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By Rabbi Pinchos Lipschutz

Those at the Adirei HaTorah event on Sunday participated in something extraordinary.

They saw tens of thousands of bnei Torah gathered together. They saw roshei yeshiva, rabbonim, yungeleit, baalei batim, fathers and sons. They heard singing, felt excitement, and sensed that they were part of something historic.

But there are some people who would see much more than a gathering.

They would see a miracle.

Imagine a Holocaust survivor entering the stadium.

He looks across the sea of faces and struggles to comprehend what he is seeing. Everywhere he turns are young men devoted to Torah learning. Tens of thousands of people who have come together for no purpose of personal gain, entertainment, or recognition. They assembled for one reason, to honor the Torah and those who dedicate their lives to studying and living by it.

To many, it is inspiring.

To him, it is almost unimaginable.

He remembers a different world.

He remembers the great Torah centers of Europe. Warsaw, Vilna, Lublin, Pressburg, Slabodka, Mir, Kletzk, Telz, Ponovezh and hundreds of towns and villages whose very air seemed filled with Torah. He remembers botei medrash that hummed day and night, yeshivos overflowing with talmidim, and communities whose lives revolved around Torah.

Then came the destruction.

The Nazis did not merely seek to murder Jews. They sought to eradicate Judaism. They burned seforim, destroyed yeshivos, murdered rabbonim, roshei yeshiva and talmidim, and attempted to sever a chain stretching back to Har Sinai.

The survivor remembers standing amid the ruins and wondering whether that chain had been broken forever.

He remembers the ashes.

He remembers the silence.

He remembers a world in which entire communities vanished almost overnight.

Who could have imagined then what would come next?

Who could have imagined that less than a century later, there would be gatherings of tens of thousands of bnei Torah in America?

Who could have imagined stadiums filled not for sports, not for politics, not for entertainment, but solely for kavod haTorah?

A survivor would not simply see a crowd.

He would see the grandchildren of those who never had the opportunity to grow old.

He would see the dreams of murdered parents and grandparents walking among the living.

He would see proof that the Jewish people possess a resilience that defies every law of history.

Most nations celebrate military victories, economic achievements, or political triumphs.

The Jewish people fill stadiums to celebrate Torah.

A survivor would understand the significance of that better than anyone.

He witnessed what happens when Jews lose everything. Homes can be confiscated. Businesses can be destroyed. Entire communities can be wiped out.

Yet one thing endured.

The Torah.

The Nazis believed that they were burying the future of the Jewish people.

Instead, they planted seeds.

From the remnants emerged new yeshivos. From displaced persons camps emerged future roshei yeshiva, rabbonim, and teachers. Survivors crossed oceans carrying little more than faith, memories, and an unwavering commitment to rebuild.

Today, their descendants fill botei medrash across the globe.

Every young man learning a blatt Gemara is a declaration that the Jewish story continues.

Every yeshiva is a monument greater than any structure of stone.

Every child learning Alef-Bais is a victory over those who sought to extinguish us.

There is another person whose eyes would fill with tears upon entering the Adirei HaTorah event.

Not a survivor of Europe, but a Torah Jew who lived in America during the 1930s and 1940s.

He remembers a very different America.

Today we speak about the flourishing Torah world in the United States as though it were inevitable.

It was anything but.

In those years, many observers—within and outside the Orthodox community—were convinced that traditional Judaism had little future in America.

The challenges seemed overwhelming.

Shabbos observance often came at the cost of employment. Day schools were scarce. Yeshivos struggled to survive. Children of immigrants rapidly assimilated. The prevailing assumption was that America could provide economic opportunity, but never become a true home for Torah.

Europe was where Torah flourished.

America was where it would fade away.

Even many sincere Torah Jews feared that Orthodoxy might survive only as a small and shrinking remnant.

Had you told someone in those years that one day tens of thousands of bnei Torah would gather in a packed stadium to celebrate Torah learning, he would have thought that you were describing a fantasy.

A stadium?

Filled with lomdei Torah?

In America?

The very idea would have seemed impossible.

Imagine bringing such a Jew to Adirei HaTorah.

He would look around in astonishment.

Not because he had never seen a large crowd, but because he had spent a lifetime hearing that such a crowd could never exist.

Every face would refute the predictions.

Every yeshiva represented would disprove the experts.

Every voice joining in song would testify that Torah had not merely survived in America, but had flourished beyond anyone’s expectations.

The small yeshivos that struggled to keep their doors open became thriving institutions.

The handful became thousands.

The thousands became tens of thousands.

What many believed could never take root on American soil became one of the greatest centers of Torah learning in the world.

Standing at Adirei HaTorah, he would realize that he is witnessing one of the greatest surprises in modern Jewish history.

The dream became reality.

In truth, these two men, the survivor from Europe and the Torah Jew from early America, are seeing the same thing.

One sees the defeat of Hitler.

The other sees the defeat of assimilation.

One remembers a world where Torah was nearly destroyed.

The other remembers a world where Torah was expected to disappear.

Both arrive at the same conclusion.

The chain was not broken.

The Torah lives.

Yet, perhaps there is an even deeper perspective.

The survivor and the American Torah pioneer would not merely be looking at a crowd. They would be looking at the fulfillment of their hopes and prayers.

For the young men filling the stadium are not merely participants in an event. They are the answer to questions that previous generations carried in their hearts.

The survivor wondered whether there would be grandchildren learning Torah.

There are.

The immigrant who struggled to keep Shabbos wondered whether his descendants would remain faithful to Yiddishkeit.

They did.

The rosh yeshiva who opened a small classroom with a handful of students wondered whether Torah would ever flourish in America.

It has.

The parents who sacrificed comfort and convenience so their children could receive a Torah education wondered whether those sacrifices would bear fruit.

The fruit is before us.

What previous generations could only dream about, this generation experiences as reality.

And perhaps that is the greatest lesson of all.

When we look at a gathering such as Adirei HaTorah, we should not merely count how many people are present.

We should think about how many people stand behind them.

Behind every ben Torah are parents and grandparents who sacrificed. Behind every shteiging yungerman is a dedicated wife.

Behind every yeshiva are visionaries who built when there was little reason to believe they would succeed.

Behind every row of young men holding Gemaros are generations who carried the Torah through poverty, persecution, exile, and uncertainty.

In a sense, every seat in the stadium is occupied by more than one person.

The living fill the seats.

But surrounding them are the hopes, dreams, prayers, and sacrifices of generations past.

As the singing rises and the voices of thousands join together in honor of Torah, one can almost hear the verdict of history itself.

Those who sought to destroy us failed.

Those who predicted our decline were mistaken.

Against every calculation, every forecast, and every expectation, the Torah world has risen from the ashes, crossed oceans, taken root in new lands, and flourished beyond imagination.

The world may see a gathering.

They would see a resurrection.

The world may see a stadium.

They would see the rebuilding of a civilization.

The world may see an event.

They would see the fulfillment of a promise that has accompanied our people through every exile and every persecution: that the Torah entrusted to us at Har Sinai will never disappear from the Jewish people.

Standing amid the tens of thousands assembled for the honor of Torah, they would know that they are witnessing far more than a celebration.

They are witnessing eternity.

They tried to extinguish the flame.

Instead, it became a blazing fire.

And its light continues to illuminate the world.

Many articles about the growth of the Torah world focus on numbers — how many attendees, how many yeshivos, how many students, how many communities. Those numbers are certainly remarkable.

But what makes Adirei HaTorah so moving is that it is not really a story about quantity. It is a story about improbability.

If you had stood in Europe in 1945 amid the ruins of Jewish civilization, you would not have predicted this.

If you had stood in America in 1950, when many believed that Torah Judaism was destined to fade into history, you would not have predicted this.

If you had asked the survivors, the struggling roshei yeshiva, the rabbonim fighting off efforts to lower the mechitzah and open the parking lot, the immigrants fighting to keep Shabbos, or the parents sacrificing everything to send a child to yeshiva, they would have hoped for this, but many would have hardly dared imagine it.

That is why a gathering like Adirei HaTorah feels different. It is not merely large. It is unexpected. It represents the triumph of faith over statistics, conviction over prediction, and mesorah over the powerful currents that seemed destined to sweep it away.

Perhaps the most powerful image is not the stadium itself, but the thought of those earlier generations looking upon it.

A survivor searching the crowd for the grandchildren he feared would never exist.

A European rosh yeshiva seeing thousands of talmidim learning on a continent once thought inhospitable to Torah.

An immigrant laborer who lost job after job for Shabbos watching generations of descendants proudly living as Torah Jews.

A mother who scrimped and sacrificed to pay yeshiva tuition seeing a world where Torah education is cherished and sought after.

What would they say?

Perhaps nothing.

Perhaps they would simply stand silently and cry.

Not tears of sadness, but tears of gratitude.

Because before them would stand the answer to decades of prayers.

A living testimony that Torah is not merely preserved in books. It lives within people. It passes from parent to child, rebbi to talmid, generation to generation. And as long as that chain remains unbroken, the story of Klal Yisroel continues.

That is what makes Adirei HaTorah so powerful.

It is not only a celebration of those learning Torah today.

It is a tribute to those who made sure that there would still be Jews learning Torah today. And it is a declaration to future generations that the chain they preserved is now in our hands.

Yet, Adirei HaTorah is not merely a celebration of the past.

It is a celebration of the present.

To focus only on what was lost or what was rebuilt would be to miss the extraordinary reality standing before us.

The greatest achievement of Torah Jewry is not that Torah survived.

It is that Torah lives.

Across America and around the world, hundreds of thousands of Jews begin and end their days with Torah. Botei medrash hum from early morning until late at night. Young men devote years to serious Torah study. Baalei batim rise before dawn and remain after exhausting workdays to learn. Children fill classrooms learning Chumash, Mishnah, Gemara, and halacha. Families build homes centered around Shabbos, tefillah, chesed, and mitzvos.

This is not a museum preserving a glorious past.

It is a vibrant, living world.

The Torah celebrated at Adirei HaTorah is not merely the Torah learned by previous generations.

It is the Torah being learned today.

At this very moment, somewhere, a father is learning with his child. Somewhere, a rebbi is teaching a class. Somewhere, a chavrusa is struggling over a difficult Tosafos. Somewhere, a young boy is reciting Alef-Beis. Somewhere, a young girl is learning what it means to live a life of kedusha and emunah.

The chain continues to grow.

And perhaps that is what makes the gathering so remarkable.

The attendees are not gathering around a memory.

They are gathering around a reality.

The world often measures success through wealth, power, fame, or influence.

Adirei HaTorah celebrates something entirely different.

It celebrates people who dedicate themselves to understanding Hashem’s wisdom.

It celebrates lives shaped by Torah values.

It celebrates parents who sacrifice for Torah education, teachers who devote themselves to their students, communities built upon chesed, and individuals who strive each day to become better servants of Hashem.

In an age captivated by celebrities, athletes, entertainers, and influencers, tens of thousands gather to honor lomdei Torah.

What does that say about a people?

It says that despite all the changes in the world, despite the distractions and pressures of modern life, Torah remains at the center of Jewish existence.

The significance of Adirei HaTorah is not merely that tens of thousands attend.

It is what those tens of thousands represent.

They represent countless more learning in yeshivos and kollelim here and around the world.

They represent families striving to build Torah homes.

They represent communities where Torah guides daily life.

They represent a generation that appreciates that Torah is not an artifact of the past, but the foundation of the present and the future.

That is worthy of celebration.

Not only because previous generations dreamed it would happen.

But because it is happening.

Perhaps one of the most remarkable aspects of Adirei HaTorah is that many of those who attend do not fully appreciate how remarkable it is.

Not because they are ungrateful.

But because they are young.

They were born into a world where Torah flourishes.

For them, bustling botei medrash are normal. Thriving yeshivos are normal. Torah communities stretching across cities and continents are normal. Fathers learning with their children, kollelim filled with yungeleit, schools overflowing with students, and neighborhoods built around Torah life are simply the reality they have always known.

They never experienced the world that came before.

They never stood in the shadow of the destruction of Europe.

They never heard predictions that Orthodox Judaism could not survive in America.

They never saw yeshivos struggling to keep their doors open or families fighting to preserve Torah observance against overwhelming odds.

And that is precisely what makes the moment so extraordinary.

The greatest victories eventually become so complete that people forget there was ever a battle.

The young man sitting in a packed stadium surrounded by tens of thousands of fellow bnei Torah naturally assumes that this is how things are supposed to be.

But the generations before him know differently.

They know how improbable it all is.

They know how many obstacles stood in the way.

They know how many tears were shed, how many sacrifices were made, how many tefillos were offered, and how much faith was required to bring the Torah world to this point.

The young men filling the seats see themselves as ordinary participants in an extraordinary event.

But from the perspective of history, they are the event.

They are what previous generations dreamed about.

They are the answer to prayers offered in DP camps, in struggling yeshivos, in immigrant apartments, and in homes where parents wondered whether their children and grandchildren would remain faithful to Torah.

The greatest tribute to those earlier generations is not merely remembering their sacrifices.

It is recognizing what those sacrifices produced.

Look around the stadium.

Look at the thousands of young faces.

That is the achievement.

That is the victory.

That is the miracle.

Not simply that Torah survived.

But that an entire generation has grown up taking its flourishing for granted.

And perhaps that is the most profound sight of all.

The builders of the Torah world would look upon those young men and smile.

For they would know that what was once an impossible dream has become reality.

Rav Aharon Kotler, the Ponovezher Rov, the roshei yeshiva of Telz, and the many other builders of Torah who were mocked, criticized and perceived as irrational and impractical relics are today viewed as heroes blessed with incredible foresight and spiritual strength.

It’s a new day, a new era, with new vistas, old battles won and new battles to be fought. We look forward with faith and strength, saluting today’s heroes who make it possible, leading, supporting and implementing shelo yomush haTorah hazos mipinu umipi zareinu vezera zareinu ad olam ad bias Moshiach Tzidkeinu bekarov beyomeinu. Amein.

{Matzav.com}

Iran issued a sharp warning on Wednesday that any military strike on Beirut would trigger a renewed regional conflict, as diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon continued in Washington.

Speaking to the Hezbollah-affiliated Al Mayadeen television network, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States cannot be separated from developments in Lebanon.

“The fate of the war between Iran and the Zionists (Israel) and Americans is inseparable from the fate of the battle in Lebanon, and these two fronts have been intertwined since day one,” Araghchi stated during an interview with the pro-Hezbollah Lebanese broadcaster Al Mayadeen TV.

Araghchi also warned that Tehran is prepared to respond militarily if Israel targets the Lebanese capital, making clear that Iran views Beirut as a red line.

“Any attack on Beirut will have grave consequences and will lead to a full-scale resumption of the war,” he continued, adding Iran’s “armed forces are ready to strike Israel if it attacks Beirut”.

Since the outbreak of hostilities, Iranian officials have repeatedly insisted that any diplomatic effort to resolve the broader regional conflict must include an end to military operations in Lebanon.

On Wednesday, Araghchi reiterated that, from Tehran’s perspective, a lasting end to the fighting can only be achieved if Israel completely withdraws its forces from Lebanese territory.

“The end of the war in Lebanon also means the end of the occupation. That is, the end of the war must be accompanied by the withdrawal of the Zionist regime’s forces from the areas they have occupied,” Araghchi told the television station.

The comments came as Israeli and Lebanese representatives met in Washington for a second consecutive day of direct talks under American mediation. The discussions marked the fourth round of negotiations between the two sides.

Following Wednesday’s session, the United States, Israel, and Lebanon announced that progress had been made toward a ceasefire arrangement. In a joint statement, the parties said they had agreed on a truce “contingent on a complete cessation of Hezbollah fire and the evacuation of all Hezbollah operatives from the South Litani Sector”.

The current diplomatic effort follows an earlier meeting held on April 23, attended by Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, and Lebanon’s ambassador to the United States, Nada Hamadeh Moawad.

After that initial round of talks, President Donald Trump expressed optimism that Israel and Lebanon could achieve peace before the end of the year.

Trump also said he would like to host a meeting in Washington between Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun within the next few weeks.

Aoun, however, has indicated that such a summit is not currently under consideration, maintaining that ending the fighting must come before any direct political engagement between the two leaders.

The Lebanese president has also emphasized that a complete Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon remains a “non-negotiable” condition for reaching any final agreement.

{Matzav.com}

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Shas MK Michael Malkieli launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu, accused law enforcement authorities of targeting yeshiva students, and defended his party’s decision to bring down the coalition in a wide-ranging interview with Kikar HaShabbat amid the escalating political battle over the draft law and the status of Torah learners.

Speaking candidly about the collapse of the government, Malkieli said the coalition lost its right to exist once it became clear there was no parliamentary majority to pass legislation protecting the status of Torah students.

“From the moment the prime minister reached the conclusion that there was no majority for this law, the coalition and government lost their right to exist. That is why we left and are dissolving the Knesset,” Malkieli declared.

He said the demand for a Basic Law on Torah Study has been a central objective of the chareidi parties since the start of the government’s term.

“From the beginning of the term, everyone understood that the most important issue for the chareidi parties was legislation regulating the status of Torah learners. There were disagreements over the method, but the decision was to advance a government-sponsored bill.

“We sat through hundreds of discussions and thousands of hours of deliberations in an effort to complete the legislation. But once the prime minister concluded there was no majority, the coalition no longer had a reason to continue.”

According to Malkieli, the proposed Basic Law would not only formalize the status of yeshiva students but also provide legal protection against future efforts to prosecute or arrest those engaged in full-time Torah study.

“The Basic Law on Torah Study is not only about regulating the status of Torah learners. In the end, when you come to arrest and persecute someone who studies Torah, under what authority are you doing so? He is fulfilling a Basic Law. Since the draft law did not pass, the Basic Law on Torah Study must move forward. We want to pass it in its second and third readings.”

Malkieli reserved some of his harshest criticism for Netanyahu, accusing him of remaining silent while yeshiva students face arrest.

“We stood by Netanyahu throughout this entire period. No one preserved the right-wing bloc more than Shas chairman Aryeh Deri, and he paid a heavy personal price when the court ruled that he could not serve as a minister. That was a political decision.

“Beyond that, there were major offers from other quarters. Deri protected the right-wing bloc. The offers were endless. They presented us with a blank sheet and said, ‘Come sign.’

“Benjamin Netanyahu knows how to stand in front of every camera, but now he is keeping silent about the arrests of Torah learners in the Jewish state. This is persecution by the judicial system against the Jewish people and those who study Torah. I expect Netanyahu not to sit on the sidelines.”

He also criticized senior Likud officials for what he described as a lack of support for the chareidi community.

“The prime minister and the senior figures in Likud—and I’m not talking about those within Likud, such as Dan Illouz, who openly oppose us—is this a partnership? Is this a values-based bloc? I expect the prime minister to stand before the cameras and say: ‘We support Torah learners. Torah protects us and has always protected us.’ That is what is required.”

Asked about potential coalition partners after the next election, Malkieli made clear that Shas would not join any government that fails to prioritize Torah values.

“There will be no coalition without preserving the values of Judaism and protecting Torah learners.”

Turning to the ongoing arrests of yeshiva students, Malkieli suggested the campaign is politically motivated and designed to weaken public confidence in the chareidi parties.

“There is concern that they will continue making arrests in order to embarrass the chareidi representatives. Clearly there is political thinking behind this. The goal is to create distance between the chareidi public and its representatives, to spread fear and hostility, and to make a yeshiva student afraid to leave his home. There is a clear objective here.”

Malkieli also leveled criticism at Police Commissioner Daniel Levy and senior police officials, arguing that police resources are being directed toward the wrong priorities.

“A commissioner who sends district commanders to pursue Torah learners and create fear on chareidi streets expects cooperation? I call on the commissioner to pound the table and say that the police should be dealing with crime and murder in the streets.

“He should hold a press conference and announce that police manpower is focused on fighting crime. District commanders should say, ‘We are failing in our mission if this is what we are spending our time on. We are putting down the keys.’”

Addressing another major issue on the chareidi agenda, Malkieli defended the coalition’s efforts to advance kashrus reform legislation, explaining that years of negotiations and legal hurdles delayed progress.

“For three years we held dozens of meetings in my office, with Director-General Yehuda Avidan, with the Rishon LeTzion, with legal advisers. There were endless difficulties. We wanted a bill that would be accepted by all government ministries. Two weeks ago we finally reached an agreed-upon text. We are bringing forward legislation that has the approval of the Justice Ministry.”

Malkieli also discussed his decision earlier in the day to withdraw his candidacy for the committee that appoints rabbinical judges in favor of Housing Minister Yitzchak Goldknopf.

“Credit goes to the Shas chairman, who understands the value of unity and the greatness of peace. He understands the challenges we face regarding the Basic Law on Torah Study, kashrus, and daycare funding. This is not the time for fighting. Unfortunately, there are those who choose conflict. The Shas chairman said that if withdrawing would promote peace, then for the sake of unity we should step aside.”

Commenting on tensions between Shas and factions within United Torah Judaism, Malkieli urged greater cooperation and restraint.

“You will not find a single briefing initiated by Shas. We do not engage in briefings. I call on United Torah Judaism: the Torah world is under threat, and this is a time for unity and working together.”

Malkieli also took aim at former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, warning voters against trusting the politician if he returns to national leadership.

“I say: understand who is standing before us. To anyone considering voting for Bennett, if you think he can become prime minister and then deliver everything that is demanded of him, you do not understand who you are dealing with.

“Do not believe a word he says. He is hollow. Even people within his own camp understand that. They know this is a person who will sell everything.”

Responding to criticism from members of Degel HaTorah regarding the appointment of dozens of municipal rabbis, Malkieli defended the selections and questioned why fellow chareidi politicians were fueling controversy.

“People from within the chareidi parties are criticizing us? For what? Take twenty rabbis—who among them is unqualified? Show me one rabbi who is not worthy.

“What exactly is the criticism? Why give ammunition to the opposition? Why join forces with those who oppose religion while yeshiva students are being arrested? Criticize what? The appointment of rabbis?”

{Matzav.com}

A psychiatric assessment expected in the coming days could determine the next stage in the case of the man suspected of murdering a kollel yungerman inside a Bnei Brak beis medrash, as investigators near the completion of their probe into the shocking killing that shook the chareidi community.

According to a report by I24NEWS, mental health experts are expected to issue a decisive opinion on whether the suspect is competent to stand trial and whether he was legally responsible for his actions at the time of the attack.

At the same time, police have entered the final phase of their investigation and say they have gathered substantial evidence directly linking the suspect to the murder scene.

Investigators increasingly believe the killing was premeditated. According to details that have been cleared for publication, the suspect had frequented the synagogue in recent months, where the victim, a 45-year-old yungerman, regularly davened.

During that period, the suspect reportedly became involved in a series of heated verbal confrontations with the victim and other mispallelim. On the day of the attack, he allegedly entered the yeshiva complex during davening, approached the victim while he was seated at a learning bench, and stabbed him multiple times.

The horrific attack unfolded in front of the victim’s young son, who was sitting beside his father and witnessed the assault. The victim was rushed to a hospital in critical condition, but doctors were unable to save his life, and he was pronounced dead several hours later.

Evidence gathered at the scene indicates that the suspect stabbed the victim repeatedly. Multiple eyewitnesses who were present during the attack have reportedly identified him and connected him directly to the crime.

In light of the evidence collected, a court recently extended the suspect’s detention for an additional week to allow investigators to complete the final stages of the case and facilitate the psychiatric examination, which is expected to play a major role in determining how the matter proceeds.

The findings of that evaluation will help determine whether the suspect faces criminal prosecution or is instead referred for psychiatric treatment. The outcome is expected to have a significant impact on the legal proceedings moving forward. Additional developments are expected in the coming days.

{Matzav.com}

In the wake of a heated protest outside the home of Supreme Court Justice Noam Solberg following a wave of arrests of chareidi draft evaders, the Shas and Degel HaTorah factions released a rare joint statement shortly after midnight, criticizing the actions of Israel’s High Court while also denouncing violence.

The statement came after demonstrators gathered outside Justice Solberg’s residence amid growing tensions surrounding the arrests of yeshiva bochurim classified as draft evaders.

In their joint declaration, the two parties said: “We are pained and shocked by the ongoing campaign of persecution and trampling of Torah learners by the judges of the Supreme Court. We have warned time and again that these measures would lead to extremism and anarchy, and sadly, we are now witnessing those fears become reality.”

At the same time, the chareidi factions stressed that they unequivocally oppose any acts of violence connected to the protests.

“We strongly condemn any act of violence of any kind,” the statement said. “Violence is contrary to the way of the Torah and is completely unacceptable.”

The parties concluded by directing a sharp appeal to leaders of the right-wing bloc, urging them to speak out not only against violence but also against what they described as the continued targeting of yeshiva students.

“However, we demand that the leaders of the right-wing parties, who were quick and correct to condemn this incident, also condemn the ongoing and cruel persecution of Torah learners and yeshiva students. The blood of Torah learners is not hefker.”

Shas MK Yinon Azoulay also addressed the issue during a speech in the Knesset plenum on Wednesday evening, condemning the conduct directed at Justice Solberg while defending the right to protest.

“In the State of Israel, it is permitted and even legitimate to demonstrate and express protest, but violence is not part of the democratic rules of the game. Going to the home of a public servant, harassing members of his family, and disrupting their daily lives — this is not the way of the Torah. We feel deep pain over the harm being done to bnei Torah and are working with all our strength to resolve their status, but that does not justify violent behavior of any kind. Therefore, I unequivocally condemn every expression of violence and incitement.”

Azoulay also called on national leaders to publicly address the arrests of yeshiva students.

“I hope that just as Prime Minister Netanyahu and Education Minister Yoav Kisch condemned these events, we will also hear a clear and firm voice from them regarding the arrest of bnei Torah. Bnei Torah who sit and learn Torah should be in the batei medrash and continue their learning, not find themselves under arrest. This is an important public and moral message that the leadership of the state must state clearly,” said Azoulay.

{Matzav.com}

A controversial bill approved by New York Democrats would remove references to “mother” and “father” from numerous state laws and replace them with gender-neutral language, a move that is already drawing fierce criticism from Republicans and conservatives while supporters argue it reflects modern family structures.

Under the legislation, references to a “mother” would be changed to “gestating parent,” while “father” would be replaced by “non-gestating parent” or simply “parent” in various sections of family, domestic relations, and education law. The measure cleared the Assembly earlier this year and won Senate approval this week.

The legislation would also alter legal terminology used in family court proceedings. Cases traditionally classified as paternity matters would instead be referred to as parentage proceedings.

In addition, the bill would replace the legal designation of a “putative father” with the term “an alleged parent” in official state documents. The legislation was sponsored by Sen. Luis Sepulveda of the Bronx and Assemblywoman Amy Paulin of Westchester and now heads to Gov. Kathy Hochul for consideration.

Opponents blasted the proposal as an example of political correctness overriding common language and practical concerns.

“It’s woke culture run amok. It’s one-upmanship,” said state Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar, a former longtime state Senate and Assembly staffer.

“It’s an example of how out of tune the New York legislature is. It’s an unnecessary and wasteful use of time,” Kassar said.

Kassar argued that the measure could encourage lawmakers to pursue additional language-related legislation while more pressing issues remain unresolved. He pointed to the prolonged budget process as evidence that Albany’s priorities are misplaced.

“Imagine people who are considering moving to New York seeing this and saying, ‘Do I need this silliness?’ This is a really weird group of elected officials. It comes out of left field,” he said.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman also criticized the proposal and linked it to broader Democratic policies.

“Democrats led by Kathy Hochul have continued their declaration of war on New York families by canceling the loving terms of Mom and Dad and replacing them with ‘gestating and non-gestating parent,’” Blakeman said in a statement. “The insanity ends when I’m Governor.”

Republican lawmakers who opposed the measure said it demonstrates how disconnected Albany has become from the concerns of ordinary residents.

“At a time when New Yorkers are being crushed by utility bills, rising costs, and public safety concerns, Albany Democrats have decided one of their final priorities in the last days of session should be replacing mothers and fathers in state law,” said Sen. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick (R-Nassau). “That is not what families are asking for. I am a mother and proud to be called ‘mother.’”

“New Yorkers are proud to celebrate moms and dads, and they would rather we, as lawmakers, focus on the issues that actually matter,” she said.

The proposal reportedly generated skepticism even among some Democrats. As the legislative session winds down, not all members of the majority party appeared enthusiastic about the wording changes.

“I have a word we can use for this, ‘unnecessary,’” one Democratic lawmaker told The Post.

The debate unfolded shortly after lawmakers finally approved New York’s $268 billion state budget, which had been delayed for nearly two months amid disagreements within the Democratic majority.

Asked Wednesday whether she supports the legislation, Hochul declined to take a position, saying she had not yet reviewed the bill.

“Well, I’m not familiar with what was introduced,” Hochul said at an unrelated event in Brooklyn Wednesday. “I’ll take a look at it. This has been my practice for five years.”

Supporters of the measure argue that the language updates are necessary to reflect existing legal realities and the way family courts already handle certain cases involving surrogacy arrangements and same-sex couples.

According to a memorandum accompanying the bill, the revisions are intended to bring statutory language into line with current legal standards and family court practices.

Attorneys who specialize in adoption law said the traditional terminology no longer reflects the range of family structures recognized under New York law.

“You have adoptive parents who are of the same gender in New York. There are two male parents, two female parents,” said adoption lawyer Leslie Silver-Hoffman.

Sepulveda defended the legislation, saying it simply updates legal terminology to match existing statutes and judicial rulings.

“The bill was needed to be consistent with current statute and case law,” he said.

The proposal also drew criticism from Rep. Claudia Tenney, who argued that lawmakers should be focused on other concerns facing New Yorkers.

“At a time when New Yorkers are struggling with high taxes, rising costs, and public safety concerns, Albany Democrats are focused on redefining motherhood,” Tenney said. “This is yet another example of out-of-touch politicians prioritizing progressive ideology over the issues that actually matter to hardworking New Yorkers.”

The legislation is the latest example of a broader push toward gender-neutral language in New York government.

In recent years, the state has adopted requirements encouraging the use of terms such as “they,” “them,” and “theirs” in official laws, regulations, and resolutions rather than language tied specifically to males or females.

The trend also extends to identity documents. In 2018, then-Mayor Bill de Blasio and the New York City Council approved legislation allowing residents to select an “X” designation on birth certificates to identify as non-binary.

{Matzav.com}

A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon was reached in Washington after two days of intensive talks hosted by the United States, with the deal centered on ending Hezbollah’s military activity in southern Lebanon and advancing broader peace negotiations between the neighboring countries.

A joint statement released at the conclusion of Wednesday’s discussions said the ceasefire would only take effect if Hezbollah completely halts its attacks and removes all of its operatives from the area south of the Litani River. The agreement makes implementation of the truce directly dependent on those requirements being met.

As part of the arrangement, Israel and Lebanon agreed to move forward rapidly with the establishment of pilot security zones in which the Lebanese Armed Forces will exercise exclusive authority, without the presence of any armed non-state groups. Officials said the initiative is intended to create momentum toward a wider peace and security framework between the two nations.

The United States, Israel, and Lebanon also delivered a strong message against outside influence, declaring that they “rejected any attempt, by any state or non-state actor, to hold Lebanon’s future hostage,” while emphasizing that relations between the countries “must be decided by the two sovereign governments”.

Both sides further stated that they “reaffirmed that they have no hostile intent toward one another and committed to continuing direct negotiations to build confidence”.

The latest diplomatic effort follows defense consultations held at the Pentagon on May 29, where officials began formulating a broader strategic vision for the region. According to the statement, the plan seeks to guarantee “ensuring the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of Lebanon and Israel,” while requiring the “dismantlement of non-state armed groups, and the prevention of their re-emergence”. Participants also jointly “condemned Iran’s attacks on countries in the region, and ongoing activities that undermine stability throughout the Middle East”.

Washington reiterated its commitment to strengthening the Lebanese military so it can fully enforce government authority throughout the country. American officials also pointed to comments made by Secretary of State Marco Rubio on June 2, when he said that “Hezbollah is not just an enemy of Israel and an enemy of America, but that it is an enemy of Lebanon”.

Israel maintained during the negotiations that its long-term security can “only be achieved through the disarmament of Hezbollah and the dismantlement of its infrastructure throughout Lebanon”. Lebanon, meanwhile, emphasized “the necessity for mutual respect of internationally recognized borders” and underscored “the urgent need for full implementation of the cessation of hostilities”.

Under the agreement, negotiators are expected to “reconvene the political and security tracks the week of June 22, with a view toward reaching a comprehensive agreement,” while the United States continues to serve as the primary mediator.

The Washington meeting marked the fourth round of American-sponsored negotiations between Israel and Lebanon.

Following the first round of talks on April 23, attended by Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, and Lebanon’s ambassador to the United States, Nada Hamadeh Moawad, President Donald Trump voiced optimism that a peace agreement between the two countries could be reached before the end of the year.

Trump also said he would like to host Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in Washington within the coming weeks.

Aoun has made it clear, however, that a meeting with Netanyahu is not currently under consideration, arguing that securing and maintaining the ceasefire must come before any direct political engagement between the two leaders.

The Lebanese president has also recently reiterated that a complete Israeli military withdrawal from southern Lebanon remains a “non-negotiable” condition for any final agreement.

{Matzav.com}

A former NYPD detective was sentenced Wednesday to four years in federal prison after admitting his role in a large-scale fraud operation that helped dozens of people obtain pandemic-relief loans through falsified documents.

John Bolden, 47, of Valley Stream, was also ordered to repay $303,138 and surrender $112,002 in illicit proceeds. Prosecutors said the scheme sought to obtain nearly $3 million from the federal government through the Paycheck Protection Program, which was created to help businesses survive the economic turmoil caused by COVID-19.

Federal prosecutors said Bolden abused both his position in law enforcement and his involvement in the tax-preparation industry to facilitate the fraud.

“Despite being a police officer sworn to uphold the law, the defendant organized a scheme that enabled dozens of individuals, including clients, family members and NYPD co-workers, to obtain millions in federal funds using fictitious tax records,” US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Joseph Nocella said in a statement.

“Bolden brazenly took advantage of a COVID relief program created to help struggling businesses survive an unprecedented national crisis.”

According to court records, Bolden used his role as a partner in a tax-preparation business between May 2020 and October 2022 to prepare and submit fraudulent IRS Schedule C forms that were then used to secure PPP loans for clients.

Investigators said Bolden worked closely with the business’s owner, who was identified in court filings as a co-conspirator. Prosecutors alleged that the owner developed the strategy used to generate the fraudulent loan applications.

Court documents indicate that the owner instructed participants to calculate desired loan amounts by taking the target payout, dividing it by 2.5, and then multiplying the result by 12.

Authorities said Bolden’s mother, Jacqueline Johnson, and his cousin, Christian McKenzie, played key roles in recruiting participants. Prosecutors alleged that they connected numerous clients to the operation and received referral payments, typically between $3,000 and $4,000 for each successful application.

The investigation also found that another NYPD detective, Anthony Carreira, fraudulently obtained PPP funds for himself and his wife and later paid kickbacks to Bolden from the money received.

According to prosecutors, the business owner collected his share of the profits in cash in an effort to conceal the financial trail.

Evidence presented in the case included a May 2020 email sent to Bolden by the owner of the tax-preparation franchise. The email allegedly contained an audio recording advising participants to keep requested loans under $20,000 to maximize the likelihood of loan forgiveness.

“we all want the bread, but we also want the loan forgiveness,” according to court documents.

“That’s the big win,” the owner said.

Bolden pleaded guilty to the charges in February, paving the way for Wednesday’s sentencing.

{Matzav.com}

A 23-year-old Orthodox Jewish woman was assaulted aboard a Manhattan subway train Sunday afternoon after an alleged antisemite launched into a stream of hateful remarks before violently attacking her, police said, the New York Post reports.

Authorities identified the suspect as Diana Smith of the Bronx. According to investigators, Smith began shouting antisemitic comments on a crowded C train in Lower Manhattan shortly after 2 p.m. before targeting the young woman and allegedly grabbing, choking, and assaulting her.

“I was a ragdoll and I couldn’t defend myself – there should have been a human barricade around me,” the young Orthodox Jewish victim, who asked her name be withheld, told The NY Post.

“No one stepped up until it was too late.”

The victim, a nurse originally from Montreal, said she boarded the subway at Jay Street and had only been riding for a short distance when Smith entered the train and began making hostile remarks about Jews to other passengers.

According to the victim, Smith first spoke to one couple “about the dangers of Jews stealing wealth” before directing her attention elsewhere in the train car.

She then turned to another couple and wildly said, “You could always see the reflection of a Jew,” said the Jewish woman.

The victim said she soon realized she had become the focus of Smith’s attention.

“And then she turned towards me, like very targeted, stared me down, and smiled with this very eerie smile that I’ll never forget,” the brave nurse said.

Rather than look away, the victim said she chose to confront the hostility directly.

“I decided in that moment I really did not want to show fear in the face of that, so I stared at her right back down, and I said, ‘So you see my reflection?’ and she said, ‘Yeah, and I smell it on you too.’”

Part of the confrontation was recorded on the victim’s cellphone, capturing some of the suspect’s disturbing comments.

“Jews are eating kids,” she shouted.

According to the victim and police, the situation quickly turned physical. Smith allegedly put her hand around the woman’s throat, escalating the encounter from verbal harassment to violence.

Several passengers attempted to intervene, but the suspect continued shouting.

“It’s OK for Jews to eat kids, but I can’t choke her down.”

Moments later, the victim said her phone was knocked from her hand and Smith allegedly wrapped both hands around her neck before kicking and pushing her to the floor.

During the attack, the woman said the suspect yanked her hair so violently that a chunk was torn out.

When the train arrived at Canal Street, the victim ran off the subway car in search of police officers. Another rider activated the emergency alarm, helping authorities quickly respond and take Smith into custody.

The victim said the aftermath of the incident was almost as unsettling as the attack itself, as numerous witnesses approached her only after the suspect had been arrested.

“When I had to identify her, a ton of people were like, ‘Oh, we saw what happened, are you OK?’ And, that was extremely triggering for me, because, of course, I’m not OK. I kept just thinking, I’m not in Nazi Germany,” said the woman, who is only 5-foot-3.

“How is this happening, and how is it that you saw what happened, and just were a bystander?”

In addition to the hair loss and other injuries, the victim said she suffered a concussion during the assault.

Court records show Smith has been charged with hate crime assault, hate crime criminal obstruction of breathing, and aggravated harassment.

The victim said she believes the suspect deliberately singled her out because she was visibly Jewish.

“She’s pure evil, but she was lucid enough to know I was Jewish,” the victim said.

The attack occurred on the same day thousands gathered in Manhattan for the Israel Day Parade along Fifth Avenue. The victim also expressed frustration with city leadership, specifically criticizing Mayor Zohran Mamdani for not attending the event.

“I don’t think New York is protecting Jews. I don’t think Mamdani not going to the Israel Day Parade is helping,” she said.

{Matzav.com}

Human remains discovered Wednesday evening in Kfar Aza have renewed hopes of answering one of the unresolved tragedies of the October 7 massacre, as authorities investigate whether a skull fragment recovered at the scene belongs to the late IDF officer Nirel Zini.

The remains were found in the Dor Tzair section of the kibbutz and transferred to the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute for examination. Among the items recovered was part of a skull, prompting forensic experts to determine whether it is connected to Zini, whose head was never recovered following his murder during the Hamas attack.

Zini served in the Givati Brigade and spent approximately ten years in military service. In 2015, he suffered severe injuries during an operational mission in Chevron, but after an extensive rehabilitation process, he returned to active duty.

On the morning of October 7, 2023, Zini was at his home in Kfar Aza with his partner, Niv Raviv. As terrorists stormed the community, he sent a final message to his family at 10:04 a.m.

“I’ll update you. They’re here. I’m putting down the phone. Pray.”

Relatives later said that Zini attempted to divert the attackers’ attention in an effort to give Raviv an opportunity to hide. Both were ultimately murdered during the assault.

Their bodies were not recovered until six days later. During subsequent meetings with investigators from Lahav 433, family members were informed that Zini had been beheaded during the massacre.

The family has maintained that they were not told about those details before the funeral. They also contend that no government agency undertook a sustained effort to locate the missing remains. According to the family, Amir Zini repeatedly appealed to officials to have his son classified as a fallen soldier whose remains had been taken into Gaza, but those requests were denied.

In the absence of an official search effort, the family launched its own campaign to find answers. Assisted by volunteers and professionals, they conducted extensive searches throughout the devastated kibbutz grounds.

Over time, hundreds of items recovered from the area were sent to the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute for testing. Family members said many of those findings were ultimately identified as animal bones or materials from which no usable DNA could be extracted.

In correspondence sent to Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, Amir Zini wrote that the family had been left to carry the burden of the search largely on its own, while also struggling to obtain information from state authorities.

Now, almost three years after the massacre that devastated Kfar Aza and other communities near the Gaza border, the Zini family is once again waiting for answers. The results of forensic testing will determine whether the skull fragment recently uncovered is the final missing piece connected to Nirel Zini’s murder.

{Matzav.com}

In a unanimous ruling issued Wednesday, Israel’s Supreme Court overturned a government policy that barred representatives of the Red Cross from visiting terrorists held in Israeli prisons.

The restriction was implemented following the outbreak of the war and remained in effect until the court’s decision. The justices ruled in favor of a petition challenging the policy, finding that the government had failed to establish a legal foundation for the measure.

Justice Dafna Barak-Erez wrote that the state did not present a valid legal justification for preventing Red Cross officials from meeting with incarcerated terrorists.

Deputy Supreme Court President Noam Sohlberg concurred, stating that the policy could not remain in force because the government had not identified any legal authority supporting its decision to impose the ban.

Supreme Court President Isaac Amit joined the opinions of his fellow justices, making the decision unanimous.

The ruling sparked an immediate and angry reaction from National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who sharply criticized the court and renewed his call for sweeping judicial reforms.

“A shameful ruling by detached judges who sit in their ivory towers and continue to care for terrorists while citizens of Israel pay the price of terrorism. Any such ruling reminds us why the judicial system needs to change. Reform now!”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump expressed growing confidence Wednesday that a breakthrough with Iran could be imminent, suggesting that negotiators are nearing an agreement and that a deal could potentially be finalized within days.

Speaking to reporters, Trump said discussions with Tehran have been progressing favorably and indicated that momentum is building toward a formal agreement.

“I hear the negotiations with Iran are going very well. If a deal happens with Iran it could be done over the weekend,” Trump told reporters, adding that Iran is “close” to signing the papers.

The president also said one of Washington’s key objectives is securing control of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile, a goal he believes could soon be achieved.

When questioned about the status of the ceasefire following Iran’s overnight attack on Kuwait, Trump suggested the incident must be viewed in a broader context and maintained that the situation remains fluid.

“There’s a reason for everything, and we hit them pretty hard”, while also acknowledging that “anything can happen when you are dealing with Iran.”

Trump’s remarks followed his repeated insistence that diplomatic contacts between the United States and Iran have not been interrupted despite reports suggesting otherwise.

On Tuesday, the president rejected claims that discussions over Iran’s nuclear program had been halted.

In a Truth Social post, Trump emphasized that negotiations have continued uninterrupted and said the responsibility now rests with Iran to move toward an agreement.

“Fake News Reports that the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the U.S.A., stopped speaking a few days ago are false and erroneous,” wrote Trump.

He added, “The conversations between us have been going on continuously, including four days ago, three days ago, two days ago, one day ago, and today. Where they lead, one never knows, but as I told Iran, ‘It’s time, one way or another, for you to make a Deal. You’ve been doing this for 47 years, and it cannot be allowed to go on any longer!’”

The president’s comments came after reports from Iranian media outlets claimed that Tehran had suspended indirect talks with Washington due to Israel’s expanding military campaign in Lebanon.

Trump subsequently pushed back against those reports and reiterated that diplomatic engagement remains active.

“Talks are continuing, at a rapid pace, with the Islamic Republic of Iran. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

The president struck a similarly optimistic tone during an interview with ABC News, where he predicted that a broader understanding with Iran could be reached soon.

According to Trump, he expects an agreement to preserve the ceasefire and restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz “over the next week.”

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu broke his silence Wednesday regarding reports of a tense phone conversation with President Donald Trump, insisting that despite occasional disagreements, the two leaders remain aligned on the most important issues, particularly Iran.

Speaking in an interview with CNBC, Netanyahu downplayed suggestions of a serious rift between Israel and Washington following reports that a heated exchange took place earlier this week over developments in Lebanon.

“President Trump and I agree on the main issues concerning Iran. Sometimes we have tactical disagreements, but we resolve them,” Netanyahu said.

The prime minister said the central question now is whether Iran intends to resume hostilities or pursue a different course, emphasizing that both Israel and the United States continue to pursue common strategic objectives.

According to him: “The question is whether Iran wants to return to another round of fighting. We’ll wait and see, as they say. The United States and we have shared goals; we will see what we can achieve through an agreement.”

Although Netanyahu was asked about the reported phone call, he stopped short of discussing its details. At the same time, he did not dispute the reports that tensions surfaced during the conversation.

Instead, Netanyahu suggested that disagreements are natural even among close allies.

“There are arguments even in good families,” he emphasized.

The Israeli leader also used the interview to take aim at European governments, accusing many of failing to stand firm against growing radical Islamist influences within their own countries.

Netanyahu argued that Israel’s military and security efforts benefit not only Israelis but also Western nations more broadly, and he criticized European leaders for what he described as a lack of resolve.

“It is shameful how European leaders surrender to radical Islamic minorities in their countries. They know that we are defending them as well, but they do not have the courage to stand with what is right – the side that will save our civilization from the barbarians.”

{Matzav.com}

When the NBA Finals come back to New York for the first time in nearly three decades, President Trump is expected to be among the spectators inside Madison Square Garden.

Sources told The Post that Trump is planning to attend Game 3 of the championship series between the Knicks and Spurs on June 8. While the visit is expected to take place, officials noted that schedules can always change.

In preparation for the possible presidential appearance, Madison Square Garden has already conducted security inspections and planning exercises, according to sources familiar with the arrangements.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is also expected to be in attendance for Game 3. However, sources indicated that the mayor and the president are not expected to sit together during the game.

Trump had previously stated that he intended to attend one of the Finals games held in New York. Game 3 is scheduled for June 8, followed by Game 4 on June 10 and, if necessary, Game 6 on June 16.

The president had originally hoped to attend Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Those plans became unnecessary after the Knicks clinched their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999 by eliminating the Cavaliers in a four-game sweep.

“I was invited to. I was going to go on Wednesday [Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals], but they closed it out very quickly. They’re great, and Jim Dolan’s a great guy — he’s, as you know, owns and in charge of Madison Square Garden. He’s having a good year,” Trump told The Post’s Emily Goodin on May 27.

Trump also praised the Knicks’ remarkable postseason run and said he was eager to see the team play on basketball’s biggest stage.

“Boy, what a team! They win all their games. They really have some great players. I think I’ll be going to one of the games, yeah. I was invited by numerous people, and Jim, and I think it’s great. Great to see it. The Knicks have really, they’ve really suffered for years and they’re doing right now very well.”

Trump has become a regular presence at major sporting events during his presidency. Among the high-profile contests he has attended were the Eagles’ victory over the Chiefs in Super Bowl 2025 in New Orleans and the men’s championship match at the 2025 U.S. Open in Queens.

{Matzav.com}

A group accused of orchestrating a sophisticated cargo theft operation that netted roughly $4.5 million in cigarettes, meat, cheese, copper, and other products was taken down Wednesday, according to authorities who say the suspects carried out a series of warehouse thefts across the Northeast using fraud rather than force.

Investigators allege that Murodullo “Murad” Khasanov headed the operation, which relied on cyber intrusions, forged shipping documents, and false identities to gain access to valuable cargo shipments. Rather than carrying out traditional armed robberies, the suspects allegedly tricked warehouse personnel into releasing merchandise by posing as legitimate trucking companies.

Authorities say the group enjoyed the proceeds of the scheme while living in upscale apartments overlooking the ocean in Brooklyn neighborhoods such as Brighton Beach and Coney Island. They allegedly spent lavishly on luxury vehicles and flaunted large amounts of cash at local nightspots.

“These guys acted like they watched every mob movie ever made and emulated American gangsters – the Hollywood version,” one law enforcement source said. “The great American dream, Cosa Nostra style.”

Khasanov was arrested during a pre-dawn raid at his apartment on Surf Avenue, according to law enforcement sources. Investigators reportedly seized computers, mobile phones, and boxes of records from the residence, which overlooks the Coney Island boardwalk.

Authorities also arrested two additional suspects as part of the operation. The arrests stem from a wide-ranging indictment filed in Manhattan that names eight alleged participants in the scheme.

Prosecutors said the three defendants taken into custody will face charges that include first-degree grand larceny and conspiracy. The investigation was conducted jointly by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, the Port Authority Police Department, and the NYPD.

According to court filings, the theft ring carried out at least six separate cargo thefts between October 2025 and April.

Investigators allege the group stole approximately $165,000 worth of lamb, $266,000 in copper, $295,000 in beef, $432,000 in cheese, and an estimated $3.3 million worth of cigarettes.

One law enforcement source claimed that Khasanov and his associates entered the United States illegally during the Biden administration and do not speak English.

“These guys can’t speak English. Who knows how they got their [commercial driving] license, but they are right out of central casting,” the source said.

Court records allege that the crew worked alongside an unnamed organized crime group that helped penetrate the commercial shipping industry by masquerading as legitimate freight carriers and securing shipping contracts under false pretenses.

According to prosecutors, members of the criminal organization obtained shipment information through fraudulent means, while Khasanov allegedly supplied drivers with forged paperwork necessary to claim the cargo.

Authorities contend that the drivers traveled to pickup locations in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, where they posed as authorized transport companies before taking possession of the shipments.

The stolen merchandise was then allegedly transported to New York City and sold through underground channels, generating substantial profits for the group.

Investigators say they assembled a significant body of evidence linking the defendants to the thefts, including WhatsApp communications, shipping records, photographs, and other documentation.

Among the evidence cited in court papers are photographs that allegedly show Khasanov loading stolen lamb into a Range Rover, arranging the sale of stolen copper at a Brooklyn scrap facility, and standing outside a warehouse containing stolen cigarettes.

Authorities are now examining whether the Brooklyn-based operation may have ties to a larger nationwide network involved in similar cargo theft schemes, according to law enforcement sources.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and other officials were expected to provide additional details about the investigation during a Wednesday afternoon news conference.

Khasanov and his co-defendants were also scheduled to appear in Manhattan Supreme Court later in the day. Court records did not immediately indicate who would be representing the defendants.

{Matzav.com}

Sen. Bernie Sanders is preparing legislation that would require some of America’s largest artificial intelligence firms to hand over 50% ownership to the federal government, with the value placed into a national investment fund designed to provide financial benefits directly to Americans.

The Vermont senator has named the proposal the American AI Sovereign Wealth Fund Act. Under the plan, companies such as OpenAI, Anthropic, and xAI would be required to transfer a substantial portion of their equity into a government-controlled fund, with future proceeds used for public benefit programs and direct payments to citizens.

Rather than imposing a conventional tax, Sanders is proposing a one-time transfer of company stock. The affected firms would surrender half of their outstanding shares, making the federal government a major owner in each company.

Under the legislation, Washington would gain significant influence over the companies’ operations. In addition to ownership rights, the government would receive voting power and board representation.

The federal government would then receive voting rights and “an equal representation on each company’s board,” which Sanders said would allow it to “block decisions that hurt our citizens and to push for policies that help them.”

Sanders argued that the extraordinary wealth being generated by artificial intelligence should be shared more broadly because the technology itself was developed using knowledge and content created by society as a whole.

“Since AI is built on the collective knowledge of humanity, the wealth it generates must benefit humanity,” he said in a video posted to X, naming Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, and Larry Ellison as beneficiaries of what he called a wealth-extracting machine.

“The time has come to reclaim what was stolen from us.”

The senator portrayed the debate over artificial intelligence as a defining choice about who will shape and profit from the technology’s future.

“The question is not whether AI will change the world. It will,” Sanders said. “The question is, who will own and control that future?”

According to Sanders, the proposed fund could eventually accumulate enormous resources that could be used to support a variety of social programs.

The fund’s proceeds, which Sanders said could reach “billions, if not trillions,” would finance direct cash payments and help guarantee healthcare, education, and housing “as human rights.”

To support his argument, Sanders pointed to existing sovereign wealth funds around the world that use public assets to generate long-term returns for citizens.

Norway’s sovereign wealth fund, financed by oil revenues, now manages assets exceeding $2 trillion. Alaska has also distributed annual payments to residents for decades through a state fund supported by energy revenues.

The proposal comes as President Trump has already instructed federal officials to explore the creation of a national sovereign wealth fund through an executive order.

Sanders also noted that some major AI firms have floated similar concepts. He pointed to OpenAI’s discussion of a “public wealth fund” and Anthropic’s support for sovereign wealth fund structures tied to artificial intelligence investments.

Despite the attention the proposal is likely to generate, its path through Congress appears difficult. Democrats remain in the minority in both the House and Senate, and Sanders has recently struggled to attract support for other AI-related legislation.

His Artificial Intelligence Data Center Moratorium Act, introduced earlier this year, has yet to gain any Senate cosponsors.

Sanders acknowledged that implementing government ownership in companies whose AI divisions represent only part of their overall business operations would present challenges. He said additional details regarding governance, spending priorities, and implementation would be outlined when the legislation is formally introduced.

Industry observers noted that the proposal could have an immediate impact beyond Capitol Hill. OpenAI, Anthropic, and xAI are currently pursuing major fundraising efforts, and analysts said public calls from a sitting U.S. senator to transfer half of their ownership to the government could create uncertainty among investors.

{Matzav.com}