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Yerushalayim Man Charged in $200,000 Light Rail Arson; Suspenders Allegedly Led Police to Him

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A 22-year-old Yerushalayim resident has been indicted for allegedly setting fire to equipment at the Yerushalayim light rail construction site on Rechov Bar-Ilan, causing an estimated 700,000 shekels (approximately $200,000) in damage. According to reports, investigators identified the suspect in part because of the distinctive suspenders he was wearing.

Prosecutors allege that the incident occurred late at night about a month ago, when the suspect allegedly set fire to large pipes stored at the construction site. The blaze caused extensive damage to the project, with losses estimated at roughly 700,000 shekels.

According to i24NEWS reporter Shlomi Heller, investigators were able to identify the suspect based on several unique articles of clothing, including the suspenders he was wearing. Police also reportedly relied on the testimony of a passerby who said the suspect had asked him for a lighter just minutes before the fire was ignited.

In a separate but related development, Yerushalayim police and firefighters were called Tuesday to the Banks Junction area of the city after reports of explosions and a fire near another light rail construction site.

Emergency crews discovered that electrical cables at the construction site had been set ablaze, causing a widespread power outage that affected nearby homes and businesses.

Firefighters succeeded in extinguishing the blaze, while police launched an investigation and began searching for those responsible.

{Matzav.com}

Gedolei Yisroel Urge Mechanchim: ‘Do Not Be Lured by Higher Salaries at State Chareidi Schools’

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Leading Gedolei Yisroel gathered Thursday in Bnei Brak for an unprecedented emergency conference with dozens of Talmud Torah administrators from across Eretz Yisroel, issuing a powerful call to strengthen chinuch and warning melamdim not to leave traditional Torah institutions for the higher salaries being offered by state-funded Chareidi schools.

The gathering, held at Yeshivas Slabodka, was led by Rav Dov Landau, Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, Rav Don Segal, Rav Shraga Shteinman, Rav Chaim Feinstein, Rav Binyamin Finkel, and Rav Shimon Galei, together with prominent rabbanim from communities throughout the country. The conference focused on the growing shortage of qualified melamdim and ways to reinforce the sacred mission of Torah education.

At the center of the event were passionate addresses highlighting the irreplaceable role of mechanchim in shaping the next generation. The Gedolim spoke about what they described as increasing financial incentives drawing melamdim to transfer to state-funded Chareidi schools (Mamlachti Chareidi, or MMa”Ch) and other educational frameworks that, they said, do not have the approval of the Torah leadership.

The Gedolim stressed that no amount of money can compare to the privilege and responsibility of educating Jewish children, urging melamdim not to abandon such a vital mission for financial gain.

Participants received a special document prepared by the conference organizers outlining the key messages and resolutions adopted at the gathering.

The statement emphasized the foundational teaching of Chazal that the world exists because of the Torah learning of young children and described melamdim as those who illuminate the Jewish future. Quoting the principle, “If there are no young goats, there will be no mature goats,” the document stressed that the next generation depends upon educators who possess outstanding character, profound yiras Shamayim, and whose fear of Heaven precedes their scholarship.

Beyond teaching Torah Shebichsav and Torah Shebaal Peh, the statement said, melamdim must serve as living examples for their talmidim, instilling a love of Torah, yiras Shamayim, exemplary middos, and genuine warmth and affection toward every child.

The Gedolim also appealed to community rabbanim to encourage talented individuals to embrace the calling of becoming melamdim from the outset, emphasizing that anyone capable of succeeding in this sacred work should be regarded as a distinguished teacher of Torah whose contribution is beyond measure.

A separate appeal was directed to parents and the broader public, urging them to recognize and appreciate the dedication and sacrifice of the melamdim who devote themselves to educating the future of Klal Yisroel.

Addressing the attraction of state-funded Chareidi schools directly, the Gedolim warned educators not to be enticed by higher salaries or material benefits. Although the financial compensation may appear greater, they said, those who leave Torah institutions approved by Daas Torah ultimately forfeit a far greater reward. They cited the explicit guidance of Maran Rav Gershon Edelstein zt”l on the matter and expressed confidence that those who resist financial temptation and continue teaching in institutions guided solely by Daas Torah will ultimately be blessed by the Ribbono Shel Olam with both abundant livelihood and lasting satisfaction.

Recognizing the financial challenges facing melamdim, the conference also called on school administrators and parents to make every effort to improve teachers’ salaries. A special appeal was issued to philanthropists and supporters of Torah to increase their assistance to Talmudei Torah, enabling them to provide better compensation. The statement further suggested that families with greater financial means consider paying higher tuition, noting that Chazal teach that the expense of Torah education is ultimately repaid by Hashem.

Before the conference concluded, school administrators raised another pressing concern with the Gedolim: the severe shortage of qualified female teachers and preschool educators in the Bais Yaakov school system. They warned that the crisis has become just as acute as the shortage of melamdim and requires an urgent, comprehensive solution.

כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר כינוס מנהלי החיידריםצילום: שוקי לרר

{Matzav.com}

US Hammers Bridges Around Key Iran Port of Bandar Abbas On Seventh Straight Night of Airstrikes

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American forces intensified their military campaign against Iran on Friday by striking key transportation infrastructure around the strategic port of Bandar Abbas, marking the seventh straight day of U.S. air operations aimed at weakening Tehran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz. The attacks come as President Donald Trump signals that last month’s ceasefire agreement with Iran has effectively collapsed.

Among the targets hit were multiple road and railway bridges serving Bandar Abbas, a critical hub for Iranian military logistics. U.S. aircraft also destroyed a prominent white surveillance tower in the southern city of Chabahar, a port situated along an important trade corridor connecting Iran with neighboring Afghanistan.

According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), the tower formed part of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ long-standing maritime surveillance system used to monitor commercial shipping traveling through the Strait of Hormuz.

“The destruction of the tower directly degrades IRGC’s ability to coordinate attacks on innocent civilian crew members,” CENTCOM said in a post on X. “Furthermore, the strike protects freedom of navigation in regional waters for all vessels, except for ships attempting to violate the ongoing U.S. naval blockade against Iran.”

The renewed military campaign began after Tehran allegedly fired on three commercial vessels and failed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as required under the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding and ceasefire agreement, prompting Washington to resume hostilities last week.

The initial wave of Friday’s strikes concluded shortly after President Trump declared during a nationally televised address that the United States was “winning big in Iran, and you will see the fruits of that labor very, very shortly.”

Only hours later, CENTCOM launched another series of attacks.

The expanded offensive follows President Trump’s announcement that the ceasefire negotiated with Tehran was no longer in effect after Iran failed to meet its commitments under the agreement.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has asked us to continue ‘talks,’” Trump said on July 10. “We have agreed to do so, but the United States has stated to them, in no uncertain terms, that the Cease Fire is OVER!”

The latest escalation came after negotiations collapsed last weekend, leading Washington to begin its renewed bombing campaign against Iranian targets.

Following the launch of Operation Epic Fury by the United States and Israel on Feb. 28, Iran effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping, sending global oil prices sharply higher and giving Tehran significant leverage during subsequent negotiations.

With maritime traffic through the strategic waterway falling to its lowest level in three weeks, Brent crude climbed above $86 per barrel, approaching its highest price in a month.

Iranian state television reported that the strikes in Hormozgan Province damaged at least six bridges and left at least eight people dead. Iran’s Health Ministry said the latest round of fighting has resulted in at least 39 fatalities and more than 400 injuries.

Although alternative routes into and out of Bandar Abbas remain operational, analysts say additional U.S. strikes could further disrupt both Iranian military supply lines and the flow of commercial goods serving the country’s population of roughly 90 million people.

The port of Chabahar, developed in part with Indian support, has also become a recurring target of American airstrikes during the current conflict.

Iran has maintained that it alone should control the Strait of Hormuz and has argued that vessels transiting the waterway should pay fees to Tehran, despite the international community’s longstanding recognition of the strait as an international shipping lane.

President Trump has recently warned that the United States could expand its campaign by targeting Iran’s electrical grid, bridges, and energy infrastructure while enforcing a renewed naval blockade designed to halt Iranian oil exports. He has also pledged to begin striking additional oil and energy facilities next week if Tehran continues to reject negotiations.

A White House spokesperson told the BBC that the United States “carried out strikes exclusively on military targets, including military logistics infrastructure.”

CENTCOM also announced that U.S. naval forces intercepted several commercial vessels attempting to breach the blockade. According to the command, three ships were redirected, one vessel was disabled after refusing to comply with instructions, and another was boarded “to ensure full compliance.”

MarineTraffic.com reported that only eight vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday—the fewest in three weeks. Seven of those ships traveled along a route favored by Iran, while none used the route nearest Oman that has been encouraged by the United States.

Maritime security concerns continue to disrupt commercial shipping throughout the region. Lloyd’s List Intelligence reported Thursday that some oil tankers are navigating the strait with their tracking systems switched off, while many others have opted to remain in port rather than risk the voyage.

Although an increasing share of Middle Eastern energy exports is now moving through pipelines, industry analysts say those routes remain insufficient to compensate for the sharp decline in tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

{Matzav.com}

AOC: Senate Elements Founded on Racism

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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez declined to disavow a proposal by the Democratic Socialists of America to abolish the U.S. Senate, instead arguing that portions of the chamber’s history were rooted in racism while avoiding a direct answer on whether she supports eliminating the institution.

During an interview with Newsmax congressional correspondent Kilmeny Duchardt outside the U.S. Capitol, the New York Democrat repeatedly avoided taking a clear position on the DSA platform’s call to abolish the Senate.

“I mean, again, I’m not running for any larger office presently,” Ocasio-Cortez said when asked whether she rejects the proposal.

She also emphasized that eliminating the Senate would not be a simple political decision, noting that abolishing the chamber “is, of course, a constitutional question.”

When Duchardt continued pressing her about whether she supports the Senate itself, Ocasio-Cortez shifted her focus to criticism of the institution’s history.

“We’ve all got our complaints,” she said. “I don’t support the filibuster. I don’t support elements of this institution that we know … were founded on Jim Crow.”

She further pointed out that dismantling the Senate would require a constitutional convention as well as approval from two-thirds of the states.

The interview aired Friday on Newsmax’s “National Report,” where Duchardt said Ocasio-Cortez “refused to distance herself” from what has become one of the Democratic Socialists of America’s most controversial policy positions.

The congresswoman’s remarks sparked swift reactions from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.

Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., dismissed the idea that abolishing the Senate would address the nation’s challenges.

“My view is that you’re not going to solve our problems by simply suggesting they can all be solved by abolishing the U.S. Senate,” Welch told Newsmax.

Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., responded even more sharply, describing the argument as “historically illiterate.”

“I think that a lot of people who are spouting off of this have no concept of American history,” Schmitt said. “They have no concept of what it means to protect individual liberty. And it’s a pretty scary turn, I think, for the Democrats.”

The latest controversy comes amid reports that the Democratic Socialists of America has discussed offering Ocasio-Cortez an early endorsement if she decides to pursue the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028.

Asked whether she would welcome such backing, the congresswoman brushed aside the speculation.

“I don’t think I’m seeking any endorsement from any office I’m not currently seeking right now,” she said. “I could run for dog catcher. I don’t know.”

The U.S. Senate was created under Article I of the Constitution in 1789 as one of the two chambers of Congress.

Conservatives have argued that proposals to abolish the Senate or reduce its constitutional powers are part of a broader progressive effort to weaken the nation’s system of checks and balances following repeated legislative defeats.

{Matzav.com}

Trump Says Canada Could Pay Tariff Price for Wildfire Pollution

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President Donald Trump said Friday that Canada should face additional economic consequences over the wildfire smoke that has spread across the United States, arguing that the financial impact of the pollution should be factored into the tariffs his administration is already imposing on Canadian products.

Posting on Truth Social, Trump declared that, “The cost of this pollution must of necessity be added to tariffs Canada is currently paying,” according to Reuters.

Trump also criticized Canada for failing to better manage the widespread wildfires that have sent smoke into large portions of the United States for weeks.

“Canada must do more to prevent these massive wildfires,” Trump wrote. “The smoke is pouring into the United States, affecting millions of Americans. This cannot continue. They need to get their forests under control and protect both Canadians and their neighbors.”

The president’s remarks came as smoke from hundreds of active fires across Canada continued drifting into the Midwest, Great Lakes region, Northeast, and Mid-Atlantic, triggering air quality warnings and public health advisories for millions of Americans.

Reuters noted that Trump’s comments connect the ongoing wildfire emergency with his broader trade policy toward Canada. His administration has already announced plans to impose a 35% tariff on certain Canadian imports beginning Aug. 1, while products covered under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement will continue to be handled separately.

The Washington Post reported this week that smoke from the Canadian wildfires could impact air quality for nearly 100 million people across the United States, with hazy skies stretching from the Upper Midwest through the Northeast.

According to ABC News, Canada is battling more than 800 active wildfires, including several of the largest blazes burning in western Ontario. Favorable wind patterns have carried thick smoke southward into the United States.

The smoky conditions have significantly reduced visibility and worsened air quality in major cities such as Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, Buffalo, New York, and Philadelphia. Public health officials have advised children, seniors, and those suffering from asthma, heart disease, or other respiratory illnesses to remain indoors whenever smoke concentrations are high.

Wildfire smoke is especially dangerous because it contains microscopic PM2.5 particles, which are capable of traveling deep into the lungs and entering the bloodstream, increasing the risk of respiratory distress and other serious health problems.

The latest wave of smoke is part of another intense wildfire season in Canada, continuing a trend that has repeatedly affected the United States in recent years. During Canada’s historic 2023 fire season, smoke blanketed much of the Northeast, turning skies orange and producing some of the worst air quality measurements ever recorded worldwide.

The fires have also forced thousands of residents to evacuate communities across multiple Canadian provinces while millions of acres of forest have been consumed. Fire crews remain engaged in battling hundreds of blazes that are still burning.

As of Friday, Canadian officials had not publicly responded to Trump’s proposal that the economic costs associated with the wildfire smoke should be incorporated into U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods.

{Matzav.com}

Rebbe of Toldos Aharon Receives Rare Visit to Restored Kerestir Shul as Construction Halts in His Honor

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The Rebbe of Toldos Aharon, who is currently vacationing in Hungary, paid a special visit this week to the town of Kerestir, where construction work on the historic bais medrash of Rav Yeshaya’le of Kerestir was temporarily halted so he could daven in the newly restored sanctuary.

The visit came after the Rebbe traveled to Ohel to visit the kever of the Yismach Moshe on his yahrtzeit. From there, he continued to Kerestir, where, on the eve of Rosh Chodesh Menachem Av—a time traditionally regarded as especially auspicious for prayer—he visited the kever of the renowned miracle worker, Rav Yeshaya ben Rav Moshe of Kerestir זי”ע.

Upon arriving in Kerestir, the Rebbe was warmly welcomed by the leadership of Rabbi Yeshaya’le’s House (Reb Yeshaya’les Hoiz) and members of the Rubin family, descendants of the tzaddik who have spearheaded the restoration of the town’s historic Jewish sites.

During the visit, the Rebbe toured the historic bais medrash of Rav Yeshaya’le, which is currently being rebuilt on the original foundations of the shul where the famed tzaddik davened and served the Jewish community. Although the restoration project remains under construction, all work was suspended and the building was specially opened in honor of the Rebbe’s visit, allowing him to daven Maariv within the very walls where Rav Yeshaya’le himself once stood in prayer.

The restoration is part of a major preservation effort led in recent years by the tzaddik’s descendants, headed by Rav Menachem Mendel Rubin, who directs the Reb Yeshaya’les Hoiz organization. After a lengthy process to return the property to Jewish ownership, the bais medrash has been painstakingly reconstructed according to its original design, based on uncovered foundations, historical documents, and eyewitness accounts.

Following Maariv, the Rebbe proceeded to the kever, where he remained for an extended period. Standing in the Kohanim room adjacent to the ohel, he read kvitlach and offered heartfelt tefillos on behalf of both the klal and individual petitioners. He later greeted the many visitors gathered at the site and bestowed blessings for yeshuos, refuos, and continued success.

{Matzav.com}

Last Business Open on Shabbos in Crown Heights to Close Its Doors

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A longstanding fixture on Kingston Avenue in Crown Heights will no longer operate on Shabbos, marking the first time in years that every business along the neighborhood’s main commercial strip will be closed in honor of the day.

According to a report by COLlive, Happy Dry Cleaners, located at 316 Kingston Avenue, has announced that it will no longer open on Shabbos. For many years, the dry cleaner had been the only business remaining open on the neighborhood’s central shopping corridor during the Jewish day of rest, earning it the local nickname “the Erev Shabbos dry cleaner.”

The change follows a recent transfer of ownership. The store’s longtime owner, Yoon Bo Choon, retired at the age of 81 after operating the business for decades. About a month ago, ownership passed to his niece, Lee Young Kim, who now runs the business together with her husband, Sam.

One of the new owners’ first decisions was to revise the store’s operating schedule and discontinue business on Shabbos. Explaining the move, Lee Young Kim said, “We want to respect the Jewish community and honor the Jewish day of rest. From now on the store will be closed on Saturdays.”

The decision carries significance beyond the business itself. With the dry cleaner now closing on Shabbos, every storefront on both sides of Kingston Avenue’s main commercial district will be shuttered throughout the day. Many local residents welcomed the announcement. One regular customer remarked, “We’re very appreciative of this. It shows respect for the community. We wish the new owners much success.”

{Matzav.com}

Israel Tax Authority Freezes Bnei Brak War Compensation Claims After Inspectors Attacked

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The Israel Tax Authority has suspended the processing of war-damage compensation claims for Bnei Brak residents following the violent attack on its inspectors in the city this week. The freeze will remain in effect until the municipality issues a public condemnation of the incident.

The decision was announced Friday in a letter sent by Israel Tax Authority Director Shay Aharonovitz to Bnei Brak Mayor Chanoch Zeibert. In the letter, Aharonovitz said he had instructed officials to halt work on compensation claims related to damages from Operations “Am K’Lavi” and “Roar of the Lion” until the city publicly denounces the assault.

The move comes one day after Tax Authority inspectors were attacked while carrying out their duties in Bnei Brak’s Kiryat Vizhnitz neighborhood. Video footage published by Kikar HaShabbat showed a crowd surrounding the inspectors’ vehicle, pelting it with eggs and damaging its windows before police officers arrived and rescued those inside.

In his letter, Aharonovitz wrote that the inspectors had come to the city as part of their official responsibilities when they were violently assaulted and ultimately required a police extraction. He noted that this was the second attack targeting Tax Authority personnel in recent weeks and said the Bnei Brak municipality had yet to publicly condemn either incident.

Aharonovitz stated that Tax Authority employees would not resume operations in Bnei Brak until the municipality issues a clear and unequivocal public statement denouncing the violence. As a result, he also directed the Compensation Fund to suspend all processing of war-damage claims submitted by city residents.

The Tax Authority director further requested that the city’s condemnation be published in media outlets serving the Chareidi community. According to the letter, the freeze on compensation claims will remain in place until such a public statement is issued.

{Matzav.com}

$4.88 Trillion Valuation: Apple Dethrones Nvidia to Reclaim Title as World’s Most Valuable Company

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Apple reclaimed its position as the world’s most valuable publicly traded company on Friday, overtaking Nvidia as investors reevaluated the artificial intelligence sector and shifted attention beyond the chipmaker that had dominated Wall Street for nearly a year.

Apple’s market capitalization climbed to approximately $4.88 trillion as its stock traded little changed, while Nvidia’s value slipped to about $4.86 trillion after its shares fell 3.5%. The move marks Apple’s return to the top for the first time since April of last year.

The change reflects a broader shift in investor sentiment as markets look beyond the most obvious AI winners. Nvidia has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of the AI boom, but investors are increasingly recognizing opportunities elsewhere in the technology sector.

“Apple was seen as a laggard in the AI race because it wasn’t spending to develop models, but now sentiment has changed,” said Toni Meadows, head of investment at BRI Wealth Management.

“Apple is less ⁠exposed to capex intensity and better positioned to monetize AI via services, ecosystem lock-in, and hardware upgrades,” Meadows added. “The re-rating reflects confidence in earnings durability rather than speculative AI upside.”

The milestone also represents a significant turnaround for Apple, which had long been viewed as trailing competitors in artificial intelligence. The renewed confidence could influence how CEO Tim Cook’s tenure is ultimately judged as he prepares to hand leadership of the company to longtime hardware executive John Ternus in September.

Apple has recently stepped up its AI efforts, including the release last month of a long-awaited overhaul of Siri. The company hopes the upgraded voice assistant will narrow the gap with major technology rivals and emerging AI companies competing in the rapidly evolving field.

Some Wall Street analysts believe Apple’s greatest AI advantage may already be in customers’ pockets. They point to the vast amount of personal information stored securely on iPhones, saying it could significantly improve Siri’s usefulness and capabilities if Apple finds a way to leverage that data while maintaining its privacy commitments.

Nvidia reached a historic milestone in October when it became the first company ever to surpass a $5 trillion market valuation, underscoring the enormous investor enthusiasm surrounding AI hardware. Although Apple has now moved ahead, many analysts believe Nvidia remains exceptionally well positioned thanks to its dominant role in supplying graphics processors that power much of today’s generative AI industry.

Several market observers cautioned that the rankings could easily change again if investor sentiment swings back toward AI chipmakers. At the same time, Apple faces its own challenges after raising prices to offset higher costs, a move that could weigh on consumer demand.

“I don’t see any meaningful distinction. Nvidia likely to be a significant participant in whatever happens going forward,” said Benjamin Hall, vice president, alpha research at Segal Marco Advisors.

Investor enthusiasm for AI has also expanded well beyond Nvidia. Memory-chip manufacturers have emerged as some of the strongest performers this year, with Micron surpassing a $1 trillion market capitalization in May as investors increasingly recognized the importance of memory technology in AI infrastructure. South Korea’s SK Hynix also joined the Nasdaq earlier this month, giving investors another major AI-focused semiconductor company to consider.

“The new entrants to the market could spread out the focus away from the pure Magnificent Seven names into a wider number of names,” Hall said.

Even with optimism surrounding AI remaining strong, the semiconductor sector has experienced increased volatility. In July, concerns about whether the AI rally could be sustained pushed the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index nearly 19% below its record high. Despite that pullback, however, the index has still outperformed Nvidia’s stock so far this year.

{Matzav.com}

Federal Appeals Court Strikes Down New Jersey Assault Weapons Ban in Major Second Amendment Victory

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In a landmark ruling, a federal appeals court on Friday declared New Jersey’s ban on so-called assault weapons and large-capacity ammunition magazines unconstitutional, marking the first time a federal appellate court has invalidated a state’s assault weapons prohibition under the Second Amendment.

The decision was issued by the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia. The court ruled that New Jersey’s restrictions on semiautomatic rifles, including AR-15-style firearms, as well as its prohibition on magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition, violate the constitutional right to keep and bear arms for self-defense.

The ruling comes as the U.S. Supreme Court is already considering similar legal challenges. Last month, the nation’s highest court agreed to review lower court decisions that upheld comparable assault weapons bans enacted in Cook County, Illinois, and the state of Connecticut. The Supreme Court currently has a 6-3 conservative majority.

The New Jersey case was brought by several gun rights organizations, which argued that the state’s firearms restrictions could no longer withstand constitutional scrutiny following the Supreme Court’s landmark 2022 Second Amendment decision.

In that case, New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, the Supreme Court ruled that modern firearm regulations must be “consistent with this nation’s historical tradition of ⁠firearm regulation.”

A federal district judge had previously issued a split decision in 2024, concluding that New Jersey’s prohibition on AR-15 rifles was unconstitutional while allowing the state’s ban on magazines holding more than 10 rounds to remain in effect.

The full appeals court went even further. By a 10-5 vote, it ruled that New Jersey’s ban on all semiautomatic rifles—not just AR-15-style firearms—violates the Second Amendment. The court also struck down the state’s restriction on large-capacity magazines, concluding that both provisions are unconstitutional.

{Matzav.com}

Shabbos-Observant Passengers Stranded in London After Israir Plane Damaged in Airport Mishap

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Dozens of Shabbos-observant travelers found themselves stranded in London just hours before the start of Shabbos after an Israir flight to Israel was canceled when the aircraft was damaged in an unusual ground accident at the airport.

Israir Flight 116, which had been scheduled to depart for Israel on Thursday evening, was forced to cancel after an airport service vehicle struck the aircraft while it was being towed before takeoff. The collision caused damage that rendered the plane unfit for flight.

According to reports, this was the third such incident to occur at the London airport. As far as is known, airport management has not conducted a formal investigation into the previous similar accidents. The latest mishap occurred during the aircraft’s towing procedure, when the service vehicle responsible for preparing the plane for departure collided directly with it.

After the damaged aircraft was evacuated, passengers were escorted back to the terminal, where they waited to retrieve their luggage. Israir arranged hotel accommodations and transportation for those affected. The airline also informed passengers who chose to make their own lodging arrangements that they would be reimbursed for hotel expenses, transportation, and meals, in accordance with the company’s policies and the information provided to them.

Since the incident, Israir has been working with all relevant authorities in an effort to operate a rescue flight as early as possible and return the stranded passengers to Israel. Those who are unable to travel because they observe Shabbos will instead be flown back on Sunday.

Israir apologized to its passengers for the disruption, emphasizing that the incident was beyond the airline’s control. The company added that it will continue assisting travelers until they return to Israel and stressed that the safety and security of its passengers remain its highest priority.

{Matzav.com}

Former IAF Chief: Air Force Failed on October 7th, We Have to Learn from It

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As Israel approaches the third anniversary of the October 7 massacre, debate continues over the security establishment’s performance during the attack, with senior former officials still publicly disagreeing over what went wrong and what must change.

Adding his voice to the discussion, former Israeli Air Force commander Maj. Gen. (Res.) Eitan Ben Eliyahu argued that the military branch specifically designed for rapid emergency response failed to be available during the crucial opening hours of the assault. He said the Air Force’s foremost lesson from the attack should be to maintain forces on constant standby that can be deployed within 30 minutes, even when facing a surprise offensive.

According to Israeli journalist Gideon Alon, Ben Eliyahu made the remarks Friday while addressing the Commercial and Industrial Club during a lecture at the Hilton Hotel in Tel Aviv.

During his speech, Ben Eliyahu said, “the Air Force was built in a way that it could respond quickly, but on the morning of October 7th, it didn’t happen.”

He also stressed the importance of improving military preparedness for unexpected threats, saying, “one of the lessons that must be learned from the failure of October 7th is that a surprises can always happen and therefore, at least part of the Air Force must be ready within half an hour.”

{Matzav.com}

Breakthrough Cholesterol Pill Wins FDA Approval, Offering Needle-Free Alternative

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a groundbreaking new cholesterol-lowering pill that could transform treatment for millions of patients by providing the first oral alternative to injectable PCSK9 medications. The drug, developed by Merck and marketed under the brand name Lipfendra, is designed for people whose dangerously high cholesterol levels remain elevated despite taking statins.

The approval, announced Thursday, is aimed at patients suffering from artery-clogging LDL, or “bad,” cholesterol that continues to pose a serious cardiovascular risk even after treatment with standard cholesterol-lowering medications. Until now, drugs targeting the PCSK9 protein have only been available as injections, limiting their use because of high costs, insurance hurdles, and relatively limited prescribing.

Lipfendra is the first pill to work by blocking the liver protein known as PCSK9. That protein interferes with the body’s natural ability to remove cholesterol from the bloodstream. Injectable medications that target PCSK9 have been on the market for more than a decade through companies such as Amgen, but their widespread use has been hampered by financial and access barriers.

While statins remain the foundation of cholesterol treatment by reducing the liver’s production of cholesterol, many patients are unable to lower their LDL levels enough with statins alone. As a result, additional therapy is often necessary to help patients reach recommended cholesterol targets and reduce their risk of heart attack and stroke.

Merck, headquartered in Rahway, New Jersey, secured FDA approval after two clinical trials involving high-risk patients who took Lipfendra in addition to their existing cholesterol medications, including statins. In one study involving approximately 3,000 participants, patients who received Lipfendra experienced a reduction in LDL cholesterol of more than 55% after six months. A second trial found that patients taking the medication achieved an average LDL reduction of 59% compared with those who received a placebo.

Researchers reported that the cholesterol-lowering effects remained largely consistent over the course of a year. The most commonly reported side effects, including dizziness and diarrhea, occurred at rates similar to those seen in patients taking the placebo. One important requirement is that the medication must be taken on an empty stomach.

The FDA evaluated Lipfendra through its accelerated review program for promising treatments considered to serve the public interest. The expedited pathway was established under then-FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary, who resigned from the agency in May following months of pressure from pharmaceutical companies, patient advocates, and other outside organizations.

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, with elevated LDL cholesterol recognized as one of the primary contributors to heart attacks and strokes. While an LDL level below 100 is generally considered acceptable for healthy individuals, physicians typically recommend reducing LDL to 70 or lower for patients with heart disease or high cholesterol, with even lower targets advised for those considered to be at the highest cardiovascular risk.

{Matzav.com}

Eyal Golan Accepts Shabbos Commitment After Shiur, Urges Public to Daven for Rav Dov Kook

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Israeli singer Eyal Golan announced that he has accepted upon himself not to travel on Shabbos after participating in a shiur held in his home, urging others to take on their own kabbalos as a zechus for the recovery of Rav Dov Kook, who is currently hospitalized following a serious respiratory complication.

Rav Dov Kook is being treated at Poriya Medical Center in Tiverya after suffering an acute respiratory illness. Golan encouraged the public to strengthen themselves in some way for the Rav’s recovery, asking each person to accept a positive kabbalah in his merit.

According to Golan, the shiur was arranged by his daughter, Aline. Expressing his appreciation to her, he said: “This week, my righteous daughter Aline hosted a Torah class here in my home. At the end of the class, I went outside and took upon myself that I would not travel on this Shabbat.”

Calling on others to join him, Golan added: “For the recovery of Rabbi Kook, I ask each and every one of you: take something upon yourselves, this Shabbat, for the recovery of Rabbi Kook. I took upon myself not to travel.”

He concluded by once again thanking his daughter for inspiring the commitment, saying: “Thank you to my righteous daughter Aline, who gave me this merit. Thank you.”

{Matzav.com}

Report: NY Is Now Spending More On Medicaid Than Schools — And Pays More Per Person Than Anywhere In US

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New York is now spending more on Medicaid than it does on K-12 education, according to a new fiscal analysis that highlights the state’s rapidly escalating healthcare costs and raises fresh concerns about the long-term sustainability of its budget, the NY Post reports.

A report released by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli found that New York spent $39.4 billion on its Medicaid program during the 2025-26 fiscal year, accounting for 26.5% of the entire state budget. That exceeded the $37 billion allocated for public schools, despite New York already ranking first in the nation in both Medicaid spending per resident and education spending per student.

The findings come as the Trump administration is investigating Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Medicaid program over possible waste, fraud, and abuse.

“When Medicaid outranks math, the state’s fiscal diagnosis isn’t complicated,” Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the US Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, told The Post. “Every tough decision New York makes to clean up Medicaid ensures that education is not crowded out.”

Federal officials have recently intensified their scrutiny of New York’s Medicaid system, with investigators focusing on several adult day care centers in New York City amid concerns over possible fraudulent billing and other abuses.

Medicaid is the federal-state health insurance program for low-income individuals, with funding shared among federal, state, and local governments. New York already spends more on the program per capita than any other state, while also leading the nation in per-pupil education spending.

According to DiNapoli’s report, state Medicaid expenditures have more than doubled over the past decade.

“In recent years, all [state] agency Medicaid spending has overtaken spending on School Aid,” DiNapoli’s report said in its review of New York’s record $269 billion budget for fiscal year 2026-27.

Together, Medicaid and education now consume more than half of the state’s overall budget.

Budget projections cited in the report indicate that state Medicaid spending will continue climbing sharply, reaching $53.3 billion within three years. That would represent approximately 29% of total state spending, while school aid is projected to rise to $43.7 billion, or 23.8% of the budget, leaving nearly a $10 billion gap between the two programs.

Bill Hammond, a senior fellow at the Empire Center for Public Policy who specializes in New York healthcare issues, argued that the current trajectory is unsustainable.

“Spending on Medicaid is too high. It’s a free for all. There’s no accountability. They don’t care about the results,” Hammond said.

He noted that virtually every segment of New York’s healthcare industry—including hospitals, nursing homes, outpatient clinics, pharmaceutical companies, and home healthcare providers—receives Medicaid funding.

“It’s not about serving the public interest. It’s about serving special interests,” he said.

Hammond acknowledged that Medicaid provides essential care for vulnerable populations, including low-income residents and individuals with disabilities. However, he argued that New York routinely spends beyond what is necessary, resulting in significant waste.

He pointed to the rapid expansion of adult day care centers serving elderly residents, where costs have surged and prosecutors have brought criminal cases alleging operators paid illegal kickbacks to recruit enrollees.

Hammond also said New York’s generous eligibility standards contribute to rising costs, noting that a majority of Medicaid recipients in the state have incomes above the federal poverty level.

DiNapoli’s report projects that Medicaid expenditures will increase by another $5 billion as hospitals absorb more uninsured patients arriving at emergency rooms after federal healthcare changes caused many residents to lose insurance coverage.

The comptroller also projects Medicaid enrollment will increase from 6.6 million to 7.2 million people as non-citizens transition from the state’s Essential Plan into Medicaid coverage.

According to Hochul’s Division of the Budget, the rising costs are being driven by mandatory wage increases for healthcare workers, higher prices for medical care and prescription drugs, increased reimbursement rates for hospitals and nursing homes, and continued growth among elderly and other high-cost patient populations.

The report also found a dramatic increase in the number of financially troubled hospitals across the state. Today, 75 of New York’s 261 hospitals—nearly 29%—are classified as financially distressed, representing a 200% increase over the past decade. As a result, federal and state financial assistance to struggling hospitals has risen by approximately 700%.

To address those financial pressures, the newly enacted state budget includes $500 million in one-time emergency funding for distressed hospitals.

DiNapoli concluded that Medicaid spending is now growing faster than the state’s statutory spending cap while healthcare-related tax revenues are declining. As a result, he warned that New York policymakers will eventually have to confront “the sustainability of the current trajectory of Medicaid spending.”

{Matzav.com}

Nearly 18 Years Later: Terrorist Indicted in Cold-Case Murder of Ido Zoldan

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Military prosecutors have filed an indictment against terrorist Shadi Juma for his role in the November 2007 murder of Ido Zoldan, bringing formal charges nearly 18 years after the deadly attack. The indictment was submitted Thursday evening following Juma’s recent capture by Israeli security forces.

The charges became possible after Juma was arrested roughly six weeks ago in Qalqilya during a joint operation conducted by the IDF, the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet), and the Gideonim Unit.

Israeli authorities said Juma was taken into custody immediately after completing a lengthy prison term in Palestinian Authority custody, where he had been incarcerated continuously since the time of the attack.

According to the indictment, the murder was not spontaneous but the result of extensive planning and a deliberate roadside ambush. “On November 19, 2007, Juma joined two additional accomplices, and together they formulated a detailed operational plan to carry out a targeted shooting attack against Jewish residents traveling on the main roads. The defendant and his accomplices traveled together to obtain weapons and prepare the vehicle that would be used both to carry out the attack and to facilitate their escape, while coordinating among themselves the manner in which the shooting would be executed and the specific weapons to be used,” the indictment states.

The indictment goes on to describe how the terror cell searched for Israeli targets before carrying out the fatal attack. “After completing the logistical preparations, the three members of the cell went into the field to locate vehicles driven by Israeli civilians. They agreed in advance that they would positively confirm the victim’s Jewish identity before opening fire, and they began lying in wait for passing vehicles. After identifying the car driven by the late Ido Zoldan, they closed in on it with their own vehicle. At that point, one of Juma’s accomplices opened fire at close range directly at Zoldan with the intent to kill him. As a result of the shooting, Ido Zoldan was killed. Immediately after carrying out the attack, Juma and his accomplices fled the scene.”

Military prosecutors have charged Juma with “causing death with intent while acting in concert,” the offense under military law that is equivalent to a murder charge.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Minister Pushes Crocodile Prison Security Plan Despite Legal, Environmental Opposition

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A controversial proposal to use Nile crocodiles as a security measure around Israeli prisons holding terrorist inmates has sparked a growing dispute after Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman approved a legal designation intended to advance the plan despite objections from her ministry’s legal adviser and the Israel Nature and Parks Authority.

Silman declared the Nile crocodile a “cultivated wild animal,” a classification designed to allow the Israel Prison Service to deploy crocodiles around correctional facilities. The decision was made over the objections of both the ministry’s legal counsel and the professional recommendations submitted by wildlife experts.

The initiative began several months ago after the Ministry of National Security reportedly pressed the Israel Nature and Parks Authority to permit the transfer of crocodiles from the Hamat Gader park for use around prisons housing security prisoners. The pilot program was reportedly slated to begin at Ketziot Prison.

Last month, the ministry’s legal adviser, attorney Neta Drori, sent Silman a sharply worded letter arguing that there was no factual or professional basis for moving forward with the proposal. She wrote that there is no recognized precedent for using crocodiles as a security measure at modern correctional facilities.

“With regard to the use that was made in the United States, it was noted that this was an experiment for a short period that was discontinued. Apparently, this involved an area where crocodiles were naturally present, and therefore there is no basis for comparison,” the letter stated.

Drori also argued that the proposal requires extensive review from an animal welfare standpoint. She wrote, “Although Israel Prison Service officials stated that they are aware of and prepared to ensure the animals’ physical welfare, among other things based on their experience handling dogs, it appears that the organization has no expertise in raising dangerous wild animals such as crocodiles.”

The legal adviser concluded that the proposal could not legally proceed, writing, “In light of this, our position is that the legal conditions required for such a declaration have not been met, and there is therefore a legal impediment to advancing the declaration as requested.”

The Israel Nature and Parks Authority reached a similar conclusion. In an opinion submitted to the ministry’s legal adviser, the authority’s chief prosecutor, attorney Shay Peretz, wrote that “no sufficient professional basis was found to approve the keeping of crocodiles at security facilities in Israel, regardless of the legal mechanism through which such keeping would be authorized.”

The authority’s professional assessment was unequivocal, stating: “The very introduction of a large, dangerous, long-lived and non-native wild animal into a complex operational security system creates a range of significant risks that do not allow, from a professional standpoint, a recommendation to advance the program.”

Dr. Noam Lider, head of the Ecology Department in the authority’s Science Division, also raised concerns about the welfare of the animals. He wrote, “The use of crocodiles as a means of security or deterrence goes beyond the purposes for which wild animals are commonly kept and creates an inherent concern that security and operational needs will outweigh the welfare, veterinary care and maintenance required throughout the many decades of the animal’s life.”

The opinion further warned that even the escape of a single crocodile could create an ongoing environmental and public safety hazard. “A crocodile that reaches a drainage system, reservoir, stream, fish pond or other body of water could survive for a long time, be difficult to locate and capture, prey on native wildlife and endanger the public,” the report stated.

Officials noted that Nile crocodiles had previously been designated as cultivated wild animals to allow commercial farming for their skins. That effort ultimately resulted in numerous problems, including crocodile escapes and fears that the reptiles would establish themselves in the wild and endanger the public. Former Environmental Protection Minister Gilad Erdan later ended the practice based on the recommendation of the advisory committee of the Israel Nature and Parks Authority.

Despite the legal and professional objections, Silman chose to move forward with the plan. She said a senior professional at the Nature and Parks Authority had indicated there was no opposition to the Prison Service initiative and that a previously approved legal framework already existed.

Silman argued there is a fundamental distinction between the unsuccessful commercial crocodile operations of the past and having Israel’s prison service—an agency responsible for preventing dangerous terrorists from escaping—oversee the reptiles while complying with the authority’s requirements.

As part of the move, the minister effectively created a new legal classification of “cultivated wild animal for security purposes,” reviving a dormant provision of Israel’s Wildlife Protection Law.

Environmental and animal welfare organizations have sharply criticized the proposal. Let the Animals Live, the IDF Veganism Promotion Headquarters, Animals, and the Keren Or Rescue Farm said in a joint statement: “We strongly oppose the use of animals as a means of guarding and deterrence. Crocodiles are sentient animals with complex needs for space, water, temperature and natural behavior. It is highly doubtful that placing them in prisons can comply with Israel’s Animal Welfare Law.”

The groups also pointed to the mass killing of crocodiles at a Jordan Valley breeding facility, saying, “We have already seen where this leads: At the Petzael farm, hundreds of crocodiles were slaughtered for no reason after being imported for leather production. We must not create the next failure.”

They added, “Today there are countless real security measures available—cameras, sensors, electronic fences and guard towers—so there is no justification for using crocodiles. It is also highly doubtful that the crocodiles intended for this purpose have aggressive temperaments, and in any event, during the winter they slow their metabolism dramatically, become very sluggish and stop eating.”

The organizations concluded with a warning: “Security should be achieved through real security measures, not through animals. We are considering filing a petition with the High Court of Justice over the matter.”

{Matzav.com}

Hostage Captor and Hamas Propaganda Figure Killed in Precision IDF Strike

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The IDF and Shin Bet announced Friday that Israeli forces eliminated Anas Mahmoud Ahmed Hamdan, a Hamas company commander who played a key role in the captivity of Israeli hostages and oversaw Hamas propaganda efforts in Khan Yunis. Hamdan was killed in a precision airstrike carried out Thursday in the Khan Yunis area.

According to Israeli security officials, Hamdan was deeply involved in managing Israeli hostages held in Gaza. He took part in their transfer between locations and was involved in arrangements surrounding their release as part of hostage exchange agreements. He also directed the Khan Yunis Brigade’s propaganda operations for Hamas.

The IDF said Hamdan had long served as a trusted aide to some of Hamas’ most senior military leaders, including Mohammed Deif and Rafaa Salameh, maintaining that role for years and throughout the current war.

Israeli officials stated that during the conflict, Hamdan was directly responsible for guarding Israeli hostages and overseeing the filming of captives during Hamas’ staged release ceremonies. Before the October 7 war, he had also been involved in the captivity of Israeli civilian Avera Mengistu.

In recent months, the military said, Hamdan helped train Hamas operatives while working to plan and facilitate terrorist attacks targeting IDF soldiers and Israeli civilians. The IDF described him as an ongoing threat to troops operating in Gaza, adding that he was eliminated in a carefully targeted aerial operation.

The IDF said Hamdan’s death represents a significant operational achievement, removing a terrorist who played a critical role in protecting and assisting senior Hamas commanders responsible for carrying out the October 7 massacre.

{Matzav.com}

Kever of Mordechai and Esther in Iran Closed to Visitors Amid Security Concerns

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The Jewish community in Iran has announced that the kever of Mordechai and Esther in the city of Hamadan has been closed to visitors until further notice, officially citing ongoing renovation work. However, sources familiar with the situation say the closure is actually the result of security threats from extremist groups.

In an unusual public notice, the Iranian Jewish community urged members of the community not to travel to the historic site.

The announcement stated, “To the members of our community: Due to ongoing repairs and improvements at the Tomb of Esther and Mordechai in Hamadan, visits to this holy site will not be possible until further notice.”

Until recently, members of Iran’s Jewish community were required to coordinate visits to the site through the Jewish Association of Tehran. The latest notice makes clear that even those arrangements have been suspended.

“Under the current circumstances, even such coordination is not possible until further notice,” the statement said. “Therefore, all members of our community are requested to refrain from visiting or traveling to Hamadan to the Tomb of Mordechai and Esther until further notice.”

Despite the official explanation, sources familiar with the matter told local media that the closure is not related to renovation work but to threats reportedly made by extremist elements. They pointed to the complete suspension of visitor approvals as evidence that security concerns—not construction—are behind the decision.

The tomb has been the target of anti-Israel demonstrations in the past. Two weeks after the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023, demonstrators gathered at the site, burned Israeli flags, and staged a protest that was reportedly led by extremist activists seeking to inflame anti-Israel sentiment.

The site was also attacked in April 2024, when Iranian extremists were filmed throwing Molotov cocktails toward the compound while a Palestinian flag was flown over the area.

Despite those incidents, local residents of Hamadan have generally continued to safeguard the historic Jewish site. According to reports, the threats and attacks have been carried out by a small group of extremists rather than by the broader local population.

{Matzav.com}

Knesset Approves Eichler Law Requiring Government Voice Notifications for Kosher Phones

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The Knesset has given final approval to legislation requiring several major government agencies to send recorded voice notifications to Israelis whose mobile phones cannot receive text messages, marking a significant victory for the Chareidi community. The bill, sponsored by Deputy Communications Minister Yisrael Eichler, passed its second and third readings with the support of 16 lawmakers and no votes in opposition or abstentions, becoming law just before the Knesset adjourned ahead of new elections.

Under the new law, the Israel Tax Authority, the Population and Immigration Authority, and the National Insurance Institute will be required to send recorded voice messages to mobile phone users whose devices do not support SMS whenever those agencies issue standard digital notifications. The system must either confirm that the recipient received the message or make several reasonable attempts to deliver it. Recipients will also be be able to replay the recorded message for at least 30 days.

The legislation is designed to address a longstanding problem faced by thousands of Chareidi families who use kosher phones that cannot receive text messages. Until now, many of those users have struggled to receive important notices from government agencies because official communications were often sent only by SMS. Much of the Chareidi community uses these limited-function phones in accordance with the guidance of leading Torah authorities to avoid unrestricted technology.

The explanatory notes accompanying the legislation state that Israel’s Digital Communication with Public Bodies Law requires designated government agencies to provide commonly used public services through digital means. However, the law also recognizes that those services must remain accessible to individuals who either lack digital skills or do not have the technology needed to receive such communications.

Implementation of the new requirements will take place gradually over a period of up to three years. Within the first two years, at least 60 percent of the most frequently used government services must be made accessible through the voice notification system. The law also requires the government to collect data on services made digitally available in Arabic, Amharic, and Russian.

Deputy Communications Minister Eichler welcomed the bill’s passage, saying, “With Hashem’s help, just before the Knesset’s dissolution, we have delivered important news for the public that follows the guidance of the leading Torah sages and refrains from using non-kosher technology. They deserve every right afforded to every other segment of Israeli society.”

He added, “I am pleased that just before the Knesset dissolved, we succeeded in passing this critically important legislation for users of kosher phones who follow the directives of the leading Torah sages. In the next Knesset, we will fight to expand the law so that all government authorities will send necessary voice notifications to everyone who uses phones that cannot receive text messages.”

The legislation is not Eichler’s first effort to improve government accessibility for kosher phone users. He previously promoted a measure that eliminated excess charges on telephone lines used for remote learning, a move that saved thousands of families substantial amounts of money.

{Matzav.com}

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