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[Video below.] President Donald Trump used a patriotic address at Mount Rushmore on the eve of Independence Day to deliver a forceful warning that communism threatens the nation’s freedoms, urging Americans to stand firmly behind the ideals of the Founding Fathers as the country began celebrating its 250th year.

Speaking before the towering memorial honoring Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln, Trump said the United States is entering a historic milestone while confronting what he described as growing challenges to its identity and core values.

“Communism is a mortal threat to American liberty,” Trump said during remarks broadcast live by Newsmax. “Communism is the enemy of free people everywhere. Everywhere in the world. It never works.”

He continued by saying, “It’s the enemy of the Constitution,” adding, “Above all, it’s the enemy of July 4, 1776.”

Trump argued that communist doctrine stands in direct opposition to the principles that gave birth to the United States, describing it as “the exact opposite of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

“It’s death, tyranny and the pursuit of evil,” he said, adding that communist systems “killed 100 million people just in the last century alone.”

Drawing a sharp contrast between American patriotism and Marxist philosophy, Trump declared, “You can be loyal to Karl Marx, or you can be loyal to America.”

“You can be a communist, or you can be a patriot,” Trump said. “You cannot be both.”

The president also criticized what he called efforts by “radicals and extremists” to rewrite American history by disparaging the nation’s founding and its historic leaders.

“As for those who peddle Marxist lies about our heritage, tell our children that we live on stolen land, or that our heroes were oppressors, they’re doing something much worse than slandering our past,” Trump said. “They are slandering and attacking our future.”

Earlier in the speech, Trump paid tribute to the four presidents immortalized at Mount Rushmore, describing them as “the men who declared the freedom, won our freedom, and saved our freedom and secured our freedom.”

“They were men of action, men of ambition, men of daring, men of destiny and men of truly great intelligence,” he said.

Trump also stressed that preserving America’s traditions and national character is essential to safeguarding its future.

“We must never forget there is no American freedom without American culture,” he said. “And there is no American founding without the American people.”

The appearance at Mount Rushmore officially launched the nation’s semiquincentennial observance ahead of the main Independence Day celebration on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., where Trump is scheduled to deliver another speech before a large fireworks display.

Concluding his remarks, Trump vowed that the United States would never embrace communist ideology.

“America will never be a communist country,” he said.

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

A brief fire broke out during New York City’s Fourth of July fireworks celebration Saturday night after flames erupted on platforms used to launch pyrotechnics near the Brooklyn Bridge, sending thick smoke into the air before firefighters quickly brought the situation under control.

Dramatic videos captured smoke pouring from sections of the bridge area as fireworks continued exploding overhead during Macy’s annual Independence Day display over the East River. The flames appeared to spread across multiple launch platforms while the show was still underway, alarming many spectators gathered along the waterfront.

“At first I thought it was supposed to happen but then I was scared it would exploded. I thought the bridge was made of wood so I was scared,” said Nearing Khoula, 24, from France, who was watching the display from the Brooklyn waterfront.

“There were four at the same time. Some extra fireworks exploded due to the fire.”

Another witness, Mohamed Shaban, 31, of Egypt, described watching the flames intensify.

“It started as a small fire and got bigger. There was too much black smoke,” he said.

According to a reporter at the scene, the fires burned themselves out within about a minute.

A source familiar with the emergency response said the blaze was limited to temporary platforms that had been installed to launch the fireworks and did not involve the Brooklyn Bridge itself. The source added that the 143-year-old landmark remains safe and structurally sound.

The FDNY said firefighters extinguished the fire using two engine companies. No injuries were immediately reported.

Dozens of young chareidim, many dressed in Shabbos clothing and wearing shtreimlach, blocked the Yerushalayim Light Rail tracks on Motzoei Shabbos in protest of the military draft of bnei yeshivah, temporarily disrupting train service in the capital.

The demonstration took place near the Chaim Bar-Lev and Shivtei Yisrael intersection, where protesters sat on the tracks, prompting police to suspend train operations along part of the route.

Following police instructions, service between the Givat HaMivtar and City Hall stations was temporarily halted, while trains continued operating on a partial schedule between City Hall and Hadassah Ein Kerem, and separately between Givat HaMivtar and Neve Yaakov.

The light rail operator issued a statement explaining the service disruption.

“Due to a demonstration in the Shivtei Yisrael area, and in accordance with police instructions, light rail service has been suspended between Givat HaMivtar and City Hall stations. Trains are operating on a partial schedule between City Hall and Hadassah Ein Kerem, and between Givat HaMivtar and Neve Yaakov. Once the tracks are cleared, full service along the entire L1 line (Hadassah Ein Kerem–Neve Yaakov) will resume.”

Approximately 30 minutes later, the tracks were cleared and normal operations resumed throughout the L1 line.

The operator later announced, “Dear passengers, light rail service has resumed its regular schedule along the entire L1 line (Hadassah Ein Kerem–Neve Yaakov). We thank you for your patience and apologize for the inconvenience.”

{Matzav.com}

Following President Isaac Herzog’s release of a video message in Arabic urging an end to the ongoing wave of violence and crime in Israel’s Arab communities, journalist Moshe Aryeh published a video response arguing that the root causes of the crisis are being ignored.

In his address, President Herzog appealed directly to Arab citizens, saying the bloodshed could not continue.

“My brothers and sisters, members of Arab society, my voice will not be silent and my conscience will not rest as long as blood continues to be spilled in the streets of our communities. It is the responsibility of the state, and its duty, to put an end to this tragedy and provide security and personal safety for every citizen.”

Responding in Arabic, Moshe Aryeh said that while restoring public safety is essential, focusing only on the violence itself will not solve the problem.

“Mr. President, the problem isn’t just in the streets,” he said. “Anyone who truly wants to fight violence must examine what is being taught, what messages are being passed on to the younger generation, and confront every form of incitement that encourages hatred and violence. If we deal only with the results and not the causes, nothing will change.”

Aryeh argued that the violence seen on a daily basis is merely a symptom of deeper social problems within Arab society and maintained that meaningful progress will require addressing what he described as incitement within educational systems and other institutions.

He said he deliberately recorded his response in Arabic so that it would reach the same audience as the president’s message, while urging Israeli leaders to move beyond public statements and address what he believes are the underlying sources of the violence.

{Matzav.com}

Rav Tamir Granot, whose son was killed while serving in the IDF, says he spent months quietly meeting with leading gedolim after his loss, hoping to bridge the divide between the chareidi and religious Zionist communities over military service. In a wide-ranging interview, he claimed that while some senior rabbinic leaders privately agreed with aspects of his message, they were unwilling to express those views publicly.

The interview opened with interviewer Moshe Mansa recounting a conversation with a chareidi educator who described Rav Granot as one of the most influential—and, in his view, dangerous—figures in the current debate.

“The voice is the voice of Yaakov, but the hands are the hands of Esav. He looks like one of us. He speaks our language of Torah learning. We can’t simply dismiss him because he sacrificed the most precious thing in the world—his son. Instead of going through the rabbanim, he’s trying to reach our yeshiva bochurim directly and persuade them to enlist.”

Rav Granot said he understands why some perceive him as a threat but believes those fears stem from deep anxiety.

“Whether something is dangerous depends on how much fear you live with. When your world is filled with anxiety, even things that are not threatening—even things that are positive—appear dangerous. Some people are afraid of growth. Some are afraid of greater love of Heaven because they fear it will change them.”

He said the events of October 7 transformed what had once been an ideological debate into an urgent national issue.

“We’re all in the same boat. From the standpoint of the existential threat, there’s no difference between Bnei Brak and Tel Aviv. We all have to fight. But not all of us are burying our loved ones, and not all of us are serving hundreds of days in reserve duty. My cry comes from that reality. It comes from my own family, from my students, from the thousands of wounded in Tel Hashomer, from reservists who desperately need relief, and from the students in my yeshiva who missed half the summer zeman while their counterparts in Mir and Ponevezh were not sharing that burden.”

Rejecting the notion that one group’s Torah study is inherently more valuable than another’s, Rav Granot said:

“Is their Torah worth more in Heaven? Anyone is entitled to think so, but in my opinion that has no place before the Ribbono Shel Olam. The Torah of Ponevezh is not worth more than my Torah. If we’re truly concerned with Torah rather than ego, then the responsibility has to be shared.”

One of the interview’s most striking moments came when Rav Granot described what he did immediately after completing the shivah for his son.

“For an entire year I didn’t speak to the media. The very first thing I did was meet privately with the gedolei Yisrael. I wanted them to hear my cry.”

According to Rav Granot, the responses he received generally fell into three categories.

Some, he said, remained unwavering in their position.

“I spoke about pikuach nefesh, about defending the Jewish people from those who seek to harm them. The response remained the same: ‘Nar Torah’—only Torah. ‘This is our world. This is how we preserve it.'”

Others listened sympathetically, offered words of encouragement and blessings, but took no public action.

The most surprising conversations, he said, came with senior rabbinic figures who privately expressed agreement but felt unable to speak openly.

“They told me, ‘You’re completely right. One hundred percent right.’ I asked them, ‘So why don’t you go out into the public square and say that?’ One of them looked me in the eyes and said, ‘If people find out that I listened to you for ten minutes without throwing you out of the room, I’m finished.'”

The discussion also turned to one of the chareidi community’s central concerns about military service—that it poses serious spiritual dangers for young men.

Mansa observed that someone wearing a black yarmulke generally belongs to a community with clearly defined standards and expectations, while the religious Zionist community encompasses a broader range of religious observance.

“When someone wears a black yarmulke, there are established codes. He doesn’t go to the movies. His children attend cheder. When someone wears a knitted yarmulke, he can be completely non-observant and still be considered religious Zionist. Our communal codes protect us, even if they come with a price.”

Rather than dispute that assessment, Rav Granot said he believes the difference reflects two distinct social structures.

“Chareidi society is first and foremost a society. Religious Zionism is first and foremost a worldview. A tightly knit society has significant advantages in preserving its framework. The chareidi world protects the community, even if that sometimes creates a gap between outward appearance and inner reality.”

To illustrate his point, he recounted a story he said he had heard from a security official at a government office.

“He told me that when people pass through the metal detector, the average person takes out one cellphone. A chareidi takes out two—one kosher phone and one smartphone. In the religious Zionist world there’s greater openness. People aren’t pretending. Parents know who their children really are.”

At the same time, Rav Granot acknowledged that the religious Zionist community accepts greater risks, including higher rates of young people leaving religious observance.

“We’re like a startup nation. Many startups fail, but the ones that succeed transform the world. The individual in the religious Zionist community has room to grow, choose, and change society and the economy. We’ve chosen to accept that price as Jews.”

Toward the end of the interview, Rav Granot discussed his new book, Al Sfas HaBris, explaining that it is not focused specifically on the chareidi community but on the broader challenge of strengthening unity among the Jewish people.

Referring to the Torah’s placement between Har Gerizim and Har Eival, he said the Torah must serve not only as the bond between man and Hashem but also as the force that unites the different segments of Klal Yisrael.

“The Torah does two things: it connects us to the Ribbono Shel Olam, and it should connect the different parts of the Jewish people. That’s a shared mission for us and for the chareidim—to make the Torah into something that unites all of us.”

Asked how dialogue is possible when one side refuses to engage, Rav Granot concluded with a somber response.

“I don’t know what I can do with him… other than daven for him.”

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s Tax Authority has begun implementing a new policy that could significantly impact the finances of dozens of yeshivos and Torah institutions by conditioning valuable tax benefits on the military status of their talmidim, as reported earlier tonight here on Matzav.

In letters sent late last week to numerous institutions, the Tax Authority instructed roshei yeshivah, administrators, and authorized signatories to certify that none of their students are eligible for military service without having properly resolved their status with the military. Institutions that decline to make the declaration risk losing eligibility for Section 46 tax benefits, a key incentive for charitable donations.

The directive follows a decision issued at the end of May by Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara ordering an immediate halt to tax benefits for donations made to chareidi institutions that enroll students who are subject to military service but have not regularized their draft status.

Section 46 of Israel’s Income Tax Ordinance allows donors to approved nonprofit organizations to receive tax credits on their contributions, making it one of the most important tools available to charitable organizations for fundraising.

In its letter, the Tax Authority wrote that, under current Israeli law and in accordance with rulings of the Supreme Court, “as a general rule, it is not permissible to continue granting benefits that directly or indirectly facilitate evasion of military service, including benefits provided to a yeshiva student in that capacity when his attendance at the institution constitutes avoidance of military service. The state has no authority to encourage draft evasion through public funding.”

The letter further stated that, following consultations led by the attorney general and involving legal and professional officials, it was determined that “under the law and applicable court rulings, it is not permissible to provide indirect state funding—including tax credits for charitable donations—to Torah institutions attended by students who have not regularized their status with the military authorities.”

Under the new requirements, every Torah institution—or organization supporting one—that holds Section 46 approval must submit a signed declaration from an authorized board member affirming that, as of the date of the declaration, none of its students are subject to military service without having lawfully resolved their status, and that the institution will not admit such students in the future.

Institutions are also required to submit a complete list of enrolled students for the relevant academic year, including each student’s name and identification number, in an Excel spreadsheet. The Tax Authority warned that institutions failing to submit both the declaration and the student list could lose their Section 46 approval.

At the same time, Keren Olam HaTorah, the organization established to help yeshivos and kollelim offset government funding cuts, has been working to develop alternative methods of supporting institutions affected by the new policy.

As previously reported, the fund recently informed roshei yeshivah that, after consulting with accountants and legal experts specializing in nonprofit and tax law, institutions that—based on individualized legal advice—choose not to include certain students on the lists submitted to the authorities will not automatically lose the fund’s financial support.

In a letter sent to participating institutions, the fund explained that even schools choosing “to continue omitting those students from the reported lists—while recognizing that this should not be done in every case” would remain eligible for assistance, with the fund exploring alternative methods of distributing financial support.

Keren Olam HaTorah emphasized that it is not instructing or recommending any particular course of action. Rather, it said its goal is to provide institutions with practical options for navigating the legal challenges created by the attorney general’s directive.

The new policy comes amid ongoing debate among legal advisers and accountants serving chareidi institutions over how best to respond to the government’s requirements and represents the first organized effort to develop a broad strategy for protecting financial support for the yeshivah world in light of the new restrictions.

{Matzav.com}

Naor Narkis, a candidate for Israel’s Democrats Party, appeared to embrace a campaign message circulated by Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich claiming that he would close mikvaos if appointed religious affairs minister in Israel’s next government.

Rather than deny the accusation, Narkis responded with a post on X that appeared to reinforce the criticism.

“I can’t wait to become the Minister of Secularization and dismantle the chareidi and national-religious establishment into pieces. A democratic state separates religion from money. That’s exactly what I intend to do together with my partners. If you want to make the plan to separate religion from money—which worries Smotrich—a reality, all you need to do is join the Democrats.”

Smotrich quickly responded, arguing that Narkis had confirmed the message featured in his campaign.

“Yair Golan’s candidate, Naor Narkis, the future religious affairs minister in an Eisenkot government, confirms it: The day they take power, they will close every mikveh for religious Jews. Listen to him. They intend to do exactly what they’re saying.”

The Sephardic religious party Shas also sharply criticized Narkis, accusing him of revealing what it described as the true agenda of Israel’s left.

“Naor Narkis has exposed the true face of a left-wing government—a war against the Jewish tradition. Shas is proud that during the last term it built and upgraded dozens of mikvaos and allocated hundreds of millions of shekels for the construction and renovation of thousands of mikvaos across the country, serving millions of Israelis—secular, religious, and chareidi alike. Shas will continue strengthening religious services and preserving the Jewish tradition. They speak about closing mikvaos; we will continue building them.”

{Matzav.com}

Dozens of chareidim gathered outside a café on Rechov Agrippas in Yerushalayim on Shabbos morning to protest its recent decision to operate on Shabbos, objecting to what they described as public chillul Shabbos in the city.

The café, which opened only in recent weeks, became the focus of the demonstration as protesters voiced their opposition to its Shabbos operations.

Videos of the protest quickly spread across social media, prompting dozens of secular residents to come to the café in a show of support for the business. As the day progressed, the café filled with customers who said they wanted to express solidarity with its owners.

Owner Yoel Ben David told N12 that he attempted to speak with the demonstrators and explain that the café was not disturbing the surrounding neighborhood.

“I tried talking to them. There are no loudspeakers outside, and the business is located in an alley—we’re not bothering anyone.”

Lior, the café’s shift manager, said the demonstrations continued in several waves throughout the morning.

“They shouted, and one of them overturned a table. Altogether there were four waves during the morning, with dozens of chareidim trying to discourage customers from entering.”

Yerushalayim Deputy Mayor Yossi Havilio also arrived at the scene and voiced support for businesses remaining open on Shabbos, further escalating tensions.

“If we want young secular residents to stay in Yerushalayim instead of leaving, and if we don’t want the city to become Bnei Brak, then we need more places that are open on Shabbos,” he said.

Yerushalayim Mayor Moshe Lion later issued a statement calling for restraint while condemning violence.

“Yerushalayim is a diverse city in which people from every sector and community live together. Precisely because of that, all of us have a responsibility to act with mutual respect and restraint. Violence of any kind is completely unacceptable. It has no place in Jerusalem, and we will not tolerate it. We will continue working to preserve the status quo while upholding the law, maintaining public order, and protecting the delicate fabric that enables all of Yerushalayim’s residents to live together with dignity and security.”

Two 21-year-old men who deliberately set out to harass Jews in London’s heavily Orthodox Stamford Hill neighborhood received suspended jail sentences after admitting to carrying out an antisemitic hate crime that they filmed and shared online.

According to the Daily Mail, Adam Badawi and Abdelkader Boussloub were each sentenced to six weeks in prison, suspended for one year, after pleading guilty to intentionally harassing a Jewish man in an offense aggravated by religious hatred.

In addition to the suspended sentences, the court ordered the pair to complete 150 hours of unpaid community service, participate in a 20-day rehabilitation program, and pay £85 in court costs.

During the proceedings, the court heard that the two men had deliberately traveled to Stamford Hill carrying a fishing rod as part of what they described as a plan to “fish” for Jews—an antisemitic stunt in which they sought out visibly Orthodox Jews to harass and humiliate while recording the encounters for social media.

Following the sentencing, prosecutor Varinder Hayre condemned the defendants’ actions.

“The pair deliberately targeted a member of the Jewish community and subjected him to antisemitic abuse in a public place. They recorded the incident intending to publish it on social media, amplifying the harm caused to the victim. Hate crimes inflict significant damage on victims and entire communities, and we will continue to prosecute these offenses robustly.”

The incident took place in May 2026, when the two men went to Clapton Common, another area with a large chareidi population, where they confronted a Jewish man, verbally abused him, and filmed the encounter for a TikTok video. Both later admitted in court to committing a public order offense aggravated by religious hostility.

Detective Chief Inspector Oliver Richter also strongly condemned the attack at the time.

“This was a deliberate and targeted antisemitic attack, made even more serious by the pair’s intention to post the incident on social media to spread hatred. It is completely unacceptable and has no place in London.”

{Matzav.com}

Several bochurim at a yeshiva in Rechasim were reportedly assaulted by violent youths on Motzoei Shabbos, with victims saying they were too afraid to contact police or seek medical treatment because they fear being arrested as military draft deserters.

According to eyewitness accounts, a group of troubled youths entered the yeshiva grounds, hurled rocks and other heavy objects, and brutally attacked several bochurim. Some of the injured reportedly required medical attention but declined to go to a hospital out of concern that authorities would detain them.

“We’re exposed. Our blood has been declared ownerless. They had knives on their waists. I’m afraid to call the police,” one talmid told Channel 13 News.

Another bochur described the frightening scene.

“Right after Shabbos ended, there was a fight involving troubled youths outside our yeshiva. They started throwing rocks toward the yeshiva. One bochur was nearly hit in the head by a large rock that one of them deliberately threw at him. When they realized the police weren’t coming, they grabbed one bochur, threw him to the ground, and beat him mercilessly. Six of them attacked him until he was covered in blood. He’s now lying in the dormitory with a black eye and injuries all over his body.”

The bochur added that the victim has refused to seek medical treatment because he is considered a draft deserter and fears being arrested if he goes to a hospital.

Summing up the atmosphere inside the yeshiva, he said, “We were afraid to call the police because everyone in the yeshiva is a draft deserter. We feel like our lives are in danger, and we have absolutely no protection.”

Channel 13 also reported that another chareidi young man was severely beaten in the face earlier Saturday night in Kfar Chassidim. According to the report, he likewise chose not to file a police complaint because he feared being arrested as a draft deserter.

{Matzav.com}

After more than two decades in the Likud Party, MK Yuli Edelstein announced that he is leaving the party and launching a new political path, while making clear that he has no intention of joining Israel’s center-left camp. Speaking in an interview on Channel 12’s Meet the Press, the former Knesset speaker sharply criticized Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s handling of the military draft issue and called for the formation of a broad Zionist coalition that would not rely on chareidi parties.

“I’m not planning to run in the Likud primaries. The next step will most likely be an independent political framework,” Edelstein said.

Explaining his decision, Edelstein said he could no longer stand behind the direction of the Likud under its current leadership.

“If you succeed in the primaries, you then have to stand on stage and say, ‘Vote Likud.’ I don’t know how to finish that sentence anymore. What are we supposed to do? Continue enabling draft evasion? Continue avoiding votes on sovereignty? For me, the State of Israel has always come before the party.”

Edelstein also directed pointed criticism at Netanyahu over agreements with the chareidi parties regarding the draft law.

“It’s simply inexplicable. Netanyahu sees more polls than I do, and every one of them shows that most of the public—including more than a quarter of coalition voters—oppose what are called the deals with the chareidi parties. He’s the one sending soldiers into battle. He served in the military himself. He understands the situation. He certainly isn’t a chareidi learning three sedarim a day… If he were alone in a room with me, he would say, ‘You know what, Yuli? Between us, you were right about the draft law.’”

Asked about possible political alliances, Edelstein declined to commit to working with figures such as Naftali Bennett or Avigdor Lieberman but stressed that his ideological identity remains firmly on the right.

“I’m a right-wing person. I always have been, and I remain one. I don’t think what’s called the ‘change bloc’ is relevant for me. Those people are certainly my friends, and I speak with them. I very much hope we’ll come together. There is a large ציבור that is hungry for this message, looking for a framework that represents a responsible right—a right that will pass a draft law, enact judicial reform, and properly care for the north and the south.”

Edelstein said his objective is to create a political force strong enough to shape the next coalition and ensure it is not dependent on what he described as non-Zionist factions.

“What I will demand from any framework that I join is a clear commitment to a broad Zionist government that does not depend on non-Zionist parties. We can force such a coalition into existence and deal with the real agenda. Who serves as prime minister is the last thing that interests me. I’m willing to be number ten on the list.”

Shortly after the interview aired, following the conclusion of Shabbos, Edelstein expanded on his decision in a lengthy post on X.

“I’ll begin with the bottom line: I have decided not to run in the Likud primaries for the next Knesset and to embark on a new political path. With a heavy but complete heart, I will leave the Likud movement, which has been my home for more than 20 years, at the end of the current Knesset session.

“After October 7, it became clear to me that what was could not continue. I fought with all my strength for real and equal military service, and I succeeded in preventing a draft exemption law for generations. My goal was simple: to expand military service and create historic change.

“Throughout my career I have proven that I’m not attached to any position. I was removed as chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee because I blocked a draft exemption law, and I was removed from the committee itself because I voted in favor of sovereignty in Judea and Samaria. I’m proud of that.

“As a Prisoner of Zion in a Soviet prison, I learned that values are worth fighting for and worth paying a price for. When I fought against the disengagement from Gush Katif, they called me a traitor and a rebel. It didn’t bother me. History has already judged who was right. Today, hundreds of thousands of soldiers and responsible citizens who carry the burden stand behind me and long for change.

“I’m leaving the Likud faction, but not the members of Likud, many of whom see reality the same way I do. Soon we will set out together on a new path. Without boycotts, without surrendering to extremists, without relying on Arab parties, and without giving the chareidim a blank check. A broad government that reflects the 80 percent who agree on 80 percent of the issues.

“My principles have always been, and remain, clear: a genuine, responsible, and statesmanlike right. In favor of settlement throughout the Land of Israel, an iron-wall approach to security, a free-market economy, judicial reform, and strengthening the Jewish identity of the state.”

Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, did not attend the funeral of his father, Ali Khamenei, after Iranian security officials prevented him from appearing over serious concerns that he could be targeted in an assassination attempt, according to a report published today by The New York Times.

The report said Iranian authorities feared that Israel might use the public funeral either to assassinate Mojtaba Khamenei or to identify his whereabouts. The concerns came after his wife and son were killed in the joint U.S.-Israeli strike on the opening day of Operation Rising Lion.

According to The New York Times, the funeral and the preparations surrounding it exposed unusually deep divisions within Iran’s ruling establishment. Mojtaba Khamenei, who was appointed his father’s successor in March, has not appeared in public since then, fueling growing questions within Iran’s political leadership about whether he can effectively govern the country while remaining out of public view.

The report also pointed to mounting tensions within Iran’s leadership over approval of the ceasefire memorandum of understanding with the Trump administration.

According to the report, Ali Khamenei struggled to decide whether to approve the agreement until Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reportedly warned that he would resign if it was rejected. Pezeshkian also cautioned that Iran’s deteriorating economy, combined with the impact of the American naval blockade, would have devastating consequences if the conflict continued.

At the same time, Iran’s central bank governor reportedly sent an extraordinary letter warning of a severe budget crisis. The letter stated that if the blockade remained in place, the country could run out of essential food supplies and critical medical equipment by the end of August.

The report said those mounting political and economic pressures ultimately persuaded Mojtaba Khamenei to allow the agreement to move forward.

In a brief statement issued at the time, Mojtaba Khamenei said that although he opposed the agreement in principle, he would permit it to advance subject to approval by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. The council subsequently approved the agreement by a vote of 12 to 1.

As the United States celebrates the 250th anniversary of its founding, the U.S. Postal Service officially introduced a new Forever stamp honoring the Declaration of Independence during a special ceremony today at the B. Free Franklin Post Office in Philadelphia.

The newly released stamp pays tribute to the historic document adopted on July 4, 1776, which proclaimed the American colonies’ independence from Great Britain and affirmed that governments derive “their just powers from the consent of the governed.”

“The declaration has served as a mission statement for our nation that has inspired generations of Americans to do their part in fulfilling its promises for all,” said Lucy Trout, secretary to the USPS Board of Governors.

“In the 250 years since ratification of that mission statement, the American people have been engaged in a perpetual and honorable battle to make good on that promise.”

Among those attending the unveiling were members of the National Society of the Children of the American Revolution, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and representatives of Independence National Historical Park.

Philadelphia was selected as the site for the ceremony because it was the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence and is closely connected to Benjamin Franklin, who became the first postmaster general of the United Colonies in 1775.

Postal Service officials said the new release is one of several initiatives commemorating America’s Semiquincentennial, the nationwide observance marking 250 years since the nation’s founding.

This is not the first time the Postal Service has honored the Declaration of Independence through postage. Similar commemorative stamps have been issued over the years, including one released during the country’s bicentennial celebration in 1976.

The Postal Service noted that beyond announcing the colonies’ separation from Britain through its 27 listed grievances against the British crown, the Declaration also established timeless principles declaring that “all people are created equal” and are endowed with the unalienable rights to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

According to the agency, those ideals have continued to influence generations of Americans while also inspiring freedom movements and democratic societies across the globe.

The stamp itself features a striking red, white, and blue design. Running vertically across the artwork is the year “1776,” with each number fashioned as a feather quill pen in recognition of the writing instruments used by the Declaration’s 56 signers.

The artwork was designed by Juan Carlos Pagan, while Greg Breeding served as the art director for the project.

The Declaration of Independence Forever stamp is being sold in panes of 20 and will remain valid for mailing a one-ounce First-Class letter regardless of future increases in postage rates.

{Matzav.com}

The Israel Tax Authority has launched a sweeping campaign targeting dozens of yeshivos and mosdos Torah across Eretz Yisroel, requiring them to meet new conditions in order to preserve the tax benefits that allow donors to receive credits for their contributions.

The initiative follows a directive issued earlier this year by Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara instructing government authorities to withhold those tax benefits from institutions that have bochurim whose military status has not been resolved.

Under the new requirements, yeshivos seeking to retain recognition under Section 46 of the Income Tax Ordinance—which enables contributors to receive tax credits—must demonstrate that all of their talmidim have properly addressed their military status.

The Tax Authority has already dispatched official letters demanding that roshei yeshiva sign sworn affidavits affirming that no bochur in their yeshiva has received a military draft order without resolving his legal status, and that the institution has no talmidim classified by the authorities as draft evaders.

The institutions are also being required to pledge that they will not accept any future bochurim who have failed to settle their military status for as long as the yeshiva continues to benefit from Section 46 approval.

In addition, the Tax Authority is requiring each yeshiva to provide a complete roster of its talmidim, including names and identification numbers, together with documentation verifying each student’s military status. Acceptable documentation includes an active-duty military ID, a discharge certificate, an exemption certificate, or official confirmation of a future enlistment date.

According to the guidelines sent to the yeshivos, any institution that fails to provide the requested information or does not comply with the new conditions could lose its Section 46 status, preventing donors from claiming tax deductions on their donations.

The directive also instructs the creation of a special enforcement team to explore additional methods of preventing indirect government-supported funding from reaching institutions that fail to comply with the new requirements.

Israel paid tribute to the United States tonight as the Knesset building was illuminated in red, white, and blue to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026.

As part of the celebration, the Knesset also spent the past week showcasing photographs and video displays at its entrances highlighting visits by American presidents, congressional leaders, and other senior U.S. officials over the years.

Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana hailed the occasion as a landmark not only for the United States but for the entire democratic world.

“Today, the free world marks a truly historic milestone: 250 years since the founding of the United States of America.”

He praised America’s founders for creating a nation built upon enduring principles of liberty and human rights, saying, “In one of humanity’s greatest achievements, America’s Founding Fathers established the first great modern republic – a beacon of liberty that continues to guide humanity toward the values of freedom and human dignity.”

Ohana concluded by extending warm wishes to the American people while expressing appreciation for the close relationship between the two countries.

“On behalf of the Knesset and the people of Israel, I extend our heartfelt congratulations to the American people. I also express our gratitude to the American leadership for its leadership and for the steadfast alliance with Israel. Happy Independence Day, United States of America!”

President Donald Trump said he expects to host Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu at the White House as early as next week, although Israeli officials indicated that no such visit has been finalized and suggested any meeting would more likely take place later.

Speaking in a brief telephone interview with Axios, Trump expressed confidence in his relationship with the Israeli leader, saying, “We get along very good. [Netanyahu] knows who the boss is.”

Despite Trump’s comments, Israeli officials said there are currently no preparations underway for a White House visit next week. They noted that scheduling challenges surrounding the July 7-8 NATO summit could push any meeting back by at least another week.

Trump also addressed Friday’s funeral for Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, questioning the public displays of mourning while making a striking remark about the gathering.

“They are all there,” he told Axios. “One shot [and we can take them all out], but we are not going to do that because then we would have nobody to negotiate with.” Reflecting on the mourners, Trump added, “Maybe it’s fake tears.”

If it takes place, the meeting would mark the first formal face-to-face talks between Trump and Netanyahu since the two leaders reportedly clashed over Iran.

Last month, according to reports, a tense phone conversation between the two devolved into a heated exchange filled with profanity. Sources familiar with the call claimed Trump accused Netanyahu of being “crazy” and sharply criticized him for what he viewed as a lack of appreciation.

On Friday, however, the two leaders spoke again by phone, with Netanyahu calling to congratulate Trump on the 250th anniversary of American independence, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.

During the conversation, Netanyahu said the United States serves as a guarantor of freedom around the world and emphasized Israel’s appreciation for the strong alliance between the two countries.

The Prime Minister’s Office added that Trump and Netanyahu agreed to hold a meeting in the United States in the near future.

While some reports have suggested the meeting could occur in September on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, officials have not set a date, leaving open the possibility that the two leaders could meet sooner.

{Matzav.com}

The United States has reportedly delivered repeated intelligence warnings to Poland that Russia could carry out military provocations in the coming months, with possible scenarios ranging from attacks inside Polish territory to increased troop deployments near NATO’s eastern frontier.

According to a report by the Polish news outlet ONET, American officials briefed Warsaw on several potential threats. Among the possibilities discussed were a limited ground incursion into Poland, airstrikes against locations within the country, and the positioning of Russian or Belarusian military forces along NATO’s eastern flank.

Officials in Poland’s presidential office told ONET that Washington has issued multiple warnings about what it believes could be a Russian plan involving Poland. Polish intelligence sources reportedly outlined additional possibilities as well, including drone strikes targeting key infrastructure and “simulated airstrikes” intended to force Poland to activate its air defense network.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk acknowledged the heightened security concerns, saying his government is actively preparing for a variety of potential developments.

“We are preparing intensively for different scenarios,” Tusk said. “I don’t intend to scare anyone, but the coming months, also due to the changing nature of the war in Ukraine, may truly be critical, especially for the Baltic states. These concerns are real. We must not underestimate them.”

Poland’s Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski also directed a pointed warning at the Kremlin, urging Russia not to challenge the NATO alliance. “It would be a serious act of reckless folly if Vladimir Putin decides to test NATO’s unity through a disproportionate action. We know what you are planning. Don’t do it.”

Neither the U.S. government nor Polish authorities have officially verified the reported intelligence assessments. Russia, meanwhile, has not publicly responded to the allegations.

Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, sharply condemned UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday after reports emerged that the UN chief conveyed condolences to Iran following the death of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

The controversy erupted after Iran’s Foreign Ministry announced that Guterres spoke by phone on Thursday with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and offered condolences over Khamenei’s death.

Responding publicly, Danon lashed out at the UN secretary-general, writing on social media, “Mr. Secretary-General, do you truly believe it is appropriate to mourn Ali Khamenei, a brutal dictator who ordered the murder, torture, and persecution of tens of thousands of innocent Iranians?”

The reported conversation came as Iran prepared for a week-long series of funeral events honoring Khamenei, who was killed in a joint U.S.-Israeli strike inside Iran on February 28.

The latest dispute adds to a long-running and increasingly bitter relationship between Israeli officials and Guterres. Since the Hamas terrorist attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, the UN secretary-general has repeatedly drawn criticism from Israel over what it views as his increasingly hostile rhetoric.

Just weeks after the massacre, Guterres stated that the attack against Israel “did not happen in a vacuum,” remarks that many interpreted as assigning blame to Israel for the assault.

Facing widespread backlash, Guterres later insisted that his comments had been misunderstood and emphasized that he had condemned Hamas.

Tensions escalated even further in May when Guterres placed Israeli entities on the UN blacklist related to sexual violence in conflict zones, prompting Israel to suspend ties with the Secretary-General’s office.

Announcing the move at the time, Danon declared, “We are done with this UN Secretary-General. Guterres has put Israel on the same blacklist along with Hamas, ISIS and the most depraved terrorist organizations in the world. This is a moral disgrace that proves that Guterres has lost all credibility.”

{Matzav.com}

All are urged to intensify tefillos on behalf of Rav Chaim Berman, “the Ponovezh masmid,” one of the greatest masmidim of the generation, whose condition has taken a serious turn.

Rav Chaim, whose full name for tefillah is Rav Chaim ben Reisa Reizel Berman, has been hospitalized at Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer for an extended period due to severe physical weakness.

Family members and those close to him reported today that his condition has deteriorated significantly.

Widely revered throughout the Torah world for his extraordinary diligence and lifelong devotion to Torah learning, Rav Berman is regarded as one of the foremost masmidim of the generation.

Hundreds of bnei Torah gathered today in the bais medrash of Yeshivas Ponevezh for a special tefillas rabbim.

{Matzav.com}

A 64-year-old Jewish real estate agent and attorney was brutally attacked in Toronto this week after a man allegedly targeted him because he was visibly Jewish, hurling bricks and metal objects while shouting anti-Semitic slurs accusing Jews of murdering babies and committing genocide.

Yosef Bitton said the terrifying attack unfolded Tuesday afternoon at a commercial property he manages near the intersection of Jane Street and Lawrence Avenue West in Toronto. According to Bitton, the assailant began swinging a parking marker post and throwing heavy objects while screaming that Jews were “baby killers” committing genocide.

“He said he was from Yemen and that he was a Houthi,” Bitton, who also works as an attorney, told the National Post.

Bitton immediately called 911 as the assault began.

“The first thing I told the dispatcher was that I was being attacked because I was visibly Jewish, and that this person was threatening to kill me,” he said.

The attacker allegedly hurled debris that had been left out for garbage collection, beginning with a brick that struck Bitton in the arm before throwing metal objects and a tree branch at him.

“I dodged all the objects he threw at me and blocked them with my arms. I have scrapes and scratches on both arms,” Bitton recalled. He later sought medical treatment for his injuries. The assault reportedly lasted for more than 30 minutes, yet no bystanders came to his aid.

Bitton expressed deep disappointment over the indifference of those who witnessed the attack.

“There were dozens of witnesses at the bus stop, on the bus, across the street, and at the place where it all started. Nobody lifted a finger to help,” he said.

He noted that the only person who attempted to intervene was one of the retail tenants at the property he manages, who came outside after seeing the attacker wielding the parking marker and tried to keep the two separated.

Asked why he did not physically defend himself, Bitton explained that he feared becoming the one arrested.

“There are people who tell me I should have knocked him out,” he said. “I said: ‘Absolutely not. Then I would have been arrested, he would have been released, and I would have ended up being the bad guy in the story.’ That’s why I made sure to stay about 3 to 5 meters away from him.”

Toronto Police responded to the scene and arrested the suspect. Authorities identified him as 58-year-old Abdulkadir Al-Jilani of Toronto. He has been charged with three counts of assault with a weapon and one count of uttering death threats. Police are investigating whether the attack was motivated by hatred.

Toronto Police stated that when a criminal offense such as assault or property damage is believed to have been motivated by bias, prejudice, or hatred, investigators may consult with prosecutors to seek recognition of the hate motive as an aggravating factor during sentencing if a conviction is secured.

Following the attack, Bitton shared his anguish in a Facebook post, writing, “This is not the Canada I have lived in for the past 64 years.”