Daily Briefing Jan. 11: Will Netanyahu need to brush up on foreign diplomacy skills?

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.

Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman and health and science writer Nathan Jeffay join host Jessica Steinberg for today’s podcast.

Berman speaks about the diplomatic experience Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will need to bring to his government, specifically because of actions from his coalition partners, particularly National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.

Jeffay discusses the findings of Israel’s largest healthcare fund, which show that the new COVID vaccine booster shots cut hospitalization rates significantly for the 65-plus age group, although vaccination rates have slowed overall in Israel.

Berman talks about Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, who will be speaking soon to his Ukrainian counterpart, and the new government’s attitude shift toward Russia.

Jeffay looks at an open letter signed by obesity experts, expressing outrage at the scrapping of a year-old tax meant to slow sales of sugary soft drinks.

He also explains the US licensing of an Israeli immunotherapy that demonstrated a 56% remission rate in cancer.

Discussed articles include:

A week in, Netanyahu government already at odds with Biden administration

Israel, most Arab partners meet in UAE to prepare for Negev Forum summit in Morocco

Israeli study: Omicron-fighting boosters cut hospitalization in over-65s by 81%

Backlash from top international obesity experts after Israel scraps soft drink tax

After demonstrating 57% remission rate, Israeli immunotherapy licensed by US firm

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Check out yesterday’s Daily Briefing episode: