Day 286 - Before PM goes to DC, Knesset says no Palestinian state

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. Editor David Horovitz joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's episode. Early today, the Knesset voted not to establish a Palestinian state through a resolution co-sponsored by parties in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition together with right-wing parties from the opposition. Why now? In the name of not meddling in the American presidential elections, far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has suggested to security cabinet ministers that a hostage-ceasefire deal with Hamas should be delayed. Horovitz weighs in. Mossad chief David Barnea told a security cabinet meeting Tuesday that young female hostages held by Hamas don’t have time to wait for a new hostage deal framework, according to unsourced leaks from the gathering that were widely reported by Hebrew media outlets Wednesday. We hear about some of the voices from within the coalition supporting the deal. Aides to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are optimistic that some progress has been made in his yearslong effort to re-ingratiate himself with Donald Trump, after the former president reposted Netanyahu’s video condemning Saturday’s assassination attempt, according to a Wednesday report. Could the two meet up during Netanyahu’s upcoming trip? The IDF is set to begin sending initial draft orders on Sunday, summoning haredi men to the induction center to begin their physical and other testing ahead of their draft. Horovitz discusses the hot-button issue. For news updates, please check out The Times of Israel’s ongoing live blog. Discussed articles include: Hamas is weakened, but there’s no room for complacency Knesset votes overwhelmingly against Palestinian statehood, days before PM’s US trip Report: Ben Gvir urging hostage deal to be held up to avoid helping Biden vs Trump Netanyahu aides said to see hope of mending fences with Trump after assassination attempt Urging deal, Mossad chief said to warn time running out for young female hostages Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves.  IMAGE: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, ministers and MKs at the plenum hall of the Knesset in Jerusalem on July 17, 2024. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.