Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleWelcome to The Times of Israel’s Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what’s happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world.
US bureau chief Jacob Magid joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today’s episode.
US President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation banning travel from certain countries, citing national security concerns — and, pointedly, the DIY flamethrower attack on Sunday in Boulder, Colorado. Magid explains which nations are — and are not — affected, and discusses the new ban on foreign students at Harvard University.
More from The Daily Briefing
September 27, 2026Daily Briefing Sept. 27 - The curious timing of the Oct. 7 allegations against the PM
September 25, 2026Daily Briefing Sept. 25 - The PM's speech: Fiery rhetoric, inside and outside the UN
September 24, 2026Daily Briefing Sept. 24 - Did Israel just bar all Arab political parties from running? Not so fast
September 23, 2026Daily Briefing Sept. 23 - Religious Zionism party doubles down on judicial revolution
September 22, 2026Daily Briefing Sept. 22: Did muting Macklemore make his message louder?
This conversation can be viewed here:
For the first time since Trump took office, the United Nations Security Council discussed and voted on a substantive resolution related to the war in Gaza. The resolution, which was vetoed by the United States, called for a ceasefire, release of the hostages and surge of humanitarian aid into the Strip. Magid weighs in on the significance of the vote.
Mediators are reportedly optimistic that Hamas will soon submit an updated hostage deal proposal that will be closer to what US special envoy Steve Witkoff presented last week, three sources familiar with the matter told Magid. But does this optimism have any grounds? What’s changed?
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation announced that its aid distribution sites would again not open on Thursday morning to give time for the US- and Israeli-backed organization to carry out logistical work needed to accommodate larger crowds. We discuss this aid effort in the context of other, now-suspended attempts, such as airdrops from Jordan.
Israel decided to block a Saudi-led delegation from visiting the West Bank earlier this week. It would have been the first visit by a Saudi foreign minister since Israel took over the West Bank in 1967, and had been intended to boost the legitimacy of the Palestinian Authority as a viable candidate to replace Hamas as the governing body of Gaza after the war. Magid adds nuance and context to this decision and its repercussions.
Check out The Times of Israel’s ongoing liveblog for more updates.
For further reading:
Trump bans travel from 12 countries, ties it to attack on Colorado Jewish rally
Trump moves to bar US entry to foreign students planning to study at Harvard
US vetoes UN Security Council resolution calling for Gaza ceasefire
Mediators optimistic Hamas will soon submit softened hostage deal proposal — sources
GHF says Gaza aid sites won’t reopen Thursday morning as planned, after one-day shutdown
Saudi official says Israel harmed normalization by blocking West Bank visit – report
Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves and video edited by Thomas Girsch.
Check out yesterday’s episode here:
The Times of Israel Community.