Daily Briefing Jan. 18 – Colleyville attack plays into oldest antisemitic trope

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.

United States correspondent Jacob Magid and environment reporter Sue Surkes join host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today’s episode.

Magid reports from Colleyville, Texas, where he has been working around the clock to update readers on the attack on a Reform synagogue on Saturday and its aftermath. The question of whether or not the 11-hour hostage standoff was an antisemitic attack gains nuance as he speaks with one of the hostages and several locals.

Next we are joined by Surkes, who speaks about new legislation in honor of Tu Bishvat, the new year of the trees. A bill proposed by MK Alon Tal updates a British Mandate-era law that aims to protect trees and increase urban green spaces.

We then speak about an ongoing case in which radioactive water pollution in the Zin Stream may be whitewashed by big industry.

And finally, Surkes sheds light on a new water purifier called Miriam’s Well, which just may be a game-changer for the developing world.

Discussed articles include:

Hostage: Attacker chose synagogue, thinking Jews powerful enough to free ‘sister’

1,000-strong multifaith crowd rallies around Jewish community at post-standoff vigil

Convinced they are also targets, Colleyville residents stand with Jewish neighbors

New bill seeks to replace British mandate law on protection, planting of trees

Chemical company’s expert in court case: Southern stream’s radiation not health risk

Israeli cleantech company aims Miriam’s Well water purifier at developing world

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