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.
Movie maven Hoffman begins with a tribute to master documentarian Frederick Wiseman, who died this week, aged 96.
We then hear about the Israeli film “Children No More: Were and Are Gone,” directed by Hila Medalia, which is nominated for Best Documentary Short Film. The film documents a vigil that began in March 2025 in Tel Aviv, as a handful of left-wing protesters held photos of children killed in Gaza.
And in the final segment, the pair rewind the 50-year-old masterpiece, "All the President's Men." In addition to appreciating the film's 1976 fashions and antiquated good manners, they note parallels to today's deep exploration into the trove of documents connected with the Epstein case.
Check out the "oy," the "meh" and "not bad" marks given to films in this week's The Reel Schmooze.
The Reel Schmooze is produced by Ari Schlacht and can be found wherever you get your podcasts.
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Israel has never been stronger. Since October 7, 2023, Israel has steadily rolled back its enemies in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran. A staunch friend of Israel is in the White House, and he might well launch a second wave of strikes on Israel's archenemy in Tehran.
Or is Israel historically vulnerable? None of the adversaries it has taken on since the Hamas invasion are defeated. US President Donald Trump is an ally, but both the Democratic and Republican parties have influential and growing wings that are hostile to Israel, if not antisemitic.

To make sense of this moment, one needs a grasp of military strategy, Middle East geopolitics, and the workings of the US-Israel relationship.
Michael Oren, Israel's former envoy in Jerusalem and a leading Middle East historian, says that the post-October 7 wars represent "one of the greatest military victories in modern history, perhaps in all history." However, it remains to be seen whether Israel can translate the military victories into permanent strategic and diplomatic gains.
On the potential for a US strike in Iran, Oren stresses the importance of missile defense for the US Navy, as Iran's greatest achievement would be the sinking of an American aircraft carrier. He predicts that after Trump issued clear threats and put his reputation on the line, he is not going to back down and leave a legacy that could be compared to that of Barack Obama.
Looking at the future of the US-Israeli relationship, Oren notes that the US is going through domestic processes that Israel has no control over, but often use Israel to score political points. Given those trends, Israel should diversify its diplomatic relationships, but there will never be a replacement for American support.
Oren firmly supports Israel moving off of US military aid, and transforming its relationship with Washington into one of equal partners working together to develop capabilities.
Lazar Focus can be found on all podcast platforms. This episode was produced by Gabriella Jacobs and video edited by Ari Schlacht.
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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 Jessica Steinberg for today's episode.
With reports of the US building firepower in the Middle East ahead of a possible strike against Iran, Berman discusses the possible timing and latest indicators, including US President Donald Trump's characterization of the recently concluded nuclear talks in Geneva.
Berman details several of the latest locations of the US aircraft carriers, their offensive and defensive power in the region, and the ability of the US and Israel to carry out an extended campaign if necessary.
He also reports on a brief visit of right-wing commentator Tucker Carlson to Israel to interview US ambassador Mike Huckabee, following Carlson's repeated claims that Israel oppresses Christians.
Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.
For further reading:
White House: There are many arguments for striking Iran, they’d be wise to make a deal
Iran atomic energy chief says no country can deprive Tehran of enrichment rights
Israel, US envoy reject Tucker Carlson’s claim he was detained and interrogated at airport
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: Demonstrators wave Iranian and Hezbollah flags as one holds a poster of the late Iranian Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a U.S. strike in Iraq in 2020, during the Muslim Shiite holiday of Eid al-Ghadir, which commemorates the Prophet Muhammad naming Ali, revered as the first Shiite imam, as his successor, in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, June 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
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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.
Settlements reporter Jeremy Sharon and religion reporter Rossella Tercatin join host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.
On Sunday, the cabinet approved the opening of a new land registration process for Area C in the West Bank, some 60 percent of the territory, which it and critics said would enable the state to declare large swaths of land in the territory as available for public development, meaning the creation and expansion of settlements and settlement infrastructure.
Sharon weighs in on the trend of increasing Israeli civilian control of the territory, or de facto annexation, and Tercatin brings the example of legislation that would give the State of Israel control of archaeological sites in territory currently administered by the Palestinian Authority.
Yesterday, for the first time in three years, representatives of the state and the Jerusalem municipality explained to the High Court why there is a delay in implementing a 2016 government-mandated upgrade to the egalitarian prayer section at the Western Wall and restoring its direct access to the wall itself.
Tercatin updates us on the ongoing saga and Sharon weighs in with the potential legal outcomes.
We finish the program with a new reading of the New Testament's cleansing of the Temple, which brings out Jesus's more human aspects.
Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.
For further reading:
Cabinet OKs new West Bank land registration process, critics decry ‘de-facto annexation’
Local and state government trade blame over delays upgrading Western Wall egalitarian plaza
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: Palestinians visit the Roman historical site in the West Bank town of Sebastia, November 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)
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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.
The US and Iran are set to hold indirect talks in Geneva today, with little indication of potential compromise as the United States continues its economic sanctions and ramps up its military presence in the Middle East while Iran holds large-scale maritime exercises. We hear what may be on the table as US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner hold negotiations with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
Israel plans to afford Hamas a 60-day period to disarm, and if it does not, the Israeli military will go back to war in the Gaza Strip, according to Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs on Monday. How does this align with the inaugural session of US President Donald Trump's Board of Peace, which is set for this Thursday? We learn which countries may be joining and what is hoped to be accomplished.
And finally, last Thursday, US President Donald Trump said that President Isaac Herzog “should be ashamed of himself” for not granting a pardon to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is standing trial for alleged fraud, bribery and breach of trust. Why were these remarks made out of the blue -- and do they actually help the Prime Minister?
Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.
For further reading:
Trump ally to ToI: Ayatollah staying in power would be ‘strategic victory for Iran’
Top Netanyahu aide: Hamas will have 60 days to disarm or IDF will ‘complete’ mission
Indonesia says 8,000 troops ready to deploy to Gaza by June as Trump touts progress
Sa’ar to represent Israel at inaugural Board of Peace meeting, after PM declines to attend
Trump says Herzog should be ‘ashamed of himself’ for not pardoning 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 Podwaves and Ari Schlacht.
IMAGE: A huge banner showing hands firmly holding Iranian national flags as a sign of patriotism, in Tehran, Iran, January 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi, File)
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