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The wife of a yungerman who was arrested after reporting to an IDF induction office to resolve his draft status is speaking publicly for the first time, describing what she says was an unexpected arrest, humiliating treatment in military prison, and the emotional toll the ordeal has taken on their family.

Yael Ben David, whose husband Nehorai Ben David is a yungerman from Bat Yam and the father of three young children, said in an interview that the family never imagined he would be arrested when he reported to the draft office. According to her, he went there solely to regularize his status, only to be taken into custody upon arrival.

“They set a trap for him,” she said. “They told him to come and resolve his status… and without any prior warning, they simply arrested him.”

According to Yael, her husband was handcuffed immediately after his arrest and informed that he would serve a 20-day sentence in military prison.

“They put handcuffs on him and told him, ‘You now have 20 days in prison to think about which unit you’re going to enlist in,'” she recounted.

She explained that her husband had received repeated notices and letters instructing him to resolve his status and ultimately decided to report out of concern that he might otherwise be arrested unexpectedly during his daily routine.

Yael also described what she said were the difficult first days following his incarceration, claiming he was not permitted to contact her after arriving at the military prison.

“When he first entered the prison, they didn’t even allow him to speak with me,” she said.

Only after approximately 24 hours was he able to make a brief telephone call, during which he described the conditions of his confinement. According to Yael, he was initially placed in a separate housing unit before later being transferred to the regular prison wing after a formal complaint was filed.

She also leveled serious allegations regarding the treatment her husband has received while in custody.

“He told me they treat chareidim there with real contempt,” she said.

According to Yael, her husband told her he was forced to stand for extended periods without explanation, was prevented from participating in tefillah b’tzibbur, and even had the bookmarks removed from the seforim he brought with him.

“He told me, ‘I’ve never been treated with such disrespect in my life,'” she said, adding that he believes his appearance as a ben Torah contributed to the way he was treated.

She said the family’s hardship extends well beyond the prison conditions themselves. Her husband, she explained, is permitted only a three-minute phone call each day.

“We don’t even have enough time to say hello and goodbye before they disconnect the call,” she said.

According to Yael, the family has retained legal counsel and is working to ensure that his rights are protected, including seeking greater opportunities for communication between the couple.

Nehorai Ben David remains in military prison as his family awaits further developments. During the interview, it was noted that any official response from the relevant authorities regarding the allegations would be published in full if and when it is received. In the meantime, the family says it hopes that by sharing its story publicly, greater attention will be drawn to what it describes as the conditions of confinement and treatment of chareidi detainees.

{Matzav.com}

An airstrike targeted the runway at Houthi-controlled Sanaa International Airport after an Iranian aircraft carrying a delegation of senior Houthi officials attempted to land in the Yemeni capital, according to Reuters. Yemen’s internationally recognized government said the operation was intended to prevent the Iranian plane from reaching rebel-held territory.

The Houthis, who control Sanaa and much of northern Yemen, blamed Saudi Arabia for the attack and threatened retaliation. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree condemned the strike as “blatant aggression” and declared that it effectively ended the period of relative calm that had recently prevailed in Yemen’s years-long conflict.

Yemen’s internationally recognized government, however, disputed the Houthi account, saying its own military forces—not Saudi Arabia—carried out the strike. Government officials said they acted after the Houthis permitted an Iranian aircraft to enter Yemeni airspace, calling the move a violation of Yemen’s sovereignty. They added that warnings had been issued beforehand and that the area surrounding the runway had been evacuated prior to the attack.

According to reports, the Iranian aircraft was transporting senior Houthi officials home from a trip to Tehran. After the runway was struck, the plane abandoned its planned landing in Sanaa and instead diverted to Hodeidah International Airport on Yemen’s Red Sea coast, according to the Associated Press.

The incident marks a significant escalation in tensions between Yemen’s Saudi-backed government and the Iran-supported Houthi movement, whose alliance with Tehran has remained strong throughout the country’s decade-long civil war. The conflict began in 2014 when Houthi forces captured Sanaa, triggering a Saudi-led military intervention the following year in support of Yemen’s internationally recognized government.

{Matzav.com}

The British government announced Monday that it will invest more than £250 million (approximately $335 million) over the next three years to strengthen security for Jewish communities across the country following a surge in antisemitic attacks and threats.

The funding package will finance the deployment of more than 500 additional police officers throughout England and Wales, with an increased focus on protecting Jewish neighborhoods, shuls, schools, and community institutions, according to the government.

The announcement comes after a series of attacks targeting Jewish sites in recent months. Among the most alarming incidents was the arson attack in March that destroyed four Jewish community ambulances. A month later, British authorities raised the nation’s terrorism threat level from “substantial” to “severe” following an antisemitic stabbing attack in north London.

The latest funding initiative comes in addition to the £25 million emergency package announced after the April stabbing attack. Under the new plan, roughly 300 officers will be assigned to London, while another 80 will serve Greater Manchester, where a shul was attacked last year. An additional £43 million will be distributed to police forces responsible for other regions with sizable Jewish populations.

“The rise in antisemitism we ⁠have seen in recent years is a test of our values ⁠as ⁠a country and tackling it has been central to my leadership from day one,” outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in Monday’s statement.

London’s Metropolitan Police will receive £86 million under the plan, while another £59 million has been designated to enhance the country’s counterterrorism policing efforts.

Officials said police will increase patrols during periods of heightened concern, providing a stronger visible presence in vulnerable areas while working to deter hate crimes and antisemitic attacks before they occur.

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The United States dramatically intensified its military campaign against Iran overnight, launching a new wave of strikes targeting military infrastructure after Iranian forces continued threatening freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. Central Command said the operation was intended to further weaken Iran’s ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial shipping in one of the world’s most critical waterways.

According to U.S. Central Command, American forces began carrying out coordinated strikes late Sunday night against military targets across Iran in response to Tehran’s ongoing efforts to disrupt maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

For the first time in the current conflict, U.S. forces targeted Iranian air defense systems, coastal radar installations, missile and drone capabilities, and fleets of small attack boats. The operation involved American fighter jets, U.S. Navy warships, one-way attack drones, and unmanned naval vessels.

Iranian media reported a series of explosions overnight, including in the strategic port city of Bandar Abbas, which overlooks the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. Central Command said President Donald Trump personally authorized the operation to punish Iranian forces for interfering with international shipping through the vital waterway.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed it retaliated by launching missiles and drones at Prince Hassan Air Base in Jordan, asserting that fuel depots and ammunition storage facilities were set ablaze. Iranian officials described the attack as the opening phase of their response to American strikes on military facilities along Iran’s southern coastline.

Air raid sirens also sounded in Bahrain early Monday after another suspected Iranian attack was detected.

The latest exchange of attacks has disrupted commercial aviation across the Gulf region. Dubai International Airport reported widespread delays on major international routes, with hundreds of flights delayed and dozens canceled.

A CENTCOM spokesman told CNN that, before the American strikes commenced, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard once again fired on a merchant vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The spokesman said U.S. military aircraft successfully intercepted and destroyed an Iranian cruise missile as well as an attack drone.

In a statement, U.S. Central Command said the latest operation was designed to “continue degrading Iran’s ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial vessels freely transiting the Strait of Hormuz.”

Iranian media reported one fatality and four injuries following an American strike on a water pumping station in the country’s southwest. Additional explosions were reported in Ahvaz, Mahshahr, and near Bushehr.

Before the latest American offensive, Israeli officials had assessed that Iran was unlikely to attack Israel directly out of concern that doing so would trigger a far broader regional war. An Israeli official warned, however, that any Iranian attack on Israeli civilians or targets could rapidly alter the situation.

Following the U.S. strikes, Iran warned Gulf nations that any country serving as a launching point for attacks against Iran would become “a legitimate target.” Iran’s Foreign Ministry declared, “Iran will defend its sovereignty against American military aggression and against any other aggressor. The source of attacks against Iran will become a legitimate target within the framework of the defensive operations of our armed forces.”

Tehran also strongly condemned the latest U.S. military action, accusing Washington of sabotaging months of diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing regional tensions, according to a statement issued by Iran’s Foreign Ministry.

An American official also disclosed overnight that approximately 20 commercial vessels safely transited the Strait of Hormuz during the past 24 hours under coordination with the U.S. military. The official added that several other ships crossed the strategic waterway without coordinating with Washington, according to Axios.

{Matzav.com}

As the Knesset moves toward dissolution and Israel heads for new elections, MK Yitzchok Pindrus expressed optimism that the proposed Arrest Freeze Law could provide immediate relief for bnei yeshivah, while explaining that the proposed Basic Law: Torah Study is intended to serve as the legal foundation for future legislation.

Speaking about the two measures currently being advanced by the chareidi parties, Pindrus said the Arrest Freeze Law would have an immediate practical impact. “The Arrest Freeze Law is supposed to have an immediate effect,” he said. “I hope it truly will have an immediate effect, and that the Elul zeman can begin in peace and security.”

Pindrus explained that while the Basic Law: Torah Study is not expected to resolve the issue overnight, it is designed to establish a constitutional framework upon which future legislation regulating the status of bnei yeshivah can be built.

At the same time, he cautioned that even if both bills become law, the legal battle will be far from over. He argued that Israel is currently in the midst of an open confrontation between the elected branches of government and the country’s legal establishment.

“The judicial system is lined up on one side, the bureaucracy is lined up on that same side… and they are fighting head-on,” he said.

Addressing the future of the Torah world, Pindrus stressed that much work will remain even after the elections to achieve a lasting solution.

“We will have to do our hishtadlus to ensure that the Torah world continues to flourish,” he said.

He added that the proper response to the current challenges is to continue following the guidance of gedolei Yisroel.

“If we continue to walk alongside the elders, then, with Hashem’s help, we will get through this crisis as well.”

Later in the interview, Pindrus reflected on the yahrtzeit of Maran Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, zt”l, sharing personal memories of the revered posek hador, whom he described as someone whose entire life revolved around Torah.

According to Pindrus, every decision Rav Elyashiv made was guided by a single question: “What does the Torah want from me now? Not what I want to do, not what I think would be good to do… but what does the Torah want me to do in this situation.”

Pindrus said that mindset defined Rav Elyashiv throughout his life.

He also recalled Rav Elyashiv’s legendary daily schedule and extraordinary diligence in Torah study until his final days.

“You could set your watch according to Rav Elyashiv’s daily schedule,” Pindrus said.

He recounted the testimony of a physician who examined Rav Elyashiv in his later years and remarked that the X-rays of his back could not possibly belong to someone who spent countless hours bent over a Gemara.

“It simply couldn’t be,” the doctor reportedly said, underscoring the remarkable endurance and unwavering dedication Rav Elyashiv displayed throughout decades of Torah learning.

Concluding the interview, Pindrus returned to the ongoing struggle between the political and judicial systems, noting that opposition to the Supreme Court was once largely confined to the chareidi parties but has since broadened considerably.

“In the past, the battle against the Supreme Court belonged only to the chareidi parties. Today, it belongs to more than half of the Knesset,” he said.

He ended by expressing hope that the merit of Rav Elyashiv would continue to protect the Torah world and Klal Yisroel.

“We have truly reached a point where all we can do is lift our eyes toward Heaven. We do our hishtadlus—there is not much more that can be done.”

Newly reviewed emergency dispatch recordings provide a clearer picture of the frantic efforts made to save Sen. Lindsey Graham after first responders were called to his Washington, D.C., residence on Motzoei Shabbos, where they ultimately performed CPR before he was pronounced dead.

According to The Wall Street Journal, D.C. Fire and EMS personnel were dispatched just before 8:30 p.m. to a home on South Capitol Street—listed in public records as Graham’s residence—after emergency officials received a report of an individual suffering from chest pain.

Graham’s office announced Sunday that the South Carolina Republican died following a “brief and sudden illness.” Preliminary medical findings determined that he suffered an aortic dissection caused by arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Dispatch recordings reviewed by the newspaper indicate that a woman who called 911 told operators she was driving from Baltimore and advised them that the front door of the residence was unlocked. When emergency crews arrived, however, they discovered the deadbolt was engaged and received no response despite repeatedly knocking on the door.

Approximately five minutes after reaching the home, firefighters requested assistance from the Metropolitan Police Department and informed dispatchers that they intended to force their way into the residence.

Roughly 15 minutes later, emergency personnel radioed that CPR had begun, prompting dispatchers to send an EMS supervisor to assist with what had become a cardiac arrest response.

The dispatch audio never identified the patient by name and referred to the individual as being 73 years old. Graham was 71, suggesting the age relayed over the emergency radio was likely inaccurate.

In a joint statement, Metropolitan Police Department Chief Jeffery W. Carroll and D.C. Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Francisco J. Diaz said Graham was pronounced dead at George Washington University Hospital at 10:23 p.m. last night. An autopsy was conducted the following day.

Law enforcement officials told The Wall Street Journal that additional medical testing—including toxicology analysis—could require several weeks before the investigation into Graham’s death is fully completed.

Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., said he hopes investigators conduct “a full toxicology and autopsy” on Graham, noting that the senator’s father died of a heart attack.

President Donald Trump told CNN that Graham telephoned him at approximately 6:30 p.m. after returning from a trip to Ukraine.

“He said, ‘I’m tired because it’s a long trip,’ but other than that he was fine,” Trump said.

FBI Director Kash Patel also confirmed Sunday that the bureau is assisting local authorities in the investigation and has made “every necessary resource available” to support the inquiry. According to The Wall Street Journal, FBI agents were present at Graham’s residence Sunday afternoon as part of that ongoing effort.

{Matzav.com}

Sen. Mitch McConnell disclosed Sunday that the medical emergency that landed him in the hospital last month began with a fall that briefly left him unconscious, ending weeks of speculation surrounding the Kentucky Republican’s health and explaining why he has remained away from the Senate.

In a statement, the 84-year-old senator said he lost consciousness for a short time around the incident that led to his hospitalization and has since undergone extensive medical testing to determine what caused the fall. He also revealed that doctors treated him for a mild case of pneumonia and that he has since been transferred to a rehabilitation facility.

“My doctors have confirmed that I didn’t break any bones or suffer a concussion. I didn’t have a heart attack or a stroke. I don’t have any tumors or hemorrhages,” McConnell said, adding that he is now “regaining my strength.”

McConnell’s update came just hours after the sudden death of fellow Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. While expressing optimism about his recovery, McConnell acknowledged that he is not yet ready to resume his Senate duties.

“I cannot return to the Senate quite yet,” he said.

With McConnell temporarily sidelined and Graham’s seat now vacant, Republicans’ majority in the Senate has been reduced to 51-47 at a critical time, as the party works to advance President Donald Trump’s legislative agenda, increase military spending, and confirm the president’s nominees.

Addressing why he had remained silent about his condition for nearly four weeks, McConnell said his generation often finds it difficult to discuss the realities of aging.

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

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

McConnell added that he continues to stay involved in Senate matters by working closely with his staff while recovering. His statement also included a smiling photograph of himself with his wife, Elaine Chao, appearing to push back against online rumors suggesting he had died or was no longer capable of serving.

The senator’s announcement follows growing public pressure for greater transparency. Since his hospitalization on June 14, his office had released few details beyond saying that he was “receiving excellent care” and recovering. As questions about his condition mounted, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear publicly urged McConnell last week to provide the public with an update in a “transparent manner.”

McConnell is scheduled to retire at the end of January, bringing to a close one of the most influential careers in modern American politics. Republicans have nominated U.S. Rep. Andy Barr to succeed him, while Democrats selected former Kentucky state lawmaker Charles Booker as their nominee. Despite his health challenges, McConnell emphasized that he intends to complete the remainder of his term.

“I still have unfinished business to complete on your behalf,” McConnell wrote in the statement addressed to Kentuckians, “and I have every intention of finishing the job you elected me to do.”

McConnell has dealt with significant health issues for much of his life. After contracting polio as a young child, he has long acknowledged that the illness left him with lingering difficulty walking and climbing stairs.

The Office of the Attending Physician to Congress said Sunday that McConnell has “experienced several falls through the year” because of his “post-polio condition.” According to the statement, his rehabilitation program is focused on reducing the likelihood of additional falls.

“A comprehensive evaluation by a multidisciplinary team determined that he had no fractures, cardiac abnormalities, stroke, tumor, or hemorrhage,” the physician’s office said.

First elected to the Senate in 1984, McConnell served as the Republican leader from 2007 until last year, holding the roles of both majority leader and minority leader during that span. Although no longer in leadership, he has remained an active member of the Senate, frequently relying on a wheelchair while traveling through the Capitol.

In recent years, however, his physical condition has become increasingly noticeable. In March 2023, he suffered a concussion after falling at a Washington hotel, forcing him to miss several weeks of Senate business. After returning, he experienced two widely publicized episodes during press conferences in which he suddenly froze and stared silently ahead until aides intervened. The following year, he suffered another fall while leaving a Republican luncheon, spraining his wrist.

{Matzav.com}

New details have emerged regarding an alleged Iranian plot to assassinate President Donald Trump during his visit to Turkey, following earlier reports that Israel had warned the United States about the threat. According to the latest report, it was actually foreign intelligence—not Israeli intelligence—that first detected Iran’s preparations for the alleged assassination attempt, prompting U.S. officials to switch the presidential aircraft before the trip.

According to a report by Yaron Avraham on Israel’s Channel 12 News, foreign intelligence services uncovered indications that Iran was preparing to target Trump while he was in Turkey. The report states that senior Iranian officials viewed the president’s planned visit as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” but the intelligence was passed to American officials in time for security measures to be implemented, including replacing the aircraft designated for the president’s travel.

Last week, The Wall Street Journal, citing Western intelligence officials, reported that Israel had provided the United States with new intelligence pointing to a renewed Iranian plot to assassinate President Trump. According to the report, the intelligence indicated a significant escalation in Tehran’s efforts to target the American leader.

The alleged assassination plot is rooted in Iran’s longstanding vow to avenge the killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force. Soleimani was killed in a U.S. airstrike ordered by President Trump during his first term in office, and Iranian leaders have repeatedly pledged retaliation.

Speaking at a press conference in Ankara, Turkey, last week, Trump acknowledged the reported threats against him.

“They want to assassinate the leader of the United States—me,” Trump said. “I saw this morning—I’m on every one of their lists. Every single list. So far, I guess I’ve been a little lucky, but maybe that won’t last much longer.”

The Israeli Embassy in Washington declined to comment on the report. Iran’s mission to the United Nations did not respond to requests for comment, while the White House referred reporters to the president’s remarks made during the NATO summit.

{Matzav.com}

A growing dispute between Shas and the Religious Zionism Party has brought the planned appointment of approximately 60 community rabbis across Israel to a halt, exposing a widening coalition rift just hours after Religious Zionism delayed final approval of Shas’ kashrus legislation.

The appointments were part of an agreement reached before the last election between Shas chairman Aryeh Deri and Finance Minister and Religious Zionism chairman Betzalel Smotrich. According to sources, the two leaders agreed to move forward with appointing about 60 community rabbis throughout the country. The entire initiative has now stalled after Smotrich reportedly refused to grant the approvals needed to complete the process.

The central point of contention involves rabbinic appointments in Judea and Samaria. Religious Zionism is insisting that additional rabbis in those communities be included as part of the broader package, while Shas argues that those appointments cannot currently be carried out due to technical considerations.

Officials in Religious Zionism say the party has drawn a firm line and will not agree to implement only part of the deal.

“Either there are appointments in Judea and Samaria as well—or there are no appointments at all,” party sources said.

The latest clash comes amid mounting tensions between the coalition partners. Just hours earlier, Religious Zionism prevented Shas from securing final approval of its kashrus bill in the Knesset Committee for Public Initiatives, chaired by MK Ohad Tal, further highlighting the deteriorating relationship between the two parties.

The Knesset has taken a historic step toward formally recognizing Israel’s combat veterans suffering from psychological trauma, as a new bill establishing their legal status advanced Sunday and is expected to receive final approval later this week.

The Knesset Committee, chaired by MK Ofir Katz, together with the Labor and Welfare Committee headed by MK Michal Waldiger, approved legislation that, for the first time, formally defines combat veterans suffering from combat-related trauma under Israeli law.

The bill, which is expected to pass its second and third Knesset readings this week, would establish an official legal definition of a combat veteran suffering from combat trauma within the Disabled Veterans Law. It would also guarantee specialized treatment and rehabilitation through the Defense Ministry’s Rehabilitation Department while expanding benefits, financial assistance, and support services for their families.

Kikar HaShabbos has learned that the legislation was originally developed during discussions surrounding the Basic Law: Torah Study. Lawmakers later decided to incorporate the measure into an amendment to the Disabled Veterans Law, a move that ultimately received bipartisan support from both coalition and opposition members.

During the committee deliberations, lawmakers and government representatives said the legislation is intended to bring Israel’s laws in line with the country’s complex security reality and ensure that thousands of combat veterans suffering psychological trauma receive care specifically tailored to their needs.

Labor and Welfare Committee Chairwoman MK Michal Waldiger welcomed the bill’s advancement, saying, “I am happy to lead a meaningful and moving amendment that is tailored to the complex reality of the State of Israel. Combat veterans deserve personalized care and the best possible rehabilitation, both for themselves and for their family members, whose lives were turned upside down in an instant. They gave for us, and today, through great effort and true justice, we are giving back to them a little so that they can return to life.”

Following the committee’s approval, Netanel Shaked, one of the leaders of the Combat Veterans Forum, thanked MK Moshe Abutbul and the Shas party for supporting the legislation. He described the measure as a historic law that, for the first time, will provide official legal recognition to combat veterans suffering from combat trauma while significantly expanding the system of benefits, compensation, and assistance available to them and their families.

If the bill receives final approval in the Knesset plenum, Israel will, for the first time, formally enshrine the legal status of combat veterans suffering from combat trauma in statute, replacing a system that for years relied primarily on administrative procedures and government policies.

A new organization aimed at uniting chareidi journalists from across the media spectrum is set to be formally launched on Monday at the Museum of Tolerance in Yerushalayim. But even before the inaugural conference has taken place, organizers claim the initiative is already facing an organized effort to discredit and derail it.

Dozens of chareidi reporters, editors, broadcasters, and media professionals representing a wide range of chareidi news outlets are expected to attend the founding convention of the newly established Chareidi Journalists Council. Organizers describe the body as a professional organization designed to support journalists working in the chareidi media. In recent days, however, a series of media reports has fueled speculation that some parties are attempting to undermine the new organization before it even begins operating.

Much of the controversy stems from a recent investigative report aired by Channel 14, which alleged that the conference is being organized by Avi Widerman, whom the network characterized as a prominent left-wing figure. The station later reported that former Chief Rabbi Rav Dovid Lau had withdrawn from the event following publication of that investigation.

Organizers strongly dispute those claims, arguing that the reports appear to be part of a broader campaign to tarnish the council by attaching political labels to it rather than addressing its stated professional mission.

They point to the reporting surrounding Rav Lau’s absence as an example. While Channel 14 claimed the former chief rabbi canceled his participation because of its investigation, organizers say the official response from Rav Lau’s office—and subsequent conversations with his staff—confirm that he informed organizers last week that he would be unable to attend because he is currently overseas as part of an official delegation strengthening ties with Jewish communities in the Diaspora.

“Those facts apparently were of no interest to those looking to manufacture a negative headline,” one of the conference organizers said. “Deciding on the facts first and only afterward asking for a response is the exact opposite of journalistic ethics. And if that is the reason the Chareidi Journalists Council is being established, then that alone justifies its existence.”

Organizers also reject claims that the conference represents a political initiative associated with the left, noting that the lineup of keynote speakers tells a very different story.

Among those scheduled to address the gathering are Israel’s Chief Rabbi, Rav Kalman Ber; veteran educator and chairman of the Madaim V’Yahadus network, Rav Ben Zion Nordman; and Dr. Avishai Ben Chaim, who is widely identified with Israel’s political right, traditional values, and the “Second Israel” movement.

“The list of speakers at the council’s inaugural conference completely refutes the claim that this is a left-wing event,” a source involved with the new organization said. “It appears that someone has already decided on a target and refuses to let the facts get in the way. Instead of journalism, we are seeing anonymous actors trying to sabotage an important initiative.”

The source added that Widerman’s Zericha Foundation operates under the guidance of gedolei Yisroel. While Widerman has never concealed his personal political views, the source said those opinions have never influenced the foundation’s work, including its involvement with the journalists’ council.

“It is unfortunate that some have chosen to take sides against chareidi journalists who simply want to establish a professional organization that will provide them with support,” the source said. “Unlike members of the general media, chareidi journalists currently have no professional body standing behind them.”

According to the organizers, the council’s mission is entirely professional and is intended to address a growing need within the chareidi media. They say that in recent years, chareidi journalists have increasingly faced threats, pressure campaigns, and lawsuits intended to intimidate them, making a unified representative body more necessary than ever.

The organization’s primary goals are to protect the professional rights of chareidi journalists, provide formal recognition for their work, and offer legal assistance and representation to reporters carrying out their responsibilities on behalf of the public.

“This council is more necessary today than ever before,” one of the organizers said. “Journalists should not have to fear competing media organizations trying to impose agendas on them. Our goal is to provide full support and protection to every chareidi journalist, regardless of any political or ideological agenda.”

{Matzav.com}

Despite the rapidly intensifying confrontation between the United States and Iran, Israeli officials believe Tehran is unlikely, at least for now, to launch direct attacks against Israel, according to assessments discussed Sunday evening at the highest levels of government.

According to a report by Israel’s Channel 12 News, Israeli officials—including participants in a security meeting chaired by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Sunday evening—believe Iran understands that attacking Israeli territory or civilians would trigger a return to full-scale war and could send the conflict spiraling beyond anyone’s control.

An Israeli official quoted in the report said, “We all hope our assessment proves to be wrong and that Iran makes the mistake.” The official added, “The Americans know that we want to complete our missions in Iran—and they know exactly what we mean. Right now, it isn’t relevant. The current operation is limited, and we are not part of it. We will become part of it only if the Americans bring us into it—or if the Iranians bring us into it.”

Earlier Sunday, Iran’s Fars News Agency reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had launched drone strikes against American HIMARS surface-to-surface missile launchers in Kuwait. According to the Iranian report, “the missile infrastructure that was prepared to launch attacks against Iran was destroyed.”

Meanwhile, Sabereen News, a media outlet affiliated with pro-Iranian militias in Iraq, reported that drones targeted headquarters belonging to Iranian Kurdish opposition groups in the Sulaymaniyah province of northern Iraq. The report did not immediately provide additional details regarding the alleged strikes.

{Matzav.com}

A new series of arrests targeting bnei Torah has raised concerns that another wave of mass chareidi protests could be imminent. On Sunday, two Gerer chassidim and one Erlauer chassid were arrested and sentenced to military prison after attempting to resolve their draft status with Israeli authorities.

One of those arrested was a young Gerer chassid and talmid of Yeshivas Chiddushei Harim, who was detained after reporting to the military induction office in an effort to “regularize his status.” He was sentenced to 20 days in military prison.

Also arrested on Sunday was a Gerer avreich from Ashdod. He, too, was sentenced to 20 days in Prison 10 and, according to reports, was being transported there shortly after his sentencing.

In a separate incident, a young Erlauer chassid, a talmid of Yeshivas Chayei Torah, was arrested after reporting to the induction office in Be’er Sheva in an attempt to regularize his status. He was likewise transferred to Prison 10.

The arrests come roughly one month after Gur held its largest protest yet against the arrest of bnei yeshivah. Tens of thousands of chassidim participated in the demonstration following the detention of a yeshivah bochur from Ashdod who had been declared a draft evader. In an exceptionally rare move, the Gerrer Rebbe personally attended the mass rally.

In addition, approximately two weeks ago, thousands of vehicles took part in a nationwide protest convoy that departed from multiple locations across Eretz Yisroel, including Yerushalayim. The demonstration, titled “Enough Is Enough!,” featured a slow-moving procession toward military detention facilities but stopped short of physically blocking access to Prison 10.

{Matzav.com}

Health officials are investigating a growing outbreak of a rare foodborne parasite that has already sickened hundreds of people across the United States, with experts still unable to identify a single source. As the number of infections continues to climb, many Americans are wondering whether the fresh fruits and vegetables in their kitchens are safe to eat.

Since May, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed at least 145 cases of cyclosporiasis nationwide. The true number, however, appears to be significantly higher. Michigan alone had reported more than 1,000 infections as of July 9.

The illness is caused by Cyclospora cayetanensis, a parasite that is relatively uncommon in the United States. It spreads through food or water contaminated with human waste. According to Wisconsin health officials, some infected individuals may have contracted the parasite while traveling to countries where it is more widespread. CDC figures show that at least 45 patients became sick after eating food or drinking water outside the United States.

Within the U.S., however, infections are more commonly linked to contaminated fresh produce. Previous outbreaks have been associated with foods such as romaine lettuce, basil, cilantro, snow peas, and raspberries. Although investigators are still searching for the cause of the recent cases, the CDC says “there is currently no evidence of a single, multistate … outbreak.”

With the source still unknown, many people are understandably concerned about becoming infected, particularly because the illness can produce unpleasant and prolonged symptoms.

Not everyone exposed to the parasite becomes sick. For those who do develop symptoms, the CDC and Cleveland Clinic say the hallmark sign is frequent watery diarrhea that can be severe and “sometimes explosive.”

Patients may also experience loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, “bloating, including burping and farting,” a mild fever, and significant fatigue. Symptoms generally begin anywhere from two days to two weeks after exposure.

Anyone experiencing these symptoms is urged to seek medical attention. Doctors can confirm the infection through specialized stool testing.

Dr. Katie Theoktisto of Baylor Scott & White told Nexstar’s KXAN that in some patients the illness will “self-resolve after a few days.”

She cautioned, however, that persistent diarrhea should not be ignored. “If you’re having a diarrheal illness that’s lasting over a week or two, it’s probably something unusual,” she warned, saying that “those with prolonged symptoms should seek care from their health care providers.”

According to Theoktisto, young children, pregnant women, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems face a greater risk of serious illness. These patients may also experience symptoms that return after initially improving.

She noted that several treatments are available. The Cleveland Clinic says therapy may include antibiotics, anti-diarrheal medications, and maintaining proper hydration. Patients who cannot take sulfa-based medications because of allergies can be treated with alternative drugs.

The CDC says that while healthy individuals may recover without medical treatment, others can remain “sick for anywhere from a few days to a month or longer.” Symptoms may disappear and then return, placing some patients at risk for “severe or long illness.” Without treatment, the infection can persist for a month or even longer.

One encouraging fact is that Cyclospora is not believed to spread directly from one person to another.

To reduce the risk of infection, health officials advise thoroughly washing all fruits and vegetables before eating, preparing, or cooking them.

Experts also recommend refrigerating peeled, cut, or cooked produce promptly and trimming away any bruised or damaged portions of fruits and vegetables before consuming them.

{Matzav.com}

Tensions between Washington and Tehran escalated sharply on Sunday after Iran’s parliamentary speaker warned the United States to honor the terms of a temporary peace agreement or face serious consequences, as fresh American airstrikes targeted Iranian positions following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf issued the warning in a social media post, declaring that the United States could no longer expect Tehran to accept unequal arrangements. “The era of one-sided deals is OVER,” Qalibaf wrote on social media. “We told you: keep your word or pay the price. Reality is knocking.”

Along with his statement, Qalibaf published one of the 14 provisions contained in the memorandum of understanding between the two countries. The clause stated: “Upon the signing of this MOU, the Islamic Republic of Iran will make arrangements using its best efforts for the safe passage of commercial vessels with no charge for 60 days only, from the Persian Gulf to the Sea of Oman and vice versa.”

The latest American military action marked the third wave of U.S. airstrikes against Iranian targets after the Islamic regime announced it was shutting down the Strait of Hormuz indefinitely. The strategic waterway carries roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas shipments. Iran closed the passage after its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) attacked the Cyprus-flagged cargo vessel GFS Galaxy, accusing the ship of traveling along an “unauthorized route.”

The IRGC later declared through Iranian state media that the critical shipping lane would remain closed “until the U.S. ends its intervention in the region.”

According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), the strike on the commercial vessel caused extensive damage to its engine room, and one crew member remains unaccounted for. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reacted to CENTCOM’s announcement with a blunt warning on social media, writing: “Iran made a poor choice. Now they pay.”

The renewed military confrontation has further dimmed hopes of reviving negotiations between Washington and Tehran. President Trump said the memorandum intended to serve as a framework for a broader peace agreement is effectively finished after both countries accused each other this week of violating its terms while exchanging military fire.

Expressing his frustration before authorizing the second round of strikes earlier in the week, Trump told reporters, “I don’t want to deal with them anymore. They’re scum.”

The president intensified his warnings on Friday, stating that the United States has contingency plans ready to “decimate and destroy” Iran if Tehran carries out what officials say is an assassination plot targeting him.

Those remarks followed a report by The Wall Street Journal stating that Israeli intelligence had recently provided U.S. officials with new information indicating that Iran was actively considering a plan to assassinate President Trump.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, issued his own threatening message, vowing revenge for the death of his father, who was laid to rest on Thursday after being killed during the initial U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran in February.

In a Telegram message reviewed by Reuters, Khamenei declared: “We pledge to avenge the blood of the martyred leader and all the martyrs of these two wars from the criminal and disgraced killers.”

{Matzav.com}

Federal authorities have joined the investigation into the unexpected death of Sen. Lindsey Graham, with FBI Director Kash Patel confirming that the bureau is providing full support to local law enforcement as officials continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the longtime South Carolina senator’s passing.

Patel announced the FBI’s involvement in a statement posted Sunday on X, paying tribute to Graham’s years of public service. “Senator Lindsey Graham was a devoted public servant, a fierce defender of our nation, and a true patriot who dedicated his life to the people of South Carolina and the United States,” Patel wrote.

He also extended condolences to the senator’s family and associates while confirming the bureau’s role in the investigation. “Our prayers are with his family, loved ones, colleagues, and all those who knew him during this devastating time,” he added. “The FBI is assisting local authorities and has made every necessary resource available.”

Graham, 71, died Saturday evening after what his office described as a “brief and sudden illness.” News of his passing was released early Sunday.

In its statement, Graham’s office requested privacy for the family as they mourn. “Senator Graham’s family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period,” the four-term senator’s office added.

Investigators from the FBI, the U.S. Capitol Police, and the Metropolitan Police Department are all participating in the inquiry as authorities work to determine whether there is any indication of foul play in the senator’s death.

According to police scanner recordings obtained by NBC News, emergency responders were dispatched to Graham’s Capitol Hill residence Saturday night following a report of a person suffering cardiac arrest.

Images obtained by NBC News showed paramedics transporting an individual from Graham’s home on a stretcher to a waiting ambulance, while numerous police vehicles and fire apparatus remained at the scene.

Only a day before his death, Graham had returned to Washington after traveling to Ukraine during the Senate’s recess. While overseas, he met Friday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

A longtime advocate of strong American support for Ukraine, Graham had consistently backed the country’s war effort against Russia. During his visit, he also worked with a bipartisan group of senators and the White House to finalize language for new legislation aimed at imposing additional sanctions on Russia.

President Trump said Sunday that he had spoken with Graham shortly after the senator arrived back in Washington from Ukraine on Saturday evening.

Recalling their final conversation, Trump said Graham appeared somewhat fatigued after the overseas trip but gave no indication that anything was seriously wrong. “He sounded a little tired, but perfect. But a little bit tired, he had a right to be,” Trump told host Kristen Welker on NBC News’s “Meet the Press.”

A new survey has found that nearly one out of every two Israelis favors increasing pressure on bnei yeshivah in an effort to boost enlistment into the IDF, highlighting the widening divide over one of the country’s most contentious issues.

The findings come from the July 2026 Israeli Society Index released by the Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI). According to the poll, 46% of the overall Israeli public—and 50% of Jewish respondents—believe that bnei yeshivah can ultimately be drafted into military service and that stronger measures should be employed to make that happen.

By comparison, 31% of those surveyed said they prefer pursuing agreements with the chareidi leadership as the best way to encourage enlistment, while just 11% believe there is no practical possibility of drafting chareidim into the IDF and that attempts to do so should simply be abandoned.

The survey underscores the deep political split over how the issue should be handled. Support for imposing sanctions is especially strong among center- and left-wing voters, where 73% and 79%, respectively, back that approach. Among right-wing voters, however, the picture is markedly different, with 59% favoring negotiated understandings with gedolei Yisroel and chareidi leadership rather than punitive measures.

The results also varied sharply based on party affiliation. Three-quarters of Likud supporters said they favor reaching agreements instead of imposing sanctions, while 84% of Yisrael Beiteinu voters support applying tougher penalties. Within the chareidi community itself, 45% believe enlistment could only come through agreements with community leaders, 36% feel there is little or no realistic chance such enlistment will occur, and only 15% support the use of sanctions.

Researchers also asked Israelis about the ongoing chareidi demonstrations protesting the arrests of bnei Torah over the draft issue. Thirty-nine percent of respondents—including a majority of secular Israelis, at 53%—said the protests are unjustified and should not be allowed. On the other hand, 32% argued that if authorities permitted roads to be blocked during demonstrations against the judicial reform, the same standard should apply to chareidi protesters. That view was particularly common among right-wing voters and Likud supporters.

Prof. Yedidia Stern, president of the Jewish People Policy Institute, said the survey suggests that political identity, more than the substance of the issue itself, is driving public opinion on chareidi enlistment. According to Stern, the political right is reluctant to support sanctions because of its alliance with the chareidi parties, while the center and left are generally in favor of increasing pressure. “When the decisive factor is political rather than substantive, a solution appears more distant than ever,” he said.

{Matzav.com}

Just hours after the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee approved legislation temporarily freezing the arrest of yeshiva bochurim classified as draft evaders, leading Sephardic rabbonim and roshei yeshiva issued a sharply worded public letter condemning the measure, warning that it grants the state sweeping authority over the Torah world and places yeshivos under unprecedented government control.

The legislation, as approved by the committee, would suspend arrests, criminal investigations, and other enforcement measures against bnei Torah eligible for military service for a period of 90 days. However, the protection would not be automatic. Instead, bnei yeshiva and roshei yeshiva would be required to submit affidavits to a special military committee, to be established within a week, and comply with a series of strict conditions.

The rabbonim argued that while the proposal appears to provide temporary relief from arrests, it actually establishes a dangerous framework that allows the government to determine who is truly engaged in Torah study and who is not.

In their letter, the rabbonim wrote that the legislation incorporates “the same destructive oversight mechanisms and the same ‘divide and conquer’ approach” that were contained in the previously proposed draft legislation known as the Bismuth Framework, which had been opposed by senior Torah leaders from every segment of the Torah world in Israel and abroad.

They warned that the law would effectively “bring down the walls of the Torah world” by placing yeshivos and batei medrash under full government control and intensive supervision. According to the letter, the legislation authorizes intrusive surprise inspections of individual bochurim and avreichim, giving government inspectors sole authority to determine each student’s future.

The rabbonim outlined four principal objections to the legislation.

First, they warned that any student found repeatedly absent during inspections—even if he misses only a single hour of the required nine hours of daily study, which are defined by law—would immediately become subject to arrest.

The letter argues that the legislation’s “divide and conquer” approach would make arrests far easier to carry out than under the current system. Rather than confronting an entire united chareidi community, authorities would be able to target individual bochurim and avreichim, forcing them to face the government alone without the protection of broad communal solidarity.

The rabbonim expressed particular concern that Sephardic bnei yeshiva, many of whom live in Israel’s peripheral communities, would become the first targets of enforcement efforts, citing what they described as past experience.

They also objected to provisions requiring roshei yeshiva and roshei kollel to submit ongoing reports identifying students who fail to meet every required hour of study. According to the letter, the law effectively forces roshei yeshiva to become informants while establishing a government committee that will continuously monitor inspection reports and attendance records.

Another concern centers on a provision stating that if repeated absences reach 20 percent of a yeshiva’s student body, the institution could lose its official recognition. Students would then be forced to quickly find another recognized yeshiva willing to accept them in order to avoid becoming subject to arrest.

The rabbonim further warned that the inspection system would fundamentally change the atmosphere inside yeshivos, replacing an environment of spiritual growth with constant pressure, anxiety, and tension between students and their roshei yeshiva. They said school leaders would feel compelled to expel students who fail to meet attendance requirements, undermining the spiritual and emotional conditions necessary for successful Torah study.

The letter stresses that even if the law is eventually struck down or allowed to expire, simply agreeing to such legislation would inflict lasting damage by allowing the state to establish oversight mechanisms that could permanently breach the independence of the Torah world.

The rabbonim also pointed to previous government sanctions as evidence that merely discussing such enforcement measures often leads to their implementation even before legislation formally takes effect. They argued that only firm public opposition and unwavering resistance have succeeded in preventing more severe decrees against the Torah community.

In addition, they noted that the legislation does nothing to eliminate the existing sanctions and penalties already imposed on bnei Torah, leaving those measures fully intact while creating an impression that they have been accepted.

Concluding their letter, the Sephardic Torah leaders issued an emphatic call for opposition to the bill, writing that they cannot believe anyone who identifies as chareidi would support such “destructive legislation.” They declared that it is an absolute obligation to oppose the measure with full force, expressing confidence that the promise that “Torah will never be forgotten from the Jewish people” will endure and that Hashem will continue to protect both His Torah and those who dedicate their lives to its study.

{Matzav.com}