Day 333 - Saying goodbye to Hersh as the PM explains his strategy

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. Diplomatic reporter Lazar Berman and culture editor Jessica Steinberg join host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. Thousands of mourners lined the streets of Jerusalem on Monday to bid a final farewell to slain American-Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, one of the best-known faces among those seized by Hamas-led terrorists on October 7. Steinberg, a family friend, talks about Hersh and brings the overriding messages from the funeral. After many many months in which Israelis have called upon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to spell out his vision of a hostage release deal, he finally held a rare press conference in Jerusalem after a day of massive strikes and protests throughout the country. What were the salient points Netanyahu tried to make last night? US President Joe Biden on Monday said Netanyahu was not doing enough to secure a deal for the release of hostages taken by Hamas on October 7, while revealing that his administration was “very close” to presenting a final hostage deal offer later this week. How does this overt chastisement affect the talks? Britain said Monday it would immediately suspend dozens of arms export licenses with Israel because there is a risk the equipment might be used to commit serious violations of international humanitarian law, drawing rebuke from Israeli officials. But this morning, Britain’s defense minister John Healey said the country’s suspension of 30 of its 350 arms export licenses to Israel will not threaten Israel’s ability to defend itself. Berman discusses the mixed message the UK is sending. Speaking to the Israel Bar Association this morning, President Isaac Herzog issued a strident call for unity, insisting that "the soul and future of the nation are at stake.” What else did he say in the aftermath of days of country-wide turmoil? For news updates, please check out The Times of Israel’s ongoing live blog. Discussed articles include: ‘We all failed you’: Heartbreak at funeral for Hersh Goldberg-Polin in Jerusalem ‘My sweet boy Hersh, we tried so desperately to save you’ Netanyahu: If we leave Philadelphi, Hamas will be able to rearm, revive, repeat Oct. 7 Biden says US close to presenting final ceasefire offer, PM not doing enough for deal Court shuts down Histadrut strike, accepting government claim it was political UK suspends 30 of 350 arms export licenses to Israel, insists it’s not an embargo ‘Don’t you dare’: Herzog warns against reviving judicial overhaul, pleads for unity 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: Mourners and family members gather to bury executed US-Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin whose body was recovered with five other hostages in Gaza, during the funeral at Givat Shaul cemetery in Jerusalem on September 2, 2024. (Gil Cohen-Magen / POOL / AFP)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.