Daily Briefing Aug. 11: Egypt huffs at Israel; Jewish Agency laments Russian moves

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 correspondent Jacob Magid and religion and Diaspora affairs writer Judah Ari Gross join host Jessica Steinberg for today’s podcast.

Magid discusses how and why the Egyptian envoy berated Israel at the UN Security Council, following warmed relations between the two countries and Cairo’s recent brokering of the ceasefire between Israel and Islamic Jihad.

Gross reviews Saturday night’s egalitarian reading of Lamentations during the Tisha B’Av fast at the Western Wall amid expectations for tensions and possible protests from Orthodox extremists, as happened the year prior.

Magid looks at the final decision not to lower the rank of the US Security Coordinator, USSC, in Jerusalem from three-star general to colonel, possibly given the role it holds in coordinating between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

He also talks about the moderate Democrat Dan Samuels, who nearly upset Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar in the recent primary race, which pro-Israel groups sat out.

Gross discusses the recent tensions between the Jewish Agency and the Russian government, which has threatened to close its branch of the Jewish Agency, which handles Jewish immigration from Russia.

Discussed articles include:

After mediating Gaza ceasefire, Egypt’s envoy castigates Israel at Security Council

Pentagon backs off Jerusalem security coordinator downgrade amid lawmaker pressure

Moderate rival nearly upsets Ilhan Omar in primary race pro-Israel groups sat out

Israeli government intervenes as Moscow tightens screws on Jewish Agency

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