Israel mends fences with Ukraine, but won't provide David's Sling

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. Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman and military correspondent Emanuel Fabian join host Amanda Borschel-Dan. Berman reports on Foreign Minister Eli Cohen's one-day trip to Kyiv last week. While Israel is still not offering Ukraine its anti-missile air defense systems, the country has stepped up with hefty loan guarantees. Berman explains how much, and how the Jewish community is faring. According to Syria’s state news agency SANA, the Israeli Air Force carried out a strike late last night targeting a residential neighborhood in Damascus. Fabian gives insight as to why now. Yesterday, an Israeli observer delegation at the African Union summit in Addis Ababa was kicked out of the opening ceremony on Saturday. Berman puts this puzzling event into context. There is a very public, ongoing power struggle between police commissioner Kobi Shabtai and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir. Fabian shares some recent events that have exacerbated the friction. Discussed articles include: What Matters Now to… Prof. Suzie Navot: Guarding against a ‘Frankenstate’ With first Knesset readings due Monday, tens of thousands protest judicial overhaul FM Cohen in Kyiv pledges Ukraine loan guarantees, help with airstrike warning system Back on track: FM Cohen overcomes diplomatic hurdles en route to thaw with Ukraine Likening Russia to Goliath, Zelensky says Ukraine needs David’s Sling from Israel Syria says 5 killed, 15 wounded in Israeli strike on Damascus residential area Israeli observer delegation kicked out of African Union summit in Addis Ababa Police chief warns of potential for political assassination: ‘Lower the flames’ Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on iTunes, Spotify, PlayerFM, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts. IMAGE: Women walk by a building damaged by Russian shelling in the Saltivka district of Kharkiv, Ukraine, February 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)See omny.fm/listener for privacy information.