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Netanyahu Declares Iran No Longer Able to Enrich Uranium or Produce Ballistic Missiles

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Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu said today that Iran had lost its ability to enrich uranium and manufacture ballistic missiles, as he opened a press conference highlighting what he described as major successes in the ongoing war.

Speaking in Hebrew at the start of his remarks, Netanyahu stated that Iran could “no longer enrich uranium” and was no longer capable of producing ballistic missiles.

He said the Iranian regime was now “weaker than ever,” while Israel had emerged as a dominant force in the region, adding that it was “a regional power and some would say a world power.”

Netanyahu also made clear that military operations would not be ending soon, saying the campaign against Iran would continue “as long as is necessary.”

His initial remarks were delivered in Hebrew, with additional comments and a question-and-answer session in English.

{Matzav.com}

Questions Grow Over Israel’s Siren Policy After Civilian Deaths and Delayed Alerts

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A growing number of injuries—and now fatalities—during rocket attacks have intensified scrutiny of Israel’s Home Front Command alert system, with critics asking whether earlier warnings could give civilians more time to reach safety.

In recent years, hundreds of Israelis have been harmed after failing to make it to shelters in time during incoming rocket fire. The incidents have led to renewed debate over whether the current warning system provides sufficient notice, or if it could be adjusted to allow for a longer response window.

Israel’s detection systems are capable of identifying launches from Lebanon anywhere from about 15 seconds to 90 seconds before sirens are triggered, depending on the region. Despite that capability, alerts are not issued immediately upon detection, meaning civilians do not receive the earliest possible warning—unlike the faster alerts typically issued during missile launches from Iran.

A Channel 12 report indicated that extending warning times may be feasible. Communities near the Lebanese border could potentially gain an additional 15 seconds to respond, while residents in central Israel might see their warning window increased from roughly a minute and a half to as much as two and a half minutes.

Even so, the Home Front Command continues to rely on a system that divides the country into fixed protection zones, each with a predetermined warning time that does not change based on when a launch is detected.

Israeli journalist Almog Boker, who lives in the south, voiced frustration shared by many, asking: “Why wait until it costs human lives?”

Officials explain that the delay in sounding sirens is deliberate. One reason is to allow time to more accurately determine the rocket’s trajectory, reducing the likelihood of unnecessary alerts in areas not actually under threat.

Another factor, according to the military, is the importance of consistency. If residents know they have a set amount of time—such as 90 seconds—they can react accordingly. Constantly shifting warning times could lead to confusion and panic.

However, these strategic considerations stand in contrast to the realities faced by civilians, particularly the elderly, individuals with physical limitations, and families with small children, for whom even a few extra seconds can make a life-or-death difference.

That reality was underscored this week when Yaron Moshe and his wife Ilana were killed after an Iranian missile struck their apartment in Ramat Gan. The couple, both in their seventies, were unable to reach their safe room before impact. Initial assessments suggest that the husband’s disability slowed their ability to get to shelter in time.

The missile struck the living room directly, causing extensive destruction throughout the apartment. The protected room, however, remained intact despite the severe damage elsewhere in the home.

{Matzav.com}

Report: NYC’s First Lady Rama Duwaji Celebrated Palestinian Terrorists In Resurfaced Social Media Posts

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A newly surfaced report claims that Rama Duwaji, the wife of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, previously shared social media content expressing support for Palestinian terrorists, drawing renewed attention to her past online activity.

According to material reviewed by the Washington Free Beacon, Duwaji — who serves as New York City’s first lady — used a Tumblr account years ago to post favorable content about figures associated with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, including well-known hijacker Leila Khaled.

The report states that Duwaji, now 28, operated the since-deleted account while living in the Middle East. The outlet said it linked the account to her in part through facial recognition analysis.

In one post dated September 2017, she uploaded an image of Khaled, who participated in airplane hijackings in 1969 and 1970, alongside a quote attributed to her: “If it does good for my cause, I’d be happy to accept death.”

In another post, she shared a photograph of a Bangladeshi stamp bearing the message, “We salute the valiant freedom fighters of Palestine,” according to the report.

The Beacon also reported that in 2015, Duwaji reposted a strongly worded message criticizing American military personnel, stating that U.S. troops “fightin in imperialist wars are not brave nor are they fighting for anyone’s freedom.”

That same post accused the military of “mercilessly slaughtering 3rd world civilians” in order to uphold “American hegemony.”

Another repost from December 2015 attributed responsibility for the creation of al Qaeda to white individuals.

“You can’t blame muslims for terrorism because they didn’t construct, fund nor train Al-Qaeda,” the post said. “White People did that too.”

Additional posts from that period included statements about Israel, including one in which she wrote that Tel Aviv “shouldn’t exist in the first place,” referring to its residents as “occupiers.” The report also noted that she used a racial slur in a 2013 tweet when she was reportedly 15.

The resurfaced material follows earlier reports indicating that Duwaji had interacted with controversial content more recently, including liking an Instagram post on October 7, 2023, that marked Hamas’ attack on Israel with celebratory imagery.

She was also reported to have liked another post that described claims of Hamas committing immoral violence during the attack as a “mass hoax.”

In response to the scrutiny, Mamdani — who has been outspoken in his criticism of Israel — said that his wife has not played any official role in his political activities. He stated that she “has held no formal position on my campaign or in my City Hall” and argued that her past social media activity should not be a focus of public attention.

{Matzav.com}

Report: Trump Admin Considering Deploying Troops To Iranian Shores Along Strait of Hormuz, Kharg Island

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President Trump is considering whether to deploy additional American forces to the Middle East, including the possibility of sending troops into Iran for operations on the ground, according to a new report.

Officials have examined scenarios that would involve U.S. forces landing on Iranian territory, including efforts to secure strategic locations such as the Strait of Hormuz and Kharg Island, Reuters reported Wednesday.

Another option under discussion includes using American troops to take control of Iran’s reserves of highly enriched uranium, the report said.

Despite those deliberations, sources emphasized that no immediate move to insert ground forces into Iran is expected at this time.

Officials acknowledged that any such operation would carry significant danger, as American troops would be exposed to Iran’s missile systems and drone capabilities.

“There has been no decision to send ground troops at this time, but President Trump wisely keeps all options at his disposal,” a White House official told Reuters.

“The president is focused on achieving all of the defined objectives of Operation Epic Fury: destroy Iran’s ballistic missile capacity, annihilate their navy, ensure their terrorist proxies cannot destabilize the region, and guarantee that Iran can never possess a nuclear weapon,” the official added.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon has already taken steps to bolster U.S. military presence in the region. According to a Wall Street Journal report last week, additional Marines and naval assets have been approved for deployment as Iran continues targeting commercial vessels near the Strait of Hormuz.

War Secretary Pete Hegseth is said to have approved the movement of “an element of an amphibious ready group and attached Marine expeditionary unit, typically consisting of several warships and 5,000 Marines and sailors,” according to the report, which cited U.S. officials.

The USS Tripoli, an amphibious assault ship similar in appearance to an aircraft carrier but designed for operations closer to shore, is reportedly making its way from Japan toward the Middle East.

Iran’s continued assaults on ships in the vicinity of the Strait of Hormuz have effectively choked off much of the traffic through the vital oil route, driving up global energy prices.

Last week, Trump authorized airstrikes on Kharg Island, located roughly 16 miles off Iran’s coastline and responsible for handling about 90% of the country’s crude oil exports.

Trump said military targets were “totally obliterated” in the strikes, which spared the island’s oil infrastructure.

U.S. and Israeli officials are also believed to be exploring the possibility of eventually taking control of Kharg Island as part of the broader campaign, according to prior reporting.

{Matzav.com}

Apple News Stories From Conservative Outlets Rise To A Paltry 2% In February From 0%: ‘Damage Control’

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A new analysis has found that fewer than 2% of the most prominent stories on Apple News last month came from right-leaning outlets, a slight uptick from zero the month before that critics say reflects little more than a response to mounting scrutiny over alleged bias.

The findings follow earlier reporting that Apple faced backlash after a Media Research Center review revealed that in January, not a single top story on the platform came from a conservative source.

That criticism escalated when FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson sent a letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook on Feb. 11, cautioning that the company’s practices could potentially run afoul of federal laws prohibiting “unfair or deceptive acts or practices.” The very next day, Apple News highlighted its first conservative-sourced article in over three months—a Fox News report covering the death of actor James Van Der Beek.

In a follow-up review conducted by the Media Research Center in February, researchers tracked 560 top stories and found that just eight—1.4%—originated from conservative outlets. By contrast, 400 articles, or 75%, were attributed to sources considered left-leaning. The remaining 152 pieces came from either centrist organizations or outlets that had not been categorized, such as smaller local publications.

“2% is not progress. It’s damage control,” MRC president David Bozell said in a statement. “If public exposure and a federal inquiry only yield a modest adjustment, that suggests the bias we documented was deeply embedded.”

“Apple News should not require public pressure to reflect viewpoint diversity,” Bozell added. “This is not about token inclusion. It’s about whether one of the most powerful information gatekeepers in the country operates fairly.”

The Media Research Center based its classifications on ratings from AllSides, a nonpartisan group that evaluates media bias using panels made up of individuals from across the political spectrum. These panels, composed of representatives from the left, center, and right, are trained to assess bias. The organization also conducts blind surveys of everyday Americans and combines those results to determine overall ratings. AllSides itself did not participate in the MRC’s analysis.

“Apple would need to make much more substantial changes to help reduce news polarization and give Americans a broader, more balanced view,” said Julie Mastrine, director of AllSides’ media bias rating system.

The issue has drawn attention at the highest levels, with President Trump sharing The Post’s earlier report on Truth Social, amplifying concerns about the data.

Critics argue that Apple News wields significant influence because it is preloaded on millions of devices, including iPhones, and is marketed by the company as the leading news app in the United States.

Since 2017, the platform’s editorial direction has been overseen by editor-in-chief Lauren Kern, who previously held positions at New York Magazine and The New York Times Magazine. In 2018, The New York Times described her as having “quietly become one of the most powerful figures in English-language media,” citing the app’s vast reach.

Another study released last month by AllSides examined only the manually curated sections of Apple News. During a two-week period in October included in that review, editors did not feature a single article from a conservative outlet in the app’s “top news” section.

For its February report, the Media Research Center reviewed the top 20 stories displayed each day at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time from Feb. 1 through Feb. 28. The feed includes a combination of stories selected by Apple’s editorial staff and others generated through algorithmic recommendations.

Among the most frequently featured sources in February were the Associated Press with 57 articles, The Washington Post with 44, and NBC News with 38—all categorized as left-leaning. Among centrist outlets, The Wall Street Journal appeared 46 times, while Reuters was featured 40 times.

Of the eight conservative-sourced articles identified, seven were from Fox News and covered topics including a delayed NASA launch, U.S. operations against drug smuggling vessels, and former President Bill Clinton’s deposition related to the Jeffrey Epstein files. The remaining article came from the British publication The Telegraph and focused on the arrest of the former Prince Andrew.

In his letter, Ferguson called on Cook to “conduct a comprehensive review of Apple’s terms of service and ensure that Apple News’ curation of articles is consistent with those terms and representations made to consumers and, if it is not, to take corrective action swiftly.”

Separately, Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee pressed Cook for answers, asking whether Apple had “systematically suppressed” conservative perspectives.

“The American public increasingly relies on services like Apple News to provide them with information, and they deserve to have access to perspectives across the political spectrum,” Blackburn wrote in a letter on Feb. 19.

{Matzav.com}

Poll Shows Strong Republican Support for Trump’s Iran War Despite Talk of Party Divisions

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A new survey indicates that Republican voters remain firmly behind President Trump’s decision to launch military action against Iran, pushing back on claims of significant divisions within the party.

According to polling conducted by J.L. Partners and shared with The New York Post, overwhelming support exists among likely Republican voters for Operation Epic Fury. The data shows that 83% either “strongly” or “somewhat” back the military campaign, while only 9% express opposition.

The survey also found that most respondents favor continuing the offensive. Nearly three-quarters—74%—said the United States should press forward until Iran’s military strength is fully dismantled, compared to 16% who believe the war should end immediately.

When asked whom they trust more on matters related to the conflict, Republican voters overwhelmingly sided with Trump over media personalities who have voiced criticism. While figures like Tucker Carlson and Megyn Kelly have taken issue with the war, 83% of respondents said they trust Trump’s judgment more, while just 6% indicated greater confidence in the former Fox News hosts.

Similarly, 84% said they align more closely with Trump’s approach to foreign policy, compared to 6% who favor the views of Carlson and Kelly. Another 85% reported taking the president more seriously on global affairs than commentators and podcast hosts, with only 6% saying otherwise.

Trump has mostly avoided directly addressing criticism from Carlson and Kelly, though he did publicly defend talk radio host Mark Levin, who has strongly supported the war and recently clashed with Kelly.

“Mark Levin, a truly Great American Patriot, is somewhat under siege by other people with far less Intellect, Capability, and Love for our Country,” the president wrote on Truth Social on the evening of March 15.

“He is a true Conservative, and Intellect, far smarter than those who criticize him but, above all, he is a man of Great Wisdom and Common Sense who truly loves our Country,” Trump went on. “When you hear others unfairly attack Mark, remember that they are jealous and angry Human Beings, whose ‘sway’ is much less than the Public understands, and will, now that they know where I stand, rapidly diminish.”

“Those that speak ill of Mark will quickly fall by the wayside, as do the people whose ideas, policies, and footings are not sound. THEY ARE NOT MAGA, I AM, and MAGA includes not allowing Iran, a Sick, Demented, and Violent Terrorist Regime, to have a Nuclear Weapon to blow up the United States of America, the Middle East and, ultimately, the rest of the World. MAGA is about stopping them cold, and that is exactly what we are doing.”

The poll further suggests that Trump’s position on Iran could play a major role in upcoming elections. A significant 78% of Republican voters said they would be more inclined to support a congressional candidate who backs the military campaign, while just 10% said they would favor a candidate opposed to it.

On the other hand, candidates aligned with critics like Carlson and Kelly could face resistance within the party. A majority of respondents—55%—said they would be less likely to vote for such candidates, while only 19% said they would be more likely to support them.

The survey was conducted between March 17 and March 18 among 1,018 likely Republican voters and carries a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.

{Matzav.com}

Sources: Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei ‘Misfunctioning,’ Not Controlling Regime

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Israeli national security officials are casting doubt on the authority of Iran’s newly installed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, describing him as largely symbolic and lacking real control over a regime they say is increasingly unstable.

Mojtaba, the son of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Feb. 28, has been elevated to the top position but is viewed by analysts as presiding over a weakened and disorganized leadership structure.

“The new leader is an empty entity,” Kobi Michael, a defense analyst at the Institute for National Security Studies and the Misgav Institute, told Fox News Digital.

“Mojtaba Khamenei does not appear in public, but we also have reliable information that he does not control or lead the regime or what has been left of the regime.

“The current Iranian leadership is broken, confused and is almost misfunctioning.”

Reports indicate that Mojtaba narrowly avoided being killed in the same strike that claimed his father’s life, having stepped out of the compound shortly before the missile hit. Details of the incident emerged from leaked audio said to be from a March 12 internal meeting, first reported by The Telegraph.

The recording allegedly includes remarks from Mazaher Hosseini, who serves as head of protocol in Khamenei’s office, informing senior officials that Mojtaba suffered “a minor injury to his leg” during the incident.

Since assuming leadership, Mojtaba has yet to appear publicly. Instead, a statement attributed to him was broadcast on Iranian state television, warning of continued attacks and calling on Gulf states to shut down American military bases in the region.

Conflicting reports have circulated regarding his condition, with some suggesting he was critically injured or even in a coma, while Iranian officials have insisted he remains in good health.

Mojtaba Khamenei vowed retaliation Wednesday following the killing of senior Iranian official Ali Larijani in an Israeli strike.

“Such acts of terror only reflect the enemies’ hostility and will strengthen the resolve of the Islamic nation. Undoubtedly, justice will be served,” the statement said.

Larijani, considered one of Iran’s top security figures, was reportedly targeted and killed after Israeli intelligence tracked his location near Tehran.

Additional senior figures have also been eliminated in recent operations, including Basij militia leader Gholamreza Soleimani, according to the Israel Defense Forces.

“This is not a new phase, but a continuing effort and a very successful and impressive one and a crucial component of the strategy meant to weaken the Iranian regime,” Michael said of the continued strikes at regime figures.

“This is to the degree that it will not be able to reconstitute itself and/or to become again a severe threat and destabilizing player in the broader Middle East.”

Following the initial wave of joint U.S.-Israeli strikes, President Donald Trump addressed the Iranian public, signaling support for potential internal change.

“When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take,” Trump said, suggesting the U.S. would help bring down the Iranian regime.

“At the very same time, by weakening the regime and paralyzing its capacities generally speaking and its domestic control specifically, the U.S. and Israel are facilitating the required conditions for the Iranian people to topple the regime,” Michael added.

“This is the ultimate victory in their eyes, and the route to this destination is that they are trying to increase any damage wherever they can.”

{Matzav.com}

Mamdani Pushes Back After Immigration Judge Orders Deportation Of NYC Council Employee After ICE Arrest

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A former New York City Council employee is facing deportation after an immigration judge ruled he must be removed from the United States, a decision that has drawn sharp backlash from city leaders who say they will challenge the outcome.

City Council Speaker Julie Menin announced the ruling on Wednesday, calling it a “miscarriage of justice and wholly deplorable” and confirming that an appeal will be filed in an effort to reverse the decision.

The case centers on Rafael Andres Rubio Bohorquez, 53, who was taken into custody two months ago during a scheduled immigration appointment. At the time, the Department of Homeland Security identified him as a Venezuelan national who had overstayed his visa and described him as a “criminal illegal alien” with a prior assault arrest.

Federal authorities have also stated that Rubio Bohorquez worked for about a year as a data analyst for the New York City Council despite lacking formal authorization to be employed.

City officials, including Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Menin, have strongly pushed back on those claims, insisting that Rubio Bohorquez was legally permitted to remain in the United States and had the right to work.

“Today, Judge Conroy ordered the removal of Rafael Rubio, our City Council employee, from the United States,” Menin said. “We are outraged and will continue to pursue every legal avenue to secure his release and ensure his case is properly heard on appeal.”

“This is an affront to justice,” Mamdani added in a post on X. “A dedicated public servant with legal authorization to remain in the country, Rafael showed up for a routine immigration appointment and, despite following the rules, he was detained and has now been held for months.”

According to DHS, Rubio Bohorquez entered the United States in 2017 on a B2 tourist visa and was required to leave that same year. Menin, however, said he had been granted permission to remain in the country through October 2026.

Menin further argued that the deportation ruling stemmed from what she described as a procedural issue tied to his asylum case. She said the problem involved a missing signature on paperwork and that he was not given a chance to correct it—something his attorney reportedly said could have been resolved within an hour.

“Today’s ruling appears to hinge on a procedural issue related to his asylum application,” Menin added. “That is extremely troubling. A technical error should not determine the fate of a man who has done everything right and poses no risk to anyone.”

Local officials said they intend to move quickly to appeal the decision and are calling for Rubio Bohorquez to be released while the legal process continues.

“Let me be clear: Rafael should not continue to be detained while this is sorted out,” Menin said. “An appeal will be filed, and we demand that Rafael’s case be properly heard by the deadline on April 17. At a minimum, he should be released pending that appeal. There is no justification for continuing to hold him under these circumstances.”

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Travelers Left Without Luggage, Told to Return to Jordan to Retrieve Bags

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Dozens of Israeli passengers who flew in recent days from Mumbai to Amman on Royal Jordanian say they arrived without their luggage, in a highly unusual situation that has left many frustrated and demanding answers.

According to the passengers, a decision was made even before departure not to load their checked baggage onto the aircraft. When they landed in Amman, they were told the suitcases would be sent on a later flight—but only within Jordan, with no option to forward them to Israel.

The incident involves dozens of travelers, with some reporting that a similar situation occurred on another flight that same day. Passengers say the airline’s demand that they return to Jordan in order to collect their belongings is unreasonable, particularly given the current security situation and the complications involved in such travel.

Beyond the safety concerns, passengers say the requirement would impose significant financial costs, including visa fees, transportation expenses, and lost work time.

“We flew from Amman to Aqaba and from there entered Israel without our luggage. Now they expect us to go back to Jordan to get it,” said Miron Karlik, one of the passengers, in a conversation with Ynet. “I have a feeling this is something anti-Israeli—there’s no reason this should happen only to us.”

Other passengers on the same flight reportedly did not encounter the issue, raising further questions about how the situation was handled. Meanwhile, travel industry sources have begun offering private transport options to deliver the luggage to a border crossing, at an estimated cost of about $1,000 per group.

The passengers have turned to the Israeli embassy in Jordan, asking officials to intervene with the airline and ensure that the luggage is transferred to Israel without requiring them to return to Jordan.

{Matzav.com}

Matzav Inbox: The Bein Hazemanim Invasion We Should Celebrate

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Dear Matzav Inbox,

It’s that time of year again. Matzav readers, you know what I’m talking about.

The doors swing open, and suddenly—almost overnight—the quiet, orderly rhythm of our neighborhoods is replaced by a familiar and unmistakable presence: the bochurim are back.

Yes, those same acne-faced, growth-spurted, slightly sleep-deprived teenagers who disappeared months ago into the holy confines of their yeshivos have returned, hats slightly askew, suit jackets that may or may not still fit, and an uncanny ability to travel in packs of no fewer than six at a time.

Our shuls are suddenly fuller. Much fuller. The aisles at the local grocery store now require strategic navigation. The pizza shops are…well, let’s just say they’re doing fine. And the noise level? Baruch Hashem, it’s alive and well.

And so begins the annual murmuring.

“They’re everywhere.”
“They’re loud.”
“They take over the place.”
“Why are they standing in the middle of the aisle like that?”

To which I would like to respond, with all due respect: What exactly were we expecting?

These are our bochurim. Our sons. Our future talmidei chachomim, our future baalei batim, our future leaders. They have spent months immersed in Torah, pushing themselves, growing, struggling, and yes, occasionally surviving on questionable dormitory schedules.

And now they’re home.

So yes, they walk into shul like they own the place, because, in a sense, they do. They fill the seats, they crowd the shtenders, they bring a certain electricity that you simply cannot manufacture. A weekday minyan that was once a quiet affair suddenly feels like a small yeshiva.

That’s not a nuisance. That’s a brachah.

Yes, they linger in stores, debating life’s most pressing issues, like whether to get pizza or sushi, and whether they should get a Borsalino or Bollini. They stand around, they laugh too loudly, they block the aisle. It’s true.

But let’s pause for a moment and consider the alternative.

Empty shuls. Silent streets. A generation that has nothing better to do than scroll endlessly or drift aimlessly.

Instead, we have bochurim who still wear their hats, who still come to daven, who still gather with friends in ways that are wholesome, spirited, and deeply rooted in who they are.

So perhaps instead of rolling our eyes, we can smile a little.

Instead of seeing a nuisance, we can see a living, breathing yeshiva that has spilled out into our neighborhoods.

Instead of complaining about the noise, we can appreciate that it is the sound of Torah’s future.

Yes, they may be a little messy. A little loud. A little in the way.

But they are ours.

And frankly, if our biggest problem is that our shuls are too full and our stores are too crowded with bochurim during bein hazemanim, then I’d say we’re doing just fine.

Sincerely,
A grateful (and slightly displaced in the grocery aisle) neighbor

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R’ Yitzchok Dovid Vann z”l, 64, Killed in Bloomingburg House Fire

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A devastating house fire in Bloomingburg, New York, claimed the life of 64-year-old R’ Yitzchok Dovid Vann z”l late Wednesday night, as emergency responders battled the flames and community volunteers worked to preserve items from the home.

R’ Yitzchok Dovid was a resident of Bloomingburg in Sullivan County.

Despite the efforts of emergency medical personnel who arrived at the scene, he could not be saved.

The fire broke out at a residence on Linda Lane and quickly escalated into a second-alarm blaze, prompting a large-scale response. Fire departments from Bullville, Mechanicstown, Circleville, Silver Lake, Howells, Otisville, Washington Heights, and Pine Bush all assisted in bringing the fire under control.

Hatzolah members were among the first on the scene and undertook efforts to remove several Sifrei Torah from the burning home. The Sifrei Torah remained undamaged despite the intensity of the fire.

Volunteers from Misaskim and Chesed Shel Emes also responded, ensuring that proper kavod hameis was maintained at the scene throughout the night.

Authorities have not yet determined what caused the fire, and the incident remains under active investigation.

R’ Yitzchok Dovid had previously served as president of Congregation Ahavat Achim in Fair Lawn, New Jersey.

He was a son of Avrom and Shirley Vann, longtime members of the Ahavat Achim shul.

Community members noted his longstanding commitment to Torah learning, particularly his dedication to Daf Yomi with the shiur of R’ Eli Stefansky. Acquaintances describe him as “the sweetest Yid you could meet.”

He is survived by his daughter, Malka Miriam Vann.

The levayah will be held at 12:00 noon at Robert Schoem’s Menorah Chapel, located at 150 Route 4 in Paramus, New Jersey.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

Qatar Expels Iranian Diplomats Following Attacks

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In a dramatic escalation, Qatar has ordered the expulsion of Iranian diplomats from its territory after repeated attacks attributed to the Islamic Republic.

Qatar announced that the military attaché and security attaché at Iran’s embassy in Doha, along with all staff working in their offices, have been declared persona non grata. Authorities instructed all personnel connected to these offices to leave the country within 24 hours. The move comes in response to ongoing Iranian attacks against Qatar.

Qatar’s Foreign Ministry stated: “This decision stems from repeated attacks by Iran against Qatar, a violation of its sovereignty and security, and a breach of the principles of international law, United Nations Security Council resolutions, and the principles of good neighborliness. If the Iranian side continues this approach, Qatar will take further measures to ensure the protection of its sovereignty, security, and national interests. Qatar reserves the right to take all necessary measures to defend its sovereignty and security, in accordance with the provisions of international law.”

Earlier, Qatar reported that it intercepted two missiles launched toward the gas city of Ras Laffan, shortly after an Iranian missile strike caused significant damage to a liquefied natural gas production facility.

The Iranian attack inflicted major damage on the Ras Laffan industrial city, home to one of the world’s most important and largest LNG production facilities. The assault included five missiles, four of which were intercepted, while the fifth struck its target.

At the same time, Saudi Arabia reported that four people were injured when interception debris fell on a civilian structure in Riyadh during an earlier Iranian missile attack. “Four ballistic missiles launched toward Riyadh were intercepted and destroyed. Fragments of one of the missiles fell near a refinery south of Riyadh,” the Saudi Defense Ministry said.

{Matzav.com}

WATCH: Joe Kent Reveals All to Tucker Carlson in First Interview Since Resigning as Trump’s Counterterrorism Director

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Joe Kent on why we actually went to war with Iran.

Joe Kent is a former Director of the National Counterterrorism Center and the President’s principal counterterrorism advisor, who served 20 years in the U.S. Army with 11 combat deployments fighting terrorist networks with the 75th Ranger Regiment, Army Special Forces, and U.S. Army Special Operations Command, earning six Bronze Stars. Joe is also a Gold Star husband whose first wife, Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Shannon Kent, also served and was killed while fighting ISIS in Syria in 2019.

WATCH:

Global Pro-Palestinian Flotilla Groups Announce Unified Maritime Mission to Gaza for 2026

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A coalition of international anti-Israel flotilla groups revealed Wednesday that they are joining forces to launch a coordinated large-scale maritime operation to Gaza, scheduled for the spring of 2026.

In a joint announcement, organizers said the effort, named the “Global Sumud Flotilla,” will combine several existing initiatives into a single campaign. Participating groups include Thousand Madleens to Gaza, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the Freedom and Sumud Flotilla Eurasia, the Maghreb Sumud Flotilla, the Global Movement to Gaza, Sumud Nusantara, and the People’s Flotilla Movement.

According to the organizers, the operation will not consist of separate voyages but will instead function as a unified mission, bringing together ships, delegations, medical personnel, and reconstruction teams under one coordinated structure.

They described the initiative as the “largest civilian maritime action for Palestine to date,” pointing to appeals from Palestinian Arabs for a more organized and collective international civilian response.

The plan outlines six central goals: ending what organizers called Israel’s “illegal siege,” creating a maritime access route, rallying international involvement, delivering humanitarian assistance, aiding rebuilding efforts, and challenging what they termed global complicity.

The statement indicated that the flotilla is expected to involve more than 100 vessels carrying supplies such as food, infant formula, educational materials, medicine, and other critical items.

Organizers also said a specialized medical fleet will be part of the mission, with more than 1,000 healthcare workers expected to participate alongside local medical staff in Gaza. In addition, the effort is set to include educators, medical experts, and rebuilding teams tasked with assisting in the restoration of homes, schools, hospitals, and other infrastructure.

The announcement further emphasized that the initiative opposes reconstruction models that, in the organizers’ view, frame Gaza’s recovery as a geopolitical undertaking instead of one directed by local needs.

Organizers added that the flotilla is part of a wider campaign addressing ongoing conditions in Gaza, while acknowledging that the planned voyage represents only one component of what they believe is necessary for long-term recovery.

More information, including launch locations in the Mediterranean, participating groups, and operational stages, is expected to be released in the weeks ahead.

{Matzav.com}

What the Headlines Don’t Tell You

Matzav -

By Rabbi Pinchos Lipschutz

As Jews, we are trained to look at world events differently than others do. My rebbi, the famed Rav Mendel Kaplan, would sometimes interrupt his daily shiur to teach us how to read a newspaper. He would quip that when he was in Shanghai with the Mirrer Yeshiva during the Second World War, he would know the news simply from glancing at the Chinese newspapers, “because the main news is written between the lines.”

Headlines speak about presidents, armies, alliances, and wars. Analysts discuss strategy and politics. But a Yid knows that beneath the noise of world affairs, there is something deeper taking place. History unfolds through the constant Hand of the Ribbono Shel Olam guiding events.

Because we live in a time of hester, that guiding hand is often concealed. Yet, when we read between the lines and look at events through the prism of Torah, it becomes easier to recognize that Hashem is causing events to unfold and guiding the course of history.

As we approach the Yom Tov of Pesach, the time when we relive the great revelation of Hashgocha, we are reminded that what appears to be the unstoppable power of great nations can disappear almost overnight.

Mitzrayim was the superpower of its era. Paroh ruled with absolute authority over a vast empire. To the enslaved Jews, his dominance must have appeared permanent.

But when the appointed time for that golus came to an end, that empire was shattered, its ruler humbled, and the Jewish people walked out to freedom.

Pesach teaches a lesson that repeats itself throughout history: the forces that appear strongest at any given moment are ultimately revealed to be nothing more than pawns in Hashem’s plan, and they fade away when the Divine plan determines that their time has ended.

This week, we begin the month of Nissan, the month of geulah. It was in this month that our nation was formed when Hashem took us out of Mitzrayim.

Pesach, the Yom Tov when we celebrate our freedom, is upon us.

In 1948, as Israel was fighting its War of Independence, people were deeply worried about what the next day would bring. Rav Refoel Kook traveled to the Chazon Ish.

“People are asking me about what is going on now and how they are to understand the terrible situation they are in. Rebbe, I don’t know what to answer them.”

The Chazon Ish told him to tell the people, “Everyone can see that from Shomayim we are being led somewhere, but we are not able to figure out where until we get there. We cannot fathom the ways of Hashem.”

Pesach is the Chag Hageulah, but it is also the Chag Ha’emunah, the Yom Tov that strengthens our faith in Hakadosh Boruch Hu. It was through the faith of the Jewish people in Mitzrayim and at the Yam Suf that they merited redemption.

Throughout the years of slavery, they could not understand why they had to endure such suffering and hardship. Yet, when they were redeemed, they realized that because of the intense subjugation they had experienced, they were freed nearly two hundred years earlier than the time Hashem had originally indicated.

When they witnessed the makkos and the many miracles at the Yam Suf, they understood that everything that had happened to them was directed by Hashem. As the posuk states, “Vaya’aminu baHashem uveMoshe avdo – And their belief in Hashem and in Moshe was strengthened.”

In our own time, we see the people of Eretz Yisroel suffering. The country is once again at war. Sirens sound day and night, and people are constantly running to and from shelters. The economy is shaken, there is little calm, and no one knows how long the situation will continue.

Some say that President Trump is running out of patience and wants to bring the conflict to an end. Others believe that it will continue until Pesach, while still others predict that the war could last several months. Once again, Israel is forced to fight for its existence against an existential enemy, and once again it seems that the nations of the world are waiting for the moment when they can pressure Israel to end the war prematurely before a complete victory is achieved.

At the same time, anti-Semitism is rising across the world, and Jews are discovering that danger exists everywhere, even in this country. Synagogues have become targets of attacks, and in many places, Jews are fearful for their safety. The nation that incurred the world’s enmity at Har Sinai when the Torah was given continues to be hated and despised.

I do not understand why so many people pay attention to podcasters and other purveyors of hatred, but that is the reality of the world today. Millions follow and listen to individuals who spread irrational conspiracies and tropes against Jews. It would be foolish to ignore what is happening and comfort ourselves with the thought that these messages have no effect. The Democrat Party has largely adopted anti-Israel positions, and its leaders frequently promote narratives against Israel. Recent polls demonstrate the cumulative impact of all of this, as more Americans are turning against Israel and Jews.

People ask why all of this is happening, and everyone offers a different explanation. As believing Jews, we know that Hashem is directing what unfolds. What we understand is that in an eis tzarah, we are meant to call out to Hashem for salvation and to engage in teshuvah.

We also remember that those who possess emunah are able to maintain calm and serenity. Because we know that nothing occurs unless Hashem wills it, we do not live in constant fear of the events of the day. We recognize that everything Hashem does is ultimately for our benefit. Some things we understand immediately, and others we come to understand later. But we remain confident in the knowledge that everything is part of a Divine plan that will ultimately unfold for our good.

The month of Nissan and the Yom Tov of Pesach remind us that when there is a deluge of negativity and painful news, we respond with faith, not fear; with tefillah, not despair; and with the knowledge that with every missile that falls, we are drawing closer to the geulah.

Three times a day, in Modim, we thank Hashem for the daily miracles. Some we recognize and some we do not, but we know that they are there. Be on the lookout for them, write them down, and appreciate the good that we have. Doing so helps us cope with our difficulties and reminds us that we are never alone.

Eighty-five years ago, when murder and destruction spread across Europe, a small group of yeshivos were brought through Divine intervention to Shanghai, where they spent those terrible years in relative peace. In that hot, distant city they had never previously heard of, they flourished. Their suffering produced tremendous growth in Torah, ultimately gifting our people with a generation of gedolim, roshei yeshiva, rabbonim, and maggidei shiur.

When the war ended, the full weight of their situation finally struck them. Free to travel, they realized that very few among them had parents or families waiting to reunite with them. There was nowhere to return to. Everyone had been killed. Everything had been destroyed.

As a steady stream of talmidim headed to Eretz Yisroel and America, several were left behind, waiting for visas. For the first time, they were overtaken by despair. The Gerrer Rebbe, the Imrei Emes, penned a letter to a group of stranded Polish bochurim. He wrote, “The main thing now is to know that everything comes from Hashem and no bad emanates from Him. Everything is for the good… As the seforim teach, ‘Vayehi erev vayehi voker yom echod,’ both the darkness and kindness are from one source and for one goal: to illuminate the world for us later on.

“We believe that just as the Tochacha, the prophecies foretelling difficult times, were fulfilled, so will the hopeful and comforting prophecies come to be. The hester ponim is a test, an illusion, and in the end, everything will turn out very good.”

The Gerrer Rebbe quoted the Rambam’s Iggeres Teiman, where he encouraged the beleaguered Jews of Yemen during a difficult period.

“The Rambam writes that a cord of Torah and mitzvos connects heaven and earth. To the degree that a person grasps it, he will be strengthened…”

The rebbe sought to sustain the refugees with the eternal message that g’nus leads to shevach, winter leads to spring, and darkness leads to light. This message goes back to the first day of creation, when night and day were formed, as the posuk states, “Vayehi erev vayehi voker yom echod.”

The Sefas Emes explains that Nissan is considered the first of the Hebrew months because it was during this month that Hashem revealed the hanhogah that became visible in this world during Yetzias Mitzrayim.

Until that time, it had been a hanhogah of hester, but during the month of Nissan, Hashem revealed His presence and strength in Mitzrayim b’yad chazokah uvizroa netuya.

Each year, during Nissan, that spiritual energy returns to the world, offering an opportunity to reveal Hashem in the lower realms and to fill this world with His presence. Pesach, the Yom Tov of emunah, gives us the opportunity to fill our hearts – and those of our children – with this awareness of freedom and protection.

As the month of Nissan begins, it reminds us that Hakadosh Boruch Hu is here, just as He was in Mitzrayim, directing events and preparing the world for redemption.

When the Imrei Emes passed away in 1948, his oldest surviving son, Rav Yisroel, became rebbe. It was an extremely difficult period. The people had not yet recovered from the devastation they had suffered in the Holocaust. Israel was fighting for its survival, and there were regular attacks on settled areas and cities.

When he spoke on the first Shabbos, he quoted his grandfather, the Chiddushei Horim, who shared a remarkable explanation of why the halachos of eved Ivri apply only when there is Yovel. When Yovel ended with the churban, the phenomenon of a Jewish slave ended as well.

He explained that this teaches the Jewish people that every period of difficulty, every challenge, does not last forever. Every tzorah has a time when it ends and when good times return. When Yovel, which frees the slaves, is no longer active, there can no longer be Jewish slaves, because there would be no mechanism to bring their painful period to an end.

Throughout Jewish history, we have repeatedly seen this pattern. Periods of great darkness are followed by periods of extraordinary light.

After the darkness that descended upon Klal Yisroel with the killing of the Asarah Harugei Malchus, the world was illuminated by the teachings of Rabi Shimon Bar Yochai and the revelation of the Torah’s hidden wisdom in the Sefer HaZohar. Following the terrible era of Tach V’Tat, when tens of thousands of Jews were slaughtered and communities were destroyed, Klal Yisroel was blessed with towering lights such as the Vilna Gaon, the Baal Shem Tov, and the Ramchal. And after the unspeakable darkness of the Holocaust came the remarkable rebuilding of Torah life, with flourishing communities in Eretz Yisroel, America, and throughout the world.

Rav Tzadok Hakohein of Lublin explains that this pattern reflects the way the Ribbono Shel Olam created the world. As the posuk describing creation states, “Vayehi erev vayehi voker,” evening is followed by morning. Periods of darkness and sadness are followed by periods of light and renewal.

Rav Yisroel Eliyohu Weintraub quoted the Sefer Hachassidim, who explains that Hashem wishes to bestow goodness upon man, but the Soton interferes and claims that man does not deserve it. The Soton questions why Hashem should be so kind to undeserving people. It is for this reason, he explains, that Hashem brings periods of great pain and nisyonos to silence the evil Soton.

And today, just as in Mitzrayim, for us to merit Hashem’s light and goodness, we must first endure darkness and pain. Let us strengthen ourselves in Torah, tefillah, and maasim tovim.

As we approach Pesach, let us strengthen ourselves in emunah and bitachon, so that on this Yom Tov of emunah, we will merit to see our faith rewarded.

We must know that the difficult time will end, hopefully soon, and that better days will return. Have no fear. Do not despair.

Which brings us to what is happening in the world today.

For decades, American presidents have repeatedly vowed that Iran would never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.

In Washington, there is a phrase that has been repeated for so many years that it has almost become background noise: Iran must never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.

President after president said it. Republicans said it. Democrats said it. The statement appeared in speeches, press briefings, and policy papers. It was presented as an unshakable principle of American foreign policy.

And yet, for decades, it remained mostly words because presidents were afraid of confronting Iran.

Sanctions were imposed and then eased. Negotiations were conducted and agreements were signed. Red lines were drawn and then moved. All the while, Iran’s regime continued enriching uranium, developing missiles, and spreading terror through its network of proxies across the Middle East.

Washington promised that Iran would never get the bomb, but Tehran learned to believe that the promise would never truly be enforced.

For all his failings, President Franklin D. Roosevelt led the United States into World War II to confront the Nazi menace before it could reach American shores. In a famous fireside chat he declared, “The United States has no right or reason to encourage talk of peace until the day shall come when there is a clear intention on the part of the aggressor nations to abandon all thought of dominating or conquering the world.”

Those words could easily have been echoed by President Donald Trump as he explained why he has taken this nation into confrontation with the Islamic theocracy of Iran that has spent decades and untold sums plotting the destruction of Israel, America, and the Western world. He pursues this course despite the loud objections of isolationists and political demagogues who condemn his actions, much as figures like Father Coughlin railed against Roosevelt.

When President Donald Trump moved from declarations to action against Iran’s nuclear ambitions, many Democrats and large segments of the media reacted with outrage – not at Iran, but at Trump.

Yet, working closely together, the United States and Israel have carried out coordinated strikes against key elements of Iran’s military and nuclear infrastructure. Missile sites, command centers, and strategic facilities tied to the regime’s military machine have been struck. The goal has been clear: Dismantle the capabilities that allow Tehran to threaten Israel, destabilize the region, and move toward nuclear weapons.

While Tehran has responded with missiles and drones, much of that firepower has been intercepted or neutralized.

For the Jewish people, all of this is unfolding during the months of Adar and Nissan, when we are reminded that the sight of great power collapsing is nothing new.

All the firepower that Iran accumulated and the infrastructure it had established to destroy Israel has been evaporating at a historical pace.

On Pesach, we will sit at the Seder and retell the story that defines our nation. Mitzrayim was the greatest superpower of its time. Paroh ruled over an empire that appeared eternal. To the Jews enslaved there, Egypt must have seemed invincible.

But history turned in a single dramatic moment.

The Haggadah reminds us, “B’chol dor v’dor omdim aleinu l’chaloseinu,” that in every generation, there are those who rise against us to destroy us. Empires arise. Tyrants make threats. Powerful regimes boast that they will eliminate the Jewish people.

Yet, the next words are the ones that have defined our history: “V’Hakadosh Boruch Hu matzileinu miyodom.” The Ribbono Shel Olam saves us from their plans.

Time and again, forces that appeared overwhelming crumbled. Egypt fell. Persia faded. Rome disappeared. The Soviet Union collapsed. Gamel Nasser, Saddam Hussein, Yasser Arafat, Hafez Assad, and his son Bashar are gone and almost forgotten. As all who threatened us have been struck down, the Jewish people endure.

Pesach reminds us that what seems like the iron grip of power can collapse overnight when the Master of the world decides that the moment of redemption from that particular golus has arrived.

As Pesach approaches, we prepare not only to remember the past, but also to understand the present.

At the Seder we proclaim, “Avodim hoyinu…vayotzieinu Hashem Elokeinu mishom b’yod chazokah u’vizroa netuyah.” At that moment, we are reminded that history is not written in the halls of power or on the battlefields of empires.

It is written by the Ribbono Shel Olam.

Empires rise. Threats come and go. The headlines of today will one day fade into the pages of history. But the Jewish people continue forward with emunah, knowing that the Yad Hashem that redeemed us from Mitzrayim continues to guide the world today.

And that is the most powerful message we carry with us into this chodesh of geulah.

As others debate the war and speculate about how it will end and what victory will look like, events continue to unfold before our eyes.

Drones, bombs, and missiles continue falling on Eretz Yisroel. Travel is curtailed, and much of daily life in that country has been placed on hold.

At such moments, we must remember the truth that has sustained our people for thousands of years: The nations may rage, the mighty may boast, and tyrants may threaten, but Klal Yisroel lives on, because the One who redeemed us then continues to watch over us now.

We must know that just as in Mitzrayim, the pain we endure – the battles, the struggles, and the difficulties we face in our personal lives, in our communities, and in the world around us – are part of a process that will ultimately lead to geulah, when our suffering will finally come to an end.

The Jews in Mitzrayim were unable to listen to Moshe Rabbeinu when he brought them words of consolation and told them that their redemption was near. Let us not be like them.

Let us strengthen our emunah. Let us carry the simcha of Adar into Nissan. Let us remember that the difficult period will lead to better times. And may we merit that in the month in which geulah began, we will witness its completion once and for all with the coming of the final and everlasting geulah.

Saudi Arabia Warns Iran: “We Reserve The Right To Take Military Actions If Necessary”

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Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, issued a sharp warning to Iran on Wednesday, condemning its actions against neighboring countries and stating that the kingdom may respond with military force if necessary.

Speaking to reporters following a gathering of Arab and Islamic foreign ministers, Prince Faisal accused Tehran of refusing to engage constructively with countries in the region and instead attempting to exert pressure on them.

He said that Iran “doesn’t believe in talking to its neighbors”, adding that “it tries to pressure its neighbors” and emphasized that such tactics would not succeed.

“The kingdom is not going to succumb to pressure, and, on the contrary, this pressure will backfire … politically, will backfire, I believe, morally, and certainly, as we have stated clearly, we reserve the right to take military actions if necessary,” he stressed.

Prince Faisal also dismissed Iran’s justification for targeting civilian infrastructure in neighboring countries, calling its explanation—that such attacks are tied to the presence of U.S. military bases—“unconvincing”.

He added that participants at the Riyadh meeting agreed Iran must immediately halt its support for proxy groups operating throughout the region.

According to Prince Faisal, whatever limited trust once remained between Iran and its neighbors has now been completely eroded.

“Iran’s attacks on neighboring countries were premeditated, and what we are witnessing now confirms this,” he said, adding, “I would hope that they understand the message of the meeting today, recalculate quickly and stop attacking their neighbors.”

Following recent U.S. and Israeli strikes inside Iran, Tehran has carried out a series of retaliatory actions across the region, including against Saudi Arabia.

Among those incidents were multiple attempted strikes on the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, including one attack involving two drones that resulted in a small fire and minor structural damage.

A report by The Washington Post, published shortly after the military campaign against Iran began, claimed that President Donald Trump moved forward with the strikes after weeks of behind-the-scenes pressure from Israeli and Saudi leadership.

According to sources cited in that report, the Saudi crown prince held several private conversations with Trump in recent weeks urging military action, even as he publicly promoted diplomacy.

Saudi officials strongly rejected that account, with a spokesperson for the kingdom’s embassy in Washington stating, “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been consistent in supporting diplomatic efforts to reach a credible deal with Iran.”

“At no point in all our communication with the Trump Administration did we lobby the President to adopt a different policy,” he added.

In a more recent development, Bloomberg reported that Saudi Arabia has increased direct diplomatic contacts with Iran as part of an effort to prevent further escalation and contain the broader regional conflict.

{Matzav.com}

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