Daily Briefing January 2: Day 454 – Gallant leaves the Knesset, but will he return?
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 the host Jessica Steinberg on today’s show.
Magid discusses why former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant resigned from the Knesset, apparently due primarily to his opposition to legislation that would allow ultra-Orthodox men to be exempt from military service. While this move is somewhat confusing, Magid says, given that Gallant’s votes could make a difference on certain legislation, the former defense secretary appears to be making a political move to solidify his future options.
Magid investigates why hostage negotiations have reportedly stalled after a temporary, week-long ceasefire was proposed. Obstacles included the lack of a viable alternative to who could fill Hamas’s leadership void in Gaza and Hamas’ stance that it could not locate all of the hostages remaining in Gaza.
He also examines the Palestinian Authority’s crackdown on armed terrorist groups in Jenin in the northern West Bank and its connection to Assad’s overthrow of rebel groups in Syria. Criticism of the Palestinian Authority’s activities was broadcast on Al Jazeera, and the news channel has since been temporarily banned from the West Bank.
You can find the latest news here The Times of Israel’s ongoing live blog.
Items discussed include:
Gallant resigns from the Knesset and condemns the upcoming bill to liberate Haredim from the IDF
Hamas agreed to release only 22 of the 34 living hostages that Israel had demanded under the deal
The Palestinian Authority stops Al Jazeera’s broadcasts in the West Bank amid criticism of its crackdown on terrorism
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.
Check out yesterday’s Daily Briefing episode here:
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