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Arad Mayor Yair Maayan launched a sharp attack on the city’s chareidi community following the circulation of video footage showing children throwing stones on Shabbos, declaring that Arad “was and will remain a secular city” while calling for increased police enforcement.

In a statement released Saturday night, Maayan said he was “shocked” by the video, adding that city officials had also received reports this week that girls walking in the street had been spat on.

“We will not tolerate the actions of extremist criminals under any circumstances. The city of Arad was and will remain secular, and we will not allow chareidim to act violently in any way,” he said.

The mayor said he had contacted the commander of the Arad Police Station and demanded stronger enforcement measures and immediate action in response to such incidents. He also urged residents to report any unusual or criminal activity directly to police.

“In every such case, immediately call the 100 emergency hotline, request that a police patrol respond, file a formal complaint, and photograph and document the incident as clearly as possible,” Maayan wrote. “Only by arresting offenders will we succeed in eliminating crime and violence in the city.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump stirred fresh controversy after posting an AI-generated image depicting an enormous air-filter barrier stretching across the U.S.-Canada border, a tongue-in-cheek image that came as tensions between the two countries continue to rise over wildfire smoke and trade.

The digitally created image appeared days after Trump sharply criticized Canada over smoke from its widespread wildfires, which blanketed large portions of the United States and prompted air quality warnings across much of the country.

Last week, Trump vowed to hold Canada accountable for what he described as unhealthy air drifting south from the fires.

More than 100 million Americans across 18 states and Washington, D.C., spent several days under air quality alerts as smoke spread through the Midwest, Northeast, and Mid-Atlantic regions.

At the time, Trump wrote on Truth Social, “We are holding Canada responsible for the fact that they are not properly maintaining their Forests, and Brush therein, and the United States is being unnecessarily invaded by filthy, polluted, and unhealthy air, the quality of which is dangerous, and totally unacceptable!”

He continued by accusing Canada of failing to take basic wildfire prevention measures and warning that the issue could have financial consequences.

“I will call the Prime Minister during the day to find out what they are going to do about it. The cost is incalculable! Canada has refused to engage in basic Forest Management and Debris Removal, knowing that such refusal will lead to exactly this result. This is Willful Negligence, and becoming a yearly occurrence, costing the United States Billions of Dollars, which cost of this pollution must of necessity be added to the TARIFFS Canada is currently paying.”

The latest social media post also follows another diplomatic dispute that unfolded Friday surrounding the opening of the new Gordie Howe International Bridge connecting Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario.

The United States had originally been expected to participate in a joint ribbon-cutting ceremony for the $4.4 billion crossing, named after hockey legend Gordie Howe. However, Canadian officials withdrew the invitation after Trump announced an additional 50% tariff on Canadian goods this week, citing what he called Canada’s discriminatory treatment of American products.

Trump responded on Truth Social by dismissing Canada’s decision and claiming the United States had secured improved financial terms regarding the bridge project.

“Canada disinvited the United States of America to the opening of the Gordie Howe Bridge, which is fine, considering they are paying substantial TARIFFS to the United States, but the original Deal on the Bridge, which was terribly negotiated by a previous Administration, no longer stands,” Trump wrote.

He added, “We changed the terms of the Deal so that the United States of America now gets 50% of the Profit. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

{Matzav.com}

Investigative journalist and author Gerald Posner has launched a blistering attack on Tucker Carlson, accusing the former Fox News host of embracing anti-Jewish rhetoric and warning that he has become “far more dangerous than Candace Owens” because of his influence and ability to persuade millions of followers.

In a lengthy post on X published yesterday, Posner reflected on his years appearing as a recurring guest on Carlson’s Fox News program, saying he never imagined the broadcaster he once admired would evolve into someone consumed by attacks on Israel and conspiracy theories.

“I never saw a glimpse of the person who has emerged since he left FOX— someone who finds a byzantine conspiracy behind every major story, who has turned ‘America First’ into cover for old antisemitic tropes and an anti-Israel fervor that at times makes him a modern-day Father Coughlin — the radio priest whose 1930s broadcasts to tens of millions of Americans made him the most notorious antisemitic demagogue in U.S. media history,” Posner posted.

Posner accompanied his remarks with photographs from several of his appearances on Carlson’s former Fox News program. He rejected the notion that Carlson’s recent messaging is motivated by financial incentives or a desire for greater attention, arguing instead that the shift reflects deeply held beliefs.

“I believe we are finally seeing the real Tucker Carlson,” he said. “I’d once have said “‘or better or worse’ — there is no ‘better’ in this version of him. He is one of the most prominent voices stoking anti-Jewish fervor at a moment when antisemitic violence is at record levels.”

Posner argued that Carlson poses an even greater challenge than conservative commentator Candace Owens because of his communication skills and credibility with audiences.

“In some ways he’s far more dangerous than Candace Owens, because he’s a sharper, a more practiced debater, someone who can twist facts into a narrative that millions of his followers find compelling.”

The comments come after Carlson has increasingly devoted his podcast to criticism of Israel and its relationship with the United States. He has repeatedly argued that Israel pressured President Donald Trump into launching the war with Iran, and last week claimed Trump had been too “weak” to resist pressure from Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu.

Trump has publicly dismissed those accusations. In March, he said, “If anything, I might’ve forced Israel’s hand.” He also stated in June that Israel has “no choice” but to accept whatever agreement he negotiates with Iran.

Posner’s post was prompted by a clip in which Carlson argued that Republican lawmakers who support expanding military cooperation between the United States and Israel should face “treason trials.”

Although Carlson recently announced that he no longer considers himself aligned with the Republican Party, Posner warned that GOP leaders should distance themselves from him before the next presidential election cycle.

“What’s left is something the GOP will have to reckon with. By 2028, serious candidates will need to put visible distance between themselves and Carlson,” Posner said. “The one most exposed is JD Vance, who has long counted him as a close friend. The rest of the party would be wise to start distancing itself now, before Carlson decides who they have to answer for.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump delivered a blistering personal attack on Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) during Friday night’s rescheduled White House Correspondents’ Dinner, accusing the congresswoman of dishonesty and declaring that she “oughta get …. out of our country.”

While criticizing what he described as California’s failed policies—including its handling of wildfires, homelessness, illegal immigration, and taxation—Trump argued that people are leaving the state in large numbers.

“We can’t have that in this country,” the president said. “It’s becoming such a horrible and dangerous location that Ilhan Omar, one of my favorites, and her brother are thinking about moving together….”

Trump’s remark referenced long-circulating allegations that Omar married her brother to help him immigrate to the United States. Omar was born in Somalia and fled the country’s civil war with her family as a child. After spending several years in a refugee camp in Kenya, they immigrated to the United States in 1995, when she was 12 years old.

The president then turned his attention to what he described as a recent public appearance by Omar.

“A video has surfaced recently of Ilhan giving a speech, referring to World War II as World War 11,” Trump continued. “And they asked her about that, and she still thought she got it right. But I’m not surprised, because she’s a low I.Q. person, and she’s also a very dishonest person, and she oughta get … out of our country!”

Trump continued by questioning Omar’s presence in the United States and raising allegations regarding her financial disclosures.

“She shouldn’t be here. She shouldn’t be in our country. She also calls her brother ‘husband number one.’ Omar is reportedly being investigated for fraud. She revised her net worth. I was shocked to see that she was worth much more than $30 million. And then when the press got on her, she revised it slightly downward to less than $18,000.”

[COMMUNICATED]

It was a year ago when I went to a medical facility for a standard colonoscopy.   

I was taken aback when the doctor grimly told me and my husband that something suspicious had been found on my rectal wall. 

“I’ll be honest with you,” he said. “It doesn’t look good.” 

Immediately, he sent us for a bunch of tests and x-rays. It goes without saying that my entire world turned upside down that day. I was a young mother with children waiting for me at home. I had a life to get back to. But, in the blink of an eye, this new reality had now become my life.   

A slew of appointments were scheduled for the next few days. We had our hands full with the practical aspects of what we were dealing with, while we simultaneously had to find a way to get into the right emotional state for the battle we were facing. 

The next day, my husband got a call from RCCS with an offer of much-needed assistance. Our case manager took charge on the spot. She got everything organized and began working on plans for us, coming up with ideas we could never even have thought of. 

Her professionalism, care, concern, and expertise were all on clear display from the moment she contacted us. We got the feeling right away that Hashem had sent us an amazing shliach to fight on our behalf. 

She brought up the idea of NGS (genomic) testing, and sent a phlebotomist to our home to take the necessary bloodwork to determine what course of action might be beneficial. A year later, I can say that I am still benefiting from that information which RCCS got so quickly. 

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Throughout my six months of chemotherapy, I spoke to the case manager almost daily. Her help went far beyond the medical aspects. For example, she got me into a support group made up of people going through similar treatments. Additionally, RCCS was always looking to encourage and support my entire family, sending Chanuka gifts for the children, candy platters for holidays, offering Shabbos getaways, etc.    

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Israel prepared overnight Friday for the possibility of a major American military strike against Iran, amid growing signs that the United States is positioning forces for a potential large-scale operation even as President Donald Trump continues to leave the door open for diplomacy.

According to an Israeli official who spoke to Kan News, Israeli defense planners had anticipated that a U.S. attack on Iran could trigger retaliatory Iranian missile strikes against Israel, potentially drawing Jerusalem directly into a broader military campaign against Iranian targets.

The official said Israeli assessments indicate that Trump has postponed the deadline he previously set for a decision on military action in order to give Tehran one final opportunity to return to negotiations. Despite that delay, the United States is continuing to build up forces in the region capable of launching a major offensive on short notice if the President decides to proceed.

Kan News reported that in recent weeks the United States has deployed dozens of aerial refueling aircraft, fighter jets, interceptor systems for air defense batteries, and additional munitions throughout the region.

According to the report, approximately 90 American KC-135 refueling aircraft have arrived in Israel over the past two weeks and have been stationed at Ben Gurion Airport, Ramon Airport, and Ovda Air Base. The scale of the deployment has been compared to the military buildup seen during Operation Roaring Lion.

The heightened military preparations come as Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu’s office announced that he is expected to travel to Washington next week for talks with President Trump at the White House.

Senior Israeli officials reportedly believe that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has adopted a hard-line negotiating position that is making it increasingly difficult to reach an agreement. According to those officials, the prospect of coordinated military action by the United States and Israel could strengthen Washington’s leverage in any future negotiations with Tehran.

Meanwhile, The New York Times reported that Iran rejected a ceasefire proposal delivered by Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi.

According to Iranian sources cited by the newspaper, Tehran refused to consider a temporary ceasefire that did not fully resolve the dispute over freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

The office of the Iraqi prime minister denied the report, calling it “baseless.”

{Matzav.com}

[Video below.] Fox & Friends Weekend co-host Griff Jenkins publicly addressed comments made by a guest during yesterday’s broadcast after conservative radio host Sid Rosenberg repeatedly referred to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani as a “terrorist,” prompting an on-air clarification from the network.

The controversy arose during a discussion about an apparently disturbed man who allegedly stabbed two people on Manhattan’s Upper West Side earlier this week while shouting “Allahu Akbar.” The panel was discussing concerns about rising antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment when Rosenberg launched into a blistering attack on Mamdani.

Later in the program, Jenkins returned to the issue and emphasized that the term used by the guest should not be treated casually.

“We know there are heated feelings around this war last hour, while discussing the role anti-Israel is playing in the rise of antisemitism, one of our guests labeled New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a quote, terrorist. Now that word carries an extremely serious meaning, it should not be used freely and its important we distinguish between strong political criticism and factual allegations.”

Earlier in the segment, Rosenberg argued that attempting to reason with Mamdani was futile before escalating his criticism.

“Look, these people are very nice people, but trying to talk to Mayor Mamdani is is like trying to talk to the IRGC.

“This guy is a terrorist. That’s the bottom line, I’ll say it. You don’t want to say it, I’ll say it. He’s a terrorist, he’s a jihadist. He hates the Jewish people. He hates America. He hates the Italian people, he hates the Irish people, he hates the German people, unless you’re Muslim, Mayor Mamdani has no use for you. He is a horrible person.

“He maybe has perpetrated the worst American and Jewish hate in the history of this country. Those two people stabbed the ore day on the Upper West Side of New York City, that blood is on his hands. That blood is on your hands, Mayor Mamdani.

“We’ve got to find a way to get this guy out of here.”

As Rosenberg continued, Jenkins attempted to moderate the exchange, cautioning that the description of the mayor had gone too far.

“I think you may be a bit over your skis in calling him, in labeling him a terrorist and you’re probably going to be flagged for that.”

Rosenberg, who also referred to Mamdani as a “low life” during the discussion, immediately challenged Jenkins’ objection, responding simply, “Why?”

Following the broadcast, Rosenberg defended his comments on X, posting video of the exchange and making clear that he was not backing away from his remarks.

“The comments that had FOX apologize for me TWICE after my appearance early this morning. I 100% stand by my assertions! 100%!” he wrote.

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

The 4-year-old Israeli boy who disappeared near Ashkelon was found safe and in good health nearly 24 hours later after surviving alone overnight, with police saying the child’s quick thinking and calm decisions likely saved his life.

Yuval Kogan vanished Thursday afternoon in the Hof Ashkelon region, triggering an extensive search involving police, volunteers, and rescue teams. He was located Friday after an around-the-clock search that ended in an emotional reunion with his family.

Southern District Police Commander Chaim Bublil said investigators’ initial conversation with Yuval revealed that the young boy had been walking in the direction where he believed his home was located.

According to Bublil, Yuval eventually stopped traveling after nightfall.

“During the night he fell asleep, and in the morning he woke up,” Bublil said. “He is a smart child who stayed in a shaded area, and that apparently is what saved him. When he heard the horses approaching, he came toward them, called out to them, and that is how he was found.”

Police later released footage capturing the emotional moments after Yuval’s rescue, including a video call with his mother while officers stood beside him.

“Yuvali, we have a popsicle for you here. Mommy is waiting for you,” she told him.

Yuval’s father, Dmitry Kogan, who had been with his son before he disappeared, said the boy later described hearing what he believed were illumination flares during the night.

“Yuval told me he apparently heard illumination flares during the night. He said he got tired and slept under a tree, and that’s it. He’s okay. I knew he was strong—I just didn’t know how strong.”

His mother, Dina, tearfully thanked everyone who participated in the massive search effort.

“You gave me my life back. Thank you so much, from the bottom of my heart. I truly appreciate every one of you.”

Video from the rescue showed Noam Simhi, the man who discovered Yuval standing beneath a tree near the beach after accidentally taking the wrong route while riding horseback toward Nitzanim Beach.

“I took the wrong route on my horse while heading to Nitzanim Beach. Suddenly I saw a child standing under a tree, looking at us. There are miracles in this world. This is the child who brought the entire country to its feet. Our strength is in our unity.”

Yashar! party chairman Gadi Eisenkot is reportedly preparing an aggressive post-election strategy centered on a universal military draft law that would effectively bar the chareidi parties from joining his government unless they accept mandatory military or national service without exception. The plan also envisions refusing any political deals with Arab parties while ultimately seeking to split the Likud after Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu leaves office.

According to a report by Channel 12 political analyst Amit Segal, Eisenkot has already formulated a detailed roadmap for coalition negotiations once the election results are finalized. At the heart of the strategy is what the report describes as an uncompromising “iron condition” that he has no intention of negotiating.

Rather than settling for the narrowest possible majority of 61 Knesset seats, Eisenkot reportedly wants to assemble a broader coalition of 63 to 64 lawmakers. The objective is to create what he considers a purely Zionist majority among the lawmakers recommending a prime minister to Israel’s president, without relying on either the Arab parties or United Torah Judaism.

Universal Draft Law Is Non-Negotiable

The centerpiece of Eisenkot’s reported strategy is legislation requiring mandatory military or national service for all Israelis, including the chareidi community, with no exemptions or compromises.

According to the report, any response short of unconditional acceptance would be treated as a rejection. It cites Ra’am chairman Mansour Abbas, who reportedly conditioned his support for such legislation during a conference in southern Israel. Under Eisenkot’s approach, even a qualified “yes, but” would be considered a definitive “no.”

The report says Eisenkot believes any party attempting to negotiate changes to the draft requirement would automatically disqualify itself from joining the coalition. Likewise, he reportedly has no intention of accepting outside parliamentary support or quiet abstentions from parties unwilling to endorse the legislation outright.

The message, according to the report, is straightforward: any party that refuses to back a universal draft law will not become part of an Eisenkot-led government.

Political observers say the strategy represents one of the clearest red lines laid down by any major party ahead of the next election. While other political leaders have sought to preserve flexibility during coalition negotiations, Eisenkot is reportedly adopting an all-or-nothing position on the issue of military service.

Long-Term Goal: Splitting the Likud

The report says another major component of Eisenkot’s strategy is based on the belief that Netanyahu’s departure from the Prime Minister’s Office would fundamentally reshape Israeli politics.

According to that assessment, once Netanyahu is no longer leading the national camp, Eisenkot believes Likud lawmakers may become willing to defect and join a new governing coalition.

The reported plan calls for inviting Likud MKs to enter what Eisenkot envisions as a broad, stable government, significantly expanding its parliamentary majority and ensuring its long-term survival.

Supporters of the strategy believe that without Netanyahu at the helm, at least some members of Likud would seriously consider crossing party lines.

The report concludes that Eisenkot is thinking well beyond Election Day itself, preparing not only for coalition negotiations but also for the possibility of weakening the opposing camp from within after a new government is formed.

Yashar! Continues to Gain Strength

The reported strategy comes as Eisenkot’s Yashar! party continues to perform strongly in public opinion polls.

According to the latest Channel 13 survey conducted by the Madad Institute, Yashar! is tied with Likud, with each party projected to win 21 Knesset seats if elections were held today.

Eisenkot also continued expanding his party this week by announcing the addition of retired Maj. Gen. Kamil Abu Rokon, the former Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories. The move is widely viewed as an effort to strengthen ties between Israel’s Druze community and the state.

Announcing Abu Rokon’s decision to join the party, Eisenkot praised the retired general, saying, “Kamil is Israel at its best – an experienced security professional with an iron moral backbone. Abu Rokon is an example and role model of our shared destiny, the Israeli-Zionist covenant of service, and our shared commitment to the existence of a Jewish and democratic state.”

{Matzav.com}

Senior Israeli military officials are warning that the security situation in Judea and Samaria has reached a dangerously volatile point, describing the region as a “pressure cooker” that could erupt at any moment despite an aggressive counterterrorism campaign by Israeli security forces.

The warning comes in the wake of the deadly terror attack in the village of Tel and amid growing intelligence indicating an unprecedented escalation in terrorist activity. According to a senior officer in the IDF’s Central Command, the combination of Iranian and Turkish involvement, the expansion of local terrorist networks, increased weapons smuggling, and the growing security burden posed by new Jewish communities has created an increasingly unstable environment.

Speaking to Walla News, the senior officer said that beneath the surface of daily headlines, the security reality in Judea and Samaria has become increasingly dangerous.

“Under the radar of the routine headlines, Judea and Samaria are burning with both visible and hidden fire,” the officer said.

He explained that the IDF, the Shin Bet, and the Border Police are conducting continuous operations to dismantle terrorist infrastructure throughout the region. Nevertheless, the threat posed by lone-wolf terrorists and locally organized cells remains constant, with operatives seeking every opportunity to attack Israeli civilians and security personnel.

Iran and Turkey Accused of Directing Terror Activity

According to the assessment, Israeli security officials have identified a significant increase in foreign involvement in terrorism since the launch of Operation Roaring Lion, the large-scale military campaign conducted in Samaria.

Officials say hostile elements in Tehran, Ankara, and Gaza are not only directing terrorist operations but are also funneling large sums of money and smuggling advanced weaponry into the area. Much of the terrorist financing is reportedly transferred through digital channels in an effort to evade Israeli financial monitoring and border security systems.

The security establishment believes Iran and Turkey have increasingly exploited digital platforms and technological loopholes to move funds and strengthen local terrorist infrastructure while making detection more difficult.

IDF Rushes Reinforcements to Judea and Samaria

Following the deadly attack in Tel, in which Maj. Yuval Ezra and Master Sgt. Benayahu Melet were killed, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir ordered a significant reinforcement of forces assigned to the Judea and Samaria Division.

The move includes shifting troops away from other sectors and deploying them under the command of Brig. Gen. Kobi Heller after military leaders concluded that the deteriorating security situation required an immediate increase in troop strength.

Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yisrael Katz have also directed a series of expanded security measures. Those orders include the immediate demolition of the terrorist’s home, intensified military operations in villages identified as terrorist strongholds, and a broad campaign to arrest wanted suspects.

Israeli forces launched extensive overnight raids at multiple locations throughout Judea and Samaria, resulting in the arrest of more than 80 suspects accused of involvement in terrorist incitement or planning attacks.

Growing Communities Present Additional Security Challenge

Military officials also acknowledged that the continued expansion of Jewish communities throughout Judea and Samaria has added another layer of complexity to the IDF’s security mission.

With new communities, outposts, and agricultural farms spread across large areas, security forces are required to devote increasing manpower and resources to protecting isolated population centers while simultaneously carrying out counterterrorism operations and maintaining public order throughout the Shomron and Binyamin regions.

The senior Central Command officer said the current campaign requires balancing several competing priorities at once: defending civilians, dismantling terrorist organizations, and preserving the IDF’s operational flexibility across the entire region.

“We are fighting a two-front defensive battle,” the officer said, “against organized terrorist infrastructure and against foreign smuggling networks directed by Iran and Turkey.”

Israeli security officials emphasized that the campaign against terrorism in Judea and Samaria remains a long-term effort and said security forces will continue intensive operations to locate and dismantle terrorist networks while maintaining heightened vigilance across the region.

{Matzav.com}

Elon Musk engaged in a heated exchange with The Economist’s editor-in-chief during an interview at Tesla’s Gigafactory in Texas, arguing that public distrust of the media far exceeds negative views of him after being challenged over his influence on European politics.

The confrontation took place Thursday when Economist editor-in-chief Zanny Minton Beddoes questioned Musk about his support for conservative political movements across Europe and suggested that his enormous wealth, ownership of X, and massive online following give him outsized influence over political affairs outside the United States.

“I think a lot more people hate you and the media more than you realize,” Musk responded.

Beddoes pressed Musk over why he believed he should have a role in shaping political debates in Europe despite not living there.

“Why should you be able to shape European politics? You don’t even live there,” Beddoes said.

She went on to argue that many people are troubled by the level of influence Musk wields because of his global prominence.

“But do you see why this makes people think that this man who has all this power, he’s the world’s richest man, he thinks he has a right to influence our politics?” Beddoes said. “It’s why people loathe you. I mean, some people do loathe you.”

Musk brushed aside the criticism, pointing instead to his enormous audience on X, where he has roughly 250 million followers, as evidence that his supporters significantly outnumber his critics.

“Maybe some people do loathe me, and that’s probably true. I don’t care,” Musk said. “But the fact that, as you pointed out, a quarter billion people follow me is that I think a lot more people actually like me than don’t.”

The Tesla and SpaceX chief then shifted the discussion to the declining reputation of the news media, arguing that journalists are viewed far less favorably by the public than he is.

“Do you realize the media is despised?” Musk said. “Do you realize that journalists, the view of journalists is like, it’s like a favorable view of journalists is like 15%?”

Beddoes acknowledged that confidence in American journalism has eroded but argued that social media polarization, including content promoted on X, has played a major role in fueling that distrust.

“I think in part there have been mistakes by journalists and journalism. I totally acknowledge that,” Beddoes said. “But I also think that the kind of polarized environment, particularly on social media, fostered by the kinds of things you are pushing on X, actually helps make this worse.”

Musk rejected that argument and insisted that journalists—not him—have become the primary target of public anger.

“The shoe is on the other foot. They hate you. They hate you far more than they hate me,” Musk said. “I think you’re the problem. The media.”

The sharp back-and-forth came during a broader discussion in which Beddoes questioned Musk about his warnings that Britain could face civil war and his support for several European political parties that she characterized as far right.

Musk rejected that description of his political views, saying his positions center on basic issues such as border enforcement, public safety, and fiscal responsibility.

“I literally said, look, I believe in safe cities, secure borders and sensible spending with respect to government,” Musk said. “That doesn’t make me right wing at all in the least.”

The interview follows Musk’s increasingly active involvement in European politics. Ahead of Germany’s 2025 federal election, he publicly urged voters to support the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party and hosted its leader, Alice Weidel, for an interview on X. Reuters has reported that Musk promoted the party in more than two dozen posts over a two-month period.

The debate also comes as public confidence in the American news media continues to decline. According to a 2025 Gallup poll, just 28% of Americans said they have a great deal or a fair amount of trust in newspapers, television, and radio to report the news fully, accurately, and fairly—the lowest level Gallup has recorded.

{Matzav.com}

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Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu and Opposition Leader Yair Lapid will both travel to Washington next week to attend the funeral of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, with Netanyahu also slated to hold a high-level meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House during the visit.

The Prime Minister’s Office announced Friday that Netanyahu will meet with Trump on Tuesday, marking the two leaders’ first face-to-face talks since the war with Iran erupted on February 28. Trump later confirmed that the meeting will take place.

According to a source familiar with the plans, Netanyahu is expected to depart for Washington on Monday and return to Israel on Wednesday.

In addition to his White House meeting, Netanyahu’s itinerary includes attending a memorial service honoring Graham, the longtime Republican senator and outspoken supporter of Israel, who died suddenly earlier this month.

A source familiar with the matter also told The Times of Israel that Opposition Leader Yair Lapid will travel to Washington to participate in Graham’s memorial service.

Trump publicly confirmed Netanyahu’s upcoming visit during remarks at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, where he again mocked Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

“I am going to send him (Schumer) a beautiful Palestinian outfit tomorrow, so he can greet Bibi Netanyahu when he comes to town next week,” Trump said.

“He turned Palestinian,” Trump said of Schumer, who is Jewish, while also joking that sharia law was Schumer’s “new founding.”

The possibility of a Washington meeting was first discussed during a phone conversation between Trump and Netanyahu on July 3.

Following Graham’s death on July 11, Netanyahu announced that he intended to travel to the United States for the funeral and hoped to meet with Trump while there. However, reports indicated that the White House initially delayed finalizing a meeting amid concerns over Netanyahu’s declining standing among both Democratic and Republican lawmakers.

According to those reports, some Trump advisers also worried that if the United States launched another major military operation against Iran shortly after hosting Netanyahu, critics would once again argue that Washington had been drawn into the conflict at Israel’s urging.

The two leaders last met at the White House on February 11, when Netanyahu reportedly urged Trump in the Situation Room to join Israel in a renewed military campaign against Iran. During that meeting, Netanyahu is said to have argued that Iran’s ballistic missile program could be eliminated within weeks, that Tehran would be too weakened to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, that it would be unable to mount significant attacks against American forces in neighboring countries, and that the regime itself was vulnerable to collapse with assistance from Kurdish forces operating from Iraq.

Less than three weeks later, the United States and Israel launched a joint military campaign against Iran.

Trump is now weighing whether to authorize another large-scale operation after the memorandum of understanding signed last month to end the conflict unraveled amid renewed disputes over control of the Strait of Hormuz.

Although the President has repeatedly threatened strikes against Iran’s energy infrastructure, he has thus far refrained from ordering them because of concerns that additional aerial attacks may prove no more effective than previous operations in changing Tehran’s behavior.

Netanyahu had originally hoped to visit Washington earlier this week, but his office announced that the trip was postponed after Graham’s funeral was reportedly rescheduled for next week.

The timing of Netanyahu’s visit may also signal that an immediate escalation by the United States against Iran is unlikely, despite Trump’s repeated warnings toward the Iranian regime.

{Matzav.com}

New U.S. intelligence assessments indicate that Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, is significantly more willing to pursue nuclear weapons than his late father, a shift that could reshape Washington’s approach as President Donald Trump weighs expanding military operations against the Islamic Republic.

According to intelligence briefings cited Friday by The New York Times, Mojtaba Khamenei appears more receptive to developing a nuclear arsenal than Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed during the opening phase of the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran.

Ali Khamenei had long maintained a religious decree, or fatwa, prohibiting the weaponization of Iran’s nuclear program. Although U.S. intelligence agencies believed Tehran sought to remain just short of producing a nuclear weapon, many analysts viewed the elder Khamenei’s religious opposition to actually building a bomb as sincere.

The Times reported that while Mojtaba Khamenei has stopped short of publicly advocating for nuclear weapons, American intelligence agencies believe he and the hardline leadership that emerged following the deaths of several senior Iranian officials are interested in developing advanced nuclear warheads.

The report notes that Iran’s current leadership has already adopted a more uncompromising posture, asserting tighter control over the Strait of Hormuz while taking a harder line in negotiations. Officials fear that if the ongoing military campaign ultimately accelerates Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons, it could become one of the most significant unintended consequences of the strikes that decapitated much of the country’s leadership and the administration’s early push for regime change.

According to The Times, much of the intelligence regarding Mojtaba Khamenei’s views predates the current war. After reportedly suffering serious injuries during the initial airstrikes, the new supreme leader has dramatically limited his public appearances and communications to reduce the risk of becoming a target. Although he remains Iran’s ultimate decision-maker, analysts believe he does not yet command the unquestioned authority his father exercised during more than three decades in power.

The intelligence assessments come as President Trump considers whether to intensify U.S. military operations against Iran. The possibility that Tehran’s new leader favors nuclear weaponization could strengthen the case for expanding the campaign, The Times reported.

U.S. officials also told the newspaper that Iran has not formally resumed its nuclear weapons program, despite taking significant steps to protect critical nuclear infrastructure following American strikes on major facilities last year.

Israeli intelligence has reportedly tracked the relocation of selected uranium-enrichment centrifuges to a heavily fortified underground complex in central Iran known to U.S. intelligence agencies as “Pickaxe Mountain.” Officials believe the move could support future enrichment efforts but say its immediate purpose is to shield sensitive equipment from additional airstrikes.

The Pickaxe Mountain facility reportedly survived the latest round of attacks untouched. Built much deeper underground than Iran’s previous nuclear installations, the site is considered substantially more difficult to destroy using conventional bunker-busting munitions.

President Trump recently drew attention to the underground complex, describing it publicly as “a possible target for a nice big fat shot right in their front door.”

At the same time, the President acknowledged that current U.S. intelligence has detected no active uranium-enrichment activity at the site.

A growing internal power struggle between Iran’s civilian leadership and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is threatening to shape the future of the conflict with the West, with senior political figures reportedly pushing to preserve diplomacy while military hardliners seek continued escalation, according to regional sources.

The New York Post reported that, with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei remaining out of public view, no central authority appears capable of bringing the country’s competing factions into line. As a result, the report says, Tehran’s internal battle for power may now be as important as decisions being made in Washington.

According to the sources, two competing centers of authority have emerged within the Iranian regime. Civilian officials are attempting to keep negotiations with the United States alive, while the IRGC is pressing for a more confrontational military approach.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf are said to favor continued diplomacy with Washington in hopes of preventing the conflict from expanding into another full-scale regional war.

Despite those efforts, their influence has steadily diminished, according to a regional source familiar with Iran’s internal politics.

“They can sign [agreements], but they can’t stop the IRGC from acting or parliament from legislating around them,” the source told The Post.

Rather than prevailing through political debate, the IRGC has increasingly dictated events through military operations, with Iran’s parliament later moving to formalize those actions through legislation.

“The hardliners don’t need to win internal arguments,” the source said. “They create facts on the ground … and get parliament to legalize them after the fact.”

“The shift is real — now it’s becoming law, which is much harder to reverse.”

Behnam Ben Taleblu, senior director of the Iran Program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said the distinction between Iran’s civilian diplomats and the country’s military leadership is critical to understanding Tehran’s decision-making.

“Yes, there are politicians who occasionally come out, including even Iran’s foreign minister, who talk about dialogue,” Taleblu told The Post. “But those driving the train, those with their finger on the trigger, those making some of the most important decisions continue to talk and act like escalation is what will secure their survival, not engagement.”

Taleblu acknowledged that Iran has historically pursued diplomacy and military pressure simultaneously but said recent developments indicate that the regime is placing greater emphasis on confrontation.

“There is obviously a divide in Iran,” he said. “But we have to make sure that when we look at the divide, we pay attention to who matters and what matters — and who and what matter seem to be doubling down on escalation.”

The report says the growing divide has become increasingly visible in recent weeks.

According to one regional source, the IRGC’s expanding influence was evident during the funeral ceremonies for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, where IRGC officers occupied the front rows rather than civilian leaders.

The same source also claimed that several televised addresses by Iran’s political leadership were edited before broadcast instead of airing live, raising additional questions about who now controls the country’s public messaging.

According to the report, the IRGC’s influence extends throughout nearly every major institution in Iran, including parliament, where lawmakers have taken steps that undermine diplomatic efforts.

The report said approximately 180 members of Iran’s 290-seat parliament voted to declare the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding effectively void, while simultaneously advancing legislation introduced by lawmaker Ebrahim Azizi titled the “Strategic Action for the Security and Sustainable Progress of the Strait of Hormuz and Persian Gulf.”

Taleblu argued that Iran’s leadership appears convinced that continued military confrontation remains in its strategic interest despite suffering significant battlefield setbacks.

“They believe there are real barriers to escalation by Trump, and that there are real gains to be had by escalation,” he said. “They’re the ones who transgressed on the MOU. They’re the ones who believe every time America responds, they have the right to respond.”

The report noted that the divide became particularly apparent on Tuesday, when senior Iranian civilian officials traveled to Pakistan in an effort to preserve diplomatic channels.

“They want mediation,” a regional source told The Post, adding that the civilian leadership may eventually regain influence because the “IRGC knows that it won’t get weapons from any other market anymore.”

Ordinarily, Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei would be expected to resolve such internal disputes. However, according to the report, he has not appeared publicly since the Feb. 28 bombing that killed his father and elevated him to Iran’s highest office. Since then, he has communicated only through written statements and has not delivered public speeches, appeared on television, or attended family funeral ceremonies.

“I think if he ever does come out of hiding — or if it’s proven that he does really exist — he would be able to rally some of the Islamic Republic’s factions just by virtue of having survived against all odds,” Taleblu said.

“That being said, the fact that he didn’t come out for his father’s funeral, the fact that he hasn’t been seen in so long as the country’s new supreme leader, tells you a lot more about who is pulling the strings,” he added.

According to the report, Khamenei’s prolonged absence has only deepened uncertainty over who truly controls Iran’s strategic decisions while allowing rival factions greater freedom to pursue competing agendas.

“There is no one left to force the two sides into alignment,” one regional source said.

Taleblu concluded by cautioning Washington against interpreting conciliatory statements from Iran’s civilian leaders as evidence of a genuine strategic shift by the regime.

“It’s not a question of whether we’re speaking to the wrong people,” he said. “It’s a question of what speaking gets you.”

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Gadi Eisenkot is reportedly crafting an election strategy that would exclude both the chareidi and Arab parties from his future coalition, instead seeking to build a broad Zionist majority while using a universal draft law as a non-negotiable condition for joining the government. The plan also reportedly envisions eventually luring Likud lawmakers into the coalition after Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu leaves office.

According to a report by Channel 12 political analyst Amit Segal, Eisenkot, chairman of the Yashar! party, has already mapped out his post-election strategy. If the anti-Netanyahu bloc finishes with 59 seats or fewer, he intends to pursue what he views as a disciplined path to forming a government without relying on either the chareidi or Arab factions.

Segal reported that Eisenkot’s goal is to assemble a coalition of 63 to 64 Knesset members made up exclusively of Zionist parties. The reasoning, according to the report, is that while a bare majority of 61 seats is too fragile to provide long-term stability, a coalition of approximately 64 lawmakers has a far greater chance of surviving.

A key prerequisite for moving forward would be securing a Zionist majority among the lawmakers recommending a prime minister to Israel’s president. Under that calculation, Eisenkot wants to command a majority even after excluding Arab lawmakers and members of United Torah Judaism from the tally.

Should the election produce a bloc of 59 seats or fewer, Eisenkot reportedly intends to seek the formation of a Zionist government by imposing strict entry requirements. At the top of the list is legislation mandating military service or national service for all Israelis, a demand that the report says he views as an absolute prerequisite for joining his coalition.

According to the report, Eisenkot has no intention of negotiating over that requirement. It cited an exchange with Ra’am chairman Mansour Abbas, who, when asked at a conference in southern Israel about Eisenkot’s proposal, responded that he would support such legislation “yes, but…” subject to additional conditions. Under Eisenkot’s approach, that response would be treated as an outright rejection. Any party seeking to negotiate the condition would effectively disqualify itself, meaning that neither the Arab parties nor the chareidi parties would be eligible to join the coalition unless they accepted the requirement without reservation.

The second pillar of the reported strategy would prohibit any behind-the-scenes understandings with Arab or chareidi parties involving abstentions, support, or strategic absences during key votes unless they first accepted Eisenkot’s core conditions. According to the report, Eisenkot is determined to avoid any scenario in which Arab or chareidi politicians could later claim that he or his representatives privately asked them to abstain, leave the chamber, vote in favor of the government, or otherwise assist the coalition.

Instead of relying on quiet political deals, the strategy reportedly seeks to force Arab lawmakers into a public political dilemma. If a Zionist bloc controls approximately 58 seats, Arab parties would have to explain to their own voters whether voting against an Eisenkot-led government would effectively keep Itamar Ben Gvir in the coalition and Binyomin Netanyahu in the Prime Minister’s Office.

The report says the final component of Eisenkot’s strategy focuses on the long term. Rather than forming a short-lived government simply to dissolve the Knesset, the objective would be to establish a coalition capable of remaining in power while encouraging defections from the Likud.

According to the report, although previous speculation suggested Eisenkot wanted only a temporary government that would quickly dissolve the Knesset after establishing a state commission of inquiry and removing Netanyahu from the Prime Minister’s Office to prevent him from “pulling rabbits out of a hat,” the actual plan is to build a government that endures.

The strategy is reportedly based on the belief that once Netanyahu is no longer serving as prime minister, Israel’s political landscape will change dramatically. Those behind the plan believe his departure would eventually persuade Likud lawmakers to break ranks and join the governing coalition, allowing it to expand its majority and strengthen its long-term stability.

{Matzav.com}

Tensions within Israel’s chareidi political camp escalated dramatically over the weekend as Shas chairman Aryeh Deri launched a blistering attack against Motti Babtchik, accusing him of working against the Torah world. Babtchik fired back with an equally sharp response, insisting that his efforts to bring down the government were carried out under the direction of the leadership of United Torah Judaism and its rabbinic authorities.

The extraordinary public exchange comes as friction between Shas and United Torah Judaism continues to intensify ahead of the upcoming elections, exposing growing divisions within the chareidi political bloc following the collapse of the coalition over the failure to pass a draft exemption law for yeshiva students.

According to comments revealed in the weekly Mishpacha magazine column, Deri harshly criticized Babtchik, saying, “He is worse than the opposition. He is working against the Torah world. It is forbidden to cooperate with him or even speak to him.”

Babtchik responded by rejecting Deri’s accusations outright and defending his role in the political crisis that ultimately led to the government’s downfall.

“I am sorry about Deri’s remarks,” Babtchik said. “As is well known, all of my efforts to bring down the government were carried out on behalf of the chairman of United Torah Judaism and under the instructions of our rabbinic leaders, after Netanyahu failed to fulfill his commitment to pass a draft law.”

He then turned his criticism directly toward the Shas leader, accusing Deri of refusing to leave the coalition despite the guidance of his own rabbinic leadership.

“Deri insisted on clinging to his seat, contrary to the view of his rabbanim, the members of the Moetzes Chachmei HaTorah,” Babtchik said. “The anger among the Sephardic public toward him is justified, and it is unfortunate that instead of correcting his own ways, he is looking for others to blame.”

Responding to Deri’s assertion that he was “worse than the left,” Babtchik argued that the accusation reflected how disconnected Deri has become from political reality.

“Deri’s statement mainly reflects how out of touch he is,” Babtchik said. “While I initiated and built the right-wing bloc that stood alongside Netanyahu through four election campaigns, he will forever be remembered for signing the Oslo Accords.”

The unusually personal exchange marks one of the sharpest public confrontations between senior figures associated with Shas and United Torah Judaism in recent years and underscores the deepening political divisions within Israel’s chareidi parties as they prepare for another national election.

{Matzav.com}

Families of victims murdered in the September 11 terrorist attacks are mounting a campaign to prevent New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani from attending next year’s 25th anniversary commemoration at Ground Zero, arguing that his record on Israel, Islamist extremism, and past political associations makes him unfit to participate in what they call one of the nation’s most sacred memorial events.

According to the New York Post, a Change.org petition is being circulated by relatives of 9/11 victims urging organizers to exclude the first-term mayor from the Sept. 11, 2026 ceremony. The petition describes Mamdani as an “unwelcome guest.”

The effort is being led by a coalition that includes real estate agent Charles Galante and Cheri Sparacio, whose husband, Thomas, was murdered in the World Trade Center attacks.

Petition organizers say they plan to lobby elected officials as well as the nonprofit National September 11 Memorial & Museum, which oversees the annual ceremony at Ground Zero, in hopes of preventing Mamdani from attending.

According to the petition, supporters object to Mamdani’s refusal during last year’s mayoral campaign to repudiate the slogan “globalize the intifada.” They also cite his appearance alongside Brooklyn imam Siraj Wahhaj during the campaign and his appointment of civil rights attorney Ramzi Kassem as chief counsel at City Hall.

Kassem previously represented detainees held at Guantanamo Bay.

The petition also points to Mamdani’s endorsements of Democratic Socialists of America-backed candidates Aber Kawas and Darializa Avila Chevalier, along with past social media posts in which he discussed radical cleric Anwar al-Awlaki.

“This day is sacred to us,” Galante told the Post, adding that the ceremony “is not a platform for those connected to such views.”

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum responded by saying it does not determine attendance based on an elected official’s political views.

Museum spokeswoman Julie Wood noted that every sitting president, governor, and mayor has attended the annual ceremony since 2001 and that elected officials are seated in a designated area without delivering speeches.

That policy was adopted following earlier controversies surrounding political remarks at the memorial and is intended to preserve the ceremony as a solemn act of remembrance rather than a political event.

Monica Iken-Murphy, a founding trustee of the museum whose husband, Michael, was killed on September 11, signed the petition but told the Post that her position is not rooted in disagreement with Mamdani’s political beliefs.

Instead, she said the landmark 25th anniversary should be reserved for public officials who played direct roles in the city’s recovery after the attacks, including former mayors Michael Bloomberg and Rudy Giuliani, former Sen. Hillary Clinton, and New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin, whose business was destroyed on 9/11.

Mamdani, New York City’s first Muslim mayor, has participated in multiple September 11-related events since taking office in January, including a wreath-laying ceremony with King Charles III in April and a memorial visit alongside the city’s fire commissioner in May.

Queens Council Member Joann Ariola told the Post she is prepared to assist petition organizers in bringing their concerns before the City Council.

Despite the growing campaign, the petition is unlikely to alter the mayor’s attendance. The National September 11 Memorial & Museum controls the official guest list, and under its longstanding policy, every sitting mayor is invited to attend. Unless that policy changes, Mamdani is expected to be seated with other elected officials at the Sept. 11 ceremony regardless of how many signatures the petition ultimately receives.

{Matzav.com}

Questions surrounding Sen. Mitch McConnell’s health are intensifying as the longtime Kentucky Republican approaches six weeks away from the Senate following a June fall that resulted in his hospitalization, with lawmakers and political observers increasingly calling for greater transparency about his condition.

The 84-year-old senator has not cast a vote since the middle of June, and the limited information released by his office has fueled widespread speculation online while prompting both supporters and critics to urge him to provide a clearer update on his recovery.

McConnell revealed on July 12 that he fell at his home on June 14 and briefly lost consciousness. While hospitalized, he also developed a mild case of pneumonia. He said doctors determined that he had not suffered a heart attack, stroke, concussion, hemorrhage, or broken bones before transferring him to a rehabilitation facility.

At the time, McConnell acknowledged that he was not yet prepared to return to the Senate but did not offer any indication of when he expected to resume voting.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said he has received no direct communication from McConnell since his hospitalization, despite sending the senator a letter requesting an update. Beshear urged McConnell to reassure the public by either making a brief appearance or releasing a short video about his condition.

“When you’ve been in a hospital for a month and you’ve missed all the votes … you owe your boss, like anybody else out there who works, an explanation of what’s been going on and when you’ll get back,” Beshear said.

Scott Jennings, a longtime McConnell adviser and former campaign aide, also argued that the senator should communicate more openly with the public during his recovery.

“Truthfully, I think a little transparency on the front end here would have saved him a whole lot of grief,” Jennings told CNN’s “The Arena with Kasie Hunt.” “But that didn’t happen and they are where they are now.”

Jennings added that he expects McConnell to provide another public update in the near future.

McConnell spokesman David Popp insisted that the senator remains actively involved in his responsibilities despite his prolonged absence from Washington.

“The Senator continues to meet with staff regarding Senate and Kentucky business, including discussions on defense appropriations, foreign policy, the farm bill, constituent services and constituent federal grant requests,” Popp said. “As the Senator continues to improve in rehab, we will be sure to keep you updated.”

When asked whether McConnell planned to return to the Senate soon or attend Tuesday’s funeral for his longtime colleague, Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Popp referred reporters back to McConnell’s July 12 statement.

In that statement, McConnell reflected on the reluctance many older Americans have to discuss personal health matters publicly.

“Folks of my generation often hesitate to share the vulnerability that comes with growing older,” he said.

“Even in the public eye, I feel that same instinct — I can’t help it.”

Although McConnell stepped down last year after serving 18 years as Senate Republican leader, he chose to remain in office through the expiration of his current term in January.

His absence has narrowed Republicans’ effective Senate majority, increasing the importance of every vote as Congress enters its final stretch before lawmakers leave Washington to campaign ahead of the midterm elections.

Several Republican senators have joined Democrats in urging McConnell to provide additional details about his medical condition.

Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri said he wishes McConnell a full recovery but believes voters deserve a more complete explanation.

“At a certain point you do have an obligation to your constituents and the country to tell them what’s going on,” Hawley told Fox News, adding that he felt “totally in the dark” about McConnell’s condition.

Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin also questioned a photograph McConnell released earlier this month before later withdrawing his comments, explaining that he had repeated an unverified rumor.

“It’s not fun watching anybody age,” Johnson told reporters. “We’re all hoping Mitch recovers fully and comes back. I haven’t talked to him, so I have no knowledge.”

McConnell is far from the first senator to miss an extended period because of health issues. Sen. John Fetterman was absent for two months in 2023 while receiving treatment for depression. Sen. Dianne Feinstein missed nearly three months that same year while recovering from shingles. Sen. John McCain did not return to cast another Senate vote during the final eight months of his life in 2018, while former Sen. Mark Kirk spent nearly a year away from the Senate after suffering a stroke in 2012.

Lester Munson, who served as Kirk’s chief of staff, noted that senators often continue overseeing legislative work and constituent services even when illness prevents them from being physically present in Washington.

“I think people kind of just assume — not really correctly — that if the senator’s in the hospital or something like that, that they can’t do their job,” Munson said. “That’s not entirely true. There’s obviously some things they can’t do … but a lot of other things continue to be carried on.”

Munson added that McConnell’s national profile has subjected him to far greater public scrutiny than Kirk experienced during his recovery.

“As far as I’m concerned, this guy has given so much to the Senate over time and therefore so much to America, God bless him,” Munson said. “He’s got all the latitude in the world to deal with this problem.”

{Matzav.com}