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[Video below.] Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana awarded Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi the newly created Medal of the Knesset in recognition of what he described as Modi’s “significant contributions to the State of Israel and the Jewish people,” following the Indian leader’s address to the Israeli parliament.

Ohana presented the medal after Modi spoke before the Knesset plenum, where he highlighted the growing partnership between New Delhi and Yerushalayim and emphasized expanding cooperation across multiple sectors.

According to the Knesset spokesperson’s office, Modi was chosen for the honor because he “significantly strengthened the ties between India and Israel and deepened the strategic cooperation between the countries.”

The statement further noted: “During his tenure, cooperation in the fields of security and technology expanded, including joint security technological developments, innovation and cyber. He worked to deepen the political and cultural connection, and strengthened Israel’s position as India’s central partner in the Middle East.”

Calling the ceremony a milestone event, Ohana said, “This is a historic moment for the Knesset and for the entire State of Israel.” He added, “The awarding of the decoration to Prime Minister Modi expresses our deep appreciation for his work to create a strategic alliance between Israel and India. His policy is an expression of a courageous, consistent and sincere friendship with the State of Israel, and of a firm stand by its side even in complex and challenging times.”

During his remarks, Modi pointed to the economic potential of both nations. He stated that India “will soon be among the top three economies globally,” while noting that “Israel is a powerhouse of innovation and technology leadership.”

“We are committed to expanding trade, strengthening investment growth and promoting joint infrastructure development,” he said, adding that the two countries “are working hard to negotiate an ambitious Free Trade Agreement. It will unlock the vast untapped potential in our trade relationship.”

India’s government announced that negotiations on a proposed India-Israel free trade agreement had begun in New Delhi on Monday. Officials said total merchandise trade between the two nations reached $3.62 billion in 2024-2025.

Modi also referenced Israel’s influence on Indian agriculture, saying that “India’s parliamentary debates of the 1950s are witness to their admiration for Israel’s effort to develop agriculture in the desert. The Kibbutz movement of Israel inspired our leaders.”

“Israeli expertise in precision irrigation and water management has already transformed agricultural practices in India,” he said.

He further revealed a new step in parliamentary cooperation, telling lawmakers: “I’m happy to inform this august house that the Indian parliament has set up a parliamentary friendship group for Israel.”

Addressing what he described as shared values between the two civilizations, Modi pointed to “philosophical parallels” between Jewish and Hindu traditions. “The [Jewish] principle of Tikkun Olam speaks of healing the world. In India, [the Sanskrit phrase of] Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam affirms that the world is one family. Both ideas… ask societies to act with compassion and moral courage,” he said.

“Judaism emphasizes halacha, guiding everyday conduct through law and practice,” he continued, while “Hindu philosophy speaks of Dharma, the moral order that shapes duty and right action. In both traditions, ethical life is lived through action, and faith is expressed through conduct.”

Modi concluded by underscoring the broader impact of the bilateral relationship. “Our strong partnership not only serves national interests, but also contributes to global stability and prosperity. Let us ensure that the friendship between India and Israel remains a source of strength in an uncertain world,” he said.

He ended his speech with the rallying calls “Am Yisrael Chai” and “Jai Hind,” meaning “Long live India,” prompting sustained applause and chants of “Modi! Modi!” from members of the packed chamber.

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{Matzav.com}

Three people were injured — one seriously and two lightly — after a fire broke out Tuesday evening in the internal medicine department at Laniado Hospital in Netanya, according to the Israel Fire and Rescue Authority. Firefighters and emergency crews were dispatched to the scene and evacuated the ward shortly after arriving. Officials said the […]

Axios reports that White House envoy Steve Witkoff told a private gathering of AIPAC donors in Washington that the Trump administration is demanding any future Iran nuclear deal remain in effect indefinitely, with no sunset provisions. •⁠ ⁠Witkoff said the U.S. position starts with the premise that there is “no sunset provision,” adding that Iran […]

[Video below.] Vice President JD Vance cautioned Iran to treat Washington’s warnings of possible military action “seriously,” speaking one day after President Donald Trump used his State of the Union address to outline what he described as escalating dangers posed by Tehran.

In an interview with Fox News, Vance said the administration’s preference remains a diplomatic resolution but stressed that the president retains additional options if talks fail.

According to Vance, Trump intends to pursue a negotiated outcome first. However, he emphasized that the president also has the authority to act militarily if necessary.

“You can’t let the craziest and worst regime in the world have nuclear weapons,” says Vance.

He added that the administration is prepared to ensure Iran does not obtain nuclear arms. “The president has a number of other tools at his disposal to ensure this doesn’t happen. He’s shown a willingness to use them, and I hope the Iranians take it seriously in the negotiations tomorrow because that’s certainly what the president prefers.”

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{Matzav.com}

Vice President JD Vance said President Donald Trump has drawn a firm red line against Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon, and is prepared to use military power if diplomacy fails. In an interview with Fox News, Vance said Trump has been unequivocal about the administration’s ultimate objective. “The president has been as crystal clear as […]

Sens. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) got into a verbal tussle during the confirmation hearing for Surgeon General-designate Dr. Casey Means: “I didn’t ask your opinion on that — and if I cared about your opinion, I would ask you. I don’t care about your opinion. You’re a part of the system. You’re […]

Police in Bnei Brak and Ramat Gan carried out a pre-Purim enforcement operation targeting the illegal sale of fireworks and explosive devices, arresting three suspects and seizing dozens of prohibited pyrotechnic items.

As part of operational preparations for the upcoming Yom Tov of Purim, officers, together with additional enforcement agencies, conducted a focused effort to uphold laws banning the sale and distribution of dangerous toys and explosive materials.

During the operation, three individuals were taken into custody on suspicion of selling and possessing banned items. Authorities confiscated dozens of pyrotechnic products, including firecrackers, fireworks and other explosive devices.

Police stated that officers from the Dan District, working in coordination with municipal enforcement and security units, will continue firm action to prevent and combat criminal activity, maintain public order, address “quality of life” offenses and noise disturbances, and provide a swift and professional response to any unusual incident, while also strengthening residents’ sense of personal security.

Law enforcement officials also urged the public to refrain from using firecrackers and similar explosives, citing consideration for combat veterans living among the community and the need to prevent panic and anxiety, particularly during this sensitive security period.

“Israel Police wishes the public a happy Purim and calls on everyone to remain vigilant. In any case of suspicion regarding individuals, vehicles or suspicious objects, contact the 100 emergency hotline to enable a rapid and effective response,” police said in a statement.

{Matzav.com}

This past Shabbos, the city of Stamford, Connecticut, was transformed into a migdalor of Torah with the hosting of the 30th annual Dirshu Convention. The massive Maamad was held this year under the banner of three decades of Harbotzas Torah, bringing together thousands of Chavrei Dirshu who traveled from across the United States and North America.

The town was filled with thousands of Yungeleit, maggidei shiur, members of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah, and prominent Roshei Yeshiva. They gathered for a Shabbos of spiritual elevation at the “Armon” hotel complex, which was entirely dedicated to the convention. To accommodate the overwhelming demand, the Marriott hotel—located a 40-minute walk away—was also chartered for the overflow of attendees. The main tefillos and gatherings took place in a massive, magnificent tent erected in the hotel courtyard to serve as the central Heichal HaTefillah. 

The participants were zocheh to bask in the presence of Gedolei U’Meorei HaDor shlit”a, who made the effort to attend and provide chizuk to the lomdei Torah.  Among the Gedolim gracing the event were:

Horav Yeruchem Olshin shlit”a, Rosh Yeshiva of Beis Medrash Govoha, Lakewood. Horav Yitzchok Sorotzkin shlit”a, Rosh Yeshiva of Telshe and Mesivta of Lakewood. Horav Dovid Goldberg shlit”a, Rosh Yeshiva of Telshe. Horav Hillel David shlit”a, Rav of Kehal Shaarei Torah. Horav Yechiel Michel Steinmetz shlit”a, Dayan of Skver Boro Park. Horav Chaim Mordechai Ausband shlit”a, Rosh Yeshiva of Ateret Shlomo, who traveled from Eretz Yisrael as a special guest. 

Dozens of other Rabbonim and Dirshu representatives from across America and Europe also attended the Maamad. Throughout the Shabbos, various Shiurei Iyun and Halacha were delivered, with marei mekomos distributed to the Chavrei Dirshu for in-depth preparation. The Nasi and founder of Dirshu, Horav Dovid Hofstedter shlit”a, also addressed the massive crowd. Additionally, specialized panels and sessions were held for maggidei shiur to discuss methods for deepening Halacha knowledge among bnei Torah. 

On Motzei Shabbos, a vital Chinuch panel addressed burning contemporary issues, including maintaining the independence of traditional Chinuch from external interference. The panel featured Rav Ausband, Horav Eitan Feiner shlit”a (Rav of Kehal Tifereth Israel), and Horav Shlomo Cynamon shlit”a (Rav of Kehal Bnei Torah and Rosh Kollel Dirshu of Flatbush)

The convention culminated in a festive Melave Malka open to the wider public, featuring stirring words from the Gedolim. The evening became a powerful display of Kiddush Shem Shamayim, as the throngs of Chavrei Dirshu united in a rikud of simcha and a shared mission to further increase the learning of Torah.

In a move with far-reaching implications for the kedushah and hanhagas hamakom at the Kosel, Knesset members voted 56–47 on Wednesday in favor of the preliminary reading of legislation granting the Chief Rabbinate full authority over tefillah arrangements at all areas of the Kosel.

The proposal immediately drew fierce criticism from “progressive” and leftist Jewish organizations, which denounced the measure as “patronizing and antisemitic.”

The bill, introduced by Noam MK Avi Maoz, seeks to counter last week’s ruling by the High Court of Justice requiring the state to proceed with upgrading the egalitarian plaza at the Kosel. That area, referred to as Ezras Yisroel, has been designated for non-Orthodox prayer services. The long-delayed renovation was part of the so-called Kosel compromise approved by Netanyahu’s government roughly a decade ago, which envisioned a pluralistic prayer platform at the site.

Under the new legislation, the two Chief Rabbis of Israel would be granted ultimate authority over Jewish holy sites, including Ezras Yisroel, and any activity conducted in opposition to their directives — such as non-Orthodox prayer services — would be defined as a “desecration.”

Current law stipulates that desecrating a holy site is punishable by up to seven years in prison.

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu canceled a session of the Ministerial Committee for Legislation in what was seen as an effort to avoid official government backing of the bill and potential backlash from Diaspora Jewry. In the end, Netanyahu allowed coalition members to vote according to their own judgment. Several Likud lawmakers, among them Yuli Edelstein and Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, did not participate in the vote.

After the bill cleared its preliminary stage, Maoz hailed the legislation as safeguarding the kedushas hamakom and said it would “unify the Jewish people, both those in Israel and those in the Diaspora.”

Justice Minister Yariv Levin, who also holds the religious services portfolio, voiced strong support for the proposal and urged swift passage in order to “put an end to the High Court’s interference in the management of the Kosel.”

The Shas party welcomed the bill, describing it as a necessary stand against “attempts to desecrate and violate the rules of the place that have been practiced for generations.” United Torah Judaism MK Moshe Gafni framed the measure as a defeat for the Reform Movement, which he labeled “the destroyers of the Jewish people.”

According to a Telegram post by Channel 12 journalist Amit Segal, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir told members of his Otzma Yehudit faction that the bill would strengthen Jewish control over Har Habayis. However, the legislation itself makes no mention of Har Habayis, which, despite its centrality in Yiddishkeit, is not formally defined under Israeli law as a Jewish holy site.

Following the vote — which now sends the bill to committee for further deliberation ahead of the three readings required for final passage — progressive Jewish leaders issued strong statements condemning the move as an affront to non-Orthodox Jews and Diaspora communities.

Anna Kislanski, CEO of the Israeli Movement for Progressive Judaism, declared that the bill is “patronizing and antisemitic.” She added, “The State of Israel is about to criminalize non-Orthodox Jewish prayer at the Western Wall. What hypocrisy. If such a law were to be passed in the United States, Australia or Britain, and prevent Jews from holding their prayers under threat of imprisonment for up to seven years, the State of Israel would immediately launch a fierce fight against antisemitism.”

The Women of the Wall organization described the Knesset vote as a “black day for the Jewish people,” asserting that the State of Israel had “divorced Diaspora Jewry and declared outright that they are not welcome and are not accepted in the home of the Jewish people.”

The group further warned that a government prepared to imprison women for reading from the Torah at the Kosel is “taking giant strides toward becoming Iran.”

Democrats MK Gilad Kariv, himself a Reform rabbi, sharply criticized the bill, stating: “Avi Maoz’s crazy law approved in a preliminary reading turns anyone who disobeys the Chief Rabbinate into a criminal who must be thrown in jail.” He added, “We will not allow Avi Maoz and Binyomin Netanyahu to spit in the face of our brothers around the world, who, while they are dealing with an unprecedented wave of antisemitism, are being stabbed in the back by the government and the coalition.”

World Zionist Organization Vice Chairman Yizhar Hess, formerly CEO of the Masorti movement, echoed those concerns. “Today’s approval of moving forward with legislation to imprison Jews who pray at the Egalitarian Kotel will always be remembered as a dark day in the history of Zionism and the nation-state of the Jewish people,” he said.

{Matzav.com}

Former Vice President Kamala Harris says that she remains undecided about another presidential run but acknowledged that she “might” seek the White House again. Harris made the remarks during a live video conversation Monday with author Sharon McMahon, as part of an online discussion that included both personal and political topics. Near the end of the […]

White House trade adviser Peter Navarro is accusing Apple CEO Tim Cook of misleading the administration about shifting iPhone manufacturing out of China and into the United States, arguing that similar assurances were made during President Trump’s first term and never fulfilled.

In an interview with Miranda Devine on “Pod Force One,” set to air Wednesday, Navarro sharply criticized Cook’s approach to tariffs and overseas production. He described the Apple chief as “the king of evading tariffs.”

“We let him get away with it in the first term, because he promised he would basically bring his iPhone production here — or out of China — and he lied through his teeth,” said President Trump’s senior counselor on trade and manufacturing.

Navarro suggested that the pattern is repeating itself under Trump’s current term. “And he’s doing it again. That’s quite par for the course,” Navarro also claimed.

Devine pressed Navarro on whether American industry is seeing a revival during Trump’s second term, pointing out that Apple maintains facilities in the United States and has announced plans to grow its domestic operations.

Navarro dismissed the idea that Apple is leading a manufacturing comeback. “Not with Apple. I mean, they’re going to India, and to me, that’s not a whole lot better than being in China,” Navarro fired back. “But, that’s the exception, I think, that proves the rule.”

President Trump has also publicly criticized Cook — at times referring to him as “Tim Apple” — over the company’s decision to expand production in India rather than bring more operations back to American soil.

Last May, Trump warned Apple that it could face a 25% tariff if it failed to relocate production to the United States. Analysts have estimated that an iPhone built entirely in America could carry a price tag as high as $3,500.

Shortly after returning to the White House, Apple unveiled plans to invest $500 billion in U.S.-based projects.

In February 2025, the company announced it would enlarge its footprint “in Michigan, Texas, California, Arizona, Nevada, Iowa, Oregon, North Carolina, and Washington” and construct “a new factory in Texas.”

At the time, Apple said the initiative would create as many as 20,000 jobs in the United States.

“Apple is deeply committed to the future of American manufacturing, and we’re proud to significantly expand our footprint in Houston with the production of Mac mini starting later this year,” Cook also said in a Tuesday statement.

“We began shipping advanced AI servers from Houston ahead of schedule, and we’re excited to accelerate that work even further.”

Over the past year, Apple’s pledged investment in the United States has climbed to $600 billion.

The company has also committed that by the end of 2026, all new “cover glass for iPhone and AppleWatch” will be manufactured at a facility in Kentucky.

The administration’s tariff strategy recently faced a legal setback when the Supreme Court ruled against the use of certain emergency authorities to impose import duties. Still, Navarro indicated that the White House has alternative tools at its disposal.

The court, in a 6-3 decision, found that Trump overstepped his authority by invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to levy tariffs aimed at correcting trade imbalances.

“It did strike down the IEEPA tariffs, the emergency tariffs — it did not strike down [Sections] 232, 301, 122, 338, all the different powers that the president has been delegated by Congress and can use.”

Navarro has long criticized Apple’s reliance on Chinese manufacturing, once describing the company’s overseas production strategy as “the longest-running soap opera in Silicon Valley.”

Reiterating his argument on “Pod Force One,” Navarro underscored what he sees as the broader impact of the administration’s trade policy.

“I mean, we have, Miranda, this is like mind boggling,” he said on “Pod Force One.”

“We have $18 trillion of new investment pledged since the tariffs and because of the tariffs,” he added. “I mean, as President Trump has said, you don’t pay the tariffs if you produce here.”

{Matzav.com}

by Rabbi Eliezer Sandler   The concept of the Yissachar-Zevulun Torah Learning Pact goes back well over 3,500 years, to the time of Yaakov Avinu and his sons. It is named for the Torah pact between two of his sons – Yissachar the scholar and Zevulun the merchant. Not only was it an equal pact […]

WATCH: Nancy Pelosi has a total meltdown on CNN over President Trumps SOTU speech last night.

Prime Minister of India Modi in the Knesset: “I also carry with me the deepest condolences from the people of India — for every life lost, and for every family whose world was shattered in the barbaric terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7th. We feel your pain.”

MAJOR DRAMA AT THE KNESSET: Political tensions flared after opposition lawmakers staged a walkout at the start of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s special address to the plenum. The protest came in response to Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana’s decision not to invite Supreme Court President Isaac Amit to attend the high-profile speech. As Modi entered […]

Prime Minister Netanyahu to Indian Prime Minister Modi: “In a world where anti-Semitism is rising, India stands out — a civilization where Jews were never persecuted by the state, only welcomed. We don’t forget that too”.

President Trump used his State of the Union address Tuesday night to warn that Iran has built missiles capable of striking American bases in Europe and the Middle East and is pursuing weapons that could eventually reach the United States, while also confirming that diplomatic talks with Tehran remain underway.

Speaking before a joint session of Congress, Trump sharply criticized Iran’s leadership and outlined what he described as escalating threats from the regime. “This is some terrible people,” Trump told lawmakers in reference to the Tehran regime, which rejected what it called “big lies” from the president. “They’ve already developed missiles that can threaten Europe and our bases overseas, and they’re working to build missiles that will soon reach the United States of America.”

The president said that even after U.S. forces carried out airstrikes in June on three significant Iranian nuclear facilities, Tehran continues to push forward with its atomic ambitions. According to Trump, the Islamic Republic is attempting to restart its nuclear program “all over … and are, at this moment, again pursuing their sinister ambitions.

“We are in negotiations with them,” Trump went on. “They want to make a deal but we haven’t heard those sacred words: ‘We will never have a nuclear weapon.’”

Another round of negotiations between U.S. and Iranian officials is scheduled for Thursday in Geneva, Switzerland. Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, who is leading the American delegation, drew attention last month when he told Fox News that Iran was “probably a week away from having industrial-grade bomb-making material.”

During his address, Trump also cited reports alleging that Iranian authorities killed 32,000 people during a violent crackdown on nationwide protests that erupted in December and January over the country’s struggling economy.

That number has circulated widely on social media but has not been echoed by major Western governments or international human rights organizations.

The Human Rights Activists News Agency, which gathers information through contacts inside Iran, reported Monday that slightly fewer than 6,500 demonstrators had been killed, with an additional 11,744 cases “under review.”

Referring to the unrest, Trump said: “Just over the last couple of months with the protests, they’ve killed at least, it looks like 32,000 protesters, 32,000 protesters in their own country,” the president said Tuesday night. “They shot them and hung them. We stopped them from hanging a lot of them with the threat of serious violence.”

Iran swiftly rejected the president’s claims. Esmail Baghaei, a spokesman for the country’s foreign ministry, characterized Trump’s comments as part of a “disinformation and misinformation campaign” Wednesday, saying: “Whatever [the US is] alleging in regards to Iran’s nuclear program, Iran’s ballistic missiles, and the number of casualties during January’s unrest is simply the repetition of big lies.”

Ahead of the speech, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe met with congressional leaders at the White House to discuss possible military options involving Iran.

Following that briefing, lawmakers from both parties expressed unease about the prospect of renewed conflict in the region. “This is serious, and the administration has to make its case to the American people,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) told reporters following the briefing, without elaborating on its contents.

“I’m very concerned,” added House Intelligence Committee vice chairman Jim Himes (D-Conn.). “Wars in the Middle East don’t go well for presidents, for the country, and we have not heard articulated a single good reason for why now is the moment to launch yet another war in the Middle East.”

Earlier this year, on Jan. 2, Trump warned that Iran would face bombing if it executed anti-government demonstrators. A planned strike was later put on hold after Tehran said it would cancel 800 scheduled executions, and subsequent discussions between the two sides have centered on Iran’s nuclear activities.

Meanwhile, Trump has directed two U.S. aircraft carrier strike groups to move into the region, positioning them in case military action becomes necessary.

Although the president has voiced support for regime change in Iran, it remains uncertain whether any potential American military operation would be designed to remove the country’s leadership, either by targeting senior officials or by weakening the government to pave the way for its collapse.

Earlier this week, the White House pushed back on reports claiming that Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, had cautioned Trump about the dangers of becoming entangled in a prolonged conflict in the Middle East.

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A 15-year-old boy was seriously injured Wednesday afternoon in an accident while riding his bicycle on Rechov HaRemez in Beitar Illit. Emergency responders rushed to the scene and found the teen suffering from a significant head injury after apparently losing control of his bicycle. Hatzolah volunteers and MDA teams provided immediate medical treatment. He was […]

Prime Minister Netanyahu in the Knesset to Indian Prime Minister Modi: “You didn’t flinch. You didn’t waver. You didn’t give excuses. You stood next to Israel. You stood by Israel. You stood for Israel. You stood for the truth. Thank you, my friend.”

Netanyahu to Indian PM Modi: This is a bond of real friendship.