Daily Briefing Feb. 21: Team Israel’s Beijing triumph; how PM Bennett lost the right

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 news editor Amy Spiro join host Amanda Borschel-Dan in today’s episode.

It’s a beautiful winter day, so we decided to start with some good news: Spiro explains the new rollback on coronavirus travel restrictions in and out of the Holy Land.

We turn to Schneider, who explains the significance of a recent two-day visit to Israel and the West Bank of a delegation of Congressional Democrats led by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Eyebrows were raised by whom she decided not to meet with.

Rumors out of Vienna of a possible Iran nuclear deal have Israeli politicians at the highest levels making bold statements of opposition. Let’s also hear about quiet murmurs of acceptance.

Schneider flew with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett to Bahrain last week. She describes a scene on the plane’s steps that may have irrevocably lost him support from the right.

And finally, Spiro delivers the best of Team Israel from the just-finished Beijing Winter Olympics.

Discussed articles include:

Israel to open to unvaccinated tourists starting March 1

Pelosi and 7 members of Congress touch down in Israel for visit

PA’s Abbas hosts US House Speaker Pelosi for rare West Bank meeting

Bennett: Iran deal will spell more violent region, boost regime’s attacks on Israel

Gantz warns of Iranian drones, says any new nuke deal must be enforced and built on

Israel wraps up Winter Olympics without medals, but with new achievements

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