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 correspondent Sam Sokol joins host Jessica Steinberg on today’s episode.
Sokol discusses the fiery start of the Knesset fall session this week as young women dressed to resemble hostage Naama Levy, whose bloodstained clothing and hands were captured on video when she was taken captive on October 7, were in attendance at the Knesset Committee on the Status of Women and Gender Equality, along with many members of hostage families.
He reports on fierce arguments in the Knesset plenum as Opposition Leader Yair Lapid took Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to task, and a screaming match among lawmakers before a vote on a bill that would allow the government to deport the family members of terrorists who are Israeli citizens.
Sokol also reviews the Knesset vote on the UNRWA bill that would bar the UN agency supporting Palestinian refugees and their descendants from operating in Israel, and a bill barring new foreign consulates in Jerusalem, also aimed at preventing consular offices that serve Palestinians.
Finally, Sokol turns to the draft law, and how one ultra-Orthodox party backed down from its threat to overthrow the budget over the IDF exemption bill.
For news updates, please check out The Times of Israel’s ongoing live blog.
With blood-red hands, Gaza hostage supporters make their mark on the opening of Knesset
Following stormy debate, lawmakers advance measure to deport terrorists’ relatives
Knesset approves laws barring UNRWA from Israel, limiting it in Gaza and West Bank
Knesset passes law banning establishment of new foreign consulates in Jerusalem
Ministers back bill denying the PA a path to petition the High Court of Justice
Ultra-Orthodox party backs down from threat to tank budget over IDF exemption bill
Netanyahu says Israel’s strikes on Iran destroyed ‘industrial factories of death’
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