Big whoop? Mamdani admits he can't arrest Netanyahu

Big whoop? Mamdani admits he can't arrest Netanyahu

Author: The Times of Israel July 23, 2026 Duration: 23:05

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.

The Iran-backed Houthis struck two Saudi oil tankers on Thursday that they accused of violating a naval blockade imposed by the group. These attacks signal a potential new front in the US-Iran conflict, as the US military struck Iran for the 12th successive night and Iran lashed out at its neighbors.

Arguably related to stymying Iran and its ambitions, the United States and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday forged a new agreement that could potentially provide the kingdom with uranium enrichment capability for its civilian nuclear program. We hear why Israel is worried.

Overnight, the US House of Representatives narrowly passed its version of a massive defense policy bill, despite Democrats’ concerns about its huge price tag, the Iran war and a provision that would boost Pentagon ties to Israel. The NDAA includes several provisions that allocate hundreds of millions of dollars to US-Israel joint military projects. Sales explains the political considerations in voting for Israel aid right now.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Tuesday acknowledged that he cannot actually arrest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, despite his past pledges to do so. Most legal experts had come to that conclusion years ago. Why is this in the news right now?

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

For further reading:

Yemen’s Houthis hit tankers in Red Sea as US strikes Iran for 12th consecutive night

US confirms signing a nuclear cooperation pact with Saudi Arabia, to Israel’s alarm

Mamdani’s vision of NY as ‘a city of international law’ runs up against reality

Mamdani admits he lacks power to arrest Netanyahu, after repeated pledges to do so

Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple PodcastsSpotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Ari Schlacht.

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Each morning, The Times of Israel Daily Briefing cuts through the noise to deliver essential context on the stories shaping Israel and the wider region. Produced by the seasoned journalists of The Times of Israel, this podcast provides more than just headlines; it offers grounded analysis and on-the-ground perspective that listeners won't find in a standard news bulletin. You'll hear directly from reporters and editors who live the story, discussing the political, security, and social developments that matter most. The conversation naturally extends to the broader Middle East and issues affecting Jewish communities worldwide, making sense of complex events with clarity and depth. Tune in for a concise, authoritative briefing that respects your time and intelligence, turning the day's most pressing news into understandable narrative. This is where informed listening begins, a trusted audio resource for anyone seeking a reliable, nuanced understanding of a dynamic and often misunderstood part of the world.
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