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[Video below.] Conservative commentator Mark Levin delivered a fiery defense of Israel, sharply criticizing what he described as growing attacks on the Jewish state from figures within President Donald Trump’s orbit and warning against efforts to rehabilitate the image of Iran’s regime following the recent U.S.-Iran agreement.

Speaking during a passionate monologue, Levin expressed outrage over what he characterized as attempts to pressure Israel into accepting policies that could compromise its security, while simultaneously portraying Tehran as a more acceptable partner on the world stage.

“Stop trashing, smearing & bullying The Little State of Israel,” Levin declared, accusing critics of unfairly targeting one of America’s closest allies in the Middle East.

Levin reserved particular criticism for those advocating a softer approach toward Iran, arguing that recent diplomatic developments should not obscure the nature of the Islamic Republic or the threats it continues to pose.

“Stop cozying up to and telling us that the enemy regime in Iran is now more rational, more moderate, and a regime that we can deal with,” he said.

The longtime radio host and author rejected suggestions that Israel should be pressured to scale back its military posture or rely on international guarantees for its security. He argued that Israel’s history and unique geopolitical challenges require it to maintain the ability to defend itself independently.

“If people think they can bully a little country and people who’ve existed 4,000 years into surrendering their defense… they got another thing coming,” Levin declared. “I think it’s outrageous.”

Throughout his comments, Levin emphasized the decades-long strategic relationship between Washington and Israel, praising the close military and intelligence cooperation that has long defined the alliance.

He said he was “appalled” by the rhetoric being directed at Israel and expressed hope that the current disputes would soon come to an end.

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{Matzav.com}

Sen. Cory Booker launched a blistering attack on President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu during a CNN interview, accusing both leaders of making disastrous decisions that have left their countries less secure and weakened the U.S.-Israel relationship.

Appearing on CNN’s Inside Politics with host Phil Mattingly, the New Jersey Democrat was asked about the recent conflict involving Iran and Israel and whether he agreed with criticism of Israeli actions voiced by Trump administration officials. Booker responded with some of his sharpest remarks yet against both leaders.

“The two of the worst administrations of all democratic governments on the planet Earth right now are the Netanyahu administration and the Trump administration, both led by criminals. Remember our president, first in history to have dozens of felony convictions. So we have two criminals leading — leading nations and acting in deeply immoral ways. And so this to me is the chickens coming home to roost. Israel is less safe and America is less safe, because of immoral leaders that made horrible decisions.”

Booker argued that the turmoil engulfing the Middle East is not simply the result of longstanding regional tensions but also stems from what he described as poor leadership decisions made in both Washington and Israel.

The New Jersey senator has become increasingly critical of Netanyahu in recent years, contending that the Israeli prime minister’s policies have harmed both Israel’s democratic institutions and its international standing. At the same time, Booker has repeatedly accused Trump of pursuing foreign policies that undermine American security and global influence.

During the CNN interview, Booker went even further, arguing that the consequences of decisions made by both governments are now becoming evident.

He later stated that “Bibi and Donald Trump are awful leaders that have ultimately come out not only making both of their nations weaker and more at risk as a result of this war in Iran, but in a cancerous way have eroded the U.S.-Israel relationship in a way that should make everyone concerned.”

{Matzav.com}

Kamala Harris is facing renewed criticism after a lengthy answer she gave about the meaning of hope during an interview with Don Lemon went viral online, with critics branding the response a classic example of a political “word salad.”

During a Friday podcast appearance with Lemon, Harris was asked about hope and offered a philosophical reflection that centered on inner strength and personal resilience.

“I really, truly believe this,” Harris said. “We each have light inside of us. And we need to know that that is what inspires our hope as much as anything external to ourselves.”

The former vice president went on to encourage Americans not to allow political setbacks or personal disappointments to extinguish their optimism about the future.

“And when we feel that and and and not allow an election or an individual to dampen that light, and instead light, let that light kind of carry us in particular through moments of darkness, that that we not only act on that hope, but we inspire that hope in each other,” Harris added.

“And, in particular, at this moment, it is so important that we not only have hope, but that we understand that that should be a verb.”

The remarks quickly spread across social media platforms, where many users mocked the answer as overly complicated and difficult to follow.

“Good word salad answer that can be summed up in two words: stay positive,” one user wrote on X.

Another commenter joked, “When the teacher told you to write a 300 word essay but you could only think of 100 words.”

Other critics focused on Harris’s suggestion that hope should be viewed as a verb, noting that the word is commonly used as both a noun and a verb.

“It’s a noun: ‘I have hope that she never runs for any government office again,'” a user posted to X. “And it is a verb: ‘I hope she never runs for any government office again.'”

The interview also touched on Harris’s political future. Lemon asked whether she intends to seek the presidency again in 2028.

“I have not decided, to be honest with you,” Harris replied, leaving the door open to a possible campaign.

She said she has spent recent months traveling across the country and speaking with Americans about their concerns and expectations for political leadership.

“I’ve been spending a lot of time traveling the country [and] listening to folks,” she continued. “I think that people want a leader who is willing to take risks, as opposed to just doing what is popular.

“I think people want to know that they are being seen and heard, and that their leaders — whether they’re at the local, state, federal level or in the White House — are looking first at the people. You know, not looking at themselves in the mirror.”

While Harris did not commit to another White House bid, her comments ensured that speculation about her political future—and scrutiny of her public remarks—will likely continue.

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{Matzav.com}

Although President Donald Trump has declared the Strait of Hormuz reopened under the terms of the U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement, major obstacles continue to prevent a full return to normal commercial shipping, with naval mines, security concerns, and conflicting messages from Tehran still disrupting one of the world’s most vital maritime routes.

According to multiple reports, commercial traffic is unlikely to fully recover until Iranian naval mines scattered throughout key shipping corridors are located and removed. Maritime experts say the cleanup effort is expected to be lengthy, technically complex, and potentially dangerous.

The Guardian reported that approximately 80 naval mines remain in or near major transit lanes used by commercial vessels traveling through the strategic waterway.

Shipping and naval officials say clearing the mines will require specialized vessels and painstaking mine-sweeping operations before maritime traffic can safely resume at pre-war levels.

“The main route … through the middle of the Strait of Hormuz, that’s closed, that’s dangerous,” said Phil Belcher, marine director at Intertanko, the tanker owners’ association, according to the Guardian.

The publication also reported that nearly 600 vessels remain stranded in the Persian Gulf after spending months at anchor, creating a significant backlog that could take considerable time to clear even if conditions continue to improve.

Richard Meade, editor-in-chief at maritime intelligence provider Lloyd’s List, warned that the shipping industry is facing unprecedented uncertainty.

“We are in uncharted territory. I don’t think [shipping in the strait] is getting back to normal this year,” according to the Guardian report.

Complicating matters further are mixed signals coming from Iran regarding the status of the waterway.

While Iranian Foreign Ministry officials have insisted that the Strait of Hormuz remains open and that shipping is proceeding normally, statements from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps have painted a far different picture, suggesting that access remains subject to strict conditions.

According to reports, an IRGC message broadcast over maritime radio channels warned vessels against entering the strait until Tehran’s demands are met.

“Since Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon, the complete lifting of the naval blockade, and the withdrawal of American terrorist forces from the Persian Gulf and the region are among the main conditions of the agreement between Iran and the United States, the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until these conditions are met,” that Revolutionary Guards statement said. “All ships are requested, for the sake of their security and safety, not to approach the Strait of Hormuz.

“Any vessel that defies this directive will be targeted.”

Those warnings stand in sharp contrast to the Trump administration’s public assessment of the situation.

Trump has repeatedly stated that the maritime passage has reopened under the ceasefire framework and that commercial energy shipments are once again moving through the region. Administration officials have similarly described shipping activity as resuming.

The president has characterized the waterway as “completely open” and “safe” for international commerce, arguing that the agreement has restored stability to a critical global trade route.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei also sought to reassure shipping companies and trading partners.

“Iran has taken the necessary measures to ensure the safe passage of merchant ships through the Strait of Hormuz, in accordance with the memorandum of understanding on the end of the war, and maritime traffic continues on this route,” he said.

Despite those assurances, shipping activity remains far below normal levels.

Industry data show that vessel traffic has recovered somewhat from wartime lows, with roughly 25 ships now passing through the strait each day. However, that figure remains dramatically below the pre-crisis average of approximately 125 to 140 daily transits.

At the height of the disruption, traffic reportedly fell to only a handful of ships per day as insurers, shipping companies, and energy traders pulled back amid fears of naval mines, electronic interference, and broader regional conflict.

Even as traffic gradually rebounds, many major shipping firms remain cautious. Insurance costs continue to reflect elevated risks, while some operators are still rerouting vessels or delaying voyages until security conditions improve further.

The stakes remain enormous. The Strait of Hormuz serves as one of the most important energy chokepoints on earth, carrying roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil supply along with a significant portion of global liquefied natural gas exports. Until the remaining security threats are eliminated, industry leaders warn that a full return to normal operations remains far from certain.

{Matzav.com}

The Trump administration is developing a financial arrangement with Qatar that would allow Iran to access approximately $6 billion in frozen oil revenues for the purchase of food, medicine, and other humanitarian supplies, marking one of the first tangible incentives included in the 14-point memorandum of understanding signed this week between Washington and Tehran.

According to individuals familiar with the negotiations, the proposal remains incomplete and still requires approval from Iranian officials. Under the framework being discussed, transactions would be conducted through Iran’s central bank, creating a model that could eventually be expanded to unlock portions of the estimated $100 billion in Iranian assets frozen around the world.

The initiative would release funds that Tehran has spent years demanding access to and represents one of the most significant economic elements of the new agreement.

Iranian officials are reportedly pressing for substantially larger sums. Tehran is seeking at least $24 billion in initial asset releases, while state-linked media outlets have indicated that Iranian leaders expect roughly $12 billion to become available during the 60-day interim period established by the agreement, with future payments dependent on progress in negotiations.

As part of the memorandum, the United States agreed to work toward making Iran’s frozen assets available for use and to establish a mechanism governing how those funds would be released.

The proposed Qatar-based channel is not without precedent.

In 2023, the Biden administration authorized the transfer of $6 billion in Iranian oil proceeds from South Korea to accounts in Qatar as part of a prisoner exchange agreement. Following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, however, those funds were frozen once again.

Efforts to revive discussions surrounding the money gained momentum in late May when Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf traveled to Doha with a delegation, helping pave the way for this month’s broader agreement between the United States and Iran.

The financial negotiations are unfolding even as tensions surrounding the deal continue to mount.

Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who assumed power following the assassination of his father earlier this year, criticized the agreement on Thursday in a series of posts on X, arguing that President Trump had sought the deal from a position of weakness and saying he approved it only after receiving assurances from Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Trump responded forcefully the following day on Truth Social.

“We didn’t meet out of desperation, Iran did. They are FINISHED! We’ll play out the 60 days. They get no money, not ten cents!”

Meanwhile, one of the key foundations of the agreement remains in doubt as the Strait of Hormuz continues to face disruptions.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has stated that the strategic waterway will remain closed as long as Israeli military operations continue in southern Lebanon. At the same time, Swiss officials confirmed that the next round of U.S.-Iran negotiations scheduled to take place in Burgenstock has been postponed.

Vice President JD Vance had been expected to head the American delegation at those talks but ultimately did not make the trip. The White House attributed the change to logistical complications.

The prospect of releasing billions of dollars to Tehran has generated criticism from both Republicans and Democrats, many of whom argue that Iran is being rewarded before making any verifiable concessions regarding its nuclear program.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer was among the deal’s most vocal critics, saying the United States “is worse off than before the war started,” and characterizing the agreement as a surrender to Iranian demands.

Supporters of the administration’s approach argue that the proposed mechanism contains strict safeguards. They note that the funds would be limited to humanitarian purchases exempt from sanctions, that Washington would be able to monitor how the money is spent, and that any future asset releases would remain tied to Iranian compliance with obligations outlined in the memorandum, including requirements related to enriched uranium.

As of Saturday, the U.S. Treasury Department had not publicly issued any waiver authorizing the release of additional funds from the Qatari accounts, leaving the future of the plan uncertain as negotiations continue.

{Matzav.com}

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is reportedly weighing his future and could announce plans to step down as early as Monday, according to multiple reports, although allies insist he remains fully focused on leading the government.

Reports indicate that Starmer has been privately discussing his next steps with his wife, Victoria, and is considering a timeline for departing 10 Downing Street. Sources cited by The Observer claim an announcement regarding his future could come in the coming days.

The speculation intensified after political rival Andy Burnham secured a seat in Parliament in a special election in Greater Manchester, strengthening his position within the Labour Party and fueling talk of a potential leadership challenge.

Despite the growing rumors, a senior government official pushed back strongly on suggestions that Starmer is preparing to leave office, telling Reuters that the prime minister remains concentrated on governing and has no plans to step aside.

According to reports, Burnham enjoys the backing of more than half of Labour’s parliamentary members and is viewed by many within the party as a viable alternative to Starmer. The two politicians are expected to meet next week amid mounting questions about Labour’s future direction.

“Keir has realised the game is up and it’s got to be a graceful exit,” a senior Labour figure told Reuters The Observer.

“What he rightly wants to avoid is humiliation, but the worst humiliation for Keir personally would be if he stands in a leadership election and is heavily beaten.”

Burnham, who served as Mayor of Greater Manchester from 2017 until 2026, has undergone a significant political evolution. Once associated with Labour’s centrist, business-friendly wing, he has increasingly embraced a populist style and has become known for his street-level social media presence and direct voter engagement.

In the recent special election, Burnham captured 55 percent of the vote, delivering a decisive victory over Labour’s principal challenger, the Reform Party, led by Nigel Farage.

Starmer’s government has struggled with declining public support as Britain continues to grapple with economic pressures and immigration concerns, issues that have weighed heavily on his approval ratings.

The prime minister has also found himself at odds with President Donald Trump on several major international issues, particularly following Britain’s decision not to participate in offensive military operations during the conflict involving Iran.

“I’m not happy with the UK either… this is not Winston Churchill that we’re dealing with,” Trump said of Starmer in March after tensions between the two leaders came to a boil.

Trump’s frustration reportedly centered on Starmer’s reluctance to allow American military aircraft to launch operations from the joint U.S.-U.K. base at Diego Garcia and other British facilities in the region.

Although Britain eventually granted access to Diego Garcia, the decision came only after significant public criticism from the president.

“We were not involved in the initial strikes against Iran, and we will not join offensive action now. But in the face of Iran’s barrage of missiles and ⁠drones, we will protect our people in the region,” Starmer said in March.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump suggested that Cuba could become the next major focus of U.S. policy in the Western Hemisphere, saying it is entirely possible that the communist-run island could see developments similar to the administration’s recent efforts involving Venezuela.

Speaking in an interview with Axios, Trump was asked whether the White House might pursue a Cuba strategy resembling its approach toward Venezuela. The president responded by leaving the door wide open.

“Possibly. It’s possible,” Trump said.

Trump noted that both Cuba and Venezuela are located close to the United States, making them very different from overseas challenges such as Iran.

“These places are close by. Whereas if you look at Iran, that’s a very long trip,” Trump said.

“Venezuela is relatively close and Cuba is a hopscotch.”

The president also pointed to what he considers a significant difference between the two countries, emphasizing Venezuela’s vast oil reserves while noting Cuba lacks similar natural resources.

“Venezuela has oil. Cuba doesn’t,” he said.

“Cuba has a nice property and they have nice shoreline,” Trump said.

The remarks came as Trump indicated that Cuban officials are eager to improve ties with Washington and are seeking greater engagement with the United States.

“Cuba wants to talk very badly,” he said.

Trump added that Secretary of State Marco Rubio would likely take the lead in any future discussions between the two countries.

“We’re going to have Marco get involved,” Trump said.

Rubio, whose family fled Cuba after the communist revolution, has long been one of the administration’s strongest advocates for a tough stance toward both Havana and Caracas. He has consistently argued for maintaining pressure on the two governments while supporting opposition movements throughout the region.

While Trump declined to provide details about what a future Cuba initiative might look like, his comments signaled that the administration is increasingly viewing Cuba and Venezuela through the same strategic lens as it considers its next diplomatic and economic moves in the Western Hemisphere.

{Matzav.com}

Rav Yitzchak Yosef, the former Rishon LeTzion and nosi of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah of Shas, sharply criticized police conduct toward chareidi protesters during his weekly Motzoei Shabbos shiur at the Yazdim Shul in Yerushalayim, expressing anguish over reports of violence against bnei Torah and linking the treatment of yeshivah students to broader challenges facing Israel.

Addressing those gathered, Rav Yosef spoke emotionally about what he described as police mistreatment of bnei yeshivah, saying it becomes difficult to bring people closer to Torah when such hostility exists.

“It is very difficult to bring close police officers who have such hatred of Israel, who brutally beat bnei Torah, humiliate and degrade them, and tear their pants. It is very difficult to bring them close. It pains us because we want to bring people back to teshuvah. Someone showed me what they are doing, and it hurt me. Why did it hurt me? Because we want to bring them back to teshuvah.”

Rav Yosef said that outreach efforts among secular Israelis are often successful because many are searching for deeper meaning in life.

“We go to secular Jews and speak with them, and they listen. They want to return to teshuvah. They feel emptiness. All day long they pursue the desires of this world—eating, drinking, and all the pleasures of this world. They feel emptiness, and we want to bring them back to teshuvah. But when you see things like this, when people are beaten so severely, what do they want from us?”

Turning to the issue of yeshivah students and military service, Rav Yosef noted that bnei yeshivah had long received exemptions dating back to the era of Israel’s founding, emphasizing the spiritual protection provided by Torah study.

“These are yeshivah students who, from the time of Ben-Gurion, were exempted. They were exempt and engaged in Torah study. The Torah protects us. Did Trump suddenly turn against us for no reason? Why did he turn? Because of the decrees being carried out against bnei Torah. That is why he turned against us.”

The Rishon LeTzion also directed criticism toward Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, whom he referred to as “Jezebel,” suggesting that the policies being implemented against yeshivah students originate from her office.

“Instead of strengthening bnei Torah—what kind of logic is this? Instead of strengthening them, stop making arrests. This woman, the attorney general, this wicked Jezebel, is she the one giving these instructions? These police officers are unfortunate; they are in the category of a tinok shenishbah. What do they know? But it becomes difficult to bring them back to teshuvah. You see the hatred they have, tearing clothing, beating young children, injuring them. It is difficult to witness these things. May Hashem bring them back to teshuvah.”

At the same time, Rav Yosef stressed that his criticism was not directed at all police officers and cautioned against broad generalizations.

“But not all of Klal Yisroel is like that. How many police officers are like this? Not all police are the same. I used to speak frequently to police officers. They would occasionally organize gatherings, and I would come and speak. They listened respectfully. They do not all hate us. There is apparently some group—I do not know—that has been influenced by this Izevel, and they go out and beat yeshivah students. But Klal Yisroel is fundamentally good.”

{Matzav.com}

A controversial social media post by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has ignited an international firestorm, drawing more than 17 million views on X and prompting Iranian officials to use his comments as ammunition in their campaign against Israel following the deaths of four IDF soldiers in southern Lebanon.

The post came in the wake of a devastating incident in southern Lebanon in which four Israeli soldiers were killed, including Lt. Col. Dor Gedalia Ben Shimon, commander of the 52nd Armored Battalion. The attack is considered one of the deadliest events on the northern front since hostilities resumed.

At the time Ben Gvir made his remarks, the circumstances surrounding the incident were still under investigation. According to reports, Ben Shimon and three fellow armored corps soldiers were killed during operations in southern Lebanon, and the IDF continues to examine exactly what transpired.

Reacting to the tragedy, Ben Gvir wrote on X: “For every tear shed by an Israeli mother, a thousand Lebanese mothers should cry. All of Lebanon should burn.” He later said he had told Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu that “in the Middle East, victories are not achieved through measured responses and restraint,” and called for Israel to “defeat terrorism.”

The comments quickly spread across international media outlets and generated fierce reactions both in Israel and abroad.

X determined that the post violated the platform’s rules but chose not to remove it, citing its public significance and news value. Instead, the platform restricted visibility, requiring users to click through a warning screen before viewing the post.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was among the first foreign officials to capitalize on the controversy. He shared a screenshot of Ben Gvir’s post and argued that the statement was not the view of a fringe figure but that of a senior member of the Israeli government.

Araghchi accused Israel of pursuing a policy of “perpetual war,” using Ben Gvir’s remarks to support Tehran’s narrative against the Jewish state. His response highlighted how a domestic political controversy rapidly became part of a broader international propaganda battle amid escalating regional tensions.

{Matzav.com}

A wave of excitement is sweeping through New York’s Torah community ahead of the arrival of Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, Slabodka rosh yeshiva, who departed for the United States on Motzoei Shabbos to participate in a series of events marking the culmination of the Keren Olam HaTorah campaign.

The campaign has been underway for the past two weeks with the participation of numerous leading gedolei Yisroel. Rav Hirsch was initially unable to join due to a family simcha, the wedding of his granddaughter. However, following repeated requests from prominent leaders across the United States, the Rosh Yeshivah agreed to participate in the campaign’s closing events. His visit will be brief, lasting approximately three days.

On Erev Shabbos, an emotional Tzeischem L’Shalom gathering was held at Rav Hirsch’s home, attended by dozens of roshei kollel representing tens of thousands of avreichim throughout Eretz Yisroel. The leaders came specifically to bid farewell to the Rosh Yeshivah ahead of his departure for America.

During the gathering, the roshei kollel expressed their appreciation to Rav Hirsch for the enormous effort he has invested in establishing Keren Olam HaTorah and for his tireless work, together with other gedolei Yisroel, to defend the Torah world against various challenges and decrees. They also thanked him for his dedication to raising critical support from Jewish communities around the globe to sustain Torah learning in Eretz Yisroel. At the conclusion of the event, the rabbanim offered heartfelt blessings for a successful journey as he prepared to leave on Motzoei Shabbos for the campaign’s concluding events.

Addressing the gathering was Rav Sholom Ber Sorotzkin, Rosh Yeshivah of Ateres Shlomo, who spoke passionately about the significance of the moment and the challenges facing the honor of Torah even within the Jewish community itself.

Rav Sorotzkin emphasized that Rav Hirsch’s journey is not merely an effort to secure financial support. Rather, he said, it is an effort to ensure the continued existence of the modern-day “ochlei haman“—the avreichim and bnei yeshivah who devote themselves entirely to Torah study. He stressed the importance of enabling them to continue learning without distraction so that Torah can remain fully integrated into their very being.

Concluding his remarks, Rav Sorotzkin spoke about the tremendous obligation of hakaras hatov owed by all bnei Torah to the gedolei Yisroel who have demonstrated extraordinary mesirus nefesh on behalf of the Torah world. He noted that it is virtually unprecedented for Torah leaders of such advanced age to undertake such demanding efforts for the benefit of the broader community. He expressed hope that the public declaration before the entire world of the value and honor of Torah would serve to strengthen and inspire Torah learners everywhere.

{Matzav.com}

The residents of Yerushalayim’s Kiryat Mattersdorf neighborhood were plunged into mourning on Motzoei Shabbos with the passing of Rav Yaakov Meshulam Zalman Kruger zt”l, longtime Av Beis Din of Kehillas Chaim and one of the city’s most respected rabbinic figures. He was 95 years old.

Rav Kruger was renowned for decades as the rov of Kehillas Chaim, whose beis medrash is located on Rechov Panim Meiros in Kiryat Mattersdorf. Through his Torah scholarship, guidance, and leadership, he became a beloved figure to generations of mispallelim and neighborhood residents who regularly sought his counsel and attended his shiurim.

He was the son of Rav Chaim Tzvi Kruger zt”l, the Av Beis Din of Brussels, Belgium, and a prominent leader within the Agudas Harabbonim of the United States. Following in his father’s footsteps, Rav Kruger devoted his life to Torah, communal leadership, and tzorchei tzibbur.

Over the years, his beis medrash served as a center of Torah and tefillah, drawing many who were inspired by his wisdom, warmth, and deep understanding of both halachic and communal matters. He was widely admired throughout Yerushalayim and beyond for his humility and dedication to the needs of others.

Rav Kruger is survived by a distinguished family of children and descendants who continue his legacy of Torah and chessed. Among them is his son, the noted philanthropist and communal activist Reb Akiva Kruger, a prominent Belzer chossid in Montreal, Canada, who is well known for his extensive support of Torah institutions and charitable causes in Eretz Yisroel and throughout the Diaspora.

The levayah was held tonight at the Kehillas Chaim beis medrash at 18 Panim Meiros Street in Yerushalayim, proceeding to Har Hamenuchos for kevurah.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

Vice President JD Vance arrived in Switzerland today to lead a pivotal round of direct negotiations with Iranian officials, as the United States and Iran begin a crucial 60-day effort aimed at addressing Tehran’s nuclear program and easing regional tensions.

The talks are scheduled to officially begin Sunday at the Bürgenstock resort in the Swiss Alps and represent the first in-person meeting between senior American and Iranian representatives since discussions held in Islamabad in April. The gathering is expected to set the tone for an intensive diplomatic process over the coming two months.

The negotiations are taking place against a tense backdrop. Earlier today, Iran announced that it was closing the Strait of Hormuz, citing what it described as Israeli violations of the Lebanon ceasefire agreement.

Before departing Washington, Vance acknowledged the challenges surrounding the talks but expressed optimism about the possibility of achieving progress on several fronts.

“I think we’re going to hopefully make progress on the nuclear issue, make progress on the Lebanon ceasefire issue. Those are the two big things that I think we’re to be focused on.”

Preparations for the summit began early today when White House representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner reached the venue. Later, the Iranian delegation arrived, headed by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf.

Several key international figures are also participating in a mediation capacity, including the prime ministers of Qatar and Pakistan, Pakistan’s senior military commander, and the director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

According to Vance, the initial discussions will focus primarily on establishing the framework for future negotiations rather than immediately tackling every substantive issue. He said he expects to remain in Switzerland for the opening phase of the talks, while expert teams will continue working after his departure.

“getting the actual structure and negotiation in place,”

Sources familiar with the discussions told Axios that one of Washington’s top priorities is obtaining Iran’s formal consent for United Nations inspectors to return to the country’s nuclear facilities. Those sites were previously targeted during joint American and Israeli military operations.

If Iran agrees to allow inspections to resume—the first such access since June 2025—the United States is reportedly prepared to release a frozen Iranian account containing $6 billion that is earmarked for humanitarian purchases through Qatar.

Witkoff informed members of Congress last week that Iranian officials have signaled a willingness to permit renewed access for inspectors from the UN’s nuclear watchdog agency.

Iran has thus far refused to disclose the status and location of nuclear materials monitored by the IAEA and has prevented inspectors from evaluating facilities damaged during military strikes.

A previous understanding reached between Tehran and the IAEA last September, which was designed to restart inspections and track uranium stockpiles, collapsed after Britain, France, and Germany initiated the reimposition of United Nations sanctions that had been lifted under the 2015 nuclear accord. Iran subsequently declared the arrangement invalid.

Meanwhile, although Israel and Hezbollah announced a renewed commitment to a ceasefire today, uncertainty remains high after a similar agreement unraveled within hours on Friday. Despite fears that renewed fighting could jeopardize the Swiss negotiations, Vance suggested there are signs of improvement.

“Despite the headlines, things are actually getting better there, and things are slowing down a little bit. It’s going to be something we’re just going to have to continuously manage to ensure that Israel and Lebanon are both safe and secure,” Vance concluded.

{Matzav.com}

Former President Barack Hussein Obama argued that the United States may have come out of its conflict with Iran in a weaker position than before the fighting began, criticizing President Donald Trump’s decision to pursue military action and questioning whether the war accomplished any meaningful objectives.

Speaking in an interview with NBC ahead of the opening of the Obama Presidential Center, Obama reflected on the recently signed memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran. He contended that the war exacted a heavy price in lives, military resources, and taxpayer dollars while failing to fundamentally alter the situation.

“We’ve now fought a war, spent billions and billions of dollars, put enormous strain on our military. A lot of people have died,” Obama said. “And it feels like we’re back where we were before we started the war, except maybe a little bit worse off.”

Obama made the remarks during a conversation with NBC host Craig Melvin, who asked him about the ceasefire arrangement and broader agreement reached between the United States and Iran.

“I am very happy to see a ceasefire, and I’m hopeful that it holds,” Obama said, while expressing doubts about the necessity of the war.

The former commander-in-chief also defended the nuclear accord reached with Iran during his administration in 2015, arguing that it had successfully secured commitments from the Iranian regime regarding its nuclear ambitions.

“Iran had agreed not to develop nuclear weapons,” Obama said, adding that the Trump administration’s withdrawal from the agreement in 2018 contributed to Iran expanding its nuclear capabilities.

Obama further noted that the new understanding negotiated by Washington and Tehran leaves significant questions unresolved, particularly concerning the long-term future of Iran’s nuclear program. Under the terms of the memorandum signed by Trump, negotiators reportedly have 60 days to work toward a more comprehensive agreement intended to permanently end the conflict.

The discussion also turned to the launch of the Obama Presidential Center, which Obama described as a project designed to promote civic engagement and reinforce faith in democratic institutions.

According to Obama, the nation is navigating a period marked by deep political divisions and widespread uncertainty, with many Americans losing confidence in government and public institutions. He said the center is intended to remind citizens that they still possess the power to influence the direction of the country.

“We all have the capacity to feel a civic responsibility to make sure our government works,” he said. “We all play a part in assuring that our elected officials are accountable.”

{Matzav.com}

The IDF on Motzoei Shabbos released the names of three soldiers who were killed during fierce fighting against Hezbollah terrorists in southern Lebanon earlier this week, as additional details emerged about the deadly attacks that claimed their lives.

Among those killed was Staff Sergeant Yoav Klein, 21, of Herzliya, a soldier in the 52nd Battalion of the 401st Brigade, who fell during combat operations in southern Lebanon.

Reacting to the devastating news, Herzliya Mayor Yariv Fisher said: “Once again, our hearts break with deep sorrow, and with great pain, we were informed of the fall of Yoav Klein, of blessed memory, a Herzliya native and a graduate of Hayovel High School. Only three years ago, he was still a student at the school. A young man with an entire future ahead of him, a talented and beloved basketball player, who grew up in our city and chose to go out and defend the country and all of us. I send my heartfelt embrace to his parents, Eran and Einat, his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing Yoav.”

Fisher continued: “There are no words that can console such a loss, and there is no greater pain than that of parents forced to part with their son. Herzliya bows its head today. We will remember Yoav, his smile, his path, and his tremendous sacrifice. May his memory be blessed.”

Also killed in the same battle was Staff Sergeant Liav Kababia, 20, of Hod Hasharon, who likewise served in the 52nd Battalion of the 401st Brigade.

According to an initial report by Kan News, the attack that claimed the lives of Klein and Kababia involved a sophisticated Hezbollah assault combining anti-tank missile fire with an explosive drone strike directed at their tank.

The incident occurred while forces from the 36th Division were operating in the Ali Taher Ridge area south of Nabatieh. Preliminary investigations indicate that after the tank sustained a direct anti-tank missile hit, an armed drone carrying what appeared to be anti-tank explosives entered through the vehicle’s rear passageway and exploded inside the tank.

In the same attack that killed Staff Sergeants Yoav Klein and Liav Kababia, LTC Dor Gedalia Ben Simhon and two additional soldiers whose identities have not yet been authorized for publication were also killed.

The IDF also announced the death of Sergeant First Class Nir Ben Ari, 21, of Kerem Maharal, a soldier in the Maglan Unit of the Commando Brigade, who was killed in a separate combat incident in southern Lebanon.

Ben Ari served as his company’s logistics officer and was expected to begin his discharge leave at the end of the month.

Two other soldiers sustained serious wounds in the attack that killed Ben Ari, while an IDF officer was moderately injured.

A lifelong resident of Kerem Maharal, Ben Ari is survived by his brothers, Guy and Shay, and his sister, Shir. He was just nine days away from celebrating his 22nd birthday.

Remembering him, family members said he “loved life, his family, and his friends. He had a special bond with his two brothers and sister Shir. He was a boy with an incredible presence. Always happy. Always surrounded by friends. He was a very strong child, both physically and mentally. He was first in everything.”

Family friend Nir Baruch described the plans Ben Ari had before his life was cut short. “At the beginning of the week, he had a motorcycle test scheduled. He had a flight ticket to Thailand for mid-August,” Baruch said. “Just yesterday he was still at home but chose to return to his friends and enter Lebanon.”

Assaf Izak, head of the Hof Hacarmel Regional Council, paid tribute to the fallen soldier, saying: “Nir was the the best of our sons in every sense – a young man of values who excelled in his studies, an athlete, a fighter, and a commander. Above all, he was a person who loved life, his family, and his friends, and was always surrounded by people drawn to his light, joy, and unique presence. Nir was at the threshold of a new chapter in his life, with countless plans, dreams, and a promising future that was cruelly cut short.”

Alfa Weinberger, principal of Kfar Galim High School, where Ben Ari studied, also mourned his loss. “Nir completed his studies in 2022, focusing on biology and physics. His family is an inseparable part of us,” she wrote.

Referring to another recent tragedy, Weinberger noted that Staff Sergeant Noam Hamburger, also a graduate of Kfar Galim, was killed by an explosive drone in southern Lebanon last month. She added: “This is a second and unbearable loss for our community. Our hearts break at the young lives that were cut short and the immense pain of their families.”

The wounded soldiers from the incident involving Ben Ari were evacuated to hospitals for treatment, and their families were informed of their conditions.

{Matzav.com}

A former U.S. Olympian has been arrested in connection with alleged vandalism at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, a high-profile incident that prompted a sharp response from President Donald Trump and an ongoing federal investigation into damage at one of the nation’s most iconic landmarks.

David Hearn, a three-time Olympic canoeist, was taken into custody Friday after authorities accused him of damaging part of the recently renovated Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C.

According to Hearn, he was riding his bicycle near the memorial when he noticed what appeared to be a section of the pool’s liner floating loose in the water and stopped to investigate.

The arrest came as Trump announced that authorities had detained multiple individuals in connection with what he described as extensive damage to the memorial site.

“What these terrible Vandals [sic] have done is a true affront to both Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, and should be dealt with accordingly,” Trump posted on Truth Social today.

Trump alleged that vandals had poured harmful chemicals into the Reflecting Pool, causing significant damage and necessitating repairs that will require the water to be drained.

“The Reflecting Pool was never so beautiful as it was just one week ago, even going back to 1922 when it opened. We are very proud of what we have done with this magnificent structure, and we will get it repaired, quickly, to an equal level of Beauty,” Trump wrote.

The president blamed the damage on vandals, noting that it occurred only weeks after the completion of a $14.8 million restoration effort. He pledged that the site would be restored as rapidly as possible.

Investigators are also examining vandalism elsewhere on the National Mall, where large markings displaying the numbers “86 47” were etched into the grass.

The phrase gained national attention after former FBI Director James Comey posted an image of the numbers arranged with seashells on Instagram in May 2025.

Comey was later indicted on allegations that the message constituted a threat against President Trump. The term “86” is commonly used in restaurant slang to indicate that something should be removed or thrown out.

Hearn, 67, maintains that he committed no crime and told The Washington Post that he merely touched a piece of material that had already come loose from the pool.

Video footage of the incident spread rapidly online, showing Hearn appearing confused as members of the National Guard approached him before U.S. Park Police placed him under arrest.

“I didn’t vandalize anything,” Hearn told The Washington Post.

“I didn’t destroy or break or peel anything. By the time I realized what was going on, I was being put in handcuffs,” he said.

“I reached in there, and I was able to grab the end of that flapping piece, the already peeling piece. It was still attached to the bottom. I didn’t remove anything,” he explained.

The Bethesda, Maryland, resident said he was drawn to the Reflecting Pool because of its recently installed “American flag blue” liner, which has reportedly experienced deterioration amid an ongoing algae problem.

Hearn is one of the most accomplished canoeists in American history. He represented the United States in the Whitewater Slalom Canoe competition at the 1992, 1996, and 2000 Summer Olympics.

His international résumé also includes world championship gold medals in 1985 and 1995, along with five silver-medal finishes at the world level.

In recognition of his achievements, Hearn was named USA Canoe/Kayak Male Athlete of the Year in 1995.

According to reports, he spent nearly five hours in custody at a U.S. Park Police facility in Hains Point before being released.

Hearn is scheduled to appear in D.C. Superior Court on July 9, where he will face a misdemeanor charge of destruction of government property.

{Matzav.com}

The following editorial appears in the New York Post:

As he prepared to sign his “memorandum of understanding” with the Islamic dictatorship of Iran, President Trump again insisted that his deal was much different than that of his predecessor, President Barack Obama.

He’s right — it’s probably worse.

Obama’s treaty did not prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, it simply punted the issue down the road in exchange for cash.

Trump’s agreement has the same vague promises, the same payouts, but with the added twist that Iran can and will take the world hostage by shutting the Strait of Hormuz at will.

On Friday, just days after the signing of the MOU, Iran moved to close the Strait, saying no ships could cross without its permission and suggesting that “insurance fees” must be paid.

This isn’t in violation of the deal.

This is part of the deal.

Point No. 5: “The Islamic Republic of Iran will conduct dialog with the Sultanate of Oman to define the future administration and maritime services in the Strait of Hormuz.”

Why would opening the door for “administration” of a previously free international waterway even be part this agreement?

How is this in any way the “unconditional surrender” Trump described?

The deal contains just one condition Trump previously said was required of Iran.

It’s No. 7: “Islamic Republic of Iran reaffirms that it shall not procure or develop nuclear weapons.”

“Reaffirm” — because that’s what Iran has always claimed.

If they suddenly mean it, it would be a win.

The rest of the 14-point plan is almost entirely about what Iran gets: Immediate sanctions relief on exported oil.

Protection of Hezbollah from Israeli attack.

And the possibility of a $300 billion reconstruction fund if all goes well with the next round of talks.

No mention of Iran reining in its terror proxies in Gaza, Lebanon and Yemen.

No restriction on conventional weapons.

No mechanism to surrender the enriched uranium it has already created.

No regime change or mercy for protesters.

Trump had claimed Iran was days away from economic collapse because of the blockade.

He said Iran’s navy and air force were “decimated.”

This is the best deal we could get with the leverage we had?

The president hasn’t just moved the goalposts, he’s changed the sport, the venue and the rules simply to declare a win.

This isn’t what Trump’s voters want, despite the claims of the Tucker Carlson’s of the world.

Among self-identified MAGA Republicans, 51% favor regime change, while 25% back a negotiated settlement, according to a new Reagan Institute Summer Survey.

This shouldn’t be about the podcasters, it’s about the people.

Trump is betraying his base — and his allies.

Speaking of allies, Vice President J.D. Vance responded to Israeli criticism of the deal with a thuggish threat, suggesting they not attack “the only powerful ally [they] have anywhere left in the entire world.”

Israel has been a staunch defender of American interests in the region.

Vance pays them back with a “nice country you have there, shame if anything happened to it”?

This comes on the heel of Trump needlessly insulting Italian Prime ​Minister Giorgia Meloni and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth looking for ways to weaken Europe.

What’s the plan here?

Make sure we have no friends left?

The administration says the MOU is just a first step.

Iran won’t get full sanctions relief unless it agrees to a larger deal over the next 60 days.

But Iran has already delayed negotiations, with Vance cancelling a trip to Switzerland.

The more time that passes, the more Iran realizes that the threat of renewed US strikes is a fiction.

They can “tap us along” until the midterms and beyond.

Trump is already signaling as much, by ridiculously claiming the son of the ayatollah taking over is “regime change” and the MOU is a victory.

Your voters aren’t buying it, Mr. President.

This memorandum is not the end, and the first sign of betrayal by Iran must be treated as the last — with renewed action to stop its evil.

Already, Iran has shown it will leverage the Strait and blackmail the world once US ships have left.

This cannot be allowed.

Don’t make the same mistake Obama did.

{Matzav.com}

Rav Yitzchok Zilberstein addressed growing confusion over President Donald Trump’s recent policy shift toward Israel, suggesting that the unusual developments may be part of the turbulent period preceding the arrival of Moshiach.

The remarks were delivered Thursday night following his regular shiur for physicians and rabbanim at Mayanei Hayeshua Medical Center, after attendees asked him about the widespread uncertainty many people have been feeling in light of recent events.

Participants in the shiur expressed concern about what they described as a series of troubling developments.

“The public is very confused,” they told Rav Zilberstein. “Trump is changing direction, there are troubles with the arrests of yeshivah bochurim, and people feel that everyone is against us. How is it that Trump, who until now was on our side, has suddenly become against us?”

Responding to the question, Rav Zilberstein said: “Yes, yes, apparently Moshiach needs to come. We all know what is stated among the curses: ‘And you shall be driven mad by the sight that your eyes shall see.’”

He went on to explain that the apparent reversal by a leader widely viewed as a strong friend of Israel naturally creates a sense of bewilderment and disbelief.

“This is called that we are driven mad by what our eyes see,” he said. “When one sees such astonishing things, to see such a great friend who was so supportive of us, who helped us so much, and even whose daughter converted—and now something has happened and he has become against us. This is a certain manifestation of what is written among the curses: ‘And you shall be driven mad by the sight that your eyes shall see.’”

Following the shiur, Rav Zilberstein referenced the writings of Rav Elchanan Wasserman Hy”d regarding Ikvesa D’Meshicha, the era preceding the arrival of Moshiach. Rav Elchanan described a time when events unfold with extraordinary speed and people are left stunned by the rapid changes taking place around them.

When asked whether the current developments could be connected to the campaign against the Torah world and the arrests of yeshivah students in Eretz Yisroel, Rav Zilberstein replied: “Everything could be true. We need to ask the great leaders of the nation.”

As the gathering concluded, participants requested words of encouragement and hope for imminent salvation. Rav Zilberstein again pointed to the Torah’s description of a period of confusion before redemption.

“That is clear. The Torah says, ‘And you shall be driven mad by the sight that your eyes shall see.’ This is the time now. Certainly the salvation will come here.”

According to the “Siach Yitzchok” hotline, which disseminates Rav Zilberstein’s Torah teachings, the rov also recently responded to someone who had cursed the President of the United States over the agreement with Iran.

Rav Zilberstein strongly objected, saying: “I am not prepared to hear expressions like that. He always did many good things for the Jews, and even toward a non-Jew one must show gratitude. Therefore, even if he has now changed in a puzzling way, this is still not the way to speak about him.”

{Matzav.com}

A sharp confrontation unfolded at the United Nations Security Council as Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon accused senior UN officials of ignoring Hamas’s role in the humanitarian crisis in Gaza while directing criticism at Israel.

The dispute centered on remarks by Tom Fletcher, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, during a discussion on conditions in the Gaza Strip. Danon challenged Fletcher for focusing on obstacles to aid deliveries while, he said, failing to address the role of Hamas.

Addressing Fletcher directly during the session, Danon said: “You spoke about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, criticized Israel and described the obstacles to bringing in aid. But once again you failed to mention the biggest obstacle to improving the humanitarian situation—Hamas. Why do you refuse to call the problem by its name?”

The Israeli envoy went on to argue that no lasting improvement in Gaza is possible as long as Hamas remains armed and in control.

“The humanitarian situation will not improve, Gaza will not be rebuilt, and the war will not end as long as Hamas remains armed.”

His comments reflected Israel’s long-standing criticism that international organizations frequently overlook Hamas’s responsibility for conditions in Gaza while focusing disproportionately on Israeli actions.

Danon also used the session to press the United Nations for answers regarding the dismissal of dozens of employees from the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, commonly known as UNRWA.

Referring to the agency’s recent personnel actions, he said: “This week UNRWA fired 70 employees, citing ‘safety and security risks.'”

Questioning the explanation, Danon continued: “If there is no terrorism problem in UNRWA, then why exactly were 70 employees fired?”

The ambassador argued that Israel’s warnings about Hamas infiltration within UNRWA had been dismissed for years and said recent developments had validated those concerns.

“For years we warned that Hamas had infiltrated UNRWA. For years the UN denied it. Now even UNRWA is forced to dismiss its own employees. It is time to stop covering up reality and start providing answers.”

Danon’s remarks came amid renewed criticism by Israeli officials of the United Nations, including controversy surrounding comments by Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on Palestinian issues, who was accused by critics of responding dismissively to a bereaved Israeli mother whose daughter was killed during the October 7 massacre.

The dispute also follows a series of recent Israeli measures targeting UNRWA. In recent weeks, Israel has taken steps against the agency, including cutting water and electricity infrastructure connected to its offices in Yerushalayim, after what Israeli officials say was evidence linking some agency employees to Hamas.

The latest exchange at the Security Council highlighted the continuing tensions between Israel and various UN bodies, with Israeli officials accusing the organization of anti-Israel bias and of failing to adequately confront Hamas’s activities in Gaza.

{Matzav.com}

Singer-songwriter Yonatan Razel was released Friday morning from Shaare Zedek Medical Center and returned home in good condition after spending several weeks hospitalized following a brain hemorrhage.

The Yerushalayim hospital announced that Razel had completed his hospitalization and was continuing his recovery at home after receiving treatment for the serious medical condition.

According to the medical center, Razel underwent extensive supportive care throughout his stay from multiple teams within Shaare Zedek’s neurological services. His treatment involved doctors and nurses from the Neurological Intensive Care Unit led by Dr. Stefan Mausbach, working together with the Neuro-Radiology Unit headed by Dr. Yaakov Amsalem, as well as the medical and nursing staff of the Neurosurgery Department under the leadership of Dr. Nevo Margalit.

In a statement, the hospital said: “Thanks to the rapid and professional diagnosis and treatment Razel received immediately upon arriving at Shaare Zedek, along with comprehensive care throughout his hospitalization, he has returned to full and normal functioning.

“We congratulate Yonatan and his family on his discharge from the medical center and wish him complete health and continued creativity and contribution to our cultural world.”

Razel’s family also issued a statement expressing gratitude for his recovery and for the outpouring of support they received during the ordeal.

“We are filled with gratitude to Hakadosh Boruch Hu for the open miracles He has bestowed upon us. Thank you very much to the wonderful people of Israel for your prayers and concern for Yonatan’s well-being. And last but certainly not least, a special and heartfelt thank you to the entire staff of Shaare Zedek Medical Center, the doctors and nurses, for their devoted care.”

{Matzav.com}

As criticism mounts in Israel over the Trump administration’s understandings with Iran, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee publicly endorsed an argument that frames the move not as a retreat from Israel, but as a political calculation aimed at preserving Republican strength ahead of next year’s midterm elections.

According to journalist Ariel Kahana, Huckabee shared comments made by Mike Zell, chairman of the Republican Party in Israel, and wrote, “I couldn’t have said it better myself,” signaling agreement with the analysis.

In the statement cited by Huckabee, Zell argued that President Donald Trump has not altered his commitment to Israel despite concerns surrounding the recent U.S.-Iran understandings.

According to Zell, Trump “has not changed course or abandoned Israel,” and his support for the Jewish state and the Jewish people remains “unquestionable.”

Zell contended that the president’s decisions are being driven primarily by domestic political considerations, particularly the desire to secure Republican victories in the November midterm elections and prevent Democrats from regaining control of Congress.

He argued that Trump believes a Democratic-controlled Congress would spend the remainder of his term attempting to undermine his presidency through investigations, impeachment efforts, and obstruction of both foreign and domestic policy initiatives.

According to Zell’s analysis, American voters are generally more concerned with economic issues such as inflation, energy prices, food costs, and stock-market performance than with security developments in the Middle East.

For that reason, Zell suggested, Trump is seeking to pause the conflict with Iran for the time being in order to lower inflation, stabilize financial markets, and strengthen the economy heading into the election season. He added that this is how the president currently views America’s interests and noted that he personally agrees with that assessment.

Addressing the agreement itself, Zell argued that it should not be viewed as a final settlement but rather as an arrangement designed to facilitate negotiations while maintaining a ceasefire during the current phase.

He maintained that Trump still holds “all the cards” and retains the ability to determine the extent of future American pressure on Iran and its regional proxies.

From Israel’s perspective, Zell said the most important aspect of the arrangement is that Israel is not formally a party to the agreement. In his view, that leaves Israel free to take whatever steps it deems necessary to defend its interests in Lebanon, Syria, and even against Iran itself, whether by prior coordination or as circumstances develop.

At the same time, Zell made clear that he is not entirely satisfied with either the contents of the agreement or some of the rhetoric used by White House officials in defending it.

According to Zell, “this is politics in an election year,” but he stressed that, in his view, the fundamental relationship between Israel and the United States remains strong and unbreakable.

Huckabee’s public embrace of Zell’s analysis comes at a particularly sensitive moment in U.S.-Israel relations. The Trump administration’s agreement with Iran has generated significant criticism within Israel, while reports have emerged that American officials have warned Israeli leaders against publicly attacking the president over the issue.

At the same time, debate over the Iran understandings has not been limited to Israel. Reports from Washington indicate that some Republicans have also expressed reservations about the arrangement, even as White House officials continue presenting it as a policy designed first and foremost to advance American national interests.

{Matzav.com}