No invites abroad for PM; is Israel earthquake-ready?

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. US correspondent Jacob Magid and real estate writer Danielle Nagler join host Jessica Steinberg for today's podcast, with a brief update from political correspondent Tal Schneider currently in Kyiv with Foreign Minister Eli Cohen. Magid discusses how the right-wing nature of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition partners has perhaps scuttled the chance of any invites for the prime minister to the US and UAE, while the second Negev Forum for ministers, initially planned for Morocco in March, is on the back burner. Magid also looks at the Palestinian Authority is pushing forward a vote in the United Nations Security Council to support a resolution to halt settlement activity, following the recent approval in the Knesset of several new outposts. Nagler explains the Tama 38 building development plan in Israel, created to upgrade existing housing and make buildings earthquake-safe, but so far only carried out in larger cities, and not yet in the areas that are more vulnerable, but less attractive from a real estate perspective. Magid talks about the emotional statement made by Channel 12 journalist Yair Cherki on Tuesday, when the Orthodox 30-year-old came out of the closet publicly and was greeted with widespread support from a range of followers and politicians. Nagler speaks about the new, dramatic Bezalel School of Art and Design building in downtown Jerusalem, designed to join the avant garde art created by the students and the mixed population of the city. Discussed articles include: Palestinians readying Security Council resolution slamming Israeli settlement plans Prominent Orthodox Israeli journalist Yair Cherki comes out as gay Knesset committee fails to update earthquake construction framework Israeli buildings face major earthquake risk, despite efforts to upgrade them Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on iTunes, Spotify, PlayerFM, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts. IMAGE: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives to a vote in the Knesset on February 15, 2023 (Courtesy Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)See omny.fm/listener for privacy information.