises abiding issues, including ideology pitting brother against brother and the everlasting hope of coexistence in the land. Stick around to see if "Exodus" got an "oy," "meh" or "not bad" in this week's The Reel Schmooze. The Reel Schmooze is produced by Ari Schlacht and can be found wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Lazar Focus. Each Friday, join host diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman for a deep dive into what's behind the news that spins the globe. The world, and most Israelis, were horrified this week as a photo of an IDF soldier smashing a statue of Jesus in Lebanon spread across social media. The act was roundly condemned by the army and by Israel's leaders. Yet, it happened. And it wasn't the first time Israeli soldiers had disrespected Christian sites in Lebanon, nor was it the only instance of Israel drawing the ire of Christians around the world. Rabbi David Rosen is a leader in Israeli and Jewish ties with Christians, especially the Catholic Church. Drawing on decades of experience, including numerous meetings with popes, he lays out the moral reasons for investing in ties with the Christian world, and why it is in Israel's national interest to get these relations right. He calls the modern Catholic Church a "loyal friend to the Jewish people," marking the "most dramatic transformation in the course of human history." The vast majority of the Christian world does not want to be seen as antisemitic, and sees itself as an ally of the Jewish people. But there is much to be done. Israel still has not concluded its decades-long talks with the Vatican, despite promising to wrap them up in the 1990s. Moreover, Israeli society doesn't understand the Christian world. Most religious Israelis have had no meaningful relationships with Christians, and see them through shallow stereotypes of historical antisemitism -- "almost a reverse image of some of the anti-Semitic cartoon images." Even worse, extremists continue to harass Christians in the Old City of Jerusalem and beyond. Rosen points at urgent tasks Israel must complete undertake if it is to get ties with Christians right. It must fix the "fundamental and enormous educational flaw" in schools by creating curricula to familiarize Israeli students with contemporary Christians, including their communities inside of Israel. Police must crack down on harassment of Christians in order to stamp out the phenomenon. Finally, he says, a senior official position must be created to build Israel's strategy toward churches and the broader Christian world. "There is no strategic thinking, no strategic approach whatsoever on the part of sequential governments of government after government in Israel," he laments, "because basically there has not been an understanding that this needs to be a priority in any way." Lazar Focus can be found on all podcast platforms. This episode was produced by Gabriella Jacobs and video edited 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. Editor David Horovitz joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. Lebanese and Israeli representatives are set to meet in Washington, DC, today. It was reported yesterday that Lebanon was hoping to extend the shaky ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel by a month. At the same time, Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar openly considered the notion of peace between the two nations at an Independence Day speech on Wednesday. Horovitz weighs in. Has the Iran conflict become a shipping war? According to reports on Wednesday, the US military has intercepted at least three Iranian-flagged tankers in Asian waters and is redirecting them away from their positions near India, Malaysia and Sri Lanka. At the same time, Iranian forces seized two container ships on Wednesday, according to global security monitors and the country’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Horovitz unravels the stalled negotiations even as the double US and Iranian blockades at the Strait of Hormuz may lead to a military escalation. In the second half of the program, we turn to the observation of two national days this week and share a glimpse of Israel today. Horovitz notes the overt politicization of state ceremonies, a phenomenon that began in 2018 and reached a crescendo this week. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: From grief to trepidation: This year’s fateful transition from Memorial Day to Independence Day Lebanon said to seek one-month truce extension; Hezbollah again targets troops with drone US intercepts Iran oil tankers in Asian waters as demining of Hormuz expected to take months Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Gabriella Jacobs and edited by Yitzhak 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. US bureau chief Jacob Magid joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode. US President Donald Trump unexpectedly announces an extension of the truce with Iran hours before the April 22 deadline, reports Magid, adding that the president's recent spate of muddled messaging hasn't helped matters. Magid notes that a divide within the Iranian leadership is slowing decision-making, as it continues to play hardball. US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee heads to the US for a second round of Israel-Lebanon talks that appear to have some momentum, says Magid, but will require the ability of the Lebanese government to crack down on Hezbollah if any real progress is to be made. Magid notes that the April 11 deadline set by the Board of Peace for Hamas to respond to the disarmament deal has passed. Hamas doesn't want to be blamed for the collapse of talks, says Magid, but the Board of Peace is still aiming for a phased disarmament. Finally, Magid reports on another deadly incident in the central West Bank village in which two Palestinians were killed, allegedly shot by an IDF reservist from the Hagmar regional defense unit. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: In major about-face, Trump announces extension of Iran truce hours before deadline Vance reportedly set to depart for Pakistan, but still unclear if Iran will join talks New round of Israel-Lebanon talks set for Thursday as US said trying to extend truce ‘They’re not easy’: Board of Peace envoy admits Hamas disarmament talks stalled 2 Palestinians, one of them 14, killed in alleged settler attack in West Bank 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: US bureau chief Jacob Magid joins host Jessica Steinberg on today's Daily Briefing (ToI) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring key issues currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World, with host Jessica Steinberg speaking with author Rachel Goldberg-Polin. Rachel Goldberg-Polin began writing her new book, "When We See You Again," as a way of finding some relief from her pain after she buried her son, 23-year-old Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who was executed by his Hamas captors in August 2024, after being held captive for 330 days in a Gaza tunnel. Goldberg-Polin speaks about the process of writing the book, urged by her husband, Jon Polin, and how the book became a kind of answer to people asking her how she was. The bulk of the book takes place after the Goldberg-Polins buried Hersh on August 31, 2024, and is an accounting of their lives in what Goldberg-Polin terms the Before and After. What Matters Now podcasts are available for download on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Ari Schlacht. IMAGE: Author Rachel Goldberg-Polin joins host Jessica Steinberg for an episode of What Matters Now 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. Tech editor Sharon Wrobel joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode. As the shekel crossed the below-3-to-the-dollar threshold, its strongest level in 30 years, Wrobel notes that the shekel's strength against the dollar shows its resilience and the market's belief in the currency following the war with Iran, although it does create problems for Israeli exporters. With Israeli airspace reopened following the ceasefire with Iran, Wrobel reports on how Israeli airlines are responding to passengers as they work at getting back to full speed. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Shekel breaks below 3 to the dollar in first since 1995; exporters warn of economy risk Israeli airlines accused of reselling stranded customers’ seats for wartime windfall Comptroller pans government for failing to plan for air travel turbulence during war 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: Tech editor Sharon Wrobel joins host Jessica Steinberg on today's Daily Briefing. (ToI) 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. Military correspondent Emanuel Fabian joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. On Sunday, for the first time since hostilities with Hezbollah escalated last month during the Iran war — when the terror group resumed rocket and drone attacks on Israel — Israeli reporters were allowed by the Israel Defense Forces to enter southern Lebanon, in an escorted visit to the newly established security zone. Fabian was there and reports back on the experience of entering Lebanon and the new road infrastructure that has been laid there. We discuss how the Israeli military is, in essence, reestablishing a security zone that it left some 26 years ago. Fabian explains why commanders say that this time around, it will not carry with it the same dangers that troops faced during the 18-year occupation of southern Lebanon in 1982-2000. In the second half of the program, we turn to a briefing Fabian attended on Friday. The IDF said that it remains on high alert and ready to return to fighting in both Iran and Lebanon if the fragile ceasefires in both countries collapse or expire without an extension in the coming weeks. We also learn about the IDF's somewhat pessimistic assessment of the truces announced by US President Donald Trump. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: 26 years later, IDF restores its south Lebanon security zone — with key changes IDF on high alert amid fragile, temporary ceasefires in Iran and Lebanon Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Gabriella Jacobs and edited 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. Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. A damning Wall Street Journal report depicts US President Donald Trump as making key decisions about the war in Iran in a slapdash manner without input from his advisers, stating he was eager for a ceasefire to address rising fuel prices. As the ostensible end of the two-week ceasefire with Iran looms, Berman assesses five points of apparent failure on the part of the joint US and Israel conflict with Iran, including the focus on the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's new position there; the percentage of missiles still available to Iran; the current strength of Iran's proxies; the uptick of Iranian-linked terror abroad and the status of the Iranian nuclear program. We then turn our gaze to the Lebanon front, where Hezbollah was granted a reprieve from the conflict with Trump's imposed ceasefire. What are Israel's concerns -- even as this could be an opportunity for direct talks between Lebanese and Israeli leadership? Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: IDF reservist killed, nine wounded by explosive in southern Lebanon amid truce IDF reservist killed by Hezbollah explosive in Lebanon amid truce, 3 troops hurt Iran parliament speaker touts ‘progress’ in US talks, but Strait of Hormuz still shut Iran reimposes Hormuz closure after US maintains blockade; IRGC gunboats fire at ships Trump: Iran ‘got a little cute’ by blocking Hormuz again, but talks going ‘really well’ Netanyahu: ‘Road to peace’ with Lebanon begins; Trump: Israel ‘PROHIBITED’ from bombing there Amid truce with Israel, Aoun says Lebanon to now seek ‘permanent agreements’ 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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to The Reel Schmooze with ToI film reviewer Jordan Hoffman and host Amanda Borschel-Dan, where we bring you all the entertainment news and film reviews a Jew can use. We start the program with a "Jangle" -- a Jewish angle -- on this week's entertainment news. Hoffman brings a tale of our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, who defends three Israelis in Times Square who are being attacked by a would-be social media influencer. Hear what transpires. Our main feature this week is Israeli director Nadav Lapid newest film, "Yes!" The film has raised eyebrows -- and not a little amount of ire -- in Israel for its messaging, with the Minister of Culture Miki Zohar weighing in. Now screening in the United States, the film premiered in 2025 at the Cannes Film Festival. The film focuses on an artistic couple that is willing to do almost anything to succeed in their art, including sex work and writing a horrific anthem calling for the complete destruction of Gaza. Stick around to see if "Yes!" got an "oy," "meh" or "not bad" in this week's The Reel Schmooze. The Reel Schmooze is produced by Ari Schlacht and can be found wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Lazar Focus. Each Friday, join host diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman for a deep dive into what's behind the news that spins the globe. The shorthand term "Gulf states" doesn't describe a monolith. The Arab states along the Persian Gulf -- Saudi Arabia, Oman, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain -- all have unique internal dynamics, and approach their relationships with both Israel and Iran in different ways. Yet they do share a common threat -- the Shiite regional heavyweight just across the water, Iran. Placing a priority on stability and prosperity, the Gulf states have sought to prevent a war between the US and Iran. And if that war did break out, they hoped to secure immunity from Iranian attacks by maintaining diplomatic channels with the Islamic Republic and by showing that they were working for a ceasefire. That effort failed spectacularly. All the Gulf states were targeted by Iran, and the UAE was the country hardest hit by Iran in the war that began on February 28. The war made the countries look weak, as none of them hit back, nor were they able to put together a unified diplomatic initiative to end the war. Moran Zaga, expert on the Gulf states at the University of Haifa and at MIND Israel, explains how each of the countries is rethinking its approach to the Iran threat, and whether they are open to deeper ties with Israel. For now, she says, they are facing new and pressing challenges that threaten their economic well-being -- the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the possibility that the Houthis will shut down the approaches to the Red Sea, and Iran's insistence that it should decide who gets to enter the Persian Gulf. Lazar Focus can be found on all podcast platforms. This episode was produced by Gabriella Jacobs and video edited 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. US bureau chief Jacob Magid joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. US President Donald Trump made headlines this morning by announcing that Israeli and Lebanese "leaders" were set to speak to each other directly today. It was later announced that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will speak with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun today. Magid weighs in on this historic planned phone call and discusses this week's talks in Washington, DC, between Israeli and Lebanese representatives, the highest-level meeting between the countries to date. At the same time, no dates have been decided for the second round of talks between the US and Iran. There are reports that nuclear issues are among the subjects being discussed by the countries, and that talks may resume in Pakistan. Magid explains. The Gaza Board of Peace gave Hamas until the end of the week to accept a disarmament proposal. Magid reports how the terrorist organization has answered with several "yes, but" responses. Finally we turn to a pair of resolutions that were voted down by the US Senate that were aimed at preventing sales of weapons and bulldozers to Israel. We hear how Wednesday's vote saw the vast majority of Democrats join in favor of the block, demonstrating a substantive shift in the party’s approach toward Israel. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Security cabinet said to consider one-week Lebanon ceasefire amid US pressure Israeli, Lebanese envoys hold historic summit in Washington to discuss peace deal US Senate foils effort to nix Israel arms sale, but 75% of Democrats vote to block it Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Podwaves and Ari Schlacht. IMAGE: Israeli and Lebanese flags fly near the border with Lebanon, in northern Israel, April 7, 2023. (Ayal Margolin/Flash90) 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. Health reporter Diana Bletter joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. Israel and Lebanon held a historic summit on Tuesday in Washington, DC, as envoys for the two nations met with the hopes of reaching a peace deal that would end decades of conflict. The talks ended without a clear way forward on the goal of demilitarizing Hezbollah and no date for a follow-up meeting had been set as of Tuesday evening. On Tuesday morning, the Iranian-backed terror organization Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets to Israel, sending tens of thousands of Israelis to bomb shelters and wounding one. Bletter explains what life is like in the north and focuses in on a visit she paid to Ora Hatan in Shtula. Hatan, who will light a torch next week for Israel's Independence Day, has cooked thousands of meals for IDF soldiers since the conflict erupted in the north on October 8, 2023. A Beersheba family court judge on Friday ruled that the sperm of Yotam Haim, an Israeli hostage who was mistakenly killed by troops after escaping Hamas captivity in Gaza, may be used to conceive a child, saying it was his express wish before his death. Bletter delves into some of the 250 cases of postmortem sperm retrieval and the questions the procedure raises. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Israeli, Lebanese envoys hold historic summit in Washington to discuss peace deal Judge rules slain hostage’s family may use his sperm with a surrogate Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Gabriella Jacobs and edited by Ari Schlacht. IMAGE: Ora Hatan’s family restaurant, Hemdat HaGalil, in Shtula, destroyed by Hezbollah rockets in 2024, on April 12, 2026. (Diana Bletter/Times of Israel) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.