Day 266 -- Biden, Trump face off; Gallant's effective US visit

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 host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode. Magid first tackles the first debate between US President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump in a faceoff that included Trump's statements about not having let Hamas attack if he was in office, while Biden defended his actions since October 7. Both countered one another on antisemitism regarding the 2017 Charlottesville rally versus the campus protests of last spring. Magid also reviews Defense Minister Yoav Gallant's trip to Washington this week, in which Gallant tackled the arms shipment brouhaha that heated up with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's involvement. The meetings were very effective, said Magid, with the shipments ironed out for arms shipments that could be more effective against Hezbollah, if needed. Magid refers to another topic discussed during Gallant's visit, regarding whether fighting with Hezbollah could be halted as battles in Rafah slow down as an "off-ramp" to avoid war. He discusses the post-war Gaza plan discussed by Secretary of State Antony Blinken during his meetings in the region last week, with possible participation by future Palestinian Authority security forces, and peacekeeping forces from the UAE and Egypt amid a future pathway to a Palestinian state. Magid concludes with an in-depth look at the Jamal Bowman race against George Latimer in the New York Democratic primary as Bowman's views on Israel which brought strong AIPAC financial support for Latimer, ultimately helping him sweep the election. For more updates, please check out The Times of Israel’s ongoing live blog. Discussed articles include: Trump calls Biden ‘a bad Palestinian’ as president’s halting debate showing rattles Dems Gallant, US declare progress on expediting arms delivery, but bomb shipment still frozen US, Israel see easing of Gaza fighting as Hezbollah ‘off-ramp’ to avoid war Egypt, UAE prepared to participate in postwar Gaza security force — officials THOSE WE HAVE LOST: Civilians and soldiers killed in Hamas's onslaught on Israel THOSE WE ARE MISSING: The hostages and victims whose fate is still unknown Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.  IMAGE: This combination of photos shows Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump, left, and President Joe Biden during a presidential debate hosted by CNN, Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP/Gerald Herbert)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.