Daily Briefing July 8 – Herzog’s hope: What the new president wants to achieve

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.

Today’s panel comprises our editor David Horovitz and our deputy editor and archeology reporter (and regular host of the podcast) Amanda Borschel-Dan, along with host Raoul Wootliff.

On today’s show — long live the president of Israel! As of yesterday evening, Israel has a new president, its 11th: Isaac Herzog, son of the 6th president, Chaim Herzog. We try to understand what sort of presidency is in store for the next seven years.

And, with Herzog in, Israel’s 10th president Reuven Rivlin is out. We look back over his presidency and discuss the legacy he leaves behind.

Then, a vast “city hall” has been unearthed in a subterranean ancient warren in Jerusalem’s Old City. We hear about the ongoing excavations and the new pathways found in the Western Wall Tunnels.

And finally, with summer upon us, we look at the biblical origins of watermelon and a new study tracing its roots.

Discussed articles include:

Herzog takes office as Israel’s 11th president, warns of dangers of polarization

Rivlin’s record-breaking presidency in numbers

The presidency that was: Reuven Rivlin’s seven years in office

Magnificent 2,000-year-old ‘city hall’ unearthed near Western Wall

Red origin: New study traces roots of summer fave watermelon, mentioned in Bible

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