The Times of Israel Daily Briefing

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 reporter Ariela Karmel and religion and archaeology correspondent Rossella Tercatin join host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode. As the Prime Minister's Office comes under fire for releasing official photos in which images of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's wife, Sara Netanyahu, have been heavily retouched, Karmel discusses the distortion of the historical record and possible breach of important ethical guidelines, and the involvement of the Government Press Office, which is seeking to resolve the issue. A new version of a bill whose purpose is to extend Israeli authority over antiquities and heritage sites in the West Bank, and aims to include Areas A and B — where the Palestinian Authority has civilian control — has the local archaeology world in an uproar, reports Tercatin. The bill aims to extend the powers of the Israel Antiquities Authority, while some archaeologists say the bill would politicize archaeology and create professional problems for them globally. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Sara Netanyahu touches up official photos of herself, distorting archival record New West Bank antiquity bill seeks to extend Israeli authority over Areas A and B Archaeologists dig in against antiquities bill aiming to deepen Israel’s hold on 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 Pod-Waves. IMAGE: An image distributed by the Prime Minister's Office and apparently manipulated by Sara Netanyahu, showing her, center, and Benjamin Netanyahu at the Shul of Bal Harbour, Florida, on December 31, 2025. (Amos Ben-Gershom / GPO / Sara Netanyahu)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. Diaspora affairs reporter Zev Stub and reporter Diana Bletter join host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode. As Spain implements the largest state-level boycott of Israel, Stub reviews elements of the embargo and whether it could set a precedent of similar gestures from other countries. Bletter reports on a recent visit to the northern city of Kiryat Shmona, badly damaged during the year of Hezbollah strikes, and still struggling to revitalize itself. A look at Israel's population numbers shows that more people exited the country in 2024 than entered it, reports Stub. This came even as statistics paint a nuanced picture of rising immigration to the country amid skyrocketing antisemitism globally. Finally, Bletter reports on the resilience and diversity of Israeli science and medical research, including research on coral reefs, and how cancer can help heal ailing hearts. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: With new trade restrictions, Spain looks to trigger EU cascade against Israel Spanish Jews warn map of local Jewish and ‘Zionist’ businesses will lead to violence Half-empty and scarred by war, Kiryat Shmona sees protests – and grassroots rejuvenation More than 69,000 Israelis left Israel in 2025, as population reached 10.18 million In surprising breakthrough, scientists in Israel find cancer may help heal the failing heart Israeli scientists say tiny organisms can revamp their own RNA to survive extreme heat New Israeli research shows coral reefs shape the ebb and flow of local microbial life 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. IMAGE: A pro-Palestinian demonstrator holds a banner reading: 'Boycott Israeli apartheid' during a protest in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. (Bernat Armangue/AP Photo)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. The "Schmoovie" of the week is "Marty Supreme," starring Timothée Chalamet (who also co-produced), Gwyneth Paltrow, Odessa A'zion, Kevin O'Leary, Tyler Okonma, Abel Ferrara and Fran Drescher. It was produced and directed by Josh Safdie, who also co-wrote the script, alongside Ronald Bronstein. Like the very Jewish film it is, it arrived to the world on December 25 and so Borschel-Dan had to make a rare outing into a Jerusalem cinema. She brings back the unique impressions from an Israeli crowd watching this utterly Yiddishe story set in 1950s Lower East Side New York -- especially how they reacted to Holocaust references. Hoffman, who recently interviewed director Safdie about the film for Vanity Fair, gives us the inside scoop on the crazy cast of characters that flesh out the "junkyard Jews" at the heart of the tale. The pair keeps the conversation very general -- no spoilers! -- for the first half of the episode, but then get Talmudically into the weeds for the second. Hear about our very first unreserved top-marking "not bad" from both hosts on this week's The Reel Schmooze. The Reel Schmooze is produced by Ari Schlacht and can be found wherever you get your podcasts. IMAGE: Timothée Chalamet attends the premiere of 'Marty Supreme' at Regal Times Square on December 16, 2025, in New York. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Lazar Focus. Each Friday, catch diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman for a deep dive into what's behind the news that spins the globe. This week, while Berman was in Florida to cover the summit between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan invited senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur to sit in the hot seat and prepare five scenarios for Israel for 2026. Rettig Gur came prepared -- plus one -- and the two spend the first half discussing the three main fronts of the war, Lebanon, Gaza and Iran. In the second half, we learn about more domestic/political issues, including Rettig Gur's projection that Israel will begin to wean itself from US aid as the political winds shift in the States. Lazar Focus can be found on all podcast platforms. This episode was produced by Ari Schlacht. IMAGE: A man walks down to the Western Wall as the Dome of the Rock at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound appears in the background in the Old City of Jerusalem on December 4, 2025. (JOHN WESSELS / AFP)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 reporters Ariela Karmel and Sam Sokol join host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode. Following the High Court's Wednesday ruling temporarily halting a transfer of funds to ultra-Orthodox schools, Sokol and Karmel discuss the implications of the petition against the transfer, reactions from ultra-Orthodox leadership, and the broader context of judicial reform amid budget tensions and coalition politics. After Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich threatened High Court President Isaac Amit over a ruling regarding Army Radio, Karmel reports on the ostensible incitement and the willingness expressed by some members of the government to defy court rulings against the backdrop of the coalition's attempts to neuter the power of the courts. As several Haredi parties battle over appointments to the Jerusalem rabbinate, the argument has spilled over into national politics, says Sokol, highlighting divisions in ultra-Orthodox politics. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: High Court halts transfer of NIS 1 billion to Haredi schools as it reviews case Lapid petitions High Court to halt billion-shekel transfer to ultra-Orthodox schools Supreme Court chief says Smotrich crossed ‘red line’ by pledging to ‘trample’ him Smotrich vows to ‘trample’ Supreme Court president in blistering attack Shas, Degel HaTorah trade barbs in fight for control of Jerusalem religious council 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. IMAGE: Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich leads a faction meeting at the Knesset on December 29, 2025 (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.