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A dramatic shift has emerged in the prediction markets, with former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot overtaking Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu as the leading contender to become Israel’s next prime minister following the country’s next election.

According to the latest figures from the Polymarket forecasting platform, Eisenkot, chairman of the Yashar party, is now viewed as the most likely candidate to form the next government.

The market currently assigns Eisenkot a roughly 36.4% chance of becoming prime minister, compared with 32% for Netanyahu. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett ranks third at approximately 24%, while Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Liberman trails far behind at about 3.6%.

When viewed collectively, the market suggests that traders see a greater likelihood of a post-Netanyahu government than a continuation of the current leadership. Roughly 68% of market activity reflects scenarios in which Netanyahu does not remain prime minister after the next election.

That does not necessarily mean those traders are betting specifically on Eisenkot. Some participants believe Bennett, Liberman, or another candidate could ultimately succeed in assembling a governing coalition.

Eisenkot’s rise has been particularly striking. For an extended period, he lagged significantly behind both Netanyahu and Bennett in the market’s rankings. In recent weeks, however, his standing has surged, allowing him to pass both rivals and move into first place.

Analysts caution that Polymarket is not a public opinion survey. Rather, it is a prediction market where participants buy and sell contracts based on what they believe will happen in the future.

As a result, the percentages fluctuate constantly in response to political developments, campaign news, public statements, and trading activity.

The question being evaluated is also different from traditional polling. Prediction markets are focused on who will ultimately become prime minister, not which party will win the most Knesset seats.

A candidate whose party finishes second—or even third—could still emerge victorious if he succeeds in assembling a coalition capable of securing a parliamentary majority.

For that reason, the numbers are generally viewed as a reflection of traders’ assessments regarding coalition-building prospects rather than direct measures of voter support.

Despite Eisenkot’s newfound lead, the race remains highly competitive. The gap separating him from Netanyahu is relatively narrow and could change quickly as political conditions evolve.

For now, however, the message emerging from the market is clear: a growing number of traders believe the post-election political landscape may usher in a new era, even though no single challenger has yet established himself as the overwhelming favorite to replace Netanyahu.

{Matzav.com}

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The Gemara asks a question: Nashim b’mai zakyan? By what merit do women acquire their share in Torah? The answer has always been that women earn their cheilek by building the world of limud haTorah, by carrying it on their shoulders and making it possible. On Tuesday, June 16, young women will have the chance to grab their own eternal cheilek. 

Keren Olam HaTorah is inviting post-seminary girls to an exclusive evening in Bell Works, offering the rare opportunity to stand in the presence of the Gedolei Hador, receive their berachos, and to become true partners in upholding the yeshivos of Eretz Yisroel, by running  Keren Olam Hatorah’s dedicated call center. 

The urgency could not be greater. Keren Olam HaTorah is a historic initiative of the Gedolei Hador, launched to save the yeshivos of Eretz Yisroel amid the severe Israeli government budget cuts that have threatened to choke off their lifeblood. Today, the Keren stands behind and supports 120,000 lomdim. As long as the crisis endures, so must the fight for Torah. 

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio is leading an aggressive effort by the Trump administration to dismantle international “birth tourism” operations, targeting networks accused of helping pregnant foreign nationals travel to the United States using fraudulent paperwork so their children can automatically obtain American citizenship.

The crackdown gained attention Saturday after Fox News host Kayleigh McEnany highlighted the administration’s recent actions during a report on America. According to McEnany, hundreds of visas were revoked in recent days as part of the initiative.

“The State Department [is] shutting down a sophisticated tourism network after the U.S. Embassy in West Africa revealed more than 100 foreign nationals were using fraudulent documents and visa fixers to illegally obtain American citizenship,” McEnany explained.

She said investigators uncovered similar activity elsewhere on the continent. “It was a similar story in North Africa. Over 100 Visas were just revoked as embassy there said expecting mothers were coming to America to give birth for the sole purpose of giving their child American citizenship,” she continued. “Meanwhile in Europe, we now know that there was over 400 suspected birth tourism cases since 2024.”

McEnany later interviewed State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott, who described the alleged operations as organized schemes designed to exploit U.S. immigration laws.

“These are networks that are essentially trying to sell citizenship to the United States as if it was a commodity,” Pigott said. “That includes coaching people on how to defraud U.S. Consular Officers to try to obtain a visa through fraud.”

Pigott argued that the issue extends beyond immigration concerns and places financial burdens on American taxpayers.

He continued, “That also includes the logistics you laid out in the United States that leave the American taxpayer footing the bill — often time in these cases, birth tourists pay the absolute minimum when it comes to their medical expenses, and then U.S. taxpayers foot the bill. That is outrageous, that is unacceptable, we are putting a stop to it.”

The report follows a recent announcement by the State Department declaring that it is “defending the integrity of U.S. citizenship by ending illegal birth tourism schemes.”

The administration’s intensified focus on the issue comes as the U.S. Supreme Court considers questions surrounding birthright citizenship. President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized the practice, calling it a “great scam” that wealthy foreign nationals have exploited for years.

The high court is expected to issue its ruling later this summer, a decision that could have significant implications for future immigration and citizenship policy in the United States.

{Matzav.com}

Israel carried out a targeted airstrike on a Hezbollah command facility in Beirut’s Dahieh district on Sunday after the terror group launched aerial threats toward Israeli territory earlier in the day.

The IDF said the site was being used by Hezbollah operatives to coordinate and advance attacks against Israeli civilians and Israeli troops operating in southern Lebanon. According to the military, the strike killed the head of Hezbollah’s communications division.

Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yisroel Katz said in a joint statement that “In response to continued Hezbollah attacks on Israel’s territory, including a terror drone strike this morning, Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz authorized an IDF surgical strike on a Hezbollah terrorist target in the Dahieh quarter of Beirut. Israel will not tolerate firing at its territory.”

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, through its Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, condemned the strike and warned that “the crimes of the Zionist entity in Dahiyeh will not go unanswered.”

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, who is leading Tehran’s negotiations with the United States, also criticized the attack. “The Zionists’ incursion into Dahieh has once again shown that America either lacks the will to fulfill its commitments or the ability to do so. By giving the green light to the regime, you cannot gain concessions. The game of bad cop and good cop is outdated.”

He further warned, “If you lack the will and ability to fulfill your commitments, speaking of continuing the path is not possible.”

Israel’s Foreign Ministry pushed back against Ghalibaf’s remarks, accusing Iran of distorting the events. “The Iranian regime, as always, is lying. Iran’s proxy, Hezbollah, is the one that attacked Israel again this morning, completely unprovoked.”

The ministry continued, “Hezbollah constantly fires at Israeli civilians. Even after the ceasefire, Hezbollah has not stopped targeting Israelis. It was Hezbollah that launched an unprovoked attack on Israel in March, acting under the orders of its Iranian masters. Israel will not tolerate firing at its territory.”

The exchange comes just hours before a potential agreement between Washington and Tehran that, according to President Trump, is expected to address the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, end ongoing hostilities, and launch talks regarding Iran’s nuclear program.

The Israeli strike followed the penetration of three drones launched from Lebanon into Israeli airspace during the morning. Two of the UAVs detonated near Shlomi in the western Galilee, while a third later exploded inside a military zone in Israel.

The IDF said the drones landed in military areas near the border and not inside civilian communities. No injuries were reported, and the military said it is reviewing the circumstances surrounding the incidents.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for a forceful response, saying the attack represented a challenge to Israel’s deterrence policy regarding Beirut’s Dahieh neighborhood.

“The fire toward northern communities is a test of the Dahieh equation that the Prime Minister announced,” Smotrich said. “I call on him to implement it with determination and force and bring down more buildings in Dahieh today. We are in critical days that will shape the region for many years. We promised security to the residents of the north, and we must deliver.”

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir likewise demanded a stronger reaction and said he would raise the issue in discussions with Netanyahu.

“For every drone, a missile. For every violation, fire. For every UAV, Dahieh should shake. For every hair on the head of an IDF soldier, a thousand Hezbollah terrorists. Terror is not contained – it is defeated,” Ben Gvir said.

The latest escalation follows a Hezbollah attack last week that prompted an Israeli strike in Beirut. That exchange was followed by an Iranian missile barrage of roughly 23 missiles fired at Israel and two separate waves of Israeli Air Force strikes targeting sites in Iran.

After last week’s confrontation, Katz reiterated Israel’s policy regarding attacks from Lebanon, declaring that “every attack on northern communities will lead to a strike in Dahieh,” the Beirut stronghold widely viewed as Hezbollah’s central base of operations.

{Matzav.com}

A unique and educational Torah event will take place this evening, June 14, when the Agudath Israel of America Torah Projects Commission presents a special shiur in Airmont, New York, featuring Rav Amitai Ben David, acclaimed author of Sichas Chulin and a renowned expert in the practical and halachic aspects of shechitah.

The program will begin at 8:30 p.m. at Bais Hamedrash Birkas Sheish–Skohl, located at 1 Regina Road in Airmont, and is expected to attract Daf Yomi participants, bnei Torah, rabbanim, and members of the broader community seeking a deeper understanding of one of the most fascinating and practical areas of halachah.

What makes this event especially noteworthy is that the shiur will feature a live shechitah and treifos demonstration, offering attendees a rare opportunity to witness firsthand many of the concepts discussed in Maseches Chulin and related areas of Torah study. Through practical examples and real-life illustrations, participants will gain a clearer appreciation of the intricate halachos governing kosher slaughter and the examination of animals.

Organizers explain that the program is designed not only for Daf Yomi learners studying or reviewing the sugyos of Chulin, but also for anyone interested in understanding the halachic foundations behind the kosher food that appears on Jewish tables every day.

Rav Amitai Ben David has earned widespread recognition for his ability to present complex halachic subjects in a clear, engaging, and accessible manner. His sefer, Sichas Chulin, has become a highly regarded resource for those seeking a deeper understanding of shechitah and treifos.

The shiur, as mentioned, will take place at Bais Hamedrash Birkas Sheish–Skohl, located at 1 Regina Road in Airmont, New York, beginning at 8:30 p.m.

{Matzav.com}

After the New York Knicks captured the NBA championship last night, New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani announced plans for a citywide celebration, including a ticker-tape parade and a special ceremony at City Hall where members of the championship team will receive Keys to the City.

The festivities are scheduled for Thursday, June 18, and will commemorate a title that generations of Knicks fans had long hoped to witness.

According to City Hall, the event will be the first ticker-tape parade ever held in honor of the Knicks and will celebrate the team that finally delivered an NBA championship to New York after decades of anticipation.

City officials said additional information regarding the parade route, ceremony details, and media access will be released on Sunday, June 14.

“For more than 50 years, New Yorkers have waited for this moment. Through near misses, heartbreak and a hope that every year could be our year, this city never stopped believing in the Knicks. And this team fulfilled that hope with grit, resilience and heart — just like the five boroughs itself,” said Mayor Mamdani. “New Yorkers have cheered for our team from packed living rooms in the Bronx to watch parties in Brooklyn, from bars in Queens to Staten Island to Manhattan, and Madison Square Garden itself. Now it’s time for our city to celebrate together. Bing bong.”

The mayor also announced that City Hall and a number of municipal buildings throughout the city will be illuminated in the Knicks’ signature blue and orange colors on the evening of June 18 to mark the championship victory.

Among the buildings scheduled to be lit in blue and orange are City Hall itself, the David N. Dinkins Manhattan Municipal Building at 1 Centre Street, and Brooklyn Borough Hall on Joralemon Street.

Officials indicated that additional city-owned properties may also join the tribute as New York prepares for what is expected to be one of the largest sports celebrations in the city’s history.

The announcement comes as Knicks fans across all five boroughs continue celebrating a championship that ended a decades-long wait and delivered one of the most memorable moments in franchise history.

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Fox News host Mark Levin is urging President Donald Trump to press ahead with efforts to dismantle Iran’s ruling regime, arguing that any agreement signed with Tehran will ultimately prove meaningless because the Islamic Republic cannot and will not abide by its commitments.

Levin made the remarks last night during his Life, Liberty & Levin program, just one day before Trump said that a deal with Iran was expected to be signed.

According to Levin, whether the arrangement takes the form of a memorandum of understanding or a final agreement is largely irrelevant because Iran’s leadership will never genuinely comply with its terms.

“A memorandum of understanding, from my perspective, or a final deal will not matter to the Iranian regime,” Levin said. “It will not matter to the Iranian regime, even if they sign on the dotted line tomorrow, the next day, whenever. Or if they are bombed into signing — one or the other, or both, at some point. They will never abide by any of it.”

Levin argued that the nature of Iran’s ruling ideology makes lasting compliance impossible, maintaining that the regime views the United States as an enemy it is religiously and politically committed to defeating.

“They cannot [abide], they cannot. Because as a matter of religious and political ideology [and] doctrine, they will not in the end bend to the demands of the great Satan. They will not bend to the demands of the very people and society and government they exist to destroy by any means necessary.

“They would be committing an act of defiance against Allah, for whom they are committed to die. We and they are on two totally different wavelengths. Totally different wavelengths. They view the act of diplomacy as a last resort, but as a resort to survive. For them to survive, and ultimately for us to lose.”

The conservative commentator contended that Tehran sees negotiations not as a path to peace but as a temporary tactic designed to preserve the regime while allowing it to continue pursuing its long-term goals.

Later in the broadcast, Levin compared Trump’s partnership with Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to the historic alliance between Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill during World War II. Nevertheless, he said the military gains achieved against Iran should be completed rather than traded away for a diplomatic settlement.

“I continue to truly believe we should finish the spectacular military achievements we have won on the Iranian people and get it over with. I truly do,” Levin said. “The mass-murdering death cult that is the Iranian regime is not going to commit suicide.”

Levin’s comments carry added significance because he has been among Trump’s most vocal supporters in recent years. During a Chanukah event last winter, he famously referred to Trump as the “first Jewish president,” and he has consistently praised the president’s handling of the confrontation with Iran, including the military campaign launched earlier this year.

The broadcaster has also become a central figure in the debate among conservatives over America’s role in the conflict. After media personality Megyn Kelly argued that the United States was fighting “Israel’s war” and accused Levin, Ben Shapiro, and others of “pushing” America into attacking Iran, Trump publicly came to Levin’s defense and criticized what he described as “jealous” detractors.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump celebrated the New York Knicks’ NBA championship victory on Saturday, praising the team’s remarkable postseason run and singling out several players for their standout performances.

Posting on Truth Social, Trump offered congratulations to Knicks owner James Dolan and the organization following the franchise’s title-winning season.

“Congratulations to Jim Dolan and the New York Knicks!!!” Trump posted.

The president described New York’s journey to the championship as one of the most impressive playoff performances ever witnessed in professional basketball.

He called the Knicks’ remarkable playoff run “maybe the greatest of all time.”

Trump also highlighted several members of the championship roster, reserving special praise for star guard Jalen Brunson, whom he said had emerged as one of the league’s premier players during the postseason.

“Tonight, a superstar was born, his name is Jalen Brunson, and there are others, including Karl-Anthony Towns OG Anunoby and, great patriot, Mitchell Robinson!” he wrote.

The president has followed the team closely throughout its playoff run. Last Monday, Trump attended Game 3 at Madison Square Garden, where he watched the Knicks continue their march toward what ultimately became a championship season.

{Matzav.com}

Qatar reportedly engaged in covert discussions with Iran during the recent conflict, proposing a deal designed to protect its critical natural gas infrastructure from attack while simultaneously increasing economic pressure on the United States and Israel, according to a report by The Washington Post.

The report claims that as Washington and Israel prepared military operations against Iran, Qatari officials quietly sought assurances that Tehran would refrain from targeting the country’s massive energy facilities.

According to the newspaper, Qatar conveyed a message to Iranian officials that if Tehran spared the Ras Laffan natural gas complex from attack, Doha would halt gas production at the facility. Such a move would likely trigger a sharp rise in global energy prices and increase economic pressure on the United States and Israel to bring the conflict to a rapid conclusion.

Despite those efforts, Iran later launched a missile attack against Qatar in mid-March, sending plumes of smoke rising from the vicinity of the world’s largest natural gas production complex.

The strike reportedly damaged portions of infrastructure connected to a facility responsible for nearly one-fifth of the world’s gas supply, jeopardized multi-billion-dollar contracts with China and other international customers, and complicated efforts to end the conflict by drawing Qatar—one of the principal mediators between Washington and Tehran—deeper into the crisis.

According to The Washington Post, the attack also shattered Qatar’s secret efforts to keep the Ras Laffan complex off Iran’s target list.

Middle Eastern security officials and Western sources briefed on intelligence assessments told the newspaper that Doha had spent considerable time attempting to secure informal guarantees that the facility would be spared.

The industrial complex in question is enormous, covering an area nearly twice the size of Washington, D.C. The natural gas produced there powers homes, industries, and electrical grids across Asia, Europe, and other parts of the world.

The report alleges that Qatar essentially offered Iran a “secret deal” under which Tehran would avoid attacking Qatari territory while Doha would leverage its gas production as a means of pressuring world powers to seek a swift end to the war.

One source familiar with the discussions told The Washington Post that Qatar’s message to Iran was straightforward: “You will achieve your goals without attacking us.”

Officials cautioned, however, that Qatar never succeeded in obtaining a formal commitment from Tehran. Nonetheless, subsequent developments suggested that some form of tacit understanding may have existed, at least temporarily.

On the third day of the conflict, Qatar shut down operations at Ras Laffan, publicly citing military threats to the facility.

However, satellite imagery reviewed by The Washington Post reportedly showed no visible damage to the complex at the time of the shutdown.

Statements by senior Qatari officials also contributed to turbulence in global energy markets. Among them was a warning from Qatar’s energy minister that the war would “derail the world’s economies.”

In response to inquiries from The Washington Post, Qatari officials strongly denied seeking any secret arrangement with Iran.

Doha insisted that the decision to suspend gas production was based solely on concerns for employee safety and the protection of critical infrastructure amid the threat of military attacks.

“Any suggestion that operational decisions related to energy production were made in coordination with Iran or for Iran’s benefit or to influence the course of the war is completely false,” Qatar’s International Media Office said in a statement.

Qatar further accused critics of attempting to undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts.

Officials said the allegations were intended to “sabotage efforts to mediate an end to the war, damage Qatar’s reputation, and undermine the strategic partnership between Qatar and the United States.”

Qatar maintains close channels of communication with Iranian leaders as part of its longstanding role as a regional mediator.

The Gulf nation hosts leaders of the Iranian-backed Hamas terrorist organization in Doha and shares access with Iran to the world’s largest natural gas field.

According to the report, U.S. officials said the CIA and senior members of the Trump administration were aware of Qatar’s communications with Iran, despite concerns that such contacts could be viewed as potentially conflicting with broader American and Israeli military objectives during the conflict.

{Matzav.com}

The Manchester Jewish community that spent months hoping for the return of two stolen Sifrei Torah received joyous news this week after the sacred scrolls were unexpectedly discovered outside a church and returned unharmed.

The two historic Sifrei Torah, which were stolen nearly four months ago from the Etz Chaim Shul in Manchester, England, were found abandoned outside a Methodist church and were recovered in good condition.

Authorities and community security officials are still investigating how the scrolls ended up there. Members of Shomrim are reviewing surveillance footage from the area as part of efforts to identify those responsible.

The discovery was made after a local resident noticed the scrolls and contacted a member of the Jewish community. Photographs of the Sifrei Torah quickly circulated on social media, leading community members to realize that they were the same scrolls stolen from the Manchester synagogue months earlier.

The remarkable recovery sparked scenes of celebration throughout Manchester’s chareidi community.

On Friday, community members gathered outside the synagogue for a spontaneous celebration, marking the return of the treasured Sifrei Torah with music, singing, and dancing as they expressed gratitude to Hakadosh Baruch Hu for their recovery.

The theft had stunned local residents when it occurred in March 2026.

In the early morning hours, thieves broke into the Etz Chaim bais medrash in Manchester and stole an entire Aron Kodesh containing two Sifrei Torah, sending shockwaves through the chareidi community in the Salford area.

The burglary took place at approximately 5:30 a.m. at the synagogue, located on the city’s main Bury New Road thoroughfare. According to reports, the thieves entered the building, removed the Aron Kodesh, and used a cart to transport it to a waiting vehicle.

The theft drew widespread attention at the time, with community leaders and residents expressing heartbreak over the loss of the treasured scrolls.

Now, nearly four months later, that anguish has turned into celebration, as the community welcomes back the Sifrei Torah, intact and safely returned home.

{Matzav.com}

A highly publicized clash between MK Tali Gottlieb and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara over parliamentary immunity has exposed deep divisions within Israeli society, with a new survey showing the public almost perfectly split on the controversy.

The poll, conducted by I24NEWS amid ongoing Knesset deliberations regarding Gottlieb’s immunity, found that Israelis are sharply divided over the dispute, with support for both sides virtually identical.

When respondents were asked whom they support in the battle between Gottlieb and the attorney general over parliamentary immunity, the results revealed a dead heat. According to the survey, 49% of respondents sided with Gottlieb and her efforts to preserve her immunity, while an equal 49% backed the attorney general’s position. The remaining 2% said they were undecided.

Perhaps the most striking finding involved public perceptions of Israel’s legal system and law enforcement institutions.

Survey participants were asked about Gottlieb’s controversial accusation that the State Attorney’s Office and the attorney general conduct themselves like a criminal organization.

The responses suggested that nearly half of the public sympathizes with her criticism despite the harsh language.

While 49% of respondents said they disagreed with the statement, 47% said they agreed with Gottlieb’s characterization. Another 4% said they were unsure.

The poll also examined public opinion on Israel’s military posture toward Hezbollah and Iran.

Respondents were asked whether they support an Israeli strike on Beirut’s Dahiyeh district even if such an operation could trigger an Iranian response.

On that question, a broad consensus emerged. Fully 81% said they would support a strike, while only 11% opposed such action. Another 8% said they did not know.

{Matzav.com}

The Iranian commander who reportedly pushed for the recent ballistic missile attack on Israel is now playing a central role in shaping Tehran’s negotiating position, with diplomats and regional officials identifying him as one of the most influential figures standing in the way of a final agreement with the United States.

Ahmad Vahidi, the commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, has emerged as a powerful voice within the regime, advocating a tougher military and diplomatic posture even as negotiations continue over a potential framework agreement aimed at ending the conflict.

Iran’s decision to launch ballistic missiles at Israel following the recent strike in Beirut’s Dahiyeh district—the first such attack in months—highlighted Vahidi’s growing influence within the Iranian leadership.

According to Iranian and Arab officials cited by The Wall Street Journal, Vahidi pushed aggressively for a forceful response against Israel in an effort to halt Israeli attacks on Hezbollah positions in Lebanon. More moderate voices within the Iranian government reportedly favored delaying military action, fearing that escalation could jeopardize a potential agreement with Washington that might provide desperately needed relief to Iran’s struggling economy.

Vahidi ultimately prevailed. Sources told the newspaper that he successfully persuaded Iran’s Supreme National Security Council to support the missile strikes, triggering the first direct exchange of fire between Iran and Israel since the April 8 ceasefire.

His growing influence has also made him one of the most significant figures shaping Iran’s approach at the negotiating table.

While President Donald Trump and international mediators indicated on Saturday that an initial agreement with Tehran could be close—and potentially signed within days—Iranian officials pushed back on those timelines. Within Tehran, the Revolutionary Guards and their allies have reportedly become the primary source of resistance to a rapid deal.

Mediators told The Wall Street Journal that negotiators have made progress toward an arrangement that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the American blockade, while postponing more contentious issues, including Iran’s nuclear program and access to frozen overseas assets, for later negotiations.

Trump said Thursday that the two sides had moved close enough to avoid further military strikes.

Iran, however, cautioned that it has not yet approved a final draft agreement. According to officials familiar with the discussions, Vahidi remains the most influential voice among hardliners who believe Tehran should hold out until additional demands are met.

For months, Vahidi has reportedly clashed with more publicly visible figures within the Iranian government. According to those familiar with internal debates, he has repeatedly emerged victorious in those disputes.

The 67-year-old commander is currently under U.S. sanctions for his alleged role in overseeing the suppression of women’s rights protests in 2022. He is also wanted by Interpol in connection with the deadly 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, which killed 85 people and wounded hundreds more.

Iran has consistently denied that Vahidi or any other Iranian official played a role in the attack.

According to diplomats and mediators involved in the current negotiations, Vahidi’s position at the head of the regime’s most powerful military organization means that his views now heavily influence Tehran’s negotiating strategy.

His forces also oversee Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz, widely regarded as one of the regime’s strongest bargaining chips in negotiations with the West.

Arab, Iranian, and European sources told The Wall Street Journal that throughout the conflict, Vahidi frequently overruled the preferences of Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and President Masoud Pezeshkian. Both men reportedly advocated a faster agreement with the United States in order to ease the economic pressure created by American sanctions and restrictions on Iran’s oil exports.

Vahidi, by contrast, has prioritized restoring Iran’s military deterrence capabilities and protecting Hezbollah’s position in Lebanon.

Officials say he was instrumental in linking developments in Lebanon to the broader conflict with Iran, insisting that any agreement with Washington must also address the fighting between Hezbollah and Israel.

He has also reportedly pressed negotiators to safeguard Iran’s missile arsenal and secure access to frozen Iranian funds abroad. According to sources familiar with his position, he has argued that any released funds should remain available for military purposes.

Argentina issued an arrest warrant for Vahidi through Interpol in 2007, accusing him of helping plan the 1994 AMIA bombing. The attack on the Jewish community center remains one of the deadliest acts of antisemitic terrorism in modern history.

Over the years, Vahidi has held a series of senior security positions within the Iranian regime, including defense minister, interior minister, and deputy commander of the Revolutionary Guards.

As defense minister in 2009, he played a significant role in procurement efforts tied to Iran’s missile, drone, and nuclear programs, according to the U.S. Treasury Department, which imposed sanctions on him the following year.

With negotiations between Washington and Tehran approaching a critical stage, diplomats say Vahidi’s influence may prove decisive in determining whether a deal is ultimately reached—or whether the conflict enters a new and more dangerous phase.

{Matzav.com}

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Iran has dramatically increased efforts to secure its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, collapsing underground passageways and planting live landmines around access routes in recent weeks, according to individuals familiar with U.S. intelligence assessments cited by CNN.

The measures have significantly complicated any effort to recover the estimated 1,000 pounds of near-weapons-grade uranium. Just weeks ago, President Donald Trump publicly floated the possibility of using American military force to seize the material. Today, intelligence officials believe the stockpile is far more difficult—and dangerous—to access.

The developments present a major challenge for the Trump administration’s proposed agreement with Tehran, which reportedly calls for the removal and destruction of Iran’s enriched uranium. The new obstacles also raise difficult questions about who would ultimately be responsible for carrying out such a risky operation.

Neither the White House nor Iran’s mission to the United Nations immediately commented on the report.

Trump has repeatedly emphasized that recovering the uranium remains a central objective of ongoing negotiations aimed at ending hostilities and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. During a briefing on Friday, a senior administration official said negotiators were making progress toward an agreement that would require Iran to hand over its enriched uranium stockpile to the United States. Under the proposed arrangement, the material would reportedly be destroyed and then removed from the country.

According to intelligence officials cited by CNN, even Iranian nuclear specialists would face substantial risks attempting to retrieve the uranium under current conditions. Any recovery effort would require extensive excavation equipment and complex explosives-removal procedures.

The fortified underground environment may also provide Tehran with an explanation for any future delays or failures in complying with the terms of a potential agreement.

Western intelligence agencies reportedly believe that most of the uranium is now trapped inside intentionally collapsed underground facilities at the Isfahan nuclear complex in central Iran. Smaller quantities are believed to be stored at other locations around the country.

CNN reported that the Pentagon completed a military plan in mid-May designed to seize the uranium stockpile by force. The operation was ultimately abandoned because officials concluded that the risks were too great. Since then, Iran has reportedly intensified efforts to strengthen and conceal the underground sites where the material is believed to be stored.

Trump has previously acknowledged the challenges associated with recovering the uranium. During a May interview on Fox News, he expressed skepticism that Iran could successfully move the material without attracting American attention.

“We know exactly what’s happening,” Trump told Fox host Sean Hannity of the site. “Nobody’s even gotten close to it.”

At the same time, intelligence officials told CNN that Trump’s repeated public references to the uranium stockpile as a possible military target may have encouraged Tehran to further harden and protect the facilities.

As a result, experts believe that even if the United States and Iran finalize an agreement in the coming days, months of additional technical negotiations may be required to resolve questions involving the uranium stockpile and the broader nuclear program.

Removing the material from Iran would likely require specialized equipment operated by the National Nuclear Security Administration, including a mobile processing system based at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee. Earlier this month, U.S. negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff reportedly visited the facility as part of ongoing preparations.

Even with full cooperation and unrestricted access, specialists believe the operation would be lengthy and highly complex. Trump recently told reporters that the physical process of removing the uranium would take at least two weeks to complete.

{Matzav.com}

Workers removed President Donald Trump’s name from the exterior of the Kennedy Center early today following a federal court order, concluding a legal and political fight over the naming of the historic performing arts venue.

The removal came after government attorneys sought additional time to comply with a court-imposed deadline. Lawyers representing the Kennedy Center asked a federal judge late Friday for a 12-hour extension beyond the original 11:59 p.m. deadline, citing weather-related safety concerns and noting that the work would likely be completed during the overnight hours.

U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper approved the request Saturday morning and directed the administration to submit evidence of compliance by noon.

Court filings submitted shortly before 11 a.m. confirmed that the administration had complied with the judge’s order.

According to live video feeds, work crews began assembling scaffolding around the sign shortly after 2 a.m. A large covering was then placed over the work area, preventing the public from viewing the removal process. The covering remained in place through much of Saturday morning.

The removal proceeded after an appellate court rejected an eleventh-hour attempt by Kennedy Center officials to block the order.

Since returning to office, Trump has taken a highly active role in the institution, replacing its leadership team and overseeing the appointment of a new board of trustees that later selected him as chairman. His name was added to the center’s website and exterior signage last year. Trump has also advocated shutting down the center for two years to undergo major renovations, a proposal that has faced legal challenges.

The lawsuit was brought by Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), who serves as an ex-officio member of the Kennedy Center board and sought to prevent both the renaming of the institution and its proposed closure.

Judge Cooper, who was appointed to the bench by President Barack Obama, ruled in Beatty’s favor and ordered that Trump’s name be removed from the building by Friday night.

In a final appeal filed this week, Kennedy Center officials argued that removing Trump’s name could have serious financial consequences.

The board warned that taking off the Trump name “threatens to substantially undermine fundraising and financial viability at the most sensitive point in its history.”

Cooper rejected that argument, finding that the center had failed to demonstrate that it would suffer irreparable harm if the court denied its request.

Beatty welcomed the outcome in a statement released shortly after the removal was completed.

“Today’s victory is the beginning of returning the Kennedy Center to the American people,” the lawmaker said.

She added, “The rule of law prevailed, and that is worth celebrating,” she continued. “Let this send a message across the country: when we stand up, fight back, and defend our democracy, we can win. This is just the beginning.”

Israeli President Isaac Herzog marked President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday on Saturday with a warm public message, commending his leadership, his support for Israel, and his role in confronting Iran and securing the release of hostages.

Trump, who turns 80 on Sunday, received congratulations from Herzog, who highlighted both the president’s personal achievements and his impact on U.S.-Israel relations.

“Happy 80th birthday, President Trump! Your remarkable journey to the White House represents the breadth of the American dream and the power of your own resolve,” wrote Herzog.

The Israeli president went on to express gratitude on behalf of the people of Israel for Trump’s actions on key security issues, particularly his stance toward Iran and his support during times of crisis.

“The people of Israel are grateful for your leadership in confronting Iran’s empire of evil and for your steadfast commitment to the security of Israel. We will never forget your tireless efforts in securing the release of our beloved hostages. May you lead the Middle East and the world toward peace and security and continue to strengthen the unique US-Israel partnership,” he added.

Herzog also referenced a traditional Jewish teaching associated with reaching the age of 80, offering blessings for continued health, happiness, and family joy.

“In Jewish tradition, it is stated that at the age of eighty you gain unique prowess. May you enjoy your beautiful family and many happy birthdays with blessings and joy. Mazal tov!” concluded Herzog.

{Matzav.com}

The ongoing political battle between Shas and United Torah Judaism intensified over Shabbos, as senior Shas officials sharply criticized Degel HaTorah over its opposition to measures affecting religious councils, deepening a dispute that has been simmering for months within the chareidi bloc.

At the heart of the conflict is the long-running standoff between Finance Committee Chairman MK Moshe Gafni and Shas chairman Aryeh Deri regarding the composition and control of the Yerushalayim Religious Council. The dispute has been compounded by disagreements over the transfer of governmental authorities from the Interior Ministry to the Prime Minister’s Office, a process that began after Shas left the government nearly a year ago.

In recent months, the Knesset has repeatedly approved transfers of authority previously held by the Interior Ministry, historically controlled by Shas, to the Prime Minister’s Office. Supporters of the move have argued that it was necessary to bypass obstacles created by Justice Minister Yariv Levin.

As tensions escalated, United Torah Judaism began boycotting votes related to the transfer of powers. Despite the boycott, however, Shas succeeded last week in advancing legislation involving funding for religious councils.

The measure passed after Arab Knesset members were absent from the vote, allowing the coalition to secure the necessary majority despite opposition from UTJ lawmakers.

Following Degel HaTorah’s resistance, Religious Affairs Minister Michael Malkieli launched a blistering attack on the faction, saying he had been inundated with complaints from religious council officials across the country.

“I am flooded with phone calls from dozens of heads of religious councils around the country who are furious,” Malkieli said.

Questioning the position taken by Degel HaTorah, Malkieli added, “How is it possible that chareidi representatives vote against religious services? How do chareidi representatives join forces with Liberman’s and Lapid’s representatives?”

He went on to argue that the dispute carries serious public and spiritual ramifications.

“How much chilul Hashem is there when a law intended to strengthen taharah among the Jewish people, eruvin, and kashrus passes only because of the absence of the Arab parties? What happened to our commitment to religious services?”

Despite UTJ’s opposition, efforts to advance funding for religious councils continue moving forward.

Under the current timetable, the Knesset Finance Committee is expected to approve on Monday a formula allocating funding between the Ministry of Religious Services and municipalities throughout the country.

The initiative is intended to facilitate the continued expansion and development of religious services at the local level.

The total amount slated for distribution under the plan is approximately 230 million shekels.

Shas leaders view the funding package as a major achievement that will help sustain and expand religious councils and strengthen services related to kashrus, eruvin, taharah, and other religious needs. Meanwhile, officials within United Torah Judaism continue to express reservations, citing the broader political disputes that remain unresolved.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid launched a scathing attack tonight against Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, arguing that the emerging agreement between the United States and Iran represents a major strategic setback for Israel and fails to achieve the objectives that justified the recent conflict.

In a statement posted on social media, Lapid claimed the developing agreement leaves Iran’s core military capabilities intact and poses a long-term threat to Israel’s security.

“The emerging agreement achieves none of Israel’s war objectives,” Lapid wrote. “The regime survives, the missile program remains, and Iran can rebuild its nuclear program.”

Lapid went on to accuse Netanyahu of undermining Israel’s independence and failing to translate military gains into lasting diplomatic achievements.

“This is Netanyahu’s total failure, and along the way he is turning us into a protectorate that receives instructions regarding its national security,” Lapid said.

The opposition leader also dismissed what he described as anticipated efforts by the government to portray the agreement as a success.

“No press conference, no media spin, and no AI video will hide the failure.”

Lapid’s comments came amid growing debate in Israel over reports that the United States and Iran are nearing a framework agreement that could pave the way for broader negotiations.

Senior Israeli officials reportedly expressed similar concerns Saturday evening, with some security figures warning that the proposed arrangement heavily favors Tehran.

According to those officials, “the Iranians got everything they wanted,” and they argued that the deal could jeopardize key Israeli security interests.

The criticism followed President Donald Trump’s announcement that a framework agreement with Iran is expected to be signed Sunday.

International reports indicated that Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said the ceremony would take place in Islamabad and be conducted electronically, though Iranian officials later disputed aspects of those reports.

Lapid concluded by arguing that a future Israeli government may be forced to address what he views as the shortcomings of the current administration’s approach to Iran.

“The next government will have a historic task: to repair the damage caused by Netanyahu’s inability to turn military achievements into strategic successes.”

{Matzav.com}