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Visitors to the Galilee community of Migdal experienced an inspiring encounter during the bein hazmanim vacation period when one of the senior roshei yeshiva of the generation, Rav Tzvi Kushelevsky, paid a special visit to the local Chabad House and shared the unwavering faith that sustained him for decades before he merited to have his first child at the age of 89.

Rav Kushelevsky, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Heichal HaTorah, has become a symbol of extraordinary faith and trust in Hashem throughout the Torah world after the widely celebrated birth of his first son at an age when doctors had long insisted it was impossible. He was warmly welcomed by the staff of the Migdal Chabad House, which serves local residents and the many vacationers who visit the area, especially during the summer months. The Rosh Yeshiva expressed his deep appreciation for the center’s extensive outreach efforts and encouraged its emissaries in their sacred work.

During the visit, Rav Kushelevsky delivered heartfelt remarks focused on the importance of living with joy and simple faith.

“Everything that Hashem does is only for the good. The main thing is that the Satan confuses people—if there were no Satan, everything would be clear. A person must understand that G-d does only good, and people should always be happy—that is the main thing. There is a wonderful community here that believes with simple faith, the faith that a person feels in his heart that everything G-d does is only for the good.”

Reflecting on the miracle that transformed his own life, the Rosh Yeshiva shared an emotional personal message.

“I waited 89 years to have children. All the greatest doctors and professors said it was impossible, but they don’t know that G-d does whatever He wants, whenever He wants. But a person needs merit—and this is the merit: believing that everything G-d does is for the good. You have to bring that into your heart and into your mind, and come to recognize how much G-d loves every one of us. He isn’t interested in all the professors; He is interested only in the Jew who believes and knows that everything is good. What we think is nothing. G-d does only good, and even if you don’t see it now, faith itself will transform everything for the good, and through our faith, the Messiah will also come.”

Those in attendance said the Rosh Yeshiva’s words left a profound impression on the packed gathering at the Chabad House.

The uplifting event concluded with residents and visitors joining Rav Kushelevsky in singing “Your Kindness Never Ends,” offering thanks to Hashem for His countless blessings and praying for salvation for both the Jewish people as a whole and for individuals in need.

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{Matzav.com}

Prosecutors have filed a chilling indictment alleging that Binyamin Yosef Chaim Friedrich carefully planned the murder of Rav Amos Guetta zt”l, entering the Rav’s room under the pretense of wanting to daven at his bedside before allegedly stabbing the incapacitated rov to death. He now faces charges of aggravated intentional murder, aggravated assault, and unlawful possession of a knife.

The State Attorney’s Office submitted the indictment to the Central District Court in Lod, accusing Friedrich of intentionally murdering Rav Amos Guetta. In addition to the murder charge, prosecutors also accuse him of aggravated assault and illegally possessing a knife.

According to the indictment, Rav Guetta was in extremely fragile health at the time of the attack. The beloved rov was bedridden, connected to medical equipment, required constant care, and was legally recognized as a helpless person.

Prosecutors allege that Friedrich made the decision ahead of time to murder the Rav. According to the indictment, he took a knife with a 21-centimeter blade from the yeshiva kitchen, concealed it inside his pants, and arrived at the Rav’s home at approximately 5:39 a.m.

The indictment states that Friedrich asked the Rav’s caregiver, Yaakov, for permission to enter the room, explaining that he wished to recite Tehillim beside the Rav’s bed. After Yaakov allowed him inside, the defendant allegedly stood near the foot of the bed, quietly recited a brief prayer for several moments, then suddenly drew the concealed knife and stabbed Rav Guetta in the area between his chest and abdomen.

According to prosecutors, when Yaakov rushed to stop the attack, a violent struggle broke out during which the caregiver injured his hand. Despite the attempt to restrain him, Friedrich allegedly continued the assault, stabbing Rav Guetta three additional times in the abdomen before the knife slipped from his grasp.

The indictment further alleges that Friedrich fled the home, leaving the gravely wounded Rav lying in his bed. As Yaakov pursued him toward the exit, the defendant allegedly turned to face the caregiver, raised his fists in a threatening manner, and then escaped.

Prosecutors have charged Friedrich with aggravated intentional murder, contending that the attack was premeditated and carried out against a victim who was legally incapable of defending himself. He also faces charges of aggravated assault and unlawful possession of a knife.

{Matzav.com}

Hamas has reportedly sent a letter to the White House outlining a proposal for a long-term ceasefire in Gaza, appealing directly to President Donald Trump with an offer that includes a gradual disarmament in exchange for sweeping Israeli concessions. Israeli officials, however, have dismissed the proposal as a tactic designed to delay military action rather than a genuine peace initiative.

According to a report aired Thursday by Israel’s Channel 13 News, Hamas is seeking a 10- to 15-year “hudna,” or extended truce, in the Gaza Strip. The report comes nearly three years after the October 7 massacre, as diplomatic efforts surrounding Gaza continue to intensify.

The report says Hamas leaders drafted a letter in English and delivered it to the White House. In the message, the terror group tells President Trump it is willing to abide by an agreement and gradually disarm, while requesting a prolonged ceasefire under which Israel would halt military operations in Gaza, end targeted killings of senior Hamas figures, and begin a phased withdrawal of IDF forces from the Strip.

Israeli officials quickly rejected the proposal, characterizing it as Hamas “spin.” They said the terms bear little resemblance to the framework negotiated under President Trump’s plan last October.

Israeli sources said the proposal “has no chance” of being accepted, calling it a “desperate attempt” by Hamas to buy additional time. According to those officials, Hamas is chiefly trying to avoid being found in violation of Trump’s agreement, since doing so would give Israel grounds to restart military operations in Gaza.

Earlier Thursday, Channel 13 released additional details about the proposed arrangement. Under the reported framework, Hamas would gradually surrender some of its weapons over several years, but would stop short of relinquishing its heavy arsenal.

The proposal also envisions Arab countries providing millions of dollars in “retirement compensation” to Hamas officials who would step aside and be replaced by a technocratic governing committee.

In exchange, Israel would reportedly agree to a lengthy ceasefire that would include ending targeted strikes against Hamas leaders in Gaza. While the IDF would remain along the “Yellow Line” security corridor, it would gradually withdraw from certain other areas.

American, regional, and Palestinian officials told Channel 13 that the proposal amounts to a “fiction,” arguing that Hamas is unlikely to hand over all of its weapons to a third party it does not trust. They also noted that the document makes no commitment to reveal or dismantle Hamas’s vast tunnel network.

A senior Israeli official stressed, “The issue of Gaza did not come up at all during the meeting between Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump. Israel demands the complete disarmament of Hamas, including the removal of all weapons from Gaza and the full demilitarization of the Strip as a precondition for any process.”

“The 15-point document in question does not adequately address these demands, and Israel has conveyed its reservations on the matter to envoy Tony Blair. There will be no Israeli withdrawal from the Yellow Line in the Gaza Strip before Hamas is fully disarmed and the Strip is completely demilitarized.”

Channel 13 also reported earlier Thursday that two regional sources confirmed advanced negotiations are underway regarding a Hamas declaration that would relinquish control of Gaza and transfer authority to an International Stabilization Force while agreeing to disarm.

Those sources said discussions are also focusing on a formal signing ceremony in Egypt that could take place within the next several days.

The negotiations are reportedly being held in Cairo, where a senior Hamas delegation is meeting under the auspices of Egyptian intelligence, with Qatar and Turkey serving as mediators.

One regional source said only what were described as “minor” issues remain unresolved and that the Trump administration is pushing for an announcement that would allow the process to move ahead. According to that source, Hamas is prepared to transfer its weapons to a third party other than the Palestinian Authority, with an announcement potentially coming within days.

The recent diplomatic breakthrough is said to be the result of significant pressure from Egypt and Qatar, largely aimed at satisfying the White House. A signing ceremony could reportedly take place as early as today or tomorrow if the remaining disputes—including Israel’s authority to resume military operations and the powers granted to the stabilization force—are resolved.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir blasted the emerging proposal.

“With Nazis, you speak only through the sights of a rifle-and in no other way,” Ben Gvir said. “You do not commit to ending the targeted killings of terrorists or sign agreements with the devil, who has made our destruction his banner-not through a third party, not through mediators, and not through any other entity. Period.”

“After the October 7 massacre, the Prime Minister must make clear even to our closest friends that the only solution in Gaza that Israel is willing to support is encouraging emigration and destroying Hamas-no other solution.”

Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Liberman also denounced the proposal.

“Any agreement with Hamas is a return to the same conception that led the State of Israel to the October 7 massacre. Instead of agreements with Hamas, Hamas must be destroyed,” he said.

On Sunday, Israel’s Security Cabinet unanimously approved the entry of the International Stabilization Force into Gaza, an initiative launched by President Trump. Ben Gvir cast the lone dissenting vote.

A senior Israeli official said, “The initial approval for the International Stabilization Force was established in Trump’s 20-point plan, which led to the release of all the hostages. Israel insists that the IDF will continue to hold the Yellow Line, and there will be no withdrawal whatsoever until Hamas has been completely disarmed and the Gaza Strip fully demilitarized.”

“At this stage, the force consists of approximately 200 personnel from friendly countries such as Uganda and Morocco,” the official said.

The official further stated, “Today, the Security Cabinet approved granting immunity under the Law on Immunities for International Organizations to the ISF, which will operate in full coordination with the IDF in areas beyond the Yellow Line that are not under IDF control.”

“In practice, the entry of any ISF personnel will require the specific approval of the Prime Minister, the Defense Minister, and the Foreign Minister. The Cabinet also determined that Israel will decide which countries may contribute forces. Only countries with which Israel has peace agreements and that do not act against the State of Israel or its officials in the international arena will be permitted to participate.”

{Matzav.com}

After nearly two months of intensive medical treatment, encouraging news emerged regarding the condition of the renowned mekubal, Rav Chizkiyahu Dov HaKohen Kook. Family members reported a significant improvement in his condition, while stressing that he remains in need of continued tefillos.

According to the update released from the Rav’s home, he is now breathing on his own after approximately two months during which he was unable to do so without assistance.

Despite this encouraging development, the family emphasized that the public should continue davening intensely, particularly for the Rav’s left hand and fingers, whose condition remains a source of serious concern. They also reported that, at present, the Rav is still unable to see or speak, although he is able to hear those around him.

Members of the household and close associates are urging Klal Yisroel to continue pouring out heartfelt tefillos and supplications for the complete and speedy recovery of Rav Chizkiyahu Dov ben Shoshana.

{Matzav.com}

U.S. investigators increasingly believe Iran may be responsible for a cyberattack that disrupted dozens of municipal water systems across Minnesota this week, according to officials familiar with the ongoing investigation.

The assessment was first reported by The New York Times, which cited three state officials who spoke anonymously after being briefed on the probe. While the investigation has not reached a final conclusion, authorities reportedly believe the evidence points toward Iranian involvement.

Federal officials say the methods used in the intrusion, combined with the lack of any ransom demand, suggest the operation was designed to cause disruption rather than generate money. Those characteristics have led analysts to tentatively attribute the attack to Iranian hackers.

The FBI said several indicators are consistent with previous Iranian cyber activity, including Tehran’s growing interest in America’s water infrastructure.

“The FBI is aware of recent public reporting around Water and Wastewater (WWS) sectors,” they wrote in a social media post. “The FBI is actively engaged with victims.”

Investigators also believe the hackers were focused on interrupting critical services instead of seeking a financial payoff.

Although officials confirmed that no drinking water was contaminated, cybersecurity experts say the incident had the potential to become far more dangerous. Metro State cybersecurity professor Faisal Kalim explained that the attackers appeared to focus on operational technology—the systems responsible for controlling essential infrastructure such as pumps and electrical equipment.

“OT deals with something called the industrial control system that actually controls these water pumps, wells, power sectors, and so on,” says Kalim.

Authorities continue to examine the full scope of the breach. Minnesota IT Services said the investigation remains ongoing as officials evaluate the systems impacted in roughly 30 communities throughout the state.

{Matzav.com}

Vice President JD Vance and Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu held a private face-to-face meeting earlier this week in an effort to address mounting disagreements over U.S. policy toward Iran and broader Middle East strategy. While officials from both governments acknowledged that the conversation was unusually candid, they described it as constructive and said both sides remain committed to working together.

The meeting took place at Blair House after months of private friction between the two leaders over the Trump administration’s diplomatic efforts with Iran and Netanyahu’s approach to the ongoing regional conflict, according to Axios.

An Israeli official said Netanyahu used the meeting to express concern over Vance’s recent public remarks criticizing the Israeli government and questioning Israel’s standing within the Republican Party.

“It was a frank and candid conversation,” the official said.

An American official echoed that description, calling the discussion “direct.”

Vance’s office declined to comment publicly on the meeting. However, another U.S. official said the vice president and the Israeli prime minister held a “cordial and productive conversation about Middle East issues that are important to both countries.”

“The vice president and the prime minister agreed to continue pursuing opportunities for Israel and the United States to cooperate in areas of mutual interest and shared goals,” the U.S. official said, emphasizing that the meeting was not hostile and that the two leaders continue to maintain a productive working relationship.

Vance has become one of the leading voices within President Donald Trump’s administration advocating continued diplomatic engagement with Iran, particularly after the ceasefire reached on April 8.

He also played a prominent role in defending the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding, an agreement that Netanyahu reportedly opposed behind closed doors while refraining from publicly attacking it in hopes it would ultimately collapse.

That agreement eventually fell apart.

In recent months, the policy divide between Washington and Jerusalem has become increasingly public.

During June, Vance warned Israeli officials against publicly criticizing the Trump administration’s diplomatic efforts, saying members of Israel’s government should not attack “the only powerful ally” they have.

Appearing on Joe Rogan’s podcast in July, Vance went further, alleging that certain members of the Israeli government were engaged in an influence campaign designed to push the United States away from diplomacy and toward prolonging the conflict.

During that same interview, he also asserted that Jeffrey Epstein had connections to “the highest levels of Israeli intelligence.”

Officials familiar with the relationship said Netanyahu has privately objected to several of Vance’s public comments, including claims that the Israeli premier encouraged opposition to the Iran agreement and failed to demonstrate sufficient loyalty to President Trump.

At the same time, there have been accusations that individuals aligned with Netanyahu in both Israeli and American media have sought to politically weaken Vance.

According to officials, this week’s meeting gave both leaders an opportunity to address those disputes directly rather than through public statements.

This was not the first time the two men reportedly clashed behind closed doors. During a telephone conversation in March, Vance challenged Netanyahu’s optimistic assessment of the war, including predictions that Iran’s government was on the verge of a popular uprising that could bring down the regime.

{Matzav.com}

Recent reports from several military correspondents have highlighted what they describe as a sharp increase in Chareidi enlistment in the IDF, attributing the rise to sanctions imposed on the Chareidi community. But critics argue the headline figures tell only part of the story—and may paint a misleading picture of what is actually happening.

At first glance, the reported increase appears to support the Defense Ministry’s claim that mounting pressure is producing results. But before accepting the numbers at face value, critics say one key question must be asked: What exactly is increasing? More importantly, they ask whether even a single additional Chareidi combat soldier has joined the battlefield as a direct result of the sanctions.

Sources familiar with the data contend that the reality behind the statistics is far more complicated. According to those sources, there has been no meaningful increase in the number of Chareidi combat troops. Instead, they argue, the military is grouping together a wide range of enlistment programs under the broad heading of “Chareidi recruitment,” even though many of those tracks do not address the operational manpower shortages the IDF has repeatedly emphasized in recent months.

For example, part of the reported increase stems from hundreds of recruits entering Chareidi hesder yeshivos. While these young men have officially enlisted, they continue in structured yeshiva programs and do not necessarily become active combat soldiers.

Another portion of the increase comes from young men who, in previous years, would likely have chosen national civilian service. Following the closure of many civilian service options for the Chareidi public, they have instead been redirected into other military frameworks that are now being counted as enlistments.

The figures also include specialized programs such as Kodkod and other technological and vocational tracks. From a Chareidi perspective, participation in these programs represents a significant departure from traditional norms. At the same time, critics argue that the military’s own public messaging has centered on an urgent need for combat troops—not expanded enrollment in non-combat or support roles.

In other words, critics say the IDF tells the public it urgently needs additional fighters, but when seeking to demonstrate that sanctions are working, it counts rear-echelon assignments, technological training programs, soldiers who are not necessarily intended for combat, and recruits transferred from civilian service frameworks.

According to the article, that is the central problem. When officials seek to justify increased pressure on the Torah world, they point to a shortage of combat soldiers. But when they present evidence that the policy is succeeding, they count nearly every Chareidi who enters any type of military framework.

Critics argue that this creates a narrative favorable to the defense establishment. The public is told that Chareidi enlistment is rising, while policymakers are led to believe the sanctions are beginning to achieve their intended effect. Yet if the numbers do not reflect a genuine increase in combat personnel, they contend, the statistics amount largely to an exercise in presentation rather than proof of success.

The article concludes that the public deserves a more precise accounting: How many additional Chareidim have actually joined combat units as a result of the sanctions? Not how many were formally inducted, entered technological programs, or shifted from civilian service into another framework—but how many new combat soldiers have truly been added.

Until that figure is released transparently, the article argues, claims of a dramatic rise in Chareidi enlistment should be viewed with caution. There may indeed be an increase in the categories the military has chosen to count, but whether that translates into meeting the operational need the IDF has repeatedly cited remains, according to the article, an open question.

{Matzav.com}

The editorial board of HaDerech, the newspaper affiliated with the Shas movement, launched a blistering attack on Israel’s emerging political parties and several prominent politicians, arguing that excluding the Chareidi parties from government has become the unifying goal of a new generation of self-described “value right” leaders.

Published under the headline, “Whoever Distresses Israel Becomes a Leader,” the editorial contends that the common denominator among the new political initiatives is a determination to form a governing coalition without the participation of the Chareidi parties.

“In these days, new parties are springing up like mushrooms after the rain, such as those of Trooper, Hendel, Gilad Erdan, Yuli Edelstein, Ayelet Shaked and others like them. And what are they offering?” the editorial asks. According to the paper, “These are ‘value right’ figures who shifted toward the center solely to detach themselves from the bloc aligned with the Chareidim. ‘We will establish a Zionist government without Chareidim and Arabs,’ they pledge, while declaring Yair Golan to be a worthy and preferred partner. Indeed, a worthy and principled partner for the people of the ‘value right.'”

The editorial also argues that Gadi Eisenkot’s political rise has not been fueled by a new diplomatic vision or economic platform.

“If we try to trace the reason for Gadi Eisenkot’s success—from a gray and nearly marginal political figure to someone leading the left-wing bloc and claiming the mantle of prime minister—we will not find any new diplomatic or economic doctrine, an inspiring platform or a revolutionary agenda that should capture the nation’s heart,” the editorial states.

Instead, the paper claims Eisenkot’s popularity stems from a different source.

“The primary reason for his success is simple: he promises to fulfill his voters’ instinct of hatred toward the other bloc and bring about its downfall.”

The editorial further argues that Eisenkot “doesn’t have to do much,” asserting that it is enough for him “to build his electoral prospects on hatred toward the Chareidim and wave it proudly.”

The newspaper also criticized former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, accusing him of intensifying anti-Chareidi rhetoric in an effort to revive his political standing.

“And then comes Bennett, the man who already reached the summit and experiences political decline every week—and goes crazy. Hatred of Chareidim? I know how to do that even better. And just like that, his entire platform becomes a horrifying campaign of incitement against Torah learners.”

The editorial also took aim at Avigdor Liberman and Yair Golan.

“And what about Liberman? After all, he was the one who invented the method when he sent the Chareidim to the garbage dump in wheelbarrows. That man certainly doesn’t need to be taught how to incite or cultivate hatred toward the Chareidi public. And Yair Golan? Well, he’s the one who ‘identifies processes,’ who called the believing public ‘eaters of death,’ and now also promises to deal with the ‘parasites’.”

At the heart of the editorial is the claim that opposition to the Chareidi community has become one of the few issues capable of uniting much of Israel’s political establishment.

“Thus, the Chareidi public has become the new consensus in Israeli politics. Nearly all party leaders, who frequently speak loftily about national unity, are united on one thing: unity without Chareidim. Hatred of the Chareidi public has become the most sought-after political commodity on the market.”

The editorial goes on to cite the teaching of Chazal, “Whoever distresses Israel becomes a leader,” arguing that while the statement historically referred to Israel’s enemies, there have also been internal opponents throughout Jewish history who sought to weaken Torah and those who dedicate themselves to its study.

The piece concludes by urging the Chareidi public to remain steadfast in its faith and commitment to Torah despite the political climate.

“We have nothing to do but continue on our path, with faith and trust, knowing that ‘Hashem will fight for you, and you shall remain silent.’ That is how it has been throughout the generations, and that is how it will be this time as well.”

{Matzav.com}

A moving and inspiring gathering took place Wednesday evening in the main beis medrash of the Gerer Chassidus in Yerushalayim, where approximately 1,400 bochurim were recognized for successfully mastering hundreds of dafim of Gemara as part of the annual “Mezumanim Biyado” Torah program. The Gerer Rebbe personally bentched the participants and presented each bochur with the program’s traditional apples in recognition of their dedication to Torah study.

The annual event, organized by the Gerer Institutions Association, is held each year during bein hazmanim to honor bochurim from Gerer’s yeshivos and mesivtos who have demonstrated exceptional achievement in Torah learning. This year, approximately 1,400 participants were tested on anywhere from 300 to more than 1,000 dafim of Gemara.

The “Mezumanim Biyado” initiative is built around a system of surprise examinations conducted three times each year. The format encourages participants to remain consistently engaged in their learning and prepared at all times to be tested on the material they have studied.

A highlight of the evening was a public examination administered by the distinguished examiner, Rav Yechiel Fishoff, who questioned the bochurim on numerous masechtos from throughout Shas. The participants’ rapid and precise responses drew widespread admiration from the thousands in attendance, including the roshei yeshiva who participated in the event.

Addressing the Gerer Rebbe, Rav Fishoff praised the extraordinary level of Torah knowledge displayed by the bochurim, comparing their mastery of foundational Torah knowledge to that of the great Torah giants of previous generations. He also noted that, according to the head of the program, Rav Nechemiah Alter, approximately 500 additional bochurim joined the initiative over the past year alone. In recent years, the program has become a model emulated by other communities throughout the Torah world.

The emotional high point of the evening came as all 1,400 bochurim filed past the Rebbe in an orderly procession to receive the traditional apple from his hand. As he distributed the apples, the Rebbe offered each participant words of blessing, saying, “Dear bochurim, may the Holy One, Blessed is He, help that this should be in the category of continually increasing, and may you merit great success in the study of Torah.”

The event concluded with a festive seudas mitzvah honoring the participants.

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{Matzav.com}

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) is calling for Dr. Anthony Fauci to face contempt charges, be prosecuted for perjury, and ultimately serve jail time after the longtime public health official invoked the Fifth Amendment more than 100 times during Wednesday’s Senate hearing on the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Years from now, they’ll look back and say, ‘What collective madness overtook this country?’” Cruz told Fox News Digital.

Cruz accused Fauci of misleading both Congress and the American public for years, pointing to newly released diary entries that he claims contradict Fauci’s public statements.

“I think Anthony Fauci has had contempt for Congress and contempt for the American people for decades,” he said. “His diary shows that he deliberately lied to the American people over and over and over again.”

The senator made those remarks after Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Rand Paul announced plans to pursue contempt proceedings against Fauci following his repeated refusal to answer questions during the hearing by invoking his constitutional protection against self-incrimination.

“Dr. Fauci ought to think about what it says about the end of his career, that what he will be remembered for the most is pleading the Fifth more than 100 times,” Cruz said.

“He’s been the most damaging bureaucrat in the history of America.”

Cruz and Fauci have clashed for years over the federal government’s handling of the pandemic, particularly regarding Fauci’s statements about the origins of COVID-19 and whether he was truthful with Congress and the American people.

Referring to Fauci’s recently released diary, Cruz argued that it reveals a significant disconnect between Fauci’s private observations and his public messaging.

“In his diary, he wrote early on that it was clear that the COVID virus did not come from the wet market in Wuhan, and then he turned around and said exactly the opposite thing on national television,” Cruz said.

According to the released diary entries, Fauci acknowledged that scientists believed a laboratory origin for the virus—including the possibility that it had been deliberately introduced—was worthy of further investigation. Cruz argued that Fauci later minimized those possibilities in his public comments.

The Texas senator also accused Fauci of playing a central role in shutting down schools during the pandemic, saying the diary entries contradict Fauci’s repeated public denials.

According to Cruz, Fauci wrote that he persuaded officials in New York and California to close their school systems, despite later telling interviewers and testifying before the House Oversight Committee that he “did not close the schools.”

“In his diary, he brags about convincing Democrats in New York and California to shut schools down, and yet he goes on TV and says, ‘Oh, I wasn’t for shutdowns,’” Cruz said.

“The school shutdowns, which Fauci bragged that he was responsible for, may well be the single most destructive public policy step we’ve seen in decades. That learning loss will stick with those kids the rest of their lives when they’re 90 years old.

“They will still be suffering the consequences of Anthony Fauci’s corrupt and dishonest shutdowns.

“The fact that he knew he was lying to the American people — he should be held in contempt, he should be prosecuted for perjury, and he should go to jail.”

{Matzav.com}

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Two influential Democrats with deep ties to the Clinton and Obama administrations publicly broke with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani this week, criticizing both his controversial tax proposal and his positions on Israel. Former Clinton adviser Mark Penn blasted the mayor’s property tax plan, while former Obama White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel revealed details of what he said was a private confrontation with Mamdani over Israel.

The criticism is especially significant because it comes from longtime Democratic power brokers rather than Republican critics, targeting two issues that have become central to Mamdani’s political identity: his progressive economic agenda and his views on Israel.

Fox News Digital reached out to Penn, Emanuel and Mamdani’s office seeking comment.

Penn, a veteran Democratic strategist who served as a pollster and adviser to President Bill Clinton, sharply criticized Mamdani’s proposed pied-à-terre tax after the city released a searchable database identifying property owners who could be affected.

Writing in a lengthy post on X, Penn argued that the city’s property valuation system had expanded the proposal far beyond what had originally been presented, saying nearly one million property owners could now be swept into the tax instead of the approximately 30,000 luxury homeowners previously described as the intended targets.

“The $5 million figure was a fake,” Penn wrote, arguing the city’s valuation system had improperly classified properties and would force homeowners to prove they should not be taxed.

Penn also warned that the proposal could drive down property values, discourage investment in New York City and even invite constitutional challenges.

Meanwhile, Emanuel said during an appearance on the Unholy Podcast that he spent roughly 90 minutes meeting privately with Mamdani, where he challenged the mayor over his rhetoric concerning Israel.

Although Emanuel said he supported portions of Mamdani’s domestic agenda, including his childcare proposals, he objected to the mayor’s past use of the slogan “from the river to the sea.”

“I know where there’s a line. You don’t,” Emanuel recalled telling Mamdani.

Emanuel argued that both calls for a “Greater Israel” and the slogan “from the river to the sea” would only fuel “perpetual conflict.”

After Emanuel’s comments spread online, Mamdani communications director Anna Bahr disputed his account on social media.

“Can confirm this …. did not happen,” Bahr wrote on X in response to a post summarizing Emanuel’s remarks.

Bahr’s statement did not make clear whether she was denying that the meeting took place or disputing Emanuel’s version of the conversation.

Emanuel has also taken aim at the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) in recent days. In a separate post on X, he argued that Democrats should focus on winning competitive elections instead of embracing what he described as ideological causes.

“You can be focused on winning tough races, flipping red seats blue. Or you can be focused on abolishing prisons and… the Senate and Supreme Court? You can’t do both,” Emanuel wrote. “I’m for winning this November and ending Trump’s corruption — and I’m also for putting an end to all the distractions from the DSA.”

{Matzav.com}

Elon Musk is reportedly preparing to make another major financial investment in Republican campaigns ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, reviving his political operation to help drive conservative voter turnout across the country.

According to Axios, Musk plans to reactivate America PAC, the super PAC that spent more than $260 million supporting President Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign.

Sources familiar with the effort told Axios that the PAC’s strategy will center on grassroots voter outreach through door-to-door canvassing, digital advertising, and direct-mail campaigns. The focus will be on motivating conservative voters who traditionally do not participate in midterm elections.

Representatives for Musk declined to tell Axios how much money he intends to commit to the effort.

“America PAC was an essential partner for our historic GOTV operation in 2024, and their return for 2026 is a huge boost for Republicans across the country,” James Blair, a senior political adviser to Trump, told Axios.

“We will again outsmart our opponents and ruthlessly execute our mission for the GOP between now and Election Day,” Blair added.

Axios also reported that Republican super PACs and political committees currently hold an estimated $300 million fundraising advantage over their Democratic counterparts, while Trump’s MAGA Inc. super PAC alone has approximately $400 million available to spend during the election cycle.

America PAC also intends to coordinate its efforts with other Republican-aligned super PACs, allowing those organizations to devote more of their resources to television advertising, according to Axios.

“The president’s political team and the rest of the GOP apparatus have built a top-notch operation that will put Republicans in a strong position to buck history and retain control of Congress this fall, and we’re excited to again be part of the team,” America PAC spokesperson Andrew Romeo told Axios.

{Matzav.com}

Dr. Anthony Fauci exhibited multiple physical behaviors commonly associated with deception during Wednesday’s Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing, according to a prominent body language expert who analyzed his appearance before lawmakers.

Florida-based behavioral analyst Dr. Lillian Glass told The New York Post that Fauci’s reactions became noticeably different when senators pressed him with difficult questions.

“When he was asked poignant questions, his autonomic nervous system took over, and he became flushed, his breathing changed, hunched over, paler, squirmed around, blinked a lot [and] licked his lips — all signals of deception,” Glass wrote in an email.

According to Glass, Fauci’s demeanor shifted dramatically as the hearing progressed, changing from what she described as a confident and even arrogant posture to one that appeared “guarded” and “weak.”

She pointed specifically to Fauci’s exchanges with Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), saying his discomfort became increasingly apparent under the senator’s questioning.

“During Senator [Josh] Hawley’s questioning, Dr. Fauci’s shoulders rose again, and he squirmed visibly,” she noted. “His face became red. His voice weakened further and sounded increasingly shaky. He appeared emotionally strained and at moments looked as though he might cry.”

Hawley, who previously served as Missouri’s attorney general, accused Fauci of using taxpayer-funded resources to pursue prestigious awards and financial prizes, including honors such as the Dan David Award, the Adelson Prize, and awards from the Smithsonian Institution, the National Academy of Medicine, and others.

The Missouri Republican also mocked Fauci’s repeated invocation of the Fifth Amendment, asking him a series of harmless questions—including about his necktie and the color of the room’s carpet—that Fauci declined to answer.

At one point, Hawley cited Supreme Court precedent while arguing that Fauci no longer enjoyed Fifth Amendment protections because, in Hawley’s view, “you’ve been pardoned.”

Glass said another of Fauci’s most revealing moments came during an intense exchange with Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), who sharply rebuked him while using multiple profanities.

“During Senator Moreno’s questioning, Dr. Fauci’s face became flushed and red,” Glass recapped. “He looked downward and appeared unable or unwilling to look directly at the people behind him. He swallowed hard, continued manipulating his pen, and squirmed more noticeably in his chair.”

“His breathing appeared heavier,” she observed. “His voice became much softer and weaker. By this point, he sounded meek and increasingly difficult to hear.”

Glass, who has spent more than 40 years studying behavioral analysis and has testified as an expert witness in both federal and state courts, said that even when someone refuses to answer questions, their physical behavior can still reveal important clues. She emphasized that in such situations, “the body continues to communicate.”

Throughout the hearing, Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment approximately 111 times.

His only extended remarks came during his opening statement, when he criticized Senate Homeland Security Committee Chairman Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and accused the senator of seeking to have him prosecuted after publicly calling for his arrest.

“At the beginning, he appeared confident and sat upright. His tone then became more arrogant and defensive when he accused Senator Rand Paul of being out to get him and said that Senator Paul had made slanderous comments and publicly released his personal diary to embarrass him,” Glass assessed.

Glass added that Fauci appeared to relax whenever the questioning became less aggressive and other lawmakers came to his defense.

“When the questioning became less confrontational, and Dr. Fauci was being defended, his body appeared more settled. His posture looked less tense, and his breathing appeared steadier.”

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu met Wednesday with Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) at Blair House in Washington, expressing gratitude for the senator’s outspoken support of Israel as Fetterman pledged to continue serving as what he called the “conscience of the Democratic Party.”

Greeting the Pennsylvania senator, Netanyahu praised Fetterman for consistently defending both the U.S.-Israel alliance and what he believes is in America’s best interest.

“Senator, it’s good to see you again. You’ve been a stellar patriot, talking about what is good for America, what is good for our alliance, of which you’ve been a champion, and you’ve been telling it like it is, with no fear, and just an indefatigable and courageous commitment to the truth, and I want to thank you on behalf of the people of Israel,” Netanyahu told Fetterman.

Netanyahu went on to say that Fetterman’s support has earned admiration well beyond Israel.

“Actually, I want to thank you on behalf of free people everywhere, because I’ve been receiving, from around the world, kudos for your courage and your clarity. So thank you. Thank you.”

Fetterman responded by saying that standing with Israel has been among the proudest aspects of his time in the Senate and reflected on his visits to the Jewish state.

“it was a supreme honor of my time here in the Senate, proud to stand with and for the vision and what Israel is, the miracle that Israel is. I’ve had the privilege of visiting a couple times, and when you witness it, and you can just realize what a miracle it is.”

The senator also expressed frustration with the direction of his own party, criticizing fellow Democrats over their approach to Israel and singling out New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

“And it’s been disappointing, as a Democratic politician, how our party continues to behave – and we had the culmination of that, where that worthless mayor in New York, you know, saying these kinds of ridiculous claims. Now I think, as far as I know, I was the only Democrat that was proud to push that trash back, and now here we are. I’m proud to stand with Israel through everything,” he added.

Netanyahu responded by saying Israel values Fetterman’s friendship and predicted that history would remember his steadfast support.

“Well, we’re doubly proud to have you as our friend, and I think history will record your contribution to truth and justice. And these are not just words that are coming out from my mouth; they’re coming out from my heart and from deeply felt convictions. And we’re very proud, very proud of your stats, it’s one that will be recorded in my history, for history, for posterity. So thank you”.

Fetterman reaffirmed that he intends to remain one of Israel’s strongest Democratic allies on Capitol Hill.

“I’m proud to remain the conscience of the Democratic Party in Congress; not just the Senate, but over in Congress, overall. I’ve always supported things like last year, Midnight Hammer, or what you were confronting in Gaza, and how necessary it was to destroy Hamas and Hezbollah, and also go after the Iranians with their capabilities.”

He concluded by defending Israel’s military campaign and lamenting what he sees as a shift in political attitudes toward the Jewish state.

“It’s always been a just war for me, and people forgot why this was even necessary, and look at the ways these organizations and the way Iran… I don’t understand how we’ve arrived with where we are politically, you know, at least in my party, but I have no regrets. So… thank you for your kind words, and I’m always so sorry for what Israel and the Jewish community has suffered, especially since after 10/7.”

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu dismissed claims that he is trying to persuade President Donald Trump to keep the United States engaged in military action against Iran, insisting that Trump alone is making the decisions while reaffirming the close partnership between Washington and Israel in confronting the Iranian threat.

During an interview Wednesday on ABC News Live Prime with Linsey Davis, Netanyahu also voiced strong skepticism that Iran could be trusted in any diplomatic process.

“Well, I don’t know if it’s unlikely, but I’m skeptical about Iran’s modus operandi, I mean, the method of operating. They always lie, they always cheat, and they always play for time. Could that, within sufficient pressure — diplomatic, economic pressure — could that change? Give it a try.”

The interview came a day after Netanyahu and Trump held private meetings at the White House. Reflecting on their relationship, Netanyahu emphasized that while Israel and the United States are united in confronting Iran, Trump is clearly the leader of that alliance.

"They always lie, they always cheat, and they always play for time."

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said his goal is to make sure Iran does not have nuclear weapons in an exclusive interview with ABC News' Linsey Davis.
Watch tonight on ABC News Live Prime at 7p ET. pic.twitter.com/nkhtVU7K8G

— ABC News (@ABC) July 29, 2026

“The truth is, we’re partners. We’re allies. He’s the senior partner. It’s the United States of America, let’s not forget. And I’m a junior partner. But I’m the prime minister of Israel, and when I have to stand up for the interest of my country and the security of my country, I do so,” he said.

“But I always do so with a deep appreciation of the role that the United States under President Trump has played in joining forces with us against our common enemy that wants to destroy us both,” Netanyahu stressed.

Netanyahu also rejected remarks attributed to Vice President JD Vance, who suggested during an appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience that Israeli groups had financed campaigns designed to derail U.S.-Iran negotiations and encourage the continuation of the war.

“Well, we’re not actually. I had a very good conversation with the vice president this morning, and I think we straightened that out because we’re not. That’s not our policy,” he stressed.

Turning to declining public support for Israel among some Americans, Netanyahu argued that foreign governments have exploited social media platforms to influence public opinion.

“I think there’s been a change because of the proliferation of social media, and the fact that sovereign countries have manipulated with bot farms and other things. And we can see a direct relationship between the proliferation of social media and the decline in support for Israel.”

“Does it concern me? Yes, yes, it does. And I want bipartisan support for Israel because I think that’s a fundament of our national security,” he said.

Netanyahu also denied reports that he had attempted to pressure Trump into expanding military operations after the president remarked that intelligence had been shared with him “because he wants me to stay involved.”

“Actually, not. That’s the caricature, the cartoon picture. That is not true,” Netanyahu stated, explaining that their discussions centered on reviewing several strategic options, including pursuing negotiations with Iran, maintaining the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, or carrying out additional military operations.

“We actually analyzed all three possibilities, and I thought we did it in an open way between friends and allies, and it’s his decision. It’s his decision,” said Netanyahu.

The prime minister likewise rejected allegations that he had misled the Trump administration into entering the conflict by suggesting Iran’s regime was on the verge of collapse.

“No, I didn’t mislead anything… nobody tells President Trump what to do,” he stressed.

Speaking about the broader balance of power in the region, Netanyahu said he believes Iran has never been weaker while Israel has never been stronger, though he stopped short of predicting the regime’s immediate downfall.

“I think Iran is weaker than ever before. I think Israel is stronger than ever before, but I can’t tell you that the regime has already collapsed.”

Netanyahu warned that any future Iranian attack against Israel would trigger a decisive military response, calling such a move a “perilous mistake, and we’ll respond very, very forcefully.”

He concluded by emphasizing that he and Trump remain united in their primary objective of preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

“My goal is to make sure that Iran, with this regime, doesn’t have nuclear weapons. And that’s something that President Trump and I both agree on, because it would be a different world.”

Although he declined to predict when Iran’s current leadership might ultimately fall, Netanyahu expressed confidence that “it ultimately will be.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump is reportedly weighing a sweeping military campaign against Iran that could involve up to two weeks of sustained airstrikes targeting the regime’s missile infrastructure, even as his administration continues to leave the door open for a diplomatic resolution.

According to a report published Thursday by The Wall Street Journal, Trump is reviewing plans prepared by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) for a large-scale aerial operation lasting between 10 and 14 days that would focus on severely degrading Iran’s missile capabilities.

People familiar with the discussions told the newspaper that the proposal, developed by CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper, would represent a significant escalation beyond the previous round of American strikes against Iranian targets.

Despite the military planning, administration officials are also considering a more limited strike option that could preserve the possibility of renewed negotiations with Tehran.

A U.S. official told The Wall Street Journal that, as of Wednesday afternoon, Trump had not yet decided whether to proceed with military action or what targets, if any, would ultimately be selected.

The official added that Trump was “not surprised” by Iran’s decision to resume hostilities and described the president as being “in an escalatory mood” while senior officials weighed the next course of action.

Earlier Wednesday, Trump vowed a powerful response after Iran launched missiles at U.S. bases in Jordan overnight.

“We are going to hit them very hard. I can say that because there is very little they can do about it,” he told reporters in the Oval Office.

“We’re going to be hitting them very hard, because it’s our turn to hit them. They know it’s coming, they’re asking us not to do it. They tried shooting last night…we had five rockets shot going 8,500 mph, and all five rockets were knocked down to the ground – but they nevertheless took a shot, so it’s our turn,” Trump stated.

Trump had previously told Fox News, “We are going to beat the ‎‎‎ing ‎‎‎ out of them.”

He added, “We’ll be hitting them hard. They are going to get a beating.”

The president described Iran’s missile barrage as a surprise attack, saying U.S. forces had only minutes to intercept the incoming missiles before they reached their intended targets.

Tuesday night’s attack marked Iran’s first missile strike against a U.S. base in the region since Trump ordered a pause in military operations against Iran the previous Friday. Tehran fired missiles at locations in Jordan after several days without launching similar attacks.

Later that evening, CENTCOM announced that U.S. forces, working alongside the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces, carried out precision strikes in Iraq against Iran-backed terrorist groups directed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to attack American troops and Saudi energy facilities.

“US and Saudi fighter aircraft struck multiple terrorist logistics and weapons sites across eastern Iraq in a strong response to over 30 IRGC-directed aerial drone attacks in the last 72 hours,” said CENTCOM.

It added, “The unwarranted attacks against US forces were not successful.”

{Matzav.com}

Boeing disclosed Tuesday that it has absorbed yet another major financial loss on the long-delayed Air Force One replacement program, with total cost overruns now exceeding $3 billion as the company struggles to deliver two new presidential aircraft.

During its quarterly earnings call, the aerospace giant revealed it had recorded an additional $280 million charge tied to the project, pushing the program’s total losses beyond the $3 billion mark.

“While the charge is disappointing, we recognize how critical schedule performance is to our customer and we are investing accordingly to maintain our commitment to deliver the airplane in 2028,” Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg said on the call.

Ortberg said the latest financial setback stems from Boeing’s decision to devote substantially more personnel and resources to constructing and testing the two specially modified Boeing 747 aircraft. According to the CEO, the added investment is intended to “help mitigate potential risk during certification and flight test.”

Under the terms of the $3.9 billion agreement President Trump negotiated with Boeing in 2018, the company—not the federal government—is responsible for covering any expenses that exceed the contract price.

By 2024, Boeing had already reported approximately $2.8 billion in cost overruns on the Air Force One program, according to Aviation Week.

The company originally pledged to deliver the first aircraft by December 2024, but the Government Accountability Office reported earlier this month that Boeing is now “almost 3 years behind its current baseline schedule.”

Boeing now expects the first presidential aircraft to be delivered in mid-2028, with the second scheduled to follow by mid-2029.

The current Air Force One fleet consists of two aging Boeing 747-200 aircraft that have served as presidential transports since the 1990s.

President Trump has also flown aboard the luxury $400 million aircraft donated by Qatar—often referred to as the “palace in the sky”—as the presidential plane. That aircraft, however, was removed from service earlier this month so it could undergo upgrades to strengthen its anti-missile defense systems.

Air Force One aircraft require some of the most advanced communications technology and defensive capabilities in the world to safeguard the president, making the program exceptionally expensive and technically demanding.

Trump has repeatedly criticized Boeing over the years for the ballooning costs and repeated delays surrounding the long-awaited replacement aircraft.

{Matzav.com}

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