Daily Briefing Oct. 22: Arab states weigh in on post-election potential for regional ties

In this episode of the Daily Briefing, diplomatic reporter Nava Freiberg tells host Gabriella Jacobs that Arab capitals are assessing whether the upcoming election for the 26th Knesset will bring changes in Israeli leadership and policy. Many Arab states may find a new leadership easier to work with, but few expect a successor government to fundamentally redirect foreign policy; the potential for change lies in policies outside the post-October 7 security doctrine. The briefing also covers the Board of Peace and the Gaza peace plan, noting US-led training for an International Stabilization Force and modest progress on UAE-backed reconstruction efforts, with hopes for more progress after the election.

The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing for October 22 focuses on how Arab capitals are reading the Israeli election set for the following week, with diplomatic reporter Nava Freiberg joining host Gabriella Jacobs. Arab states are weighing whether the 26th Knesset will bring a new chapter in Israeli leadership and policy or leave the current leadership in place, and what either result means for Israel and the wider region. Freiberg says many Arab states may find a new Israeli leadership easier to work with, but few expect any plausible successor government to fundamentally redirect Israel's foreign policy. The room for change that Arab capitals do identify lies in policies considered less central to the post-October 7 security doctrine; Freiberg gives examples in the episode. The briefing closes with the Board of Peace and the Gaza peace plan. Freiberg reports that US-led training on the International Stabilization Force began in August, with some troops now ready for deployment, and that there has allegedly been modest progress on UAE-backed reconstruction efforts. Implementation is slow, but there are hopes of greater headway after the Israeli election. The episode directs listeners to the outlet's liveblog for further updates.