Saudi talks continue, amid warnings about Israeli economy

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. US bureau chief Jacob Magid and Tech Israel editor Sharon Wrobel join host Jessica Steinberg for today's podcast. Magid looks at possible progress in talks between Israel and Saudi Arabia, with White House visits to Jeddah and Israel’s Mossad chief in the White House. He discusses Bahrain's postponement of Foreign Minister Eli Cohen's planned visit following National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir's visit to the Temple Mount last week. Magid also speaks about unexpected comments made by a senior Palestinian Authority Preventive Security Service officer in Washington, DC regarding Hamas pressure on impoverished Palestinian youth to carry out attacks on Jewish settlers. Wrobel discusses warnings made by credit agency Standard & Poor and the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange regarding the effect Israel’s continued political turmoil over the judicial overhaul could have on economic growth. She also comments on the Knesset's approval of the Angels Law, granting tax benefits to investors in Israeli high-tech, a law that's been under discussion for some time, prior to the current political unrest. Finally, Steinberg briefly comments on the opening of the Israel Festival on August 1 and the likely closure of historic Jerusalem movie theater Smadar. Discussed articles include: Biden hints at possible progress in potential Israel-Saudi normalization deal Bahrain postpones plans to host Israeli FM, hours after Ben Gvir tours Temple Mount Senior PA security official: Hamas, PIJ recruiting youth ‘with nothing to live for’ Moody’s ‘wake-up call’: Tel Aviv Stock Exchange head warns of looming financial crisis Credit rating agency S&P warns lack of overhaul consensus imperils Israeli economy Israel approves tax benefits to boost tech, as judicial jitters imperil investments Mark Eliyahu lines up Rita, Shai Tsabari and more for Tu B’Av concert Doors may close on German Colony’s 95-year cinema Lev Smadar Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on iTunes, Spotify, PlayerFM, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts. IMAGE: (L) Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, May 19, 2023. (Saudi Press Agency via AP); (C) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem (Alex Kolomoisky/Pool/Flash90); (L) US President Joe Biden on November 2, 2022 in Washington, DC (Michael A. McCoy / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.