Day 277 - Tension, charges in Knesset as coalition teeters

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. Knesset reporter Sam Sokol joins host Jessica Steinberg on today's episode. Sokol reviews the Knesset on Monday, as hostage brother Danny Elgarat was thrown out of a committee meeting by committee chair Simcha Rothman after a disagreement with the brother of another hostage about the hostage deal under discussion.  Sokol discusses the comments and images that Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich offered as he voiced his disapproval for the hostage deal, and his underlying threat to bolt the coalition if the government agrees to the deal, along with other Knesset members' recent remarks that this government may not last much longer. Smotrich's ultra-right ally, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, then threatened ultra-Orthodox party Shas that he would not support their narrowed bill for community rabbis, calling Shas "a lapdog of the left," while Shas Knesset member Aryeh Deri retorted, by calling Ben Gvir "an inflated balloon." Sokol also mentions the statement made by Knesset member Gideon Sa'ar hinting that former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is considering a return to politics. Steinberg talks about some recent projects for hostage families, the bereaved and survivors, including free tattoos for about 120 Israelis, and a hostage family project called "Week of Goodness." For news updates, please check out The Times of Israel’s ongoing live blog. Discussed articles include: ‘Shame!’: Knesset ushers drag brother of hostage out of meeting for interrupting Some in coalition threaten its demise as Ben Gvir blocks key Shas bill, slams PM and Deri Holding a Sinwar victory pic, Smotrich pans hostage deal; Lapid to PM: We’ll back it Gideon Sa’ar says former PM Bennett planning a return to politics Beauty through the pain: Survivors of October 7 inked by visiting tattoo artists Parents of hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin launch ‘Week of Goodness’ Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves.  IMAGE: Hostage mothers, activists and Knesset members protest at the Knesset, marking nine months of their captivity, on July 8, 2024. (Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.