COVID, politics, and Israel's ‘autonomous’ ultra-Orthodoxy

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 panel comprises Times of Israel editor David Horovitz and political correspondent Tal Schneider, along with host Amanda Borschel-Dan. We speak about today's Labor Party primaries, ahead of the looming Israeli elections on March 23. Also, the recent announcement that Likud "prince" Benny Begin, the son of former prime minister Menachem Begin, has joined with fellow former Likudnik Gideon Sa'ar New Hope party.  Amidst mixed messaging over the United States' stated intention to rejoin the controversial Iran nuclear deal, the first Israeli official to meet with the Biden administration is head of the Mossad Yossi Cohen. As a result of flagrant flouting of the coronavirus crisis lockdown, the past few days have seen ongoing clashes between Israeli police and members of Israel's ultra-Orthodox communities in highly populated areas such as the city of Bnei Brak and Jerusalem's Mea Shearim neighborhood. What took the police so long to attempt to enforce the rules? Discussed articles include:  Labor to pick new leader as frontrunner Michaeli looks to renew struggling party Former Likud MK Benny Begin, son of late PM, joins Sa’ar’s New Hope In boost for Bennett, small business owners’ protest leader joins Yamina TV: Israel warns ‘nothing to discuss’ with Biden if returns to Iran deal as is TV: Mossad chief to meet Biden, set out terms for overhaul of Iran nuclear deal Hasidic rabbi calls for reopening ultra-Orthodox schools, then backtracks Father of ZAKA emergency rescue chief dies of COVID-19, days after his mother Image: Israeli police officers clash with ultra-Orthodox Jewish men during enforcement of coronavirus emergency regulations, in the ultra-Orthodox Jewish neighborhood of Mea Shearim, Jerusalem, January 24, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.