Daily Briefing Aug 14: Alleged Jewish-Iranian spy & why rats may decide a mayoral race

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.

Political correspondent Tal Schneider and military correspondent Emanuel Fabian join host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today’s episode.

Officials from the Civil Administration, backed by police, destroyed or evacuated five buildings in the “Aira Shahar” outpost near the settlement of Kochav Hashahar this morning. Why is this a surprise?

On Friday, the chief of the Israeli Air Force, Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar, admitted that the state of the force’s readiness was “worsening” in the face of reservist pilots’ refusal to serve, after which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly had a pretty explosive reaction. Fabian and Schneider weigh in.

A Jewish Iranian man who landed at Ben-Gurion Airport was quickly deported on Friday. What are the allegations against him?

Last night, hundreds of right-wing activists protested in Jerusalem over the continued remand of settler brawler Yehiel Indore in the death of a Palestinian man on August 4. Fabian updates us on the case and evidence against him.

Schneider speaks about the looming municipal elections, which are arguably Israel’s midterm elections. She describes a tour she’s set to take in search of furry friends in Bnei Brak.

Discussed articles include:

In rare move, security forces evacuate illegal West Bank outpost

PM said to have shouted at IDF chiefs: ‘It looks like the army is running the country’

Air force head warns damage to military readiness worsening amid overhaul split

Jewish Iranian stopped at airport on spying suspicions, sent back to Iran – Shin Bet

Hundreds at protest call to free settler suspected of killing Palestinian; 2 arrests

Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on iTunes, Spotify, PlayerFM, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts.