What looms for Law of Return and final coalition details

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. Settlements reporter Jeremy Sharon and religion and diaspora affairs correspondent Judah Ari Gross join host Jessica Steinberg for today's podcast. Sharon talks about the final details of the coalition deal, including Border Police control for Otzma Yehudit's Itamar Ben Gvir and settlement expansion powers for Religious Zionism's Bezalel Smotrich, creating unprecedented, dramatic changes in Israel's incoming government. Gross discusses the background of Likud MK Amichai Chikli, being appointed Diaspora Affairs minister and what that could mean for future debates of the Law of Return and the grandchild clause, under attack from the Religious Zionism party, and their belief that it alters the Jewish identity of the state. Gross also talks about the legacy of Rabbi Chaim Druckman, considered a founder of the settler movement, and who was buried earlier this week. Discussed articles include: Otzma Yehudit deal includes control over Border Police, major boost to police funds Religious Zionism coalition deal: Settlement growth, changes to discrimination laws Political deals over Law of Return set stage for fight over future of immigration Rabbi Chaim Druckman, spiritual leader of political religious Zionism, dies at 90 Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on iTunes, Spotify, PlayerFM, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts. IMAGE: Likud leader MK Benjamin Netanyahu with Otzma Yehudit party head Itamar Ben Gvir at a vote in the assembly hall of the Knesset on December 28, 2022 (Courtesy Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.