Daily Briefing Feb. 9: Hatzalah MD describes rescue mission; Leifer trial begins

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 reporter Jacob Magid and New York reporter Luke Tress join host Jessica Steinberg for today’s podcast, with a report from Judah Ari Gross at the earthquake site in Turkey.

Gross speaks with an Israeli doctor serving with the United Hatzalah team in southern Turkey that’s helping extract earthquake survivors from the devastating wreckage.

Magid discusses the across-the-board US push for calm in the region following the visits of several senior Biden administration officials, including US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and CIA director Bill Burns.

Tress speaks about a recent closed meeting of US congressmembers with Jewish leaders in New York, and their show of support for Israel and its recent actions.

Magid talks about the start of the Malka Leifer trial in Melbourne, Australia, which is expected to last six weeks as it uncovers the sexual abuse allegedly committed by Leifer against her students while she served as principal of an ultra-Orthodox girls school in the early 2000s.

Discussed articles include:

CIA director: Current Israeli-Palestinian tensions resemble Second Intifada

Coalition party vows settlement building will continue, despite US request for pause

After international pressure, PM delays East Jerusalem razing sought by Ben Gvir

US pushing Abbas on plan to boost PA security presence in northern West Bank

In now annual tradition, US urges Israel to keep friction in check ahead of Ramadan

Skirting concerns over new government, NY lawmakers vow firm support for Israel

13 years after bolting, 6 since arrest, Malka Leifer extradited to Australia

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Check out yesterday’s Daily Briefing episode: