Feed aggregator

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is pressing a scientific publication for answers after it removed a controversial study that examined reports of sudden infant deaths following vaccination, arguing that the decision warrants a full public explanation.

According to The Hill, Kennedy sent a letter on Thursday to Lawrence H. Lash, editor of Toxicology Reports, seeking clarification about the removal of a 2021 paper entitled “Vaccines and sudden infant death: An analysis of the VAERS database 1990-2019 and review of the medical literature.”

The study was authored by Neil Z. Miller, a medical research journalist known for his writings that raise concerns about vaccine safety and question the effectiveness of certain immunization programs.

While Kennedy acknowledged that journals may sometimes retract or remove research when significant problems are identified, he argued that such actions must be accompanied by transparency and a clear explanation of the reasoning behind them.

“As you may know, research integrity and academic freedom have been important issues to me for decades in my private career and continue to be important to me in government service,” Kennedy wrote.

In his letter, Kennedy requested details about the review process that led to the paper’s removal, including who participated in evaluating the study and what standards were applied in determining that its findings were not reliable.

Kennedy asked the journal to provide its response by June 25.

The study returned to the spotlight after attorney Aaron Siri referenced it during a presentation before a federal vaccine advisory panel, which subsequently approved revisions to the childhood vaccination schedule.

Those changes, along with actions taken by the panel, were later halted by a federal judge.

Elsevier, the publisher of Toxicology Reports, defended the removal, stating that the paper’s conclusions were not adequately supported by the methods used in the research.

In its formal notice, the publisher pointed specifically to limitations within the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, or VAERS, a passive surveillance database that records health events reported after vaccination but is not designed to determine whether vaccines caused those events.

Elsevier maintained that the available data and research methods did not justify the study’s conclusions and cited concerns about the broader implications such findings could have for medical decision-making.

The publisher also noted that Miller disputes the journal’s decision and rejects the rationale offered for removing the paper.

Although Miller’s research concluded that reports of sudden infant deaths following vaccination reached statistical significance, the study itself stated that it did not establish a causal link between vaccines and sudden infant death.

{Matzav.com}

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is demanding answers from the Trump administration following the announcement of a new memorandum of understanding with Iran, arguing that Congress and the American public have yet to receive critical information about an agreement that could reshape regional security and global energy markets.

Schumer said the administration has not provided sufficient details regarding the framework and warned that lawmakers need a full briefing on an accord with potentially far-reaching consequences for U.S. national security, stability in the Middle East, and international commerce.

“The American people deserve details and full transparency — what exactly is in this ‘understanding’? Will servicemembers remain in harm’s way?” Schumer said in a statement.

President Donald Trump has characterized the arrangement as a blueprint for ending the conflict that has persisted between Washington and Tehran for more than three months, while also restoring access through the Strait of Hormuz.

Calling for greater transparency, Schumer insisted that the administration make the agreement public and provide Congress with immediate access to its contents.

“Trump must release the details publicly, brief Congress immediately, and end this war for good,” Schumer said.

Trump announced Monday that the agreement had already been executed electronically and said the Strait of Hormuz was beginning a partial reopening ahead of a formal signing ceremony scheduled to take place Friday in Geneva.

The waterway remains one of the most strategically important passages in the world. Linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman, the Strait of Hormuz serves as a vital corridor for energy exports, with roughly one-fifth of the global oil supply traveling through it.

Trump has repeatedly maintained that the agreement guarantees the strait will remain “completely open” and “toll-free,” enabling international shipping traffic to move freely without restrictions.

Even so, many key aspects of the agreement remain unclear.

According to Iran’s Fars News Agency, Tehran is pushing for a provision that would impose a “maritime services” charge benefiting the Iranian government. Such a measure appears to contradict Trump’s assertion that vessels would enjoy unrestricted and cost-free passage.

The agreement also leaves unresolved two of the most contentious disputes between the United States and Iran: the future of American sanctions and limits on Iran’s nuclear activities.

As currently structured, the framework calls for a formal signing ceremony involving U.S. and Iranian representatives, followed by a 60-day negotiating period aimed at addressing those outstanding issues.

Schumer expressed skepticism about the administration’s portrayal of the agreement and questioned whether Washington’s gains match the reality on the ground.

“What have we actually gained here from Trump’s war?” he asked, adding that the regime in control of Iran “is more radical than the previous one.”

“The Strait of Hormuz is under greater Iranian control now than before the war began,” he said.

Meanwhile, several regional disputes remain unresolved despite the diplomatic breakthrough.

Among the most significant is the situation in southern Lebanon, where Israeli military operations continue. Defense Minister Yisroel Katz stated Monday that Israeli forces would remain deployed in the area, while Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu had not publicly addressed the agreement as of Monday.

Reports from both European and Middle Eastern sources indicate that disagreements involving Lebanon continue to be among the most delicate and unresolved components of the broader arrangement.

Vice President JD Vance said Iran could eventually receive access to reconstruction assistance totaling as much as $300 billion if it fully complies with the terms of the agreement.

“That’s the sort of thing they could have access to, funded by the Gulf coast coalition, so long as they honor their end of the obligation,” Vance told CBS News.

Vance stressed that any reconstruction package would be financed by Gulf states rather than American taxpayers and would be contingent upon Iran fulfilling its commitments under the agreement.

The White House has indicated that the complete text of the memorandum is expected to be released within days. In the meantime, lawmakers from both parties are intensifying calls for greater disclosure before the framework advances any further.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu addressed the nation on Monday evening, offering his first public response to the newly announced agreement between the United States and Iran and outlining Israel’s position going forward.

Opening his remarks, Netanyahu reiterated that preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons remains the central mission of his public life and vowed that the agreement would not alter that commitment.

“My life’s mission is the fight against the Iranian nuclear program. With or without an agreement – Iran will not have nuclear weapons, not today or tomorrow. People ask what we have achieved, and the answer is: we have removed the threat of immediate annihilation from us,” Netanyahu said.

The prime minister pointed to the economic damage inflicted on Iran in recent years, arguing that the cumulative impact has been massive and far-reaching.

He added, “We caused enormous damage to Iran’s economy, some estimate it at a trillion dollars.”

Despite the diplomatic developments, Netanyahu stressed that Israel’s confrontation with Iran and its regional network remains ongoing and warned against any sense of complacency.

“The struggle is not over and done with, we must continue to stand guard, be strong and determined, and defend ourselves as much as necessary. This is true against Iran’s terrorist arms, and not only against it,” Netanyahu said.

Netanyahu also referenced the security doctrine he adopted following the October 7 attacks, saying Israel will no longer tolerate hostile forces entrenching themselves along its borders.

The Prime Minister emphasized, “After October 7, I established a simple principle – we will not allow terrorist organizations to establish themselves on our borders. We have broken through the barrier of fear and we are harming those who seek our lives.”

Turning to his relationship with President Trump, Netanyahu acknowledged that the two leaders do not always agree on every issue, but said Israel must remain focused on protecting its own security interests.

Addressing his relationship with the US president, he said, “Trump is the President of the US and I am the Prime Minister of Israel. There are times when President Trump and I do not see eye to eye. We need to stand up for Israel’s security interests wisely.”

When asked whether he planned to mount the same type of public opposition to Trump’s agreement that he once expected Israeli leaders to direct toward President Obama’s nuclear accord, Netanyahu argued that the situations are fundamentally different.

Asked if he intends to fight against Trump’s nuclear deal like he expected the previous government to fight against Obama’s, Netanyahu rejected the comparison.

“The basic difference between the situation then and the situation now is that every agreement is accompanied by a credible military threat (on Iran). Then, there was no military threat. Today, because of what we did, not only the US, but also because of us, because we went in with 14,000 bombing runs, that’s the biggest difference, there is a credible military threat,” Netanyahu explained.

{Matzav.com}

Naftali Bennett is reportedly reassessing his political partnership with Yair Lapid and considering the possibility of breaking away from their joint “Together” framework in favor of an independent run.

According to a report by Channel 13 News, the discussions come amid slipping support in public opinion surveys and growing tensions between the two political allies. While the report suggested Bennett has explored the option, it remains uncertain whether any such move will ultimately be carried out. The Together party firmly rejected the claim.

When the alliance was first unveiled, Bennett presented it as a political game-changer, arguing that it was attracting large numbers of voters from Likud and reshaping Israel’s political landscape.

“Do you know why so many good Likud voters are coming to us now? Because the party that was once their home has become an empty shell without a soul. The name Likud remains, but the values have disappeared. Jabotinsky, Begin, and Shamir are turning in their graves when they see a cocktail of Kahanists, draft dodgers, and corrupt people who have taken over their party. Likud voters are fed up with it and are finding a home with us. That is why Netanyahu is hysterical. He is hysterical because of the hope that has been born here,” Bennett claimed.

Since then, however, polling data has painted a far less optimistic picture. Rather than gaining momentum, the merged party has shown signs of steady erosion in support, with surveys indicating a gradual decline over time.

The weakening numbers have reportedly led Bennett to revisit the wisdom of maintaining the alliance. Sources cited in the report said he is weighing whether remaining tied to Lapid will strengthen his political future—or ultimately cost him support at the ballot box.

{Matzav.com}

A growing political battle within the chareidi camp erupted on Monday after reports revealed that Shas chairman Aryeh Deri has been quietly spearheading an effort to halt the arrests of yeshiva bochurim over military draft issues, triggering a sharp public clash with Housing Minister Yitzchok Goldknopf and senior Shas officials.

The controversy began after a report disclosed that Deri has spent the past two weeks advancing a legislative proposal aimed at ending the arrests of bnei yeshiva while broader negotiations over the draft law continue.

Responding to the revelation, Goldknopf issued a strongly worded statement dismissing the initiative and expressing deep skepticism toward the government’s intentions.

“We are tired of the tricks and gimmicks designed to generate headlines and spin, and nothing more,” Goldknopf said. “What the government failed to do over the past four years, it certainly will not do now. We woke up long ago and have no trust.”

Goldknopf added that his party would continue following the directives of the gedolim and push ahead with efforts to dissolve the Knesset.

“As Gedolei Yisrael instructed us, we will insist on bringing the bill to dissolve the Knesset as early as Wednesday,” he said.

The comments sparked an angry response from Shas MK Michael Malkieli, who accused Goldknopf’s camp of opposing the proposal solely because Deri was behind it.

“When the journalist close to your camp published today that this move was being led by the prime minister together with the Belzer Rebbe and Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, you remained silent and did not utter a single word of criticism,” Malkieli charged. “But when you saw reports that the person leading this plan for the past two weeks is Shas chairman Aryeh Deri, you suddenly attacked the only proposal that can currently stop the arrests of Torah learners.”

Malkieli went further, accusing Goldknopf and his allies of placing politics ahead of the welfare of thousands of yeshiva students.

“Are you prepared to endanger 80,000 yeshiva bochurim who are currently at risk of arrest simply because of ego and a battle over credit? How far will jealousy take you?” he asked.

According to the report, Deri approached Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs approximately two weeks ago with a proposal designed to address what has become the most urgent issue facing the chareidi leadership: the arrests of yeshiva students who fail to comply with draft requirements.

Under the plan, the draft legislation currently being discussed in the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee would be split in two. A temporary one-year measure would immediately pass the law’s transitional provisions, preserving economic sanctions while suspending the arrest process.

Sources say Deri has been in contact with Fuchs over the past several days, urging the government to move quickly on the proposal. Supporters argue that such a step could defuse mounting tensions on the streets and prevent further demonstrations and unrest.

The proposed temporary legislation would address only the issue of arrests and would leave the existing financial sanctions in place, setting up what is becoming an increasingly bitter dispute within the chareidi political leadership over how best to confront the draft crisis.

{Matzav.com}

[COMMUNICATED]

The Gemara asks a question: Nashim b’mai zakyan? By what merit do women acquire their share in Torah? The answer has always been that women earn their cheilek by building the world of limud haTorah, by carrying it on their shoulders and making it possible. On Tuesday, June 16, young women will have the chance to grab their own eternal cheilek. 

Keren Olam HaTorah is inviting post-seminary girls to an exclusive evening in Bell Works, offering the rare opportunity to stand in the presence of the Gedolei Hador, receive their berachos, and to become true partners in upholding the yeshivos of Eretz Yisroel, by running  Keren Olam Hatorah’s dedicated call center. 

The urgency could not be greater. Keren Olam HaTorah is a historic initiative of the Gedolei Hador, launched to save the yeshivos of Eretz Yisroel amid the severe Israeli government budget cuts that have threatened to choke off their lifeblood. Today, the Keren stands behind and supports 120,000 lomdim. As long as the crisis endures, so must the fight for Torah. 

The program will include an uplifting musical and inspirational program, an address from Rabbi Joey Haber, and a full dinner buffet. Even better, the program will include a visit from the Gedolei Hador themselves, offering their brachos directly to you, no intermediaries involved! 

The Gedolim are calling on you. Will you answer? 

What: Exclusive call-center event for post-seminary girls 

When: Tuesday, June 16. Doors open 7:00 PM 

Where: Bell Works 

Register: kerenolamhatorah.org/girlsevent or call: 732.941.1000 ext. #5 

Email: girlsevent@kerenolamhatorah.org

Israel is scrambling to assess the fallout from the newly signed U.S.-Iran agreement, with senior officials warning that the deal could leave the Jewish state facing Iran and its terror proxies with reduced American backing—even under one of the most pro-Israel administrations in history.

As the dust settles from the conflict, Israeli leaders are increasingly focused on what comes next. The agreement has raised concerns in Israel that key strategic gains achieved during the war could be compromised by the diplomatic arrangements now taking shape between Washington and Tehran.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the delicate balancing act facing Israel as it seeks to preserve its relationship with President Trump while safeguarding its security interests. According to a report by Channel 12 News, Netanyahu acknowledged that disagreements with Washington may arise, but cautioned against allowing those disputes to escalate into a full-blown rupture.

“One can stretch the rope with the Americans, but it must not be torn,” Netanyahu reportedly said during consultations Sunday night.

At the same time, Israeli officials are still trying to obtain a complete picture of the agreement. Reports indicate that Jerusalem has not yet been fully briefed on all of the deal’s provisions, fueling frustration and uncertainty among senior decision-makers.

Top Israeli officials told Channel 13 News that they are still attempting to obtain “the full details of the agreement.” Even without access to the entire document, sources say there is already significant disappointment with its contents.

One senior Israeli official, speaking to i24News, questioned whether the war would have been launched had leaders known how the diplomatic endgame would unfold.

“If we had known that this is how the war would end from a diplomatic standpoint, it’s not certain that it would have been worth going to war,” the official said.

The remarks reflect growing unease within Israel’s political and security establishment, where officials fear that the agreement may constrain future action against Iran while forcing Jerusalem to navigate an increasingly complex relationship with Washington. As Israeli leaders continue to seek clarity on the deal’s provisions, attention is rapidly shifting from the battlefield to the diplomatic consequences that could shape the region for years to come.

{Matzav.com}

President Trump and the Pakistani Prime Minister announce an Iran memo of understanding… and Ben Shapiro breaks down everything we know, and what we don’t.

WATCH:

Oil markets tumbled Monday after President Trump announced that the United States and Iran had reached an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, easing fears of a prolonged disruption to global energy supplies and fueling a rally on Wall Street.

Brent crude fell 4.8% to $83.17 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate dropped 5.2% to $80.46. During early trading, US crude briefly slipped below $80 a barrel for the first time since March.

Although prices remain above the levels seen before the outbreak of hostilities in the Middle East, both benchmarks have now retreated to their lowest points in three months. The decline comes after oil had surged to as much as $126 a barrel at the height of the conflict.

President Trump announced the development Sunday on Truth Social, declaring: “The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete.”

He added: “Congratulations to all! I hereby fully authorize the toll free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and, simultaneously herewith, authorize the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade. Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow!”

The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes, is expected to resume normal operations on Friday when officials formally sign the agreement in Switzerland.

Investors reacted enthusiastically to the prospect of restored energy flows. US equities climbed sharply Monday morning amid expectations that the crisis, which triggered the most severe energy supply disruption in modern history, may soon come to an end. The disruption had driven gasoline prices above $4 per gallon and reignited inflation concerns.

By approximately 9:45 a.m. Eastern Time, the Dow Jones Industrial Average had gained 517 points, or 1%. The S&P 500 advanced 1.5%, while the Nasdaq jumped 2.4%.

According to AAA, the national average price for gasoline stood at $4.07 per gallon on Monday. That figure represents a 10% decline from one month ago, although it remains about 36% higher than before the conflict began.

Energy analysts note that retail fuel prices generally take one to two weeks to reflect changes in crude oil markets. Administration officials have argued that motorists should begin seeing meaningful relief soon after shipping traffic fully resumes through the strait.

At the same time, experts caution that restoring global energy markets could be a lengthy process. Significant damage to infrastructure throughout the region, along with reduced petroleum reserves, may continue to affect supplies for months.

“Within two weeks, if it stays open and the deal looks stable, we can expect the national average to drop to mid-high $3 range,” Joe Adamski, managing director of ProcureAbility, a supply chain consultancy, told The Post.

“But the rest will take much longer. It will take up to six months for tanker traffic flows to reach normal; demining and facility repairs will take anywhere from six months to two years, that we don’t know until full assessments can be done.”

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also confirmed the agreement, announcing the development on X.

“Both sides have declared the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts,” he wrote.

{Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Mrs. Rivka Rubashkin a”h, the revered matriarch of the Rubashkin family whose Brooklyn home served as a beacon of hospitality, generosity, and compassion for generations. She was in her late nineties.

For decades, Mrs. Rubashkin was a familiar and beloved presence in Boro Park, where she and her husband created an environment defined by Torah values, Chassidus, and extraordinary devotion to helping others. Countless guests, neighbors, bochurim, and families in need found a welcoming home and a caring heart under her roof.

Mrs. Rubashkin was married to Reb Avraham Aharon Rubashkin OBM, the pioneering force in the kosher meat industry, noted philanthropist, and patriarch of a large Lubavitch family. Reb Avraham Aharon passed away in 2020 after a lifetime of communal leadership and generosity. Together, the couple became known for opening their home and extending assistance to anyone who needed support.

Born Rivka Chazanov, a member of the renowned Chein family from Nevel, she escaped the Nazi invasion of her hometown in July 1941. She later married Reb Avraham Aharon in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, where many refugees from the Soviet Union had sought safety during the war years.

Following the end of World War II, the family made its way out of the Soviet Union through Lemberg. After spending a period in Austria, they eventually established themselves in Paris in 1947.

Their journey continued in 1953 when they immigrated to New York. There, Reb Avraham Aharon and his partner, Reb Alter Lieberman, launched Lieberman & Rubashkin Glatt Kosher Butchers on 14th Avenue in Boro Park, a business that would later become widely known as Rubashkin’s.

While her husband was building enterprises that helped reshape the American kosher food market, Mrs. Rubashkin focused on building a home that became synonymous with warmth, kindness, and unwavering hospitality.

Throughout the years, she earned a reputation as someone who never turned away a visitor. Whether the person at her door was a yeshiva bochur, a neighbor, a traveler, or someone facing difficult circumstances, they were received with sincerity and care. Many of her acts of kindness were performed quietly and remained known only to those she helped.

She also became a well-known figure through Crown’s Deli on 13th Avenue, which she operated beginning in the early 1960s. Although the establishment was technically a family-run business, many remembered it as a center of chessed rather than a restaurant. People in need could always count on receiving a meal, regardless of whether they could afford to pay. Despite operating for decades, the deli, which ultimately closed in the late 2000s, was never profitable.

Her commitment to helping others reached far beyond her immediate circle. Alongside her husband, she supported numerous Torah institutions, charitable organizations, and communal initiatives. The couple regularly assisted struggling families, recent immigrants, widows, yeshiva students, and many others confronting hardship. In countless cases, beneficiaries never learned who had provided the assistance. People from every background knew that the Rubashkin home was a place where they could find food, lodging, encouragement, and a sense of belonging.

Mrs. Rubashkin is survived by her children: Mrs. Gitel Goldman of Miami Beach, Florida; Mrs. Sara Balkany of Boro Park; Mrs. Rochel Leah Rosenfeld of Tzfas; Reb Yossi Rubashkin of Crown Heights; Reb Moshe Rubashkin of Crown Heights; Reb Sholom Mordechai Rubashkin of Jackson, New Jersey; Mrs. Chayala Gourarie of Crown Heights; Reb Heshy Rubashkin of Postville, Iowa; and Mrs. Chana Zelda Minkowicz of Crown Heights. She is also survived by numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

She is additionally survived by her brother, Meir Simcha Chazanow, and her sister, Rochel Leah Dagan. She was predeceased by her sisters, Basya Kalmenson and Miriam Chazanow.

The levayah is taking place now at 5500 15th Avenue in Boro Park.

Yehi zichrah boruch.

{Matzav.com}

Public outrage over remarks attributed to journalist and Matzav Haruach editor Haggai Huberman has escalated into legal action, with two chareidi IDF reservists filing formal police complaints accusing him of incitement to violence and murder.

According to reports, the complaints were submitted separately by two reservists—one a veteran of the Paratroopers Brigade and the other serving in the Chashmonaim Brigade—who say Huberman’s comments pose a direct threat to their safety and that of the broader chareidi community.

The controversy erupted after Huberman allegedly posted an inflammatory anti-chareidi message in a private WhatsApp group that includes hundreds of journalists. The message reportedly stated: “I have long advocated running over every religious Jew and wiping out every chareidi.”

Police have already begun reviewing the statements. As previously reported, authorities opened a preliminary examination into the remarks, and any decision to upgrade the matter into a formal criminal investigation would require approval from Israel’s Attorney General.

In his complaint, the former paratrooper said the statement amounted to an explicit call for violence against an entire segment of the population.

“This is a clear, severe, and shocking call for serious physical harm, violence, and even the destruction of an entire community to which I proudly belong,” the reservist wrote.

The second complainant, a soldier serving in the Chashmonaim Brigade, argued that such rhetoric creates an immediate danger for him, his family, and other chareidim.

“Statements like these effectively place a target on my back and on the backs of my family and friends, creating a direct and tangible threat against us. This is a media figure with significant public influence,” he wrote.

According to the report, the controversial statement was not an isolated incident. Additional messages allegedly sent by Huberman to the same journalists’ group have also surfaced.

The messages were reportedly written during discussions about demonstrations outside the home of Israeli Supreme Court Justice Noam Solberg in Alon Shvut.

Referring to the protesters, Huberman allegedly wrote: “I don’t understand why the residents of Alon Shvut don’t go out, grab these hooligans, and break their bones. I would do it with great pleasure.”

In another message cited in the report, Huberman allegedly proposed a humiliating act directed at chareidi demonstrators.

“I have another suggestion for the residents of Alon Shvut: Go out with scissors, grab some of these chareidim, and cut off one peyah from each of them. Not both peyos—we’re not that antisemitic. Just one peyah.”

The publication of the messages has intensified criticism from within the chareidi community, with the complainants arguing that the comments go far beyond political rhetoric and constitute dangerous incitement. As of now, police have not announced whether a formal criminal investigation will be launched.

{Matzav.com}

The mother of a young yungerman arrested Monday near Ofakim on suspicion of draft evasion broke down in tears during a live radio interview, pleading with chareidi political leaders to intervene and secure her son’s release.

Odelya Cohen, the mother of 22-year-old Aviel Cohen of Netivot, spoke emotionally during a special broadcast on Kol Barama hosted by Yaakov Grodka, describing the anguish her family has experienced since learning of the arrest.

“I am suffering from high blood pressure and I’m on medication right now. I can’t believe this happened,” she said through tears. “I’m begging them to get him out. If there is anything you can do, please do it.”

The distraught mother said she was overcome with emotion when she received word that her son had been taken into custody.

“I screamed when I heard that he was arrested. I can’t survive like this. Do something now. I can’t go on for another minute.”

She also directed sharp criticism toward Shas and its leadership, questioning why elected representatives had not succeeded in preventing such arrests.

“For years I voted for Shas. Why? Why should my son be in prison? I’m very disappointed. It’s terrible,” she said. “Of course Aryeh Deri could have done something. At least let him do something now. If it were his son, would this have happened?”

The yungerman’s father, Chofni Cohen, also spoke about the incident, claiming his son was stopped by authorities despite not committing any traffic violation.

“My son was driving today near the Gilat Junction when he saw a police vehicle and military police behind it. They ordered him to pull over and began inspecting his tires and looking for a traffic violation,” he said. “Even though he had done nothing wrong, they handcuffed him. They threatened his wife that if she called anyone or filmed the incident, they would take away her phone.”

According to reports, Aviel Cohen was detained at the Gilat gas station near Ofakim on suspicion of draft evasion and was subsequently transferred to the Military Police station at Ir HaBahadim.

News of the arrest quickly sparked protests, with dozens of demonstrators gathering at the Gilat Junction and blocking traffic on Routes 25 and 241 in protest of the detention.

{Matzav.com}

A pall of mourning descended upon the Vizhnitzer community with the passing of Reb Dov (Berel) Daskal zt”l, a beloved elder chassid and one of the most respected figures in Vizhnitzer circles in Bnei Brak. Reb Berel, who served for decades as a renowned shochet and expert mohel and was closely connected to generations of Vizhnitzer rebbes, passed away at the age of 92.

The levayah will take place Tuesday morning at 10:30 a.m., departing from the central Vizhnitzer beis medrash in Kiryat Vizhnitz, Bnei Brak, and proceeding to the Vizhnitz ercemetery, where he will be laid to rest.

Born in Romania on the 28th of Adar 5694 (1934), Reb Berel was the son of Reb Rafael Aryeh Daskal and Mrs. Perl Daskal, descendants of distinguished chassidic families in Romania and Eretz Yisrael. Throughout his life, he embodied devotion to Torah, kindness, humility, and unwavering faith.

Upon reaching marriageable age, he married the daughter of Reb Yechiel Michel Friedman Hy”d, and together they built a family deeply rooted in Torah and chassidus.

For decades, Reb Berel was a familiar and cherished presence among the thousands of Vizhnitzer chassidim in Bnei Brak. He belonged to a generation that merited close association with the great leaders of the Vizhnitz dynasty, from the Imrei Chaim and the Yeshuos Moshe to the present-day Vizhnitzer Rebbe.

He maintained a particularly close relationship with the rebbes, serving them with remarkable dedication and earning their affection and trust.

For many years, he held the role of devoted shamash to the Yeshuos Moshe during tishen and other special occasions. Chassidim recall his complete devotion to the rebbe and the diligence and reverence with which he carried out his responsibilities.

Alongside his deep connection to the Vizhnitzer court, Reb Berel became widely known for his sacred work as both a shochet and mohel. Over the course of many decades, he performed thousands of brissim, earning a reputation for exceptional expertise, precision, and yiras Shamayim. On numerous occasions, he was privileged to conduct brissim while the rebbes of the dynasty served as sandek.

He was known as a constant learner and devoted oved Hashem who made Torah the centerpiece of his life. He was deeply committed to tefillah, acts of chessed, and uplifting avodas Hashem, often expressing his devotion through heartfelt song and praise.

Just over a year ago, in Shevat 5785, he suffered a painful personal loss with the passing of his son-in-law, Reb Moshe Kramer, a prominent Vizhnitzer chassid in Bnei Brak, who passed away at the age of 59 after enduring significant suffering with extraordinary faith and acceptance.

Reb Berel leaves behind a large and distinguished family of children, grandchildren, sons-in-law, and descendants who continue in the path of Torah and chassidus that he exemplified throughout his life.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

The United States and Iran have taken the first formal step toward a broader agreement, with President Trump and Vice President Vance electronically signing a memorandum of understanding on Sunday alongside Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, according to senior U.S. officials.

Officials said the contents of the memorandum are expected to be made public within the next 24 to 48 hours.

While describing the agreement as significant, administration officials stressed that it serves only as an opening framework. One official said the next phase will involve “real technical discussions,” which are scheduled to begin later this week under Vance’s leadership.

Speaking Monday on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” Vance emphasized that any economic benefits for Iran would depend entirely on Tehran fulfilling its commitments.

“We’ll be releasing the text this week, and what everybody will see is that Iran doesn’t get a dime of money unless they perform their obligations, and the money that we’re talking about is fundamentally sanctions relief,” Vance said in an interview with ABC’s “Good Morning America” on Monday.

President Trump delivered a similar message while attending the G7 summit in France alongside French President Emmanuel Macron. Trump indicated that the complete agreement would likely become public “sometime after Friday.”

A formal signing ceremony for the document is scheduled to take place Friday in Geneva, Switzerland. Vance and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, are expected to attend, while Trump suggested he does not plan to be present.

During a briefing with reporters, administration officials said the United States will keep its military presence in the region unchanged throughout the 60-day negotiating window.

One official noted that commercial activity through the Strait of Hormuz has already begun increasing and is expected to continue expanding gradually. According to the official, traffic through the strategic waterway will “ramp up slowly over time.”

Officials also confirmed that Iran has not yet received any frozen assets currently held by the United States or other nations.

“We are prepared to release frozen funds, and we are prepared to release sanctions,” one official said. “And we’ll do some small gestures of that in the beginning, if they make some small gestures to us that show that they’re willing to meet their commitments as well.”

Another administration official dismissed speculation that separate arrangements could be made with Gulf countries to provide Iran with access to funds outside the framework of the agreement.

“They’re very supportive of this,” the official said, calling the idea “not just unlikely, but preposterous.”

Officials further clarified that the agreement does not require Israel to withdraw its forces from Lebanon.

“The deal is a ceasefire, and it will not be a one-way ceasefire, meaning that if Iran is not able to control Hezbollah, and if they attack, you know, Israeli positions or Israeli towns, Israel will have the right to defend themselves and respond,” the official said.

Despite the challenges ahead, administration officials expressed confidence that the negotiations could reshape regional dynamics and lead to broader stability.

But optimism was also expressed that “we can find a way to create a new framework for the region based on modern times, modern aspirations.”

{Matzav.com}

Israeli media personality Yinon Magal launched a sharp attack on President Donald Trump and senior members of his administration Sunday night, accusing Washington and several Gulf states of abandoning Israel in pursuit of a deal with Iran.

Responding to the agreement brokered by Trump and the growing tensions between the American president and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Magal offered a blunt assessment of the outcome.

“Trump came out a loser,” Magal wrote.

According to Magal, the president succumbed to pressure from Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and Vice President JD Vance, whom he claimed had advanced Qatari interests at Israel’s expense.

In his post, Magal also used harsh and derogatory language toward Witkoff and Kushner, accusing them of having been influenced by Qatar and alleging that they had betrayed Israel’s interests.

Magal further criticized Gulf Arab states, arguing that they feared a prolonged regional conflict and were willing to funnel billions of dollars to Iran in exchange for restoring stability.

“So we’ve been left alone,” he wrote. “And we will win alone, because Netzach Yisrael lo yeshaker.”

Despite the agreement, Magal argued that Israel must continue pursuing its own security objectives regardless of international pressure.

He said Israel should maintain its military presence in Lebanon, continue its operations against hostile forces, respond to every attack, and strike any entity that poses a threat to the country.

Magal also called on the political right to rally behind the government and the prime minister during the current crisis.

“We strengthen the government and its leader,” he wrote. “He is the right person at the right time to deal with this situation.”

He concluded his remarks with a personal message to Netanyahu.

“Bibi, go to sleep. Tomorrow is a new day. We are behind you.”

{Matzav.com}

Bnei Brak Mayor Chanoch Zeibert is accusing the Transportation Ministry of delaying critical solutions to the city’s worsening traffic crisis, while also warning of an ongoing shortage of educational facilities ahead of the upcoming school year.

In an interview with Avi Mimran on Kol Chai Radio’s flagship news program, Zeibert discussed the city’s readiness for potential security developments and outlined what he described as major transportation and infrastructure challenges facing Bnei Brak.

Addressing security preparedness, Zeibert said the municipality is operating according to established emergency plans and does not currently require any extraordinary measures.

Most of the interview focused on the city’s transportation problems. Zeibert explained that after renovation work on Chazon Ish Street, the municipality agreed to temporarily reroute buses to Aharonovitch Street while a broader transportation plan was developed.

According to the mayor, the current arrangement has created a serious imbalance. “Jabotinsky Street is one long traffic jam, while Chazon Ish Street is practically empty,” he said.

Zeibert argued that the Transportation Ministry has been delaying the return of some bus routes to Chazon Ish Street despite earlier agreements to do so.

He said the existing traffic patterns are causing major hardships for residents and commuters.

“A person can spend an hour and a half just trying to leave the city,” Zeibert stated, adding that dividing bus traffic between Chazon Ish and Aharonovitch Streets would significantly reduce congestion.

“We can decide today that some buses will travel on Chazon Ish and some on Aharonovitch, and that would solve a large part of the problem,” he said.

The mayor also discussed the long-delayed central bus terminal planned for the Coca-Cola Junction area, a project that has been under discussion for approximately 15 years.

According to Zeibert, while parts of the Transportation Ministry support the project, other officials within the ministry continue to file objections that have stalled progress.

“The investor has already put up the money, purchased the land, and everything is standing still,” he said.

Zeibert noted that additional transportation solutions have been proposed, including transit terminals near Geha Junction and along Jabotinsky Street, but said no final decisions have been made.

He also expressed frustration over delays in advancing dedicated public transportation lanes.

“I’ve been waiting five months for a meeting and nobody has met with me,” Zeibert said.

According to the mayor, a new residential neighborhood in northern Bnei Brak is also awaiting transportation infrastructure approvals that have yet to materialize.

Turning to education, Zeibert acknowledged that the city continues to face a shortage of school buildings and classroom space.

He said Bnei Brak currently spends between NIS 30 million and NIS 40 million annually on rental costs for educational facilities.

The mayor noted that Bnei Brak was the first municipality to establish kindergartens in public spaces located beneath residential buildings as part of efforts to address growing demand.

“Buildings are still lacking,” Zeibert admitted.

Nevertheless, he expressed confidence that the city will be ready when the new academic year begins, emphasizing that schools are expected to open on schedule despite the ongoing challenges.

{Matzav.com}

In a significant ruling that could reshape how Israel’s Aviation Services Law is applied, the Yerushalayim District Court has completely overturned a nearly NIS 21,000 judgment against Israir, ruling that a flight delayed by 5.5 hours does not qualify as a canceled flight under the law. The court also described the passengers’ lawsuit as “exaggerated and inflated.”

The case stemmed from a couple’s purchase of airline tickets to Budapest for approximately $440. One day before departure, they were informed that, due to security-related disruptions, their flight schedule had been changed. Israir offered them seats on an alternative flight departing the same day, roughly five and a half hours later than originally planned.

The passengers chose not to travel and subsequently filed a lawsuit seeking NIS 29,000 in damages. A Small Claims Court partially accepted their arguments and ordered Israir to pay approximately NIS 21,000.

‘Neither Reasonable Nor Proportionate’

That decision was completely reversed on appeal.

In her ruling, Judge Tamar Bar-Asher emphasized that under Israel’s Aviation Services Law, a flight is considered canceled only if it does not operate at all or departs at least eight hours later than scheduled. Since the replacement flight departed only 5.5 hours after the original departure time, the statutory threshold for cancellation was not met.

The judge sharply criticized the original award, writing that “the obligation to pay 21,000 shekels for a transaction that cost approximately 1,190 shekels is an unreasonable and disproportionate result that has no place.”

She further described the passengers’ original claim as “exaggerated and inflated” and vacated all financial obligations imposed on the airline.

The ruling sends a clear message that relatively minor scheduling changes—particularly those arising from security-related circumstances—do not automatically entitle passengers to substantial compensation.

The decision joins a growing body of recent rulings addressing disputes between airlines and passengers and provides greater clarity regarding the limits of airline liability during periods of operational disruption.

Potential Impact on the Aviation Industry

The ruling comes at a particularly sensitive time for Israel’s aviation sector.

In recent months, Israeli airlines have faced extraordinary security challenges that have forced repeated schedule changes and operational adjustments. Several carriers recently introduced more flexible cancellation policies in response to ongoing regional tensions.

The court’s decision makes clear that airlines are not automatically required to compensate passengers whenever a flight schedule changes. Rather, compensation under the law generally applies only when a flight is fully canceled or delayed by at least eight hours.

In cases falling short of those thresholds, passengers must demonstrate actual and tangible damages in order to recover compensation.

Legal observers note that lawsuits against airlines have increased significantly in recent years, with some claims seeking unusually large awards. The Israir ruling may serve as an important precedent, helping courts distinguish between legitimate passenger claims and efforts to capitalize on travel disruptions for financial gain.

{Matzav.com}

Newly uncovered Hamas documents seized in Gaza suggest that, beyond the group’s murderous assault on Israeli civilians, a central objective of the October 7 attack was to derail the rapidly advancing normalization process between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

The documents, analyzed by the Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center and revealed Sunday by Kan 11, shed light on internal Hamas discussions in the months and years leading up to the massacre carried out on Simchas Torah 5784. According to the findings, Hamas leadership viewed Saudi-Israeli normalization as a major strategic threat and sought ways to prevent it.

The records indicate that in February 2022—approximately 20 months before the October 7 attack—Hamas leaders in Gaza convened a meeting and approved the creation of a dedicated office tasked with managing what they described as the struggle against normalization.

According to minutes from the meeting, the office would be responsible for shaping strategy, ideology, policy, and operational plans related to opposing normalization efforts, while coordinating implementation across various branches of the organization.

One recommendation contained in the documents stated that Hamas should work to intensify unrest in Gaza, Yehudah and Shomron, and Yerushalayim in order to disrupt the normalization process between Saudi Arabia and Israel.

Another document emphasized the importance of violence on the ground as a tool for undermining diplomatic progress. It argued that the Second Intifada had played a decisive role in derailing earlier normalization initiatives connected to the Arab Peace Initiative and suggested similar tactics could once again prove effective.

The documents further reveal that as 2023 progressed, Hamas leaders increasingly concluded that their efforts to halt normalization were failing to achieve the desired results.

According to the report, just two weeks before the October 7 attack, Hamas leaders held a crucial meeting devoted to the issue. During that session, then-Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar presented a position paper titled “Confronting the Saudi-Israeli Normalization Process.”

Minutes from the meeting quote Sinwar as declaring: “Normalization is an entirely evil disease, and there is no difference between one country and another in normalization. However, Saudi Arabia has a special status on the Arab and Islamic level and great influence, and this is a regrettable, troubling, reprehensible and bewildering step.”

Sinwar also launched a sharp attack on Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, stating: “Bin Salman seeks to establish his image as the leader of the region at the expense of all countries, including Egypt. Leadership of the region must pass through the Israeli gate in understanding with the Americans. His growing ambitions and political madness have implications for our issue and for the region, and herein lies the danger of this step.”

According to the documents, Sinwar argued that Hamas had a responsibility to strike Israel and send a message to nations pursuing normalization. He reportedly stated: “We will have a role in striking the Zionist enemy and sending a message to the normalization partners—that the Israeli occupation is not an oasis of security and stability. We may not succeed in stopping the move, but we will disrupt it and strip it of legitimacy.”

The documents also reveal that Hamas leadership held another pivotal meeting on October 2, 2023—five days before the massacre. It was reportedly the final leadership session before the attack.

During that meeting, Sinwar described Saudi-Israeli normalization efforts as a development that would lead to what he called “regional deterioration.”

His conclusion, according to the records, was that the advancing diplomatic process left Hamas with no alternative but to undertake what he termed an “extraordinary action.”

Sinwar reportedly declared: “There is no escaping an extraordinary action by the movement and the forces of the resistance axis to create a major shift or strategic turning point in the trajectories and balances of the region, regarding the Palestinian issue and confronting normalization and the collapse of the region.”

Five days later, Hamas launched its unprecedented assault on Israel.

Since the outbreak of the war, efforts to normalize relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel have effectively been frozen, a reality that continues to this day.

{Matzav.com}

A dramatic overnight confrontation unfolded on Highway 7 near Ashdod after police detained a yeshiva bochur identified as a military draft deserter, prompting dozens of protesters to rush to the scene and ultimately leading to his release.

The incident occurred at approximately 2:30 a.m. Monday, shortly after the Beit Rabban Junction on Highway 7 heading toward Ashdod. According to reports, officers stopped a vehicle carrying the yeshiva bochur and determined that he was listed as a draft deserter by the IDF.

Police then reportedly summoned military police to take custody of the bochur and transfer him for detention.

Within minutes, alerts were circulated through the “Tzeva Shachor” and “The Kidnappers Have Arrived” notification systems, telephone networks used by members of the Peleg Yerushalmi to mobilize supporters in response to arrests of bnei yeshivah.

Dozens of protesters quickly converged on the location, creating a large crowd around the police officers and the detained vehicle.

As tensions mounted and military police had still not arrived, authorities reportedly grew concerned about the possibility of further escalation. In light of the growing crowd and the delay in transferring the detainee, a decision was made to release the yeshiva bochur immediately.

Following his release, protesters reportedly broke into singing and dancing. The demonstration then shifted to a nearby section of Highway 7, where participants blocked traffic for roughly an hour.

The road closure continued until organizers issued the traditional instruction of “Veyachzor l’Talmudo” (“let him return to his learning”), signaling the end of the protest. The demonstrators then dispersed from the area.

{Matzav.com}

The Likud party is reportedly in advanced negotiations with an artificial intelligence company to deploy interactive campaign calls featuring a digital version of Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu, allowing voters to hold conversations with an AI-powered bot designed to encourage support for the party in the upcoming election.

According to a report in Yisroel Hayom, the system would go far beyond traditional recorded campaign messages. Voters receiving the calls would hear Netanyahu’s voice and be able to engage in a back-and-forth conversation with the AI, which would respond to questions and attempt to persuade them to vote Likud.

The initiative has already sparked criticism from within Likud itself. Some party insiders argue that replacing personal political outreach with artificial intelligence could alienate voters rather than attract them.

“People won’t connect to a bot calling them. Even if it’s Netanyahu. Once upon a time we would meet Netanyahu in the market. Today we’ll get him through a robot,” one Likud source complained.

Legal experts quoted in the report said there appears to be no legal obstacle to using such technology, provided voters are clearly informed that they are speaking with an AI system and not with Netanyahu himself. Failure to make that distinction, they warned, could potentially be considered misleading.

The report comes as recent polling continues to show Likud maintaining its position as Israel’s largest political party. According to the latest Hayom-Kantar survey, Likud would receive 24 seats if elections were held today.

The survey also indicated continued momentum for former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot. For the first time since launching his political framework, Eisenkot’s party climbed to 20 seats, placing it ahead of the Bennett-Lapid alliance, which fell three seats to 19 and now ranks as the second-largest faction in the center-left bloc. Pollsters noted that Eisenkot appears to be drawing support from across the political spectrum, including some voters who previously backed Netanyahu.

The survey also found that a majority of coalition voters believe Israel emerged stronger from the latest round of regional tensions. Fifty-five percent said the country’s position had improved, while 35 percent felt it had weakened.

On the issue of the Basic Law regulating Torah study, which passed a preliminary Knesset vote this week, coalition voters expressed broad support. Forty-eight percent backed the legislation, compared to 28 percent who opposed it. Among opposition voters, however, resistance was overwhelming, with 81 percent saying they opposed the proposal.

{Matzav.com}