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Jul 31
21m 6s

Day 664 - Witkoff arrives in region, Gaz...

The Times of Israel
About this episode

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world.

US bureau chief Jacob Magid joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode.

With Canada announcing that it will recognize a Palestinian state in September, Magid discusses that Canada is conditioning its plan on Palestinian Authority reforms. 

Magid also looks at the latest vote in the Senate to block arms sales to Israel, as an extension of distrust of Netanyahu government. The resolution proposed by progressive Sen. Bernie Sanders didn't pass again, but a majority of Democrats voted against it, a first that shows the distrust of the Netanyahu government, says Magid.

As US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff makes his way to the region, Magid says that Gaza humanitarian aid is the main issue he'll presumably discuss with Netanyahu, with clear prioritization on how to aid the Gazans.

Magid also talks about the alleged shooting of a prominent Palestinian activist by a known Jewish settler and the clear differences in how the suspected settler, Yinon Levi, was treated by Israeli civilian law as opposed to the Palestinian suspects involved in the case, who are being handled by the Israeli military legal system.

Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.

For further reading:

Following France and UK, Canada says it will recognize Palestinian state in September

Israel said to warn Hamas it will annex parts of Gaza if no hostage deal reached

As Trump promises new Gaza aid plan, White House says details forthcoming

IDF court extends Palestinians’ remand after Israeli in same incident freed to house arrest

Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple PodcastsSpotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves.

IMAGE: Palestinians carry food supplies they received from the US aid center in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, July 30, 2025. (Photo by Abed Rahim Khatib/Flash90)

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