Daily Briefing July 25: Israel’s government still at work; touring tanks in Ukraine

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.

Senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur and diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman, on the ground in Ukraine, join host Anne Gordon on today’s episode.

With the Israeli government dissolved on June 30 and the next election on November 1, how is the country functioning? Rettig Gur explains how the outgoing government keeps going, even when it no longer quite exists. Key issues include the education budget for the new academic year and appointing the next IDF chief of staff.

Berman recounts his experience in the Kyiv suburbs and in Old Kyiv, where Ukrainians have made destroyed Russian tanks a sightseeing event for their children.

He also updates us on his conversation with Israeli Ambassador to Ukraine Michael Brodsky, weighs in on the Uman question for Jews who want to travel there for Rosh Hashanah, and sheds some light on Ukraine’s long history of relations with neighboring Russia.

Discussed articles include:

Education Ministry says 5,600 teaching positions unfilled ahead of school year

Teachers end strike, return to negotiations with treasury

Citing security needs, AG says new IDF chief can be selected before election

Gantz narrows IDF chief of staff race down to two candidates

Rage, pride draw Ukrainian families to sightsee destroyed Russian tanks

Envoy: No final decision from Kyiv on Uman pilgrimage, but Jews urged to stay away

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Check out yesterday’s Daily Briefing episode: