Day 698 - Israel weighs annexation as countries call for Palestinian state

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.

Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.

During today’s day of disruption in the capital, protesters calling for a hostage deal have escalated their tactics, including torching bins in Jerusalem -- which police said damaged a car and caused nearby residents to be evacuated -- and gaining access to the roof of the National Library, near the Knesset, to hang banners. The activists are pushing for renewed ceasefire-hostage release negotiations this week ahead of the IDF's "Gideon's Chariots B" operation. Berman updates us on the communications between the mediation teams.

The IDF said today that it is boosting operational and logistical preparedness for reservists called up for the military’s planned Gaza City offensive. Over the coming weeks, troops will participate in open-terrain and urban warfare exercises to strengthen readiness across the Gaza Strip. At the same time, yesterday, some 350 reservists signed a mass petition stating that they refused to rejoin the war. Berman speaks about the willingness of reservists to continue to fight and how the IDF is taking their needs into consideration.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio may visit Israel in two weeks, an Israeli official told Berman yesterday. We hear what may be on his agenda.

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot announced Tuesday that Belgium will recognize the State of Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly later this month. Berman describes how the slew of countries may recognize the Palestinian state at the GA and how European countries are already clamping down on Israel.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday decried the “unacceptable” US decision not to grant visas to Palestinian officials, including Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas ahead of the United Nations General Assembly later this month, when France is also set to recognize a Palestinian state. A day before the GA kicks off, France and Saudi Arabia are holding a conference in New York promoting a two-state solution on September 22. We hear what the goals are for this conference and speculate on whether the visa decision may be reversed.

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

For further reading:

IDF chief: War ‘will not stop’ until Hamas is defeated; PM says ‘decisive stage’ starting

Tens of thousands of reservists drafted ahead of Gaza City takeover, but turnout down

US Secretary of State Rubio to visit Israel later this month; early contacts reported on possible Netanyahu-Trump meeting in US
 
Belgium to recognize Palestinian state at UN General Assembly, impose sanctions on Israel

Macron slams ‘unacceptable’ US decision to bar PA officials from attending UN confab

Netanyahu said to mull annexing West Bank parts in response to Palestine recognition

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