Loading summary
Transcript7 lines
- [00:04]
A
You are listening to an art media podcast.
- [00:13]
B
It's Friday, August 7th. This episode was recorded at 6pm New York time on Thursday. I'm Deborah Pardes and this is Ark News Daily. The US held Israel back from a major, major retaliation in Lebanon yesterday, and that restraint reportedly helped keep the negotiations alive in Rome, according to the Lebanese outlet Nida Al Watan. Washington stepped in to block a wider Israeli response after two IDF reservists were killed on Wednesday in southern Lebanon. Their squad entered an abandoned building as part of an operation to demolish Hezbollah infrastructure, but it was booby trapped. The explosion killed 34 year old company commander Harel Birkenstock and 33 year old combat soldier Tamir Vaknin. Four other reservists were severely wounded. The IDF was looking into when the device was planted, whether it was a remnant before the latest ceasefire or if it was smuggled in afterwards. Channel 13 reported yesterday that the signs so far suggest it was left earlier, but Israel responded immediately, claiming Hezbollah violated the truce. The IDF struck Hezbollah targets Wednesday and again early Thursday morning, but According to Channel 12, those strikes were limited. The IDF had also recommended a much harsher response, but Washington stepped in as to why President Trump did that. Here's former U.S. ambassador Dennis Ross speaking to i24 News.
- [01:53]
A
This is a high priority for him because he needs to show that he's making progress in places he can't show that right now. In the war with Iran. The Board of Peace on Gaza came out with a roadmap that was agreed with Hamas, but it's clear that Israel has some questions about that. If the president wants to show that what he's doing is working, he's going to have to have some tangible achievements.
- [02:16]
B
So what does the progress in Lebanon actually look like? The US has been mediating negotiations between Israel and the Lebanese government, both of whom want to see Hezbollah removed. During the latest round that ended in Rome yester the Lebanese government proposed adding new pilot zones to the two already being worked out. These are areas where the army is taking over from the IDF to test out an eventual full takeover, according to reports following the meeting. The two sides are also closing in on choosing another mediator to help make sure that the agreement is actually followed. Italy is emerging as the frontrunner, but according to the Wall Street Journal, Lebanese officials say they don't expect a major diplomatic breakthrough or a complete Israeli withdrawal until after Israeli elections this fall. With 81 days left until the Israeli elections, undecided voters on the right have a brand new party to consider. Israel's former ambassador to the un, Gilad Erdan, announced the launch of the New Party at a press conferen last night. He said it wasn't easy for him to leave Likud, which had been his political home for over 30 years. But he says these days he can no longer call it that. He said that Likud's elected officials no longer represent the Likud voters whom I love so much. The voters Erdan is trying to appeal to are those who are frustrated with how the current Likud government has the military draft law that still exempts ultra Orthodox. In his speech, Erdan promised he would promote a new Basic Law in Israel requiring every citizen to perform military or national service. Erdan is also partnering with Yuli Edelstein to create the New Party. He's a former Knesset speaker who quit the Likud last month over the same issue. He said yesterday, I have worked hard to promote a true and fair draft law. To form a government in Israel, lawmakers need to build a coalition. Netanyahu built his own alliance with the far right and the ultra Orthodox, but the New Party is promising voters a different option that can work with whomever the prime minister will be. They say they won't cave to the ultra Orthodox pressure to dodge the military draft on one hand and won't make political concessions under left wing parties on the other. It sounds like a difficult prospect, but ARC Media contributor Amit Sehgal told us that this New Party doesn't actually need to gain that much political ground to live up to that promise. He says Erdan can cause a tipping point in Israeli politics by filling a crucial void.
- [05:22]
C
The swing voters can actually come to someone who comes from the Likud. But like many voters left likud post October 7th and he's disappointed by what they see as a full surrender to the ultra Orthodox. That's why he hopes to get something like 4, 5, 6 seats in order to be the next Defense or Foreign affairs or treasury minister.
- [05:44]
B
I'm Deborah paradise and this is arknews daily Shabbat Shalom.
- [06:01]
D
Hi, it's Dan Sinor. Israel is heading into one of its most consequential election, and this time the whole world is watching closely. Hot takes and daily noise are pretty much guaranteed to populate your media diet. But as with any election, there's a deeper story about identity, religion, democracy, and what kind of country Israelis want to live in. That's why ARC Media launched Israel Votes, a special initiative across Call Me Back for Heaven's Sake and ARK News daily, you'll hear from the leading candidates shaping the race, along with analysis and reporting from two of Israel's leading political analysts, ARC Media contributors Nadavael and Amit Segal. Join us for Israel Votes, your front row seat to the election that could define Israel's Future. Go to arkmedia.org votes to watch and listen. See you there.