Daily Briefing June 21 – Can a critical Vance have Israel’s back in Iran talks?

Welcome to The Times of Israel’s Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what’s happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world.

News editor Ben Sales joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today’s episode.

WATCH the full episode here:

A round of US-Iran negotiations on implementing the agreement to end the war was set to kick off in Switzerland today. US Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reportedly added a special session on Lebanon to their packed agenda.

The talks come after an Israel Defense Forces soldier was killed and 13 were wounded in southern Lebanon in an attack by the Hezbollah terror group early Saturday morning, and a four-man IDF tank crew was killed early Friday. The IDF said Saturday it “halted its fire” outside its declared “security zone” in southern Lebanon, but would continue operations within it. Sales discusses how Vance’s personal opinion of Israel — including harsh statements on Israel’s supposed ingratitude to the Trump administration and an accusation that Israel tries to kill its way out of every problem — could color the negotiations.

In the second half of the program, we ask, is it the end of a golden age of Jewish American travel to Israel? Is it because the sponsoring institutions have shifted away from thinking that an American Jew who has traveled to Israel is more likely to stay Jewishly involved, marry Jewish and support the Jewish state? And why, despite the offer of a free trip, are many fewer young adults coming? Sales weighs in.

Check out The Times of Israel’s ongoing liveblog for more updates.

For further reading:

US-Iran set for new talks; Trump threatens US tolls in Hormuz if deal not reached in 60 days

Vance slams Israeli ‘freakout’ over Iran deal, says Trump only world leader who still likes Israel

IDF soldier killed, 13 injured in overnight Hezbollah attack in southern Lebanon

Trump’s unfiltered commentary on Lebanon is leaving Israel with an impossible choice

Canceled flights, high prices: Is the golden age of American Jewish travel to Israel ending?

Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Yitzchak Ledee.

Check out yesterday’s episode here: