Up First from NPR: August 1, 2025

Episode: Tariffs Deadline, Witkoff In Israel, Gaza/Rabbi Letter

NPR's Up First delivers a comprehensive overview of the day's most pressing news in a concise, ten-minute format. In this episode released on August 1, 2025, hosts delve into significant developments in U.S. economic policy, ongoing humanitarian concerns in Gaza, and notable actions taken by Jewish leaders regarding the situation.

1. White House Implements New Tariff Rates

Overview: The episode opens with a critical update on the U.S. economic landscape as the White House enacts new tariff rates hours before President Trump's midnight trade deadline. These tariffs impact imports from nearly every country, marking a substantial shift in U.S. trade policy that has been under consideration for months.

Key Details:

• Effective Changes: President Trump signed executive orders imposing tariffs on goods from 68 countries, including the European Union (EU). Notably, tariffs on Canadian imports have increased from 25% to 35%, excluding goods covered by the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which accounts for approximately 40% of Canadian imports [00:02–03:10].

• Implementation Timeline: While some tariffs take immediate effect, many are delayed. For example, tariffs on Mexican goods are postponed for 90 days, and agreements with the EU and South Korea introduce tariffs up to 41%, effective in a week [02:04–04:10].

Notable Insights:

• Economic Impact: Economist commentary suggests that these tariffs may modestly weaken the U.S. economy by raising prices and slowing economic activity, though a recession is not imminent [05:05].

• Legal Challenges: A federal court ruling earlier in the year deemed many of these tariffs illegal. The administration has appealed, and the outcome could jeopardize the implementation of the tariffs [05:05].

Notable Quote: Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR White House correspondent, explains, “These new tariffs range up to 41%. So some are quite high, and they take effect in a week” [02:48].

2. Diplomatic Efforts in Gaza Amidst Humanitarian Crisis

Overview: The episode shifts focus to the Middle East, highlighting the visits of two American officials—Steve Witkoff, President Trump's Middle East envoy, and Mike Huckabee, the U.S. Ambassador to Israel—to Gaza. Their mission centers on assessing and aiding the humanitarian situation exacerbated by ongoing military conflict.

Key Details:

• Humanitarian Concerns: Reports indicate that over 1,000 people have signed a letter urging Israel to permit more humanitarian aid into Gaza, with accusations that Israel is using starvation as a weapon of war [00:36–06:03].

• Israeli Response: The Israeli government denies claims of starvation, labeling them as exaggerated and a form of international propaganda. They maintain that negotiations continue to focus on the release of hostages and a potential military strategy [06:03–08:08].

• Public Sentiment in Israel: While the official stance denies a starvation crisis, public demonstrations in Tel Aviv show a minority of Israelis protesting the situation in Gaza. Reactions among the populace range from indifference to active support for Israel's actions [08:08–09:32].

Notable Insights:

• Propaganda Accusations: Critics argue that the Israeli authorities are using the diplomatic visits as propaganda tools to downplay chaos and oppression at food distribution sites [06:03–06:58].

• Demonstrations and Public Opinion: A demonstration in Tel Aviv to end the perceived war on starvation faced hostility from passersby, indicating a polarized society [08:08–09:32].

Notable Quote: Eleanor Beardsley, NPR correspondent in Tel Aviv, notes, “As we know, a number of Palestinians have been shot at these sites trying to get food. And critics are calling this a propaganda visit by the army” [06:58].

3. Jewish Leaders Advocate for Increased Humanitarian Aid to Gaza

Overview: The episode highlights a significant move by over 1,000 rabbis and Jewish leaders from the U.S. and England who have signed a public letter urging Israel to allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza. This collective action underscores internal dissent within the Jewish community regarding the ongoing crisis.

Key Details:

• Content of the Letter: The rabbis condemn the use of starvation as a weapon of war and express concern that Israel's actions are damaging not only the country's reputation but also Judaism itself. Despite their call for increased aid, the letter affirms unwavering support for Israel's fight against Hamas [09:55–10:12].

• Significance and Risks: The letter represents a rare public dissent among mainstream Jewish leaders, who traditionally show strong support for Israel. The move risks alienating members of their congregations and could lead to divisions within the Jewish community [10:23–12:13].

• Impact on American Jews: The statement aims to create a distinction between American Jews and the Israeli government, especially in the context of rising antisemitism and violence against Jewish communities in the U.S. [12:33–13:23].

Notable Insights:

• Generational Divide: Younger Jews are increasingly critical of Israel's actions in Gaza, viewing them as unjust and immoral, which is causing some to distance themselves from mainstream Jewish institutions [12:13–12:33].

• Fear of Antisemitism: Incidents of antisemitic violence, such as the killing of Israeli embassy staffers and attacks on pro-hostage marches, heighten fears among American Jews, making public discourse more challenging [12:45–13:23].

Notable Quote: Yonat Shimron of Religion News Service comments, “These signatories to this letter...focus on starvation and the humanitarian crisis, not against the war. The signatories still say they unequivocally support Israel's battle against Hamas” [10:20–11:03].

Conclusion

This episode of Up First encapsulates significant developments in U.S. trade policy with far-reaching implications for international relations and the global economy. Concurrently, it sheds light on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, highlighting the complex interplay between military actions and civilian suffering. The collective stance of Jewish leaders against the humanitarian situation marks a pivotal moment of introspection within the community, reflecting broader societal and generational shifts in perspectives on the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Stay informed with NPR's Up First, your essential news briefing to start the day.

Notable Speakers and Attributions:

• Imy Martinez: Co-host providing updates and transitions [00:02–various].
• Steve Inskeep: Co-host leading discussions and interviews [00:07–14:17].
• Danielle Kurtzleben: NPR White House correspondent analyzing tariff developments [02:15–05:37].
• Eleanor Beardsley: NPR correspondent in Tel Aviv reporting on Gaza and Israeli responses [06:03–09:35].
• Yonat Shimron: Religion News Service correspondent discussing the rabbis' letter and its impact [10:19–13:26].

Timestamps Referenced:

• [00:02–03:10]: Introduction to new U.S. tariffs.
• [02:04–04:10]: Details on tariff implementation and delays.
• [05:05]: Economic impact and legal challenges of tariffs.
• [06:03–06:58]: Diplomatic visits to Gaza and propaganda accusations.
• [08:08–09:32]: Public demonstrations in Tel Aviv.
• [09:55–10:12]: Announcement of the rabbis' letter.
• [10:23–12:13]: Significance and risks of the letter.
• [12:45–13:23]: Fear of antisemitism and its effects on American Jews.

Produced by: Dana Farrington, Larry Kaplo, Daniel Burke, Jana Williams, and Alice Wolfley
Engineered by: Stacey Abbott
Technical Director: Carly Strange
Executive Producer: Jay Shaylor

Support NPR's reporting by subscribing to Up First+ and unlock sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org/upfirst.