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Graham Platner, the Democratic nominee for Senate who recently covered up a Nazi Totenkopf tattoo, accused Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu of war crimes on Monday.

“Benjamin Netanyahu is an international fugitive,” Platner stated. “He is charged with the war crimes of starvation as a method of warfare and of intentionally directing an attack against the civilian population and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution and other inhumane acts.”

Platner has said that he didn’t know his tattoo was a Nazi symbol, but those who were close to him, including an ex-girlfriend, said that he bragged about it being a Nazi symbol.

“The man with a Nazi tattoo is lecturing on war crimes,” stated Yaakov Kaplan, a member of Brooklyn Community Board 12. JNS

{Matzav.com}

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir declared Monday that Israel must continue its military campaign in southern Lebanon regardless of pressure from Washington, arguing that the country’s overriding obligation is to protect its own citizens and borders.

Speaking during a faction meeting and responding to a question from Arutz Sheva-Israel National News, Ben Gvir stressed that Israel must make decisions based on its security needs rather than foreign expectations.

“We are an independent country, and we cannot stop demolishing houses in southern Lebanon,” Ben Gvir stated.

He called on the government “to continue acting even against the position of the United States,” adding, “We cannot stop preventing the population in southern Lebanon from returning. It endangers our soldiers; it endangers our residents. We must not allow them to return to the borders, to return to the status quo before October 7.”

The minister argued that Israel should maintain control of strategic areas in southern Lebanon even if doing so creates friction with the Trump administration.

“We must retain control of the territory, even against the wishes of President Trump,” he said.

Ben Gvir emphasized that existential security threats require Israel to act independently and decisively.

“Faced with existential threats, we must not act out of external pressure, but rather out of our national conscience. Just as an individual is obligated to do whatever it takes to defend their home, the State of Israel is obligated to do what Israel must do.”

Warning against what he described as failed policies of restraint, Ben Gvir said Israel cannot afford to repeat past mistakes.

“History teaches us a painful lesson: every time we chose the path of containment, deferred a decisive outcome, or relied on a false quiet, we paid the heaviest price. Let me be unequivocally clear: the era of endless rounds of fighting is over. Not in Gaza, not in Lebanon, and not against Iran. I demand that the Prime Minister allow IDF soldiers to continue the critical work of demolishing homes, eliminating Hezbollah terrorists, and keeping residents away from their houses – we must not operate according to understandings reached between Trump and Khamenei,” Ben Gvir added.

He further warned that any future attacks from Lebanon must be met with overwhelming force.

“any fragment of a drone or missile launched at us will demand a crushing response, to the point of setting the Dahieh ablaze. Firing at the State of Israel is tantamount to a declaration of war, and in war, as in war, you strive for a decisive victory. We have proven through concrete action that when a security window opens, our moral duty is to see the mission through to the very end. Stopping halfway is neither a strategy nor an option. We deeply cherish and appreciate our profound friendship with the United States and President Trump’s standing with Israel. However, the direct and exclusive responsibility for Israel’s security rests solely on the Israeli government. Israel must maintain total freedom of military action at all times and in all places; we will not accept a reality where terrorist organizations retain capabilities that threaten our sovereignty and the lives of our citizens.”

Concluding his remarks, Ben Gvir addressed Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu directly, urging him to stand firm and prioritize long-term security over temporary diplomatic arrangements.

“Our dear Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: it is in moments like these that leadership is tested. History will never remember those who sought a temporary, fake quiet, but only those who dared to secure the safety of the people and the state. The People of Israel returned to their land to live in security, freedom, and pride, and that is exactly how I expect you to continue to act.”

{Matzav.com}

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New intelligence assessments have raised serious concerns inside the Trump administration about whether Iran genuinely intends to follow through on the nuclear-related commitments sought by the United States, according to an Axios report published Monday. The concerns were reportedly conveyed by CIA Director John Ratcliffe during briefings with President Donald Trump and senior administration officials.

According to three individuals familiar with the discussions, intercepted Iranian communications suggest a significant gap between what Iranian leaders are privately saying and the assurances they are providing to international intermediaries and American negotiators. The sources said the private conversations paint a very different picture from Tehran’s public diplomatic posture.

The intelligence findings have reportedly deepened divisions among Trump’s top advisers. Axios reported that Ratcliffe, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth have become leading voices expressing skepticism about the prospects for a successful agreement.

On the other side of the debate, Vice President JD Vance and special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have continued to strongly support the framework and its potential to produce a broader agreement.

“The intelligence reflects that the Iranian intentions are not in line with their commitments under the deal,” one source told Axios.

Responding to reports of disagreements within the administration, a White House official stressed that President Trump remains firmly in charge of the decision-making process.

“President Trump listens to all opinions on any given issue – but everyone understands he is the final decision-maker,” the official stated to Axios.

The same official defended the memorandum, arguing that it satisfies the key conditions the administration has consistently demanded from Iran.

“This MOU meets all of the redlines that the administration has long articulated by ensuring that Iran can never possess a nuclear weapon, they cannot keep their highly enriched uranium, and they cannot hold the world’s energy supply hostage,” the official said, adding that Trump would only agree to a “good” final agreement.

Neither the State Department nor the CIA commented publicly on the report. The Pentagon also declined to respond.

At the center of the debate is the memorandum’s treatment of nuclear issues. Under the arrangement, the nuclear provisions are temporary and dependent upon the successful completion of a far more detailed agreement that negotiators hope to finalize during a 60-day period of talks.

As part of that effort, Vance, Witkoff, and Kushner are expected to travel on Friday for meetings with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, and mediators from Pakistan and Qatar to continue negotiations on a permanent accord.

Opponents of the framework argue that the lack of public disclosure surrounding the full 14-point agreement could allow Iran to secure major benefits before proving it is willing to meet Washington’s long-term demands.

Sources familiar with the draft say one provision requires the United States to lift its naval blockade within 30 days. In exchange, “Iran will make arrangements, using its best efforts, for the safe passage of commercial vessels with no charge for 60 days.” After that period, Iran is expected to begin discussions with Oman and other Gulf states regarding the future governance of the waterway, “in line with applicable international law and sovereign rights” of regional countries.

Meanwhile, Iranian state-controlled media have suggested that transit fees could be imposed once the initial 60-day period comes to an end, raising additional questions about the future operation of one of the world’s most important shipping routes.

{Matzav.com}

Despite growing doubts within Israel’s political system about the prospects of passing legislation that would regulate the status of yeshiva students, Shas MK Michael Malkieli insists that his party has no intention of giving up. In a forceful interview, Malkieli addressed criticism of the chareidi parties’ conduct within the coalition and stressed that Shas remains committed to pursuing solutions, even as the legal and political obstacles become increasingly difficult.

“We cannot sleep peacefully while talmidei chachamim are being arrested,” Malkieli said. “We simply cannot. The reality in which yeshiva students are afraid to walk the streets is an indictment against Klal Yisroel, and we cannot accept it.”

He said Shas chairman Aryeh Deri is investing tremendous time and effort in trying to resolve the issue of yeshiva student arrests rather than choosing the easier path of withdrawing or surrendering.

“We are trying to find a solution,” Malkieli explained. “Yes, it is difficult, lengthy, and exhausting. Perhaps in the end we will not succeed, but we cannot stand by and do nothing.”

Malkieli also rejected claims that the chareidi public was misled throughout the government’s term by promises that never materialized. He argued that the decision not to push draft legislation earlier was made in coordination with rabbinic leadership and reflected an effort to establish a stronger legal foundation for the law.

“There was an understanding that we wanted to secure legal backing from the Knesset for this legislation,” he said. “Anyone claiming otherwise is simply not telling the truth.”

He noted that once it became clear there was no majority for advancing the daycare subsidy legislation, Shas was prepared to take significant political steps, including supporting efforts to dissolve the Knesset.

When asked about the likelihood of future legislation succeeding, Malkieli avoided making predictions and instead emphasized responsibility and perseverance.

“It is not our job to be optimistic or pessimistic. Our job is to work hard,” he said. “The public and the gedolei Torah sent us to work tirelessly. The easiest thing would be to throw down the keys and say it cannot be done. We did not choose that path.”

He pointed to previous occasions when observers predicted that chareidi initiatives would fail, only for Shas to successfully advance major measures involving religious services and local religious councils.

Malkieli also addressed tensions between Shas and elements within United Torah Judaism, calling for greater unity among the chareidi parties.

“The time has come for genuine unity,” he said. “We face so many challenges. There is absolutely no reason to provide fuel to those who oppose religion. They are motivated enough without help from within our own camp.”

He stressed that Shas is not engaged in attacks or briefings against its political partners and said Deri remains focused on strengthening the Torah world rather than internal disputes.

Concluding the interview, Malkieli delivered a direct message to the avreichim and yeshiva students currently being held in military prisons.

“You are not imprisoned because of a personal offense,” he said. “You are representatives of the entire community. The entire chareidi public, the gedolei Torah, and the roshei yeshiva stand behind you and support you. You are the locomotives pulling Klal Yisroel forward.”

He added, “We do not believe in violence or in methods that are not the way of Torah. But we say clearly: we are not afraid of anyone, and we do not bow our heads before anyone. Anyone who thinks he can crush the Torah world simply does not understand Jewish history.”

{Matzav.com}

As efforts to pass a military draft law remain stalled and arrests of yeshiva students continue to intensify, Shas chairman Aryeh Deri is advancing a temporary legislative measure aimed at halting criminal proceedings against Torah learners. The initiative, however, has drawn sharp criticism from United Torah Judaism chairman Yitzchak Goldknopf, who dismissed it as political maneuvering.

In recent weeks, Deri has been working on a plan designed to stop the arrests of yeshiva students amid growing recognition within the coalition that comprehensive draft legislation regulating the status of bnei yeshiva is unlikely to pass during the current government’s term.

Last week, Deri declared in Shas’s official newspaper, Haderech, that “we will turn over every stone by the end of the summer session to stop the arrests of Torah learners.” At the time, however, he did not reveal the details of the strategy he intended to pursue. It has now emerged that a specific proposal has been formulated behind the scenes.

According to reports, Deri approached Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs approximately two weeks ago with a plan to separate portions of the draft legislation currently under discussion in the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. Under the proposal, a one-year temporary order would enact only the law’s transitional provisions, allowing authorities to suspend criminal proceedings and arrests involving yeshiva students.

The proposal would leave economic sanctions in place while freezing criminal enforcement measures. Shas argues that thousands of Torah learners have effectively been classified as lawbreakers despite the absence of legislation formally regulating their status. Party officials contend that, given the current political reality, no broadly accepted draft law can be passed before elections are held and a new government is formed.

Supporters of the initiative also point to its speed. Rather than beginning an entirely new legislative process, Deri is seeking to carve out the relevant provisions from the existing draft bill and move them forward through second and third readings as part of the current legislative framework.

Over the past several days, Deri has reportedly been in contact with the Cabinet Secretary in an effort to accelerate the process. According to the report, Defense Minister Israel Katz, Coalition Chairman Ofir Katz, the Cabinet Secretary, and other senior officials also participated in a conference call to discuss the proposal and explore ways to ease tensions and reduce protests surrounding the arrests.

Goldknopf, however, responded forcefully to the reports and rejected the initiative outright.

“We are tired of tricks and gimmicks designed to generate headlines and spin, nothing more,” Goldknopf said. “What the government failed to accomplish over four years, it certainly will not accomplish now. We woke up long ago and have no trust.”

He added that, following the guidance of senior Torah leaders, his party continues to demand that legislation to dissolve the Knesset be brought to a vote as early as this Wednesday.

{Matzav.com}

Vice President JD Vance disclosed Monday that the memorandum of understanding recently reached between the United States and Iran is a surprisingly brief document, describing it as a broad framework rather than a detailed agreement and emphasizing that many of the most difficult issues remain unresolved.

During an interview with CNN, Vance said the memorandum is only about a page and a half in length and is intended to establish general principles while leaving the specifics to future negotiations.

“Yes, so the MOU is about a page and a half, so it is a very general document,” the vice president said.

Vance explained that substantial technical and logistical matters will have to be addressed in subsequent discussions, but said the agreement creates a mechanism through which Iran can receive benefits only by fulfilling its commitments.

“On a number of issues, we are going to have to figure this stuff out during the technical negotiation phase, but what the MOU does is set up a framework whereby the Iranians get the benefits of the bargain by meeting their obligations under the bargain,” he added.

According to Vance, the opening section of the memorandum focuses on regional stability and outlines obligations intended to reduce tensions throughout the Middle East. He said the provision requires Iran to move away from activities that contribute to instability in the region.

“What paragraph one of the agreement says is effectively that Iran commits itself, just as the United States commits itself, to regional peace and stability,” Vance said.

He further stated that a key component of that commitment involves ending support for terrorist groups and destabilizing actors.

“Part of that is that the Iranians have to stop funding violent terrorist organizations, they have to stop funding regional instability.”

Shortly after President Donald Trump announced the agreement Sunday evening, Iran’s semi-official Mehr news agency published what it claimed were the 14 core provisions of the understanding.

According to that report, the financial component of the deal would require the United States to release $12 billion in frozen Iranian assets before formal negotiations begin. The report further claimed that another $12 billion would become available during a 60-day period of final negotiations.

The published framework also asserted that U.S. sanctions on Iran’s oil and petrochemical industries would be suspended and that a naval blockade imposed on Iran would be lifted within 30 days.

Mehr reported that these measures would need to occur before any final treaty negotiations could proceed, making the release of funds, suspension of sanctions, and removal of the blockade prerequisites for further talks.

The Iranian account of the agreement was later challenged by a senior U.S. official, who dismissed the claims as misleading and denied that Iran would receive billions of dollars before meeting its obligations.

Speaking to Axios reporter Barak Ravid, the official rejected reports that Tehran would gain immediate and unrestricted access to $12 billion in frozen assets before the 60-day negotiating process begins, characterizing that portrayal as a distortion of the agreement.

“This is completely not true. This is a pay-for-performance deal and no frozen funds will be released without the Iranians implementing their commitments,” the official stated.

{Matzav.com}

All eight people aboard a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber were killed Monday evening (Israel time) when the aircraft went down shortly after departing from Edwards Air Force Base in California, according to military officials.

Dramatic images circulating on American news outlets and social media showed large plumes of smoke billowing from the crash scene as emergency crews rushed to the area.

The Air Force later confirmed that none of the eight occupants survived. Those killed included a combination of military personnel, civilian government employees, and contractors assigned to the mission.

Initial findings from investigators indicate that the bomber crashed only minutes after takeoff while participating in a routine test flight connected to ongoing upgrades of the aircraft’s radar systems.

Officials said the cause of the accident has not yet been determined and remains under active investigation. The crash also caused significant damage to the runway, prompting the temporary suspension of all flight activity at the base.

Earlier in the day, Edwards Air Force Base had released a statement indicating that the accident appeared to have been fatal for everyone on board.

“An Air Force B-52 Stratofortress carrying eight people on a routine test mission crashed today shortly after take-off at 11:20 a.m. (PDT). Initial indications are that the crash was not survivable. Emergency response personnel are on scene, and officials are working to account for all personnel,” the statement said, adding, “The crash is currently under investigation.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump forcefully denied reports Monday that the newly announced memorandum of understanding with Iran includes an unconditional $300 billion payout, insisting that Tehran has committed to permanently abandoning any pursuit of nuclear weapons.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump dismissed the reports as false and reiterated what he described as a key achievement of the agreement.

“Iran has agreed to never have a Nuclear Weapon! Also, the story that the U.S. is paying Iran 300 million Dollars is Fake News, put out by the Dumocrats!!! President DJT,” he wrote.

Trump’s remarks came amid growing debate over the terms of the understanding reached between Washington and Tehran and claims circulating online regarding a massive financial package for the Islamic Republic.

Earlier in the day, Trump adviser Alex Bruesewitz also sought to counter those reports, arguing that critics were deliberately misrepresenting the proposal.

“The narrative about a supposed $300 billion ‘Iran investment fund’ is being deliberately distorted by grifters to generate clicks and controversy. In reality, this is not an unconditional handout. It is a conditional incentive or, in simpler terms, a ‘carrot.’”

Bruesewitz said any economic benefits would be contingent on sweeping actions by Iran, including dismantling its nuclear infrastructure, ending support for terrorist organizations, and implementing significant domestic reforms.

“Under this approach, Iran would first have to fully dismantle its nuclear program, completely end its support for terrorist groups, and carry out meaningful internal reforms. Only then would the United States help organize a group of investors to pursue commercially attractive opportunities in Iran.”

He argued that the broader objective is to tie Iran’s future prosperity to regional stability and peaceful relations rather than conflict.

“The aim would be to create deep economic ties and mutual interdependence that make future conflict far more costly for all sides and demonstrate that choosing peace delivers greater long-term benefits than continuing to back terrorism,” explained Bruesewitz.

Bruesewitz then lashed out at opponents of the proposal, suggesting their objections are driven either by self-interest or ignorance.

“The only people who could possibly oppose this plan are those who are either financially benefiting from prolonged conflict or are individuals of severely low intelligence… or perhaps both,” he charged.

Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance offered new details about the agreement during an interview with CNN, revealing that the memorandum itself is surprisingly brief.

According to Vance, the document totals only about a page and a half and serves primarily as a framework rather than a detailed treaty.

“Yes, so the MOU is about a page and a half, so it is a very general document,” the vice president said.

Vance explained that many of the most complex issues have yet to be resolved, but said the memorandum establishes a structure through which both sides can be held accountable as negotiations continue.

He described the agreement as a broad roadmap that leaves the finer details to future rounds of discussions and implementation talks.

{Matzav.com}

A young avreich was arrested Monday afternoon at a gas station near the Gilat Junction outside Ofakim, an incident that unfolded in front of his recently married wife and later triggered a spontaneous protest that blocked traffic at the intersection.

According to the organization Am Kadosh, its emergency hotline received a report shortly after 1:00 p.m. regarding the arrest of the avreich at the gas station located at the entrance to Ofakim. The organization said the arrest occurred while the avreich was sitting in his vehicle and that both a police patrol car and a military police vehicle were present at the scene.

Witnesses who spoke with the organization claimed that the avreich had not committed any traffic violation. According to their accounts, police instructed him to pull over while military police personnel were already in the area. They said he was subsequently removed from his vehicle and taken into custody in full view of his wife.

The organization noted that the couple was married only a few months ago. According to its statement, the young woman was visibly distraught during the arrest and struggled to process what was happening.

“No one could remain unmoved by the cries of the young wife as her husband was violently taken away before her eyes,” the organization said.

Am Kadosh reported that immediately after receiving notice of the arrest, an alert was distributed through its “The Kidnappers Have Arrived” notification system. The organization said dozens of people quickly responded and headed to the scene.

According to the group, the first protesters arrived shortly after military police had already left the area. A spontaneous demonstration then developed, eventually leading to a prolonged blockade of the Gilat Junction.

The organization identified the detainee as Aviel Cohen, an avreich who previously studied at Yeshivas Be’er HaTalmud. After his marriage, he reportedly learned in the kollel of Rav Moshe Sharon in the Kfar Avraham neighborhood of Petach Tikvah. More recently, he relocated to Netivot, where he planned to join the kollel headed by Rav Abergel.

Family members later turned to Am Kadosh for assistance. The organization said it arranged legal representation through its attorneys and has been helping the family navigate the situation.

Officials from the organization stated that they continue to monitor the case and remain in contact with the family.

In a statement, Am Kadosh sharply criticized the arrest, saying: “The arrest of the avreich was carried out in an incident comparable to a kidnapping in every respect, solely for the ‘crime’ of Torah study. The chareidi community is in the midst of a determined struggle against the persecution of those who uphold Torah and faith. We will continue to defend yeshiva students and assist them in every possible way until this harsh decree is rescinded.”

{Matzav.com}

A group of activists, some associated with the more fringe elements of the chareidi community and others from the mainstream camp, are promoting an unprecedented protest initiative aimed at demonstrating support for yeshiva students and avreichim facing arrest over draft-related issues. Despite reports suggesting broad backing for the plan, sources say that the proposal has not yet received official approval.

According to information obtained by the publication, several activists have been working in recent days to secure support from leading rabbinic authorities and mainstream chareidi leadership for the initiative, which would mark a significant escalation in public protest efforts.

As reported by Kan News and other media outlets, the proposal calls for tens of thousands of participants to join large vehicle convoys traveling across the country toward the military prison.

Organizers reportedly intend to use flags and sound systems while driving in coordinated processions designed to slow traffic and protest the arrest of what many in the Torah world refer to as “chareidi draft resisters.” The demonstration is tentatively being planned for the coming days, with Wednesday reportedly under consideration as the preferred date.

Reports have claimed that senior representatives from multiple chareidi parties and factions are involved in the planning process and that leading Lithuanian rabbinic authorities have approved the initiative. The goal of the protest is to challenge the policy of arresting yeshiva students and avreichim who have refused to report to military draft offices.

Degel HaTorah Denies Involvement

Despite those reports, senior Degel HaTorah officials strongly disputed the claims.

“We are not familiar with such an event,” party representatives said.

“Our strength lies in prayer and speech. Perhaps this is a private initiative being promoted by activists, but it has not reached the political leadership, and we have not received any instructions from the Gedolim regarding such a move.”

The denial raises questions about how advanced the planning process actually is and whether the initiative has secured the backing necessary to move forward. It remains possible that discussions are taking place at the activist level but have not yet received formal rabbinic or political approval.

Sources suggested that much of the effort to persuade the Litvishe leadership to support the initiative is being driven by activists from chassidic circles. Whether those efforts ultimately succeed remains unclear.

Background: Arrests and Escalating Protests

The reported plans come amid growing tensions surrounding the arrest of yeshiva students and avreichim over draft-related matters.

Several arrests in recent weeks have generated widespread attention within the chareidi community. Among them were the detention of an avreich near the Gilat Junction in southern Israel and another arrest in Ofakim, where reports indicated that the man’s wife was left stranded at the roadside during the incident.

At the same time, seven yeshiva students and avreichim were released this week from Military Prison No. 10 after serving extended periods of detention related to their refusal to report to draft offices. Their release was met with celebrations among family members and supporters.

Meanwhile, the Peleg Yerushalmi faction has continued organizing demonstrations at multiple locations across the country. Protesters have blocked major intersections and highways while demanding an end to what they describe as the persecution of the Torah world.

Recent demonstrations have also been marked by several high-profile incidents, including a yeshiva student being struck by a vehicle during a protest near the Ben Shemen Interchange and a police operation at Yeshivas Ohr Yisroel in Petach Tikvah that sparked significant controversy within the chareidi community.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu broke his silence Monday night on the newly signed nuclear agreement between the United States and Iran, insisting that Israel remains committed to preventing Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons and claiming that recent military operations inflicted damage on Iran approaching $1 trillion.

Speaking at a special press conference from his office in Jerusalem, Netanyahu said Israel’s strategic objective has not changed despite the agreement reached between President Donald Trump’s administration and Iran.

“For decades, I have fought against Iran’s efforts to acquire nuclear weapons. I can define it as my life’s mission,” Netanyahu said. “With an agreement or without an agreement, Iran will not have nuclear weapons. Not today and not tomorrow. As long as I am Prime Minister of Israel, it will not happen.”

Responding to critics who have questioned the outcome of the conflict with Iran, Netanyahu argued that Israel achieved historic gains and removed an existential threat.

“I hear people asking what we achieved, and I answer them: We removed the threat of immediate annihilation hanging over us,” he said.

The prime minister described the joint Israeli-American military campaign as “the largest strike operation in Israel’s history,” saying it resulted in the elimination of nuclear scientists, the removal of senior regime leaders, and the destruction of key nuclear facilities.

Netanyahu also provided what he said was an estimate of the damage inflicted on Iran’s military and economic infrastructure.

“We destroyed missiles and the overwhelming majority of the factories producing missiles. We destroyed their navy and their air force,” he said.

According to Netanyahu, the total damage amounts to “hundreds of billions of dollars,” with some assessments placing the figure at “close to a trillion dollars.”

He argued that without the military operation, Iran would already possess nuclear weapons, creating what he described as a catastrophic threat to millions of Israelis.

Turning to other fronts, Netanyahu rejected calls that had urged Israel to end the war in Gaza before entering Rafah.

“They told me, ‘Don’t go into Rafah, end the war.’ I did not accept that nonsense,” he said.

Netanyahu asserted that Israel entered Rafah and succeeded in bringing home all of the hostages.

On the northern front, he said Hezbollah has been dramatically weakened.

“Hezbollah is a shadow of what it once was,” Netanyahu declared, adding that Israel prevented the Radwan Force from carrying out an invasion of the Galilee and destroyed most of the organization’s rocket arsenal.

The prime minister emphasized that Israel will continue maintaining security zones captured during the fighting for as long as military considerations require.

“We will remain in the security zones as long as necessary to protect our country,” he said. “Israel will not allow terrorist organizations to establish themselves on our borders.”

Netanyahu also addressed reports of disagreements with President Trump, stressing that while the two leaders may not always agree, he remains focused on safeguarding Israel’s interests.

“Trump is the President of the United States, and I am the Prime Minister of Israel,” Netanyahu said. “I am responsible for our security interests, and I stand by them. When necessary, I stand firm.”

Looking ahead, Netanyahu confirmed that he intends to seek another term in office.

“Yes, I am going to run, and I intend to win,” he declared.

He also announced plans to add NIS 350 billion to Israel’s defense budget, saying the funds will be used to strengthen domestic weapons production and accelerate the development of advanced military technologies.

“Israel is stronger than ever before, and Iran’s axis of evil is weaker than ever before,” Netanyahu concluded. “Together, with Hashem’s help, we will ensure the eternity of Israel.”

{Matzav.com}

United Torah Judaism chairman MK Uri Maklev sharply criticized Israel’s funding model for religious councils during a heated Finance Committee meeting Tuesday, arguing that religious services are subjected to an unfair budget structure not imposed on other public services.

What began as a technical discussion regarding local government participation rates quickly evolved into a broader debate over the status and funding of religious services in Israel.

Earlier in the day, the Finance Committee approved participation rates for local authorities in funding religious councils, including a redistribution plan under which approximately NIS 36 million will be transferred from financially stronger municipalities to weaker ones.

During the discussion, Maklev questioned why religious services receive significantly less state support than other public sectors.

“Is there any other field in which the state’s participation is so low?” Maklev asked.

He argued that while the government covers the overwhelming majority of costs in education, welfare, and other public services, local authorities continue to shoulder a substantial portion of the expenses associated with religious services.

According to Maklev, the arrangement has existed for years and has created ongoing challenges for the development and expansion of religious services throughout the country.

“When it comes to education, welfare, and other public services, the state funds most of the costs,” he said. “Yet when it comes to religious services, we find ourselves fighting every year for budgets and even for the continued existence of those services.”

Maklev warned that the impact is felt most acutely in financially struggling municipalities that have difficulty meeting their required share of the funding burden. In many cases, he said, this hampers the day-to-day operation of religious services and limits their ability to expand.

During the hearing, Maklev sought clarification on how municipal participation rates are determined and what criteria are used to allocate responsibility among local governments.

Government representatives responded that the formula is established by law and is determined jointly by the Finance Ministry, Interior Ministry, and Ministry of Religious Services.

Maklev, however, maintained that the funding mechanism itself is fundamentally flawed.

“Marriage services, burial services, mikvaos, kashrus, and rabbinical services are not luxuries,” he stressed. “These are basic services to which every citizen is entitled. There is no reason the state should treat them as less important than education or welfare services.”

At the conclusion of the session, the Finance Committee approved the 2026 funding guidelines for religious councils. Under the arrangement, roughly NIS 36 million will be redistributed from wealthier municipalities to weaker ones while maintaining the overall budget framework.

Under the approved formula, stronger municipalities will contribute a larger percentage toward the budgets of their religious councils, while weaker municipalities will contribute less, with local participation rates ranging from 25% to 75%.

UTJ officials noted that the approval follows extensive work with government ministries aimed at ensuring the continued operation of religious councils nationwide.

Still, Maklev’s central question remained unresolved: Why are religious services funded under a model that differs so dramatically from virtually every other public service provided by the state?

{Matzav.com}

With growing recognition inside the coalition that a comprehensive draft law regulating the status of yeshiva students is unlikely to pass during the current Knesset term, Shas chairman Aryeh Deri is reportedly advancing a new proposal aimed at ending the arrests of yeshiva students while postponing a broader legislative solution until after the next elections.

According to senior coalition officials, Deri has spent recent weeks promoting a plan that would separate portions of the stalled draft legislation and enact temporary provisions designed to address the immediate crisis surrounding the detention of yeshiva students.

Last week, writing in Shas’s official newspaper, Haderech, Deri declared, “We will turn over every stone by the end of the summer session to stop the arrests of Torah learners.” At the time, he did not reveal the details of the initiative. Coalition sources have now disclosed the proposal he was referencing.

Sources familiar with the discussions told Kikar HaShabbat that roughly two weeks ago Deri approached Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs with what he believes could provide a practical solution to the issue that has become one of the chareidi leadership’s highest priorities.

Under the proposal, the draft bill currently under consideration in the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee would be divided, allowing lawmakers to pass only the transitional provisions as a one-year emergency measure. The arrangement would reportedly leave existing financial sanctions in place while suspending criminal proceedings and arrests connected to draft-status violations.

Many lawmakers across the political spectrum privately acknowledge that arrests are unlikely to produce meaningful enlistment among the chareidi population. Similar views have reportedly been expressed by senior military officials, who argue that the current policy has not significantly increased recruitment and may actually discourage those interested in military service by creating a situation in which fellow students are arrested.

Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett recently voiced a similar position, saying that his own draft framework would not include arrests of Torah students and would instead focus primarily on economic incentives and penalties. Other opposition lawmakers have likewise argued that financial sanctions are more effective than criminal enforcement measures.

Deri’s proposal seeks to freeze criminal proceedings against yeshiva students who have become subject to legal penalties because no legislation currently governs their status. Supporters of the plan argue that, given the political reality and the unlikelihood of passing a comprehensive draft law before new elections, an interim solution is needed until a future government can determine a permanent framework.

To expedite the process, Deri is reportedly advocating the passage of the temporary measure through a division of the existing draft bill rather than beginning a new legislative process from scratch. Such a move could allow the proposal to proceed directly to its final Knesset readings.

Over the past several days, Deri has held discussions with Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs and urged him to move the initiative forward quickly. Advocates of the plan believe it could help reduce tensions and prevent further demonstrations and unrest surrounding the issue.

The temporary legislation would address only the question of arrests and criminal proceedings. Economic sanctions connected to draft compliance would remain unchanged.

As part of efforts to advance the proposal, a conference call was recently held involving Defense Minister Israel Katz, Coalition Chairman Ofir Katz, Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs, and other senior officials to discuss possible paths toward implementation.

{Matzav.com}

Senior figures in the chareidi political establishment are reportedly organizing a dramatic nationwide protest against the ongoing draft crackdown, with plans calling for tens of thousands of participants to take part in a large-scale vehicle demonstration in the coming days.

According to a report by Daniel Groveis on Kan News, top officials in Degel HaTorah recently convened to discuss what organizers describe as an unprecedented protest initiative aimed at highlighting opposition to the arrest of yeshiva students over military service issues.

The proposal reportedly received encouragement from Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, who was quoted as saying, “This is a good thing. There is room to do it so that people will see that something is being done.”

Under the plan, thousands of vehicles would travel in organized convoys across Israel en route to the military prison. The procession would include flags and public-address systems and is expected to intentionally slow traffic along major roadways as a form of protest against the detention of yeshiva students.

The initiative is said to involve senior representatives from multiple chareidi parties and factions, with approval reportedly obtained from leading rabbinic authorities. Organizers are considering holding the demonstration within the next few days, with Wednesday emerging as the leading option.

Groveis also published what he described as the full proposal document for the planned vehicle protest, including handwritten notes attributed to Rav Hirsch. According to the report, Rav Hirsch emphasized the words “police approval” in the document, underscoring the importance of obtaining official authorization for the demonstration.

The report further stated that Rav Hirsch crossed out a reference to generating “positive media coverage” and commented, “There is nothing we can do that will be viewed positively by the media.”

The planned protest follows additional demonstrations that took place earlier Monday near the Gilat Junction outside Ofakim. Hundreds of chareidim reportedly blocked a major roadway while protesting the arrest of an avreich classified as a draft evader by military authorities.

The demonstration at Gilat Junction escalated into clashes, with some protesters preventing vehicles from passing through the area and causing significant traffic disruptions.

{Matzav.com}

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is pressing a scientific publication for answers after it removed a controversial study that examined reports of sudden infant deaths following vaccination, arguing that the decision warrants a full public explanation.

According to The Hill, Kennedy sent a letter on Thursday to Lawrence H. Lash, editor of Toxicology Reports, seeking clarification about the removal of a 2021 paper entitled “Vaccines and sudden infant death: An analysis of the VAERS database 1990-2019 and review of the medical literature.”

The study was authored by Neil Z. Miller, a medical research journalist known for his writings that raise concerns about vaccine safety and question the effectiveness of certain immunization programs.

While Kennedy acknowledged that journals may sometimes retract or remove research when significant problems are identified, he argued that such actions must be accompanied by transparency and a clear explanation of the reasoning behind them.

“As you may know, research integrity and academic freedom have been important issues to me for decades in my private career and continue to be important to me in government service,” Kennedy wrote.

In his letter, Kennedy requested details about the review process that led to the paper’s removal, including who participated in evaluating the study and what standards were applied in determining that its findings were not reliable.

Kennedy asked the journal to provide its response by June 25.

The study returned to the spotlight after attorney Aaron Siri referenced it during a presentation before a federal vaccine advisory panel, which subsequently approved revisions to the childhood vaccination schedule.

Those changes, along with actions taken by the panel, were later halted by a federal judge.

Elsevier, the publisher of Toxicology Reports, defended the removal, stating that the paper’s conclusions were not adequately supported by the methods used in the research.

In its formal notice, the publisher pointed specifically to limitations within the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, or VAERS, a passive surveillance database that records health events reported after vaccination but is not designed to determine whether vaccines caused those events.

Elsevier maintained that the available data and research methods did not justify the study’s conclusions and cited concerns about the broader implications such findings could have for medical decision-making.

The publisher also noted that Miller disputes the journal’s decision and rejects the rationale offered for removing the paper.

Although Miller’s research concluded that reports of sudden infant deaths following vaccination reached statistical significance, the study itself stated that it did not establish a causal link between vaccines and sudden infant death.

{Matzav.com}

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is demanding answers from the Trump administration following the announcement of a new memorandum of understanding with Iran, arguing that Congress and the American public have yet to receive critical information about an agreement that could reshape regional security and global energy markets.

Schumer said the administration has not provided sufficient details regarding the framework and warned that lawmakers need a full briefing on an accord with potentially far-reaching consequences for U.S. national security, stability in the Middle East, and international commerce.

“The American people deserve details and full transparency — what exactly is in this ‘understanding’? Will servicemembers remain in harm’s way?” Schumer said in a statement.

President Donald Trump has characterized the arrangement as a blueprint for ending the conflict that has persisted between Washington and Tehran for more than three months, while also restoring access through the Strait of Hormuz.

Calling for greater transparency, Schumer insisted that the administration make the agreement public and provide Congress with immediate access to its contents.

“Trump must release the details publicly, brief Congress immediately, and end this war for good,” Schumer said.

Trump announced Monday that the agreement had already been executed electronically and said the Strait of Hormuz was beginning a partial reopening ahead of a formal signing ceremony scheduled to take place Friday in Geneva.

The waterway remains one of the most strategically important passages in the world. Linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman, the Strait of Hormuz serves as a vital corridor for energy exports, with roughly one-fifth of the global oil supply traveling through it.

Trump has repeatedly maintained that the agreement guarantees the strait will remain “completely open” and “toll-free,” enabling international shipping traffic to move freely without restrictions.

Even so, many key aspects of the agreement remain unclear.

According to Iran’s Fars News Agency, Tehran is pushing for a provision that would impose a “maritime services” charge benefiting the Iranian government. Such a measure appears to contradict Trump’s assertion that vessels would enjoy unrestricted and cost-free passage.

The agreement also leaves unresolved two of the most contentious disputes between the United States and Iran: the future of American sanctions and limits on Iran’s nuclear activities.

As currently structured, the framework calls for a formal signing ceremony involving U.S. and Iranian representatives, followed by a 60-day negotiating period aimed at addressing those outstanding issues.

Schumer expressed skepticism about the administration’s portrayal of the agreement and questioned whether Washington’s gains match the reality on the ground.

“What have we actually gained here from Trump’s war?” he asked, adding that the regime in control of Iran “is more radical than the previous one.”

“The Strait of Hormuz is under greater Iranian control now than before the war began,” he said.

Meanwhile, several regional disputes remain unresolved despite the diplomatic breakthrough.

Among the most significant is the situation in southern Lebanon, where Israeli military operations continue. Defense Minister Yisroel Katz stated Monday that Israeli forces would remain deployed in the area, while Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu had not publicly addressed the agreement as of Monday.

Reports from both European and Middle Eastern sources indicate that disagreements involving Lebanon continue to be among the most delicate and unresolved components of the broader arrangement.

Vice President JD Vance said Iran could eventually receive access to reconstruction assistance totaling as much as $300 billion if it fully complies with the terms of the agreement.

“That’s the sort of thing they could have access to, funded by the Gulf coast coalition, so long as they honor their end of the obligation,” Vance told CBS News.

Vance stressed that any reconstruction package would be financed by Gulf states rather than American taxpayers and would be contingent upon Iran fulfilling its commitments under the agreement.

The White House has indicated that the complete text of the memorandum is expected to be released within days. In the meantime, lawmakers from both parties are intensifying calls for greater disclosure before the framework advances any further.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu addressed the nation on Monday evening, offering his first public response to the newly announced agreement between the United States and Iran and outlining Israel’s position going forward.

Opening his remarks, Netanyahu reiterated that preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons remains the central mission of his public life and vowed that the agreement would not alter that commitment.

“My life’s mission is the fight against the Iranian nuclear program. With or without an agreement – Iran will not have nuclear weapons, not today or tomorrow. People ask what we have achieved, and the answer is: we have removed the threat of immediate annihilation from us,” Netanyahu said.

The prime minister pointed to the economic damage inflicted on Iran in recent years, arguing that the cumulative impact has been massive and far-reaching.

He added, “We caused enormous damage to Iran’s economy, some estimate it at a trillion dollars.”

Despite the diplomatic developments, Netanyahu stressed that Israel’s confrontation with Iran and its regional network remains ongoing and warned against any sense of complacency.

“The struggle is not over and done with, we must continue to stand guard, be strong and determined, and defend ourselves as much as necessary. This is true against Iran’s terrorist arms, and not only against it,” Netanyahu said.

Netanyahu also referenced the security doctrine he adopted following the October 7 attacks, saying Israel will no longer tolerate hostile forces entrenching themselves along its borders.

The Prime Minister emphasized, “After October 7, I established a simple principle – we will not allow terrorist organizations to establish themselves on our borders. We have broken through the barrier of fear and we are harming those who seek our lives.”

Turning to his relationship with President Trump, Netanyahu acknowledged that the two leaders do not always agree on every issue, but said Israel must remain focused on protecting its own security interests.

Addressing his relationship with the US president, he said, “Trump is the President of the US and I am the Prime Minister of Israel. There are times when President Trump and I do not see eye to eye. We need to stand up for Israel’s security interests wisely.”

When asked whether he planned to mount the same type of public opposition to Trump’s agreement that he once expected Israeli leaders to direct toward President Obama’s nuclear accord, Netanyahu argued that the situations are fundamentally different.

Asked if he intends to fight against Trump’s nuclear deal like he expected the previous government to fight against Obama’s, Netanyahu rejected the comparison.

“The basic difference between the situation then and the situation now is that every agreement is accompanied by a credible military threat (on Iran). Then, there was no military threat. Today, because of what we did, not only the US, but also because of us, because we went in with 14,000 bombing runs, that’s the biggest difference, there is a credible military threat,” Netanyahu explained.

{Matzav.com}