Did Biden's trip yield closer Israeli-Saudi ties? Jury's out

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. Editor David Horovitz and United States correspondent Jacob Magid join host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's episode. Magid, who is part of the journalists' pool covering the trip of United States President Joe Biden to the Holy Land and Saudia Arabia, shares what it's like being a Jewish journalist in Jeddah, where casual antisemitism is a way of life. We hear about the dissonant narratives regarding what could appear to some as warming ties between Israel and Saudia Arabia -- but is being soundly debranded of that idea by the Saudis. Magid also reported on a frosty beginning to the meeting between Biden and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. What caused the chill? Horovitz weighs in on the Israel-leg of the Biden visit. Was it a success? And what is very different in the messaging of this president vis a vis the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? Discussed articles include: Contradicting Biden, Saudis deny opening of airspace is step toward ties with Israel Saudi minister: Peace with Israel ‘strategic option’ but not before 2-state solution Biden hails ‘historic’ Saudi decision allowing Israeli flights over its airspace After Biden raises Khashoggi murder, MBS retorts with question on Abu Akleh killing Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on iTunes, Spotify, PlayerFM, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts. Image: President Joe Biden arrives at King Abdulaziz International Airport, July 15, 2022, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.