The pro-Iran deal IDF officers fighting for Israel's left

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. Today’s panel comprises Times of Israel editor David Horovitz and our Hebrew sister-site Zman Yisrael diplomatic and political correspondent Tal Schneider, along with host Amanda Borschel-Dan. Previewing her recent interviews with Meretz's Yair Golan and Labor's Omer Barlev, Schneider gives the lowdown on the two former generals who each turned to Israel's peace camp after their military careers, and are now trying to revive it. Beyond the politics, we look at the Israelis' somewhat marginal approaches to the Iran deal, military pressure on the Islamic Republic and how to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. After a slow-down in Israel's vaccination drive, the campaign seems to be gaining momentum again, and with the lockdown easing and the airport starting to open, normalcy seems to be on the horizon. Our panel asks if we are really ready for it. And finally, as hundreds of judokas land in Israel for a Grand Slam tournament in Tel Aviv, we look at the incredible story of Saeid Mollaei -- the Iranian judo champ exiled by the Islamic regime for refusing to throw a match against an Israeli competitor -- who is among the athletes visiting the Jewish state. Discussed articles include: Israel to allow 2,000 travelers per day to enter country starting Saturday Israel and Cyprus reach tourism deal for vaccinated travelers Synagogues, stores could be reopened for all Sunday; malls, gyms for vaccinated Playing whack-a-mole with anti-vaxxers, Israel works to revitalize vaccine drive Exiled Iranian judo champion lands in Israel for Tel Aviv tourney With Israel’s skies closed, 600 athletes arrive for judo contest, drawing rebuke Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on iTunes, Spotify, PlayerFM, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts. PHOTO: Deputy IDF Chief of Staff, Yair Golan, during the remembrance ceremony for soldiers whose place of burial is unknown, at Mount Herzl Military Cemetery, February 26, 2015. (Hadas Parush/Flash90) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.