Does Israel need a defense treaty with the United States?

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. Senior analyst Haviv Rettig-Gur and Zman Yisrael editor Biranit Goren join host Anne Gordon for today's podcast. The holiday of Sukkot is often heralded as a time to celebrate all of the nations of the world -- Israel has parades and performances to that effect. It therefore seems fitting to discuss an important element of Israel’s foreign affairs -- specifically, the possible defense pact between Israel and the United States. Both Israelis and Americans have mixed feelings about the potential treaty, and US involvement may now be complicated further, in light of US Rep. Keven McCarthy’s departure from his position as speaker of the House of Representatives. Goren and Rettig Gur unpack what it all means. And a new development on the home front too -- Israel’s political party, Yesh Atid, which is the party of Opposition Leader Yair Lapid, will be holding primary elections -- and Lapid is being challenged for the leadership, at least officially. Goren and Rettig Gur consider why this shift in approach. Discussed articles include: Gallant to meet US counterpart in Washington, after Netanyahu’s sit-down with Biden ‘Basic framework’ in place for Israel-Saudi normalization, US says In first, Yesh Atid to hold leadership election; MK Ram Ben Barak to challenge Lapid Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on iTunes, Spotify, PlayerFM, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts.   IMAGE: Defense Minister Yoav Gallant greets US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at Ben Gurion Airport, March 2023. (Ariel Hermoni/Defense Ministry)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.