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United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday sharply criticized Israel over the demolition of a UNRWA compound in Yerushalayim, prompting an immediate and pointed response from Israel’s Foreign Ministry highlighting documented links between the UN agency and Hamas terrorists.

Guterres’s deputy spokesperson, Farhan Haq, said in an official statement that the UN chief “condemns in the strongest terms the Israeli authorities’ actions to demolish the UNRWA Sheikh Jarrah compound.” Haq stressed that, as Guterres has “repeatedly and unequivocally stated, including in his letter to the Prime Minister of Israel on 8 January 2026, the Sheikh Jarrah compound remains United Nations premises, and is inviolable and immune from any form of interference.”

The statement went on to say that “The Secretary-General views as wholly unacceptable the continued escalatory actions against UNRWA, which are inconsistent with Israel’s clear obligations under international law, including under the Charter of the United Nations and the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations.”

According to Haq, Guterres also “urges the Government of Israel to immediately cease the demolition of the UNRWA Sheikh Jarrah compound, and to return and restore the compound and other UNRWA premises to the United Nations without delay.”

Israel’s response came swiftly. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein reposted the UN condemnation on social media, attaching a video showing Hamas terrorist Mohammad Marwan Abu Itiwi participating in the kidnapping of Israeli hostages during the October 7, 2023 attack. Marmorstein also included a screenshot from an UNRWA employee list identifying Itiwi as an UNRWA driver, complete with his employee number.

“Was this your UNRWA Employee of the Month?” Marmorstein wrote in his post.

The confrontation comes against the backdrop of Israeli legislation passed by the Knesset in October 2024 barring UNRWA from operating in Israel and banning Israeli officials from maintaining contact with the agency. That law was expanded last month to prohibit the supply of electricity and water to UNRWA facilities, and Israeli authorities also moved to seize the agency’s offices in eastern Yerushalayim.

Earlier this month, Guterres warned Israel that he may take the matter to the International Court of Justice if the laws targeting UNRWA are not repealed. The warning was delivered in a January 8 letter to Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu.

In the letter, Guterres wrote that the United Nations cannot ignore “actions taken by Israel, which are in direct contravention of the obligations of Israel under international law. They must be reversed without delay.”

UNRWA has faced longstanding criticism over its cooperation with the Hamas terrorist organization, criticism that intensified after Israel presented evidence in 2024 indicating that UNRWA staff members took part in the October 7, 2023 Hamas assault.

In response to Israel’s allegations, the United Nations established an independent review group headed by former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna to examine the claims.

The group’s report acknowledged that it found “neutrality-related issues” within UNRWA, but also asserted that Israel had not yet provided evidence that a large number of UNRWA employees were members of terrorist organizations.

Separately, Emily Damari, a former Hamas hostage released after 470 days in captivity, said she had been held inside an UNRWA facility.

In April 2025, USAID disclosed that the United Nations had obstructed an American government investigation into ties between UNRWA employees in Gaza and the Hamas terrorist organization.

Despite the mounting evidence cited by Israel regarding UNRWA’s connections to Hamas, the International Court of Justice recently ruled that Israel must enable the delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip through UN agencies, including UNRWA. Israel and the United States both criticized that ruling.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump on Tuesday issued his starkest warning yet to Iran, vowing overwhelming retaliation if Tehran follows through on assassination threats against him. “They shouldn’t be doing it, but I’ve left notification,” Trump said in an interview with NewsNation, responding to a question about ongoing threats attributed to Iran’s leadership. “Anything ever happens, we’re […]

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s office announced on Wednesday morning that he has accepted the invitation of US President Donald Trump to join the Board of Peace, which will be composed of world leaders and will oversee the administration of the Gaza Strip The decision comes against the backdrop of unusual tension between Jerusalem and Washington […]

Commuter rail service in Spain’s northeastern Catalonia region was suspended Wednesday after a Barcelona commuter train crashed the night before, Spanish authorities said. At least one person died in the Barcelona-area crash, and 37 others were injured as crews worked at night to complete the rescue effort. The train hit a retaining wall that fell onto the […]

The Association of Community Rabbis (איגוד רבני קהילות) slammed the shocking remarks about harming Israel’s Chief Rabbanut made by Ayelet Hashachar Seidof, the chairwoman of the leftist “Mothers at the Front” group. Channel 14 on Tuesday evening revealed shocking remarks Seidof made about the Rabbanut in a recent Zoom conversation with members of her group. […]

A South Korean court ruled Wednesday that the ill-fated imposition of martial law by the then President Yoon Suk Yeol constituted an act of rebellion, as it sentenced his prime minister to 23 years in prison for his involvement. Ex-Prime Minister Han Duck-soo became the first Yoon administration official convicted of rebellion charges in relation to the martial law […]

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New and disturbing footage filmed inside the bus in the moments that the driver struck and killed Naftali Kramer, z’l, near Komemiyut on Tuesday raises serious questions about the background of the deadly incident. The footage from the bus camera, published by Yisrael Hayom on Wednesday morning, shows that the driver was driving erratically before […]

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The Justice Department has widened its inquiry into Minnesota’s handling of federal immigration enforcement, issuing subpoenas to Gov. Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and other top state and local officials as part of an investigation into whether authorities interfered with federal operations during the Trump administration, according to a document reviewed by NBC News and a person familiar with the matter.

The subpoenas also target Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, the office of St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her, and two county governments, the document and the person said.

NBC News contacted the offices involved seeking comment.

Frey responded with a statement blasting the Trump administration and accusing the Justice Department of abusing its authority.

“When the federal government weaponizes its power to try to intimidate local leaders for doing their jobs, every American should be concerned. We shouldn’t have to live in a country where people fear that federal law enforcement will be used to play politics or crack down on local voices they disagree with,” Frey added.

“In Minneapolis, we won’t be afraid. We know the difference between right and wrong and, as Mayor, I’ll continue doing the job I was elected to do: keeping our community safe and standing up for our values,” the Democratic mayor added.

Ellison, in his own statement, emphasized that the subpoena does not target him personally.

“Everything about this is highly irregular, especially the fact that this comes shortly after my office sued the Trump Administration to challenge their illegal actions within Minnesota,” the state attorney general said.

“Let’s be clear about why this is happening: Donald Trump is coming after the people of Minnesota and I’m standing in his way,” Ellison added. “I will not be intimidated, and I will not stop working to protect Minnesotans from Trump’s campaign of retaliation and revenge.”

The federal investigation follows the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, a U.S. citizen and mother of three, by an ICE officer during an immigration enforcement action. Her death triggered protests and confrontations between demonstrators and police that have drawn national attention.

Investigators are relying on a rarely invoked federal law with origins dating back to the Civil War. That statute appeared in a memo circulated last month by Attorney General Pam Bondi, obtained by NBC News, outlining potential strategies for prosecutors to bring charges against political agitators.

In addition, federal authorities are examining the actions of Good’s partner to determine whether she may have obstructed a federal officer in the moments leading up to the shooting, according to two people familiar with the investigation.

Walz has previously criticized the focus of the probe, saying: “The only person not being investigated for the shooting of Renee Good is the federal agent who shot her.” He was referring to ICE officer Jonathan Ross, a military veteran who spent more than a decade working for the Department of Homeland Security.

{Matzav.com}

Air Force One reversed course and returned to the Washington, D.C., region after a technical problem arose shortly after departure on a flight bound for Switzerland, where President Donald Trump is scheduled to address the World Economic Forum, White House officials said.

According to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, the aircraft turned around after the flight crew detected “a minor electrical issue” soon after takeoff and opted to return as a precautionary measure.

A journalist traveling with the president reported that the lights in the press cabin briefly shut off shortly after departure, though no additional details were provided at the time.

Trump is expected to transfer to a different plane once back in the Washington area and proceed with his planned travel to Davos for the World Economic Forum.

The two aircraft currently designated as Air Force One have been in service for nearly 40 years. Boeing has been tasked with producing replacement planes, but that effort has encountered repeated setbacks and delays.

In the meantime, Trump received a luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet last year from the ruling family of Qatar to be incorporated into the Air Force One fleet, a move that drew significant scrutiny. The aircraft is presently undergoing modifications to meet stringent security standards.

Leavitt quipped to reporters aboard Air Force One on Tuesday night that the Qatari jet was sounding “much better” at the moment.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump’s unprecedented bid to reshape the Federal Reserve board is putting the Supreme Court in a familiar position, weighing an emergency appeal from the president’s lawyers in a politically charged case. The court is hearing arguments Wednesday over Trump’s effort to oust Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook based on allegations she committed mortgage […]

In the wake of the deadly incident at a children’s daycare center in Yerushalayim, the Israel Tax Authority is examining the possibility of launching audits and investigations into the financial conduct of daycare centers and toddler frameworks that have been operating without licenses and without being formally registered as businesses, according to a report by Ynet.

Officials stressed that the review is not directed at the specific daycare where the tragedy occurred. However, they emphasized that any suspicion of long-term tax evasion grants the Tax Authority full legal powers to examine the matter, demand the filing of reports, and collect back taxes retroactively, in accordance with the law.

Professional sources noted that there are numerous daycare centers that are not registered with tax authorities and do not submit annual reports, despite operating for extended periods and receiving regular payments from parents. Under Israeli law, even small frameworks or those serving economically disadvantaged populations are required to declare and report income, regardless of the amounts involved.

A tax attorney told Ynet that the Tax Authority has both civil and criminal tools to locate businesses that fail to report income. In cases where there is no cooperation, the Authority is empowered to assess income independently. He added that while many cases initially proceed on the civil level, more serious situations can escalate into criminal proceedings.

The Tax Authority further clarified that statutes of limitation apply only to those who submitted reports as required by law. In cases where no reports were filed at all, authorities may review conduct retroactively, depending on the circumstances and the severity of the findings.

Sources familiar with the matter told Ynet that the Yerushalayim incident is likely to prompt a broader review of unlicensed and unreported educational frameworks, as part of a wider effort to combat the shadow economy and enforce tax laws.

{Matzav.com}

Americans are expressing their strongest support for religious freedom in at least seven years, according to new data released by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty. Becket’s latest Religious Freedom Index scored public support at 71 out of 100 — the highest level recorded since the nonprofit began publishing the index in 2019. The findings […]

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu is expected to travel to the United States toward the end of February to take part in the annual AIPAC policy conference in Washington, according to reports in Israeli media. Officials in the Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that the trip is being considered, and there is also a possibility of a meeting with President Donald Trump during the visit.

The AIPAC conference, organized by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, is scheduled to take place in Washington from February 22 through February 24 and is regarded as one of the most prominent pro-Israel gatherings in the United States.

According to a report by Ynet, Netanyahu may also meet with President Trump, whom he met last month. Sources in the Prime Minister’s Office said discussions are ongoing regarding the logistics and timing of the visit.

The potential trip comes amid heightened tensions with Iran and an ongoing buildup of American forces in the Middle East. Israeli officials continue to closely monitor the possibility of U.S. military action against Iran, with assessments and situation evaluations taking place in recent days. Reports indicate that the United States has been reinforcing its presence in the region while making those moves highly visible.

American officials have also pointed to continued internet shutdowns in Iran as evidence of the regime’s fear of internal unrest. A U.S. official quoted in the reports said that Washington’s “maximum pressure” campaign is aimed at the Iranian regime rather than the Iranian people, stressing that the United States will continue to support internet access for Iranians as a means of exposing the reality inside the country.

{Matzav.com}

Stocks slumped on Wall Street Tuesday after President Donald Trump threatened to hit eight European countries with new tariffs as tensions escalate over his attempts to assert American control over Greenland. The losses were widespread, with nearly every sector losing ground. Major indexes in the U.S. extended losses from last week in what has been […]

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani deflected criticism Tuesday when pressed about inflammatory social media posts made by two senior aides, choosing instead to pivot to his own priorities during a live television interview.

Appearing on The View, Mamdani avoided directly addressing remarks attributed to his chief equity officer and the city’s tenant advocate, despite a pointed question from co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin about the now-deleted comments.

Griffin cited posts by Chief Equity Officer Afua Atta-Mensah, including the statement “there’s NO moderate way to black liberation,” as well as comments by tenant advocate Cea Weaver calling to “seize private property.”

“Your new chief equity officer made several now deleted comments, disparaging liberal white women,” said Griffin, a former Trump administration staffer. “Your tenant advocate said that home ownership was a weapon of white supremacy and called to elect more communists, among other posts.”

She then asked, “What message do you think this conveys to New Yorkers, and how would you push back on this?”

Rather than responding directly to the substance of the criticism, Mamdani redirected the discussion to his own platform and leadership.

“If you want to know my views or my opinions, you’ll find them in my words,” Mamdani replied. “As the mayor of New York City, and I’m someone who’s looking to make a city that every New Yorker can afford.”

He continued by speaking positively about the work of his administration, praising Weaver’s office without naming her or addressing the specific remarks that had drawn scrutiny.

“And I think, frankly, what New Yorkers are also looking for are the outcomes, and that’s what I care about, the outcomes and the excellence we deliver,” he said.

Mamdani asserted that in the 20 days since Weaver was hired, the city has “taken on a landlord that had more violations than I can count, and we have secured $30 million in guaranteed repairs for thousands of those violations.”

In an apparent effort to calm concerns among property owners, the mayor added that his vision of an affordable city “includes tenants, homeowners, and those who aspire to be homeowners.”

During the same appearance, Mamdani also reiterated his support for abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a position he has previously endorsed.

{Matzav.com}

California Republicans turned to the United States Supreme Court on Tuesday, urging the justices to halt a push by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom to redraw the state’s congressional boundaries ahead of the next election cycle.

In an emergency filing, the California Republican Party asked the high court to step in and stop what it says is a gerrymandering effort set in motion by Newsom through Proposition 50, framing the request as a last effort to prevent the new maps from taking effect.

Republicans argue that the revised district lines could flip as many as five seats currently held by the GOP, significantly altering California’s congressional delegation.

The legal fight carries national political consequences, as Democrats are widely viewed as having a strong chance to reclaim control of the House of Representatives amid voter dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress.

While polling data and prediction markets suggest Democrats are well positioned to capture the House, Republicans warn that an unfavorable ruling in the Proposition 50 dispute could derail those expectations.

Supporters of Proposition 50 have described it as a response to a similar redistricting push in Texas, where the state’s Republican-led legislature moved to redraw congressional maps in a way that would benefit their party.

Newsom promoted Proposition 50 as a counterweight to what he described as partisan mapmaking in Texas, and voters approved the measure by a wide margin in last November’s election.

According to a report by the Sacramento Bee, Republicans are asking Justice Elena Kagan, who oversees emergency matters from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal, to issue an injunction that would temporarily restore California’s current congressional map.

In their challenge, Republicans contend that the boundaries created under Proposition 50 would disproportionately advantage Latino voters at the expense of other racial groups.

Justice Kagan can either reject the emergency request outright, a decision that could come within days, or send the matter to the full Supreme Court for consideration.

If the case is taken up by the full court, the justices are expected to rule on the emergency motion well before California’s candidate filing deadline of March 6.

{Matzav.com}

At least five vehicles were reported stolen overnight in Boro Park, according to Boro Park Shomrim, as part of what appears to be a coordinated auto theft operation. Sources tell YWN that the vehicles were not taken due to owners leaving keys inside. Instead, suspects are believed to be using electronic devices capable of quickly […]

Federal prosecutors served grand jury subpoenas Tuesday to Minnesota officials as part of an investigation into whether they obstructed or impeded law enforcement during a sweeping immigration operation in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, a person familiar with the matter said. The subpoenas, which seek records, were sent to the offices of Gov. Tim Walz, Attorney […]