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.
Political reporter Ariela Karmel and religion and archaeology correspondent Rossella Tercatin join host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode.
At the start of the Knesset's winter session, the Knesset State Control Committee voted down a proposal to establish a state commission of inquiry into the October 7th, 2023, Hamas-led attack, says Karmel, to the dismay, anger, and tears of the bereaved families present, who expected it could happen now that the 20 living hostages have been released home.
The government cabinet voted to rename the war against Hamas as the War of Revival, says Karmel, a proposal floated by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for over a year, and with much opposition, given the October 7, 2023, failures that led to the war.
A new bill advanced by coalition lawmakers calls for several religious practices to be enshrined in Israel's public spaces, discusses Karmel, including requiring mezuzahs hung in public institutions and allowing public prayer according to the practices of the worshipper, both major battleground issues between secular and religious communities.
Tercatin discusses how Israelis have changed religiously and spiritually since October 7 and the ensuing war, and whether those changes are more prevalent among those who were already religiously faithful in their previous lives.
She also talks about an unusual archaeological find of an Assyrian inscription near Jerusalem's Temple Mount, with wording that appears to echo an episode described in the Bible.
Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.
For further reading:
Knesset panel rejects proposal to establish October 7 state commission of inquiry
‘War of Revival’: Cabinet approves Netanyahu’s controversial renaming of Gaza war
Coalition advances bill mandating mezuzahs, allowing Orthodox rituals in public spaces
What hath God wrought? After Oct. 7, many Israelis respond with turn to spirituality
Biblical tax notice: 1st-ever Assyrian inscription found near Jerusalem’s Temple Mount
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IMAGE: MK Mickey Levy, Head of the State Control Committee leads a committee meeting at the Knesset on October 20, 2025 (Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
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