Daily Briefing Oct. 5 – Should Shin Bet help fight crime among Arab Israelis?

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 podcast guests are environmental reporter Sue Surkes and breaking news editor Emanuel Fabian, who’s covering the military beat this week, with Jessica Steinberg hosting.

Fabian explains the recent government decision to involve the military and Shin Bet security service in a crackdown on illegal weapons, in order to fight rising organized crime in Arab communities. It’s a plan that is dividing the local Arab Israeli community and is also being questioned by Public Security Minister Barlev. 

Meanwhile, Surkes unpacks the bizarre case of Jewish lawyer Steven Donziger, who has been fighting the Chevron oil company for 28 years and was recently sentenced to six months in jail.

She also offers a preview of a new article about questionable plans to prospect for oil in the Arava desert.

Discussed articles include:

Government move to enlist Shin Bet to fight rising crime splits Arab Israelis

IDF, Shin Bet will aid illegal weapons crackdown in Arab towns, ministers decide

Police minister says IDF will play no role in fighting Arab community violence

Lawyer who fought Chevron gets 6-month sentence for contempt

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