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Vice President JD Vance says federal investigators have uncovered a recurring pattern of fraud tied to certain migrant communities, as the Trump administration intensifies its nationwide effort to root out abuse in government benefit programs. According to Vance, investigators have already uncovered an estimated $230 billion in fraud, while suspending $55 billion in payments to individuals and organizations suspected of fraudulent activity.

Speaking in an interview with Fox News Digital from his West Wing office, Vance discussed his role leading President Trump’s anti-fraud task force and said investigators have repeatedly seen fraud spread within specific communities once weaknesses in government programs become known.

“You definitely see patterns where certain communities,” Vance said. “It’ll start as maybe one Somali person takes advantage of the system, or realizes you don’t even have to have children to get money from these programs. You could just claim that you have children, there’s no verification. Then, word spreads like wildfire, and that program gets tapped into by the same members of that community.”

In addition to overseeing negotiations with Iran and carrying out other White House responsibilities, Vance has been directing the administration’s anti-fraud initiative since earlier this year. The effort intensified following major fraud investigations in Minneapolis and is being coordinated with Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz and several federal agencies.

As part of the crackdown, federal payments have been suspended for hundreds of hospice and home healthcare providers in Minnesota and California that are suspected of fraud, while investigators continue examining similar operations in other states. Vance said the damage extends well beyond financial losses.

“The first and the most obvious victim is the American taxpayer,” Vance said. “You give your money to the federal government, and you expect the federal government, even if you disagree with the policy behind it, you expect that money to go to the people that it’s supposed to go to.”

He argued that fraudulent claims also deprive vulnerable Americans of services they legitimately need.

“When a new mom goes to apply for help for herself and her baby, the money isn’t there anymore,” Vance said.

“Or, you have autistic kids who benefit from services that are meant to go to the families of children with autism, and you have fraudsters who get rich off these programs,” he added. “Sometimes they don’t even have children, much less autistic children enrolled.”

Vance said investigators have identified approximately $230 billion in suspected fraud since President Trump returned to office and have prevented roughly $55 billion in federal payments from being distributed to suspected fraudsters.

The administration’s enforcement efforts continue to produce criminal cases. Last week, federal and state authorities charged 19 individuals accused of participating in schemes involving more than $4 million in fraudulent Medicare and Medicaid claims, according to the Department of Justice. Separately, Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced a plea agreement involving the final defendant in a previously charged 21-person case connected to more than $1.7 million in fraudulent claims.

While criminal prosecutions remain important, Vance acknowledged that recovering stolen taxpayer money is often far more difficult once it has already been paid out.

“Getting money back is very hard,” Vance said. “Once it’s gone out the door, it’s very hard to get it back.”

“What we’ve done most effectively is actually just stop the money from going out the door in the first place, because that’s the only real way to ensure the American people don’t lose it.”

Vance pointed to investigations that gained national attention late last year after independent journalist Nick Shirley published reports alleging widespread fraud involving daycare centers in Minnesota, including the “Quality Learing (sic) Center,” which he reported were largely operated by Somali immigrants.

Those reports prompted a federal response, with then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem deploying DHS and ICE personnel to Minneapolis to locate and deport Somali immigrants who were in the country illegally. The operation led to confrontations between federal agents and local residents and eventually sparked violent riots across the Twin Cities.

President Trump has assigned Vance an unusually broad portfolio for a vice president, including multiple diplomatic missions involving Iran and leadership of the White House anti-fraud initiative after appointing him the administration’s “Fraud Czar” in May.

Despite those responsibilities, Vance recently welcomed his fourth child with Second Lady Usha Vance, becoming the first sitting vice president in more than 150 years to have a child while in office.

“Kids have a way of forcing you to focus on them, even when things are crazy at work,” Vance said. “[I was] with my six-year-old this morning, who was making like zoo animal noises, and I was like, ‘Buddy, what are you doing?’ And he said, ‘I just want you to get off the stupid phone.’ And I said, ‘Alright, this can wait.'”

Vance said fatherhood helps keep him grounded despite the demands of public office.

“Kids are so, they’re so in their own little world that they sort of force you to go into their world, and that’s a very, very good thing,” he said. “It’s good for my psychology. I think it’s good for my soul, but it’s a very good thing. The job obviously has its demands and the schedule can get kind of crazy.”

Although Vance has consistently declined to discuss a potential 2028 presidential campaign, speculation continues over whether he could eventually succeed President Trump. Trump recently said it is “way too early” to endorse a successor, but according to a source familiar with the remarks, he told donors during an Oval Office meeting last month: “At the end of the day, we need to elect JD.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump said the United States is easing off military pressure against Iran for the time being, opting instead to rely on economic pressure as Tehran continues delaying an agreement over the Strait of Hormuz while demanding sweeping concessions from Washington.

In a brief telephone interview with Axios on Sunday, Trump said his administration is engaged in only limited negotiations with Iran while closely monitoring the country’s deteriorating economy.

“We are low-keying it,” Trump said.

Trump argued that Iran’s financial condition continues to worsen, saying the regime is struggling to pay its military forces. He also credited the U.S. naval blockade with placing additional strain on Tehran’s economy.

At the same time, he noted that American consumers are feeling less of the economic impact from the conflict because oil prices have eased to just above $75 per barrel.

“It will work out. It always works out. It’s like a chess game,” Trump said.

The president’s comments come as Iran continues postponing an agreement involving Iran, Oman, and the United States over reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Under the proposed framework, Iran would receive partial authority over maritime traffic through the strategically vital shipping lane.

On Saturday, Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, unveiled a new list of conditions for restoring full access to the strait. Among the demands were a permanent end to the war against Iran and its allies, the removal of the U.S. naval blockade, the withdrawal of American military forces from the region surrounding Iran, and compensation for damages Tehran says it suffered during the conflict.

Iranian officials also insisted that all U.S. sanctions be lifted and that frozen Iranian financial assets be released.

Those same demands had previously been tied to negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program, but Tehran has now expanded them, making them prerequisites for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

According to U.S. officials, President Trump had been considering a return to large-scale military operations against Iran as recently as last week before ultimately deciding to pursue de-escalation instead.

One administration official said the pause in fighting has deprived Iran’s leadership of the ability to blame its economic collapse solely on the war, forcing the regime to confront the country’s worsening financial crisis.

The official also said roughly 8 million barrels of oil currently pass through the southern shipping lane of the Strait of Hormuz each night under coordination with the U.S. military, adding that Washington intends to increase that volume as long as an agreement remains out of reach.

Vice President JD Vance said yesterday that the conflict has not ended and emphasized that the administration continues employing diplomatic, economic, and military tools in pursuit of what it believes is the best outcome for the United States.

{Matzav.com}

Three Arab political parties have agreed to reunite under a single electoral slate ahead of Israel’s upcoming elections, saying their primary objective is to defeat the current right-wing coalition and boost voter turnout in the Arab sector.

The National Reconciliation Committee announced that it had approved the creation of a joint list bringing together the communist Hadash party, the left-wing Palestinian nationalist Balad party, and the anti-Zionist Arab nationalist Ta’al party.

In a statement following the announcement, Hadash welcomed the agreement and said it was ready to begin campaigning immediately. The party said its immediate goals are to increase Arab voter participation and secure the strongest possible showing for the renewed Joint List at the ballot box.

According to Hadash, the decision to restore the alliance reflects what it described as the Arab public’s desire “to topple the fascist right-wing government.”

The party also accused the government of seeking to entrench the “occupation,” continue what it called a war of “extermination” in Gaza, carry out “ethnic cleansing in the West Bank,” and intensify what it described as a “racist” campaign against Arab citizens of Israel while allowing organized crime groups to operate with impunity and undermine public safety.

A Matzav.com Editorial:

The summer bein hazemanim season is still at its height, yet it has already come at a heartbreaking cost. One tragedy after another has shaken the community, both in Eretz Yisroel and in chutz la’aretz, with reports of young people and entire families losing their lives in accidents, drownings, and other devastating incidents.

These painful events should cause every one of us to pause and reflect. Bein hazemanim is meant to be a time of rest, family outings, travel, and renewal. But stepping away from our normal routines also demands an even greater level of caution. Whether driving, swimming, hiking, operating recreational vehicles, or visiting unfamiliar places, every activity requires planning, responsibility, and vigilance.

It takes only a single moment of inattention to create a lifetime of heartbreak.

Parents, bochurim, children, and adults alike should make safety their first priority before heading to the beach, the pool, a hiking trail, or any other destination. Do not enter unsupervised or prohibited waters. Avoid unnecessary risks. Follow all safety regulations while traveling and enjoying the outdoors. Above all, look out for one another.

As countless families spend these weeks together on vacation and enjoying time away from home, our heartfelt hope is that this summer will be remembered for joyful memories, not for tragedy. May everyone who leaves home for an outing return home safely.

Bein hazemanim is a precious opportunity to rest, recharge, and gather strength for the months ahead. Please do not allow a moment of carelessness to turn it into a heartbreaking tragedy. Protect yourselves, protect your children, and protect one another.

{Matzav.com}

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee warned that antisemitism is becoming an increasingly dangerous force in American politics, pointing to recent developments within the Democratic Party as evidence that hostility toward Jews is becoming more mainstream.

Speaking on Newsmax’s Saturday Report, Huckabee cited Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s decision to skip her party’s nominating convention because of concerns about antisemitism and her personal safety.

“It’s a disturbing trend for the Democrats that I hope that they will change,” Huckabee told the network.

While acknowledging his own political affiliation, Huckabee said he believes a healthy political system requires two strong and responsible parties.

“I’m a Republican. I’m a pretty partisan Republican,” Huckabee said.

“But having said that, I wish there would be a competitive and a sane Democrat Party. It frankly makes both parties better to have a competitive environment.”

Huckabee argued that the Democratic Party has moved dramatically to the left both economically and socially.

Democrats are “moving so far to the left with socialism on the economic side, and with Jew hatred on the social side, that they are rapidly becoming the party of the insane.”

“And it’s not healthy. Not just for the Democrats. This isn’t healthy for America,” he said.

Huckabee also urged people not to minimize antisemitism by treating it as merely another political issue.

“We call it antisemitism. But let’s be clear what it is. It’s just hating Jews irrationally,” Huckabee added.

“Today, I want my Christian friends to hear me. Tomorrow they’ll hate the Christians.”

Asked how Israelis are viewing political developments in the United States, Huckabee said many are deeply troubled by what they are seeing.

Israelis are “very concerned” and “alarmed,” he said.

“Frankly, I am too,” Huckabee said. “I’ve been gone from the U.S. for a year and a half living here. It’s almost like I’m watching things in my own country and I’m thinking, ‘What’s happened over there? Where did this stuff start?’”

Huckabee also criticized political commentator Hasan Piker, questioning why he is widely described as an influencer.

“I want to think, who is he influencing?” Huckabee said. “Who would listen to somebody who is this completely off his cracker?”

Turning to developments in the Middle East, Huckabee said Israel is closely monitoring the newly announced mutual defense pact between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, but is taking a cautious approach.

According to Huckabee, Israelis have “genuine anxieties about both Pakistan as well as Turkey, especially Turkey,” citing what he described as “very threatening” and “really bizarre” statements by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Huckabee concluded by expressing hope that countries in the region would choose closer ties with the United States and Israel rather than pursuing more confrontational policies.

“All of these countries would be far better off if they would be working with the United States and Israel for normalization rather than for radicalization,” Huckabee said. “But unfortunately, we’re seeing the opposite.”

{Matzav.com}

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing fresh criticism after appointing a slate of new members to the city’s Panel for Education Policy, including individuals whose past statements and affiliations have drawn controversy over anti-police and anti-Israel positions. One appointee has also advocated for racially segregated discussion spaces in public schools, according to reports.

Among Mamdani’s 13 selections is Lucas Koehler, a former New York City Department of Education official who now leads the $500 million endowment for the Foundation for City College. Koehler has previously promoted initiatives aimed at what he described as dismantling “white dominant culture.”

While serving at the Department of Education, Koehler endorsed a statement calling for “separate spaces for white people and non-black people of color” so they could “to interrogate their own internalized anti-black racism and unlearn white dominant behaviors without causing harm to black colleagues,” according to a statement from the Division of Early Childhood Education Antiracism Coalition cited by watchdog group Canary Mission.

Koehler, who worked for the DOE between 2014 and 2022, also backed a proposal urging the department to end all cooperation with the NYPD, arguing that police officers represent a “threat” to minority students.

“In addition to the threat in-school police pose to black and brown children and their families, the funding allocated to the NYPD necessarily keeps money away from the social services that keep children safe and secure, and therefore better able to learn and grow,” the statement from the DECE antiracism coalition read.

Another of Mamdani’s appointments is Raysa S. Rodriguez, who leads the Citizens Committee for Children, an advocacy organization that has repeatedly supported efforts to defund the police.

The organization has previously urged the NYPD to stop issuing quality-of-life summonses and called on the City Council to reject funding for a planned $225 million police training facility in Queens.

Mamdani also selected Dr. Madeline “Maddy” Fox, an alumna of Brooklyn College and the CUNY Graduate Center, for the board. Fox previously signed a letter accusing Israel of committing genocide while rejecting claims that antisemitism is widespread on college campuses.

“There is no rampant crisis of antisemitism on our campuses, despite prolonged attempts by the current administration to persuade the public that there is one,” read the 2025 letter, which was signed by Jewish faculty members from CUNY, Berkeley, and Georgetown.

The same letter criticized the Trump administration’s efforts to combat antisemitism, stating: “This campaign of repression and censorship, including deportation and detention, is evidence of an Islamophobic and racist campaign against political dissent.”

The Panel for Education Policy consists of 24 members and is responsible for approving Department of Education contracts, establishing education policy, and overseeing school closures. The Department of Education operates with an annual budget of roughly $45 billion.

Of the board’s 23 voting members, 13 are appointed directly by the mayor, giving City Hall substantial influence over the panel’s decisions.

{Matzav.com}

A 16-year-old yeshiva bochur was killed Sunday evening after falling from a significant height during what is believed to have been a rappelling excursion near Keshet Cave in the western Galilee. Despite the rapid response of emergency crews, the teenager was pronounced dead at the scene.

The incident was reported at approximately 6:10 p.m. to Magen David Adom’s 101 emergency dispatch center in the Asher region. Paramedics and emergency medical personnel who arrived at the site found the teen unconscious. After assessing his condition, they were forced to pronounce him dead.

Police officers from the Nahariya station also responded to Keshet Cave and launched an investigation into the circumstances of the tragedy. According to the initial police statement, authorities received a report that one of the climbers had fallen from a considerable height, apparently while participating in a rappelling activity.

Numerous emergency, rescue, and medical teams were dispatched to the scene, including an Israeli Air Force rescue helicopter, which was called in to assist with the operation. Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal accident.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli shoppers are once again finding empty refrigerator shelves where cottage cheese should be, with consumers across the country reporting that the popular staple—particularly Tnuva’s brand—has become increasingly difficult to find. The recurring shortage has reignited debate over competition in Israel’s dairy industry, market concentration, and the country’s persistent cost-of-living crisis.

According to a report aired on i24, many consumers have spent weeks searching unsuccessfully for cottage cheese. One shopper said, “Yesterday I went to two different supermarkets, and neither of them had cottage cheese.” Another expressed her frustration more bluntly: “What’s going on with the cottage cheese? There’s no cottage cheese. Do you know what I went through just to get cottage cheese?” An employee at one supermarket noted that “Tnuva cottage cheese sells out within an hour of arriving.”

According to Ynet and Yediot Achronot consumer affairs reporter Merav Kristal, the current shortage is not the result of a production failure but rather a malfunction in Tnuva’s automated warehouse system. She said disruptions caused by recent wars, holidays, and production changes led to software problems, while security concerns and insurance restrictions have made it difficult for technicians from Germany to travel to Israel to repair the system.

The latest shortage follows several other problems involving the product in recent months. Consumers previously complained that some cottage cheese spoiled unusually quickly, while another shortage in April was attributed to a reduced number of production days. Now, only a short time later, the product has once again disappeared from many supermarket refrigerators.

Prof. Yaron Zelicha, Israel’s former Accountant General at the Finance Ministry, criticized the repeated explanations for the shortages. “Every time it’s a different story. The problems always occur with the relatively inexpensive products, and yet we’re pushed toward buying the more expensive ones,” he said.

The situation has also renewed questions about competition in the dairy sector. According to figures cited in the report, Tnuva controls approximately 75 percent of Israel’s cottage cheese market, while Strauss and Tara share the remaining quarter. Reporter Roi Katz questioned how a single disruption could empty supermarket shelves across the country, asking how “one problem at one factory” could leave consumers unable to buy such a basic product.

Cottage cheese has long held symbolic significance in Israel beyond its role as a household staple. In the summer of 2011, soaring prices turned it into the face of the nationwide cost-of-living protests after the price of a container climbed to roughly seven shekels, up from about four shekels just a few years earlier. Public pressure eventually forced manufacturers to lower prices and avoid major increases for several years.

“The previous protest didn’t return cottage cheese to government price controls, but it did lower its price,” Kristal explained. She said food manufacturers “were frightened by that wave and realized they needed to keep the price of this cheese reasonable.” Even years later, she noted, cottage cheese remains one of the products consumers monitor most closely.

In recent years, however, prices have once again climbed to around seven shekels or more, alongside increases in the cost of other dairy products. At the same time, Israelis have faced higher expenses for electricity, insurance, municipal taxes, fuel, and parking, making cottage cheese a symbol of the broader question of how expensive everyday life has become.

Zelicha argued that increasing imports and reducing tariffs and import quotas would create greater competition and help lower prices. Kristal, however, noted that many countries produce dairy products domestically for reasons of food security and national resilience, adding that imported dairy products are not necessarily less expensive. Cottage cheese also presents additional challenges because of its relatively short shelf life.

The report also highlighted concerns about the concentration of Israel’s food industry. One interviewee remarked, “You think you have a choice at the supermarket, but you don’t realize that everything you’re buying on the shelf belongs to the same company.” Zelicha maintained that meaningful price reductions will only come through stronger competition and limits on the market power of major monopolies.

Consumers interviewed for the report described an ongoing struggle with rising living costs. “It’s wonderful here, my family is here and everything, but it’s just expensive. Everything is expensive here,” one shopper said. Another pointed out that roughly half of Israelis earn less than 9,000 shekels a month, asking, “How do you pay? How do you live?”

Despite the approaching elections, those interviewed predicted that the cost of living is unlikely to become the dominant campaign issue. They said security concerns continue to overshadow economic issues in Israel’s public discourse.

As for the possibility of another nationwide cottage cheese protest, the report suggested that many Israelis are weary after years of demonstrations and public campaigns. Even so, cottage cheese continues to occupy a unique place in Israeli life as a basic household staple whose absence is immediately noticed by consumers across the country.

In the meantime, some shoppers have found their own solution. The report demonstrated how cottage cheese can be made at home using ordinary milk. “As long as there’s milk, I’m fine,” one participant who prepares homemade cottage cheese said. Even so, the central question remains unanswered: Why does such a basic product continue to disappear from store shelves, and how can a single technical problem have such a sweeping impact across the country?

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump is reportedly considering bringing the conflict with Iran to a close without securing a new nuclear agreement, instead declaring success if Iran fully reopens the Strait of Hormuz and its nuclear capabilities remain effectively contained.

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, Trump has privately told senior advisers that he may be prepared to abandon negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program if Iran restores unrestricted shipping through the vital waterway.

The report says the administration has increasingly centered its efforts on reopening the Strait of Hormuz after broader diplomatic talks with Iran stalled. Tehran, however, has demanded sweeping concessions in exchange for restoring maritime traffic, including billions of dollars in payments, an end to the U.S. naval blockade, the withdrawal of American forces from the region, and other significant measures.

Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said the Islamic Republic is also demanding an end to the war, the lifting of sanctions, the release of frozen Iranian assets, compensation for wartime damages, and an end to U.S. military operations against Iranian-backed militias before permitting normal shipping through the strait, according to Iranian state media.

Those conditions have complicated the Trump administration’s efforts to conclude the conflict while portraying the outcome as a strategic victory, the report said.

Throughout the conflict, Trump has repeatedly expressed optimism that a nuclear agreement was within reach while simultaneously warning that the United States was prepared to dramatically escalate military action if necessary. More recently, however, he has suggested that America has already achieved its principal objectives, even without a formal nuclear accord.

Vice President JD Vance said the administration will continue pressing Iran to fundamentally change its relationship with the United States, adding that Washington will maintain pressure if Tehran refuses to alter its course.

A White House official told the newspaper that the United States has already accomplished its military goals against Iran and that the administration’s immediate priority is ensuring the uninterrupted flow of global energy supplies through the Strait of Hormuz. The official added that military options remain available if Iran resumes attacks on commercial shipping.

On the nuclear front, U.S. officials said Trump has told senior aides that Iran may be incapable of rebuilding its nuclear program during his presidency following the destruction of its three principal nuclear facilities. The president has also reportedly expressed confidence that American intelligence agencies would quickly detect any attempt by Tehran to reconstruct those sites or secretly pursue a nuclear weapon.

According to the report, if Iran’s nuclear threat remains contained and the Strait of Hormuz is completely reopened, Trump could allow the current ceasefire to remain in place indefinitely. Under such an arrangement, the United States could also end its military blockade of Iranian ports.

Financial disputes continue to stand in the way of any broader agreement. Iran is demanding compensation for war-related damages and access to frozen assets held overseas, while Trump has made clear that U.S. taxpayers will not finance payments to Tehran. The two sides also remain divided over whether Iran should once again be permitted to export oil under sanctions waivers.

Trump’s recent public remarks have increasingly suggested he is looking for a path to end the conflict. He recently described the Strait of Hormuz as “sort of open right now,” while acknowledging that Iran still possesses the capability to threaten commercial vessels with missiles, drones, and naval mines.

The president has also minimized concerns over Iran’s deeply buried uranium stockpile, arguing that the material is effectively inaccessible because it remains so far underground.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the administration’s ability to bring the conflict to a close now appears closely tied to whether Tehran ultimately agrees to restore normal maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump shared a video over the weekend featuring former Vice President Kamala Harris criticizing the SAVE America Act, drawing renewed attention to the ongoing debate over voter registration requirements and proof of U.S. citizenship.

In the video, originally posted by Harris on X on Friday and later reposted by Trump on Truth Social, Harris argued that the legislation would make it more difficult for Americans to register to vote by requiring documentary evidence of citizenship.

“Hey everybody, so they’re trying to mess with your ability to vote, just to break it all down. You’ve got the Supreme Court,” Harris said. “They just sealed the deal with this case that just came up recently, the Callais decision, which basically took the power out of the Voting Rights Act, which was designed to protect your right to vote.”

Harris also criticized the SAVE America Act, contending that its citizenship verification requirements would create unnecessary hurdles for prospective voters.

“So you got the Supreme Court doing its thing. Then this president is trying to push this SAVE Act, which basically would require that for people to register to vote,” Harris added. “You’re going to have to have proof of who you are… through a passport, which a lot of Americans don’t have, or a birth certificate. Same point, obstacles to make it difficult for you to register to vote.”

However, the legislation does not restrict acceptable proof of citizenship solely to passports or birth certificates. Under the SAVE America Act, applicants may also use other qualifying forms of documentation, including certain REAL ID-compliant identification cards and eligible military identification.

The bill also directs states to establish procedures for individuals who are unable to provide the specified documents, allowing them to submit alternative evidence of U.S. citizenship for review by election officials before completing the voter registration process.

{Matzav.com}

 

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the passing of Rebbetzin Leah Lederman a”h, the beloved wife of Rav Moshe Meir Lederman and a revered mechaneches who devoted her life to chinuch habanos. She was 61 years old.

The rebbetzin became ill only a short time ago after developing a serious lung infection. Despite hopes and heartfelt tefillos for her recovery, complications arose during her hospitalization and she was niftar.

Born to Reb Tzvi Shimon and Hadassah Beila Sussholtz, the rebbetzin was raised in a home steeped in Torah, yiras Shomayim, and devotion to avodas Hashem. Those values shaped the course of her entire life and were reflected in every aspect of her remarkable personality.

She married Rav Moshe Meir Lederman, one of the outstanding talmidim of Rav Shmuel Berenbaum zt”l, Rosh Yeshiva of the Mirrer Yeshiva in Flatbush. Throughout the years, she stood steadfastly at her husband’s side, serving as his devoted partner in his lifelong mission of Torah, harbotzas haTorah, and guiding countless talmidim. Her quiet strength, wisdom, and encouragement played an indispensable role in everything Rav Lederman accomplished.

For decades, Rebbetzin Lederman served as principal of Beis Yaakov D’Gur, a position she regarded not merely as a profession but as a sacred responsibility. Generations of talmidos benefited from her exceptional leadership, warmth, and profound understanding of education. She viewed every student as an individual deserving of personal attention, guidance, and love, leaving an indelible mark on thousands of young bnos Yisroel who passed through the school’s doors.

She was a true tzadeikes whose devotion to every single talmidah knew no bounds. Her concern extended far beyond academics, as she invested herself wholeheartedly in the spiritual and emotional well-being of each girl entrusted to her care.

Those who knew her speak of an extraordinary combination of brilliance, wisdom, warmth, and exceptional middos tovos. She possessed a keen intellect and remarkable insight, yet carried herself with humility, kindness, and genuine concern for every individual she encountered.

One longtime yungerman in the Gerer yeshiva described Rebbetzin Lederman as a mother figure to the women of the kehillah. “She was a maternal figure to the nshei of the kehillah… Mamash like a mother. She was greatly beloved and admired by all who knew her.”

Her home was one of warmth, dignity, and generosity, where countless people found encouragement, guidance, and a listening ear. Whether offering advice, extending hospitality, or simply providing comfort during difficult times, Rebbetzin Lederman gave of herself selflessly and without seeking recognition.

Just this past spring, she successfully concluded another year at the helm of Beis Yaakov D’Gur, continuing the educational mission that had defined so much of her life. Shortly afterward, she was hospitalized, and although every effort was made on her behalf, her condition deteriorated in the weeks that followed.

The levayah will take place Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. at the Yazlovitzer Beis Medrash, located at 1515 45th Street in Boro Park, Brooklyn.

Yehi zichrah baruch.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu pushed back Sunday against reports suggesting Israel is retreating on multiple fronts, insisting the country remains firmly committed to defending its security interests. He also reaffirmed that, under his leadership, Israel will not permit the creation of a Palestinian state in either Gaza or Judea and Samaria and vowed that Iran will never be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons.

Opening the weekly Cabinet meeting, Netanyahu argued that Tehran has deliberately avoided launching direct attacks against Israel because it understands the severe consequences it would face.

“You have surely noticed an interesting point: Iran attacks all the countries in the region, and even outside the region, but there is one country it does not attack – the State of Israel,” Netanyahu said.

“It has not attacked thus far; it might attack, but why have long weeks passed and it has not attacked us? Because it knows the massive blow we will inflict upon it if it does so.”

The prime minister said his remarks were intended to counter what he described as “a wave of rumors about Israeli weakness and Israeli withdrawals on all fronts.”

Addressing the Iranian threat, Netanyahu expressed gratitude to President Donald Trump and highlighted the close strategic cooperation between Washington and Israel in confronting Iran’s nuclear program.

“I greatly appreciate President Trump. He is the greatest of our friends in the White House,” Netanyahu said.

“I greatly appreciate the historical partnership with the US against Iran’s attempts to acquire nuclear weapons.”

“With or without an agreement, as long as I am Prime Minister, Iran will not have a nuclear weapon,” he added. “Because the existence of our precious country, the country of all of us, the existence of Israel, is not up for negotiation.”

Turning to the northern front, Netanyahu said Israel has continued carrying out military operations in Lebanon against terrorist targets, including recent activity along the Ali Taher Ridge.

“In recent days, Israel has acted with force in Lebanon, eliminating terrorists, including on the Ali Taher ridge,” he said. “We are in the midst of a very important operation.”

He added that Israel is proceeding “prudently and wisely-with both determination and wisdom,” while working in coordination with the IDF to eliminate threats before they can endanger Israeli citizens.

Netanyahu also reiterated his longstanding opposition to Palestinian statehood, making clear that such an outcome will not occur while he remains in office.

“As long as I am Prime Minister, a Palestinian state will not be established, neither in Gaza nor in Judea and Samaria,” he said. “Neither ‘Fatahstan’ nor ‘Hamastan’.”

The prime minister also addressed the recently released 15-point framework proposed by President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace for Gaza, emphasizing that Israel has not accepted the plan.

“Israel does not accept the 15-point document,” he stated.

“I have heard people saying: ‘You didn’t say it.’ So here I am saying it again: Israel does not accept the 15-point document.”

He stressed that Israel will not agree to any military withdrawal from Gaza before Hamas has been completely stripped of its weapons.

“The IDF will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is disarmed,” Netanyahu said. “And when I say the disarming of Hamas, it means heavy weaponry, lighter weaponry, all weaponry.”

“We are talking about genuine disarmament, not fictitious disarmament,” he added.

Netanyahu said discussions with the United States on the matter are continuing, noting that while Israel agrees with some American proposals, it firmly rejects others.

“They have ideas, some of which are acceptable to us and some of which are unacceptable, and we know how to stand firm against these things,” he said.

“The IDF will continue to thwart threats against our forces and our citizens,” Netanyahu added.

Concluding his remarks, Netanyahu underscored that Israel will not compromise on issues affecting its national security or survival.

“The existence of Israel and the security of all Israeli citizens are not up for negotiation,” he said. “We stand firm on these interests.”

“We do not do this in advertising agencies; we actually do it on the ground,” Netanyahu continued, citing Israel’s operations in Rafah and the Philadelphi Corridor, Lebanon, and Iran.

“Unlike all those who lecture us, we do what needs to be done for Israel’s security, and we can and know how to stand our ground, even against our best friends when necessary.”

{Matzav.com}

A wave of grief has swept through the Chabad community in Lod following the tragic passing of 5-year-old Betzalel Dovid Giller z”l, who died after being inadvertently left inside his family’s vehicle for approximately two hours. Despite desperate resuscitation efforts by emergency responders, the young boy could not be saved.

Betzalel Dovid was the son of R’ Menashe Giller, a member of the Chabad community in Lod, and Mrs. Chaya Mushka Sultana.

The family had returned home from a trip, during which the young boy had fallen asleep in his car seat. After arriving home, the family exited the vehicle without realizing that Betzalel Dovid had remained asleep inside.

Approximately two hours later, his father noticed that his son was not in the house. Alarmed, he rushed to the family vehicle parked outside and discovered the child unconscious, suffering from severe heatstroke after being trapped inside the car.

The father immediately called emergency services. Magen David Adom teams arrived quickly and carried out prolonged and intensive resuscitation efforts, but despite their attempts, medical personnel were forced to pronounce the child dead.

The devastating tragedy has left the Chabad community in Lod, along with the family’s relatives and friends, in profound shock and mourning as they struggle to come to terms with the sudden loss.

The levayah is scheduled to take place this evening at 6:00 p.m. at the municipal cemetery in Lod, where Betzalel Dovid will be laid to rest in the children’s section.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

New York City law enforcement officials are preparing for an extensive security operation ahead of Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu’s visit to the United Nations next month, with police sources arguing that Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s repeated criticism of the Israeli leader has heightened tensions and increased potential risks for officers and the public, the New York Post reports.

According to law enforcement officials who spoke to the New York Post, Netanyahu’s trip will require a security operation comparable to the protection provided for a visiting head of state. The sources contend that Mamdani’s public statements against Netanyahu have energized radical demonstrators and made an already challenging assignment significantly more difficult.

“Basically, he’s making what would be considered a Category 1 hurricane that we deal with every year into a Category 5 because of his words,” a law enforcement source said.

Mamdani has consistently voiced strong support for the Palestinian cause and has sharply criticized Israel. During his 2025 mayoral campaign, he called for Netanyahu’s arrest, and he repeated that position last month before acknowledging that the NYPD lacks the legal authority to carry out such an arrest.

The mayor also encouraged demonstrations during Netanyahu’s upcoming visit, telling supporters to “take to the streets” and saying that “one of the bedrocks of our city is protest.”

Police officials said those remarks have frustrated many officers who will already be responsible for protecting the Israeli leader and other visiting dignitaries.

“We have to protect hotels, we have to protect wherever [dignitaries] go out to eat, we have to protect everything,” the law enforcement source said. “Having the mayor say, ‘Go ahead and protest, and he should be arrested’ . . . is unfair to your own cops.”

Netanyahu is expected to arrive in New York next month for the United Nations General Assembly, where he is scheduled to address delegates on Sept. 26.

While his complete itinerary has not yet been finalized, police sources estimate that his security detail could ultimately require 60 or more officers, including both direct protection personnel and supporting units.

Typically, visiting dignitaries are assigned a protection team consisting of one sergeant and eight detectives, supplemented by federal and state law enforcement as well as security personnel from the visiting nation.

“What’s going to stop one of the protesters from becoming a vigilante and trying to hurt or God forbid kill him?” the source said.

The same official also expressed concern that demonstrators who believe they are acting in line with the mayor’s message “could cause an officer to get hurt or even killed.”

Another law enforcement source pointed to the bomb discovered outside Gracie Mansion in March as evidence that the threat environment remains serious.

In that incident, authorities alleged that two Pennsylvania men inspired by ISIS attempted to detonate explosive devices during a “Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City” rally organized by a far-right activist.

The source warned that a similar terrorist attack could be attempted during Netanyahu’s visit.

“His rhetoric is reckless,” the source said of Mamdani. “It emboldens radical and unstable agitators who could put both New Yorkers and law enforcement officers in harm’s way.”

A City Hall insider also expressed concern that the mayor’s comments could contribute to heightened tensions during the visit.

“It’s very concerning,” said the insider. “I mean, [Mamdani’s] rhetoric has clearly caused this uptick in antisemitism all across our city, and now telling people to go out and protest is going to create a powder keg of a situation.

“It’s not the mayor’s job to tell people to protest and to urge them to protest,” the city government source said. “It’s likely to be very violent. And I mean, what on Earth is this accomplishing?”

“It’s completely irresponsible,” the source added.

According to NYPD statistics, antisemitic incidents accounted for 56.9% of all hate crimes reported in New York City, despite Jews making up roughly 10% of the city’s population.

Police data also show that hate crimes overall have risen 9.4% so far this year, even as each of the city’s seven major crime categories has declined.

Detectives Endowment Association President Scott Munro said he is concerned about the challenges facing officers assigned to protect world leaders during the United Nations gathering.

“Mayor Mamdani’s reckless rhetoric surrounding Netanyahu and his calls for protests only fan the flames — making the assignment of protecting UNGA dignitaries even more difficult,” he said in a statement.

Munro noted that many officers are still recovering from injuries sustained while policing crowds in Midtown during the NBA Finals.

“Our detectives will do their job, as they always do,” Munro said. “It’s time for the mayor to do his — stand with the city and the men and women in blue protecting it, not with those on the radical protest line.”

The NYPD emphasized that the final size and scope of Netanyahu’s security detail will be determined after a comprehensive threat assessment.

“As we do every year, the NYPD works with the Secret Service, the State Department, and other federal agencies to provide protection to foreign dignitaries traveling to NYC based on the level of threat assessed,” an NYPD spokesperson said in a statement.

{Matzav.com}

A tragic accident on the Jordan River claimed the life of a 12-year-old chareidi boy from Modiin Illit on Sunday after he disappeared beneath the water when the boat he was riding in overturned near Yesod HaMa’alah. Following hours of intensive search efforts by rescue teams, the boy was located and, tragically, was pronounced dead.

The incident began after emergency dispatchers received a report that a child had fallen into the Jordan River after a boat capsized. Contact with the boy was immediately lost, prompting a large-scale rescue operation.

Fire and Rescue Services rushed specialized rescue units from the Northern District to the scene. They were joined by Israel Police, the Golan Rescue Unit, Magen David Adom, and additional emergency personnel, who launched an extensive search both in the river and along its banks.

According to Fire and Rescue Services, the operation included water searches, shoreline sweeps, and aerial surveillance using a drone that scanned the river’s course. Firefighters, members of the Galil-Golan Special Rescue Unit, and other emergency teams all participated in the effort.

Chief Superintendent Dror Buchnik, who commanded the operation, said, “Firefighters and rescuers from the Special Rescue Unit searched both in the water and along the riverbanks, while a drone scanned the course of the river. At the conclusion of the searches, the boy was located in the water, and after he was rescued, medical teams pronounced him dead.”

Magen David Adom said it received the emergency call at 2:45 p.m. through its Jordan Region dispatch center. After an extensive search, rescuers from the Golan Rescue Unit found the approximately 12-year-old boy and brought him to waiting medical teams while he was unconscious after spending an extended period underwater.

MDA paramedic Assaf Perlman and EMT Harel Levi said, “During searches for a 12-year-old boy who had gone missing in the Jordan River, the Golan Rescue Unit located the child and brought him to us unconscious after he had been under the water. We performed medical evaluations, but he showed no signs of life, and we had no choice but to pronounce him dead.”

Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

{Matzav.com}

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani plans to attend the 25th anniversary commemoration of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks at Ground Zero despite objections from many victims’ families, a decision drawing renewed criticism after he skipped this year’s memorial service honoring those killed in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, the NY Post reports.

Rather than attend the Feb. 26 ceremony at Ground Zero marking the 33rd anniversary of the 1993 terrorist attack, Mamdani traveled to Washington, D.C., where he met with President Donald Trump to promote a massive affordable housing proposal for New York City.

Instead of appearing at the memorial himself, Mamdani sent one of his deputy mayors to represent the administration. The mayor has also faced criticism over a photograph taken last year showing him smiling alongside a Brooklyn imam who was identified as an unindicted co-conspirator in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing that killed six people and injured more than 1,000 others.

On the day of the memorial, Mamdani held a private meeting with President Trump in an effort to secure more than $21 billion in federal funding for a proposed 12,000-unit affordable housing development at a large rail yard in Queens.

“Mamdani blew us off and passed on it because he does not [care],” said Andrew Colabella, whose cousin, 41-year-old John DiGiovanni, was among the six victims murdered when Islamic terrorists detonated a bomb in the World Trade Center’s underground parking garage.

“The only thing he cares about is his ego and his so-called political future,” added Colabella, a Republican legislator representing Westport, Connecticut.

Colabella and several other relatives of the 1993 bombing victims accused Mamdani of skipping the annual memorial because it did not receive significant media attention.

They also pointed out that the mayor had no hesitation visiting Ground Zero in April to welcome King Charles III, when television cameras and photographers were present.

Colabella further alleged that Mamdani used the meeting with President Trump on the housing proposal to avoid facing criticism at Ground Zero over what he described as the mayor’s “longtime association” with individuals who have defended Islamic terrorism, including political commentator Hasan Piker, who previously said “America deserved” the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Colabella said he is among more than 80,000 people who have signed a growing petition urging Mamdani not to attend the Sept. 11 ceremony at Ground Zero.

Edward Smith, whose wife, Monica Rodriguez Smith, was seven months pregnant when she was killed in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing at age 35, said Mamdani’s absence from the February ceremony was ultimately preferable.

“It is best he didn’t show up, but it’s even crazier that New York would elect him mayor in the first place,” said Smith, a lifelong New Yorker who now lives in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Although Smith plans to attend this year’s Sept. 11 ceremony, he said he has chosen not to sign the petition because he believes it only “empowers” Mamdani. Instead, he suggested those who oppose the mayor’s presence should “boo him or turn their backs on him.”

Deputy Mayor for Operations Julia Kerson represented the mayor at the February memorial ceremony. Also attending were Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, FDNY First Deputy Commissioner Dan Flynn, and City Council Speaker Julie Menin.

Most New York City mayors since the 1993 bombing—including Rudy Giuliani, Michael Bloomberg, and Eric Adams—have either attended at least some of the annual remembrance ceremonies personally or designated a representative to appear on their behalf.

Following his February meeting with President Trump, Mamdani described the discussion as “productive,” although the White House has not publicly commented on the meeting.

{Matzav.com}

Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett says Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu must leave public office because of his responsibility for the October 7 massacre, while making clear that he has no desire to see his longtime political rival end up behind bars. Bennett also pledged that he will not join a Netanyahu-led government after the next election.

In an interview with Kikar HaShabbos, Bennett explained why he believes Netanyahu’s political career should come to an end following the failures surrounding the October 7 attack. At the same time, he expressed a surprisingly conciliatory position regarding Netanyahu’s criminal trial, saying he opposes seeing the prime minister sent to prison.

Asked whether he was willing to commit that his party would not join a government headed by Netanyahu after the election, Bennett responded to speculation that he could once again partner with Netanyahu despite previous campaign promises.

“First of all, what I did after the last election, when I became prime minister, was, in my view, saving the State of Israel from three years of chaos: without a budget, with a massive deficit, with people being murdered right and left. We pulled the State of Israel out of that pit.”

Bennett then argued that Netanyahu’s time in office should come to an end because of the events of October 7.

“I’m saying this as clearly as possible: Netanyahu must go home. Not because he’s a bad person—I’m not grading his character—but because he bears ultimate responsibility for the October 7 massacre. He refuses to take responsibility for it to this very day, and that is simply unacceptable. He is leading a government that is tearing the State of Israel apart. So I’m not attacking him personally. I’m saying: enough. Thirty years. He’s a Jew who is already nearing 80 years old. That’s okay. The Jewish people will survive without him.”

Bennett was also asked about Netanyahu’s ongoing criminal trial and whether he would support granting him a pardon if Netanyahu retired from political life after the election.

His response was unequivocal.

“I absolutely do not want to see Binyomin Netanyahu wearing an orange prison uniform and going to jail. For so many Israelis, he has long been more than just a prime minister—he’s a symbol. He’s a symbol, and Heaven forbid we crush them. I have nothing against him. I don’t want to see him in prison. Let him go home, live his life, do whatever he wants, and that’s perfectly fine with me.”

{Matzav.com}

Bumba Land, the company operating Elad’s inflatable water park, is denying that any of its employees worked on Shabbos after a public outcry erupted over activity seen at the site. The company says the incident was caused by an outside security contractor acting without authorization and announced that it has immediately terminated its relationship with that firm.

The controversy began after residents reported seeing workers arrive at the park site, located in the community center parking lot on Rechov Rabi Chiya, during the afternoon of Parshas Re’eh. According to witnesses, equipment was unloaded and activity continued despite objections from local residents. Earlier, the Elad Municipality said the matter was under review.

In a detailed statement released on Motzoei Shabbos, Bumba Land sought to distance itself from the incident.

“Bumba Land is a Shabbos-observant company,” the statement read. The company stressed that “During Shabbos, no travel, construction, dismantling, operation, or work was carried out at the inflatable park, and there was no activity by Bumba Land connected to the incident during Shabbos.”

According to the company, the only work that had been scheduled during Shabbos was security for the site. Bumba Land said it had hired an outside security company, which employed non-Jewish guards for that purpose. “Their role was solely to guard the site and not to perform any activity connected to the event or the park,” the company said.

The company acknowledged that equipment was, in fact, unloaded at the site during Shabbos but insisted that it had nothing to do with the inflatable park.

“Unfortunately, during Shabbos the security company unloaded equipment at the site that was not connected to the event, was not Bumba Land equipment, and was not needed for the operation of the inflatable park,” the statement said.

Bumba Land emphasized that the action was taken without its knowledge or approval.

“This action was not carried out by Bumba Land, was not part of the event, was not for the benefit of the park, and was not authorized by the company,” the statement continued.

The company also condemned the security firm’s conduct, saying, “We are a company that is careful to observe Shabbos. Precisely because of that, we view very seriously the fact that the security company carried out Shabbos desecration at a site connected to us.”

As a result of the incident, Bumba Land announced that it has severed ties with the contractor. “We have decided to terminate our engagement with the security company and will no longer work with it,” the company said, later adding that the termination took effect “immediately.”

Addressing the concerns of Elad’s chareidi residents, the company stated, “We understand the great sensitivity of the residents of Elad and the importance of preserving the sanctity of Shabbos in the city. We respect the community and the city’s character, and we regret that a situation arose which caused anger and distress.”

The statement concluded with a firm denial that the company itself violated Shabbos.

“Bumba Land did not work on Shabbos. We did not travel on Shabbos. We did not build or operate the park on Shabbos. The equipment unloaded on Shabbos was not equipment for the event and did not belong to Bumba Land,” the company said, adding that it is “taking the matter very seriously and will do everything possible to ensure that such an incident does not happen again.”

{Matzav.com}

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced yesterday that it expects every officer and agent working in the field to be equipped with a body camera by the end of August, marking a major expansion of the agency’s recording capabilities. However, questions remain over how much of that footage will actually be made available to the public.

The rollout is expected to create an unprecedented visual record of ICE enforcement operations nationwide, though decisions about releasing body-camera footage will largely remain under the agency’s control.

ICE defended its body-camera policy after concerns were raised over provisions allowing agency leadership to delay or withhold footage following incidents involving serious injuries or deaths in custody. Acting Director David J. Venturella said those restrictions are intended to safeguard ongoing investigations, protect privacy, and comply with federal law and policies followed by other federal law enforcement agencies.

Venturella’s comments came after an Associated Press report examined ICE’s body-camera policy, including a provision stating that footage following a serious injury or death in custody may be released on an expedited basis when doing so is determined to be in the “best interests of the agency.”

According to Venturella, the Associated Press “mischaracterized” the policy by confusing that specific provision with ICE’s broader authority over releasing body-camera recordings. He said the policy makes clear that footage should not be released if doing so could interfere with investigations or violate privacy protections.

The Associated Press, however, said its report did not claim that the cited provision governs every release of body-camera footage. Instead, it focused specifically on the agency’s procedures for incidents involving serious injury or death during encounters with the public.

Before publishing its initial report on Friday, the Associated Press requested comment from ICE. According to the news organization, the agency provided only partial responses and did not address the policy language stating that footage may be released when it is in the “best interests” of the agency.

ICE has faced increased public scrutiny following two recent fatal shootings involving its officers. In July, an ICE officer with a documented history of violent behavior fatally shot a 25-year-old motorist in Maine. Days earlier, another ICE officer shot and killed a Houston homebuilder who was driving to work. Neither incident was captured by body-worn cameras.

Venturella emphasized that ICE remains “committed to transparency and accountability” and said the agency was “on track to equip every officer and agent in the field with body-worn cameras by the end of August.”

The Associated Press also cited Christopher Schneider, a sociology professor at Brandon University in Canada, who said selective release of body-camera footage is not uncommon among law enforcement agencies, though it is rarely addressed so explicitly in official policy. “In some ways, ICE is saying the quiet part out loud,” he said.

The report also noted that U.S. Customs and Border Protection, ICE’s sister agency, has not yet released body-camera footage from the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis earlier this year. CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott told lawmakers the video remains part of an active investigation and would be made public “when it’s appropriate.”

{Matzav.com}

Pakistan’s defense minister has called for the creation of a united military alliance among Muslim nations to confront what he described as the threat posed by Israel, escalating his rhetoric just one day after Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey formalized a new trilateral defense pact.

Speaking in a televised interview, Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif argued that Israel poses a danger to the entire Islamic world and urged Muslim countries to stand together militarily.

“In the context of Israel, all Muslim countries must unite. I have no doubt about this,” Asif asserted during the broadcast.

Asif went on to question Israel’s legitimacy, arguing that its origins make it a long-term threat to the region.

Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif on Israel:

When it comes to Israel, all Muslim countries should come together. There is absolutely no ambiguity in my mind about that.

Given Israel’s current conduct, as well as the historical evidence of what it has been doing—at one… pic.twitter.com/3Uqzo1cdnR

— Clash Report (@clashreport) August 8, 2026

“Israel is a product of the Balfour Declaration, which was established in the 1940s as an illegitimate state, and it could pose a direct threat to any of the countries in the region,” he said, referring to the 1917 British declaration that supported the establishment of a Jewish national homeland in Mandatory Palestine and ultimately paved the way for the creation of the State of Israel.

The Pakistani defense minister also said his position would not change regardless of the outcome of Israel’s parliamentary elections scheduled for Oct. 27, even if Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu is no longer in office.

“No matter who comes to power in Jerusalem – whether it’s [former Prime Minister Naftali] Bennett or any other leader – the differences are only marginal,” Asif stated.

He further accused Israeli leaders of maintaining hostility toward both Palestinians and the broader Muslim world.

“Their attitude towards the Palestinians and their anti-Islamic mindset will not disappear. They continue to incite Muslim countries against each other,” he charged, emphasizing that “as long as the Palestinian issue is not permanently resolved, the Islamic world must stand against them as one.”

Asif’s comments came just one day after Pakistan joined Saudi Arabia and Turkey in ratifying a mutual defense agreement under which an attack on any one of the three nations would be treated as an attack on all.

The agreement was finalized during a summit attended by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. In a joint statement, the three governments said the pact is intended to strengthen collective deterrence, expand military cooperation, and promote regional security.

This is not the first time Asif has drawn criticism for his comments about Israel. In April, he referred to the Jewish state as “evil and a curse for humanity” and accused its military of committing genocide in Lebanon.

“Innocent citizens are being killed by Israel, first Gaza, then Iran, and now Lebanon, bloodletting continues unabated. I hope and pray people who created this cancerous state on Palestinian land to get rid of European jews burn in hell,” he wrote in a social media post.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar strongly condemned those remarks.

“Israel views these blatant antisemitic blood libels very gravely from a government claiming to ‘mediate peace,'” Sa’ar said.

He added that “calling the Jewish state ‘cancerous’ is effectively calling for its annihilation.”

“Israel will defend itself against terrorists who vow its destruction,” Sa’ar pledged.

Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office also issued a sharp condemnation of Asif’s statements.

“Pakistan Defense Minister’s call for Israel’s annihilation is outrageous. This is not a statement that can be tolerated from any government, especially not from one that claims to be a neutral arbiter for peace.”

Pakistan officially supports a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and continues to withhold diplomatic recognition of Israel until an independent Palestinian state is established.

Despite the lack of formal diplomatic relations, reports over the years have fueled speculation about quiet contacts between the two countries. In 2022, media reports indicated that an unofficial delegation of Pakistani citizens had traveled to Israel.

{Matzav.com}