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The Daily Edition

What Matters Most On Friday, February 19, 2021

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Rabbi Gilad Kariv at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem before the start of a hearing about public transportation on Shabbat; September 11, 2017. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

ExclusiveUTJ MK likens Reform to 'an idolator in the Temple'

Orthodox MKs vow to shun Labor Reform rabbi as partner for coalition — or minyan

By Shalom Yerushalmi

Shas, UTJ and National Religious Party lawmakers pan Knesset hopeful Gilad Kariv, say he represents a dangerous ‘cult’; Kariv: Proof of need for non-Orthodox representation

Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) meets with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Kremlin in Moscow on January 30, 2020. (MAXIM SHEMETOV / POOL / AFP)

Israel agreed to more than just a prisoner exchange to get woman back from Syria

By Judah Ari Gross

Full details of arrangement barred from publication by military censor; MK Tibi responds to deal: Does a Jewish person need to cross into Gaza so Palestinians can get a vaccine?

An Israeli military outpost in the Golan Heights is pictured from the Syrian town of Quneitra on March 26, 2019. (Louai Beshara/AFP)

Israeli woman who crossed into Syria returns to Israel on flight from Moscow

Illustrative: Israeli soldiers guard at the Israeli side of the Quneitra Crossing, on the Israeli-Syrian border in the Golan Heights on March 23, 2019. (Basel Awidat/Flash90)

Israel media reviewHidden costs: What the press is saying about swap-stakes and green pass payouts

By Joshua Davidovich

Shaare Zedek hospital team members wearing safety gear as they work in the coronavirus ward of the hospital in Jerusalem on February 3, 2021 (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

COVID-19 pandemic ebbs in Israel with lowest positive rate in almost 2 months

In best figures since early January, just 6.2% of tests positive, only 858 current serious cases; one hospital says 9 of 10 new cases to arrive were unvaccinated

In this Feb. 4, 2021 photo, Israelis receive a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine from medical professionals at a coronavirus vaccination center set up in a shopping mall parking lot in Givatayim (AP Photo/Oded Balilty, File)

Israeli study: 75% protection from 1st Pfizer vaccine dose, so okay to delay 2nd

By Nathan Jeffay

In this Jan. 7, 2021, file photo syringes containing the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine sit in a tray in a vaccination room at St. Joseph Hospital in Orange, Calif. (AP/Jae C. Hong, File)

Pfizer to test booster dose for South African COVID-19 variant

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, speaks with reporters at the White House, in Washington, January 21, 2021 (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

Interview

Fauci to ToI: Israeli vaccine effort ‘a model for rest of the world’

Top US infectious disease expert says Israel’s socialized health system eases distribution; urges PM not to let guard down if he chooses to declare victory once enough inoculated

An Israeli man receives a vaccine at a Meuhedet COVID-19 vaccination center in Kfar Chabad, on February 16, 2021. (Flash90)

Health Ministry expected to back vaccination for those recovered from COVID

A medical worker at a drive-through site to collect samples for coronavirus testing in the northern Israeli city of Safed on February 8, 2021. (David Cohen/Flash90)

A vaccine-defiant Israeli mutation wouldn’t be surprising, ex-virus czar warns

By Nathan Jeffay

Illustrative: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani visits the Bushehr nuclear power plant just outside of Bushehr, Iran, January 13, 2015. (AP Photo/Iranian Presidency Office, Mohammad Berno, File)

US says it’s ready to restart talks with Iran on its nuclear program

By Agencies and ToI Staff

State Department says it will accept invitation from European Union to meet with deal’s original participants, including Tehran; US reportedly told Israel of move ahead of time

In this Feb. 3, 2007 file photo, a technician works at the Uranium Conversion Facility just outside the city of Isfahan, Iran. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi, File)

Iran renews call to lift sanctions after US says ready to restart nuclear talks

By Agencies and ToI Staff

Illustration: Arrow 4 air defense system missile. (Israel Aerospace Industries)

US and Israel announce work on new Arrow 4 air defense system amid Iran tensions

By Emanuel Fabian and Agencies

When Jews rush to mourn Rush

I do not celebrate radio personality Rush Limbaugh’s death at all, but we must acknowledge that the world is a much, much better place now that he is off the air

Peta Jones Pellach

God is so… emotional!

Our feelings are just one way we imitate the Divine, but untethered, they are as dangerous as if we completely ignored them (Terumah)

Daniel Rosehill

We don’t need ‘Anglo’ representation in Israel

3 reasons why a separate political party for English-speaking immigrants is a bad idea for both the country and the immigrants

We need to stop casting politicians as moral leaders

When we blur lines between partisan opponents and moral opponents, we divide our worlds in half – between our friends and our enemies

Times Will Tell

Times Will Tell

PODCAST: Hear 3 unique voices speak on Black/Jewish trust and solidarity

In honor of Black History Month, questions and answers on pressing issues facing both communities in a frank discussion on racism in the US — and inside the Jewish community

A health worker administers the COVID-19 vaccine to an Israeli at a bar in Tel Aviv, on February 18, 2021. (Gil Cohen-Magen/AFP)

Reporter's Notebook

Care for a shot with your shot? Tel Aviv sets up vaccine station at local bar

By Simona Weinglass

As gyms, hotels open exclusively to those vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19, municipality tries to lure the unvaccinated with a cool vibe and free drinks

The departure hall at Ben Gurion Airport on January 25, 2021. (Yossi Aloni/Flash90)

Airport to stay shut but 900 new immigrants will be permitted to fly to Israel

By AFP and ToI Staff

Soldiers from the Home Front command give out COVID-19 information in Katzrin, February 16, 2021 (Michael Giladi/Flash90)

Israel eases rules on gatherings, but middle schools, airport to stay closed

Clockwise from top left: 'Bukra fil Mish Mish' poster; L to R: David, Shlomo, and Herschel Frenkel, with the poster for a Mish Mish film; director Tal Michael; Mish Mish opposite real-life Lebanese singer Sabah. (Courtesy Menemsha Films/ photo of Michael courtesy Michael)

Interview

‘Jewish Disney bros’ who founded Egypt animation industry make triumphant return

By Rich Tenorio

A man receives a slice of Knafe after getting vaccinated against the coronavirus in Tel Aviv-Jaffa, on February 16, 2021. (JACK GUEZ / AFP)

Analysis

Haviv Rettig Gur

To encourage vaccination, Israeli cities serve free food with a side of comfort

From Sabbath stews to Russian fried pies to hummus and pizza, municipalities promise their residents better days through familiar foods

Israelis shop for Purim costumes at a Red Pirate toy store in Kiryat Ekron, ahead of the Jewish holiday of Purim, on February 14, 2021. (Yossi Aloni/FLASH90)

Education Ministry approves Purim events for students in low-infection cities

Kosher Palate, a kosher restaurant in Dallas, prepares thousands of free hot meals to serve to Orthodox families affected by power outages during Winter Storm Uri, Feb. 17, 2021. (Courtesy of Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas)

Analysis

In a Texas battered by cold, Jewish communities join desperately needed response

Synagogues, Jewish groups, kosher restaurants and individuals scramble to address their needs and those of neighbors as storm knocks out swaths of state’s infrastructure

In this screengrab, Senator Ted Cruz, walks to check in for his flight back to the US, at Cancun International Airport in Cancun, Mexico, Febuary 18, 2021. (AP/Dan Christian Rojas)

Ted Cruz returns from Cancun after uproar, says trip was ‘obviously a mistake’

By Steve Peoples and Jake Bleiberg

President of Equatorial Guinea Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo at the Russia-Africa summit in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Russia, Oct. 24, 2019. (Valery Sharifulin, TASS News Agency Pool Photo via AP)

Equatorial Guinea announces embassy move to Jerusalem

By Lazar Berman

African nation’s President Mbasogo says whole continent welcomes Israel with open arms; Netanyahu: ‘Israel is returning to Africa and Africa is returning to Israel in a big way’

Danny Morick, marine veterinarian, takes samples from a 17 meters (about 55 feet) long dead fin whale washed up on a beach in Nitzanim Reserve, Israel, Friday, Feb. 19, 2021. Aviad Scheinin of the Morris Kahn Marine Research Station said samples from the animal will be taken to try to determine a cause of death, officials said the water nearby is polluted, including with tar. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

17-meter young whale found dead on beach in south Israel amid possible tar spill

As other creatures also wash up, Parks Authority chief calls for Environmental Protection Ministry investigation into those responsible for the pollution

Ivanka Trump listens during a campaign rally in Dalton, Georgia, on January 4, 2021. (Mandel Ngan/AFP)

Ivanka Trump says she won’t run for Florida Senate seat in 2022

Former president’s daughter reportedly informs Florida Senator Marco Rubio she will support his reelection campaign

Then-US president Donald Trump gestures to the crowd as he arrives to speak at a campaign rally at Williams Arena in Greenville, North Carolina, July 17, 2019. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

ExplainerAfter Trump’s acquittal, efforts to bar him from 2024 run not over yet

By Mark Sherman

Rioters try to break through a police barrier at the Capitol in Washington, January 6, 2021. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)

Over 200 US Capitol rioters have right-wing extremist links, ADL says

By ToI Staff and AP

More Headlines

Illustrative -- A French police officer next to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France, Dec. 15, 2020 (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

French police officer finds swastikas, ‘dirty Jew’ daubed on his locker

By Cnaan Liphshiz

Front pages of Australian newspapers are displayed featuring stories about Facebook in Sydney, Feb. 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

Shockwaves worldwide as Facebook turns off the news for Australia

Timna Nelson Levy after her victory in the Tel Aviv Judo Grand Slam (Screenshot: Twitter)

Israeli judoka Timna Nelson Levy wins gold medal at Tel Aviv Grand Slam

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, center, marches up Fifth avenue during the Celebrate Israel Parade, June 1, 2014, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio calls Israel ‘a fundamentally progressive concept’

By Gabe Friedman

In this illustration made available by NASA, the spacecraft containing the Perseverance rover slows down using the drag generated by traveling through the Martian atmosphere. (NASA/JPL-Caltech via AP)

‘7 minutes of terror’: NASA rover lands safely on Mars after nail-biting descent

Tomasz Greniuch, in the center holding papers, makes a gesture that appears to be a Nazi salute at a far-right event in Poland in 2007. (Bartosz Siedlik, courtesy of Gazeta Wyborcza via JTA)

State historian in Poland seen in pictures from 2007 giving Nazi salute

By Cnaan Liphshiz

Hanin Abu Mariam, a 21-year-old Palestinian female referee, after a football match at Faisal Al-Husseini International Stadium in the West Bank city of Al-Ram, north of Jerusalem, February 11, 2021. (ABBAS MOMANI/AFP)

Kicking conventionPalestinian female soccer referee raises flag for women

By Hossam Ezzedine

The late Sgt. Naim Maadi in an undated photo. (Police Spokesperson)

Border Police officer found dead; comrade suspected of negligent homicide

Representative Aaron Coleman makes remarks during a special hearing regarding complaints and calls for removal from his position January 22, 2021, at the Kansas Statehouse in Topeka, Kansas (Evert Nelson/The Topeka Capital-Journal via AP)

Kansas lawmaker let off with warning for abusive behavior toward women, girls

Aslan Karatsev returns a shot against Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open in Melbourne, Australia, Feb. 18, 2021 (Peter Haskin / Australian Jewish News)

‘Life will never be the same’ for ex-Israeli tennis star who lost to world No.1

By ToI Staff and Agencies

Zach Banner seen prior to a game between his Pittsburgh Steelers and the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Dec. 22, 2020. (Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire/Getty Images via JTA)

Zach Banner, Alysha Clark, Josh Bell hold panel on fighting anti-Semitism

By Gabe Friedman

Shira Haas in Netflix's 'Unorthodox.' (Anika Molnar/Netflix)

High timeJon Ossoff, Shira Haas and Doja Cat make Time’s 100 emerging leaders list

By Gabe Friedman

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