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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Thursday sharply criticized Israel’s interception of a Gaza-bound flotilla and the detention of activists aboard the vessels, describing the action as illegal and in violation of international law.

In a social media statement, Mamdani said Israeli forces boarded the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters and detained more than 175 individuals, including residents of New York. “Last night, Israeli forces intercepted and boarded a humanitarian aid flotilla bound for Gaza in international waters off the coast of Greece – unlawfully detaining more than 175 people, including several New Yorkers,” Mamdani wrote.

He added that his office has been working with government officials to gather information about those detained. “My team has been in direct contact with State and Federal partners as we work to confirm the whereabouts and conditions of these New Yorkers,” he said.

Mamdani further asserted that the operation violated international norms and called for the detainees’ release. “This is a brazen violation of international law. Those detained must be released.”

Israeli naval forces intercepted the flotilla Wednesday night, and officials said that, as in prior similar incidents, the vessels were not carrying the humanitarian supplies organizers had claimed.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar stated Thursday that those on board would be sent to Greece and would not remain in Israeli custody.

The Global Sumud Flotilla had set sail from multiple countries, including Turkey, Spain, and Italy, and reportedly included more than 100 boats with approximately 1,000 participants.

Mamdani has previously drawn criticism over his positions on Israel. During his campaign, he declined to distance himself from the phrase “globalize the intifada,” and he was also criticized for remarks about Israel made on October 8, 2023, one day after the Hamas attacks in southern Israel.

He has repeatedly accused Israel of committing war crimes in Gaza and has said he would seek the arrest of Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu should he come to New York City.

On his first day in office, Mamdani sparked controversy by rescinding executive orders related to Israel that had been issued by his predecessor, Eric Adams.

Among the orders he canceled was one signed in June 2025 adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism.

Another rescinded directive had barred mayoral appointees and agency personnel from engaging in boycotts or divestment efforts targeting Israel.

Mamdani has also faced scrutiny over allegations of antisemitism since assuming office. A recent report claimed that his wife, Rama Dawaji, had interacted with social media content perceived as supportive of Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack.

In addition, at a Ramadan gathering last month, Mamdani was introduced by an individual who called for Hamas to carry out attacks on Tel Aviv.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump said Thursday that U.S. forces have severely damaged Iran’s military capabilities and leadership structure, but made clear that the confrontation will not be considered resolved unless there are firm guarantees that Tehran will never obtain nuclear weapons.

Speaking in a lengthy interview with Newsmax host Greta Van Susteren, Trump expressed confidence in the impact of American operations while indicating that he is seeking a more definitive conclusion to the conflict.

“We’ve already won, but I want to win by a bigger margin,” Trump said. “We have destroyed their navy, destroyed their air force, destroyed all of their – if you look at their anti-aircraft equipment, their radar equipment, their leadership. Their leadership is destroyed. We’ve destroyed everything.”

The president described Iran as having been left in a severely weakened state, both militarily and financially, suggesting that any recovery would be slow and uncertain. “If we leave right now, it would take them 20 years to rebuild, if they ever could rebuild,” he said.

Even so, Trump emphasized that battlefield success alone does not achieve the broader objective. “But it’s actually not good enough,” he said. “We have to have guarantees they will never have a nuclear weapon.”

He also expressed certainty that Iran would use such weapons if it had the capability. “I will tell you that Iran would use the nuclear weapon if they had it,” he said. “I deal with these people. I know people. They will use their nuclear weapon, and we’re not going to give them a chance to do it.”

Trump dismissed earlier proposals that would have allowed Iran access to nuclear materials for civilian use, saying he would not agree to such arrangements. “I wouldn’t have approved that. I wouldn’t have. I’m not giving them anything,” Trump said. “They’re going to either have a nuclear weapon, or they’re not. And if they do, they’re in big trouble.”

Turning to Iran’s economic situation, Trump said the country is facing severe instability. “Right now, their economy is collapsing, inflation is at close to 100%,” he said. “They can’t do any oil because we have a blockade that’s 100% effective.”

He added that he believes his administration’s strategy has received strong backing internationally, while criticizing prior leaders and other nations for failing to act earlier. “I actually think it’s very popular what I’m doing,” Trump said. “The world is thanking me, because I shouldn’t be the one that’s doing it. Other presidents should have done it long before me, and other countries should have done it.”

Earlier Thursday, speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said Iran is “dying to make a deal,” and suggested an agreement could be reached soon.

When asked about ongoing negotiations, Trump said, “Nobody knows what the talks are except myself and a couple of other people.”

“I mean, Iran is dying to make a deal. I can only tell you that. I don’t want to get into it, but they got – they cannot be nuclear other than that. But they are,” he added.

Trump underscored what he described as the broader stakes involved, saying, “The bottom line is for this world, for our country, but certainly for Israel, the Middle East and Europe, much closer, you cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon.”

The president had canceled a planned visit by his envoys to Islamabad over the weekend, where talks with Iranian officials had been expected. He said Wednesday that efforts to reach a resolution are continuing through phone discussions rather than face-to-face meetings.

His remarks came after he rejected a recent Iranian proposal, telling Axios that the United States will keep its naval blockade in place until Tehran agrees to conditions addressing Washington’s concerns over its nuclear program.

The proposal from Iran reportedly included reopening the Strait of Hormuz while delaying negotiations over its nuclear activities, an approach the administration declined to accept.

{Matzav.com}

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro shared security video on Thursday that she said shows the suspected gunman shooting a Secret Service officer at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

According to Pirro, the video also shows Cole Allen casing the area in the Washington Hilton the day before the attack, with Allen seen walking in a hallway of the hotel, as well as talking with a woman in the gym.

The video appears to show officers firing their guns at the suspect as he runs through the hotel while holding a long gun.

Allen, 31, was arrested and charged after he fired a gun during the event. He faces multiple charges, including attempted assassination, and could receive a life sentence if convicted.

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[Video below.] A keffiyeh worn by someone featured prominently in a New York City public service announcement that Mayor Zohran Mamdani released on Wednesday is raising questions and hackles among Jewish New Yorkers.

Two young workers from the mayor’s office of mass engagement, identified as Tascha and Mohamed, are shown in the video knocking at Gracie Mansion, the mayoral home.

Mamdani opens the door and asks them to tell him more about testifying at the June hearing of the Rent Guidelines Board, which sets cost increases for the city’s rent-regulated apartments.

Mohamed wears a keffiyah visibly tucked under his jacket, which has upset many Jewish New Yorkers.

“Everyone knows that the keffiyeh is now associated with events against Israel,” Benny Polatseck, a Chassidic Jew who worked in the creative communications department at City Hall under former mayor Eric Adams, told JNS. “Why is he presenting that message in a video that is not supposed to be political?”

Polatseck wonders if Mamdani is “going out of his way to offend the Jewish community.”

The first rule in the mayor’s communications department when Polatseck worked there was that nothing it produced could offend any segment of New York’s wide array of religious and ethnic communities, Polatseck told JNS.

“If we had produced anything like this, I would have been fired the next day,” he said.

Moshe Spern, who teaches history at a Queens public high school, told JNS that “the message being sent to me and every other Jewish person by this video is that, ‘I’m going to trigger you and make you remember Oct. 7, the biggest pogrom to face the Jewish people since the Holocaust.’”

“They can try to spin this if they want to and say it’s about bringing people together,” said Spern, who is president of United Jewish Teachers, an advocacy group that represents Jews in teachers unions. “But you are the mayor of New York City and should respect the million-plus Jews here.”

The black-and-white keffiyah is a symbol of Palestinian resistance, and anti-Israel demonstrators often use it to cover their faces.

Wendy Melillo, an associate professor of journalism at American University whose research focuses on how communication impacts society and the media, told JNS that “visual representation of one’s personal beliefs is a statement about what is valued in that person’s life.”

“Wearing that particular clothing as a representative can suggest that this is valued by the Mamdani administration,” she said.

“It’s really important to understand what the agenda is behind any public service messaging,” Mellillo told JNS. “That requires research into what the intent is.” (JNS sought comment from the mayor’s office.)

Mohamed Alharbi, deputy Queens borough director in the mayor’s mass engagement office, who wears the keffiyeh in the video, has said that his family is Yemeni, not Palestinian.

For some Jewish New Yorkers, Mamdani’s intent in the public service announcement is clear. “This is a mayor consistently sending a message to the Jewish people of New York that you don’t matter,” Spern told JNS.

Russell Drew, who identifies on social media as a political junkie and native New Yorker, wrote that “this kid is wearing a keffiyeh. I won’t even listen to another thing he says.”

“Or anybody else who wears a garment associated with terrorism,” Drew added. “Zohran Mamdani doesn’t care. He knows what he’s doing. Everything he does is about Palestine.”

[Video below.] President Donald Trump brushed off a question about his personal safety with humor after being asked whether he would begin wearing a bulletproof vest following what officials say was another attempt on his life.

“I don’t know if I can handle looking 20 pounds heavier,” he said during a news conference on Thursday afternoon.

“If you want to gain 20 to 25 pounds, get a vest — and live,” he added.

The remark, which drew laughter from reporters and members of his administration, came in the aftermath of a shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner—an event authorities say marked the third alleged attempt to assassinate the president.

Authorities identified the suspect as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, who was taken into custody after opening fire during the gathering. He has been charged with several offenses, including attempted assassination, and faces the possibility of life in prison if found guilty.

Trump said that although the idea of wearing protective gear has been raised before, he noted that “I guess it’s something you consider in one way.”

He also indicated that he is not preoccupied with the prospect of another attempt on his life, telling reporters he is not focused on whether there could be a fourth incident.

Allen appeared in federal court on Thursday but did not enter a plea. Investigators say that just days earlier, he ran through a magnetometer at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C., carrying a long gun, causing chaos at one of the capital’s most prominent annual events.

During the incident, a Secret Service agent was struck by gunfire but was protected by a bullet-resistant vest and survived the attack.

{Matzav.com}

President Trump has issued an executive order aimed at extending retirement savings opportunities to millions of Americans who currently lack access to employer-sponsored plans such as 401(k)s.

“I promised to make the same types of retirement accounts enjoyed by federal employees available to all Americans, and that’s what we’re doing. It only seemed fair,” he said during the signing ceremony in the Oval Office.

As part of the initiative, workers without access to an employer-provided individual retirement account (IRA) will qualify for a federal matching contribution of up to $1,000 annually, according to the president.

The eligibility thresholds for the program include individuals earning under $35,500 per year, heads of household earning up to $53,250, and married couples with a combined annual income of up to $71,000.

“This will be really revolutionary because they’ll be covered,” Trump said in the Oval Office.

“Nobody thought that was possible. For example, if a 25-year-old who is eligible for a Saver’s Match program invests just $165 a month under the matching federal contributions, they will have an estimated $465,000 in their account by the time they’re 65 years old,” he added.

“In other words, they’ll be rich. And there’s something awfully nice about that.”

Roughly 56 million Americans do not have access to workplace retirement plans, according to data from Pew Research.

That group includes gig economy workers such as Uber drivers, self-employed tradespeople, and individuals working freelance or contract jobs.

Small-business operators, including neighborhood shop owners, are also expected to benefit from the expanded access.

An estimated 27 million individuals already qualify for participation under a 2022 law that introduced the Saver’s Match program, though many have not yet enrolled.

The Joint Committee on Taxation previously estimated that the Saver’s Match initiative would cost approximately $9.3 billion between 2027 and 2032.

The Treasury Department plans to roll out a dedicated website, TrumpIRA.gov, on January 1, 2027, which will serve as the platform for applications.

A prior federal savings initiative, myRA, introduced during the Obama administration, was discontinued in 2017.

The rollout of the new retirement program comes as Trump highlights economic policies ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Treasury officials are expected to begin a public awareness campaign leading up to the 2027 launch of the program.

Earlier this year, the department also introduced the Trump Accounts initiative, funded with billions in private contributions, to establish tax-advantaged savings accounts for children born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028.

Each qualifying child receives an initial $1,000 deposit, while individuals outside that timeframe will still have the option to open accounts independently.

Under the executive order, the Treasury is tasked with compiling and publishing a list of financial institutions that offer IRAs and accept the federal Saver’s Match contribution through the TrumpIRA.gov platform.

The directive also includes measures designed to simplify participation for tax-exempt organizations.

In addition, lawmakers are being urged to pass legislation that would formally enshrine the policy into law.

{Matzav.com}

The head of the IDF’s Central Command has issued an unusual warning about rising tensions in Judea and Samaria, pointing not only to Palestinian terrorism but also to violence carried out by Jewish extremists as a factor that could trigger a broader escalation.

According to a report in Haaretz, Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth said, “It’s quite a miracle that the Palestinians are still indifferent to Jewish terror; it won’t last forever.”

Bluth acknowledged that parts of the settlement enterprise contribute positively to security, but stressed that a serious problem exists alongside it. “150 farms were established in coordination with the army that help the security situation, but there are hundreds of anarchist youths who burn homes with their occupants inside. That is Israeli terror,” he said.

He warned that he has already conveyed clear messages to Israel’s political leadership about the risk of imminent deterioration. “I said… ‘You should know that overall, the coffee being brewed is good coffee. Terror is at its lowest level, but there is a constant simmer and we don’t know where it will spill over. But when it spills, it spills quickly.’”

According to Bluth, tensions are not driven solely by violence on the ground but also by economic pressures. “There are things that can raise the temperature, like funds that haven’t been transferred to the Palestinians for a year, and Palestinian Authority security personnel receiving only 40% of their salaries,” he said.

He added that alongside enforcement measures, there is a need for steps that can help calm the situation. “It would be worthwhile for us to also have tools from time to time to lower the flames… and not just sticks and more sticks and more sticks.”

Bluth concluded with a warning about the potential consequences of a wider escalation. “At some point, this situation could spill over, and when it does, it becomes a major event… 2.5 million Palestinians living a meter from Highway 6 is a significant scenario.”

He added that the IDF is preparing for a worst-case scenario as well. “So that even if, Heaven forbid, an intifada begins, it will be a sequence of attacks and not a raid-type event like what happened on October 7.”

{Matzav.com}

One of the victims wounded in the terror stabbing in Golders Green, London, was released from the hospital Thursday night after what has been described as a near-miraculous recovery. The victim, Shloime Rand, survived the potentially fatal attack, with his traditional chassidic clothing credited with preventing more severe injury. A second victim remains hospitalized.

According to a friend who documented his condition in the hospital and spoke to ITV News, the victim requested that his face not be shown publicly, though those close to him wanted to convey the seriousness of the attack.

The friend recounted that Rand had been lying in a hospital bed connected to a ventilator following the stabbing. After receiving dedicated medical care, he was discharged later in the evening. The second victim, Moshe Shein, 76, is still undergoing treatment.

Despite being targeted because of his visibly Jewish appearance, Rand’s clothing ultimately played a role in saving his life. The multiple layers of thick fabric associated with his chassidic attire reportedly prevented the knife from penetrating more deeply.

Speaking from his hospital room in an interview with the BBC, Rand said he feels as though “God gave me my life back.”

He described suffering serious stab wounds to his chest but said he managed to jump backward during the attack, adding, “so thank God.” When asked whether enough is being done to address antisemitism, he responded, “Absolutely not.”

{Matzav.com}

A newly announced political alliance between former prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid may signal unity on the surface, but reports indicate that tensions between the two leaders have not fully subsided.

According to a report aired Thursday by Channel 12 News, Bennett privately criticized Lapid shortly before the partnership was made public, allegedly referring to him in harsh terms during internal discussions.

The report said Bennett told close associates he had serious reservations about joining forces, warning that “Lapid is toxic, toxic, toxic.” He was also said to be concerned that aligning with Lapid could distance him from right-wing voters he hopes to attract.

In response, representatives of the newly formed Together party dismissed the claims and emphasized the strength of the joint list, arguing that it has already become the largest political faction in the country while labeling the current coalition as the only “toxic” factor.

Bennett and Lapid officially unveiled their combined slate on Sunday, announcing that they would run as a unified list headed by Bennett.

Their joint statement framed the move as part of a larger initiative to “repairing the State of Israel,” describing the alliance as an effort to bring together political forces and reduce divisions within their camp.

The announcement also said the merger is intended to streamline campaign efforts ahead of the upcoming elections, with the aim of securing victory and advancing political change.

It further noted that the partnership is meant to reinforce what it called the “bloc of repair,” presenting a consolidated political front designed to operate cohesively in both public and political spheres.

{Matzav.com}

Rav Gershon Ribner, rosh kollel of Kollel Nesivos Hatorah and son-in-law of Rav Shneur Kotler, has succeeded in applying classical Talmudical analysis and methodology to understanding all areas of Yiddishkeit, bringing out its profundity and sense.

LISTEN:

Brig. Gen. Omer Tishler was elevated to the rank of Major General on Thursday as he prepares to take over as commander of the Israeli Air Force next week, replacing the current chief during a particularly tense period.

Tishler, who held key leadership roles as Air Force Chief of Staff and deputy commander during the October 7 attack, is set to assume command from Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar in the coming days.

During the promotion ceremony, Defense Minister Israel Katz addressed ongoing regional developments, focusing on Israel’s confrontations with Iran and its allied forces. “Iran was dealt heavy blows over the past year, blows that set it back years in all areas.”

He said that while the country faces increasing challenges, there are also significant opportunities to reshape the regional landscape.

Katz highlighted coordination with the United States, noting that President Donald Trump, working alongside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is leading efforts to ensure Iran does not pose an existential threat.

He added that Israel “supports the effort and gives the needed backing, but we may soon need to act again to ensure that the goals are met.”

Turning to the conflict in Lebanon, Katz said Hezbollah has sustained major damage over the past two years, including during Operation Roaring Lion.

“We will act and destroy all terrorist infrastructure in the security zone up to the Yellow Line, both above and below ground, just as we did in Gaza,” he said, adding that Israel will act “to remove threats from the residents of the Galilee and crush Hezbollah’s capabilities throughout Lebanon. We promised security to the residents of the north, and that is what we will deliver.”

Addressing Tishler directly, Katz emphasized the need for full operational readiness across all fronts, both near and distant. “The State of Israel will not allow its enemies to threaten its existence. We will continue to act with determination, strength, and responsibility to ensure the security of Israel’s citizens for generations.”

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s Foreign Ministry announced that individuals aboard a flotilla intercepted while attempting to breach the naval blockade on Gaza will be transferred to Greece rather than held in Israeli custody.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said the move follows coordination with Greek authorities after Israeli forces blocked the vessels from reaching Gaza.

“So far, Israel – through the IDF – has successfully blocked attempts to breach the lawful naval blockade on Gaza and the arrival of vessels from the provocative flotilla, including last night,” Sa’ar stated,

“All participants in the provocative flotilla who were taken off the vessels were taken off unharmed,” he said. “In coordination with the Greek government, the individuals transferred from the flotilla vessels to the Israeli vessel will be disembarked on a Greek beach in the coming hours.”

Sa’ar expressed appreciation to Greece for agreeing to receive those aboard the flotilla and urged that future humanitarian efforts follow established channels. “We call on anyone who is not interested in provocations but rather in humanitarian aid to Gaza to do so through the BOP, which also issued a statement on the matter today.”

“Israel will not allow the breach of the lawful naval blockade on Gaza,” Sa’ar concluded.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the Israeli Navy for intercepting the flotilla, emphasizing that the mission was carried out successfully.

“Well done to our Navy! I instructed them to prevent the flotilla of Hamas supporters from reaching the shores of Gaza. The mission was carried out with complete success: not a single ship and not a single Hamas supporter reached our territory, or even our territorial waters. They were turned back and will return to their countries of origin. They will continue to watch Gaza on YouTube.”

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir criticized the government’s decision not to detain the participants, calling it a sign of weakness.

“The unfortunate decision of the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister – made in secret and in the dark – to release most of the flotilla participants without arrest and to allow the violation of Israel’s sovereignty just because of Erdogan’s threats, is a message of weakness towards Israel’s enemies and the spreaders of antisemitism in the world,” Ben-Gvir said.

He added that the decision contradicted prior recommendations by security officials. “This decision is contrary to my position, and I demand that it be rescinded.”

The flotilla, which set sail from multiple countries including Turkey, Spain, and Italy, involved more than 100 boats and approximately 1,000 participants. Israeli forces intercepted the vessels late Wednesday night as they neared the Gaza coastline.

British authorities have increased the national terrorism threat level to “severe” following the stabbing attack targeting Jews in London’s Golders Green neighborhood, signaling that officials believe another attack is highly likely in the near future.

The upgrade was determined by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre, the body responsible for independently assessing the country’s threat status. A “severe” level means that the risk of a terrorist incident in the coming months is considered high.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood confirmed the decision, stating, “Today, the national threat level has increased to ‘severe’, which means a terrorist attack is considered highly likely.”

A government statement said the change followed the Golders Green stabbing, while emphasizing that the move reflects a broader upward trend in threats rather than a reaction to a single incident. Officials pointed to increased activity from Islamist and far-right extremists, including individuals and small cells operating within the country.

Authorities also warned about growing concern over threats linked to foreign actors that are encouraging violence, including attacks directed at Jewish communities.

Mahmood acknowledged the anxiety the decision may cause, particularly among Jews in Britain, saying the raised level “will be a source of concern to many, particularly amongst our Jewish community, who have suffered so much”.

She added that the government “will do everything in our power to rid society of the evil of antisemitism”.

“As the threat level rises, I urge everyone to be vigilant as they go about their daily lives, and report any concerns they have to the police,” she stated.

The stabbing in Golders Green, in which two Orthodox Jewish men were seriously injured, has been officially classified as a terrorist attack by counter-terrorism police.

Investigators identified the suspect as a 45-year-old British citizen born in Somalia, who was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. After receiving treatment in a hospital, he was taken to a London police station, where he remains in custody. Police are also searching a residence in southeast London and examining another incident believed to be connected.

The victims were named as Shilome Rand, 34, and Moshe Shine, 76. Both were initially listed in serious condition but are now reported to be stable following treatment.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the government is taking urgent steps in response to rising antisemitism, describing the attack as part of a continuing pattern targeting Jews.

“Yesterday’s terror attack wasn’t an isolated incident,” Starmer said. “It was the latest attack on the Jewish community for being Jewish.”

Starmer said he spoke with volunteer responders from Shomrim and Hatzola, commending their response to the attack. He added that additional funding has been directed toward increased police patrols and security, along with efforts to fast-track legislation addressing hostile state threats.

“My message to Jewish people is this: you belong here, and we will do everything we can to keep you safe,” he said.

The attack comes amid a broader surge in antisemitic incidents across the United Kingdom, including recent arson attacks and acts of vandalism targeting Jewish institutions.

An Iran-linked group calling itself Ashab Al-Yamim has claimed responsibility for the stabbing.

Officials in Israel also raised concerns about the situation. Immigration Minister Ofir Sofer warned that security for Jews in the UK is worsening and criticized what he described as an inadequate response by British authorities.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry said the recent wave of attacks shows the situation is not under control and urged the UK government to take stronger action to combat antisemitism.

The developments have led to heightened security measures at Jewish sites across Britain as authorities respond to the elevated threat level.

{Matzav.com}

Dear Matzav Inbox,

Everyone is busy arguing about the latest “smashburger” story—treif, not treif, who said what, who certified what. Fine. Have the argument. But the truth is, even if you settle that entire discussion, you’re still left with something much more uncomfortable that nobody seems eager to address.

What is going on with our obsession with food?

I’m not talking about enjoying a good meal. I’m talking about the nonstop, over-the-top fixation that has somehow become normal in the frum community. Open a WhatsApp status. Scroll Instagram for a minute. It’s the same thing on repeat—people standing over grills, filming themselves slicing steaks, zooming in like it’s a surgical procedure, narrating every bite as if the rest of us are supposed to be impressed.

Or people sitting in restaurants, rating every dish, telling us how good it is, making total fools out of themselves. “Wow. Wow. Guys, this is insane. Wow. Wow. Guys, guys, I’m telling you, you gotta try this. I’m telling you guys. This is incredible. Wow. Wow.”

For real?

And the reactions are just as bad. “I’m drooling.” “This is insane.” “Next level.”

Grown adults talking like that, publicly, about food. It would be funny if it wasn’t so embarrassing.

At this point, it’s not even about eating. It’s about performing. Showing. Broadcasting. As if putting meat on a grill has become some kind of accomplishment that needs an audience.

And it doesn’t stop there. Walk into any wedding today. Nobody even pretends otherwise. People size up the simcha based on the menu before they’ve even sat down. The conversation afterward isn’t about the chassan and kallah. It’s about the carving station, the sushi, the late-night buffet. You hear the same reviews every time, like people just came back from a restaurant critique instead of a wedding.

Restaurants are another story altogether. Every new place has to outdo the last one, and people run after it like it’s breaking news. Pictures, videos, commentary, endless hype. You would think we were dealing with something of real importance.

We’re not. We’re talking about food.

We’re supposed to be an am kadosh. That doesn’t mean we don’t eat well. It doesn’t mean we don’t enjoy things. But it does mean there’s supposed to be some sense of proportion, some awareness of what deserves this kind of attention and what doesn’t.

Instead, we’ve taken something basic and turned it into a centerpiece of our lives. It fills our conversations, our screens, our social interactions. It’s constant. And after a while, it just looks…small.

There used to be a certain dignity in how people carried themselves. Today, people are proudly putting their indulgence on display for anyone who wants to watch. Not privately. Not quietly. Loudly. Repeatedly. As if this is what we want to be known for.

That’s what makes the whole thing so uncomfortable. It’s not one person here or there. It’s a culture. It’s a tone. And it doesn’t feel like it fits who we are supposed to be.

There’s a difference between enjoying something and revolving around it. Right now, it feels like we’ve crossed that line a long time ago and just kept going.

So yes, argue about treife smashburgers all you want. Just don’t pretend that’s the real issue.

The real issue is what we’ve become comfortable with. The real issue is why we don’t feel like throwing up every time we hear someone say, “Wow. Wow. Guys, this is insane. Wow. Wow. Guys, guys, I’m telling you, you gotta try this. I’m telling you guys. This is incredible. Wow. Wow.”

Sincerely,
A reader who thinks we can do better

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A commercial flight from the United States landed in Venezuela on Thursday, restoring direct air travel between the two countries for the first time since 2019 and signaling improving ties after years of strained relations.

The flight, operated by Envoy Air, a regional carrier owned by American Airlines, departed Miami International Airport at 10:11 a.m. EDT and arrived at Simón Bolívar International Airport near Caracas at 1:22 p.m. EDT, according to flight tracking data.

The aircraft is scheduled to make the return trip later in the day, leaving Venezuela at 2:40 p.m. EDT and arriving back in Miami at 6:11 p.m. EDT, according to the same tracking service.

Earlier Thursday, the State Department shared footage on X showing the American Eagle plane taxiing for takeoff. Officials said the route will operate daily between Miami and Venezuela.

Air travel between the two nations was halted in 2019 when the Department of Transportation suspended all commercial and cargo flights after the Department of Homeland Security concluded that “conditions” in Venezuela “threaten the safety and security of passengers, aircraft, and crew.”

Since then, political developments have led to a thaw in relations. After U.S. forces captured former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January, the government led by his vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, has taken steps to loosen restrictions, including freeing hundreds of political detainees and easing limits on foreign investment in the country’s oil sector.

In addition, the Treasury Department moved earlier this month to scale back sanctions affecting Venezuela’s state-run banking system.

Despite those changes, human rights concerns remain. As of April 21, 473 political prisoners — including 43 foreign nationals — are still being held in Venezuela, according to the rights group Foro Penal.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who attended a ceremony in Miami marking the inaugural flight, described the development as a “critical milestone in strengthening the United States relationship with Venezuela and unleashing economic opportunity” in both countries.

“I am proud of our Department’s work behind the scenes to make this inaugural flight come to life, and I want to thank American Airlines for their continued commitment to servicing this essential aviation artery,” Duffy said in a release.

American Airlines executive vice president Nate Gatten said the carrier was “proud to be the first airline to resume service” between the two countries.

Flights between Miami and Caracas are already available for booking through May, though ticket prices exceeded $1,000 for a one-way trip as of Thursday afternoon.

The Transportation Department said additional airlines may soon follow, noting that other carriers “have expressed a strong interest in restoring operations to Caracas and other locations across Venezuela.”

Officials added that the department will “continue to review applications and provide updates in the coming months on new offerings.”

The restored route is expected to serve a large Venezuelan population living in the United States. As of 2024, about 1.2 million Venezuelans reside in the U.S., including roughly 254,000 in the Miami area and approximately 127,000 in the Orlando region.

{Matzav.com}

Researchers at the Mayo Clinic have created an artificial intelligence system that can identify pancreatic cancer long before it is usually found, raising the possibility of earlier treatment for one of the most lethal forms of cancer.

The new technology, known as the Radiomics-based Early Detection Model (REDMOD), is designed to analyze standard abdominal CT scans and detect early warning signs of pancreatic cancer as much as three years before a formal diagnosis. According to researchers, the system evaluates hundreds of subtle imaging features related to tissue texture and structure, allowing it to recognize faint biological changes that are not yet visible as tumors.

In findings published in the journal Gut, the AI model successfully flagged 73% of cancers before diagnosis, with a median lead time of roughly 16 months. That performance is nearly twice as effective as specialists reviewing the same scans without the assistance of AI.

When looking at scans taken more than two years prior to diagnosis, the system proved even more effective, identifying almost three times as many early-stage cancers as human reviewers.

To ensure reliability, researchers tested the model on close to 2,000 CT scans collected from different hospitals, imaging systems, and clinical settings. The AI’s results remained consistent even when analyzing multiple scans from the same patient over time, suggesting it could be useful for continuous monitoring and early detection.

Another advantage of the system is that it operates automatically, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual input by clinicians.

This work is part of a larger push at Mayo Clinic to improve early detection of pancreatic cancer, a disease expected to become the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States by 2030.

The AI tool is intended to evaluate scans that patients are already receiving for unrelated reasons, particularly in individuals considered higher risk, such as those who develop new-onset diabetes. It can flag elevated cancer risk even before any visible mass appears.

Researchers are now moving forward with clinical testing through a study known as AI-PACED, which will examine how doctors can incorporate AI-assisted detection into care for high-risk patients. The trial will track early detection rates, false positives, and patient outcomes.

According to a press release, the research is part of Mayo Clinic’s Precure initiative, which “aims to predict and prevent disease by identifying the earliest biological changes in the body before symptoms start.”

Pancreatic cancer remains especially dangerous because it typically produces no symptoms in its early stages. More than 85% of patients are diagnosed only after the disease has already spread, and the five-year survival rate remains under 15%, according to the National Cancer Institute.

“This AI can now identify the signature of cancer from a normal-appearing pancreas, and it can do so reliably over time and across diverse clinical settings,” said Ajit Goenka, the study’s senior author and a radiologist and nuclear medicine specialist at Mayo Clinic.

Detecting pancreatic cancer earlier could allow more patients to receive potentially curative treatment, improving outcomes for a disease that is often diagnosed too late.

Researchers say the model’s ability to function across different hospitals and imaging systems could allow it to be widely adopted, potentially benefiting patients nationwide.

Firefighters brought a major blaze under control Thursday evening after a house fire in north-west London forced evacuations from nearby homes and a shul in Stamford Hill.

Emergency crews rushed to Cazenove Road shortly after 4:14 p.m., deploying 15 fire engines and approximately 100 firefighters to combat the fast-moving flames.

According to the London Fire Brigade, three individuals were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation, and two were transported to the hospital for additional care.

https://twitter.com/i/status/2049876724872048903

Police said the cause of the fire remains under review. The Metropolitan Police described the situation as being in the “early stages” and said it was “keeping an open mind as to the cause of the fire”. The force added: “We appreciate that given the location of the fire and proximity to the synagogue, there will undoubtedly be community concern.”

Later in the evening, the London Fire Brigade indicated that there is no current indication that the fire was intentionally set, though investigators are continuing to examine what happened.

Officials confirmed that the blaze has since been contained.

Video from the area showed heavy smoke pouring into the sky as flames spread through the structure, leaving significant portions of the building badly damaged, including the entrance.

Onlookers gathered nearby as emergency personnel worked to control the fire and secure the scene.

Authorities have not yet determined whether the affected building was being used as a private residence or for community purposes.

Members of Shomrim assisted Hackney police with traffic control and street closures around the site.

Officials urged the public to stay away from the area to allow firefighters to continue their work safely.

The London Fire Brigade said it received more than 40 emergency calls beginning at 4:14 p.m., prompting the dispatch of crews from Stoke Newington, Islington, Walthamstow, and other nearby stations.

{Matzav.com}

The annual Lag BaOmer hilula at Meron will not take place this year, after a senior government official announced the cancellation due to a breakdown in coordination between key ministries responsible for the event.

Shimon Elbaum, Director-General of the Ministry of Jerusalem and Heritage, which oversees the Meron celebration, informed the Director-General of the Ministry of Transportation and Road Safety that under the current conditions, the event cannot proceed. The decision follows disagreements over transportation arrangements, with the Transportation Ministry arguing that the proposed plan is unsafe and that it would be unable to evacuate large crowds in the event of a mass-casualty incident.

In his letter, Elbaum wrote that “in coordination with Minister Shlomo Karchi, and after it became clear that the Ministry of Transportation is not implementing the required transportation system in accordance with the government decision, the law, and the approved outline, I would like to clarify the following: according to the Temporary Law for the Regulation of the Hilula of Rav Shimon Bar Yochai, 2026, it was established that access to the Meron site during the hilula will be permitted exclusively via designated public transportation and designated travel tickets.”

He continued, “This directive constitutes a fundamental condition for maintaining controlled and limited entry in accordance with Home Front Command guidelines. The restricted outline for operating the hilula was approved by all security authorities and is based on regulating crowd movement and controlling the number of people present at any given moment. Failure to operate the transportation system in accordance with the approved outline does not allow for the implementation of this mechanism. This directly harms the ability to enforce the outline in line with Home Front Command instructions.”

Elbaum warned that without proper transportation coordination, serious public safety risks would emerge. “In such a situation, significant disturbances are expected to arise, including unusual congestion, uncontrolled crowd movement, and a real risk of clashes with law enforcement forces.”

He concluded that since the Ministry of Transportation does not intend to fulfill its role in executing the approved plan, the event cannot be held safely. “Under these circumstances, and with great regret, we are compelled to announce that in the year 2026, no Lag BaOmer hilula events will take place in Meron.”

The letter further stated that responsibility for the consequences of the cancellation would rest with the Transportation Ministry. “It should be clarified that responsibility for all resulting consequences, including risks to public safety, overcrowding, public disorder, and danger to human life, will lie with the Ministry of Transportation.”