Daily Briefing Oct. 8: Shared grief, deep divisions – Israel marks October 7

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 Jessica Steinberg for today’s episode. WATCH the full episode here: Following the various memorial ceremonies held this week to mark the third anniversary of October 7, Sales and Steinberg discuss the ongoing polarization in Israeli society, which extends even to commemorating the Hamas massacre on different days. More from The Daily Briefing October 7, 2026 Daily Briefing Oct. 7 - 3 years to Hamas attack, Israel is both more secure and more vulnerable October 6, 2026 Daily Briefing Oct. 6 - Echoes of Oct. 7 in the failures exposed by flydubai near-disaster October 5, 2026 Daily Briefing Oct. 5 - Will IDF's Oct. 7 lessons learned in blood be implemented? October 4, 2026 Daily Briefing Oct. 4 - In Bnei Brak, poverty, density and religious needs reshape real estate October 1, 2026 Daily Briefing Oct. 1 - Flydubai attack becomes political fodder for candidates Looking ahead to the October 27 election, Sales talks about voters’ reasonable, democratic expectation that they will know who will be leading the country as soon as the results are in, when in fact the political maneuvering for a new coalition will likely only start once the election is over. As details about the lack of monitoring of foreign pilots continue to emerge after the flydubai attack, Sales reviews how the political opposition is using the opportunity to attack Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Finally, Sales briefly discusses some of the unexpected reactions to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s statements about October 7 during a coexistence event. Check out The Times of Israel’s ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: A place ‘soaked with their dances, music and blood’: Nova victims remembered at scene of massacre ‘It’s bad’: In a polarized Israel, the likeliest election result is more uncertainty Will the flydubai attack save Netanyahu’s struggling campaign? ‘Traitor’: Anti-Zionist protesters rage at Mamdani at Oct. 7 coexistence event Subscribe to The Times of Is rael Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Ari Schlacht. Check out yesterday’s episode here: Help us report truthfully on social media As a multimedia journalist, my job is to take the quality, fact-based journalism produced by The Times of Israel newsroom and make it accessible across every platform — from Instagram posts to podcasts to short-form videos. This is how many, especially young people, consume news these days. But misinformation is rampant on social media. Our team at ToI produces accurate, responsible short-form reporting on Israel and the Jewish world. If you believe in the importance of factual social media journalism , please consider joining our reader support group, The Times of Israel Community. Your financial support is essential to sustain responsible multimedia reporting. — Gabriella Jacobs, multimedia journalist Support our work Support our work Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this read more: Israel & the Region The Daily Briefing podcasts Times of Israel podcasts 2026 Israeli election October 7 polls flydubai Flight 1073 Zohran Mamdani If you’d like to comment, join The Times of Israel Community. JOIN THE TOI COMMUNITY Already a member? Log in here close popup Sign in or Join The Times of Israel Community Sign in or Register Paying ToI Community members are invited to comment on articles Email address * Please use the following structure: [email protected] Continue Or Continue with By joining you agree to the terms and conditions Send me The Times of Israel Daily Edition back close popup Register to continue Email address * Change REGISTER Or Continue with back close popup Log in to continue Email address * Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.. Continue back close popup Sign in or Join The Times of Israel Community Sign in or Register You are currently registered. Please join The Times of Israel Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits Only ToI Community members can comment below articles Email address * Password * Incorrect password. Please try again or choose an option below. Forgot your password? / Send me a login link Continue Sign in without joining Or Continue with close popup Check your email We sent an email to you at . It has a link that will sign you in. Click the link in that email to complete registration so you can comment. back close popup Join The Times of Israel Community Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits. Email address * Please use the following structure: [email protected] JOIN NOW! close popup Thank you! Now check your email You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.