Day 488 - Trump thrills Netanyahu, calls Gaza a hellhole
The Times of Israel Daily Briefing
The Times of Israel
4.5 • 1.1K Ratings
🗓️ 5 February 2025
⏱️ 23 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
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.
US bureau chief Jacob Magid joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode.
After US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met in the White House on Tuesday, Trump repeated his statements to the press about relocating all Gazans, possibly placing US troops in Gaza and annexing the West Bank.
Magid reviews the highlights of Trump's comments and the press conference that followed, as well as reactions from Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, condemning Trump's plan.
Magid discusses Trump's ideas regarding a peace process with Saudi Arabia and looks at the US President's statements regarding the annexation of the West Bank as a pressure tactic and one that naturally emboldens Netanyahu's far-right coalition partners.
In Magid's exit interview with Israel's Ambassador to the US, Mike Herzog, who served two different Israeli governments, the diplomat shares his perspectives on US-Israel relations, criticizing the Biden administration for its delays in shipping armaments, but also warning against relying solely on Republican support for Israel.
Please see today's ongoing live blog for more updates.
Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves.
For further reading:
Trump: US will ‘take over’ Gaza, level it and create ‘Riviera of the Middle East’
Countering Trump, Saudi Arabia says no Israel normalization without Palestinian state
Hosting PM, Trump urges permanent relocation of all Gazans: ‘That place has been hell’
After finishing DC tour, an Israeli ambassador known for his discretion is ready to talk
IMAGE: US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holding a joint press conference at the White House in Washington D.C., February 4, 2025. (Photo by Liri Agami/Flash90)
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | Hi, welcome to the Times of Israel's Daily Briefing. It's Wednesday, February 5th, and I'm |
| 0:12.5 | Jessica Steinberg. I'm speaking today with U.S. Bureau Chief Jacob Magid. Hi, Jacob. |
| 0:17.5 | Hey, Jessica. Good to be with you. It is good to have you here. |
| 0:23.4 | It is day 488 of the war. |
| 0:31.6 | Jacob, who just returned from Washington, D.C., covered Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit in the region. |
| 0:37.7 | There were lots of statements made by President Donald Trump and by the Prime Minister. |
| 0:46.6 | Donald Trump said that the U.S. will take over Gaza, level it, and create the Riviera of the Middle East. |
| 0:53.6 | Those plans and others were discussed during the Netanyahu's visit to the White House on Tuesday, President Trump also referred to the |
| 0:55.9 | possible annexation of the West Bank to Israel. He signed an order reimposing maximum pressure on |
| 1:02.1 | Iran and discussed a possible peace deal with Saudi Arabia. We'll discuss all of that after a break. |
| 1:14.3 | During the We'll discuss all of that after a break. During this period of upheaval in Israel, across the Middle East, and in U.S.-Israel relations, |
| 1:19.8 | it's always tough to see through the fog of war and get clarity about what's really happening |
| 1:24.4 | and what's really important on the ground. |
| 1:33.3 | These days, too, can be really difficult to talk about, let alone envision a better way forward and a better future for everyone living in the region. |
| 1:37.1 | Join me, Tel Aviv-based journalist and Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor, Neri Zilber, |
| 1:42.3 | as I host the very top analysts, journalists, policymakers, |
| 1:46.2 | and other experts for in-depth conversations to keep you informed on the most critical issues |
| 1:51.6 | challenging Israel's future as secure, Jewish, and democratic. Find Israel Policy Pod, |
| 1:58.1 | wherever you get your podcasts, and let's get into it. |
| 2:29.1 | Okay, Jacob, where to start? Do you want to start with Gaza and moving Gazans to another country? |
| 2:34.7 | You were at these, you were at the White House, you were at some of these press conferences. |
| 2:42.6 | Tell us what the scene was like, what you were hearing, what really stands out in this day of anending reporting. |
... |
Please login to see the full transcript.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from The Times of Israel, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.
Generated transcripts are the property of The Times of Israel and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.