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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}

The Trump administration announced Friday that it intends to provide $1 billion in security assistance to Colombia’s new government, signaling strong U.S. backing for newly inaugurated President Abelardo de la Espriella and his tough approach to combating armed groups and organized crime.

In a statement, the State Department said the funding will form the foundation of a renewed partnership between Washington and Bogotá.

“As a cornerstone of this renewed partnership, the United States, working with Congress, intends to announce $1 billion in assistance ⁠as part of ⁠a security package ⁠to ⁠support President de la Espriella’s Administration in achieving our shared goals,” the State Department said in a statement.

De la Espriella officially took office Friday in an inauguration that broke with Colombian tradition. Rather than being sworn in in the nation’s capital, the 48-year-old president chose the southwestern city of Cali, a region long plagued by violence, in a move intended to underscore his commitment to confronting illegal armed organizations.

The new president succeeds Gustavo Petro after narrowly defeating Petro ally Sen. Ivan Cepeda in the June 21 runoff election.

Although new to elected office, de la Espriella entered the race as a political outsider. He financed his own campaign using wealth accumulated through his legal and business careers. His inauguration, held in a university auditorium before members of Congress, reflects the latest shift toward conservative leadership in parts of Latin America.

The ceremony drew a number of prominent international guests, including Spain’s King Felipe VI, acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Argentine President Javier Milei, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, and Chilean President Jose Antonio Kast.

{Matzav.com}

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Violence flared on multiple fronts over Shabbos as Hezbollah launched an explosive drone toward IDF troops in southern Lebanon, Iran was accused of striking a commercial vessel near the Strait of Hormuz, and reports emerged that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian threatened to resign in an effort to force an emergency meeting with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.

On the northern front, Hezbollah reportedly violated the ceasefire by launching an explosive drone at an IDF force operating in southern Lebanon during the past day. No soldiers were injured and no damage was reported. The IDF chose not to publicly disclose the incident, with the decision to withhold publication reportedly made by Northern Command chief Maj. Gen. Rafi Milo.

According to a report by Kan News, Israeli defense officials believe the drone strike was part of a Hezbollah effort to assist terrorists attempting to escape from an underground tunnel network in the Ali Taher Ridge area of southern Lebanon. Military officials reportedly assess that Hezbollah operatives are trying to help terrorists trapped in the underground route make their way out.

On the Iranian front, the United Arab Emirates announced that Iran struck a tanker associated with its state-owned oil company with a missile near the Strait of Hormuz. No injuries were reported, but officials described the attack as another escalation in the ongoing series of strikes targeting commercial shipping in the strategic waterway.

Iranian authorities did not respond to the accusation. While Iranian media outlets reported that the UAE had issued a statement about the incident, they reportedly omitted the portion accusing Iran of carrying out the missile attack.

Meanwhile, CNN reported, citing three sources familiar with the matter, that Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine has been searching for what one source described as an “off-ramp” from the conflict with Iran.

According to the report, Caine has privately told senior members of President Trump’s team in recent weeks that the United States should seek a path out of the war, warning that additional military escalation could produce the opposite of its intended effect and that air power alone is unlikely to achieve the administration’s stated war objectives.

Separately, security forces responded Sunday morning to a suspected terrorist infiltration alert in the community of Ofarim in Shomron after the driver of a stolen vehicle broke through a security checkpoint while fleeing police.

According to the IDF, the suspect abandoned the vehicle and attempted to escape on foot. Security personnel rushed to the scene, and an armed security officer carried out the standard arrest procedure, including opening fire at the suspect.

The suspect was taken into custody and transferred to the Judea and Samaria District Police for further investigation. The IDF later announced that the incident had concluded and that there was no ongoing security threat to the community.

{Matzav.com}

[Video below.] New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani says he has no plans to seek the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028, insisting the party’s focus should be on reconnecting with working-class Americans rather than searching for a new national standard-bearer.

Speaking during an interview on SiriusXM’s Urban View, Mamdani was asked whether he intended to run for president in the next election cycle. He quickly dismissed the idea.

“Well, first of all, not me,” Mamdani responded when asked about a potential 2028 campaign.

Instead, Mamdani argued that Democrats do not need to reinvent themselves but should return to the principles that once defined the party.

“I think we have a number of choices,” he said, adding that the Democratic Party’s priority should be addressing the financial struggles facing everyday Americans.

According to Mamdani, the party should concentrate on making life more affordable for working families rather than pursuing a dramatic political transformation or ideological overhaul.

His remarks come as speculation has grown over who could emerge as the Democratic nominee following the next presidential election cycle. While Mamdani has become one of the party’s most recognizable progressive figures since taking office as New York City mayor, he made clear that he does not see himself as a 2028 contender.

Instead, the mayor suggested Democrats should focus less on finding a new political identity and more on advancing policies aimed at reducing the cost of living and improving economic opportunities for working people.

WATCH:

https://matzav.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/VIDEO-2026-08-08-23-25-05.mp4

{Matzav.com}

WK Kellogg announced Thursday that it will eliminate artificial colors from its entire cereal lineup by the end of this year, accelerating its original timetable by a full year as consumer demand and regulatory pressure continue to grow.

The company had previously pledged to remove synthetic food dyes from all of its cereals by the end of 2027. Thursday’s announcement moves that deadline forward to the close of 2026.

Kellogg said it has successfully developed fruit- and vegetable-based color alternatives that will replace artificial dyes while preserving the familiar appearance of cereals such as Froot Loops and Apple Jacks. The Battle Creek, Michigan-based manufacturer also said it has invested in new production equipment to support the transition to naturally derived colors.

In addition to eliminating synthetic dyes, the company announced it is removing BHT, an artificial preservative, from the small number of cereal products that still contain the ingredient.

“More and more consumers are looking for foods made with simple, recognizable ingredients and we are proud to meet those expectations even sooner than planned,” Kellogg Chief Growth Officer Doug VanDeVelde said in a statement.

Kellogg has faced mounting pressure for years to eliminate artificial ingredients from its cereals, changes the company has already implemented in countries including Canada. In 2024, dozens of demonstrators gathered outside the company’s headquarters and delivered petitions bearing approximately 400,000 signatures urging Kellogg to remove both artificial food dyes and BHT from its products.

The push intensified under President Trump’s Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has repeatedly encouraged food manufacturers to phase out petroleum-based artificial colorings. Last August, Kellogg also entered into an agreement with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton committing to “permanently remove toxic dyes” from its cereals by the end of 2027.

Major retailers have also added pressure by changing their own product standards. Earlier this year, Target announced it would stop selling cereals containing artificial colors by the end of May, while Walmart said it plans to eliminate artificial colors from all of its private-label food products by January 2027.

Political analyst Amit Segal believes Israel’s next election could ultimately be decided by as few as 10,000 votes, a relatively small number that may determine not only which parties cross the electoral threshold, but also whether Gadi Eisenkot or Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu has a viable path to forming the next government.

Writing in his weekly column in Yisroel Hayom, Segal argued that a shift of only several thousand votes could dramatically reshape the political map and determine the balance of power between the rival blocs.

According to Segal, if Chili Tropper and Yoaz Hendel succeed in crossing the electoral threshold, the four Knesset seats they are projected to win could bring Eisenkot’s bloc to 60 seats—placing it within striking distance of assembling a stable governing coalition for the next four years. However, if those same four seats instead go to a party led by figures such as Gilad Erdan, Yuli Edelstein, or Ofer Winter, all of whom have not ruled out joining a Netanyahu-led government, the political equation changes dramatically.

“If those four mandates are won by Erdan, Edelstein, or Winter, who have not ruled out Netanyahu, it means Eisenkot will not have a majority to form a government even with the Arabs abstaining,” Segal wrote. “10,000 votes moving from one side to the other—and the outcome will be completely different.”

Segal also discussed ongoing efforts to establish a new party in the center-right camp. He wrote that the decision by Erdan and Edelstein to announce their intentions immediately is designed to create political momentum and pressure other figures on the right to unite under a single framework.

According to Segal, Benny Gantz believes the financial resources and political infrastructure already at his disposal will enable him to attract additional partners. Tropper, meanwhile, reportedly believes favorable polling numbers will persuade others to join his effort. Erdan, by contrast, intends to project determination with a straightforward message: “I’m staying until the end. Anyone who wants can join me.”

Segal concluded that the battle over the smaller parties—and the movement of just a few thousand votes—could prove to be the decisive factor in the election, fundamentally altering the balance of power between Netanyahu and Eisenkot when Israelis head to the polls.

{Matzav.com}

Rav Yigal Rosen, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Or Yisroel, delivered a sobering message to bochurim regarding Israel’s ongoing draft crisis, saying that there is no natural solution in sight and urging them to prepare for the coming of Moshiach.

During the Bnei Yeshivos conference held at Kibbutz Chofetz Chaim, bochurim asked Rav Rosen about the future of the draft law and whether there was any realistic expectation that the current situation would eventually be resolved.

The rosh yeshiva responded with a clear and forceful message. “Under normal circumstances, there is no solution, and things will only get worse. Don’t let anyone tell you stories about some political move that will solve this problem. What you should do is prepare yourselves for the coming of Moshiach.”

His remarks made a powerful impression on those attending the conference and reflected the view held by many leading roshei yeshiva that the Torah world should not place its hopes in political developments or natural solutions. Instead, they emphasized strengthening limud haTorah, deepening emunah, and anticipating the coming of Moshiach with renewed faith and confidence.

{Matzav.com}

The medical condition of the Vizhnitzer Rebbe has improved after several days of weakness, bringing encouragement to his chassidim. The Rebbe’s voice was heard during Birchas HaChodesh on Shabbos in Moshav Ora, while his court also announced that next week’s historic “Makdishei Shimcha” gathering has been relocated to Yerushalayim because the Rebbe is not yet strong enough to travel to Meron.

After several difficult days, the Rebbe’s health improved over the course of Shabbos. On Shabbos Mevorchim Elul, those who spent Shabbos with the Rebbe in Moshav Ora merited hearing him recite Birchas HaChodesh together with the minyan.

Throughout Shabbos, Vizhnitzer chassidim in Eretz Yisroel and around the world intensified their recitation of Tehillim for the recovery of the Rebbe, Rav Yisroel ben Leah Esther. At the Bais Medrash in Kiryat Vizhnitz in Bnei Brak, Rav Menachem Ernster, rosh yeshiva of Vizhnitz, opened the Aron Kodesh before Krias HaTorah and recited Kapitel 130 of Tehillim, “Shir Hamaalos Mimaamakim,” together with the chazzan and congregation in the solemn Yomim Noraim melody.

Meanwhile, just one week before the major “Makdishei Shimcha” gathering, which is expected to bring together thousands of Vizhnitzer chassidim from across Eretz Yisroel for a massive tefillah assembly and the opening of the annual fundraising campaign for the Vizhnitz mosdos, the Rebbe’s court announced that the event will now be held in Yerushalayim instead of its originally planned location at the holy site of Meron.

As previously announced, the gathering had originally been scheduled for Tuesday night, Parshas Shoftim, the eve of Rosh Chodesh Elul. The Rebbe had planned to travel to Meron together with thousands of chassidim to daven for the needs of Klal Yisroel and individuals, with particular emphasis on the religious decrees affecting Eretz Yisroel, before officially launching the fundraising campaign for the mosdos.

In recent days, however, serious concerns arose regarding the original plan after the Rebbe became physically weakened and was no longer able to make the lengthy trip to Meron. The Rebbe expressed his heartfelt desire to participate in the gathering and therefore requested that it be moved to Yerushalayim so that he would be able to attend.

Organizers worked intensively over the past several days to finalize new arrangements, and it was confirmed that, b’siyata d’Shmaya, the gathering will be held in the expansive Great Bais Medrash of the Gerer chassidus in Yerushalayim. The Rebbe also addressed his chassidim through a special telephone message, urging everyone to participate in the gathering. He emphasized that every individual is important for the success of the Torah world and expressed hope that, during the coming winter, he will be able to spend a Shabbos in Meron near the kever of the Rashbi.

{Matzav.com}

A new Channel 12 News poll indicates that Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu has fallen to his lowest approval rating in months on the question of who is best suited to serve as prime minister, while a majority of respondents now say they would prefer a different candidate. The survey also found that voters in the so-called “Just Not Bibi” bloc are increasingly open to relying on Yoav Segalovich as the decisive 61st vote to form a government.

According to the poll, 31% of respondents believe Netanyahu is the most suitable person to serve as prime minister, while 56% said they would prefer someone else. The result marks a six-point decline for Netanyahu in less than a month, after a previous Channel 12 survey showed him at 37%.

The survey found a 25-point advantage for respondents aligned with the “Just Not Bibi” camp over those who support Netanyahu.

Participants were also asked what they would prefer if neither political bloc secured a 61-seat majority in the Knesset, excluding the Arab parties. Twenty-three percent favored the formation of a change coalition supported through the abstention of the Arab parties. Another 22% preferred a national unity government with Likud led by Netanyahu, while 21% supported a unity government with Likud that would not include Netanyahu as prime minister. An identical 21% said they would rather see the country head to another election.

The poll also examined whether a party leader’s ethnic background influences voting decisions. A combined 79% of respondents said it has either no impact or only a minimal impact on how they vote, while 13% said it plays a significant role in their decision. Among Netanyahu supporters, 80% said a candidate’s ethnic background has little or no influence on their vote.

By contrast, political ideology remains a much stronger factor. Sixty-four percent of respondents said whether a party is perceived as right-wing or left-wing has a significant impact on their voting decision, while 31% said it has only a limited effect.

The survey also explored the possibility of the change bloc relying on Yoav Segalovich as the decisive “61st finger” to form a government, amid expectations that he could align with Mansour Abbas. Among the general public, 44% said the bloc should not rely on Segalovich, while 28% said it should. However, among voters identified with the change bloc—the group most directly affected by such a scenario—the results were reversed: 45% supported relying on Segalovich, while 27% opposed the idea.