Feed aggregator

A legal battle that began when an Orthodox Jewish resident sought to host a small Shabbos minyan in his home has reached the doorstep of the U.S. Supreme Court, with attorneys arguing that local officials unlawfully targeted religious practice and treated a private minyan as though it were a commercial shul.

The dispute dates back five years, when Daniel Grand invited a group of friends to daven together in his home. According to Grand, the city of University Heights, Ohio informed him that he would need the same type of permit required for a shul or church in order to host the gathering. He later alleged that city officials withheld tax benefits, had police monitor his neighborhood, and conducted a public hearing that his attorneys say reflected hostility toward Orthodox Jewish religious observance.

On Thursday, lawyers from Alliance Defending Freedom and the law firm Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe submitted a petition urging the Supreme Court to hear Grand’s challenge against the city and review the lower courts’ rulings.

The appeal comes after a federal district court dismissed Grand’s lawsuit in 2024, a decision later upheld by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. Grand’s legal team argues that courts in different parts of the country have reached conflicting conclusions on similar issues and that the Supreme Court should resolve those differences.

Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative legal organization that has been involved in several major Supreme Court cases, is representing Grand in the matter. The group has played a prominent role in a number of religious-liberty cases over the years.

Grand, an Orthodox Jew, sought to host a minyan in his home, a practice common in many frum communities.

Court filings indicate that city officials learned of Grand’s invitation to friends for a planned January 2021 minyan before it took place. The city subsequently sent him a cease-and-desist order directing him to stop using his residence as a “place of religious assembly” unless he first obtained a special-use permit. Under local zoning regulations, such permits are generally required for houses of worship operating within residential neighborhoods.

Grand has maintained throughout the case that he was never attempting to establish a shul. Rather, he says he simply wished to host a small Shabbos minyan in his home, something observant Jews commonly do.

As a result of the city’s position, Grand canceled the gathering and submitted a permit application. Court records indicate that 195 local residents signed a petition opposing the request. The matter was later discussed during a Planning Commission meeting conducted over Zoom in March 2021.

According to reports at the time, the virtual hearing lasted more than three hours and attracted as many as 126 participants. During the meeting, Grand explained that the minyan would remain small, would not involve cars, would not expand beyond its original scope, and would be attended only by men who could walk there. He also assured neighbors that the gathering would not create safety or quality-of-life concerns.

One resident, Christopher Cooney, questioned whether the minyan was truly private and noted that Grand had listed his address on a website used by Jewish travelers seeking nearby minyanim. Grand’s attorneys also told the Supreme Court that some residents submitted written objections, including one stating, “I am not Jewish, and I do not want our neighborhood labeled as Jewish.”

The Planning Commission ultimately voted 3-2 to postpone a decision and requested additional information before holding another hearing. Before that could occur, however, Grand withdrew his application after concluding that obtaining the permit would effectively require his residence to be reclassified as a house of worship, preventing his family from continuing to live there.

“Paradoxically, the only way for Grand to pray with friends at his home was to convert his home to a commercial space and move his family,” the brief notes.

After Grand withdrew the application, his attorneys claim the city intensified its actions against him. According to the lawsuit, the mayor announced that the cease-and-desist order would remain in effect and encouraged neighbors to report any “activities consistent with those in a house of assembly.” Grand further alleges that police regularly patrolled the area to monitor compliance.

His legal team also contends that city officials repeatedly failed to collect his garbage and improperly cited his property for housing violations, actions they claim were used as justification for withholding occupancy approvals and tax abatements.

Although University Heights initially declined to respond to the Supreme Court petition, the Court later directed the city to file a response.

In its submission, the city argued that Grand was never prohibited from davening in his home and noted that no enforcement action was ever taken against him. The city also maintains that housing inspections found no violations and points to Grand’s own statement when withdrawing the application — “I do not wish to operate a house of worship as is defined under the zoning ordinance, in the privacy of my home” — as evidence that the zoning regulations may never have applied to his situation at all. According to the city, Grand abandoned the process before officials ever determined whether a permit was actually necessary.

“Every American has the right to host a prayer gathering in his home, and he certainly doesn’t need a city permit to do so,” said John Bursch, senior counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom. “The city’s actions underscore a troubling trend of weaponizing zoning laws against people of faith while allowing other gatherings of the same size, like book clubs or poker nights, to meet without issue.”

Grand’s attorneys argue that the case reflects a broader nationwide issue. They note that the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, enacted unanimously by Congress in 2000, was passed after lawmakers found what they described as widespread discrimination against religious institutions in zoning and land-use decisions. The Supreme Court filing cites similar disputes involving Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, and Buddhist groups in communities across the country.

Israeli Defense Minister Yisroel Katz declared Monday night that Israel is “definitely not” operating under a ceasefire in Lebanon, warning that if Hezbollah continues firing at Israel, the IDF will launch powerful strikes against Beirut. He also revealed that more than 2 billion shekels have been allocated to combat the growing drone threat, with no budgetary limits imposed on the effort.

Katz made the remarks during an appearance on Channel 14’s “The Patriots,” just hours after President Donald Trump announced what he described as a ceasefire arrangement between Israel and Hezbollah. Katz rejected that characterization, stating that Israel remains fully prepared to escalate military operations if attacks continue.

Addressing the drone threat that has increasingly challenged Israeli defenses, Katz said Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu had instructed officials that funding would not be restricted in efforts to find solutions. He said both immediate and long-term technological measures are being developed to reduce the danger posed by enemy drones. He also praised residents of northern Israel for their resilience, saying their determination has enabled the government to continue its efforts to eliminate the threats facing the region.

Opening the interview, Katz highlighted the IDF’s recent achievements in Lebanon and stressed the importance of preserving Israel’s freedom to operate militarily throughout the country.

“We are operating in Lebanon with tremendous force. First and foremost, the soldiers—their heroism is extraordinary,” Katz said. “We must preserve two things: freedom of action inside Lebanon and the ability to eliminate terrorists and destroy infrastructure. We have that capability, and it was demonstrated by the recapture of the Beaufort fortress for the first time in 26 years. The Golani Brigade raised the Israeli flag over the Beaufort. Some are trying to downplay it, but it won’t help them. It has strategic significance on the ground and enormous symbolic importance in Hezbollah’s defeat.”

Katz emphasized that Israel’s approach toward Hezbollah has fundamentally changed and that there is no intention of halting military operations unless complete quiet is restored.

“The answer is no, we are definitely not in a ceasefire,” Katz said. “The Prime Minister and I committed that we would not allow harm to come to our communities, and we said all along that the Dahieh district would be treated the same as the communities of the north. If there is no quiet here, there will be no quiet there. Just because of our statement this morning, more than 600,000 residents evacuated from Dahieh because they take us seriously. They understand that if the shooting does not stop, we will strike Dahieh, evacuate it, and attack it with full force.”

The defense minister also described the extensive destruction inflicted on Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon as part of what he called Operation Silver Mortar.

“Today we control more than 600 square kilometers inside southern Lebanon,” Katz said. “The IDF is operating there with great strength, and all the villages along the border have been dismantled. We have already destroyed more than 10,000 of the 15,000 buildings there, and we will continue until the last house is destroyed. From our perspective, these are Hezbollah outposts, and we are demolishing them with engineering equipment and explosives. The objective is clear: to neutralize Hezbollah’s power, remove all terrorists from southern Lebanon, and continue acting against every threat the organization creates, with the backing of the President of the United States.”

Turning to the drone and UAV threat, Katz said Israel is investing heavily in new technologies to counter enemy systems that have proven difficult to intercept.

“A new challenge has emerged with fiber-guided drones that operate below the current technological threshold,” he said. “The Prime Minister said there is no budget limit, and more than 2 billion shekels have been allocated to find immediate tactical solutions. We will be the first country in the world to successfully defeat this threat. Every soldier who is injured breaks our hearts. We have an incredible nation and soldiers who are determined to move forward. When we are advancing and maneuvering, our achievements and protection are greater than when we remain stationary, and that is why we decided to reach every place necessary in Lebanon.”

Katz also addressed the situation in Gaza and Yehuda and Shomron, saying Hamas will not be permitted to govern Gaza in any capacity.

“Hamas will not control Gaza, neither civilly nor militarily. The real solution in Gaza is emigration. Most Gazans want to emigrate, and we are in discussions to renew that process,” he said.

Discussing future settlement plans, Katz referenced several former communities evacuated during the 2005 disengagement.

“As for settlement, Dugit, Nisanit, and Elei Sinai—at the appropriate time, Nahal pioneer groups will be able to move there,” he said. “We have already restored the communities in northern Shomron, approved 103 new communities, and the entire map will look different.”

Toward the end of the interview, Katz was asked about the controversy surrounding MK Tally Gotliv. He said he signed a secrecy order only after being told it was necessary to protect state security and members of the Shin Bet.

“The head of the Shin Bet came to me and said, ‘You must sign in order to prevent harm to state security,’ so I signed,” Katz explained.

He then sharply criticized the legal proceedings against Gotliv and pledged support for efforts to preserve her parliamentary immunity.

“The trial they want to conduct against her is disgraceful and discriminatory, and we will provide support to prevent the removal of her immunity,” Katz said. “To come and say that I am afraid of Gali Baharav-Miara? I’m not afraid of Khamenei and Sinwar, I’m not afraid of Miara, and certainly not of Tally Gotliv. All our energy should be directed outward against our enemies and toward supporting those who are doing the work.”

{Matzav.com}

WATCH:

President Donald Trump brushed aside reports Monday that Iran may be preparing to suspend negotiations with the United States, saying he is not concerned if the discussions come to an end and suggesting the talks have lost momentum.

Speaking in a phone interview with CNBC, Trump made clear that the prospect of the negotiations collapsing does not trouble him.

“I don’t care if they’re over, honestly.”

Emphasizing his lack of concern, Trump said he had little interest in whether the diplomatic process continues.

“I really don’t care. I couldn’t care less,” Trump said in a phone interview, adding that the negotiations “started to get very boring.”

Trump’s remarks followed reports that Iranian officials were considering halting discussions with Washington and exploring steps to shut down the Strait of Hormuz in response to Israeli military actions targeting the Iran-backed Hezbollah terrorist organization.

When asked whether Tehran had officially notified him that the talks were ending, Trump said no such communication had been received.

“No, they haven’t.”

He went on to suggest that the negotiations may have simply run their course.

“If they’re over, they’re over. … Frankly, I thought they started to get very boring,” Trump said.

The president also noted that he intended to discuss developments in Lebanon with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Later in the day, Trump revealed on Truth Social that he had already spoken with Netanyahu and described the conversation as productive.

“There will be no Troops going to Beirut, and any Troops that are on their way, have already been turned back,” Trump wrote.

Trump further stated that intermediaries had facilitated communication with Hezbollah and claimed both sides had agreed to halt hostilities.

Trump also said he communicated with Hezbollah “through highly placed Representatives,” adding that “they agreed that all shooting will stop — That Israel will not attack them, and they will not attack Israel.”

Despite reports of a possible breakdown in diplomacy, Trump later signaled that discussions with Tehran remain active.

In a separate post, Trump said, “Talks are continuing, at a rapid pace, with the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

The president also rejected concerns that tensions with Iran could trigger higher oil prices, predicting instead that energy costs would soon move sharply lower.

“I think the oil will be dropping like a rock in the very near, you know, the very near distance,” Trump said.

Trump argued that Americans recognize the stakes involved in preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and are willing to absorb short-term economic costs if necessary.

“Once you explain that this is all about Iran having a nuclear weapon, people are willing to pay a little bit more,” he said.

He also expressed confidence that gasoline prices would soon decline.

In separate remarks to NBC News on Monday, Trump said the White House had not received any official notification from Iran regarding a suspension of negotiations.

“It’s an appropriate thing to say, because they’re better negotiators than they are fighters,” Trump said. “But they haven’t informed us of that.”

Trump also minimized the significance of the reports, indicating that even if negotiations were paused, it would not necessarily lead to military escalation.

“It doesn’t mean we’re going to go and start dropping bombs all over there,” Trump said. “We’ll keep the blockade.”

Roshei yeshiva, rabbanim, and admorim packed the Keter HaRimon hall in Bnei Brak on Sunday night for an emergency asifa for Keren Olam HaTorah, raising a unified cry over what the gedolim repeatedly described as the gravest assault on olam haTorah in Eretz Yisroel in decades.

The asifa came amidst the combined crises of the gezeiras hagiyus, the slashing of yeshiva budgets and the financial choking of thousands of bnei Torah and avreichim, and served as a call to global Jewry to carry a piece of the burden of holding up the limud haTorah of Eretz Yisroel.

The pain of the families, more than the politics, set the tone from the opening words. HaRav Dov Landau shlit”a expressed the daily fear that has taken hold inside the homes of bnei Torah. Standing before the assembled gedolim, he spoke of the trembling of the wife of the avreich and the mother of the ben yeshiva every time her husband or son walks out the door, dreading that the military police will seize him.

“Our heart aches from the pain of their families,” Rav Landau said, laying out the new blunt reality: the responsibility for the kiyum of the olam haTorah no longer sits on the shoulders of the gevirim alone. Every Yid, he said, must accept the responsibility on their shoulders, to whatever extent they can.

Harav Moshe Hillel Hirsch shlit”a, Rosh Yeshivas Slabodka, added that the days of hoping the situation would reverse itself in a year or two are over. The old yeshiva budgets are not coming back, he said, and the framework in which a handful of wealthy supporters carried the olam haTorah simply cannot stretch to meet the moment.

“Every Yid must be a shutaf in Keren Olam HaTorah,” Rav Hirsch declared. He laid out the math openly: the cost of sponsoring a single avreich for one month is $276. We ask every Yid to, at a minimum, sponsor a month, either at once or spread across a year at $23 a month. Those who can give more, the Rosh Yeshiva said, should give more. And if one can sponsor an avrech for a full year at $276 per month, Hakodosh Baruch Hu should shower you with blessings.

Harav Meir Tzvi Bergman shlit”a told the assembled gedolim and the tzibbur that no threat, of any kind, will move klal Yisrael to give up a single bochur, and urged tefillos for the gedolim who are set to travel to America in the coming days on behalf of Keren Olam Hatorah.

The Sanzer Rebbe shlit”a said that the gezeira against limud haTorah is the inner milchamah of the geulah, the war waged by those who want to uproot Torah from Klal Yisroel.

“When Yidden support lomdei Torah, the money takes on a tzurah of kedusha,” the Rebbe said. He invoked the Noam Elimelech on the passuk “v’tzarta hakesef b’yadcha,” explaining that the dollars given to hold up olam haTorah become, in shamayim, a kli of taharah that is mevarech both the giver and his home.

By the end of the kinus, the gedolim had set a course. A delegation of roshei yeshiva and gedolei Torah is preparing to leave for the United States next week, in what marks the third such mission of askanim and gedolim on behalf of the keren since the gezeiros began. The earlier missions, the gedolim noted, were met with support from American Yidden that no one in Eretz Yisroel had dared expect, with hundreds of millions of dollars flowing to keep yeshivos and kollelim open and to keep avreichim learning while the state walked away from its obligations.

Now, with the dollar weakened and need growing greater each day, the gedolim are calling for every Yid to take on a share of the burden.

{Matzav.com}

Israel moved a step closer to new national elections early Tuesday after the Knesset approved legislation to dissolve itself, setting in motion a process that could send voters to the polls as early as September.

The proposal to disband the 25th Knesset passed its first reading in the plenum with overwhelming support, receiving the backing of 106 lawmakers and drawing no opposition votes.

Following the vote, coalition chairman Ofir Katz, who introduced the legislation, outlined the anticipated election schedule.

“the projected timeframe for the elections is between September 8 and October 20.”

Having passed its initial reading, the bill will now return to the House Committee, where it will be prepared for the second and third readings required before becoming law. The official election date will not be determined until those final stages receive approval from the Knesset.

The vote comes on the heels of a session held two weeks ago, when lawmakers gave preliminary approval to 13 separate bills seeking to dissolve the Knesset. Those measures were submitted by members of both the coalition and nearly all opposition parties.

Although opposition factions backed all of the dissolution proposals, coalition leaders chose to move forward only with their own bill and a similar measure submitted by the Blue and White party, formally launching the political campaign season and beginning the march toward a national election.

President Donald Trump announced that Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu agreed to call off a planned military operation in Beirut following a direct conversation between the two leaders, while expressing optimism that the latest cessation of hostilities could endure indefinitely.

In a message posted on Truth Social, Trump said he personally urged Netanyahu not to proceed with a major attack in the Lebanese capital and thanked him for reversing course.

“I had a conversation with Bibi Netanyahu today, asking him not to go into a major raid of Beirut, Lebanon. He turned his Troops around. Thank you Bibi!” wrote Trump in a post on Truth Social.

Trump also stated that he had been in contact with individuals representing Hezbollah and said those discussions resulted in a commitment to halt attacks against Israel.

He added, “I also had a conversation with Representatives of the Leaders of Hezbollah, and they agreed to stop shooting at Israel, and its soldiers. Likewise, Israel agreed to stop shooting at them. Let’s see how long that lasts – Hopefully it will be for ETERNITY!”

Earlier in the day, Trump revealed details of his phone call with Netanyahu and said both sides had agreed to stop military actions against one another.

Posting on Truth Social, Trump declared that Israeli forces would not move forward with an operation in Beirut and claimed Hezbollah had likewise agreed to suspend its attacks.

“I had a very productive call with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, of Israel, and there will be no Troops going to Beirut, and any Troops that are on their way, have already been turned back. Likewise, through highly placed Representatives, I had a very good call with Hezbollah, and they agreed that all shooting will stop – That Israel will not attack them, and they will not attack Israel,” Trump wrote in the initial post.

Following his discussion with Trump, Netanyahu released a statement outlining Israel’s position regarding Hezbollah’s continued aggression.

The prime minister stressed that Israel remains prepared to target terrorist infrastructure in Beirut if attacks continue, while making clear that ongoing military operations in southern Lebanon will proceed.

“I spoke this evening with President Trump and told him that if Hezbollah does not cease attacking our cities and civilians, Israel will strike terrorist targets in Beirut. This position remains unchanged. At the same time, the IDF will continue operating in southern Lebanon as planned,” Netanyahu said.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has ignited a fierce battle within Democratic ranks by throwing his support behind a socialist challenger seeking to unseat longtime Congressman Adriano Espaillat, according to political insiders.

The mayor’s endorsement of Darializa Avila Chevalier, a fellow member of the Democratic Socialists of America, in the June 23 Democratic primary for New York’s 13th Congressional District is being viewed as part of a broader effort by Mamdani and his allies to reshape and eventually dominate the Democratic Party from within.

“In New York City, it’s a civil war in the Democratic Party,” said campaign consultant Evan Roth Smith.

According to Roth Smith, Mamdani’s decision to back Avila Chevalier against Espaillat will serve as a key measure of how much influence the mayor and the DSA can wield in future elections throughout the city.

“The 13th District is an early experiment on how far Mamdani’s popularity goes,” Roth Smith said.

The move has drawn criticism even from prominent Democratic leaders. State Democratic Party Chairman Jay Jacobs publicly questioned the wisdom of challenging an established incumbent.

“I think it’s a mistake. When you have a good incumbent, stick with him,” Jacobs said.

Praising Espaillat’s record in office, Jacobs added that many voters have expressed frustration with Mamdani’s intervention in the race.

“Espaillat is an excellent congressman,” he said. “I’ve heard from a lot people in the Hispanic community and in general who are upset about him going against Espaillat.”

The 13th District, which includes large Hispanic, Latino, and Black populations, has traditionally not been viewed as fertile ground for Democratic Socialists. That contrasts with the neighboring 7th and 10th Congressional Districts, areas critics have dubbed the “Commie Corridor,” where progressive challengers have found greater success and where contentious Democratic primaries are also underway.

Still, demographic shifts have begun to alter the district’s political landscape, with younger residents who supported Mamdani increasingly moving into the area and potentially providing a receptive audience for his preferred candidate.

Mamdani carried the 13th District during both the Democratic mayoral primary and the general election, defeating Andrew Cuomo in the area despite Espaillat’s earlier endorsement of the former governor. Following Mamdani’s victory in the primary, Espaillat later endorsed him.

Avila Chevalier has built a reputation for inflammatory rhetoric, directing criticism at law enforcement, establishment Democrats, and the United States itself through a series of social media posts.

During President Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign, she referred to him as a “rapist” and “war criminal.” She also criticized Sen. Bernie Sanders, a favorite among many progressives, over what she described as his “liberal Zionism” after he voted present on legislation involving military aid to Israel.

In another controversial online post from 2019, she wrote: “I forgot to get napkins so I just wiped my hand on the American flag behind me,” accompanied by a smiling emoji.

Mamdani has also become involved in another congressional contest, endorsing Democratic Socialist Assemblywoman Claire Valdez in the race for the open 7th District seat representing waterfront communities in Brooklyn and Queens.

That seat is being vacated by retiring Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, who has instead endorsed Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso in the Democratic primary against Valdez.

In the neighboring 10th District, Mamdani has likewise backed former City Comptroller Brad Lander in his challenge against incumbent Congressman Dan Goldman, another district where DSA-aligned candidates have historically performed well.

“He’s going to be mayor for four years and maybe eight. They believe in the long game,” Roth Smith said, referring to the far-left group.

Roth Smith argued that Mamdani’s efforts are partly driven by frustration over Albany politics. He noted that the mayor failed to secure all of the tax increases he sought during budget negotiations with Gov. Kathy Hochul and state lawmakers, making it advantageous for him to elect more allies to state and federal office.

Jacobs, however, accused Mamdani of undermining party unity by targeting members of New York’s congressional delegation.

“We should not be fomenting dissent in the primaries when we have so much at stake in the general election,” Jacobs said.

Describing the endorsements as a show of political strength, Jacobs said the mayor is attempting to demonstrate his growing influence across the city.

“It’s an effort by Mamdani to flex his muscles in the city,” he said.

“We’ll see how that turns out.”

{Matzav.com}

A federal judge has directed the National Park Service to allow a liberal activist organization to continue displaying a controversial “86 47” flag near the National Mall, ruling that the slogan represents protected political expression rather than a threat against President Donald Trump.

The decision came Monday when U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss granted a two-week temporary restraining order in favor of Accountability Now USA, a group that has been staging anti-Trump protests near the federal courthouse on Constitution Avenue for months.

At the center of the legal dispute was the organization’s use of a flag bearing the phrase “86 47,” a slogan that has generated national attention in recent weeks after former FBI Director James Comey faced scrutiny over a social media post featuring seashells arranged to form the numbers “8647.”

Comey subsequently removed the post, issued an apology, and insisted that he never intended the image to be interpreted as a call for violence.

In his opinion, Moss dismissed the government’s claim that the flag constituted a threat directed at the president.

“The Court does not doubt that political violence is on the rise and that it poses a grave threat not just to the targets of the threats but to the country as a whole. But the enormity of that problem does not change the meaning of Plaintiff’s speech, which by any reasonable measure merely advocated for the President’s impeachment and removal from office — that is, ‘to throw [him] out,'” Moss wrote.

Moss determined that Accountability Now USA was using the phrase as a political statement advocating Trump’s removal through constitutional means, specifically impeachment, rather than as a call for physical harm.

The judge further concluded that the slang term “86” lacks a single universally accepted definition and that the group’s message did not rise to the level of incitement or encouragement of immediate unlawful conduct.

As part of the ruling, Moss included a definition from Merriam-Webster, observing that the phrase “eighty-six” has been in use since the 1930s and is commonly understood to mean removing, rejecting, or getting rid of something.

Attorneys representing the Justice Department argued that the slogan had taken on a more ominous meaning following a May 24 confrontation near the White House in which an armed individual was fatally shot by law enforcement officers.

Government lawyers also cited growing concerns surrounding political violence and threats aimed at elected officials and public figures.

Court records indicate that Secret Service agents questioned protesters about the meaning of the display. According to those filings, demonstrators told investigators that they wanted Trump removed from office but had no desire to see him physically harmed.

While acknowledging the government’s broader concerns, Moss maintained that those fears did not change the plain meaning of the group’s expression.

Under the judge’s order, the National Park Service must allow the display to remain in place for the next two weeks while the legal challenge continues to move through the courts.

MK Meir Porush delivered a fiery address in the Knesset on Monday, warning Police Commissioner Danny Levy that continued arrests of yeshiva students could lead to a complete breakdown in cooperation between police and Chareidi municipalities across Israel.

Porush pointed to a letter sent earlier in the day by the chairman of the Forum of Chareidi Local Authorities, Meir Rubinstein, informing the police that Chareidi municipalities were suspending cooperation with law enforcement over what they described as the targeting of Torah learners.

“Today, nine local authority heads in the State of Israel placed a bright red warning sign before the Inspector General of the Israel Police,” Porush began his speech.

He said the message conveyed by the municipal leaders was unmistakable and accused police leadership of pushing the country toward instability.

“A warning sign carrying a clear message: You, the Police Commissioner, are leading the country toward anarchy. The Forum of Haredi Local Authority Heads, led by the Mayor of Beitar Illit, Rabbi Meir Rubinstein, sent a letter to the Commissioner informing him that they will have no choice but to cancel all cooperation with the police.”

Porush emphasized that municipal leaders did not arrive at the decision lightly and understood the far-reaching consequences that could result from severing ties with the police.

“But when the police have effectively become the enforcement arm of the infamous Attorney General-a bureaucrat who has decided to inflame tensions and trample every reasonable understanding-we have no choice but to fight back with full force.

“The reality in which Israeli police officers, instead of combating the rising crime in the streets, are occupied with hunting yeshiva students-married scholars and young men whose only offense is studying Torah-is a distorted reality that has no place in a properly functioning state.”

Continuing his criticism, Porush argued that law enforcement has alienated an entire sector of the population and jeopardized years of cooperation between police and Chareidi communities.

“In a country governed by Jews, the police have turned themselves into the enemy of an entire public simply because it studies Torah-a public numbering more than one million people over the age of 18. In doing so, they are erasing decades of coordinated work, daily coexistence, and basic trust that was an asset to all of us. Our message today to the Police Commissioner is sharp and clear: the responsibility for dismantling this framework of cooperation rests solely on your shoulders.”

Porush then issued what he described as a final warning, insisting that the arrests must stop immediately or relations between the police and the Chareidi public would continue to deteriorate.

“There is a final ultimatum here: if these arrests are not stopped immediately, if you do not cease this persecution that is leading the country toward complete anarchy, we will leave you with no foothold in our communities. The Haredi public will not remain silent while its sons are being persecuted, nor will it file reports with a police force that has lost its trust and legitimacy.

“Mr. Commissioner, regaining your senses is your immediate duty-before it becomes too late to turn the clock back,” concluded MK Porush.

{Matzav.com}

The IDF announced Monday evening that Captain Dr. Ori Yosef Silvester, 30, of Tel Aviv, was killed during combat operations in southern Lebanon. Silvester served as a physician in the Shaked Battalion (424) of the Givati Brigade.

The fallen officer was killed during an incident that also left several other Israeli soldiers wounded. According to the IDF, two officers and one soldier sustained serious injuries in the same engagement, while another soldier was moderately wounded.

In addition, two more officers and another soldier suffered light injuries during the incident.

All of the wounded troops were evacuated from the battlefield and transported to hospitals for medical treatment.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu said Monday evening that Israel has not changed its policy toward Hezbollah, responding to President Donald Trump’s claim that he intervened to prevent an Israeli strike in Beirut’s Dahieh district.

In a statement issued after speaking with Trump, Netanyahu stressed that Israel remains prepared to attack Hezbollah targets if the terror group continues launching attacks against Israeli civilians.

“I spoke this evening with President Trump and told him that if Hezbollah does not cease attacking our cities and civilians, Israel will strike terrorist targets in Beirut. This position remains unchanged. At the same time, the IDF will continue operating in southern Lebanon as planned,” Netanyahu said.

Earlier in the day, Trump announced what he described as a breakthrough arrangement involving both Israel and Hezbollah, saying his conversations with representatives from both sides had prevented a further escalation of the conflict.

“I had a very productive call with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, of Israel, and there will be no Troops going to Beirut, and any Troops that are on their way, have already been turned back. Likewise, through highly placed Representatives, I had a very good call with Hezbollah, and they agreed that all shooting will stop – That Israel will not attack them, and they will not attack Israel. President DONALD J. TRUMP.”

Later, Lebanese officials released additional details regarding the reported understanding, describing a series of diplomatic contacts involving Washington, Beirut, and Israel 27aimed at preventing a wider conflict.

“As part of the efforts undertaken by the Lebanese government to preserve stability and prevent further escalation in Lebanon, and following a telephone conversation between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Lebanese authorities received confirmation that Hezbollah had agreed to an American proposal providing for a mutual cessation of attacks.

“Under the proposed arrangement, Israel would halt strikes on southern Beirut’s Dahieh district, while Hezbollah would refrain from carrying out attacks against Israel. Subsequently, the ceasefire agreement would be expanded to apply throughout Lebanese territory.”

The Lebanese statement further claimed that Trump personally helped secure Israeli approval for the proposal through additional diplomatic contacts.

“Later, President Donald Trump spoke by telephone with Lebanon’s ambassador to the United States, Nada Mawad, and informed her that he had obtained the agreement of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the proposed arrangement. Ambassador Mawad conveyed the results of the discussions to President Aoun, who in turn updated Hezbollah on the details.”

The reported understanding immediately drew criticism from National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who urged Netanyahu not to back away from military action against Hezbollah strongholds in Beirut.

“Mr. Prime Minister, you said that a strong prime minister tells the President of the United States ‘yes’ when possible and ‘no’ when necessary,” Ben-Gvir wrote.

Calling for a tougher approach, Ben-Gvir argued that Israel should continue its offensive regardless of American pressure.

He emphasized his position: “This is the time to tell our friend, President Trump, ‘no.’ Now is the time to do what is necessary and required to strike Hezbollah, free the hands of our fighters, and restore security to the north,” Ben-Gvir wrote on his account on X.

The differing statements from Israel, Washington, and Beirut underscored the uncertainty surrounding the reported arrangement, even as diplomatic efforts continue to prevent the fighting from expanding into a broader regional confrontation.

A Utah judge has cleared the way for the public release of new evidence in the murder case involving conservative activist Charlie Kirk, ruling that next month’s preliminary hearing will remain open to cameras and live coverage.

The decision came Monday after attorneys for defendant Tyler Robinson attempted to block media access to the five-day hearing scheduled for July. Prosecutors are expected to use the proceeding to present key evidence against the 23-year-old suspect.

District Judge Tony Graf denied the defense request, allowing journalists to continue covering the case from inside the courtroom.

The prosecution of Robinson has generated widespread public attention and fueled numerous conspiracy theories. Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, has consistently advocated for maximum transparency throughout the legal process.

Prosecutors allege that Robinson shot and killed the Turning Point USA founder during a Sept. 10 appearance at Utah Valley University in Orem. They further contend that Robinson later admitted to the killing in text messages sent to his romantic partner.

Defense attorneys argued that prosecutors have improperly influenced public opinion by sensationalizing the case, advancing political narratives, and portraying Robinson negatively in violation of a court order governing pretrial publicity.

Although Judge Graf declined to hold the Provo County District Attorney’s Office in contempt, he scheduled a June 12 hearing where both sides will have an opportunity to present additional arguments on the matter.

Graf also ruled that cameras will be permitted during the highly anticipated July hearing, which is expected to feature some of the prosecution’s strongest and most significant evidence against Robinson.

Defense lawyers have repeatedly maintained that extensive media coverage could prejudice potential jurors and effectively expose them to anti-Robinson messaging before a trial even begins.

The judge disagreed that restricting media access was necessary, noting that much of the information at issue has already entered the public domain and received widespread attention.

“Several methods remain available to protect the defendant’s right to a fair trial, including enlarging the veneer of potential jurors, utilizing detailed juror questionnaires, and conducting thorough voir dire,” Graf said.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump announced Monday that indirect communications with Hezbollah had resulted in a commitment from the Lebanese terror group to cease attacks against Israel, while Israel, he said, has agreed to cancel plans for additional military action in Lebanon.

According to Trump, he also held discussions with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, after which Israel agreed to pull back forces that had been positioned for a possible operation in southern Lebanon.

If confirmed, the contact would mark an unprecedented development. No sitting U.S. president has ever publicly acknowledged communicating with Hezbollah, either directly or through intermediaries. The organization remains designated as a terrorist group by the United States.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump described the conversations as productive and said both sides had agreed to step back from further escalation.

“I had a very productive call with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, of Israel, and there will be no Troops going to Beirut, and any Troops that are on their way, have already been turned back,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

“Likewise, through highly placed Representatives, I had a very good call with Hezbollah, and they agreed that all shooting will stop.”

A Lebanese official told Reuters that Hezbollah conveyed a similar message to Washington through Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. According to the official, the group indicated its willingness to halt attacks on northern Israel if Israel refrains from targeting Beirut and surrounding areas.

The conflict in Lebanon has become the largest regional extension of the ongoing confrontation involving Iran. Since March 2, when Hezbollah began launching rockets and drones at Israel in support of Tehran, Israeli military operations and evacuation directives have displaced more than 1.2 million Lebanese civilians.

The announcement comes amid continued military activity in southern Lebanon. On Saturday, the IDF reported that its forces had captured the historic Beaufort Castle, a fortress dating back approximately 900 years, along with a strategically important ridge overlooking parts of southern Lebanon.

The operation followed one of the most intense days of Hezbollah rocket fire since the ceasefire reached in April. The barrage prompted school closures and other emergency restrictions across parts of northern Israel, underscoring the fragile security situation despite renewed diplomatic efforts.

{Matzav.com}

Singer and composer Yonatan Razel was admitted to Shaare Zedek Medical Center after suffering a stroke and is currently listed in serious condition.

Family members have asked the public to daven on his behalf and to include his name in their tefillos. His name for davening is Yonatan Adi ben Chaya Rochel.

News of his hospitalization quickly reverberated through the music community, prompting an outpouring of concern from fellow performers, friends, and admirers who have followed his career over the years.

Razel is part of a family long associated with Jewish music and artistic expression. He is the brother of musician Aharon Razel, with whom he has frequently shared the stage and collaborated on numerous musical projects and recordings.

{Matzav.com}

Shas delivered a sharply worded ultimatum Monday evening to Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu and Coalition Chairman Ofir Katz, demanding that the proposed “Basic Law: Torah Study” be brought before the Knesset for a preliminary vote this Wednesday.

The party warned that passage of the legislation is now a non-negotiable condition for its continued backing of coalition initiatives. The bill seeks to establish Torah study as a constitutional value of the State of Israel, a move intended to override legal challenges stemming from rulings by the High Court of Justice and positions taken by the Attorney General.

Shas made clear that failure to secure a majority for the proposal would trigger a dramatic response. The party said it would stop supporting coalition legislation and oppose all government-backed bills brought to the Knesset floor.

“The Shas faction held a lengthy discussion today in light of the unprecedented and cruel persecution by the dismissed Attorney General against Torah scholars, unlike anything seen before,” the letter states. “Faction members expressed deep pain over a situation in which our finest sons, those devoted to Torah study and the Tribe of Levi of our generation, have become targets of persecution and humiliation. Woe unto us that this has come to pass in our days.”

Party leaders argued that constitutional protection is now essential to shield yeshivos and Torah learners from financial harm, including the potential loss of government funding and tax-related benefits. According to Shas, the legislation would place full-time Torah study on equal legal footing with military service, thereby removing arguments that the current arrangement constitutes discrimination.

“The time has come for a clear and unequivocal statement by the coalition regarding the central place of Torah in the State of Israel,” the party explained, reminding Netanyahu that this was an explicit commitment signed between Shas and the Likud in their coalition agreements. “The vote is a value-based, moral, and national statement, and it is essential at this time, in accordance with the worldview of the majority of the Jewish people and all components of the faith-based bloc.”

In an effort to intensify pressure on the prime minister, Shas concluded its message by citing Netanyahu’s own remarks from a previous Knesset address, in which he spoke passionately about the role of Torah in Jewish survival throughout history.

“The world of Torah has preserved us throughout all the years of exile. Torah study and the preservation of our heritage are what protected the Jewish people, and without them the Jewish people would not have survived. Without the Torah world, we would not exist here, nor would we have a future.”

Shas ended the letter by emphasizing the significance of those remarks, declaring: “Words of great force.”

{Matzav.com}

Jill Biden is defending the decision to grant Hunter Biden a sweeping pardon, arguing that circumstances changed after President Donald Trump’s election and left the family convinced that their son would be singled out for prosecution.

Speaking with CBS News’ “Sunday Morning” ahead of the publication of her new memoir, View from the East Wing, the former first lady contended that Hunter Biden did not receive fair treatment from federal authorities.

“The Justice Department changed, and the process was not fair to Hunter,” Jill Biden told CBS News “Sunday Morning” ahead of the release of her memoir, “View from the East Wing.”

She maintained that the political climate shifted dramatically after Trump returned to office and said the family feared Hunter would become a target.

“When Trump was elected, things changed,” she went on, “and we knew that he would target Hunter. And we just could not let our son go to jail on a charge that no one would go — I mean, no one has ever gone to jail for.”

When asked whether she personally encouraged her husband to issue the pardon, Jill Biden stopped short of saying she pressured him but made clear that she backed the decision.

“Oh gosh, I truly supported it. I wanted him to pardon Hunter at that point, and I agreed with Joe.”

Hunter Biden, now 56, was found guilty in June 2024 on three federal firearm-related charges stemming from statements he made about his drug use when purchasing a gun in 2018. Several months later, in September, he admitted guilt in a separate federal tax case in Los Angeles involving $1.4 million in unpaid taxes.

Both prosecutions were pursued during Joe Biden’s presidency by special counsel David Weiss, who was appointed by the Justice Department. The cases moved forward after Hunter Biden initially agreed to a plea arrangement in June 2023 that would have avoided prison time. That agreement later collapsed when his legal team sought broader immunity protections, including protection from potential Foreign Agents Registration Act violations that critics argued could have drawn scrutiny toward Joe Biden.

At roughly the same time, IRS whistleblowers Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler accused Justice Department officials of shielding Hunter Biden from aggressive investigation. Among their allegations were claims that prosecutors warned Hunter’s attorneys about a planned search and restricted efforts to examine Joe Biden’s connection to his son’s overseas business dealings.

Jill Biden’s assertion that individuals do not typically receive prison sentences in cases similar to Hunter Biden’s firearm conviction has been challenged by critics who point to other examples. One of the most notable is rapper Kodak Black, who received a 46-month federal prison sentence in 2019 after admitting that he provided false information, including an incorrect Social Security number, when purchasing firearms.

For years, White House officials publicly stated that Joe Biden would not use his pardon power on behalf of his son. Nevertheless, on Dec. 1, 2024, the president issued an expansive pardon covering Hunter Biden for any offenses committed between Jan. 1, 2014, and the date the pardon was signed, including conduct that had never resulted in criminal charges.

In the final moments of his presidency on Jan. 20, 2025, Biden also granted preemptive pardons to several members of his family, including his brothers James and Frank Biden, his sister Valerie Biden Owens, and their spouses.

Jill Biden said Sunday that her husband issued those pardons “I suppose for the same reason, that he felt that they would be targeted.”

James Biden had long drawn scrutiny over business ventures that critics said capitalized on his family connections dating back to Joe Biden’s decades in the U.S. Senate. House Republicans uncovered records showing that James Biden transferred $240,000 to Joe Biden in 2017 and 2018 using funds they linked to alleged influence-peddling activities. James Biden has maintained that the payments were simply repayments of personal loans.

Republican lawmakers also accused James Biden of providing false testimony to Congress and urged prosecutors to pursue criminal charges. In addition, they raised questions about whether some of his business activities amounted to unregistered lobbying work on behalf of foreign interests.

{Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rebbetzin Miriam Twersky a”h, widow of the Rachmastrivka Rebbe zt”l of the United States. She passed away at the age of 92.

Rebbetzin Miriam was born in Romania in 1933 to her father, the Skverer Rebbe, Rav Yaakov Yosef Twersky zt”l, and her mother, Rebbetzin Traina a”h, daughter of Rav Pinchos of Ustila zt”l, who was a son-in-law of the Belzer Rebbe, the Maharid of Belz.

Following the war, the family immigrated to the United States in 1958. They initially settled in Boro Park before later relocating to Williamsburg.

Upon reaching marriageable age, she married Rav Chaim Yitzchok Twersky, the Rachmastrivka Rebbe of the United States, who was niftar in Av 5783. He was the son of Rav Yochanan of Rachmastrivka.

Their regal wedding took place on 20 Adar I, 5714, in Manhattan. Among those in attendance were some of the leading rebbes of the generation, including the Satmar Rebbe, the Vayoel Moshe, the Vizhnitzer Rebbe, the Imrei Chaim, and many other prominent admorim.

The couple established their home in New Square and were among the earliest residents of the chassidic village founded by her father.

Throughout the many stages of their lives—in Williamsburg, New Square, and later Boro Park—the Rebbetzin stood faithfully at her husband’s side and played a central role in supporting his work and leadership.

She was renowned for her deep familiarity with the customs and traditions of Skverer chassidus and possessed an extraordinary memory for its practices and conduct.

During her lifetime, she endured significant personal losses. Her eldest son, Rav Mordechai Twersky zt”l, passed away in 1992. In Teves 5784, her daughter, Rebbetzin Malka Halberstam a”h, passed away at the age of 66. In Elul 5785, she lost another daughter, Rebbetzin Faiga Shprintza Hager a”h, wife of the Vizhnitzer Rebbe of Kiamesha Lake who was 70 at the time of her petirah.

She is survived by her sons, the Rachmastrivka Rebbes of Boro Park, Monsey, Lakewood, Williamsburg, Linden, and Airmont; her sons-in-law, including the Baranover Rebbe of Monsey, the Vizhnitz-Kiamesha Lake Rebbe, Rav Mordechai Twersky, eldest son of the Chernobyler Rebbe, Rav Menachem Nochum Twersky, son of Rav Yehoshua Heshel zt”l, and Rav Mordechai Aharon Twersky, son of Rav Menachem Nochum zt”l.

Her brother is the Skverer Rebbe, and among her grandchildren are the Rachmastrivka Rebbe of Spring Valley and the Zvhiller Rebbe.

The levayah is scheduled to take place today, departing at 1:30 p.m. from the Rachmastrivka beis medrash on 45th Street in Boro Park. At 4:00 p.m., the procession was to continue to New Square and then to Har Shalom Cemetery in Monsey, where she will be laid to rest alongside her husband, the Rebbe zt”l.

Yehi zichrah boruch.

{Matzav.com}

Iran announced Monday that it is suspending its indirect negotiations with the United States, pointing to Israel’s widening military campaign in Lebanon as the reason for the move, according to a report published by the semi-official Tasnim news agency.

The report said Iran’s delegation would stop participating in “talks and the exchange of texts through mediators,” adding another obstacle to efforts by Washington and Tehran to advance a wider diplomatic understanding.

Speaking to NBC News, President Donald Trump said his administration received no prior warning that Tehran intended to halt the discussions.

“It’s an appropriate thing to say, because they’re better negotiators than they are fighters,” Trump said. “But they haven’t informed us of that.”

Trump also indicated that Iran’s decision would not automatically trigger an escalation by the United States.

“It doesn’t mean we’re going to go and start dropping bombs all over there,” he told NBC News. “We’ll keep the blockade.”

Tasnim further reported that Iranian officials are weighing more aggressive measures, including a complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz and restrictions on passage through other critical maritime routes such as the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, in an effort to increase pressure on Israel and countries aligned with it.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also weighed in on the developments, posting a message on X in which he linked any understanding with Washington to the broader regional situation.

A “ceasefire between Iran and the US is unequivocally a ceasefire on all fronts, including in Lebanon.”

“The US and Israel are responsible for the consequences of any violation,” he added.

At the same time, Reuters reported that Tehran is attempting to secure a limited interim arrangement with Washington as it grapples with severe economic challenges while seeking to avoid major compromises regarding its nuclear activities.

According to Reuters, which cited three Iranian sources familiar with internal discussions, Iran is pursuing a temporary deal that would lower tensions with the United States, unlock access to financial resources, and ease economic hardship without settling the most contentious disputes surrounding uranium enrichment and other aspects of its nuclear program.

The report said Iranian officials view such a temporary understanding as a practical way to obtain economic breathing room and shore up domestic stability while delaying decisions on more politically sensitive nuclear issues.

Alex Vatanka, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute in Washington, told Reuters that Iranian leaders appear to believe “that dialogue, even limited dialogue, is preferable to entering an open-ended period of economic attrition and uncertainty.”

Reuters added that Iran’s leadership is increasingly worried about worsening economic conditions at home, including persistent inflation, a weakening currency, and falling standards of living. Officials reportedly believe that even short-term access to additional funds could help ease public frustration and reduce the risk of renewed domestic unrest.

Israel’s Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi, Rav Kalman Meir Ber, has published a comprehensive halachic essay strongly warning against ascending Har Habayis and engaging in acts of prostration there in contemporary times, emphasizing that such conduct may involve serious Torah prohibitions in addition to the longstanding ban on entering the area itself.

Rav Ber opens his discussion with the pasuk, “Hishamru lachem alos bahar u’negoa b’ktzeihu — Beware of ascending the mountain or even touching its edge.”

The article comes amid the growing phenomenon of organized groups ascending Har Habayis and publicly encouraging participants to bow and prostrate themselves there. It also follows recent public discussion sparked by reports regarding statements attributed to the Amshinover Rebbe concerning the subject.

In his essay, Rav Ber stresses that beyond the fundamental prohibition against ascending Har Habayis—a position upheld by gedolei Yisroel from across the Torah spectrum and by successive generations of Israel’s Chief Rabbinate—there is an additional and severe halachic concern regarding the act of bowing on the mountain itself.

The Chief Rabbi writes that entering the precincts of Har Habayis in our times constitutes an extremely serious prohibition and notes that the guidance of gedolei Yisroel and the chief rabbis throughout the generations has been unequivocal: Jews should not ascend any area of Har Habayis.

Rav Ber then addresses the separate issue of hishtachava’ah upon a stone surface. The Torah prohibits full prostration upon a stone floor, as the pasuk states, “V’even maskis lo sitnu b’artzechem l’hishtachavos aleha — You shall not place a stone surface in your land upon which to prostrate yourselves.”

While such prostration was permitted in the Beis Hamikdash itself, Rav Ber explains that a significant halachic question remains as to whether that dispensation applied only within the Azarah or extended to other areas of Har Habayis as well.

The Chief Rabbi notes that a number of later halachic authorities discussed the issue and remained uncertain about its parameters. Among those cited is the Minchas Chinuch, who treats the matter as unresolved.

Because the question involves a possible Torah prohibition, Rav Ber warns that individuals who prostrate themselves on the stone surfaces of Har Habayis may be placing themselves into a situation involving a serious safek issur d’Oraisa.

The article presents additional halachic arguments against prostration on Har Habayis beyond the general prohibition of ascending the site. Rav Ber emphasizes that the matter is not merely a theoretical discussion concerning the boundaries of the mountain or questions of ritual purity, but also involves a practical action that may itself constitute an independent and severe halachic violation.

In his concluding remarks, Rav Ber urges the public to distance itself from the growing trend of ascending Har Habayis and bowing there. He writes that the various guides, instructions, and public campaigns encouraging such behavior run contrary to the position maintained by gedolei Yisroel and the Chief Rabbinate throughout the generations.

According to Rav Ber, the halacha is clear: Jews should refrain from ascending Har Habayis and avoid placing themselves into serious halachic uncertainties at the holiest site of the Jewish people.

{Matzav.com}