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Today, the New Jersey State Assembly removed language from a bill that would have jeopardized religious rights. The legislation had allowed individuals to sue anyone accused of interfering with their decision to obtain reproductive or gender-related health care services and seek damages for harm to their business or personal reputation, financial harm, or pain and suffering, mental anguish, and emotional harm.

Agudath Israel of America’s New Jersey Office led opposition to the language, warning that its broad and undefined terms could expose rabbis, educators, counselors, schools, and parents to costly litigation for providing guidance or expressing views regarding gender-related medical procedures. In addition to working with legislators in both chambers, the Agudah issued an action alert urging residents across the state to contact their Assembly members and oppose the bill.

“We are grateful to the bill sponsors and legislative leadership for recognizing the serious concerns included in this provision and for addressing them,” Shlomo Schorr, Director of Legislative Affairs for Agudath Israel of America’s New Jersey Office, said.

“The removal of this language is an important victory for religious liberty, free speech, and parental rights.

We especially thank the thousands of New Jersey residents who responded to our action alert and contacted their legislators to make their voices heard. Their advocacy helped ensure that constitutionally protected speech and religious expression will not be subjected to vague and potentially far-reaching civil liability.”

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, sharply condemned UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese on Thursday after she reportedly responded to the grieving mother of a victim murdered during Hamas’s October 7 massacre by telling her to “change medication.”

Danon highlighted the exchange in a public statement, accusing Albanese of displaying shocking insensitivity toward a bereaved parent.

“The mother of Carolin Bohl, a young German woman brutally murdered by Hamas on October 7, has posted about the extreme anti-Israel hostility she encountered at a film premiere in Berlin, where Francesca Albanese, the UN ‘Special Rapporteur,’ was the guest of honor,” Danon wrote.

According to Danon, Bohl’s mother shared the emotional pain she experienced at the event and described the atmosphere she encountered. He said Albanese’s response only deepened the hurt.

“After the bereaved mother shared her pain and experience, Albanese’s outrageous response was: ‘Change medication,’” he added.

Danon said the remark reflected what he described as a continuing pattern of conduct by the UN official.

“There seems to be no limit to Francesca Albanese’s moral decline,” said Danon.

Albanese has long faced criticism from Israeli officials and others who argue that her statements demonstrate a consistent anti-Israel bias. Most recently, several European foreign ministers rebuked comments she made during an Al Jazeera conference.

During that event, Albanese stated: “The fact that instead of stopping Israel, most of the world has armed, given Israel political excuses, political sheltering, economic and financial support … We who do not control large amounts of financial capitals, algorithms and weapons, we now see that we as a humanity have a common enemy.”

After the remarks generated controversy, Albanese denied that she had characterized Israel as humanity’s common enemy.

In a subsequent interview, she insisted that she “never, ever, ever said ‘Israel is the common enemy of humanity,'” and dismissed the criticism as “completely false accusations.”

Questions surrounding Albanese’s views on Israel have persisted for years. In 2022, previously uncovered social media posts drew widespread attention after she asserted that the “Jewish lobby” exerts control over the United States.

Albanese rejected claims that those comments were antisemitic, arguing that her words had been “mischaracterized.” Nevertheless, critics have continued to point to similar statements as evidence of longstanding hostility toward Israel.

Following Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack, scrutiny of Albanese intensified after she argued that the massacre should be viewed within a broader “context” and described it as a response to Israeli “aggression.”

More recently, in late March, Albanese leveled additional accusations against Israel, claiming the international community had granted the country “a license to torture Palestinians.” She further alleged that “torture has effectively become state policy” in Israel.

Her latest clash with the family of an October 7 victim has now sparked fresh outrage, with Danon and others arguing that the comments cross a line of basic human decency and further undermine her credibility as a UN official.

{Matzav.com}

The United States was reportedly only hours away from launching military strikes against Iran on Thursday night before President Donald Trump abruptly pulled back the operation, announcing instead that a new agreement with Tehran had been reached, according to two U.S. officials who spoke to NBC News.

Sources told NBC News that the military had already received direct orders to carry out the mission and was fully prepared to proceed. With roughly three hours remaining before the planned attack, forces were in position, Navy assets had adjusted their flight operations, and weapons had been loaded in anticipation of the strike order.

Despite Trump’s public warnings aimed at Kharg Island, officials said that strategic oil terminal was never included among the designated targets for Thursday’s operation. While the Pentagon has spent months developing extensive plans for possible strikes against, or even an invasion of, Kharg Island, those scenarios remained contingency options and were never approved for execution by the President.

Kharg Island has previously been targeted by American forces during earlier military conflicts. On Thursday morning, however, Trump escalated his rhetoric on Truth Social, declaring that the United States would hit Iran “VERY HARD TONIGHT,” while also stating that American forces would soon be “taking Kharg Island” along with additional Iranian energy facilities.

One U.S. official told NBC News that Trump’s public comments regarding Kharg Island did not align “with any of the planning or action” that military commanders were actually preparing to carry out that evening.

Although defense planners had multiple military options available, officials said the precise targets and operational details for Thursday night’s mission were not finalized until after Trump’s morning social media post. Following that message, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directed military leadership to craft a strike package that differed from the standard retaliation plans he had previously reviewed.

According to the officials, the final plan approved for Thursday bore a strong resemblance to the precision attacks American forces had already conducted the night before.

Several hours after publicly announcing the agreement with Iran, Trump addressed reporters in the Oval Office and indicated that Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei had signed off on the arrangement.

“I understand the answer is yes,” Trump replied when asked if Khamenei had given his approval to the agreement.

When questioned about why he believed the negotiations would succeed this time, Trump pointed to the pressure Iran had endured in recent weeks.

“Because they’ve taken a pounding. They’ve taken a pounding like very few people could take. And they want to make a deal a lot more than I do.”

The President also reiterated a key condition of the agreement, declaring, “Iran will, in no way, shape, or form, build a nuclear weapon or purchase a nuclear weapon.”

Additional details of the emerging agreement were reported by Al Arabiya, which said the framework includes a minimum 60-day extension of the ceasefire, efforts to clear naval mines, and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to international maritime traffic within 30 days.

The reported understandings would also permit Iran to resume oil exports while sanctions relief is reviewed in stages. The proposal further calls for continued nuclear negotiations during the ceasefire period and an end to hostilities across all active fronts.

At the same time, Iran’s Foreign Ministry announced that the proposed Memorandum of Understanding is in advanced negotiations and is “nearly finalized.”

Iranian officials said mediating nations have spent recent hours attempting to resolve the remaining issues separating the two sides. Nevertheless, Tehran stressed that the agreement has not yet been formally completed or officially ratified.

According to Iran’s Tasnim news agency, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said the Islamic Republic has demonstrated that it will not retreat from what it considers its “red lines.”

The report added that Iran has not yet made a final decision on whether it will ultimately accept the agreement.

{Matzav.com}

A day after the Knesset advanced the Basic Law on Torah Study, Shas chairman Aryeh Deri launched a blistering defense of the legislation, accusing Israel’s attorney general and Supreme Court justices of waging a campaign against the Torah world and forcing lawmakers to enshrine what he described as self-evident truths into law.

Speaking at a public event on Thursday, Deri argued that the new legislation, which recognizes the significance of Torah study to the Jewish people, should never have been necessary in the first place.

“The Basic Law on Torah Study that we passed yesterday states that Torah learners make a significant contribution to the Jewish people. Isn’t that obvious? Isn’t that self-evident?” Deri said.

He compared the need for such legislation to passing a law affirming the practice of bris milah.

“We never dreamed that we would have to legislate this. It’s like legislating a law about bris milah. It’s something so basic. What is our existence in this land if not because of the Torah? What sustained the Jewish people? Every child understands this.”

Deri reserved some of his harshest criticism for opponents of the legislation and for those who criticized his recent visit to yeshiva students being held in military detention facilities.

“There were those who attacked me: How dare I go visit the ‘draft dodgers’? Hashem have mercy! ‘Afra l’fumayhu’ (dust upon their mouths). Torah learners who sacrifice themselves for Torah study are ‘draft dodgers’? It’s all because of the wicked attorney general and the ‘supreme’ High Court judges who are persecuting the Torah world,” Deri charged.

Addressing criticism that Shas has neglected the needs of Israeli soldiers, Deri rejected the accusation and pointed to the large number of Sephardic families with relatives serving in the military.

“We don’t need anyone to teach us what soldiers are. How much we daven for them. Among us Sephardim, there isn’t a single person who doesn’t have a soldier somewhere in his family. Our movement, Shas, ranks third or fourth, if I’m not mistaken, in the number of double-envelope votes.”

Deri recounted a recent visit to a military prison, saying the experience reinforced his belief that support for Torah learning remains widespread among traditional Sephardic Israelis.

“When I visited the detainees in the military prison this week, I saw the staff of the soldiers there. I don’t need to guess how they vote. They’re all G-d-fearing, all Sephardim, lovers of Torah, people who respect Torah. You can see it on them.”

The Shas leader also expressed astonishment that some religious Zionist figures have become leading advocates for sanctions and enforcement measures against yeshiva students.

“I am amazed by those who wear a kippah on their heads and are leading the sanctions and persecution against the Torah world. Hashem have mercy! It’s impossible to understand. There is no explanation for it. How do they not understand what Torah learners are? As for the secular public, I am not surprised—they don’t know what Torah is.”

Deri said the passage of the Basic Law was intended as a public statement against what he views as growing hostility toward Torah scholars and yeshiva students.

“Therefore, yesterday we were obligated to make this protest. We passed the Basic Law on Torah Study, and with Hashem’s help we will pass it in the first reading, the second reading, and the third reading as well.”

He concluded by describing the arrests of Torah students as a spiritual danger for the Jewish people at a time when Israel faces threats on multiple fronts.

“The arrests of Torah learners are a great prosecution against the Jewish people,” Deri said. “When we are surrounded by enemies, when the Iranians and Hezbollah spend every day thinking about how to destroy the Jewish people, we need tremendous merits. We must stop all of this drift. We see so many miracles, and unfortunately there are those who do not appreciate Torah learners and instead persecute them.”

As Israel’s political system gears up for another election season and candidates position themselves as the country’s would-be saviors, Rav Tzemach Mazuz used his weekly shiur to deliver a pointed message about ambition, honor, and the limits of human effort.

Drawing on the lessons of this week’s parshah (in Eretz Yisroel), Parshas Korach, the Rosh Yeshiva connected the political maneuvering of the present day with timeless Torah teachings, offering a sharp critique of the relentless pursuit of power and what appeared to be a veiled jab at those determined to unseat Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu at all costs.

“There is nothing better than peace,” Rav Mazuz began. “Soon the election season will be here, and everyone wants to ‘save’ the country. Everyone wants to be prime minister. But Shlomo Hamelech already taught us in Koheles: ‘Hevel havalim, amar Koheles, hevel havalim, hakol havel.’”

The Rosh Yeshiva then cited the words of Chazal in Maseches Yoma, “Bimkomcha yoshivucha, u’mishelcha yitnu lach,” along with the verse in Mishlei, “Al tiga l’ha’ashir.” The message, he explained, is that a person is obligated to make only a reasonable effort and then place his trust in Hashem.

“There is no need to exhaust oneself and struggle excessively,” Rav Mazuz said. “A person must make some hishtadlus, but beyond a limited amount of hishtadlus, nothing more is required. This is the tradition we have received from our rabbeim.”

To illustrate the dangers of chasing status and honor beyond what Heaven has allotted, Rav Mazuz cited a famous parable from the Gemara in Sanhedrin.

“This is what people say: ‘The camel went to ask for horns, and in the end they cut off the ears that it already had.’”

The Rosh Yeshiva elaborated on the Gemara’s imagery with a smile.

“Anyone who has seen a camel knows that it is a tall and impressive animal, but it has one deficiency—its ears are small. The camel said to itself, ‘I am much taller than the ox. If the ox has horns, then I deserve even larger and more beautiful horns.’ In the end, not only did it fail to receive the horns it wanted, but even the ears it already possessed were taken away.”

He then applied the lesson directly to human behavior.

“What is the lesson? A person thinks that what he has is not enough. He fights and struggles for more and more. What does he gain in the end? Not only does he fail to receive what he sought, but even what he already had can be taken from him.”

Rav Mazuz pointed to Korach as the classic example of someone whose ambition led to ruin. Although Korach was already enormously wealthy and held a position of great distinction as one of those entrusted with carrying the Aron, he was not satisfied.

“That tremendous greatness was not enough for him,” Rav Mazuz said. “He set his sights on the Kehunah Gedolah and sought to overthrow Moshe and Aharon. But what happened in the end? Not only did he fail to become Kohen Gadol, not only did he cease being among those who carried the Aron, he did not even remain alive. The earth opened its mouth and swallowed him, his family, and all his possessions. Nothing remained. In the end, Korach lost everything.”

Concluding his remarks, Rav Mazuz delivered what many listeners viewed as a timely message for politicians and public figures caught up in the current political climate.

“From here we learn that a person must be happy with his portion and with what he has,” he said. “A person should remember: If something truly belongs to you, Hakadosh Baruch Hu will bring it to you on a golden platter. One may—and indeed should—make hishtadlus. But one must not wage war for it.”

Thousands of Satmar chassidim gathered this week in Williamsburg for a major emergency assembly led by Rav Aharon Teitelbaum of Satmar, who delivered an impassioned address warning of what he described as a troubling decline in standards of kedusha and tznius and a widening cultural gap between generations.

The gathering, titled “Shemirah L’Doros,” was held at Eden Palace and attended by thousands of chassidim, along with the community’s rabbanim and dayanim. Organizers said the event was convened to strengthen religious standards and reinforce long-standing traditions within Satmar homes and institutions.

Before the arrival of the Rebbe, the keynote address was delivered by his eldest son, Rav Menachem Mendel Teitelbaum, the Satmar Av Beis Din of Williamsburg. He spoke at length about issues of tznius, emphasizing the importance of proper hair covering for married women, concerns surrounding contemporary wigs, the dangers of technology, and other areas he said require immediate attention and stronger communal safeguards.

When the Rebbe entered the hall, he began his remarks with the pasuk, “V’hayah b’achalchem milechem ha’aretz tarimu terumah laHashem.” Drawing on Midrashic teachings, he explained that “lechem” alludes to a wife, while “terumah” signifies separation. He said the message is that when building a Jewish home, one must consciously separate oneself and one’s family from prevailing societal influences and worldly trends.

The Rebbe then turned to what he described as a growing problem in contemporary Jewish communities.

“We live in Williamsburg alongside various groups and communities that are meticulous regarding different stringencies and customs, yet in matters of tznius they are not careful at all,” he said. “Our holy fathers and rabbeim were extraordinarily strict regarding kedusha and tznius, viewing them as among the most serious matters. Chas v’shalom for any of us to treat these issues lightly. We have a clear mesorah regarding how to conduct ourselves, how to dress, and how to educate our children, and it must not be altered to accommodate the spirit of the times or changing fashions.”

During his address, the Rebbe related a story about the Divrei Chaim of Sanz. According to the account, a prominent Torah leader once asked the Sanzer Rav for the halachic source of a particular practice and questioned where it was written. The Divrei Chaim famously responded, “It is written within me, and I am the Torah.”

The Rebbe became emotional as he applied that lesson to the teachings of his uncle, the Satmar Rav, author of Vayoel Moshe.

“These matters are written and firmly established in the teachings of our uncle, the Vayoel Moshe, and he is the Torah,” the Rebbe declared. “No one should, chas v’shalom, dismiss them with questions and confusions of ‘Where is it written?’”

In one of the most striking moments of the evening, the Rebbe lamented what he sees as a dramatic erosion of traditional standards from one generation to the next.

“The difference in dress between the grandmother and the children and grandchildren is terrible and frightening,” he said. “There is an alarming yeridas hadoros. We must live according to the concept of ‘tarimu terumah’—a language of elevation. A chassidishe Yid must conduct himself with dignity and upliftedness, not be pulled along by neighbors and friends, but stand proudly with the traditions that have been entrusted to us.”

The Rebbe also identified what he believes is one of the root causes of the phenomenon: the growing practice of sending young men to study in yeshivos outside the Satmar community.

“A large part of this weakening comes from sending boys to study in outside yeshivos,” he said. “There they are exposed to foreign outlooks and become cooled off in matters of Chassidus and yiras Shamayim. Later on, they see nothing wrong with their wives becoming lenient regarding standards of dress and tznius.”

The Rebbe expressed strong support for the remarks delivered earlier by his son, describing them as “words that come from the heart” and therefore destined to enter the hearts and minds of those who heard them.

Addressing the audience directly, he urged every participant to view the message as a personal responsibility.

“These words are directed to you personally,” he said. “Every individual must ensure that within his own home, among his children and grandchildren, proper standards are maintained and that as many protective boundaries and safeguards as possible are established.”

Toward the conclusion of the event, the Rebbe praised students of the Satmar Bais Rochel schools who, in recent weeks, voluntarily cut their long hair as an expression of commitment to the community’s standards. He commended them for what he described as a courageous step taken in the interest of preserving the sanctity of the Jewish home.

The gathering concluded with the Rebbe offering brachos to the assembled chassidim that they succeed in upholding the community’s sacred standards and traditions.

He ended by invoking the well-known teaching: “In the merit of righteous women our ancestors were redeemed, and through them may we soon merit redemption in our days, Amen.”

A growing controversy has erupted in the United Kingdom after a policy group within the Green Party, led by a Jewish politician, began examining a proposal that could ultimately lead the party to support a ban on non-medical bris milah—a move that would directly affect both Jewish and Muslim communities across Britain.

The Green Party’s Health Policy Working Group (HPWG), chaired by Zack Polanski, is reportedly considering recommendations that would restrict parents from authorizing irreversible surgical procedures on children unless they are deemed medically necessary. If adopted, the proposal could pave the way for the party to endorse prohibiting bris milah.

According to a report in The Spectator, the working group launched an internal consultation asking party members whether parents should be permitted to consent to “an irreversible surgical procedure on a child only when it is medically necessary.” Participants in the survey were specifically asked to share their views regarding bris milah.

The debate echoes a similar controversy that emerged in Iceland in 2018, when the country became the first in Europe to advance legislation banning non-medical bris milah. That proposal sparked fierce opposition from Jewish and Muslim leaders, who argued that such a measure would infringe on religious freedom. While the Icelandic initiative received broad political support, comparable proposals elsewhere in Europe have often been championed by nationalist parties, including Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD) and Sweden’s Sweden Democrats.

The report states that the working group’s policy officer urged party members to participate in the consultation, writing that “this would be a huge help in ensuring that the Green Party has an up-to-date health policy from this autumn.” The party’s annual autumn conference is scheduled for September, when a number of controversial policy proposals are expected to be debated.

The British Jewish newspaper Jewish News warned that adopting such a policy could undermine the Green Party’s growing support among Muslim voters, a constituency in which the party has made gains in recent years. Observers also noted that the proposal could create political difficulties in areas with sizable Orthodox Jewish populations, including London’s Hackney borough, where the Greens have achieved notable electoral success.

A spokesperson for the Green Party stressed that the proposal is not currently official party policy. The spokesperson explained that the party’s working groups consist of members who independently develop and evaluate policy ideas, and that any proposal can become official party policy only if it is approved by delegates at a party conference vote.

For now, the consultation remains under review, but its mere consideration has already generated significant concern among religious communities and renewed a broader debate over religious liberty and parental rights in Britain.

{Matzav.com}

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is preparing to release a highly anticipated podcast interview with Hunter Biden on Friday, offering what appears to be one of Biden’s most extensive public appearances since his father left office.

Newsom previewed the conversation Thursday by posting a short teaser on X, where he playfully welcomed his guest as “Presidential candidate Hunter Biden.”

Biden immediately joined in the joke.

“Here’s the deal. I’ll run, but only as your VP,” he told Newsom.

Explaining his mock interest in the job, Biden quipped that the vice president’s residence “is a lot cooler” than the White House.

The exchange came after Newsom referenced remarks made by President Donald Trump, who recently suggested Hunter Biden “could do well” in a 2028 presidential campaign while criticizing controversial Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner.

“I had to give you a break for just one day,” Biden joked to Newsom, alluding to the nonstop discussion surrounding the governor’s own potential White House ambitions.

In the 13-second preview clip released ahead of the episode, Biden declares: “They gave me a stage and I’m going to use it.” He then rattles off the names of several public figures with whom he has sparred, including Tucker Carlson and President Trump.

The discussion also reportedly touched on Platner, who has faced scrutiny over allegations involving toxic personal relationships and a reported Nazi tattoo. According to Politico, Biden defended the embattled candidate during the interview.

“If that’s the standard by which we are going to judge people, particularly people in elected office,” Biden told Newsom, “then I don’t think we’re going to have many people in elected office.”

The teaser quickly drew criticism online, with detractors mocking Newsom’s decision to feature a guest whose personal history has often attracted controversy.

“That’s a whole Lotta crack on one podcast…call it the Escobar files!!!” one social media user wrote.

“Is he going to talk about how he did drugs at the White House?” another commenter sarcastically asked.

Since President Biden’s departure from office, questions have persisted about Hunter Biden’s activities and public profile. In recent weeks, however, he has become increasingly visible, suggesting a renewed willingness to engage in public and political discussions.

Earlier this month, Biden celebrated seven years of sobriety through a series of social media posts. After a lengthy absence from X, he resumed posting in May and has frequently addressed criticism tied to his past struggles with substance abuse, including his long-running battles with crack cocaine and alcohol.

Those addictions became central to legal troubles that culminated in his 2024 conviction for falsely completing a federal firearm-purchase form regarding his drug use. He was also accused of failing to pay $1.4 million in taxes. Both matters were ultimately resolved through a pardon issued by his father.

Other recent posts have focused on political and media controversies, including criticism of CNN anchor Jake Tapper over his memoir and attacks on plans by Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump to redevelop an abandoned island off the Albanian coast.

Questions about Biden’s finances have also resurfaced. The California Post recently reported that he has been living in Southern California while facing debts exceeding $20 million. According to the report, that total includes roughly $15 million to $17 million owed to a prominent Washington legal team, approximately $5 million owed to longtime associate Kevin Morris, and another $1 million tied to a former art dealer.

Financial controversies have followed Biden for years. Reports have alleged that he spent millions of dollars on drugs, luxury clothing, prostitutes, and cosmetic dental work, expenditures that reportedly became a source of friction during divorce proceedings with his ex-wife.

He has also remained a political liability at times because of issues connected to his infamous laptop, which fueled years of scrutiny over alleged conflicts of interest involving Ukraine and cast a shadow over his father’s presidency.

Despite the controversies, Newsom appears unfazed by the criticism and may benefit from the attention generated by the interview. The California governor is widely viewed as a potential contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028.

Observers have increasingly pointed to Newsom’s podcast, This Is Gavin Newsom, as evidence that he is refining his public messaging and building a national profile ahead of any future campaign.

The show has amassed more than 250,000 YouTube subscribers and generated at least 10 million views. Individual episodes generally attract audiences ranging from tens of thousands of viewers to nearly 160,000.

One reason the podcast has drawn attention is Newsom’s willingness to host ideological opponents, including conservative commentators Charlie Kirk and Ben Shapiro, a strategy that has sparked criticism from some fellow Democrats.

Newsom has repeatedly rejected suggestions that the podcast is primarily a political vehicle, insisting that his motivation is personal growth rather than campaign preparation.

“I’m doing this selfishly because I want to learn. I want to get better in life, not just politics. And if I’m better in life, I’ll be better in politics,” the governor told Politico.

{Matzav.com}

The leadership of the Association of Hesder Yeshivas has issued a formal letter to heads of Hesder institutions across Israel, reiterating its opposition to mixed-gender combat service and clarifying its position regarding the enlistment of Hesder students into the IDF’s Armored Corps.

In the letter, members of the association’s council explained that following the Supreme Court’s ruling on the issue, they have been actively engaged in efforts aimed at preventing situations in which female combat soldiers serve alongside male soldiers committed to observing halacha.

The council said these initiatives have been coordinated with a broad spectrum of rabbinic leaders from the religious Zionist community, including roshei yeshiva of advanced Torah institutions and rabbanim who lead pre-military academies representing various segments of the national-religious public.

They noted that numerous discussions have been held in recent weeks, during which they consistently conveyed their belief that men and women serving together in frontline maneuvering combat units is incompatible with the religious commitments of soldiers who adhere to halacha.

Council members also stated that they remain in ongoing communication with senior IDF officials in an effort to create a framework that would allow observant soldiers to serve in the Armored Corps while maintaining their religious standards.

“We will make every effort to enable the enlistment of our students into the Armored Corps in the upcoming draft without harming their values,” they wrote.

The rabbis further sought to distance themselves from reports circulated in recent days, stressing that a letter publicized in the media concerning enlistment to the Armored Corps did not originate from the council and does not reflect its official position.

“The letter that appeared in the media in recent days regarding enlistment to the Armored Corps is not a letter from the council,” adding that the publication of such a letter contradicts their position.

The statement bore the signatures of the roshei yeshiva who serve on the Council of the Association of Hesder Yeshivas.

{Matzav.com}

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee told a visiting group of Christian leaders that their backing of Israel is rooted in faith and biblical principles, not political considerations, as they gathered in Jerusalem for a conference dedicated to confronting rising antisemitism.

Addressing members of the International Christian Embassy during the emergency gathering, Huckabee emphasized that Christian support for the Jewish state is based on Scripture and God’s covenant with the Jewish people.

“The reason we stand with Israel is not political, but because of God’s promise to Abraham,” Huckabee said during remarks to members of the International Christian Embassy who are in Israel for an emergency conference focused on combating antisemitism.

Huckabee also highlighted Israel’s remarkable ability to withstand repeated threats from adversaries that vastly outnumber it in both population and military resources.

“The amazing thing is that a tiny, tiny country of 10 million people wins over and over again when its existence is threatened by those who have 10 times the population, many times the military budget. And yet, it not only survives. It thrives,” he said.

He attributed that success to what he described as a divine promise dating back nearly four millennia.

“So what’s the secret? The secret is that 3,800 years ago, God said to Abraham, I’m going to create a people. And you are him. And I’m going to put you where you belong, and I’m going to give you a purpose,” Huckabee added.

Responding to reports alleging hostility toward Christians in Israel, Huckabee said his own decades of experience in the country have painted a very different picture.

“I have been visiting this country for 53 years. I cannot think of a warmer welcome I could have received, not just from the government officials, but from the people on the streets and everywhere I go in this country,” he said.

Huckabee said he continues to be struck by the friendliness and acceptance he encounters throughout Israel despite being open about his evangelical Christian beliefs.

“I am amazed at the reception that people show me, knowing full well that I am an evangelical Christian who believes in the Bible. It does not offend people,” Huckabee added.

{Matzav.com}

Emergency crews and hazardous materials specialists were called to Yerushalayim’s Mekor Baruch neighborhood after four young children suddenly became ill, with initial concerns that exposure to a dangerous substance may have been involved.

The incident prompted a response from Israel Fire and Rescue Services after reports were received that several children had suffered dizziness and lost consciousness. A specialized hazardous materials monitoring team was dispatched to the scene to investigate the possibility that toxic substances may have played a role.

The four children—a one-year-old boy, a one-year-old girl, a three-year-old boy, and a three-year-old girl—were transported to Hadassah Ein Kerem Medical Center after experiencing weakness and other symptoms.

Firefighters conducted tests inside the building where the incident occurred in an effort to determine whether any hazardous materials were present. Authorities said the circumstances surrounding the episode remain under investigation.

Hadassah Medical Center later reported that the children consist of two pairs of siblings, with each pair including a one-year-old and a three-year-old child. According to the hospital, the children had been playing in a garden near their residence before becoming ill.

Hospital officials said the children arrived at the pediatric emergency department exhibiting drowsiness, weakness, and signs of lethargy. Medical and nursing staff immediately began a series of examinations to determine the cause of their condition.

Doctors said all four children are now fully conscious and are being accompanied by their parents. They will remain hospitalized for observation while testing continues.

Magen David Adom said it first received a call at 5:52 p.m. reporting that two children had become ill near a residential building in the Mekor Baruch neighborhood. A second call was received at 6:39 p.m. reporting that two additional children at the same location were experiencing similar symptoms.

Paramedics treated the children at the scene before transporting all four to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital. Authorities have not yet determined what caused the children to become ill, and the investigation remains ongoing.

{Matzav.com}

Francesca Albanese, a United Nations investigator who has frequently been accused of anti-Israel bias, is facing widespread condemnation after responding dismissively to the mother of a young woman murdered in Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.

The controversy erupted after Sonja Bohl-Dencker, whose daughter was killed during the massacre, described feeling intense hostility toward Israel while attending an event in Berlin honoring Albanese. Her remarks drew attention in Germany and beyond, prompting a response from the UN official that quickly sparked outrage.

Bohl-Dencker’s daughter, Carolin Bohl, a 22-year-old German fashion student and model, was among those murdered by Hamas terrorists during the assault on Kibbutz Nir Oz.

In an interview with the German newspaper Die Welt, Bohl-Dencker recounted attending a film screening in Berlin in March at which Albanese was the central guest. She described the atmosphere at the gathering as deeply unsettling.

“I have never been in a room where I felt so much hatred,” Bohl-Dencker said. “Everywhere keffiyehs, terrible slogans and sheer hatred against everything connected with Israel.”

After a social media post highlighted the grieving mother’s comments, Albanese replied with a brief message that immediately ignited criticism: “Change medication.”

The remark attracted even greater scrutiny because of legal filings connected to Albanese’s own challenge against sanctions imposed by the United States. According to court documents submitted in that case, Albanese and members of her family sought medical treatment for conditions they said were brought on by the stress of the sanctions. The filings state that Albanese was treated for gastric ulcers, while her husband suffered from insomnia and severe anxiety.

Albanese has long been a polarizing figure because of statements critics say demonstrate a pattern of hostility toward Israel. Among the incidents drawing criticism were remarks delivered at an Al Jazeera conference that prompted rebukes from several European Union foreign ministers.

“The fact that instead of stopping Israel, most of the world has armed, given Israel political excuses, political sheltering, economic and financial support … We who do not control large amounts of financial capitals, algorithms and weapons, we now see that we as a humanity have a common enemy.”

Following the backlash, Albanese denied that she had characterized Israel as humanity’s common enemy.

She later stated that she “never, ever, ever said ‘Israel is the common enemy of humanity,'” and described the allegations against her as “completely false accusations.”

Questions surrounding Albanese’s views on Israel have persisted for years. Critics frequently point to social media posts uncovered in 2022 in which she asserted that the “Jewish lobby” exerts control over the United States.

At the time, Albanese rejected claims that her comments about the “Jewish lobby” were antisemitic, arguing that they had been “mischaracterized.” Nevertheless, controversy surrounding her statements about Israel has continued.

Since the Hamas massacre of October 7, Albanese’s comments have drawn even greater attention. She argued that the attack should be understood within a broader “context” and portrayed it as a reaction to Israeli “aggression.”

Earlier this year, Albanese again provoked criticism when she accused Israel of systematically abusing Palestinians.

In late March, Albanese claimed that the world has given Israel “a license to torture Palestinians,” alleging that “torture has effectively become state policy” in Israel.

{Matzav.com}

The Trump administration announced Thursday that federal authorities have located approximately 146,000 unaccompanied migrant children who entered the United States during the Biden administration and were later placed with sponsors, while officials say close to 300,000 children have yet to be found.

The figures were revealed during a press briefing at the Justice Department in Washington by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin. Officials said the number of children successfully located has risen dramatically from roughly 22,000 identified last summer.

“We found 146,000 kids so far — 146,000 kids. We still have nearly 300,000 missing,” Mullin said.

Mullin sharply criticized the previous administration’s management of unaccompanied minors, arguing that failures in oversight and monitoring resulted in hundreds of thousands of children effectively disappearing after being released into the country.

“When we start digging into these cases, and you start hearing the absolute horrific things that took place underneath the Biden administration, either true neglect at best and criminal at worst, to allow 450,000 kids to go missing throughout this country,” Mullin said.

Administration officials said that more than half a million unaccompanied migrant children crossed the southern border and entered the United States during the Biden administration without a parent or legal guardian accompanying them.

After arriving in the country, the minors were placed under the supervision of the Department of Health and Human Services before eventually being released to sponsors residing in the United States.

The Trump administration has made tracking down those children a major priority, directing multiple federal agencies to work together to determine where they are living and whether they are being properly cared for.

Officials declined to offer specifics about the methods used to locate the 146,000 children or provide a timeline for finding those who remain unaccounted for. They also did not disclose additional details regarding the condition or circumstances of the children who have already been identified.

A sophisticated cyber scam targeting supporters of Adirei HaTorah has been revealed after fraudsters created a deceptive look-alike website designed to solicit donations from unsuspecting members of the public.

According to Adirei HaTorah, the organization became aware on Wednesday of a targeted effort to impersonate the organization through a fraudulent website that closely resembled its official online presence. The fake site was reportedly used in conjunction with emails and text messages sent to potential donors in an attempt to redirect contributions.

Organization officials said they immediately launched an emergency response, working closely with cybersecurity experts and law enforcement authorities to contain the threat and protect the public.

“B’Siyata D’Shmaya, the fraudulent website has been successfully disabled and the payment processor has frozen the scammer’s account,” the organization said in a statement.

While the investigation remains ongoing, Adirei HaTorah emphasized that the breach appears to have been limited in scope. According to preliminary findings, the information accessed consisted only of certain names, email addresses, and phone numbers that were subsequently used to distribute fraudulent emails and text messages directing recipients to the fake website.

Officials stressed that there is currently no indication that the perpetrators gained access to the organization’s financial infrastructure, donor records, or sensitive payment information.

“Importantly, there are no indications that the malicious actor gained access to any of Adirei HaTorah’s financial systems or overall donor database, or that any financial information was compromised,” the statement noted.

The organization credited the rapid shutdown of the operation to the coordinated efforts of cybersecurity professionals, community members, and media outlets that quickly spread warnings about the scam.

“We extend our sincere appreciation to the many professionals and community members who immediately stepped forward, worked tirelessly, and helped identify and shut down this scam within hours of its launch,” Adirei HaTorah said. “We are also grateful to the media outlets that helped responsibly publicize the warning and alert the public. Mi K’Amcha Yisrael.”

In light of the incident, Adirei HaTorah issued several reminders to help community members protect themselves from future fraud attempts.

The organization said that all official text messages will originate exclusively from the phone numbers 848-261-8251 or 732-800-1524. In addition, all official email correspondence will clearly identify Adirei HaTorah as the sender and will be distributed only through the organization’s authorized communication channels.

Donors were also urged to verify that they are visiting the organization’s official website, www.adireihatorah.com, before making any contribution.

Adirei HaTorah further advised anyone who receives a suspicious email, text message, donation request, or website link purporting to represent the organization not to engage with it and to report it immediately.

Despite the attempted attack, organization officials emphasized that critical systems remain secure and that additional safeguards are being implemented to strengthen protections going forward.

“We remain committed to safeguarding you and your information and will continue implementing additional security measures to help prevent similar incidents in the future,” the organization said.

{Matzav.com}

All are asked to daven and recite Tehillim on behalf of Rav Avrohom Yehoshua Soloveitchik after he was rushed back to the hospital on Thursday amid his recovery from major heart surgery.

The sudden hospitalization has sparked widespread concern among thousands of talmidim, admirers, and members of the broader Torah community, who have been closely following the Rosh Yeshiva’s condition in recent weeks.

Rav Avrohom Yehoshua underwent a complex heart procedure last week following serious cardiac complications. After the surgery, there were signs of improvement, and just a few days ago he was discharged from the hospital to continue recuperating at his home in Yerushalayim.

However, concerns mounted on Thursday when the Rosh Yeshiva experienced a significant setback in his recovery. Sources close to the family reported that he began experiencing cardiac-related symptoms and was transported urgently to Hadassah Ein Kerem Medical Center in Yerushalayim for immediate treatment.

The development came in the midst of what had appeared to be a promising rehabilitation process following the successful surgery.

Family members and those close to the Rosh Yeshiva are asking the public to continue storming the heavens on his behalf during this critical time.

His name for tefillah is Rav Avrohom Yehoshua ben Ettil.

{Matzav.com}

A new chapter in the ongoing tefillah campaign for the recovery of mekubal Rav Chizkiyahu Dov HaKohein Kook unfolded this week after one of his talmidim reported a striking dream in which the Rav allegedly asked that additional tefillos be offered on his behalf at Kever Rochel.

The development follows Monday night’s massive tefillah gathering at the Kosel HaMaaravi, where gedolei Yisroel, talmidim, and members of the public gathered to cry out for the recovery of the renowned Tiveria tzaddik.

According to the talmid, who served as the chazzan during the gathering at the Kosel, Rav Kook appeared to him in a dream later that night.

The talmid recounted that the Rav thanked him for the uplifting tefillos that had been recited but requested that a similar tefillah gathering be held at Kever Rochel as well.

According to the account, Rav Kook indicated in the dream that he remains in need of continued rachamei Shamayim and has not yet emerged completely from danger. He therefore asked that additional tefillos be organized at Kever Rochel.

Following the widely discussed dream, Rav Kook’s talmidim announced that a public tefillah gathering would be held at Kever Rochel for his complete recovery. Participants are being urged to add tefillos for Rav Chizkiyahu Dov ben Shoshanah HaKohein and include him among the other ill members of Klal Yisroel.

The renewed tefillah initiative comes as family members continue to report both encouraging developments and ongoing concerns regarding the Rav’s condition.

As previously reported, during a recent interview on the program Hafuch Al Hafuch with Rav Moshe Ben Lulu, Rav Gedaliah Kook shared an extensive update on his father’s medical status. He described significant improvement over recent weeks after a prolonged and difficult medical ordeal that had deeply concerned the Rav’s many followers.

According to Rav Gedaliah, several major bodily systems that had ceased functioning have resumed operation. “The kidneys have resumed functioning, dialysis has been removed, and breathing has returned independently for much of the day.”

At the same time, he emphasized that one critical concern remains.

“We need great miracles regarding the Rav’s consciousness,” he said.

While there have been notable signs of improvement, Rav Kook has not yet regained full consciousness. Family members report that he occasionally appears to respond slightly to beloved niggunim or particularly emotional tefillos, but that the road to full recovery remains uncertain.

His followers continue to call upon the public to intensify tefillos and acts of merit on behalf of Rav Chizkiyahu Dov ben Shoshanah HaKohein for a complete and speedy recovery.

{Matzav.com}

Jerry Seinfeld delivered a brief but pointed response Wednesday night after an anti-Israel social media personality confronted him outside Madison Square Garden following the Knicks’ dramatic NBA Finals victory.

The 72-year-old comedy icon was making his way through the crowd after Game 4 when influencer FinesseFave approached him with a microphone and camera, attempting to draw him into a political exchange.

“What up, Seinfeld? What up? Can we get a ‘Free Palestine’?” said the streamer, FinesseFave, sticking a mic in the face of the Jewish actor and writer.

Seinfeld laughed at the request and responded with a short remark before continuing on his way.

“It doesn’t exist,” he said, before walking away.

Matzav.com cannot post the actual clip because it contains profanities.

The video quickly spread online after FinesseFave posted it to his TikTok account, where he has approximately 180,000 followers.

FinesseFave later shared the video with his 180,000 TikTok followers, along with the caption, “Clown hasn’t been relevant in decades anyway.”

The encounter was the latest in a string of confrontations involving Seinfeld amid ongoing anti-Israel demonstrations and activism directed at public figures who have voiced support for Israel.

One notable incident occurred in May 2024, when Seinfeld delivered the commencement address at Duke University.

In May 2024, he was booed, and dozens of students walked out as the comedian gave the commencement speech at Duke University.

Just weeks afterward, another disruption took place during one of his stand-up performances in Virginia.

Two weeks later, he was interrupted on stage by an anti-Israel protester who jumped up and yelled, “Free Gaza” during a standup show in Norfolk, Virginia, TMZ reported.

Audience members quickly turned against the protester, loudly supporting Seinfeld as security moved to restore order.

The audience responded by booing the heckler and chanting, “Jerry! Jerry!” as another bystander got the protester in a headlock before security ushered the man out.

Seinfeld responded from the stage with characteristic sarcasm.

“This is exciting. I like this. I like a little Jew hate to spice up the show,” Seinfeld joked darkly from the stage as the heckler was evicted.

Although the protester was removed, interruptions reportedly continued throughout the evening.

The show continued, but protesters interrupted Seinfeld a further eight times throughout the 90-minute set.

The comedian has also been confronted several times in New York City during the past year.

Seinfeld has also faced abuse on the streets of his native New York, with two high-profile incidents in 2025.

One episode took place outside Radio City Music Hall, where a content creator appeared to ask for a photograph before turning the interaction into a political stunt.

In February 2025, an influencer asked Seinfeld for a selfie outside Radio City Music Hall, before instead recording himself saying “Free Palestine” while filming the comedian.

Seinfeld declined to engage.

Seinfeld responded by saying, “I don’t care about Palestine,” before walking away.

A few months later, another activist targeted him as he departed Madison Square Garden following a Knicks playoff game.

And while leaving the Garden after a Knicks game in May 2025, a vile protester filmed themselves telling Seinfeld he supports the genocide of babies in Gaza.

The comedian answered with a quick one-liner before getting into his vehicle.

“Only you,” Seinfeld quipped, as he got into his car.

Demonstrators have also appeared outside several of Seinfeld’s live performances this year.

His standup shows have faced continual picketing this year, with protesters branding him a “genocide apologist” ahead of his appearance in Aurora, Illinois, in January, as the Jamia Times reported at the time.

Wednesday’s confrontation came after Seinfeld watched one of the most memorable games in Knicks history from celebrity row at Madison Square Garden.

Seinfeld, star of the eponymous iconic ’90s sitcom, was sitting on celebrity row at Madison Square Garden as the Knicks completed a record 29-point comeback against the San Antonio Spurs to take a 3-1 lead in the series.

With the victory, New York moved within one win of ending a championship drought that stretches back more than five decades.

The Knicks are on the brink of their first NBA Championship since 1973 if they beat the Spurs in Texas on Motzoei Shabbos, with tipoff at 8:30 p.m.

{Matzav.com}

A major US surveillance authority is on the verge of expiring after lawmakers failed Thursday to advance a temporary extension, setting off a high-stakes confrontation between Congress and President Trump over his decision to install Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence.

The breakdown has raised the possibility that Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, one of the government’s most important foreign intelligence tools, could lapse when it expires at midnight Friday. The dispute centers on Trump’s refusal to nominate a permanent replacement to lead the nation’s intelligence community.

Trump has continued to back Pulte, who currently serves as a federal housing finance regulator, despite criticism that he lacks the qualifications traditionally associated with the intelligence post. Democrats have argued that they will not support a renewal of the surveillance authority unless Trump withdraws Pulte and submits a permanent nominee for Senate consideration.

Efforts to pass a short-term extension collapsed in the House, where nearly all Democrats joined a number of Republicans in voting against the proposal. Attention now shifts to the Senate, although prospects for salvaging the measure before the deadline appear increasingly uncertain.

If the authority expires, intelligence agencies could face new restrictions on their ability to monitor foreign targets overseas. The timing is particularly sensitive as the United States prepares to host World Cup events and approaches celebrations marking the country’s 250th anniversary.

“We can’t let them extort us,” Trump said of Democrats.

The president has defended his decision to keep Pulte in the role temporarily and has asked lawmakers for additional time to select and confirm a permanent intelligence chief. Trump has also indicated that he wants Pulte to begin reducing the size and scope of intelligence agencies.

As the deadline approaches, both parties have accused the other of jeopardizing a surveillance program that many national security officials regard as critical to protecting the country.

“We’re going to ask every member here to do the right thing,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La. “We cannot allow that to go dark.”

Democratic leaders formally announced their opposition to the extension, arguing that Pulte’s background does not satisfy statutory requirements calling for substantial national security experience.

“The apparent motivation for his elevation is the demonstrated willingness of Bill Pulte to search government databases for alleged dirt on President Trump’s chosen political enemies,” Democrat leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York and the leadership team said in a joint statement. They said there is a path to reauthorizing FISA, “but it will require enacting meaningful reforms.”

Republican lawmakers have spent much of the week pressing Trump to move quickly on a permanent nominee. Despite those efforts, the president has maintained that he requires additional time to complete the selection process.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said Republican leaders have “made our views known” to the White House.

The vacancy arose following the departure of Tulsi Gabbard. Trump has said he is evaluating five potential candidates for the position.

According to Johnson, the White House views Pulte’s tenure as a temporary assignment focused on restructuring the intelligence bureaucracy.

Johnson said the president has made it very clear that Pulte will serve a “very short term — a sort of renovation role” to help the Office of the Director of National Intelligence be “renovated and downsized.”

That explanation has done little to ease concerns among House Democrats.

In a letter to Trump, Intelligence Committee Democrats led by Connecticut Rep. Jim Himes described Pulte as a “uniquely poor choice” even for an interim appointment.

Critics from both parties have cited not only Pulte’s lack of intelligence experience but also actions taken during his tenure at the Federal Housing Finance Agency. He has been associated with criminal referrals tied to allegations of mortgage fraud involving several public officials whom Trump has publicly criticized, including New York Attorney General Letitia James, Sen. Adam Schiff, and Federal Reserve Board member Lisa Cook.

“He has distinguished himself only as someone who will do or say anything to stay in your good graces,” Himes and the other lawmakers wrote, “qualities that are precisely the opposite of what our nation needs.”

Section 702 gives agencies including the CIA, NSA, and FBI authority to collect communications involving foreign targets located outside the United States without obtaining traditional warrants.

Although privacy concerns have led lawmakers in both parties to push for restrictions over the years, Congress had recently appeared close to agreement after negotiators developed a bipartisan compromise to renew the authority.

One of the architects of that compromise, Virginia Sen. Mark Warner, said the controversy surrounding Pulte has now become a major obstacle to passage.

Warner said Pulte’s appointment to replace Gabbard is “a live hand grenade” disrupting the process.

The Virginia Democrat has proposed allowing the surveillance authority to continue temporarily only if Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence Aaron Lukas serves as acting chief during that period.

Meanwhile, Republican Sens. Tom Cotton and Chuck Grassley warned the administration that the surveillance authority may soon expire and urged officials to prepare accordingly.

The administration should prepare “for a potential significant gap in foreign intelligence collection,” they wrote in a letter.

Following widespread criticism of Pulte’s temporary elevation, Trump indicated last week that he does not intend to nominate him permanently. Nevertheless, opponents continue to insist that Pulte should be removed immediately and replaced by a nominee who can win Senate confirmation.

Despite that pressure, Trump announced Tuesday that Pulte would assume the acting role sooner than originally planned, beginning June 19.

Among the names being discussed as a possible permanent replacement is Pete Hoekstra, the US ambassador to Canada and a former chairman of the House Intelligence Committee. According to a person familiar with the discussions, the White House has contacted Hoekstra about the position and conversations remain ongoing.

{Matzav.com}