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Daniel Estrin Daniel Estrin is NPR's international correspondent in Jerusalem.
Daniel Estrin
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Daniel Estrin

Daniel Estrin
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Daniel Estrin
Daniel Estrin
Daniel Estrin

Daniel Estrin

International Correspondent, Jerusalem

Daniel Estrin is NPR's international correspondent in Jerusalem.

Since joining NPR in 2017, he has reported from Israel, Gaza, the West Bank, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates. He has chronicled the Trump Administration's policies that have shaped the region, and told stories of everyday life for Israelis and Palestinians. He has also uncovered tales of ancient manuscripts, secret agents and forbidden travel.

He and his team were awarded an Edward R. Murrow award for a 2019 report challenging the U.S. military's account about its raid against ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

Estrin has reported from the Middle East for over a decade, including seven years with the Associated Press. His reporting has taken him to Britain, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Jordan, Russia and Ukraine. His work has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, The New Republic, PRI's The World and other media.

Story Archive

Monday

Middle East

Netanyahu delays plans amid unprecedented protests across Israel

Facing protests that had shut down much of his country, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he's delaying a vote in parliament that could give his coalition more power over choosing judges.

Netanyahu delays plans amid unprecedented protests across Israel

Listen · 4:03
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Here's why Netanyahu's court overhaul, now on hold, brought Israel to the brink

Protesters wave Israeli flags outside parliament in Jerusalem on Monday, part of a massive show of anger over the hard-right government's push to overhaul the justice system. Ahmad Gharabli/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Ahmad Gharabli/AFP via Getty Images

Middle East

Here's why Netanyahu's court overhaul, now on hold, brought Israel to the brink

The right-wing government's push to get more control of the judiciary system thrust Israel into a crisis. The pushback led Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to delay his plan for at least a month.

Here's why Netanyahu's court overhaul, now on hold, brought Israel to the brink

Listen · 3:19
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Middle East

As Israel's judicial overhaul legislation faces a final vote, protesters don't let up

Mass protests are taking place in Israel over the firing of defense minister Yoav Gallant, after he spoke out against plans to weaken the country's judicial system.

As Israel's judicial overhaul legislation faces a final vote, protesters don't let up

Listen · 3:19
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Friday

Middle East

Why some military reservists are not reporting for duty in Israel

Some members of Israel's military reserve are refusing to report for duty, in protest against plans by the ruling right-wing government to weaken the judiciary.

Why some military reservists are not reporting for duty in Israel

Listen · 3:40
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Tuesday

World

Volunteers in Turkey are collecting evidence of poor construction after the quakes

Since the earthquakes last month, some people in Turkey are taking investigations into the shoddy construction that led to tragedy in their own hands — and social media feeds.

Volunteers in Turkey are collecting evidence of poor construction after the quakes

Listen · 3:55
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Saturday

Thursday

Middle East

Protests in Israel have the country's president warning of a possible civil war

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected a proposed compromise to his controversial judicial overhaul. President Isaac Herzog says Israel stands at the edge of the abyss.

Protests in Israel have the country's president warning of a possible civil war

Listen · 1:39
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Thursday

Middle East

Members of Israel's military protest against government attempts to weaken courts

As protesters oppose attempts by Israel's government to weaken courts they count members of the military among their supporters. The unrest in Israel continues as violence increases in the West Bank.

Members of Israel's military protest against government attempts to weaken courts

Listen · 3:43
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Friday

Middle East

An Israeli and a Palestinian weigh in on the turmoil in Israel and the West Bank

We hear from an Israeli and a Palestinian at the heart of the recent turmoil in Israel and the West Bank.

An Israeli and a Palestinian weigh in on the turmoil in Israel and the West Bank

Listen · 5:47
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Thursday

Middle East

Protests against Israel's government took a turn when police used force

Israeli police broke up protests by Israelis who blocked roads to oppose government plans to weaken the judiciary. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu compared the protesters to West Bank rioters.

Protests against Israel's government took a turn when police used force

Listen · 3:46
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Tuesday

Monday

Middle East

After a violent weekend, officials say they aim to deescalate tensions in West Bank

As three Israelis are fatally shot and a Palestinian is killed during riots by Jewish settlers, the U.S. is pushing diplomacy to keep violence in the occupied West Bank from escalating more.

After a violent weekend, officials say they aim to deescalate tensions in West Bank

Listen · 2:16
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Middle East

Israeli and Palestinian officials agreed to cool tensions but then: chaos

Israeli and Palestinian officials agreed on a plan to cool tensions, but then two Israeli settlers were killed in the occupied West Bank. That led hundreds of Israelis to go on a deadly rampage.

Israeli and Palestinian officials agreed to cool tensions but then: chaos

Listen · 3:16
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Saturday

Middle East

In Turkey, a historic city for three religions is in ruins after the earthquake

We take a tour through Antakya, Turkey, a city that played an important role in Jewish, Christian and Muslim history. It was devastated by the recent earthquake.

In Turkey, a historic city for three religions is in ruins after the earthquake

Listen · 7:14
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Turkey's Antakya is in ruins after the quake, erasing cultural and religious heritage

A view inside what was the dome of the historic Habib-i Najjar Mosque in Antakya. Claire Harbage/NPR hide caption

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Claire Harbage/NPR

Middle East

Turkey's Antakya is in ruins after the quake, erasing cultural and religious heritage

The city of Antakya, known in antiquity as Antioch, was at the crossroads of civilizations for centuries. After the Feb. 6 earthquake, many of its centuries-old monuments and sites lie in ruins.

Turkey's Antakya is in ruins after the quake, erasing cultural and religious heritage

Listen · 7:14
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Wednesday

Baklava took a break in Turkey's pastry capital after the earthquake. Now it's back

Employees box up baklava for customers at Imam Cagdas in Gaziantep, Turkey. Claire Harbage/NPR hide caption

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Claire Harbage/NPR

The Picture Show

Baklava took a break in Turkey's pastry capital after the earthquake. Now it's back

In a city known for its pistachio baklava, a pastry heavyweight turned his family's restaurant into a charity kitchen and shelter after the catastrophic Feb. 6 earthquake.

Baklava took a break in Turkey's pastry capital after the earthquake. Now it's back

Listen · 3:35
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Monday

Tent camps are everywhere now in Turkey's earthquake zone. Here's one

Two boys walk through a small tent encampment in Gaziantep, Turkey, on Thursday, Feb. 16. People have set up makeshift tents since they are too afraid to return to their homes after the earthquake. Claire Harbage/NPR hide caption

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Claire Harbage/NPR

The Picture Show

Tent camps are everywhere now in Turkey's earthquake zone. Here's one

Tent cities have been constructed in Turkey for displaced earthquake victims and because families are afraid to return to their homes. More than 40,000 buildings are at risk of collapse.

Tent camps are everywhere now in Turkey's earthquake zone. Here's one

Listen · 3:33
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Middle East

People in Turkey and Syria sleep in tents — afraid their homes could collapse

Families endure an anxious life in makeshift tent encampments after the earthquakes in southern Turkey.

People in Turkey and Syria sleep in tents — afraid their homes could collapse

Listen · 3:33
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Sunday

One couple's bedroom caved in during the earthquake. Here's how it saved their lives

Ali Kafadenk, 34, poses in front of the rubble of his destroyed apartment in Islahiye, Turkey. He and his wife Merve, 27, survived the earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria on Feb 6. Daniel Estrin/NPR hide caption

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Daniel Estrin/NPR

World

One couple's bedroom caved in during the earthquake. Here's how it saved their lives

In the catastrophic earthquake in Turkey and Syria, several survivors stayed alive by chance when their collapsed walls provided protection.

One couple's bedroom caved in during the earthquake. Here's how it saved their lives

Listen · 3:27
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Thursday

Middle East

A couple in Turkey, pinned under earthquake rubble, survived the ordeal

A Turkish man describes how he and his wife survived last week's massive earthquake after their apartment building collapsed around them. (Story first aired on ATC on Feb. 15, 2022.)

A couple in Turkey, pinned under earthquake rubble, survived the ordeal

Listen · 3:13
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Wednesday

Middle East

How a Turkish couple survived pinned under rubble after the earthquake

A Turkish man describes how he and his wife survived last week's earth quake when their apartment building collapsed around them.

How a Turkish couple survived pinned under rubble after the earthquake

Listen · 3:27
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Tuesday

European allies condemn Israel's plan to build more housing units in the West Bank

A picture taken from the Palestinian village of Aqraba shows the Israeli settlement outpost of Gevat Arnon, near Nablus city in the southern occupied West Bank. Jaafar Ashitiyeh/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Jaafar Ashitiyeh/AFP via Getty Images

Middle East

European allies condemn Israel's plan to build more housing units in the West Bank

France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom joined the U.S. in condemning Israel's plans to build 10,000 more housing units in existing settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Middle East

Turkey's government scrambles to respond to anger over lax building rules

Following the earthquake that killed tens of thousands of people, Turkey's government struggles to respond to anger over lax building rules, and its plans for the thousands who need homes.

Turkey's government scrambles to respond to anger over lax building rules

Listen · 3:28
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