What's keeping Netanyahu from the White House?

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. Zman Yisrael founding editor Biranit Goren and ToI's diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman join host Jacob Magid for Monday's podcast. US President Joe Biden has shifted from criticizing the Israeli government's judicial overhaul plan to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's "extremist" government. Berman fills us in on what's behind the shift, what it means for Netanyahu's chances to score an invite to the White House and how it'll impact US efforts to broker a normalization deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Goren discusses a recent cabinet meeting, which ministers used as an opportunity to lay into Attorney General Gali Baharav Miara's handling of the judicial overhaul protests. Goren talks about the comparison government officials make between law enforcement's handling of today's protest and the demonstrations during the 2005 Gaza Disengagement and whether the juxtaposition is valid. She also fills us in on the anti-overhaul moves latest moves as the coalition readies to pass through a first reading later Monday legislation that would block courts from exercising judicial review over the “reasonableness” of government decisions. Berman shares how President Isaac Herzog has decided to weigh in on a recent uptick in attacks by Jewish Orthodox extremists on Christians in Israel. He discusses the diplomatic ramifications of the trend and whether Israel is capable of addressing it. Finally, he lays out a recent interview Israel’s Ambassador to Kyiv Michael Brodsky in which he criticized Ukraine's voting record against Israel at the United Nations. Berman reveals what was behind the frustration and speculates on whether Kyiv is likely to change course in light of the criticism. Discussed articles include: Biden: Israeli cabinet has some of most extreme members I’ve seen; Saudi deal far off Ministers assail AG at cabinet meeting, demand protest crackdown, urge her removal Mall chain threatens strike if bill to curtail judicial oversight clears first vote Herzog condemns growing attacks on Christians as ‘evil’ and ‘a disgrace’ Ukraine’s backing of 90% of UN anti-Israel votes could hurt support — Israeli envoy Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on iTunes, Spotify, PlayerFM, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts. IMAGE: Then Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left) with then US Vice President Joe Biden in Jerusalem, 2010. (Avi Ohayun/GPO)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.