Feed aggregator

The Knesset on Monday approved in its first reading a government bill designed to regulate the annual Lag BaOmer gathering at the kever of Rabi Shimon Bar Yochai on Har Meron for the year 2026, marking the fourth consecutive year that special legislation has been advanced to organize the event.

The proposal, prepared by the Ministry of Yerushalayim and Jewish Tradition, aims to ensure that the gathering will take place in safety, while incorporating lessons learned from previous years and the recommendations of the state commission of inquiry established after the Meron disaster.

Communications Minister Dr. Shlomo Karhi presented the legislation to the Knesset plenum after the government assigned him responsibility for overseeing this year’s event.

In his address, Karhi said he views the task as far more than a logistical responsibility. “This is about safeguarding one of the greatest spiritual moments of the Jewish people. We approach this sacred work with the memory of the 45 victims of the terrible disaster engraved in our hearts. That wound obligates us to maintain the highest level of vigilance so that every person who ascends the mountain will return home safely.”

The legislation largely mirrors similar laws passed in previous years and formally anchors the framework that has been implemented at the gathering in recent years under the leadership of the Ministry of Yerushalayim and Jewish Tradition.

Karhi also praised former minister MK Meir Porush for the foundations he established while overseeing the event in earlier years, noting that the goal is to continue creating an atmosphere in which all segments of the Jewish people feel welcome at the site of Rabi Shimon Bar Yochai.

The bill also advances continued development of permanent infrastructure at the Meron complex, including improvements to the grounds and the construction of large hospitality tents, as well as expanded areas for food service and davening to better accommodate the thousands of pilgrims who travel to the site.

Under the proposed framework, dozens of traditional bonfire lightings are expected to take place throughout the Meron complex during the celebration. This will include the central lighting conducted by the Boyaner Rebbe, following longstanding tradition, along with additional lighting areas prepared within the expanded Meron complex and at the Bnei Akiva compound, allowing communities from across the Jewish world to participate.

Despite the complicated security situation and ongoing tensions in northern Israel, officials at the Ministry of Yerushalayim and Jewish Tradition said preparations for the gathering are continuing at full speed. Planning efforts are moving forward with flexibility to adjust to different possible security developments.

Officials stressed that the extensive investment in improving infrastructure and safety measures is accompanied by hope and prayer that the security situation will calm before Lag BaOmer arrives.

The intention, they said, is to enable tens of thousands of Jews to travel safely to Meron and observe the long-standing tradition in an atmosphere of calm and spiritual elevation.

The bill has now been transferred to the Knesset’s National Security Committee, chaired by MK Tzvika Fogel, where it will be prepared for its second and third readings. Lawmakers hope to complete the legislative process before the Knesset recess begins. Karhi concluded his remarks with a message to the public: “Meron is waiting for you. Come with joy, pray with devotion, and return home safely.”

{Matzav.com}

Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a message of support to Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, signaling Moscow’s continued alignment with Tehran even as the region faces escalating military conflict.

The message was delivered as Iran grapples with ongoing airstrikes targeting key facilities in Tehran and elsewhere, underscoring the growing tensions across the Middle East.

Putin was among the first world leaders to congratulate Khamenei after Iran’s Assembly of Experts selected him to assume the role of supreme leader following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei.

The timing of the letter drew attention as it came while Iran was attempting to recover from recent Israeli airstrikes that reportedly targeted oil depots and refining infrastructure in Tehran.

In his message, Putin expressed strong solidarity with Iran and reaffirmed Russia’s support for the country during what he described as a challenging period.

“At a time when Iran is facing armed aggression, your tenure in this high office will undoubtedly require great courage and dedication. I am confident that you will honorably continue the work of your father and unite the Iranian people in the face of severe trials. For my part, I would like to reaffirm our unwavering support for Tehran and our solidarity with our Iranian friends. Russia was and will remain a reliable partner of the Islamic Republic.”

Putin also wrote that he believes Mojtaba Khamenei will continue his father’s legacy and successfully lead Iran during a period of regional instability and war.

China has also signaled support for the leadership transition in Tehran, noting that the process was carried out in accordance with Iran’s constitution and effectively granting international recognition to the change in leadership.

Putin’s message, which described Russia as a “reliable partner” and pledged “unwavering support,” was widely viewed as a signal to Western governments that the alliance between Moscow and Tehran remains strong despite the ongoing conflict.

{Matzav.com}

New York City officials are weighing whether to convert many of the city’s free street parking spaces into metered spots as the administration of Mayor Zohran Mamdani confronts a $5.4 billion budget shortfall.

The proposal surfaced as City Hall explores potential sources of revenue while grappling with the growing fiscal gap, which critics say has been driven by the mayor’s expansive social spending agenda.

First Deputy Mayor Dean Fuleihan indicated last week that the idea of charging for parking in areas that are currently free — or introducing “dynamic pricing” that adjusts based on demand — is under consideration as officials look for ways to narrow the deficit.

“Yes, we should be looking at all those things,’ Fuleihan said at Thursday’s CityLaw breakfast event.

Despite that acknowledgment, Fuleihan cautioned that such measures alone would not solve the city’s massive budget problem.

“But it’s not going to address the $5.4 billion problem,” he acknowledged.

He later reiterated that the proposal remains only a topic for discussion at this stage.

“I said it’s a very good policy question, and one that needs to be discussed,” he later clarified of the meter issue.

A study by the Center for an Urban Future estimated that dramatically expanding the number of parking meters throughout the city could bring in as much as $1.3 billion in annual revenue.

According to the report, roughly 800,000 of New York City’s more than 3 million street parking spaces — about 25 percent — currently require payment at meters.

The analysis suggested that an additional 750,000 parking spots would need to be converted to metered spaces to generate that level of income while also easing traffic congestion.

The possibility of expanding paid parking drew immediate criticism from elected officials representing neighborhoods outside Manhattan.

“Like the Mayor’s proposal to hike our property taxes, this is just another way to shakedown outerborough working and middle class households, who need cars to get around because they don’t have adequate transportation options. ” said Staten Island GOP City Councilman David Carr.

Carr’s criticism comes as Mamdani has warned that property taxes could rise by nearly 10 percent if Governor Kathy Hochul does not approve higher taxes on wealthy residents to help fund the administration’s agenda.

“How exactly would this make New York City more affordable?” Carr continued.

Queens Republican Councilwoman Joann Ariola also blasted the proposal, arguing that expanding parking meters would unfairly burden residents who depend on their cars.

“another tax on the middle and working classes.

“Not every New Yorker has the luxury of living in places like Astoria or Manhattan where there are plenty of transit options available,” she said.

“Some of us rely on our cars to get around, and I encourage the Mayor to come out to South and Southeastern Queens and take a look around before he decides to levy this burden on working families who just want to park near their homes.”

In a statement to The Post, Mamdani emphasized that his preferred solution for addressing the deficit remains raising taxes on high-income residents.

“Our administration is committed to filling the budget gap by ending the drain on New York City and taxing the rich,” the mayor said.

“As my First Deputy Mayor said yesterday, you do not fill a $5.4 billion budget gap through parking meters, we need structural change at the scale necessary to put our city back on firm financial footing.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump warned that the United States would respond with overwhelming force if Iran attempts to shut down the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime corridor for global oil shipments. His warning comes as the ongoing conflict with Iran has sharply disrupted vessel traffic through the narrow passage, driving oil prices upward.

In a message posted on Truth Social, Trump issued a direct threat to Tehran over any effort to interfere with the oil route, which is one of the most important shipping lanes in the world.

“If Iran does anything that stops the flow of Oil within the Strait of Hormuz, they will be hit by the United States of America TWENTY TIMES HARDER than they have been hit thus far,” he said on Truth Social. “Additionally, we will take out easily destroyable targets that will make it virtually impossible for Iran to ever be built back, as a Nation, again — Death, Fire, and Fury will reign upon them — But I hope, and pray, that it does not happen!”

Trump has repeatedly cautioned Iran that interfering with traffic through the strait would lead to an escalation of U.S. military action. The narrow waterway sits between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula and is responsible for transporting about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply.

Earlier Monday, Trump told CBS News that he was weighing the possibility of placing the strategic shipping route under U.S. control.

{Matzav.com}

The Israeli Justice Ministry has completed its legal review regarding the pardon request submitted on behalf of Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu, according to a statement released by the office of the justice minister.

Officials said Justice Minister Yariv Levin decided not to handle the matter personally because of his longstanding personal and political relationship with Netanyahu, as well as the fact that he served as a witness in the prime minister’s trial. Levin is also widely viewed as the second-most senior figure in the Likud party, a circumstance that, according to sources within the legal system, could have prompted allegations of a conflict of interest and potentially delayed the process for months.

To avoid such claims and ensure the review proceeds without interruption, Levin instructed the pardons department to transfer the completed legal opinion to Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu. Eliyahu regularly oversees cases in which the justice minister is unable to participate and is a member of the Otzma Yehudit party.

Officials in the legal system said the move was intended to eliminate any possible future arguments that a recommendation might be invalid due to a conflict of interest, while allowing the process to continue in an orderly and timely manner.

The request will now proceed through the standard review process. Once that stage is completed, a recommendation will be submitted to the president of Israel, who holds the authority to make the final decision on the pardon application.

{Matzav.com}

A teenage boy has been taken into custody and charged with a bias-related offense and assault after allegedly confronting a young man walking near a shul in Teaneck, NJ and demanding that he declare whether he supports Israel or Palestine, police said.

The suspect, a 17-year-old male, was arrested Sunday night in Teaneck and is currently being held at the Bergen County Juvenile Detention Center.

According to Teaneck police, the victim was a 19-year-old local resident who was clearly identifiable as a frum Jew based on the religious garments he was wearing. The incident occurred at approximately 6 p.m. Sunday as he was walking along Ogden Avenue near Congregation Bnai Yeshurun.

The victim told police that while he was walking, a black sedan pulled up beside him with three males inside. One of the individuals in the vehicle asked him whether he supported Israel or Palestine, authorities said. The young man chose not to respond and continued walking.

At that point, one of the individuals in the car fired an Orbeez-style gel pellet gun at him before the vehicle sped away.

Later that evening, the victim was again walking in the same neighborhood when he spotted what appeared to be the same car.

Someone inside the vehicle motioned for him to approach. Instead, he took out his phone and began recording. As the car drove eastbound on Ogden Avenue, a passenger leaned out of the window and again fired the gel pellet gun. The victim reported that he was struck at least ten times, although he was not injured.

Responding officers later located numerous orange gel pellets scattered on the ground in the vicinity of the shul. Police noted that law enforcement agencies across New Jersey have recently been addressing incidents involving teenagers using these spring-loaded or battery-operated pellet guns to create disturbances.

“While often marketed as toys, these devices are capable of causing injury, particularly when fired at the face or exposed skin,” said Teaneck police Deputy Chief Seth Kriegel.

Investigators were able to identify the vehicle with the assistance of automated license plate readers installed in the area. Police later stopped the sedan that same night and placed the 17-year-old driver under arrest. Officers recovered a gel pellet gun, a container filled with pellets, and a water gun from inside the vehicle.

Authorities charged the teen with second-degree and fourth-degree bias intimidation, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, fourth-degree conspiracy, and simple assault, which is classified as a disorderly persons offense.

{Matzav.com}

Car thefts in Israel have increased significantly since the start of Operation Lion’s Roar, with new data indicating a sharp rise in incidents while much of the public remains indoors due to security alerts.

According to figures released by the vehicle tracking company Pointer, car thefts have climbed by approximately 20 percent since the war began.

The company attributes the increase to several factors that have created favorable conditions for thieves. With police forces focused on security-related duties, there is reduced police presence in some areas. At the same time, streets often become empty during air raid sirens as residents take shelter in protected rooms, leaving vehicles unattended.

Lighter traffic on the roads has also contributed to the problem. With fewer cars on the streets, thieves are able to move more quickly and reach major escape routes outside urban areas with less risk of being stopped.

In some cases, there have even been reports of repeated attempts to steal the same vehicle within a short period of time, highlighting how the current situation has created opportunities for organized theft rings.

However, it is important to note that the figures come from a private vehicle tracking company and do not yet represent official police statistics. It remains unclear whether the increase reflects a longer-term trend or a temporary spike connected to the early days of the fighting.

Even so, the situation serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining basic security measures for vehicles during this period.

{Matzav.com}

CBS News chief Washington correspondent Major Garrett sat down with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in Washington, D.C. They spoke about the state of the war with Iran, potential American casualties, what an Iranian surrender could look like, and more. The video below is an extended version of the interview that was broadcast on 60 Minutes on Sunday.

WATCH:

President Trump holds a news conference at the Doral Ballroom in Miami on Monday.

WATCH:

Family members, talmidim, and many who knew and respected Rav Yisroel Meir Feuchtwanger zt”l escorted him on his final journey today after he passed away at the age of 87 following a lifetime devoted to Torah, chesed, and ahavas Yisroel.

Rav Feuchtwanger was widely known as a yerei Shomayim and a man of refined middos who dedicated his time and energy to helping others.

He maintained a deep connection to Yerushalayim and the Old City’s Jewish Quarter, where he lived and remained active for many years. Family members recalled that he possessed the rare ability to see the good in every individual and radiated warmth, faith, and love to those around him.

Rav Feuchtwanger is survived by a large family of children amd grandchildren. Among his sons are Rav Alon Feuchtwanger, one of the prominent dayanim in Yerushalayim, and Rav Amitai Feuchtwanger, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Tel Tzion.

The levayah took place Monday at Kikar HaChurvah in the Jewish Quarter of Yerushalayim, with kevurah on Har Hamenuchos.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

New details indicate that the injuries sustained by the son of Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich during military activity in Lebanon over the weekend were more severe than initially reported.

Smotrich’s son, whose father serves as both finance minister and a member of Israel’s security cabinet, was wounded while taking part in an IDF operation in Lebanon.

Initial reports from the minister’s office described the injury as minor. However, according to a report by Channel 14 News, the situation was more serious than previously disclosed. A missile fired toward the IDF unit reportedly exploded near him, and shrapnel penetrated his abdomen and back, causing internal injuries.

Smotrich’s son was evacuated to a hospital, where his condition was initially classified as serious.

During Shabbos, his condition stabilized, and he is now expected to undergo a period of recovery and rehabilitation.

{Matzav.com}

A group of roughly 25 Republican donors reportedly indicated that they favor Secretary of State Marco Rubio over Vice President JD Vance as the party’s presidential nominee in the 2028 race during a late-February gathering at Mar-a-Lago, according to a new report by NBC News.

NBC described the setting surrounding the discussion, noting that it took place the same night the United States and Israel launched major strikes on Iran. “In the early hours of Feb. 28, President Donald Trump and his administration joined Israel in launching a wave of strikes on Iran that would reverberate across the Middle East. That night, he was schmoozing at Mar-a-Lago with some of his top administration officials and political donors, with a pressing question: Marco or JD?” reported NBC.

According to two individuals present at the event, Trump asked those gathered whom they preferred as the Republican candidate in 2028. The response from the room strongly favored Rubio. Those in attendance “overwhelmingly indicated Secretary of State Marco Rubio through their cheering, according to two people who were at the event.”

“It was almost unanimous for Marco,” said one attendee.

“Yeah, that’s right. It was clear, at least that night,” said another.

A third person present challenged that account, saying the response was not quite as one-sided and describing the reaction as more “evenly split.”

Axios reporter Marc Caputo said Monday during an appearance on CNN that Trump has been informally sounding out opinions about the 2028 race and asking people which candidate they prefer.

“We wrote about this at Axios a little while ago, which is Donald Trump likes to poll people about, ‘Hey, what do you think about 2028? Who do you the candidate should be?’ And he asks, ‘Marco Rubio or JD Vance?’ He doesn’t want them to run against each other, he wants them to to run with each other,” said Caputo. “But he’s getting a lot of more positive feedback, Trump is, about Rubio at the top of the ticket than Vance. A lot that is just sort of recency bias, and the fact that Marco Rubio has a portfolio: secretary of state, it puts him in the front and center of global affairs, and national security advisor, it puts him directly in the White House. The vice president doesn’t quite have that.”

Despite the feedback described by some donors, Vance currently holds a significant lead in early polling for the 2028 Republican presidential primary, while Rubio trails behind in second place.

Observers say Trump’s endorsement—if he chooses to offer one—could have a major impact once the Republican nomination contest begins to take shape.

{Matzav.com}

Thousands of underground shelters and bunkers built in Greece before and during World War II have recently drawn renewed attention, as rising regional tensions prompt citizens to search for potential places of refuge.

Most of the structures were constructed between 1936 and 1941, during the years leading up to the war and throughout the period of Nazi occupation.

According to a report citing figures presented to the Greek parliament, there are 2,892 bunkers from that era scattered across the country, capable of sheltering between two and three million people. In the Attica region alone — home to Athens and Piraeus — more than 900 bunkers are believed to exist, some concealed beneath city streets.

Despite their numbers, the precise locations of many of these shelters remain undisclosed. The Greek government has refused to release details about where they are situated, saying the information would only be made public if the country were to face a missile attack.

The secrecy has not stopped residents from attempting to locate the bunkers on their own. Interest in the underground shelters has intensified amid growing security concerns in the region and fears that American-related sites in Greece could become targets for Iran or Hezbollah.

Some individuals have already managed to enter a few of the bunkers. Panagiotis Doterios, a civil engineer and cave researcher, said he has visited two shelters in Piraeus. According to him, most of the facilities have not been maintained for years and suffer from severe dampness. “When you go inside them, you feel that these are places that have been abandoned for years,” he said.

One of the most notable bunkers is located on the island of Aegina, near Athens. The facility was built in 1937 deep underground at a cost considered enormous at the time — about two billion drachmas. The complex stretches across roughly 83 dunams beneath the surface and spans several levels, containing rooms, storage areas and communications stations. Large artillery pieces once stood above ground at the site. Today, most of the structure remains closed and under the control of the Greek military.

In another part of the country, calls for greater preparedness have emerged on the island of Crete, where a major American base operates at Souda Bay. The deputy mayor of Heraklion, Giorgos Karantinos, suggested that the island’s bunkers be opened and equipped for emergencies with basic supplies such as blankets, water and dry food.

However, the locations of the bunkers there have also not been made public, and the government in Athens has so far shown little interest in adopting the proposal.

For now, blocked entrances and old “No Entry” signs can still be seen on streets in Piraeus, marking sealed bunker entrances that have remained closed for decades. For millions of Greeks, this underground network lies directly beneath their feet — yet most have no idea exactly where it is.

{Matzav.com}

The State Department on Monday drew down personnel at more U.S. diplomatic missions in and around the Middle East as it faces increasing, but historically familiar, criticism for not doing enough to prepare embassies, consulates and American citizens living abroad for conflict. The department ordered the departure of nonessential staff and families from Saudi Arabia […]

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Monday denounced the attempted bombing outside Gracie Mansion, calling it a “heinous act of terrorism” after criminal charges against two teenage suspects were unsealed.

In a statement released following the charges, Mamdani addressed the alleged actions of the two suspects and said they must face the consequences of their conduct.

“Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi have been charged with committing a heinous act of terrorism and proclaiming their allegiance to ISIS,” Hizzoner said in a statement — that stopped short of condemning radical Islam.

“They should be held fully accountable for their actions,” he said, adding, “We will continue to keep New Yorkers safe. We will not tolerate terrorism or violence in our city.”

Authorities say Balat and Kayumi were arrested in connection with homemade explosive devices that were thrown during a protest and counter-protest outside Gracie Mansion.

According to the criminal complaint, both suspects later told NYPD investigators that the attack was motivated by their loyalty to ISIS.

Investigators say Balat also expressed a desire for the attack to cause more casualties than the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.

“No, even bigger. It was only three deaths,” he told a cop, according to the complaint.

Mamdani’s remarks mirrored comments he made earlier in the day, when he also described the attempted bombing as terrorism while simultaneously criticizing a planned protest organized by far-right activists, accusing them of promoting anti-Muslim rhetoric.

Earlier statements by the mayor did not reference the suspects as self-radicalized or as Islamic extremists.

Mamdani is the first Muslim mayor of New York City.

{Matzav.com}

Trump: I will not allow a terrorist regime to hold the world hostage and attempt to stop the global oil supply and if Iran does anything to do that, they’ll get hit at a much, much harder level. I will take out those targets that were easy and that I mentioned just before.

Trump: We’ve left some of the most important targets for later in case we need to do it. If we hit them, it will take many years for them to be rebuilt having to do with electricity production and many other things… we could take them all out in one day.

Trump on Iran: Within a week, they were going to attack us. 100%. They were ready. They had all these missiles, far more than anyone thought.

President Trump on Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer: What a horrible politician. He is now a Palestinian officially. He’s registered as a Palestinian.

Footage shows the interception of an Iranian missile over northern Israel a short time ago.