Could Jerusalem-Ramallah relations be thawing?

Welcome to The Times of Israel’s Daily Briefing, your 15-minute audio update on what’s happening in Israel, the Middle East, and the Jewish world, from Sunday through Thursday. Today's guests are Times of Israel founding editor David Horovitz with Arab affairs correspondent Aaron Boxerman, and Jessica Steinberg as host. Horovitz reviews aspects of Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's meeting in the Washington, DC with US President Joe Biden, including Bennett's ability to converse easily and fluently with Biden, a clear advantage that former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu always favored in his moments on the world stage. Boxerman discussed the logistics and content of the Sunday night meeting in Ramallah between Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Defense Minister Benny Gantz, the first in over a decade.  He also spoke about ongoing conversations regarding how Israel can help strengthen the PA economy, which has suffered tremendously as a result of the coronavirus and internal politics. Horovitz closes Monday's podcast with a look at how the US is suffering post its pullout from Afghanistan, and how it needs to play a role as the world's superpower, particularly in the Middle East. Discussed articles include: In shadow of Kabul chaos, Bennett tells Biden why US must stay engaged in region Catastrophe in Afghanistan — for Afghans, Israel, the region… and for America In first top-level meeting in a decade, Gantz holds talks with Abbas in Ramallah PM’s office downplays Gantz-Abbas meeting, says there won’t be peace talks Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on iTunes, Spotify, PlayerFM, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts. PHOTO: Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas speaks alongside US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, May 25, 2021, in West Bank city of Ramallah. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.