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.
Knesset reporter Sam Sokol joins host Jessica Steinberg on today’s episode.
Sokol reviews the day that just passed in the Knesset, as hostage’s brother Danny Elgarat was thrown out of a committee meeting by committee chair Simcha Rothman for not letting the brother of another hostage speak out against the hostage deal currently under discussion.
Sokol discusses Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s expression of disapproval of the hostage deal, and his underlying threat to bolt the coalition if the government agrees to it, along with other Knesset members’ recent warnings that this government may not last much longer.
Smotrich’s ultra-right ally, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, then warned ultra-Orthodox party Shas that he would not support Shas’s bill relating to community rabbis, calling Shas “a lapdog of the left,” while Shas leader Aryeh Deri retorted by calling Ben Gvir “an inflated balloon.”
Sokol also makes note of New Hope party leader Gideon Sa’ar’s statement hinting that former prime minister Naftali Bennett is considering a return to politics.
Steinberg talks about some recent projects for hostage families, the bereaved and survivors, including free tattoos for about 120 Israelis, and a hostage family project called “Week of Goodness.”
For news updates, please check out The Times of Israel’s ongoing live blog.
‘Shame!’: Knesset ushers drag brother of hostage out of meeting for interrupting
Some in coalition threaten its demise as Ben Gvir blocks key Shas bill, slams PM and Deri
Holding a Sinwar victory pic, Smotrich pans hostage deal; Lapid to PM: We’ll back it
Gideon Sa’ar says former PM Bennett planning a return to politics
Beauty through the pain: Survivors of October 7 inked by visiting tattoo artists
Parents of hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin launch ‘Week of Goodness’
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