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In a significant rebuke to the administration, the Republican-led U.S. Senate voted Tuesday to approve legislation aimed at halting American military involvement in Iran, according to Reuters.

The practical consequences of the measure remain unclear, however, as President Donald Trump’s administration continues efforts to finalize a peace agreement with Tehran.

The resolution passed the Senate by a narrow 50-48 margin after previously winning approval in the House of Representatives earlier this month.

While the vote largely followed partisan lines, four Republican senators broke with their party to support the measure alongside nearly all Democrats. Two Republican lawmakers did not participate in the vote.

Under the resolution, the president would be directed to remove U.S. forces from ongoing hostilities involving Iran. Despite its passage, many observers view the measure as largely symbolic and unlikely to alter administration policy.

Because the legislation was introduced pursuant to the War Powers Act of 1973, it does not require presidential approval and therefore will not be sent to Trump for his signature.

The White House has already dismissed the effort, maintaining that Congress lacks the authority to impose such restrictions on the administration through this mechanism.

Administration officials argue that the resolution is unconstitutional and carries no binding legal force over the president’s conduct of military and foreign affairs.

Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett pushed back Tuesday against criticism from Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, insisting that his positions on Judea and Samaria have not changed and accusing his political rivals of misrepresenting his views.

The dispute erupted after excerpts from Bennett’s interview on the Kan News podcast “HaManganon” sparked backlash from Smotrich and other right-wing figures over Bennett’s comments regarding illegal construction in Judea and Samaria.

Addressing reporters while outlining his vision for a future government, Bennett was asked about the controversy and reiterated his longstanding positions.

“I oppose a Palestinian state, oppose territorial concessions, and support legal construction in Area C. And like every government, wherever there is illegal construction or construction on private land, of course it should be removed.”

Bennett then turned directly to Smotrich, who had criticized him a day earlier, and delivered a sharp response.

“Smotrich, what are you talking about? He himself evacuated 107 illegal outposts, and rightly so. Do you know why? Because there is law and there is private property. If someone comes and builds a house on land that does not belong to him, is that okay? No.”

Speaking separately at the JNS Conference, Bennett expanded on his current political outlook and rejected claims that he had drifted from the ideological right.

“My ideological positions regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are clear. I am a right-wing person. I have not changed my views, but I am not extreme and I am not irresponsible.”

According to Bennett, being politically right-wing does not mean abandoning practical considerations or legal standards.

“Being right-wing means standing up for our national interests. Not giving up territory. Not allowing the establishment of a Palestinian state. Standing strong and determined. But that does not mean being stupid.”

The controversy began after Bennett, who previously served as director-general of the Yesha Council, stated during his interview with Shaul Amsterdamski that he would continue enforcing the law against unauthorized construction in Judea and Samaria.

“From my perspective, legal construction in Area C, on state land that is not privately owned by Palestinians, is welcome. Construction that is illegal, or not in Area C, or on private land, is not legitimate.”

Bennett further argued that property rights and the rule of law must be respected regardless of political considerations.

“I live in Ra’anana. I would not allow you to suddenly build a house on land that belongs to me. What is illegal will not remain.”

At the same time, Bennett emphasized his support for expanding lawful Jewish communities in Area C, which he believes should ultimately become part of the State of Israel.

“I support legal settlement in Area C because, in my view, Area C will ultimately become part of the State of Israel, while Areas A and B will remain part of Palestinian autonomy.”

{Matzav.com}

A profound sense of loss has descended upon the Torah and kabbalah world with the passing of the venerable mekubal Rav Rachamim Attiya zt”l, one of the elder rabbinic figures of the Aram Tzova community, a distinguished sage of Yeshivas Nahar Shalom, father-in-law of the former Rishon Letzion Rav Yitzchok Yosef and a disciple and confidant of the holy mekubal Rav Mordechai Sharabi zt”l. Rav Rachamim was niftar at Shaarei Tzedek Medical Center in Yerushalayim at the age of 95.

The levayah will take place this evening, departing from Yeshivas Porat Yosef on Yosef Ben Matityahu Street in the Geulah neighborhood of Yerushalayim and proceeding to Har Hamenuchos, where he will be laid to rest alongside his wife, Rebbetzin Shoshana a”h, who was niftar sixteen years ago on Chag HaShavuos.

Rav Rachamim was born on the 22nd of Av, 5691 (1931), in Aram Tzova, Syria, to his father, Rav Yitzchok Attiya zt”l, and his mother, Mrs. Jamila a”h.

For decades, he was known throughout Yerushalayim as one of the city’s most revered and righteous mekubalim. He served as the baal korei in the beis medrash of the holy mekubal Rav Mordechai Sharabi zt”l, who was known to select only individuals of exceptional refinement and self-mastery for positions such as baal korei and shaliach tzibbur, particularly those who were meticulous in avoiding anger.

Rav Rachamim enjoyed an especially close relationship with Rav Mordechai Sharabi, who learned kabbalah with him and held him in extraordinary esteem. It was said that Rav Sharabi remarked that the Name of Hashem was visibly etched upon Rav Rachamim’s countenance. Detached from the distractions and vanities of this world, he devoted himself to Torah and avodas Hashem with remarkable diligence day and night.

In later years, Rav Rachamim became the mechutan of Rav Ovadia Yosef zt”l, longtime leader of Sephardic Jewry and president of the Moetzes Chachmei HaTorah, when his daughter married Rav Yitzchok Yosef. Maran Rav Ovadia held him in exceptionally high regard, reportedly sending people to him for pidyon nefesh due to his ability as a mechaven, and would show him special honor whenever they met.

Throughout the day, prominent rabbanim and Torah leaders visited the family home to pay their respects, including Chacham Moshe Tzedakah and the Tolados Aharon Rebbe, among many others.

His brother was the renowned dayan, Rav Yeshua Attiya zt”l, one of the great masmidim of Yeshivas Porat Yosef in Yerushalayim.

Rav Rachamim leaves behind a remarkable family and a legacy of Torah and holiness. He is survived by 13 children, and hundreds of descendants following in his path. Among them are his son, Rav Avrohom Attiya, author of the seforim Peninei Beis Levi, and his daughter, the rebbetzin wife of Rav Yitzchok Yosef, president of the Moetzes Chachmei HaTorah.

Yehi zichro boruch. Tehei nishmaso tzerurah b’tzror hachaim.

{Matzav.com}

The world of Chabad and Jewish music suffered a tremendous loss on Tuesday with the passing of the legendary baal tefillah and chazzan, Reb Berel (Berel’e) Salzman z”l of New Jersey, at the age of 92. Renowned for a voice that stirred countless hearts, Rav Berel lived a life of extraordinary mesirus nefesh, operating an underground yeshivah in Soviet Samarkand under the watchful eye of the KGB and later meriting to serve as baal tefillah for the Rosh Hashanah Mussaf in the presence of the Lubavitcher Rebbe at 770.

A living symbol of Jewish resilience behind the Iron Curtain, Rav Berel devoted his life to preserving Yiddishkeit under Communist oppression. His remarkable musical gifts became a powerful instrument for spreading the light of Chassidus and inspiring Jews who had been cut off from their heritage.

He was born in 1934 in Kharkov, Ukraine, to his father, Reb Avrohom Salzman, a member of a distinguished family known for its deep roots in chazzanus and Jewish music.

From a young age, his extraordinary talent was impossible to miss. In the clandestine shul where his family quietly maintained Torah life despite the harsh Soviet regime, worshippers predicted that the gifted youngster was destined for greatness in the world of niggun and tefillah.

As he grew older, Rav Berel became a well-known figure in Soviet public life, performing as a popular classical and contemporary vocalist on state radio networks. Yet even as his fame grew, his true passion remained the spiritual survival of his fellow Jews.

He later married his wife, Chaya Esther, daughter of Rav Yehuda Butrashvili zt”l.

Alongside his public career, Rav Berel became deeply involved in the Chabad underground. For several years, he hosted a secret yeshivah in his home in Samarkand, placing himself at enormous personal risk while operating under the noses of Communist authorities.

For fourteen years, he served as a chazzan and baal tefillah in underground batei knesses, using his powerful voice and mastery of Chassidic niggunim to inspire and reconnect countless young Jews who had become detached from their roots.

Later, he was appointed chief chazzan of a major shul in one of the Soviet Union’s principal cities. He was even offered the prestigious position of chief chazzan of Moscow’s Great Synagogue, but declined, fearing that accepting the role would jeopardize his efforts to leave the Soviet Union.

After five long and difficult years of battling Soviet bureaucracy, Rav Berel finally received permission to leave the country in 1971.

Together with his wife and six children, he fulfilled his lifelong dream of reaching Eretz Yisroel, leaving behind decades of sacrifice, hardship, and persecution.

That same year, before the Yomim Noraim, he traveled for the first time to the Lubavitcher Rebbe.

A devoted Chabad chossid through even the darkest years of Soviet oppression, Rav Berel was granted the extraordinary privilege of leading the Rosh Hashanah Mussaf at 770 at the Rebbe’s direction.

Those who were present never forgot the awe-inspiring tefillah. His stirring voice reverberated through the walls of the packed beis medrash and left an indelible impression on thousands of chassidim.

Following that unforgettable Tishrei, Rav Berel received numerous offers to remain abroad and serve as chazzan in prominent and affluent Jewish communities. Nevertheless, he followed the Rebbe’s guidance and settled in Nachalas Har Chabad in Kiryat Malachi, where he established his home among fellow chassidim.

In 1980, once again acting on the Rebbe’s instruction and recognizing the tremendous need to reach Russian-speaking Jews, he relocated to the United States. He began working extensively with Soviet Jewish immigrants in Los Angeles, where he quickly became a beloved and revered figure.

In 1992, Rav Berel and his wife moved to Fair Lawn, New Jersey, where they founded the Bris Avrohom community for Russian Jews. There, they continued spreading Chassidus, ahavas haTorah, and a love for heartfelt tefillah.

Rav Berel leaves behind a remarkable legacy of Chassidic music, unwavering faith, and total dedication to ensuring Jewish continuity even during the most difficult periods of Jewish history.

He is survived by a beautiful generation of children, grandchildren, and descendants continuing in his path: his son Rav Yosef Yitzchok Salzman, a Chabad shliach in Toronto; his son Rav Boruch Mordechai Salzman, founder and menahel of Yeshivas Or Temimim in Toronto; his son Rav Menachem Mendel Salzman, Chabad shliach in Fair Lawn; his daughter Mrs. Shaindel Braud, wife of Rav Shraga Feivel Braud of Crown Heights; his daughter Mrs. Rivkah Sirota, wife of Rav Aharon Sirota, Chabad shliach in Denver; his daughter Mrs. Sterna Sarah Kanelsky, wife of Rav Mordechai Kanelsky, who works extensively with Russian Jewish communities through Bris Avrohom; and his daughter Mrs. Rochel Matusov, wife of Rav Menachem Mendel Matusov, a Chabad shliach in Calgary.

The levayah was held today at 770 Eastern Parkway, the world headquarters of Chabad-Lubavitch, on its way to Montefiore Cemetery in Queens for kevurah.

Yehi zichro boruch. Tehei nishmaso tzerurah b’tzror hachaim.

A newly released book in the United States claims that President Donald Trump unleashed a furious verbal attack on Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu during a tense phone call held just days before the public announcement of an agreement to end the war in Gaza and weeks before a hostage deal was finalized.

According to a report by Ynet, the book—written by New York Times journalists Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan—recounts a heated conversation involving Trump, Netanyahu, Jared Kushner, and White House special envoy Steve Witkoff.

During the call, Trump allegedly lashed out at Netanyahu, telling him, “Everyone is sick of you, Bibi. All the Jews are sick of you. Even the two Jews on this call are sick of you.”

The conversation reportedly took place during the United Nations General Assembly in September, as Trump was advancing a 20-point plan aimed at ending the Gaza war that erupted following Hamas’ October 7 attack.

The authors describe the two weeks leading up to the agreement as one of the most strained periods in U.S.-Israel relations during the negotiations. According to the book, tensions escalated significantly after an Israeli strike targeting senior Hamas officials in Qatar, which took place one day after Kushner, Witkoff, and Ron Dermer met in Miami to discuss plans for postwar Gaza.

According to the account, Kushner and Witkoff were enraged by the operation and concluded afterward that “Dermer lied to us.” The book further claims that Kushner privately vented his frustration to associates, saying, “I’m out, the Israelis are crazy.” The authors say he later changed his position after realizing that the dispute could be used to pressure Netanyahu into accepting a broader agreement.

During the UN meetings, Kushner and Witkoff reportedly met with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and presented him with a draft of the American proposal. According to the book, Al Thani personally edited portions of the document, which later became the basis for Trump’s peace plan.

The authors claim that Trump first presented the framework to Arab and Muslim leaders before sharing it with Netanyahu. Concerned that Netanyahu might try to persuade Trump to abandon the proposal, Kushner and Witkoff allegedly stayed on the line when the Israeli prime minister called the White House.

According to the book, Trump immediately began shouting once he joined the call, telling Netanyahu, “You can’t back out of this. I am the best friend Israel has ever had. Everyone hates you, and I stood by your side.”

Trump reportedly argued that the agreement was good for Israel, and the book claims Netanyahu ultimately agreed to support it.

Two days later, Trump and Netanyahu jointly unveiled the initiative at a press conference, even though the agreement had not yet been formally signed.

According to the authors, the deal was officially finalized on October 8, and shortly afterward the remaining 20 living hostages held in Gaza were released.

The new allegations add to other claims contained in the book regarding the relationship between the two leaders. In additional excerpts, the authors allege that Trump referred to Netanyahu as a “crook” and said that the Israeli prime minister never truly wanted to achieve peace.

{Matzav.com}

Former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett disclosed Tuesday that Israel had covertly worked to bring thousands of Starlink internet devices into Iran in an effort to assist anti-regime activists, but claimed the initiative was abandoned after his government left office.

Speaking at the JNS International Policy Summit in Yerushalayim, Bennett said he launched a covert effort aimed at preserving internet access for Iranian dissidents during government-imposed blackouts.

He told attendees that he had initiated a “process of acquiring and smuggling into Iran tens of thousands of Starlink receptors ⁠that would allow continuity of the internet and social networks.”

Starlink, the satellite internet network operated by SpaceX and owned by Elon Musk, provides internet connectivity through satellites rather than traditional telecommunications infrastructure. Iranian officials have previously accused Israel and the United States of secretly introducing Starlink equipment into the country as part of efforts to weaken the regime. Although the service does not have official authorization to operate in Iran, Musk has stated in the past that Starlink is functioning there.

According to Bennett, the objective was to give demonstrators the ability to communicate, organize, and challenge the ruling regime even when authorities attempted to shut down internet access.

“Unfortunately, the current incompetent Israeli government stopped doing that,” he said. “And when the protest happened, that infrastructure was not there.”

Officials in Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding Bennett’s claims. SpaceX also did not provide a response outside normal U.S. business hours.

Iran has repeatedly imposed internet restrictions during periods of political turmoil. Authorities have shut down or severely limited online access during major waves of unrest, including nationwide protests earlier this year and throughout the conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel that erupted at the end of February.

Previous reporting by Reuters indicated that some Iranian citizens relied on Starlink equipment to stay connected during government-imposed internet outages.

Bennett, who currently leads a right-wing political faction and is widely viewed as a potential challenger to Netanyahu in elections expected by October, said he would pursue a more aggressive campaign against the Iranian regime if he returns to power.

He argued that efforts to weaken Tehran should extend beyond direct military action and could include economic pressure, industrial disruption, and other measures designed to destabilize the government and ultimately bring about its downfall.

{Matzav.com}

The Western world may have only a short window to prepare for a coming wave of artificial intelligence-driven cyberattacks, according to a stark new warning from the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, which says hostile nations are rapidly developing AI capabilities that could soon threaten governments, businesses, and critical infrastructure.

In a joint alert cited by the Financial Times, senior cybersecurity officials from the Five Eyes partnership warned that the threat is approaching much faster than many policymakers and organizations realize.

“The timeline is not years, it is months,” the officials said in a rare joint communiqué.

The Five Eyes alliance brings together the intelligence agencies of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Its roots trace back to Allied codebreaking efforts during World War II, and the partnership was formally established through the UKUSA Agreement in 1946. Today, it is considered the most extensive intelligence-sharing arrangement in the world.

The warning highlights mounting concern among Western security officials that adversarial nations such as China, Russia, and North Korea are aggressively integrating advanced AI technologies into their cyber warfare programs.

Although alliance officials believe Western countries currently hold an advantage due to access to cutting-edge commercial AI systems and broader adoption of AI across defense and intelligence sectors, they cautioned that this lead may not last.

The alert follows reports that the United States recently directed AI company Anthropic to limit access by foreign nationals to some of its most powerful AI models because of national security considerations.

Evidence suggesting that AI-enhanced cyber threats are already emerging has begun to surface, cybersecurity experts say.

In May, the Google Threat Intelligence Group revealed that it had disrupted an attack in which artificial intelligence was allegedly used to identify a previously unknown software flaw and convert that discovery into an operational cyber weapon.

Investigators indicated that individuals linked to Russia were suspected in the incident, while similar techniques have also been associated with hacking groups connected to China and North Korea.

According to the Five Eyes assessment, the next generation of so-called frontier AI systems could radically reshape the cyber battlefield for both attackers and defenders.

“Frontier AI models are anticipated to exceed current industry expectations, fundamentally transforming both offensive and defensive cyber capabilities,” the cyber chiefs said.

Alliance officials urged private companies and infrastructure operators to accelerate the adoption of AI-powered defensive technologies, warning that organizations that fail to modernize their cybersecurity systems could become increasingly vulnerable as foreign adversaries deploy more advanced digital weapons.

The warning also reflects the intensifying race between the United States and China to dominate the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence.

American officials have repeatedly maintained that preserving U.S. leadership in AI is essential not only for economic competitiveness but also for military strength, national defense, and the protection of vital infrastructure.

For the moment, Five Eyes leaders believe the West still possesses the upper hand. However, they stressed that the opportunity to strengthen defenses before the next generation of AI-powered threats emerges may be disappearing faster than many expect.

{Matzav.com}

Conservative commentator Mark Levin launched a blistering attack on reported diplomatic discussions involving Hezbollah, arguing that the process sidelines the very nations most affected while empowering hostile actors at Israel’s expense.

“Has anybody ever heard of a negotiation where the two countries directly affected, Israel and Lebanon, are left out of the negotiation?” Levin wrote, referring to what he described as a Hezbollah renewal negotiation involving Qatar, Pakistan, and the United States.

Levin contended that any agreement emerging from such discussions would effectively be imposed on both Israel and Lebanon without their direct participation. He questioned the logic behind such an approach, asking, “Have we ever forced a democratic ally to endanger its own citizens by supporting a terrorist organization that has murdered Americans?”

Expressing outrage over the reported framework, Levin declared, “Honestly, this is an abomination. What kind of [rubbish] is this,” he continued.

The commentator went on to argue that the negotiations threaten Israel’s security while simultaneously bolstering Iranian influence through Hezbollah’s entrenched position in Lebanon.

“Even worse, we are smearing Israel for refusing to abandon its security, we ensure Iran’s control over Lebanon via Hezbollah, and we have done absolutely nothing over the 45 year period Hezbollah has slaughtered Americans,” he wrote. “Only Israel has. Why are we helping Hezbollah? Pure appeasement to Iran.”

Levin also expressed disbelief over the reported role being played by Qatar and Pakistan in the talks.

“And why the hell are Qatar and Pakistan lead negotiators?” Levin asked. He described the two countries as “corrupt, brutal, terror-tied regimes with ties to Iran and hate for Israel.”

Taking his criticism even further, Levin argued that the reported proposal would be more damaging than the nuclear agreement negotiated during the Obama administration.

“Certainly far worse than Obama’s nuclear deal,” he wrote.

“I can’t think of another time in American history where we’ve done anything as preposterous as this,” he wrote. “Israel must completely reject it. For its country’s security AND ours!”

Levin further asserted that Qatar and Pakistan appear to be advancing Tehran’s interests more effectively than Washington is defending one of its closest allies.

“Qatar and Pakistan are doing a better job representing Iran than we are supporting our ally.”

Turning his attention to Capitol Hill, Levin questioned whether Republican lawmakers would stand behind the reported initiative and suggested the matter deserves far greater scrutiny.

“I wonder how many congressional Republicans support this? No way this escapes scrutiny. Something is going on here that stinks to high heaven,” he wrote.

Concluding his remarks, Levin predicted that public support for the arrangement would collapse if voters were fully informed about its details.

“If the public were actually polled on specific major parts of this, like the above lunacy, and it was explained, the polls would be in the toilet.”

{Matzav.com}

[Video below.] Former hostage Ilana Gritzewsky appeared before the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva this week, delivering an emotional testimony about the atrocities committed on October 7 and the abuse suffered by hostages in Gaza, while urging the international community not to ignore the victims of Hamas.

“I have to speak for those who no longer have a voice, so people will understand what our soldiers are fighting for day and night,” Gritzewsky said. She explained that the appearance marked her first interview since the release of her partner, Matan Zangauker.

Gritzewsky attended the council session alongside Merav Lapidot. Their participation was facilitated by UN Watch, a Geneva-based watchdog organization that scrutinizes the actions and decisions of the United Nations. The group has long argued that UN institutions exhibit a disproportionate focus on Israel, noting that from 2006 through 2025, the Human Rights Council passed 112 resolutions condemning the Jewish state—nearly half of all country-specific condemnations directed at every other nation combined during the same period.

Addressing the gathering, Israel’s ambassador to the UN institutions in Geneva, Daniel Meron, accused anti-Israel activists of attempting to reverse the roles of perpetrators and victims. He argued that the BDS movement is working to portray Israelis as the guilty party while minimizing the suffering of those targeted by Hamas. Meron also sharply criticized UN Special Rapporteur Reem Alsalem, alleging that she has promoted misinformation and failed to properly acknowledge the abuse endured by Israeli women both during the October 7 massacre and while being held captive.

Critics pointed to Alsalem’s report to the council, which referenced “Palestinian suffering” 11 times but omitted any mention of the October 7 massacre or the trauma experienced by Israeli civilians. UN Watch Executive Director Hillel Neuer condemned the omission, stating, “There is something absurd about the fact that the UN envoy responsible for combating violence against women has produced a document that erases Hamas’ victims.”

Neuer further argued that while Alsalem’s report levels accusations against Israel, Gritzewsky came before the council to provide firsthand testimony about Israeli women who were attacked and kidnapped by Hamas terrorists.

During her remarks, Gritzewsky spoke directly to Alsalem and recounted the horrors she experienced both during the attack and throughout her captivity.

“On October 7, terrorists broke into our kibbutz. They touched me and abused me. I woke up half-naked with seven terrorists standing over me,” she told the council. “I came back with a broken hip, a broken jaw, and a wounded soul.”

In a direct challenge to the UN official, Gritzewsky accused Alsalem of ignoring the suffering of Israeli women, declaring: “I am another Israeli woman who begged not to be hurt. Why were you silent? Please look at me.”

After Gritzewsky concluded her testimony and exited the chamber visibly shaken, Alsalem offered only a brief response. She said that her position regarding violence committed against Israeli women and girls on October 7 had been expressed in a public statement posted on her website.

Alsalem added, “For the past three years I have requested to speak with survivors of October 7 and to visit Israel and Gaza, but the Israeli government has rejected my requests.”

Closing her remarks, the special rapporteur said she remained open to meeting with Gritzewsky before the session concluded and before the former hostage departed the council chamber.

{Matzav.com}

Shas chairman MK Aryeh Deri and Degel HaTorah chairman MK Moshe Gafni issued a dramatic warning Tuesday evening, threatening to bring down the coalition government within days if legislation viewed as critical by the chareidi community continues to be delayed.

The ultimatum came after a high-stakes meeting between the two party leaders and Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu at the Prime Minister’s Office.

“On behalf of the great Torah sages, we conveyed to him an unequivocal demand to immediately advance the Basic Law: Torah Study and the law to stop the arrests of Torah students, by convening the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee and the Knesset Committee already this week,” Deri and Gafni stated. They stressed that if tangible progress is not made immediately, they are prepared to support legislation dissolving the Knesset in the coming days.

During the meeting, Netanyahu reiterated his commitment to both measures and pledged to personally secure the parliamentary support needed to pass them.

The two chareidi leaders also sought to dispel reports of any political arrangement with the prime minister. “There is no ‘deal’ with Prime Minister Netanyahu. Our demand to advance the Basic Law: Torah Study and the law preventing the arrests of Torah students stands on its own, is not dependent on anything, and we have not given up on any demand. If we see that these laws are being practically advanced, we will be able to resume voting on coalition legislation, in accordance with the instructions of the great Torah sages.”

Earlier in the day, Deri and Gafni took the unusual step of boycotting a scheduled gathering of coalition faction leaders, a move that resulted in the meeting being canceled altogether.

The boycott was widely viewed as a calculated effort to pressure Netanyahu into a one-on-one discussion and determine whether the coalition actually possesses the votes necessary to advance the chareidi legislative agenda.

The confrontation follows weeks of growing dissatisfaction among chareidi parties, which believe repeated commitments have not been fulfilled. Just last week, Netanyahu reportedly assured Deri that he would personally guarantee passage of two key bills during the current Knesset session: the Basic Law granting constitutional recognition to Torah study and legislation designed to halt Military Police arrests of bnei Torah who have not enlisted.

Despite those assurances, coalition leaders have continued postponing the measures, fueling frustration within the chareidi parties and prompting Deri and Gafni to significantly intensify their pressure campaign against the prime minister.

{Matzav.com}

Shas chairman Aryeh Deri dramatically escalated pressure on the coalition on Monday, announcing that his party will block all coalition-backed legislation until key measures sought by the chareidi parties—including legislation protecting Torah study and ending arrests of yeshiva students—are advanced.

The announcement, made during Shas’s weekly faction meeting, reflected growing frustration within the chareidi parties over what they view as the coalition’s failure to deliver on longstanding commitments while arrests of Torah learners continue.

“We informed the coalition chairman that as long as the law to stop the arrests and the Basic Law on Torah study are not advanced, we will not support any coalition legislation,” Deri declared before members of his faction.

During the meeting, Deri also addressed the recent arrests of yeshiva students, expressing outrage over the way authorities have handled the issue.

“The violent arrests of Torah learners must stop,” the Shas leader said, sharply criticizing the treatment of yeshiva students by law enforcement.

At the same time, Degel HaTorah chairman MK Moshe Gafni delivered a similar warning to coalition leaders, making clear that his party would no longer move legislation forward without concrete action on issues important to the chareidi public.

“As long as the Daycare Law is not approved, no law will pass,” Gafni said. He added in unusually blunt language: “I have had enough of false promises—I will not humiliate myself any longer.”

Much of the anger among the chareidi factions stems from Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu’s announcement last week that the Daycare Law would not be passed during the current term, despite the legislation having been one of the highest priorities for the chareidi parties.

At the same time, coalition leaders have made little progress on either the proposed Basic Law on Torah Study or legislation aimed at ending the arrests of yeshiva students, despite repeated assurances that both measures would be addressed.

We reported earlier that the first casualty of the new strategy is expected to be Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi’s communications reform bill, which the coalition had hoped to advance in the coming weeks.

Senior Shas officials made clear that the blockade would remain in place until the coalition delivers results.

“As long as the Basic Law on Torah Study and the law to stop the arrests are not passed, no law will pass—including the communications bill,” party officials said.

Frustration within the chareidi parties has reached the point where some senior figures are openly questioning the value of their partnership with the coalition.

“It is inconceivable that the prime minister is nearing the end of a term and, after three and a half years, has not succeeded in passing a single major law important to the chareidi community,” one senior official said. “What kind of partnership is this?”

Behind closed doors, some party insiders expressed even deeper disappointment, suggesting that the chareidi factions have exhausted their political leverage.

“We no longer have anything left with which to threaten him,” one senior chareidi figure said. “The moment United Torah Judaism agreed to elections on October 20, as Netanyahu requested, we lost our last source of pressure. We were left with nothing.”

Another senior official offered an even harsher assessment of the situation.

“We failed in everything. We have nothing to show our voters,” he said. “Netanyahu played us again and again, and we followed him like a blind goat.”

{Matzav.com}

Two leading Israeli political commentators delivered a blistering critique of the chareidi parties during a heated discussion on Kol Chai Radio, accusing their leaders of political infighting, missed opportunities, and a failure to unite at a time of unprecedented challenges facing the Torah world.

During a segment on the station’s flagship news program, political analysts Avi Blum and Avi Ravina painted a grim picture of the state of chareidi politics, revealing internal tensions, a reportedly explosive conversation between Aryeh Deri and Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu, and what they described as a breakdown in the ability of the chareidi parties to advance crucial legislation.

Ravina opened by disclosing details of what he described as a particularly tense exchange between Deri and Netanyahu.

“I am reporting here on a difficult, tense, and unusually emotional conversation that took place between Shas chairman Aryeh Deri and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu,” Ravina said. “Deri threw harsh words at Netanyahu and told him directly: ‘You have nothing left to sell us. We do not have an ounce of trust in you anymore.’ The leaders of the chareidi parties understand that they are reaching the end of the term completely empty-handed. The atmosphere in the internal meetings of Shas and United Torah Judaism is described as tense and desperate. The politicians understand they have nothing to bring to the chareidi public ahead of the elections.”

Ravina also dismissed suggestions that major legislation could still be passed before the Knesset dissolves, arguing that the timeline makes such promises unrealistic.

“Who exactly do they think they are fooling?” he asked. “For two full years of a fully right-wing government, they received dozens of deadlines from Netanyahu, believed him time and again, and suffered complete failure. Now, less than a month before the Knesset officially dissolves on July 17, when these laws have not even passed a first reading and are still in preliminary committee stages—they are suddenly going to pass complex Basic Laws within three weeks? That is simply not realistic from a procedural standpoint, and the clear feeling within the coalition is that Netanyahu and the chareidi parties have completely lost control of the situation.”

Attorney and political commentator Avi Blum reserved some of his sharpest criticism not for Netanyahu but for the chareidi parties themselves, rejecting the notion that the prime minister alone should bear responsibility for the legislative stalemate.

“Blaming Netanyahu for ‘divide and conquer’ does an injustice to ourselves,” Blum said. “The chareidi politicians are dividing themselves and handing him that division on a silver platter. We are talking about an existential threat to the Torah world—yeshiva students are being arrested in large numbers, the decrees have reached even the large Gur chassidus, and yet how is it possible that, until this very moment, the party leaders are incapable of sitting around one table and presenting a united front?”

Blum argued that personal rivalries and political calculations have prevented progress even when workable solutions have been placed on the table.

“Aryeh Deri put forward an excellent emergency bill to stop the arrests, one that does not require quotas or sanctions. But because it is Deri’s bill, people in United Torah Judaism refuse to give him credit for it. Degel HaTorah is dragging its feet. On the other hand, Agudas Yisroel is proposing a bill to dissolve the Knesset without coordinating with anyone. It is an unbelievable absurdity that, during the most fateful days for the yeshiva world, the offices of chareidi lawmakers are busy leaking against one another and throwing mud at each other.”

Blum concluded with an especially harsh rebuke of the political leadership, saying the public would not easily forgive what he views as a failure to rise above personal interests.

“For this conduct, for this inability to put egos aside, there is no forgiveness and no atonement from the chareidi public. The public is bleeding and in pain, while the representatives are fighting over press coverage and political credit.”

{Matzav.com}

Organizers of a nationwide protest against the arrests of yeshiva students and kollel members say as many as 2,500 vehicles are expected to take part Wednesday in what could become one of the largest chareidi vehicle demonstrations in recent years. The convoys will travel from 19 locations across the country and converge near a military prison as part of a growing campaign against the detention of Torah learners.

Ahead of the demonstration, the organizing committee unveiled the official logo that will accompany the protest caravans. The logo features the slogan “עד כאן! אין דרך בלי דרך התורה!” and is expected to appear on cars, signs, and stickers throughout the event.

Yerushalayim Deputy Mayor Tzachi Brim, who chaired the committee’s most recent planning session, confirmed that organizers are preparing for participation on a massive scale, with estimates reaching approximately 2,500 vehicles.

According to the plans, convoys will depart at 4:00 p.m. from 19 cities and communities across Israel, including Elad, Ashdod, Tiberias, Beitar Illit, Beit Shemesh, Bnei Brak, Givat Ze’ev, Haifa, Hatzor HaGlilit, Yerushalayim , Modiin Illit, Nof HaGalil, Netanya, Emmanuel, Afula, Arad, Safed, Kiryat Gat, and Rechovot. The separate processions will eventually merge into a unified convoy heading toward the military prison.

Organizers said participants will recite Tehillim, hear words of encouragement, and broadcast messages of protest throughout the journey. In a statement, the committee said, “The slogan and logo we selected reflect the feelings of the entire community—the red line has been crossed. This is the opening shot of what will be a historic display of solidarity that will send one message to the prisoners of the Torah world: You are not alone.”

The campaign is being coordinated by a joint committee representing several major chassidic communities. Participants in the planning meetings have included Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Tzachi Brim and his chief of staff Srulik Frenkel; Yitzchok Bartler of Vizhnitz and adviser to MK Yaakov Tessler; Shimi Blau of Shlomei Emunim and chief of staff to MK Meir Porush; Yisroel Dranger representing Gur; and Aharon Frishman representing Belz.

Those involved in the effort say one of the most striking aspects of the protest has been the unusually broad cooperation among the various chassidic groups. Organizers described the alliance as one of the most significant examples of inter-chassidic cooperation seen in recent years around a public cause.

Notably absent, however, are Degel HaTorah and Shas. While representatives of Gur, Belz, Vizhnitz, and Shlomei Emunim have taken leading roles in the campaign, neither Degel HaTorah nor Shas has publicly endorsed the protest. Yated Ne’eman, the newspaper identified with Degel HaTorah, has likewise not provided coverage of the initiative.

Despite the scope of the planned demonstration, organizers acknowledged that they have not yet received final police approval. Nevertheless, they insist preparations are moving forward as scheduled.

“There is no official confirmation that there is official confirmation,” Brim said. “This is a complex event that crosses multiple districts and regions, so the handling of it is naturally more complicated. But we demand that the chareidi public be allowed to protest and demonstrate just as every other sector in the State of Israel is permitted to do.”

Shimi Blau said the campaign was entering its final phase and warned that organizers were prepared to respond if police attempted to restrict the protest.

“We are in the final stretch. Hundreds of people have already registered, but I do not want to provide numbers,” Blau said. “If the police create obstacles and do not allow us freedom of expression in the same way they allow it to other groups, we have contingency plans. It is also worth remembering the attorney general’s own statement that there is no effective protest without some disruption of public order.”

Meanwhile, Kfar Yona Mayor Albert Taieb reiterated his opposition to allowing the convoys into his city. Speaking earlier this week, he said his concerns were not directed at the chareidi community but rather at the traffic disruptions caused by repeated demonstrations in the region. Taieb said he planned to stand at the entrance to the city together with local residents in an effort to prevent road closures and traffic disturbances.

The protest comes amid mounting outrage in the chareidi community over a recent wave of arrests involving yeshiva students and kollel members. Earlier this week, the former Rishon LeTzion, Rav Yitzchok Yosef, launched a sharp attack on Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, accusing her of responsibility for the arrests of lomdei Torah and intensifying calls for public action.

{Matzav.com}

A month after the shocking murder of 75-year-old Avromi Itzkowitz in Queens, his family says they are convinced the killing was an antisemitic attack and is urging authorities to intensify efforts to solve the case.

Itzkowitz was fatally shot on May 18 near a lake in Kissena Park in the Flushing section of Queens, a location he regularly visited. He was discovered shortly before 5:00 p.m. suffering from gunshot wounds to his neck and back. Emergency responders pronounced him dead at the scene. Although police classified the incident as a homicide, no arrests have been made and investigators have not publicly identified a motive.

Speaking to JNS, Itzkowitz’s son, Tzvi Yonah Itzkowitz, said the family firmly believes his father was targeted because he was visibly Jewish.

“My family and I feel that this was an antisemitic attack,” he said. “It happened in broad daylight, and we want to know what happened and get some closure. My father deserves justice.”

According to his son, Itzkowitz was immediately recognizable as an Orthodox Jew, frequently wearing a yarmulke and sporting a long beard. Family members believe those visible signs of Jewish identity may have made him a target.

The tragedy came just weeks after another devastating loss for the family. Itzkowitz’s wife passed away from cancer on April 30, less than three weeks before he was murdered.

“We lost my mother two and a half weeks before we lost my father,” his son recalled.

Family members became alarmed when they were unable to reach Itzkowitz for several hours. Concern soon turned to fear as attempts to contact him went unanswered.

His daughter eventually tried reaching him through a video call, but instead of her father, a member of the NYPD answered the phone.

“For an hour and a half, we sat around the table not knowing anything,” his son said. “We thought maybe he had fainted or gotten lost. We had no idea.”

Itzkowitz was a well-known and beloved figure in the Jewish community of Kew Gardens Hills. For many years he worked at G&I Kosher Bakery, the family-owned kosher bakery established by his parents in the early 1960s.

“He was the sweetest, kindest person, always with a smile for everyone,” his son said. “A short walk home from the bakery would take three times longer than normal because he would stop and talk to people along the way.”

In addition to his work at the bakery, Itzkowitz devoted years of service as a volunteer with Hatzalah of Queens.

Family members say detectives have maintained regular contact and have shown compassion throughout the investigation. Nevertheless, the case remains unsolved.

Investigators have collected surveillance footage from nearby streets, but the absence of security cameras inside the park has complicated efforts to identify a suspect or reconstruct exactly what happened.

The family believes the case deserves far greater public attention and argues that authorities should examine it as a possible hate crime.

“We feel that a chareidi Jew shot to death in broad daylight should receive much more public attention,” his son said. “If the case is treated as a hate crime, perhaps additional resources will be devoted to the investigation. We believe that a Jewish man who was shot to death in broad daylight because of his Jewish appearance is the victim of an antisemitic attack.”

One month after the killing, the questions surrounding Avromi Itzkowitz’s death remain unanswered, leaving his family still searching for justice—and for the person responsible.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli police have begun reviewing calls for an “urban intifada” against the chareidi community after United Torah Judaism chairman Yitzchok Goldknopf demanded a criminal investigation into former Arad Mayor Nissan Ben Hamo over remarks he said amounted to incitement.

According to information obtained by Matzav.com, the Israel Police Investigations Division has started examining Goldknopf’s complaint regarding statements made by Ben Hamo against the chareidi public.

In an official letter sent to Goldknopf’s office following his appeal to Police Commissioner Danny Levy, police confirmed that the request to investigate Ben Hamo on suspicion of incitement against the chareidi community had been forwarded to the appropriate professional authorities within the Investigations and Intelligence Division for review.

The letter further noted that police have not yet taken a position on the substance of the allegations and thanked Goldknopf for bringing the matter to their attention.

As previously reported, Goldknopf contacted the police commissioner after Ben Hamo publicly called for what he described as an “urban intifada” amid ongoing protests conducted by Gur chassidim in Arad.

In a video message published at the time, Ben Hamo declared: “When I said that we need to go out to an urban intifada, some people objected — this is exactly what I meant. If we do not stand our ground, we will receive this tenfold.”

In his complaint, Goldknopf argued that the use of the term “intifada” went far beyond legitimate public criticism and constituted “an explicit call for violent actions, public disorder, and the endangerment of human life.”

He urged law enforcement authorities to examine the remarks from a criminal standpoint and determine whether they violated laws against incitement.

Police have now confirmed that the matter is under review by investigators and intelligence officials. The outcome of that examination remains unclear, and no decision has yet been announced regarding whether a formal criminal investigation will be opened.

We will continue following developments in the case and provide updates as they emerge.

{Matzav.com}

Tensions flared Monday night in Ramat Beit Shemesh as dozens of demonstrators took to the streets to protest the filing of an indictment against a local resident accused of participating in the break-in at the city’s police station several weeks ago.

The protest, held on Nahar HaYarden Street, quickly escalated into a chaotic confrontation. Demonstrators reportedly hurled barricades, set fires in the roadway, and damaged a police vehicle as clashes intensified.

According to police, protesters threw rocks and various objects at officers, caused significant damage to public infrastructure, and ignited multiple fires. Law enforcement officials described the participants as “unrestrained” and said a police vehicle sustained substantial damage during the unrest. Large numbers of officers were deployed to the scene in an effort to restore order.

The demonstration came just hours after state prosecutors filed an indictment against a 46-year-old Beit Shemesh resident in connection with violent disturbances that erupted near the city’s police station during protests over the arrest of a yeshiva student accused of draft evasion.

As previously reported by Matzav.com, prosecutors are seeking to keep the suspect, identified as Friedman, behind bars until the conclusion of legal proceedings.

According to the indictment, filed in the Yerushalayim District Court by attorney Shirel Eldar of the Yerushalayim District Attorney’s Office, calls were circulated urging people to gather near the Beit Shemesh police station following the arrest of the yeshiva student.

The charging document alleges that hundreds of protesters assembled at the site and that the demonstration eventually devolved into a violent riot. During the disturbance, the station’s gate was breached, police officers were assaulted, rocks and other objects were thrown, property was damaged, and fires were set around the station complex.

Prosecutors allege that Friedman personally ignited vegetation near the police station fence on three separate occasions during the unrest. According to the indictment, the fires were set at different locations and at different times throughout the evening. Each blaze burned for several seconds before extinguishing.

The investigation was conducted by the Beit Shemesh police station under the Jerusalem District Police. Friedman has been charged with three counts of arson and one count of participating in a riot.

The latest indictment follows a broader police operation carried out approximately two weeks ago, when Yerushalayim District officers raided the homes of three suspects allegedly involved in the violent disturbances and the breach of the Beit Shemesh police station compound. Detectives from the Beit Shemesh station, together with officers from the Metpa special unit, arrested the suspects—residents of Beit Shemesh ages 26, 46, and 56—for questioning.

Monday night’s renewed unrest underscored the continuing tensions surrounding the arrests of yeshiva students and the increasingly volatile protests that have accompanied them in recent weeks.

{Matzav.com}

Michael Kedar, the dual American-Israeli citizen known as the “Ashkelon Hacker,” has been extradited to the United States and made his first appearance in federal court in Orlando, Florida. Kedar, 27, previously served seven years in prison in Israel for issuing terror threats against Jewish institutions and is now facing a new federal indictment in the United States over similar allegations.

Federal prosecutors accused Kedar of carrying out hate crimes and interfering with the religious freedoms of members of the Jewish community by targeting institutions across Florida, including Jewish community centers, schools, and preschools. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the alleged offenses were conducted using sophisticated technology from his home in Ashkelon.

If convicted, Kedar could face a lengthy prison sentence of up to 35 years. The Justice Department said each hate-crime charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years, each bomb-threat count carries a maximum of 10 years, and interstate-threat charges carry penalties of up to five years.

In addition to possible prison time, the court could order Kedar to pay restitution to institutions and individuals affected by the threats. While Kedar has already completed a seven-year sentence in Israel for terror threats directed at Jewish institutions, U.S. authorities contend that he also committed similar crimes targeting Jewish organizations in Florida.

Justice Department officials condemned the alleged actions in strong terms. An assistant attorney general said, “The crimes stand out for their cruelty and the damage they caused to the Jewish community. When someone uses technology to terrorize houses of worship and community centers, it is an attack on religious freedom and public safety.”

The prosecutor continued, “We will not forget the families, the staff members, and the emergency responders who were forced to live under these threats.”

Federal prosecutors in Florida likewise emphasized the seriousness of the case, stating that “Intentional targeting of individuals, groups, or institutions because of their religious beliefs is contrary to the freedoms enshrined in the American Constitution. The acts caused unnecessary fear and will not be tolerated.”

Kedar’s extradition marks the latest chapter in a long-running legal saga that has already resulted in years behind bars in Israel. He now faces a new battle in the American court system and the possibility of a substantial additional prison sentence if convicted of the charges related to threats against Jewish institutions in Florida.

{Matzav.com}

The director-general of Israel’s Central Elections Committee has sought to reassure the chareidi public ahead of the next national election, announcing that yeshivah students classified as military draft evaders will not face arrest when casting their ballots.

Attorney Din Livne, the committee’s director-general, made the announcement Monday following concerns raised by chareidi parties and community members that individuals designated as draft evaders might avoid voting out of fear of being detained at polling locations. The report was first published by Ynet journalist Amir Ettinger.

The remarks were made during a meeting of the Central Elections Committee, chaired by Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg and attended by representatives of various political parties and factions.

According to Livne, the policy is intended to ensure that no segment of the population is discouraged from exercising its democratic right to vote because of concerns about arrest at registration points or polling stations.

The announcement comes as political leaders continue advancing legislation to dissolve the Knesset and trigger new elections.

The bill to dissolve parliament passed its preliminary reading on May 20 and cleared its first reading in the Knesset plenum on June 2.

Before elections can be formally called, the legislation must still pass through the relevant Knesset committee and receive approval in second and third readings. As part of that process, lawmakers will also determine the official election date.

At present, October 20 is emerging as the leading date under consideration within the political system.

Further developments regarding the timing of the election and the terms of the Knesset’s dissolution are expected to depend heavily on a coalition leaders’ meeting scheduled for Tuesday evening.

Senior coalition party leaders are set to convene for discussions that could significantly influence both the legislative timetable and the path toward elections.

At the center of the negotiations is the ongoing dispute between coalition leaders and the chareidi parties, which continue to press for progress on legislation addressing issues they consider critical, particularly matters related to the status of yeshivah students and military service.

The outcome of those discussions is expected to play a major role in determining whether the current timetable toward an October election remains on track.

{Matzav.com}

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday restored the murder conviction of Pedro Hernandez, the man found guilty in the decades-old killing of six-year-old Etan Patz, whose disappearance in 1979 became one of the most infamous missing-child cases in American history.

Hernandez, now 64, was serving a sentence of 25 years to life after being convicted in 2017 for the murder of the young boy, according to Fox 5.

The high court ruled 6-3 in favor of Manhattan prosecutors, reversing a lower federal court decision that had thrown out the conviction.

The article said, “In a 6-3 decision, the justices granted an appeal from Manhattan prosecutors, undoing a lower federal court’s ruling that had previously overturned the verdict against Pedro Hernandez. The court’s three liberal justices dissented.”

Etan Patz vanished on May 25, 1979, while walking alone for the first time to a school bus stop in Manhattan. His disappearance captivated the nation and left a lasting mark on New York City.

The case transformed the way missing-child investigations are handled across the United States and became a symbol of the growing effort to locate missing children.

The case also “fundamentally changed how America responds to missing children, and made Etan one of the first children to have his face printed on a milk carton. Today, the anniversary of his disappearance is recognized as National Missing Children’s Day,” the Fox article stated.

At the time of Etan’s disappearance, Hernandez worked at a neighborhood convenience store near the location where the child was last seen. He was not identified as a suspect until 2012, when he confessed to the crime. His attorneys later argued that the admissions were unreliable and stemmed from his mental illness.

According to the Associated Press, defense lawyers focused heavily on the circumstances surrounding Hernandez’s confessions.

“They emphasized that the admission came after police queried him for about seven hours before reading him his rights and recording the interview. Hernandez then repeated his confession on tape, at least twice,” the Associated Press reported:

“During deliberations, the 2017 jurors asked a complicated question: If they decided Hernandez didn’t confess voluntarily when he hadn’t been read his rights yet, must they disregard his other confessions? The then-judge responded simply, “the answer is no.” The jury went on to convict.

“In overturning that verdict, the appeals court said the jury’s question should have gotten a more fulsome answer, including the possibility of discounting all the confessions.”

Video shown by 48 Hours included footage of the convenience store where Hernandez had worked near the bus stop Etan used. During police questioning, Hernandez told investigators he lured the child by offering him a soda and bringing him into the store’s basement.

“And then I choked him,” Hernandez said.

Investigators said Hernandez later led them to the location where the basement had once stood and described placing Etan’s body into a box. According to his account, he carried the box through the neighborhood and eventually left it in an area where authorities believe it was later collected with garbage.

Despite decades of investigation and one of the most closely watched child-abduction cases in the nation’s history, Etan Patz’s body was never recovered, according to ABC 7.

{Matzav.com}

A federal judge appointed by President Joe Biden has halted the Trump administration’s effort to use an upgraded federal verification system to help states identify and remove noncitizens from voter registration rolls.

In a ruling issued Monday, U.S. District Judge Sparkle Sooknanan of the District of Columbia barred the administration from implementing changes to the federal SAVE program that were intended to make citizenship verification faster and more accessible for election officials.

The revised version of the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program allowed states to confirm voter eligibility without requiring all nine digits of an applicant’s Social Security number, a change supporters said would streamline efforts to ensure that only eligible citizens cast ballots in federal elections.

In her decision, Sooknanan argued that the case raised serious concerns involving both voter rights and the protection of private personal information.

“This case implicates two fundamental rights that protect Americans from government overreach: the right to privacy and the right to vote,” Sooknanan, an immigrant from Trinidad and Tobago, wrote:

“In the past year, several federal agencies have joined forces to create a centralized federal database that contains the private information of United States citizens, including Social Security numbers, citizenship status, and other sensitive data.

“But decades ago, Congress put protections in place to prevent precisely this type of centralized data bank. And the record in this case shows that the federal agencies that created this database knew that the database violates those statutory protections. The agencies were scrambling to comply with an Executive Order aimed at reshaping federal elections, which directed them to create a system for mass voter verification. So they haphazardly combined and repurposed the private information of millions of Americans, including citizenship data that they knew to be unreliable. Since then, states have partnered with the federal government to access the database and are actively removing United States citizens from voter rolls based on inaccurate information. All in all, the federal government has knowingly trampled on the privacy rights of American citizens in a manner that threatens the sacred right to vote. This Court cannot stand idly by while that happens.”

The ruling marked a significant setback for the administration’s election-integrity efforts, which officials said were designed to help states more effectively verify voter citizenship and prevent unlawful voting.

Previously, a spokesperson for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services defended the revised system, telling Breitbart News that the updated SAVE program was necessary to ensure “America’s elections are reserved exclusively for American citizens.”

The legal battle is expected to continue as the administration and its allies seek to preserve the changes, while opponents argue the system risks disenfranchising eligible voters and undermining longstanding federal privacy protections.

{Matzav.com}