Feed aggregator

Vice President JD Vance made clear Monday that while the United States and Israel remain close allies with many shared goals, the Trump administration’s policy toward Iran will ultimately be guided by what it views as America’s own strategic interests.

During an interview with Fox News host Jesse Watters, Vance stressed the strong partnership between Washington and Jerusalem but acknowledged that the two nations do not always see every issue the same way.

“The Israelis and the United States, we have a lot of shared interests.”

“But we also have some situations where our interests diverge, and I think where the president has been very clear here is that while Israel obviously has some objectives that it has, the United States’ main objective in Iran is to ensure that Iran does not have a nuclear weapon,” he added.

Vance argued that developments over the past year and a half have positioned the administration to pursue what it believes could become a lasting solution to the Iranian nuclear challenge.

“Over the last year and a half, we’ve created the space necessary where the president believes – and I think he’s right – that we can get a long-term settlement to Iran’s nuclear issue,” Vance said.

He emphasized that Washington intends to continue pursuing that objective regardless of whether Israeli leaders fully support the approach.

“Now, Israel may like that, they may not like that, but fundamentally, we think this is in the best interest of the United States of America,” he said, adding that Washington will continue pursuing that goal because “that’s what the president of the United States was elected to do.”

Earlier Monday, President Trump predicted that the United States would soon achieve what he described as a decisive outcome in its confrontation with Iran.

Trump made the remarks during a telephone rally held in support of Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).

“Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon, and it’s as simple as that. They cannot have, the destruction is so powerful, they cannot have a nuclear weapon. And Lindsey has been fighting with me all the way, all the way for that,” Trump said.

“We’ve been a very tough team, and I think we are winning that battle, but you’re really going to win it over the next two weeks when we declare total victory. It’ll be a total victory. It’ll happen very soon. And oil prices will come tumbling down,” he added.

Trump’s remarks marked a notable shift from comments he made only days earlier, when he expressed optimism that negotiations with Tehran were progressing and suggested a breakthrough could be imminent.

“I hear the negotiations with Iran are going very well. If a deal happens with Iran it could be done over the weekend,” Trump told reporters last Wednesday, adding that Iran is “close” to signing the papers.

The president also said he expects Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium to be transferred to the United States and indicated that such a move could occur in the near future.

However, senior Iranian officials have offered a far less optimistic assessment of the diplomatic effort. Speaking to CNN on Friday, Mohsen Rezaei, a senior military adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, said negotiations with Washington have stalled.

Rezaei asserted that “the negotiations are at a deadlock and (US President Donald) Trump must break this deadlock,” adding that “the ball is in Trump’s court.”

{Matzav.com}

A dramatic behind-the-scenes confrontation between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu led Israel to cancel a much larger military operation against Iran, according to a Ynet report published Monday evening, which details a day marked by intense coordination, conflicting public messages, and significant pressure from Washington.

According to sources cited in the report, Israeli officials had prepared plans for a far broader attack on Iranian targets. However, Trump reportedly intervened at the last moment after concluding that a major Israeli response could ignite a wider regional conflict and undermine ongoing efforts to reach an agreement with Tehran.

The report further claims that, despite public statements suggesting otherwise, Trump was aware in advance of Israel’s strike in Beirut’s Dahieh district, which was followed by Iran’s missile attack on Israel. Sources familiar with the matter said Trump had initially given Netanyahu approval to target Beirut if Israeli communities came under attack. They maintain that later suggestions that the president had no prior knowledge of the operation do not fully reflect what occurred behind the scenes. The same sources also contend that the claim that Trump was completely unaware Israel would strike during the night does not reflect the full picture.

According to Ynet, the IDF provided U.S. Central Command with detailed briefings on the operation, including the intended targets. American officials reportedly believed Israel planned only a limited strike in Dahieh designed to send a deterrent message to Hezbollah and the Lebanese government before bringing the operation to a close. Trump is said to have retired for the night believing the Israeli action would remain narrowly focused and would not trigger a broader regional crisis.

That assessment reportedly changed early the next morning when American officials learned Israel was considering a much more substantial operation against targets inside Iran itself. At that point, Washington became concerned that Israel might retaliate for Iran’s missile attack and developments in Lebanon by expanding the campaign against strategic Iranian assets. One source familiar with the discussions said White House officials feared Netanyahu was effectively attempting to alter the regional security landscape in a way that could derail prospects for a diplomatic agreement with Iran.

Trump then reportedly spoke directly with Netanyahu. According to the report, the president warned the prime minister that if Israel launched a large-scale attack on Iran, it would do so without American backing. Netanyahu, meanwhile, argued that a response was necessary following the Iranian missile fire and cautioned that failing to act would weaken Israeli deterrence. While Trump acknowledged Israel’s desire to retaliate, he insisted that any response remain limited and carefully calibrated to avoid triggering a broader war with Tehran.

Israeli defense officials had already finalized plans for a much larger operation than the one ultimately carried out. The proposed mission reportedly involved dozens of fighter jets striking multiple targets throughout Iran. Following the conversation with Trump, however, Netanyahu informed security officials that the operation would have to be shelved. The IDF subsequently canceled planned strikes that had been scheduled for later in the day and overnight, bringing the operation to an end much sooner than Israeli planners had anticipated.

According to Ynet, many officials in Jerusalem were left frustrated by the outcome. Some believed the circumstances presented an opportunity to impose a significant cost on Iran, particularly after Tehran attempted to establish a new deterrence formula under which Israeli operations in Lebanon would trigger direct Iranian attacks on Israel. Those officials viewed the halted operation as a missed chance to demonstrate that such a strategy would carry serious consequences.

The report also states that Iran moved quickly to take advantage of the situation. Understanding that Trump’s primary objective was preventing a broader regional war while preserving the possibility of a nuclear agreement, Tehran announced early in the day that it was prepared to cease military operations. That declaration reportedly gave Trump the opening he needed to pressure Netanyahu into ending the Israeli response and preventing further escalation.

Ynet concluded that the events surrounding the past 24 hours underscored the limits of Israel’s military freedom of action when the United States opposes escalation. While both governments may publicly emphasize close cooperation, the report argues that it was ultimately Trump who set the boundaries and determined how far Israel could go.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump declared Monday that the United States is on the verge of achieving what he called a “total victory” over Iran, predicting that the outcome would become clear within the next two weeks and insisting that Tehran will never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.

Trump made the remarks during a telephone rally held in support of Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), where he highlighted the administration’s stance toward Iran and praised Graham for standing with him on the issue.

“Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon, and it’s as simple as that. They cannot have, the destruction is so powerful, they cannot have a nuclear weapon. And Lindsey has been fighting with me all the way, all the way for that,” Trump said.

“We’ve been a very tough team, and I think we are winning that battle, but you’re really going to win it over the next two weeks when we declare total victory. It’ll be a total victory. It’ll happen very soon. And oil prices will come tumbling down,” he added.

Earlier in the day, Trump expressed confidence that the recent confrontation between Israel and Iran would not reignite.

During an exchange with Sky News U.S. correspondent James Matthews, the president was asked, “If Netanyahu goes back to war with Iran, will you be with him?”

The President replied, “I don’t think it’ll happen. It’s all working out very well. Iran is doing what they have to do; I don’t think that’s going to happen, ok?”

Trump’s comments followed a tense overnight period in which Iran violated the ceasefire by launching missiles toward northern Israel, prompting an Israeli military response against targets inside Iran.

In response to the renewed violence, Trump publicly demanded an immediate halt to hostilities.

“Israel and Iran must immediately stop ‘shooting,'” Trump wrote on social media.

A senior Israeli official later indicated that Jerusalem had agreed to suspend further retaliatory attacks against Iran following a request from Trump. According to the official, Israeli leaders believe the latest chapter of the conflict with Iran has effectively come to an end.

At the same time, the official stressed that Israeli operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon would continue unabated in the days ahead.

He further emphasized that Israel would continue striking Beirut’s Dahieh district if attacks against Israeli communities and civilians persist.

Trump also revealed details of a recent conversation with Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu, telling Channel 12 News that he urged caution regarding any additional military escalation with Iran.

According to Trump, he warned Netanyahu that a broader regional war could eventually leave Israel confronting Iran without direct American support. The president said he advised the Israeli leader to carefully weigh future military decisions, cautioning that further escalation could result in Israel having to face Tehran largely on its own.

President Trump’s border czar Tom Homan says the administration is preparing a major expansion of immigration enforcement operations in New York City, warning that residents will soon see more ICE agents than ever before following the passage of new sanctuary-state restrictions signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul.

Homan renewed his pledge Monday to dramatically increase the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel in the city, arguing that recent legislation enacted by Hochul and Democratic lawmakers has made it more difficult for federal authorities to cooperate with local agencies.

“I made her a promise, you’re going to see more ICE agents than you’ve ever seen in New York City, and it’s coming,” Homan said during an interview with “Fox and Friends.”

“I just reviewed an operational plan. I’m not going to tell you exactly when it’s going to happen, but it’s coming,” he said on Fox News.

Homan said the administration intends to follow through on its warning, contending that the state’s new policies have eliminated what he views as safer and more efficient ways of carrying out immigration arrests.

“I’m keeping my promise, we’re going to send more ICE agents to New York because you took away the efficiencies of safer arrests at county jails.”

According to Homan, he previously advised Hochul that if federal immigration officers lose access to local jail facilities, they will be forced to locate suspects elsewhere.

He argued that such operations become more disruptive when they take place in neighborhoods rather than within secure detention facilities.

“If we can work with the sheriff’s and arrest the bad guy in the safety and security of the jail, that means less teams into the neighborhoods, which causes a lot of panic, a lot of problems,” Homan said.

“Now we gotta send a whole team to find this person who doesn’t want to be found.”

Continuing his criticism of the governor, Homan said, “I told her it’s safer for the community, it’s safer for the officers, it’s safer for the aliens to have these cooperations with the jails. She signed the legislation anyway.”

The legislation signed by Hochul in late May significantly limits cooperation between local law enforcement agencies and federal immigration officials. Among other provisions, it bars most forms of police collaboration with immigration authorities, restricts ICE activity in many public locations, including hospitals and parks, and limits the use of face coverings by federal agents during enforcement operations.

Hochul pushed back against Homan’s remarks Monday, arguing that the administration’s approach differs from what President Trump personally told her regarding immigration enforcement in New York.

The governor said Trump previously assured her during a private meeting that additional federal agents would not be deployed to the city without her request.

“I’m not asking now – that’ll never happen,” Hochul stressed during an unrelated press conference in Manhattan.

“I want to make sure that we keep this city safe. As someone who used to live in this city, who has properties here, has friends here, I would think that the president, a former New Yorker, would understand we want to all keep this city safe.”

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani also criticized the prospect of increased immigration enforcement, condemning ICE operations and reiterating his long-standing opposition to the agency.

“We have heard time and again threats of increases in immigration enforcement across our city. I want to be very clear about the fact that I believe that ICE raids are cruel; they are inhumane; [and] they do nothing to serve in the interest of public safety,” he told reporters.

“I’ve shared that directly with the president [and] I’ve shared that in public,” Mamdani noted. “It is a feeling that many New Yorkers share and I also do believe that ICE as an entity is one that should be abolished and that we should return to an immigration system that has more humanity at the heart of it.”

Hochul had pledged earlier this year to further limit ICE activity in New York following incidents in which immigration agents fatally shot two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis.

In January, the governor proposed ending agreements that allow local correctional facilities to hold detainees on behalf of federal immigration authorities. One of the most significant remaining partnerships currently exists in Nassau County under County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a Republican ally of President Trump who is seeking to challenge Hochul in November.

The newly enacted law also prohibits what supporters describe as information-sharing with immigration authorities, including situations in which local officers alert ICE that an undocumented immigrant may be in custody.

Republican lawmakers strongly opposed the legislation, arguing that it goes too far in limiting cooperation with federal authorities. Despite those objections, the measure passed both houses of the state legislature.

Although Homan has repeatedly threatened to increase immigration enforcement throughout New York if sanctuary-state legislation became law, no large-scale deployment has yet occurred.

For her part, Hochul has continued to oppose any expansion of ICE operations within the state.

“All I’ll say to Mr. Homan is Donald Trump himself said he would not send a surge of ICE agents to the state of New York, unless I asked,” Hochul said in May.

“I’m not asking.”

The governor also rejected claims that New York has become a sanctuary for criminals, arguing that the legislation is intended to keep local law enforcement focused on public safety issues within their communities.

“I have a right to protect every single New Yorker,” she said, telling ICE: “do your job somewhere else.”

“In New York, our local police need to be focused on local crimes not filling up our jails with people who ICE had taken off streets, out of our schools, out of our pizzerias, out of our homes, and I’m not going to be part of that,” Hochul continued.

“So we’ll help you with the criminals – always have, always will – but we’re not going to be helping with civil immigration enforcement. I think that’s a common sense approach.”

Despite months of public tension, sharp rhetoric, and apparent political estrangement, United Torah Judaism chairman Yitzchok Goldknopf and senior Gerer askan Motty Babchik held a private meeting with Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu on Sunday night, according to a report published Monday.

The previously undisclosed meeting took place just hours before the IDF announced preparations for a potential Iranian missile attack, at a time when relations between the chareidi parties and the prime minister have been strained by the ongoing dispute over the draft law.

Sources familiar with the matter said that Goldknopf and Babchik met Netanyahu at the Prime Minister’s Office in Yerushalayim, where the three held an extended discussion behind closed doors.

According to the report, Goldknopf used the meeting to express frustration over what he described as unfulfilled commitments regarding legislation addressing the status of yeshiva students.

“We left because you promised the Gerrer Rebbe a draft law and did not keep that promise. We are waiting for you to keep your word,” Goldknopf reportedly told the prime minister.

Netanyahu responded by asking, “You want us to pass the law now?”

The conversation also reportedly touched on the recent controversy surrounding Babchik’s departure from the Housing Ministry.

According to those familiar with the discussion, Goldknopf challenged Netanyahu directly, saying, “This is not how friends treat one another. Why did you demand that Babchik be fired from the Housing Ministry?”

Netanyahu replied, “I did not demand that he be fired.”

The meeting has attracted attention because of the highly visible rift that has developed in recent months between elements of the chareidi leadership and the prime minister over the draft law issue and other coalition disputes.

A source in the Prime Minister’s Office who learned of the meeting said that officials there were surprised to see the two visitors return after such a lengthy period of apparent distance.

“We were surprised by this meeting. This pair has not set foot here for a very long time. It is a significant event that they are meeting with the prime minister after many months of public estrangement.”

However, associates of Goldknopf downplayed the significance of the encounter, insisting that the meeting was merely a chance interaction rather than a planned political summit.

Whether incidental or deliberate, the meeting is likely to fuel speculation about ongoing behind-the-scenes efforts to bridge differences between Netanyahu and key chareidi leaders as the coalition continues to grapple with the increasingly contentious draft law debate.

Senior figures in the chareidi political establishment are expressing outrage ahead of a series of government decisions expected to be approved Tuesday, accusing Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich of directing substantial funding to sectors he represents while chareidi families face mounting financial pressures and budget cuts.

According to senior officials in United Torah Judaism, the planned allocations amount to a severe blow to the Torah world and come at a time when kollelim, yeshivos, and thousands of Torah families are grappling with reduced government support and other economic challenges.

“This is a slap in the face to the Torah world from those who are supposedly its natural partners,” senior UTJ sources said.

While chareidi avreichim and yeshiva students continue to face what community leaders describe as wave after wave of financial decrees—including cuts in funding and the loss of daycare subsidies—critics argue that government resources remain readily available for other sectors.

Draft government resolutions scheduled for approval this week reportedly include large-scale funding initiatives estimated in the billions of shekels for projects in communities throughout Yehudah and Shomron. The plans include financing for temporary housing sites, infrastructure development, and expanded budgets for settlement-related agencies.

Particularly controversial among chareidi leaders is a separate proposal involving educational funding.

According to critics, the government intends to increase the value of funding formulas benefiting institutions affiliated with the Religious Zionist community, including yeshivos hesder and pre-military academies located in priority regions.

For years, chareidi representatives fought to prevent disparities between funding provided to yeshivos hesder and traditional chareidi yeshivos. Critics now contend that this longstanding principle is being abandoned.

The most contentious element, according to opponents, is that while funding levels for many chareidi institutions have declined, Religious Zionist institutions could receive substantial increases.

“One Torah world is collapsing while another Torah world is receiving a blank check,” one critic charged.

UTJ officials argue that the latest decisions should be viewed in the broader context of what they describe as a pattern of hostility toward the chareidi community.

A senior party figure pointed to Smotrich’s decision in recent months to boycott a vote on legislation concerning daycare subsidies, a measure considered critical by many working chareidi families.

“That vote could have saved thousands of families from economic collapse, but Smotrich chose to ignore his ‘natural partners’ and boycott an issue that was enormously important to us,” the official said.

Critics also pointed to Smotrich’s opposition to proposed legislation designed to protect the status of full-time Torah learners.

“The same finance minister who is advancing enormous budgets for yeshivos hesder and the settlement enterprise is simultaneously opposing legislation meant to safeguard those whose Torah study is their occupation,” another senior chareidi figure complained.

Additional tensions have emerged following Smotrich’s criticism of chareidi lawmakers who visited yeshiva students imprisoned over draft-related issues.

“At a time when the Jewish people are burying heroic soldiers and comforting bereaved families, chareidi members of Knesset are living in a parallel universe and visiting draft evaders in military prison,” Smotrich wrote on X.

“What a disgrace. What a lack of awareness. What detachment and insensitivity,” he added.

The dispute has also triggered criticism of the chareidi parties themselves.

Some figures within the community are questioning why Shas and United Torah Judaism lawmakers have not mounted a stronger public fight against the planned allocations and policy changes.

“They see Smotrich’s party receiving everything—billions for settlements, increased budgets for its yeshivos, and at the same time a complete refusal to uphold coalition commitments regarding daycare legislation and Torah study protections,” one senior party official said.

According to the source, the silence of chareidi representatives has fueled frustration among voters who expected a more forceful response.

“Have our public representatives fallen asleep on the job?” the official asked. “How long will the chareidi public remain a punching bag while tax revenues are used to finance the growth of an entirely different sector?”

The same source argued that while responsibility rests with all party leaders, particular frustration has been directed at lawmakers perceived as maintaining cooperative relationships with coalition partners despite the growing tensions.

“I’m not removing blame from any of our representatives—everyone bears responsibility, especially the party leaders,” the official said. “But it is especially frustrating to see the cooperation of some of our MKs, including those lower on the party list, such as Yaakov Asher and others, who do not seem to understand the magnitude of the moment. I hope they wake up as quickly as possible.”

Underlying the dispute is a broader concern about a range of economic measures affecting chareidi households.

Community leaders point to the loss of daycare subsidies, reductions in kollel stipends, and additional costs related to housing, municipal taxes, electricity, and public transportation.

According to estimates cited by critics, an average chareidi family earning approximately 15,000 shekels per month could lose as much as 9,500 shekels in monthly benefits and support through various policy changes.

Housing policy has become another flashpoint. Opponents argue that recent decisions by the Housing Ministry increasingly link eligibility for housing benefits to military service, creating new barriers for many members of the chareidi community.

Against that backdrop, critics say the government’s decision to direct billions of shekels toward projects associated with the Religious Zionist sector has only intensified feelings of resentment and abandonment within parts of the chareidi public.

As one senior source put it, “The contrast speaks for itself.”

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu’s efforts to ease growing tensions with the chareidi parties have encountered a significant setback, after members of Degel HaTorah reportedly declined a request to meet with him amid the ongoing dispute over the draft law.

According to a report, Netanyahu recently sought to arrange a meeting with Degel HaTorah lawmakers in an attempt to reduce friction between the government and the chareidi factions and explore possible understandings regarding legislation governing the status of yeshiva students.

However, the lawmakers were reportedly instructed not to participate in such a meeting.

“Do not meet with him. There is no point,” the MKs were reportedly told, reflecting what sources described as deep frustration with the prime minister and a growing belief that little progress has been made on issues of central concern to the chareidi community.

While his outreach to Degel HaTorah appears to have stalled, Netanyahu continued efforts to repair relationships elsewhere within the chareidi political camp.

On Sunday night, the prime minister held a private meeting with United Torah Judaism chairman Yitzchok Goldknopf and his close associate, Motty Babchik, amid months of political and personal tensions between the sides.

According to sources familiar with the discussion, Netanyahu urged the two men to move beyond previous disputes and focus on preserving the broader right-wing coalition ahead of future elections.

“We need to preserve the right-wing bloc and win the elections,” Netanyahu reportedly told them.

Goldknopf and Babchik, however, used the meeting to raise their grievances with the prime minister, including allegations that he had sought Babchik’s removal from his position in the Housing Ministry following public criticism of Netanyahu.

The meeting was reportedly arranged through Rivka Paluch at the request of Netanyahu’s chief of staff, Ido Norden.

Meanwhile, another significant development took place Monday evening when Degel HaTorah chairman MK Moshe Gafni was seen leaving an extended meeting with the prime minister at his office.

The substance of that discussion has not been disclosed.

{Matzav.com}

The battle for second place in Los Angeles’ mayoral election took a dramatic turn Monday as Democratic Socialist Nithya Raman expanded her advantage over reality television personality Spencer Pratt, while incumbent Mayor Karen Bass maintained a commanding lead at the top of the field.

Updated election results showed Raman with 28.5% of the vote, totaling 229,576 ballots cast in her favor. That placed her roughly 22,000 votes ahead of Pratt, who stood at 25.83%, or 207,757 votes.

Meanwhile, Bass continued to dominate the contest, capturing 34.3% of all votes counted, for a total of 375,992 ballots.

Despite slipping into third place, Pratt urged supporters not to give up, arguing that a large number of votes remain uncounted.

“Folks, we’re dealing with a fraction of a percentage point difference. There’s still hundreds of thousands of votes outstanding, and LA officials have given us the next three weeks to count!” Pratt said.

“Let’s git-r-dun!” he added.

Early returns had placed Pratt ahead of Raman and firmly in second place behind Bass. However, as election officials continued processing ballots from some of Los Angeles’ more progressive neighborhoods, Raman steadily gained ground and eventually moved ahead.

The prolonged counting process has reignited criticism of California’s election system, where final results often remain uncertain for days or even weeks after voters head to the polls.

Under California law, ballots are considered valid so long as they are postmarked by Election Day, allowing additional votes to arrive and be counted after the election has officially concluded. As a result, the total number of outstanding ballots is often not immediately known.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized California’s election procedures, describing them as “crooked.” Last week, a federal prosecutor was reportedly sent to observe operations at the Los Angeles County ballot-counting center, while Trump stated that the California primary election was “under investigation” by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

County election officials defended the process, emphasizing that accuracy takes precedence over speed.

“California law prioritizes counting every valid ballot, not just the fastest ballots,” a spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Registrar told The California Post.

{Matzav.com}

California political heavyweights Gavin Newsom and Kamala Harris may project unity in public, but reports suggest a long-simmering rivalry is intensifying as both emerge as leading contenders for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028.

According to those familiar with the relationship, tensions between the two prominent Democrats have been building for years and could erupt into a bruising showdown if both ultimately enter the race for the White House. One adviser previously described the potential clash as a political “murder-suicide,” reflecting concerns that a bitter contest could damage both candidates.

The rivalry has reportedly been fueled by a series of personal and political grievances, including competition over memoir sales, perceived slights, and Harris’ recent decision not to seek California’s governorship despite widespread speculation that she could have easily secured the office.

Both Harris and Newsom currently rank among the leading names in early Democratic polling for 2028, setting the stage for what could become their first direct political confrontation since launching their careers in San Francisco more than two decades ago.

“They’ve been kind of like two cats, circling each other in an alley for years, politically speaking,” Democratic strategist Garry South, who worked for Newsom, told the Wall Street Journal.

Sources said the friction became more visible when both politicians released books within months of one another and closely tracked their respective sales figures.

According to reports, Harris’ memoir, “107 Days,” released in September, has sold approximately 385,000 copies, while Newsom’s “Young Man in a Hurry,” published in February, has surpassed 100,000 copies.

One Newsom ally told The Post that the governor was “p—ed off” and “very hurt” by a passage in Harris’ book recounting an exchange after Joe Biden exited the presidential race. In the memoir, Harris described reaching out to Newsom for support and receiving a brief response.

“Hiking. Will call back,” Newsom reportedly texted.

According to Newsom’s allies, the governor believed the anecdote portrayed him unfairly, particularly because he had campaigned aggressively on Harris’ behalf and delivered a high-profile introduction for her at the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

The strain reportedly intensified after Harris opted against running for governor of California while continuing to leave the door open to another presidential campaign.

“She knew he was going to run for president,” the source close to Newsom told The Post. “What he was hoping she would do is have the common sense to run for governor.”

Harris acknowledged in April that she “might” seek the presidency in 2028, while Newsom has indicated he expects to make a final decision after the November midterm elections.

The political histories of both figures are deeply tied to former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, who played a significant role in advancing their careers. Brown appointed Newsom to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1997 and, after briefly dating Harris in the mid-1990s, helped open doors that eventually contributed to her rise to district attorney.

Brown has made little effort to hide his skepticism regarding Harris’ prospects in a future presidential race.

“[Harris’] failure, once she ran for president with the ticket of Biden, was an ultimate disaster,” Brown said in an interview. “And then her book did not enhance in any way that failure.”

A source close to Harris rejected suggestions that the passage about Newsom was intended as an attack, arguing that the book merely documented events as they occurred.

“All of the chronicling of what people said that day — she didn’t editorialize,” the source told The Post.

“There are a lot of things in [Harris’] book that people were rightfully like, ‘Whoa.’”

Newsom supporters, however, offered a far less charitable assessment, characterizing Harris as someone who does not easily let go of grievances, a reputation they claim dates back to her years as San Francisco’s district attorney while Newsom served as mayor.

{Matzav.com}

A Manhattan accountant who survived Sunday’s shocking stabbing spree inside Penn Station said the attacker appeared intent on killing, recalling that the suspect had “rage in his eyes” as he launched a sudden and unprovoked assault that left five people injured.

“He went at me to kill me! I saw the rage in his eyes,” Henry Obadiah, 60, who lives in Midtown and was returning home from Long Branch, New Jersey, told The Post as he described the terrifying attack.

According to Obadiah, he unexpectedly found himself in the path of the alleged assailant, identified by law enforcement sources as 51-year-old Hector Deleon. As he approached the station, he noticed what appeared to be a struggle involving two individuals.

“The crazy guy locked his eyes on me and just roundhoused me! Clocked me right in the face and I was like, ‘What…?’ And I heard the guy on the escalator say, ‘He’s got a knife! He’s got a knife!’”

At first, Obadiah did not realize he had been cut.

“I didn’t realize I had just been slashed in the face,” he recalled.

Believing he had only been punched, he continued moving until he noticed blood and checked his reflection on his phone.

“I thought he just punched me. I felt my lip got busted and I saw the blood, but I took a look into my phone and saw the big cut in my face and I just ran up to the cop and said, ‘I just got attacked,’” he said.

Obadiah was among five people who were stabbed or slashed during the violent outburst, which erupted around 7 p.m. inside the crowded Midtown transportation hub.

FDNY officials said the attack left one victim seriously injured, two suffering moderate wounds, and two others with less severe injuries.

According to sources, in addition to Obadiah’s facial wound, two other victims — ages 52 and 60 — sustained cuts to their necks.

Authorities said a 30-year-old man and a 42-year-old tourist were also injured during the incident.

After informing officers that he believed he could identify the suspect, Obadiah accompanied police through the station and followed what he described as a substantial trail of blood leading toward the New Jersey Transit boarding area. There, he encountered another victim, apparently in his twenties, sitting on the ground with a towel pressed against a heavily bleeding head injury while bystanders attempted to help.

“The paramedics showed up shortly thereafter. While they were telling me that they should take me to the hospital, all these cops started running past and screaming, ‘He stabbed someone else! He stabbed someone else!’”

Law enforcement sources said Amtrak Police eventually took Deleon into custody inside Penn Station. Investigators believe he may have been under the influence of drugs, although the substances involved have not yet been identified.

Sources said the suspect was carrying a “boot dagger” — a double-edged knife measuring approximately six inches long — which authorities believe was used in the attacks.

Court records show Deleon has an extensive criminal history that includes violent offenses. Among them is a conviction for aggravated assault stemming from a 2022 incident in which he allegedly stabbed a man in the neck with a six-inch knife.

Despite the severity of that case, records indicate he received a sentence of two years’ probation. Authorities also noted that he was arrested in New Jersey as recently as May on charges involving theft and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Obadiah expressed frustration over public safety conditions in New York City’s transit system and criticized the response of city leaders.

“Something has to be done. The city is getting worse and worse and no one seems to care. This administration? Law and order isn’t the priority! The attackers have more rights than the victims. It’s not surprising that this happened and it doesn’t seem like it’s going to change under this administration,” he said.

“Most people are voting for this stuff and they’re voting for, ‘Let’s get rid of the police, the police got to stand down,’ it’s nuts! I want it to change, but not only for me but for the next victim of a crazy homeless guy that decides he had a bad day and he’s going to kill a few people.”

As of Monday, the suspect remained hospitalized and had not yet been formally charged, according to reports.

Likud MK Moshe Saada delivered a wide-ranging and combative interview this week, addressing Israel’s confrontation with Iran, the future of the draft law, and what he described as politically motivated actions by Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara.

Speaking with Yossi Sergovski in the Kikar HaShabbat studio, Saada outlined his views on some of the country’s most contentious issues, ranging from Iran and regional security to military conscription and the role of Israel’s legal establishment.

Opening the interview, Saada focused on the strategic struggle against Iran and its regional proxies, arguing that Tehran is facing unprecedented economic pressure despite ongoing tensions in the region.

According to Saada, President Donald Trump remains deeply committed to maintaining economic pressure on Iran.

“The president is investing $1.7 billion a day in this blockade,” Saada claimed.

He argued that the sanctions campaign has devastated Iran’s economy and is costing the regime between $150 million and $200 million daily.

“Today Iran has no water, no electricity, no energy, no spare parts, no aluminum and no steel,” Saada said.

Saada also claimed that Trump has maintained a firm position regarding Iran’s nuclear program.

“I am standing on the 450 kilograms that I want in my possession,” Saada quoted Trump as saying.

Turning to the broader security picture, Saada argued that Iran’s nuclear ambitions remain the central threat facing Israel, while groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas should be viewed as secondary dangers.

“That’s why Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is focused there and Trump is focused there,” he said, while acknowledging the heavy toll borne by residents of northern Israel.

The lawmaker praised Israel’s direct military response against Iran and said the country has abandoned what he described as ineffective policies of the past.

“They are trying to create an equation. We need to tell them: every Iranian attack on Israel must be met with a disproportionate strike both in Dahieh and in Iran,” Saada said.

Looking ahead, Saada dismissed speculation that international events such as the World Cup could influence Trump’s decisions.

“It interests him as much as a cricket championship,” he remarked.

He suggested that if Iran chooses not to escalate, a ceasefire agreement in Lebanon could move forward. According to Saada, such an arrangement had previously been close to completion before being undermined by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. If Iran responds militarily, however, he warned that a broader conflict may follow.

Saada also devoted significant attention to the contentious debate over military conscription, stressing that he is not part of the group of Likud lawmakers often described as rebels on the issue.

Instead, he said his approach stems from a genuine desire to find a workable solution while maintaining strong ties with the chareidi community.

He praised younger chareidim, saying many have become deeply committed to Israel’s national security outlook and share concerns about the judicial system.

Saada sharply criticized the current draft proposal, calling it fundamentally flawed.

“This law, first of all, will not draft anyone, and second, it includes disproportionate sanctions. In what world does a person who does not enlist get barred from traveling abroad or lose his driver’s license? If I evade income taxes, they don’t take away my license. There is no cause and effect here. This is a violation of personal freedom and basic laws. This law should be thrown in the trash.”

He then outlined an alternative framework that he believes would attract broader support.

Rather than focusing on penalties, arrests, and coercion, Saada said the state should reward those who serve, particularly combat soldiers, through benefits such as government employment opportunities and housing programs.

Under his proposal, individuals who choose to remain in Torah study would not face arrest or criminal penalties but would not receive those service-related benefits.

Saada also advocated lowering the exemption age to 21, arguing that young chareidi men who do not wish to continue learning should be allowed to enter the workforce at a younger age.

“If at age 21 a young man doesn’t want to learn and wants to go to work, let him go to work and earn a respectable living,” he said.

When asked whether exceptional Torah scholars should receive full exemptions, Saada responded enthusiastically.

“Of course! In our yeshiva we called it the concept of ‘essential.’ A certain number of people should be defined as essential to the yeshiva, and as far as I’m concerned they are serving in every sense of the word—they are fighters.”

Saada also questioned why sanctions are being directed primarily at the chareidi community when tens of thousands of young Arabs also do not serve in the military each year.

He criticized affirmative-action programs benefiting Arab citizens in fields such as medicine and higher education and said he would seek to eliminate those policies while expanding opportunities for chareidim in medicine and high-tech industries.

The most heated portion of the interview centered on Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, whom Saada accused of pursuing a politically motivated agenda.

“Don’t call her the attorney general. Call her Gali the criminal, because this woman is a criminal. She is running a campaign of persecution that crosses sectors. When it comes to the chareidim, this is a persecution of bnei Torah with almost anti-Semitic characteristics. It reminds me of the periods in Russia when Torah learners were persecuted. Everything she does stems from a desire to inflame hatred.”

Saada argued that the alleged campaign extends beyond the chareidi community and targets a wide range of right-wing figures. He referenced several individuals whom he believes have been unfairly pursued and revealed what he described as the coalition’s next legislative step.

“This week, with Hashem’s help, we are passing the Police Internal Investigations Department law. That law will allow us to investigate Gali. After she is investigated, she will go home—or more accurately, to the interrogation basements—because she is part of the affair that is a stain on the State of Israel, the blood libel surrounding Force 100 at Sde Teiman. Her hands are involved in that libel.”

Concluding the interview, Saada expressed hope that a future government would appoint a new legal adviser who would work collaboratively with elected officials. He argued that Israel’s ongoing disputes could be resolved through dialogue that recognizes what he described as two essential pillars of the country’s existence.

“Without Torah study there is no State of Israel, and without an army we cannot survive here.”

Police and Border Police forces moved Monday evening to disperse a protest near Yerushalayim’s Bar-Ilan Junction, where demonstrators gathered to oppose ongoing light rail construction projects in the area.

According to police, security forces succeeded in pushing a large portion of the protesters back onto the sidewalks, allowing roads that had been blocked during the demonstration to reopen to regular traffic.

Law enforcement officials alleged that some participants engaged in violent behavior and caused damage to public property during the protest.

Police said the incidents included deliberate vandalism targeting public infrastructure and equipment connected to the light rail construction site, as well as disruptions to major traffic routes throughout the city.

During the operation, detectives from the Lev HaBira Police Station arrested two suspects who were allegedly caught in the act of damaging portions of the light rail work zone.

The suspects were taken into custody and transferred to a local police station for questioning.

Israeli police emphasized that they intend to pursue criminal proceedings against those involved in acts of violence, vandalism, and damage to public infrastructure.

Authorities stated that they will continue to act firmly against anyone who harms public property or disrupts daily life and transportation throughout the city.

{Matzav.com}

Sharp disagreements erupted during a restricted cabinet meeting on Monday as senior Israeli officials debated how closely Jerusalem should coordinate with the Trump administration amid escalating tensions involving Iran and Hezbollah.

The discussion quickly evolved into a broader argument over Israel’s strategic independence, with some ministers urging a more confrontational posture toward Washington while others stressed the importance of maintaining close cooperation with President Donald Trump.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir emerged as one of the strongest advocates for a more assertive approach, arguing that Israel must not hesitate to challenge the White House when core security interests are at stake.

“We have to stand up for ourselves with Trump, to fight by our fingernails. We have to tell him that we have red lines.”

Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu responded with a pointed remark directed at Ben-Gvir, suggesting that political considerations were influencing his position.

“I get it. There are elections in three months.”

Ben-Gvir immediately rejected the suggestion, insisting that his comments reflected a professional assessment of the situation rather than campaign politics.

The exchange prompted Shas chairman Aryeh Deri to enter the debate, criticizing Ben-Gvir’s approach and arguing that government policy must be guided by responsibility rather than rhetoric.

“If you thought that your position would be accepted, you would have expressed it. We make decisions responsibly.”

At the same meeting, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich advocated a significantly tougher military response against Hezbollah, arguing that Israel should seek to decisively separate the Lebanese and Iranian fronts through overwhelming force.

“We need to strike the Dahieh hard. That is what will cause Hezbollah to beg us to stop.”

As the discussion continued, Netanyahu sought to explain why he believes Israel should avoid a public confrontation with Trump and instead preserve the strong relationship that currently exists between the two governments.

The prime minister reportedly reviewed a series of American economic and military measures directed at Iran, emphasizing that Washington remains firmly aligned with Israel’s broader strategic goals.

“We are on the same page as Trump. He is not releasing the frozen assets; he’s determined to receive the nuclear dust and continues the blockade. Why should we fight him?”

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu declared Monday that Israel will not hesitate to strike Iran again if circumstances require it, emphasizing that the Jewish State alone will determine its security policy and will not allow hostile powers to dictate its actions.

In a prerecorded address published on X and widely broadcast by Israeli media, Netanyahu delivered his first public remarks since the latest round of hostilities between Israel and Iran erupted Sunday night.

The statement also marked his first response since President Donald Trump indicated that Israel would ultimately need to accept any peace arrangement negotiated between Washington and Tehran.

Netanyahu stressed that Israel’s commitment to defending itself remains absolute and that this message has been conveyed directly to Trump as well.

“Israel has every right to self-defense, and we will exercise that right whenever necessary,” the prime minister said, according to a transcript released by his office. “I say this to you, dear citizens of Israel, just as I say it with appreciation and respect in my good conversations with my friend President Trump.”

The renewed tensions began Sunday when Iran launched missiles at Israel, the first direct Iranian attack since the U.S.-Iran ceasefire that took effect on April 7.

The latest escalation followed Israeli military activity inside a buffer zone along the Lebanese border, where Israeli forces targeted Hezbollah operatives backed by Iran, according to Israeli officials.

Those developments came despite a ceasefire arrangement between Israel and Lebanon that had been brokered by the United States.

Netanyahu sought to reassure Israelis that the government remains committed to restoring calm and security, particularly in the country’s northern communities.

“With unity, determination, and wisdom, we will defend the state of Israel, and with God’s help, we will restore security to the north,” Netanyahu said.

The prime minister confirmed that Israel has suspended military operations against Iran for the time being, while making clear that any future Iranian aggression would be met with a powerful response.

“At present, the fire on this front has been halted, because after the terrorist regime in Tehran was struck, it stopped attacking us,” Netanyahu said. “If that terrorist regime in Iran makes the mistake of attacking us again, we will respond with force.”

Earlier in the day, Netanyahu held a phone conversation with President Trump. Following the discussion, a senior Israeli official told Ynet Global that Israel had agreed to halt its attacks on Iran at the president’s request.

The White House has been actively pushing both sides to de-escalate. Earlier Monday, Trump wrote on Truth Social that “Israel and Iran must stop shooting immediately.”

In a subsequent post, Trump said that “both sides, Israel and Iran, want an immediate ceasefire” and expressed optimism that negotiations toward “peace” were progressing, provided that “ignorance or stupidity” did not derail them.

Meanwhile, an Israeli source familiar with the matter told Ynet that Israel had originally planned to launch a strike against Iran several days earlier, potentially as far back as Thursday. According to the source, Trump strongly opposed moving forward with the operation at that time, leading Israeli officials to postpone the planned attack.

{Matzav.com}

Italian authorities have opened a criminal investigation into National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir following a controversial video involving activists from a Gaza-bound flotilla, drawing a defiant response from the minister.

The development comes after attorneys, pro-Palestinian groups, and international law experts submitted requests to the International Criminal Court in The Hague seeking to broaden its existing investigation into the Palestinian territories to include incidents connected to the “Global Sumud Flotilla” that sailed in May.

Those behind the request argued that several activists reported being subjected to abuse, physical violence, and degrading treatment following their detention. They contend that the allegations should be examined as part of the ICC’s ongoing investigation into suspected war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since 2014.

The petitioners also cited a video released by Ben Gvir, claiming it raises serious questions about the treatment of flotilla participants after their arrest.

The footage, which showed Ben Gvir mocking activists while they lay face-down on the ground, sparked angry reactions in various parts of the world and fueled calls for further scrutiny.

According to reports, the current effort is aimed at expanding an already existing investigation and does not constitute a formal decision by the ICC to open a new case against any individual.

Ben Gvir responded harshly to news of the investigation, ridiculing the move and defending Israel’s actions.

“Italy has gone from the land of the boot to the land of the flip-flop. Israel is not a punching bag for a gang of lying terror supporters who invent libels and false accusations against our fighters. I am not intimidated by this investigation or any other, and I will continue to stand proudly alongside our fighters.”

The minister made clear that he does not intend to alter his stance in response to the investigation and vowed to continue defending Israeli security personnel despite mounting international criticism.

{Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rav Dov Aharon Zelaznik zt”l, one of the foremost marbitzei Torah of our generation and a longtime Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Maor HaTalmud in Rechovot. Rav Zelaznik, whose life was a shining example of hasmadah, ameilus baTorah, and devotion to his talmidim, was 81 years old.

Over the past several months, Rav Zelaznik’s health had weakened significantly. He was hospitalized in serious condition and later transferred to Herzog Medical Center for rehabilitation. In recent days, his condition worsened, and he was niftar, returning his pure neshamah to its Creator, to the profound sorrow of his family, talmidim, and countless admirers throughout the Torah world.

The levayah was held Monday afternoon from his home on Rechov Grossberg in Yerushalayim’s Gush 80 neighborhood and proceeded to Har HaZeisim for kevurah.

Rav Dov Aharon Zelaznik was born in Yerushalayim on the 9th of Elul 5704 to his father, Rav Avrohom Yaakov Zelaznik zt”l, the Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Eitz Chaim and a member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah. His mother, Mrs. Ita Bashe a”h, was the daughter of Rav Yisroel Shalom Luria zt”l of Yerushalayim.

He was raised in a home saturated with Torah, yiras Shomayim, and reverence for gedolei Yisroel. In the introduction to his sefer Badei HaAron, Rav Zelaznik described how his father instilled within him from his earliest years a deep love for Torah and ameilus baTorah. He wrote that his father’s image remained constantly before him as a model of yirah preceding wisdom, and recalled that his father shed tears in heartfelt tefillah on his behalf.

As a child, he learned in the Eitz Chaim Talmud Torah and later in Yeshivas Eitz Chaim. He then continued his growth in the famed Brisk Yeshiva, where he became one of the prominent talmidim of Rav Yosef Dov HaLevi Soloveitchik zt”l, absorbing the Brisker derech in limud haTorah that would characterize his own shiurim and teachings for decades.

Among his fellow talmidim in Brisk were many future Torah luminaries, including Rav Chaim Shlomo Leibowitz and Rav Avrohom Erlanger zt”l. Even as a young man, he was recognized as one of the yeshiva’s outstanding bnei Torah, distinguished by his exceptional diligence and depth in learning.

Upon his marriage to his wife, Mrs. Yaffa, longtime principal of Seminary Moreshet Bais Yaakov in Yerushalayim and daughter of Rabbi Yissachar Bendikt z”l, one of the early pioneers of Bnei Brak, the couple established a home built upon the foundations of Torah and yiras Shomayim. They initially resided in Bnei Brak before later settling in Yerushalayim.

During his years in Bnei Brak, Rav Zelaznik became closely attached to Rav Yechiel Michel Feinstein zt”l, who later became his mechutan. At the same time, he gained a reputation among bnei yeshiva for the shiurim he delivered in Kodshim. Serious lomdim would regularly seek him out to discuss difficult sugyos and intricate matters in learning.

For decades, Rav Zelaznik served as one of the roshei yeshiva of Yeshivas Maor HaTalmud in Rechovot. There he devoted himself completely to harbotzas haTorah, nurturing generations of talmidim who became deeply attached to him and drew inspiration from both his towering scholarship and his refined character.

His Torah legacy was further preserved through the publication of the acclaimed Badei HaAron series on numerous masechtos of Shas, based on the many shiurim he delivered over the years. The seforim reflected the same clarity, precision, and depth that distinguished his oral teachings.

A central part of his later years revolved around the Zeraim Kollel in the Ramat Shlomo neighborhood of Yerushalayim, where he resided. There he delivered regular shiurim and served as one of the neighborhood’s respected rabbanim. He was also the longtime makri on Rosh Hashanah at the Aruch LaNer shul.

Rav Zelaznik was renowned for his extraordinary command of vast portions of Torah. He was particularly known for his mastery of Nashim, Nezikin, Zeraim, and Kodshim. His hasmadah was legendary. For hour upon hour he would sit immersed in learning in the bais medrash, completely absorbed in his Gemara and seforim, pursuing the truth of Torah with remarkable dedication and joy.

Young bochurim and avreichim often found inspiration simply by observing him. His very presence in the bais medrash served as a living lesson in what it means to devote one’s life entirely to Torah.

Throughout his life he remained deeply loyal to the path of the gedolei Yisroel who shaped him, foremost among them Rav Elazar Menachem Man Shach zt”l and Rav Shmuel Auerbach zt”l.

Rav Zelaznik was zocheh to leave behind a beautiful and distinguished family of children, einiklach, and descendants who continue in his path of Torah and yiras Shomayim.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

Police have arrested a suspect believed to be behind a series of thefts targeting tefillin, mezuzos, and other tashmishei kedusha from shuls in Ashdod and several other cities, bringing a significant development in a case that has troubled worshippers for weeks.

The arrest comes approximately a week and a half after an investigative report exposed a growing pattern of thefts from batei knesses in Ashdod and elsewhere. Authorities now believe the suspect systematically targeted multiple locations, making off with religious items worth tens of thousands of shekels.

The suspect, a resident of central Israel, was taken into custody following an investigation conducted by the Ashdod Police Department. Law enforcement officials reportedly devoted substantial resources to the case after receiving numerous complaints and developing suspicions that the thefts were being carried out by a serial offender operating in several cities.

Investigators believe the suspect may have been active in Ashdod, Beit Shemesh, Modiin Illit, and Netivot, allegedly taking advantage of the fact that many shuls remain open and accessible to the public for extended periods throughout the day.

According to sources familiar with the investigation, detectives gathered surveillance footage and additional evidence that significantly advanced the case and ultimately led to the suspect’s arrest.

As part of the operation, police recovered some of the religious items believed to have been stolen from the affected shuls. Investigators hope that as the inquiry continues, they will be able to locate additional tefillin, mezuzos, and other tashmishei kedusha taken in recent months and return them to their owners.

News of the arrest was met with relief among many mispallelim and victims of the thefts, who had spent weeks dealing with anxiety and uncertainty. Several complainants noted that the stolen tefillin carried tremendous personal and sentimental value and had accompanied them for many years.

Some of those who had initially criticized law enforcement for a perceived lack of progress later praised the police for conducting an intensive investigation that ultimately resulted in the suspect’s apprehension.

Throughout the investigation, representatives of the victims maintained regular contact with local police officials in an effort to help advance the case and organize information gathered from the community. Among those involved was askan Avremi Silberstein, who assisted in coordinating communications between complainants and law enforcement authorities.

Sources connected to the investigation said the effort involved close cooperation among several divisions within the Ashdod Police Department, including station commander Superintendent Ronen Amram and community policing commander Adir Lugasi, both of whom reportedly played active roles in overseeing the case.

Investigators cautioned, however, that it remains too early to determine whether the suspect is responsible for every reported theft involving tefillin and sacred items during the recent wave of incidents. Authorities are now examining whether the suspect acted alone, participated in only some of the crimes, or was part of a broader operation involving additional individuals employing similar methods in different cities.

Police continue to review surveillance footage, witness statements, and additional complaints as they work to determine the full scope of the case.

{Matzav.com}

The head of the United Nations’ nuclear monitoring agency is urging Iran to restore cooperation with international inspectors, while the United States and its allies push for formal action demanding explanations about the fate of nuclear facilities and enriched uranium following military strikes carried out by Israel and the United States last year.

Rafael Grossi, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), appealed Monday for renewed engagement with Tehran so inspectors can once again gain access to sites that were damaged or destroyed during the bombing campaign.

According to the IAEA, Iranian authorities have yet to provide a full accounting of what occurred at the targeted facilities or disclose the whereabouts of nuclear material that had been stored there, including uranium enriched to levels approaching weapons-grade purity.

Although the attacks severely damaged Iran’s uranium-enrichment infrastructure, international officials believe that a substantial portion of the country’s highly enriched uranium stockpile survived. That includes material enriched to approximately 60 percent purity, a level significantly closer to the roughly 90 percent enrichment generally associated with nuclear weapons.

“It’s very important that we re-engage,” Grossi told the IAEA’s 35-nation Board of Governors on the first day of a quarterly meeting.

In a separate written message to the board, Grossi emphasized the need for Tehran to resume cooperation with international safeguards and monitoring efforts.

“I call on Iran to engage the Agency constructively in order to facilitate the full and effective implementation of safeguards in Iran,” he added in a separate, written statement to the board, using a term that encompasses inspections.

While the agency has continued limited monitoring activities at certain locations unaffected by the bombing campaign, broader inspection efforts have largely stalled. In February, the IAEA suspended inspections at numerous sites because of security concerns stemming from renewed military activity. Since then, inspectors have only visited Iran’s operational nuclear power facility in Bushehr.

Speaking to reporters after addressing the board, Grossi acknowledged that communication with Tehran remains extremely limited.

“I have sporadic contacts with the foreign minister and others, but basically the channel of communication is broken,” Grossi told a press conference after he addressed the board.

At the same time, Washington is spearheading an initiative—supported by Britain, France, and Germany—to secure passage of a resolution requiring Iran to immediately disclose detailed information about the bombed facilities and the location of its enriched uranium stockpiles.

The proposed measure is expected to receive significant support when it comes before the board later this week. Diplomats familiar with the matter believe it is likely to pass by a comfortable margin, similar to a previous resolution approved in November.

However, some officials worry that additional pressure on Tehran could complicate ongoing efforts by Washington and Iran to preserve their ceasefire and create momentum for broader negotiations addressing Iran’s nuclear activities and other regional issues.

Iran has sharply criticized the draft resolution and rejected attempts to hold it responsible for providing information in the wake of the attacks.

“Responsibility for an internationally wrongful act rests with the perpetrator and cannot be transferred to the victim. The Board must not be instrumentalized to relieve those who carried out these attacks of their responsibility,” Iran’s mission to the IAEA said on X, referring to the draft resolution and the fact the U.S. bombed its nuclear facilities.

Historically, Tehran has reacted negatively to similar resolutions passed by the IAEA board, often responding by accelerating elements of its nuclear program or reducing cooperation with international inspectors.

Warning against additional pressure, Iran argued that confrontation would only make diplomacy more difficult.

“The Board should be cautious on the path forward. Coercion and confrontation do not lead to cooperation. It undermines prospects of a diplomatic solution,” it added.

The diplomatic tensions come as military hostilities between Israel and Iran continue. The two countries exchanged attacks late Sunday and again on Monday, prompting President Donald Trump to publicly demand an end to the fighting.

Trump called on both sides to “immediately stop ‘shooting,'” as his administration continues efforts to prevent further escalation.

Despite the renewed violence, Trump expressed confidence that diplomatic efforts with Tehran remain on track.

Speaking to the Financial Times on Sunday after Iran fired missiles at Israel, Trump said: “It’s not going to have any impact on the deal [with Iran].”

{Matzav.com}

Deep concern has spread throughout the Torah world over the condition of Rav Chaim Berman, one of the generation’s most renowned masmidim, whose health has deteriorated in recent days.

Members of the Ponovezh Yeshiva community have been closely following his condition for an extended period as he struggles with significant weakness and requires abundant rachamei Shamayim.

On Monday, after Rav Berman began suffering from breathing difficulties and pneumonia and was hospitalized at Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer, Rav Dovid Levy made a special appeal at the conclusion of the shiur klali, asking the thousands of Ponovezh bochurim to recite Tehillim on his behalf. Leading the tefillos was Rav Berman’s son, Rav Yisroel Berman.

The renewed call for tefillah comes just weeks after Ponovezh Rosh Yeshiva Rav Berel Povarsky issued a heartfelt letter before Shavuos urging the Torah world to daven for Rav Berman’s recovery.

In his letter, Rav Povarsky wrote: “To the students of our holy yeshiva, throughout its generations, I hereby request that you increase your prayers and supplications for the complete recovery of the great luminary, Rav Chaim ben Reisha Rizel Berman shlit”a, whose figure has served as an example for generations of yeshiva students, like Yehoshua, the faithful disciple who never departed from the tent. His influence upon the holy yeshiva through his Torah, fear of Heaven, and prayers has been deeply felt. Now, to our great sorrow, his place is noticeably absent, as due to his suffering and weakness he is unable to come to the House of Hashem as he did faithfully throughout all the years until very recently.”

Rav Povarsky continued: “We are all obligated to share in his suffering and to increase our Torah study, good deeds, and prayers for his complete recovery. May Hashem hear our cries, and may the students of the yeshiva merit to continue benefiting from his light for many years to come in health and tranquility. With this I affix my signature, awaiting the salvation of Hashem, Baruch Dov Povarsky.”

All are asked to continue davening for the complete recovery of Rav Chaim ben Reisha Reizel.

{Matzav.com}