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A former U.S. Army soldier has been taken into custody after authorities say he set off fireworks and ignited a fire Monday morning outside a Lower Manhattan federal building that houses an immigration court and several government agencies. Federal investigators say the suspect arrived heavily armed and are treating the case as an act of anti-government extremism.

The suspect, identified as 43-year-old Andrew Arrabaca, previously served as a mechanic responsible for maintaining Patriot missile systems in the U.S. Army. He is currently in custody and has already been questioned by investigators, according to James Barnacle, assistant director in charge of the FBI’s New York Field Office.

Speaking at a news conference, Barnacle said Arrabaca “came armed with bad intentions” and was carrying multiple weapons, including a pellet gun, knives, a hammer, and a machete. Investigators also said he fired between five and seven pellets from an airsoft rifle in the direction of the building.

“He is an anti-American, anti-government extremist,” Barnacle said.

Security footage showed the suspect being tackled by a security officer moments after flames erupted outside one of the entrances to the federal complex at 26 Federal Plaza. He was immediately taken into custody at the scene.

The federal building at 26 Federal Plaza has become a frequent site of demonstrations targeting the immigration policies of President Donald Trump’s administration.

According to a law enforcement source familiar with the investigation, the suspect was carrying anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) materials at the time of his arrest. The individual spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation remains ongoing.

The Department of Homeland Security said the suspect was an “anti-ICE rioter” and alleged that the incident unfolded at approximately 8:20 a.m., when he launched fireworks outside the building before pouring what investigators believe was gasoline on the entrance steps and setting them ablaze.

DHS also reported that officers recovered what appeared to be two pellet guns from the suspect’s bag.

Authorities said one bystander was struck by debris from the fireworks, suffering a minor graze, while the security officer who subdued the suspect sustained minor injuries during the arrest. The New York City Fire Department reported that one person was transported to a hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.

“What occurred outside 26 Federal Plaza this morning was deeply disturbing,” New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said in a social media post. “I’m relieved no one was seriously injured and that a suspect is in custody.”

Mamdani added that his administration is coordinating with law enforcement and will assist the federal investigation. The FBI said the case is being handled by its New York Joint Terrorism Task Force.

The federal complex houses several government offices, including the FBI’s New York field office, as well as the immigration court where federal agents have conducted numerous high-profile arrests of migrants immediately after their court appearances.

Images and video from the scene showed flames and heavy smoke rising from the sidewalk outside the building, while law enforcement officers restrained the suspect before leading him away in handcuffs.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump forcefully dismissed New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s suggestion that Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu could be arrested if he visits New York, declaring that such a scenario will never happen while he is president.

“Benjamin Netanyahu will not be arrested, in any way, shape, or form, while in the United States of America,” the President stated in a post on Truth Social.

Trump defended Netanyahu’s actions on the world stage, arguing that the Israeli leader is confronting one of America’s greatest adversaries.

According to Trump, Netanyahu is “fighting against the Islamic Republic of Iran, which recently killed 52,000 innocent protestors, and has spent the last 47 years killing American Soldiers, and others.”

The president also shifted the focus toward Iran’s leadership, saying they—not Netanyahu—should be facing criminal consequences.

He further insisted that “the only ones that should be arrested are the people that led Iran into this unprecedented SPIRAL OF DEATH AND DESTRUCTION, something that should have been dealt with years ago, by previous Presidents!”

The controversy erupted after Mamdani, in an interview with The New York Times published Saturday, argued that Netanyahu should stand trial before the International Criminal Court.

“I believe that Prime Minister Netanyahu belongs in The Hague. He’s a war criminal who has been charged by the International Criminal Court.”

Mamdani added that his administration has already begun examining what legal authority the city might have if Netanyahu were to arrive in New York.

Mamdani also said that he is in “active conversation” with NYC’s legal officials on whether he may arrest a foreign leader, adding, “Whatever the law allows me to do in New York City, that’s what we will do, but we won’t be writing our own laws to that end.”

Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office swiftly condemned Mamdani’s remarks, rejecting both the legitimacy of the ICC and the warrant issued against Netanyahu.

“The ICC is a kangaroo court that has no jurisdiction over Americans or Israelis. Its bogus arrest warrant against Prime Minister Netanyahu was issued by a disgraced former ICC Prosecutor, Karim Khan, a few days before allegations of sexual misconduct against him became public. It was a clear attempt by Khan to divert public attention and seek protection from scrutiny.”

The Prime Minister’s Office also defended Israel’s military conduct during the war against Hamas, saying the government has gone to extraordinary lengths to protect civilians despite the terrorist group’s tactics.

“Under Prime Minister Netanyahu’s leadership, Israel has taken unprecedented wartime measures to minimize harm to civilians while confronting Hamas, a genocidal terrorist organization that uses Palestinians as human shields and deliberately targets innocent Israeli civilians,” the office clarified.

The statement concluded by accusing Mamdani of using attacks on Israel’s prime minister to distract from problems closer to home.

“Instead of backing Khan’s criminal behaviour, Mr. Mamdani should focus on fixing the damage his policies have caused New York. Like Karim Khan, Mamdani appears interested in diverting public attention from his follies and attacking the leader of the Jewish state and the only democracy in the Middle East,” the tweet concluded.

{Matzav.com}

A devastating structural collapse in Yerushalayim claimed the life of an elderly man Monday morning after a second-floor balcony gave way and crashed onto a restaurant below in the Shaarei Chesed-Rehavia neighborhood. Emergency crews continue searching the wreckage amid fears that additional victims may still be trapped.

The collapse occurred on Keren Kayemet L’Yisroel Street, at the corner of Even Shaprut Street, near the historic Shaarei Chesed neighborhood, close to the Gra shul and the former site of Yeshivas Maalos HaTorah, headed by Rav Shmuel Auerbach zt”l.

According to ZAKA, emergency dispatchers received reports that a balcony had collapsed onto a restaurant. Firefighters working through the debris located an approximately 80-year-old man trapped beneath the rubble. Magen David Adom (MDA) personnel were forced to pronounce him dead at the scene. ZAKA volunteers from the Yerushalayim District are assisting emergency responders while ensuring the deceased is treated with dignity and collecting remains from the disaster site.

United Hatzalah medical teams treated several conscious victims at the scene, while early reports indicated that additional people may still be trapped beneath the collapsed structure.

Dr. Aryeh Yaffe of United Hatzalah, together with EMTs Nachman Tubul, Yosef Gabai, and Ariel Deri, who were among the first responders, said they were told that the glass roof of the restaurant suddenly collapsed after being struck by the falling balcony, trapping patrons underneath.

“We provided medical treatment to three people who sustained light injuries and were evacuated from the scene,” the responders said. “Firefighters are continuing rescue operations to locate those still trapped. United Hatzalah’s trauma and crisis response unit is also providing emotional support due to the traumatic nature of the incident.”

Israel Fire and Rescue Services said the collapse involved a three-story residential building, where a second-floor balcony crashed onto the restaurant located on the first floor, causing extensive destruction to both the building and the business.

Officials said that at the beginning of the incident, two people were pulled from the debris by civilians before emergency crews arrived. Firefighters then focused their efforts on locating additional victims, including two people believed to be trapped inside the restaurant and another victim reportedly buried beneath the rubble and believed to be unconscious.

In a later update, firefighters confirmed that they had extricated the elderly man from beneath the debris and immediately transferred him to waiting medical teams. Although his condition was initially described as critical, he was later pronounced dead. Fire officials stressed that rescue operations remain ongoing as crews continue conducting extensive searches to ensure no additional victims remain trapped.

Jerusalem police said officers are assisting rescue, medical, and firefighting personnel while securing the area and closing surrounding roads. Authorities urged the public to stay away from the scene to allow emergency crews to continue life-saving operations safely.

Magen David Adom reported that in addition to the elderly man found unconscious beneath the rubble, paramedics treated three lightly injured victims.

Senior MDA medic Shlomo Margaliot, who happened to be nearby when the collapse occurred, described the dramatic moments.

“I was on a nearby street when I suddenly heard a loud crash,” he said. “I ran toward the source of the noise and saw from a distance that a balcony had collapsed onto a business. There was widespread destruction and frightened people calling for help. I immediately notified the MDA dispatch center and rushed to the scene in my emergency response vehicle.”

“With the assistance of bystanders, we rescued three injured people—an approximately 80-year-old woman and two 16-year-olds, a boy and a girl—who suffered minor injuries and abrasions. After receiving treatment, they were transported to hospitals in stable condition. Inside the rubble I found an approximately 80-year-old man unconscious, without a pulse or breathing, suffering from severe multi-system trauma. Sadly, after the complex rescue operation, we were forced to pronounce him dead at the scene.”

Shaare Zedek Medical Center said one woman with minor injuries was transported to its trauma unit, where she underwent an initial evaluation and remains under medical care.

The Jerusalem Municipality announced that its dangerous structures unit, along with the city engineer, responded to the site to assess the building’s stability, identify structural hazards, and determine what additional safety measures may be required.

Municipal officials said that once the engineering assessment is complete, the city will act in accordance with the professional recommendations. Residents were again urged to avoid the area until rescue operations and safety inspections are finished.

Rescue efforts continued Monday as emergency crews painstakingly searched through the collapsed debris to ensure no additional victims remained trapped. Authorities said further updates would be released as more information becomes available.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump issued a forceful warning to Iran on Monday, vowing overwhelming retaliation for every American service member killed as the conflict between the United States and Iran continues to intensify.

The war, which began on Feb. 28, has now claimed the lives of at least 17 U.S. soldiers. Four American casualties have occurred since Friday, including three confirmed deaths and one service member who remains missing and is presumed dead.

“Every time Iran kills an American Soldier they will pay for that killing many times over!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

The president said he has already instructed the nation’s top military leadership to carry out that policy.

“This directive has been passed on to Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Daniel Caine, and every Leader in the Military,” he added.

Fighting continued unabated on Monday, with both sides launching fresh military operations. U.S. forces conducted a ninth straight day of strikes against Iranian targets, while Iran responded by firing missiles at Kuwait and Bahrain, both of which host American military personnel.

{Matzav.com}

Federal health officials have dramatically reversed an earlier conclusion about the source of a nationwide parasite outbreak that has sickened at least 1,600 people, acknowledging that a key piece of evidence linking the illnesses to a major lettuce supplier was incorrect.

On Shabbos, the Food and Drug Administration announced that it had traced the cyclospora outbreak to contaminated iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms, a company that provides produce to Taco Bell. Just one day later, however, the agency withdrew that finding after determining its original analysis had produced a false positive.

The FDA said it reexamined the testing results and concluded that Taylor Farms’ iceberg lettuce should not have been identified as the source of the contamination.

Taylor Farms confirmed that the FDA had apologized for the mistake. In a statement, the company said its “thoughts remain with everyone who has fallen ill” in the outbreak.

Although no fatalities have been reported, the outbreak has led to nearly 100 hospitalizations and has infected at least 1,600 people nationwide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has classified the incident as a major outbreak.

Cyclospora infections often do not become apparent immediately, with symptoms sometimes taking up to two weeks to develop. Those infected can experience severe bouts of sudden, watery diarrhea that may continue for several days, along with a sharp loss of appetite and significant weight loss.

Hunter Biden sharply criticized former Attorney General Merrick Garland during a podcast interview released Sunday, calling Garland’s appointment the biggest mistake of President Joe Biden’s time in office. Hunter argued that Garland failed to aggressively pursue President Donald Trump while simultaneously overseeing the investigation into him.

Appearing on the “I’ve Had It” podcast, host Jennifer Welch blasted Garland and the Justice Department for what she said was its failure to prosecute Trump while pursuing charges against Hunter Biden. She asked Hunter for his thoughts on what she characterized as Democrats surrendering to Republican pressure by backing Garland’s nomination.

“One of the things that pisses me off is the Merrick Garland DOJ and the not prosecuting of Trump. And that they prosecuted you,” Welch said in part when teeing up her question.

Hunter Biden responded that, putting aside his own legal troubles, he believes Garland’s leadership proved to be his father’s greatest error in office.

“My take is this, and removing myself from it as much as I can, my personal feelings, is the single greatest mistake of my father’s administration was the leadership of Merrick Garland,” Hunter Biden said.

He went on to argue that Garland bears much of the responsibility for the nation’s current political climate, while acknowledging that the ultimate decision rested with his father, who selected Garland for the job.

“The reason that we are in the situation that we’re in right now can almost… by the way, the buck has to stop with my dad. He was the president and he chose him. Now, once he chose him, he played by the, you know, a higher standard than the Marquess of Queensberry rules. He played by the Constitution and the tradition that the president will never, you know, particularly since Nixon, involve himself in any decision-making as relates to anything at the Department of Justice. So, I guarantee you there was a division between church and state there.”

Hunter Biden also faulted Garland for not launching what he believed should have been an immediate and forceful criminal investigation into Trump over the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. He alleged that the events surrounding the attack amounted to a coordinated effort to overturn the 2020 election.

“[I]f Merrick Garland had started a completely 100% legitimate investigation rather than thinking like let’s not fan the flames… did you not watch what I watched? Did you not see the people storming the Capitol of the United States of America, beating cops and running congressmen and senators literally out of the building? You didn’t see that? You didn’t see a president and know that it was a concerted and planned effort on their part beginning all the way back from the day before the election when they knew they were going,” Hunter Biden said.

Throughout the discussion, both Hunter Biden and Welch portrayed Garland as a political moderate whose appointment was intended to attract bipartisan support. They suggested that President Biden selected him in part because Garland had previously been nominated to the Supreme Court by President Barack Obama but was never confirmed.

“Obama picks this milquetoast candidate. Your dad is a decent man, felt bad about what happened to Merrick Garland. And he played integrity politics. Like, well, ‘I’m going to make him whole and make him attorney general.’ And then Merrick Garland gets there, and he’s like, ‘Well, we can’t upset these crusty White Republicans,’” Welch said.

“Massive mistake,” Hunter Biden said.

Hunter Biden had been under federal investigation since 2018, during President Trump’s first administration. In the closing weeks of his presidency, Joe Biden issued his son a sweeping pardon covering any federal offenses he “has committed or may have committed” between Jan. 1, 2014, and Dec. 1, 2024.

{Matzav.com}

Andy Burnham officially became Britain’s new prime minister on Monday, completing the formal transfer of power after taking over as leader of the governing Labour Party. During a ceremonial audience with King Charles III at Buckingham Palace, Burnham was invited to form a new government, bringing Keir Starmer’s premiership to an end and marking another leadership transition in Britain’s often-turbulent political landscape.

Buckingham Palace released an official photograph showing Burnham and King Charles III shaking hands during the constitutional ceremony traditionally known as “kissing hands,” the formal process that signifies the appointment of a new prime minister.

In a statement, Buckingham Palace announced that the king “received in audience the Rt. Hon. Andrew Burnham MP and requested him to form a new Administration. The Rt. Hon Andrew Burnham MP accepted The King’s offer and kissed hands upon his appointment as Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury.”

Burnham assumes office as Britain’s seventh prime minister since 2016, following his victory Friday in the race to replace Starmer as leader of the center-left Labour Party.

Before leaving Downing Street for the last time, Starmer delivered a brief farewell address outside the prime minister’s official residence, declaring, “my work is done.”

The departing Labour leader, whose resignation followed mounting pressure from within his own party, maintained that Britain had become “stronger and fairer than it was two years ago,” when he first entered office.

“I go with good grace, I go with a smile and I go proud of everything that we have achieved,” Starmer said before traveling to Buckingham Palace to formally submit his resignation to the king. Buckingham Palace later confirmed that it was an offer “His Majesty was graciously pleased to accept,” the palace said in a statement.

Following Starmer’s departure, Burnham traveled to Buckingham Palace, where King Charles formally invited him to establish a new administration, officially making him prime minister through the long-standing constitutional tradition known as “kissing hands.”

Although the ceremony reflects Britain’s centuries-old monarchical traditions, the king no longer plays a political role in selecting the nation’s leader. Instead, the monarch formally appoints the individual who leads the political party capable of commanding a majority in the House of Commons. Despite the ceremonial name, no actual hand-kissing takes place.

Britain’s parliamentary system allows a governing party to replace its leader—and therefore the prime minister—without holding a nationwide election. While the next general election is not required until 2029, Burnham has the authority to call one earlier if he chooses.

After leaving Buckingham Palace, Burnham was scheduled to return to 10 Downing Street to deliver his first address as Britain’s new prime minister.

According to a spokesperson, Burnham plans to acknowledge that the country has experienced repeated leadership changes over the past decade and will promise to bring greater stability to British politics.

Ironically, Starmer delivered a nearly identical message when he entered office two years ago. However, after a series of political setbacks and controversial decisions weakened his standing among both Labour lawmakers and the public, he announced last month that he would step aside.

Burnham faced no opposition in Labour’s leadership contest, winning overwhelming backing from 379 of the party’s 403 members in the House of Commons.

The former mayor of Greater Manchester has promised to lower the temperature in British politics, raise living standards nationwide, and “bring back the hope we have all been missing.”

“I will work to build a new politics,” he said after becoming Labour leader on Friday. “The country is crying out for it.”

With Burnham now in office, both allies and political opponents are expected to press for specifics on how he intends to turn those campaign promises into government policy.

“Fundamentally, it only will work if you can generate significant economic growth, because it’s the lack of growth that’s really holding the country back,” said Joshi Herrmann, who has followed Burnham’s career as founder of Manchester news site The Mill.

One of Burnham’s first major decisions will be assembling his Cabinet. Observers expect him to reshuffle Starmer’s senior ministers, particularly in key positions such as chancellor, foreign secretary, and home secretary.

When he accepted Labour’s leadership, Burnham praised Starmer’s accomplishments and pledged that he would “build on the foundation laid” by his predecessor.

Starmer first became Labour leader in 2020 following one of the party’s worst electoral defeats and later guided Labour to a commanding general election victory in 2024. Yet once in government, his administration struggled to overcome the demands and political pressures of governing.

During his final appearance at Prime Minister’s Questions last Wednesday, Starmer pointed to what he viewed as the successes of his administration, highlighting Britain’s continued backing of Ukraine as well as several domestic accomplishments.

He cited expanded workplace protections, declining child poverty, legislation aimed at preventing official cover-ups after national tragedies, and increased defense spending as major achievements of his government.

“In six and a half years, I took our party from a historic defeat in 2019, changed it so it was fit to face the country and won a landslide general election victory in 2024,” Starmer said in his final remarks before leaving Downing St, hand-in-hand with his wife Victoria.

“Since then, it has been the privilege of my life to serve you and this great country as prime minister. I am confident that Britain is now stronger and fairer than it was two years ago.”

{Matzav.com}

Political strategist Roni Rimon says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu knowingly accepted a potential political cost among moderate Likud voters by backing a series of chareidi-backed bills, calculating that preserving his alliance with the chareidi parties is more important for the coalition battles that may follow the next election.

Writing after the Knesset passed several measures sought by the chareidi parties—including the Basic Law recognizing Torah study, legislation halting the arrests of bnei yeshiva classified as draft evaders, a law permitting gender-separate higher education programs, and legislation restoring the Chief Rabbinate’s exclusive authority over kashrus certification—Rimon argued that the legislation should be viewed through both political and substantive lenses.

According to Rimon, the legislation was driven primarily by political considerations and the need for the chareidi parties to demonstrate to their constituents that they are delivering tangible results, particularly on the highly sensitive issue of military conscription.

He said the two most significant measures—the Basic Law on Torah study and the law freezing the arrests of draft-eligible bnei yeshiva—were intended to send a clear message to chareidi voters that their representatives had succeeded in addressing their community’s greatest concern.

Rimon argued that Netanyahu played a central role in advancing the legislation because he views maintaining his partnership with the chareidi parties as essential to any future governing coalition.

According to Rimon, Netanyahu wants to prevent the chareidi parties from eventually aligning themselves with opposition leaders such as Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett, or others after the next election.

At the same time, Rimon believes Netanyahu’s support for the legislation could come at a political price within his own party.

He identified moderate and liberal Likud supporters—often described as the party’s “soft Likud” voters—as the constituency most likely to object. Many of those voters, he said, have drifted toward opposition parties in recent polling because of dissatisfaction with aspects of Likud’s conduct in recent years.

Rimon suggested that Netanyahu recognizes this trend and has therefore sought to refresh the Likud slate with new outside candidates who could present the party as more moderate and liberal.

Even so, he believes the passage of the chareidi-backed legislation may make it more difficult for those former Likud voters to return.

“In my assessment,” Rimon wrote, “this week’s votes will cost Likud several seats, and Netanyahu nevertheless decided to stand with the chareidim in order to preserve the alliance.”

Rimon also discussed the High Court’s decision to suspend implementation of the law freezing the arrests of draft evaders.

He said he had predicted throughout the week that the law would quickly be blocked because it applied only to chareidim and therefore failed to meet the principle of equality.

According to Rimon, lawmakers could have avoided that outcome by drafting the legislation differently.

He suggested passing a temporary law suspending the arrests of all draft evaders, regardless of sector, until after the election.

“In that case,” he argued, “the High Court would have found it much more difficult to block the law because it would have applied equally to both chareidim and secular Israelis.”

Why lawmakers chose not to pursue that approach, he wrote, “only Hashem knows.”

Looking ahead, Rimon predicted that if Israel’s security situation remains relatively calm, the issue of chareidi enlistment will become one of the central themes of the next election campaign.

He believes opposition parties will make the issue a focal point of their campaigns, targeting what he described as one of Likud’s political vulnerabilities.

{Matzav.com}

As thousands of bochurim prepare to transition from yeshiva ketanah to yeshiva gedolah, Maran Rav Dov Landau shared extensive guidance on spiritual growth, success in learning, and the proper focus of a ben Torah. The question-and-answer session was recorded in advance of a recent Dirshu gathering for incoming bochurim.

The interviewer noted that each year thousands of bochurim attend the event and are eager to hear guidance from the rosh yeshiva. Rav Landau agreed to answer a series of questions relevant to this pivotal stage in their lives.

Asked about a well-known story related by Rav Moshe Deutsch about the Chazon Ish—that he “learned and learned, and then learned some more”—Rav Landau explained that the lesson encompasses two qualities.

“Both are true,” he said. “Constant diligence and total immersion. His diligence was such that even when the sefer was closed, the learning was always before his eyes.”

When asked how a bochur can develop enjoyment and sweetness in learning, Rav Landau replied that every positive effort helps.

“Everything is good. Every good thing is beneficial.”

Pressed to identify the most important factor in acquiring a true taste for learning, Rav Landau emphasized the importance of tefillah.

“The greatest influence? Tefillah is asking Hashem. If Hashem gives it to him, then he has it. If not, then he does not. We ask—we do not demand.”

When the interviewer suggested that prayer is therefore the primary hishtadlus, Rav Landau agreed, while stressing that a bochur must also become deeply immersed in his learning.

“Yes. And especially through complete immersion in learning. The learning has to occupy his mind. He should live with what he is learning. When he encounters a new insight, he should think about it.”

Rav Landau elaborated that genuine growth comes from stopping to appreciate every fresh insight in Torah rather than rushing ahead.

Quoting the Chofetz Chaim, he said a person should always ask himself, “What would I have thought had this not been written?” He also related a story about the Brisker Rav, who as a young man admired not merely the Rogatchover Gaon’s brilliance, but his ability to stop and carefully analyze every novel idea.

“When something truly new suddenly occurs to you,” Rav Landau said, “your eyes should light up. You should be excited. Every genuine chiddush should awaken a sense of wonder.”

Turning to the transition from yeshiva ketanah to yeshiva gedolah, the interviewer suggested that older bochurim are given greater independence.

Rav Landau expressed surprise.

“There is a mashgiach, and there is a rosh yeshiva…”

When it was suggested that bochurim nevertheless enjoy greater freedom in organizing their schedules, he responded that they should simply follow the established routine of the yeshiva.

“The yeshiva has its schedule. Why not follow it?”

He emphasized that discipline is indispensable.

“If he is disciplined, he should remain disciplined and follow what the yeshiva requires. He may think he’s a great genius, but he must be disciplined.”

Rav Landau added that proper bein adam l’chaveiro is equally essential to acquiring Torah.

“Without that, a person cannot acquire Torah.”

Asked whether interpersonal conduct actually enhances learning, he replied that it certainly does.

“That is the accepted understanding, and it is self-evident. Listen to the other person until he finishes, even if you already have an opposing argument.”

The conversation then turned to attending shiurim. Some bochurim, the interviewer noted, believe they can learn everything independently from seforim or recordings.

Rav Landau dismissed the notion.

“There are even greater foolish ideas than that…”

He encouraged attending shiurim regularly and recommended writing notes whenever possible.

“Not everyone is capable of writing, but for someone who can, it is very good. Later he will enjoy having those notes. Even while writing, new ideas develop. When a person writes, he thinks more deeply about what he is learning. But it depends on the personality of each bochur—not everyone is the same.”

Asked about the challenge many bochurim face in waking up for Shacharis, especially after going to sleep late, Rav Landau answered without hesitation.

“Certainly. Certainly.”

When asked whether attending a later minyan of avreichim might be acceptable, he smiled at the repeated qualifications.

“If… if… there are many ‘ifs.’ If he doesn’t want to get up… then he should get up! Set an alarm clock and get up. The Mechaber says, ‘Strengthen yourself like a lion.’ Once you become accustomed to it, it becomes very easy.”

The interviewer also asked whether young bochurim should spend time studying issues of secularism, modernity, religion and state, particularly given today’s heated public debates.

Rav Landau advised them not to become preoccupied with such matters.

“They should not think about it so much.”

Asked directly whether bochurim should involve themselves in issues of religion and the state, he replied:

“They should learn. They should not be thinking about those things. They should think about their learning. And about bein adam l’chaveiro. Respecting another person is extremely important—listening to him, rejoicing when things go well for him, and if, chas v’shalom, things are not going well, sharing in his pain. As much as possible, live with the other person.”

Concluding the session, the interviewer asked the rosh yeshiva to offer a brachah to the thousands of bochurim preparing to enter yeshiva gedolah.

“May Hashem help us with Siyata DiShmaya. They should know that the world stands upon them. The world exists because of them. The study of Torah is what protects us, and it has always protected us. May Hashem help that all the persecutions disappear like a passing dream, like a vanishing cloud, like a blowing wind. May we merit great blessings in every area, and for all of Klal Yisroel, may we merit the coming of Moshiach Tzidkeinu speedily in our days. Amen.”

{Matzav.com}

Israeli authorities are investigating whether a service vehicle that struck an Israir aircraft at a London airport before takeoff may have been part of a deliberate act with a nationalist motive. The incident forced the cancellation of a flight to Tel Aviv and marked the third time in less than a year that an Israir plane has been hit by an airport service vehicle in London.

The aircraft was preparing to depart for Tel Aviv on Friday when a ground service vehicle collided with it, requiring an inspection to assess the damage. Following the investigation, officials determined that the aircraft could not operate the flight, and the departure was canceled.

The string of similar incidents has raised concerns within Israel’s aviation industry. Senior aviation officials have questioned whether the repeated collisions could be intentional, prompting Israeli authorities to raise the matter with aviation officials in London and the United Kingdom while considering additional steps with local authorities.

The canceled flight caused significant disruption for passengers. Some travelers were accommodated in hotels, while others were rebooked on alternate flights later that day.

Passengers who observe Shabbos were unable to travel before sunset on Friday and remained in London until Sunday, when they returned to Israel on another flight.

According to passengers, they remained seated inside the aircraft for approximately an hour without air conditioning. The aircraft was then shut down, and they waited for another hour before being informed that the flight had been canceled.

{Matzav.com}

Former Israeli Supreme Court President Aharon Barak made a series of surprising remarks during a recent interview with Rav Ido Weber-Erlich, expressing support for Torah study as a fundamental value, commenting on the arrests of bnei yeshiva, reflecting on past judicial decisions, and addressing the Netanyahu trial.

During the conversation, Rav Weber asked Barak about the recently enacted law declaring Torah study to be a supreme value of the Jewish people.

“Yes,” Barak replied. “There is no problem.”

Rav Weber then raised the issue of the arrests of yeshiva bochurim, saying, “These chareidim really are suffering. A yeshiva bochur is walking down the street, and suddenly they arrest him.”

Barak did not dispute the characterization and continued the discussion.

The conversation then turned to Barak’s judicial career. Asked whether there were rulings he regretted, Barak answered without hesitation.

“Of course.”

When asked for an example, he responded, “Doesn’t a person make mistakes?” However, he declined to identify any specific ruling.

“I need to know myself that I made a mistake. Other people don’t need to hear it.”

Barak noted that he authored approximately 34,000 judicial decisions during his career.

“Do you know how many rulings I issued in my lifetime? Thirty-four thousand. Small and large. Of course there are mistakes.”

Asked whether any of those mistakes related to issues affecting Judaism and the chareidi community, Barak pointed to the Tal Law.

“Specifically there, with the Tal Law, I said that it served a proper purpose and was consistent with the values of the State of Israel.”

When Rav Weber asked why the Tal Law was ultimately struck down, Barak disputed that characterization.

“We didn’t cancel it. I didn’t cancel it. I rejected the petition.”

According to Barak, the law ultimately failed because the military was unable to implement it effectively.

“Because the army was not prepared to manage it. Therefore, all the arrangements contained in the Tal Law were never realized.”

When asked whether that meant the collapse of the arrangement was not the fault of the chareidim, and whether that marked the beginning of today’s draft crisis, Barak replied: “That’s where it began.”

The interview concluded with questions about President Bibi Netanyahu’s ongoing criminal trial and reports that the judges had suggested prosecutors reconsider the bribery charge.

Barak said he was unfamiliar with the matter.

“I don’t know. I’m not familiar with it. If they said that, they know what they are relying on.”

Asked whether the prosecution should heed the judges’ comments, Barak responded:

“The judges are not supposed to say that, and the prosecution should take it into consideration. Yes, it should take it into consideration.”

During the Nine Days, when Klal Yisroel mourns the destruction of the Bais Hamikdash, Rav Ovadia Yosef zt”l strongly urged people to maintain personal hygiene and kavod habriyos, criticizing what he viewed as unnecessary stringencies. In one of his well-known derashos, he explained that the basic halachah does not prohibit bathing during the Nine Days, emphasizing the distinction between accepted minhagim and the strict letter of the law.

According to the enactment of Chazal, the prohibition against bathing applies only on Tishah B’Av itself. Over the generations, however, early authorities adopted the custom of refraining from bathing during the days leading up to the fast.

Among Sefardim, the accepted custom is to refrain from bathing in hot water only during the week in which Tishah B’Av falls. By contrast, among Ashkenazim, where the climate was historically cooler and people perspired less, the custom developed to avoid bathing throughout the entire Nine Days, even in cold water.

In his derashah, Rav Ovadia sharply criticized excessive stringencies that, in his view, resulted in unpleasant body odor and caused discomfort to others.

“Go to Bnei Brak and you’ll see—they don’t bathe. There’s sweat there… A person sits next to someone else—and with all due respect—he doesn’t smell good. Did the Torah say to do that? That’s not respect for other people. Someone sits next to him and suffers.”

Rav Ovadia stressed that, according to the minhag of Sefardim, bathing remains permissible even after Rosh Chodesh Av.

“We have the custom to bathe even after Rosh Chodesh Av. Our Chachamim never prohibited bathing. They prohibited it only on Tishah B’Av.”

He continued, “For our Sefardim, even hot water is permitted. Let them keep their own stringencies… They get upset; they don’t want to be lenient.”

Addressing the Ashkenazi minhag, Rav Ovadia related that he had once sought to permit bathing in cold water for laborers who work hard and perspire heavily, but encountered strong opposition.

“Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, alav hashalom, heard that I was being lenient regarding their customs and became very upset. I was afraid—I didn’t want to get involved with the Ashkenazim.”

The posek hador did not mince words when speaking about those who adopt stringencies where the Torah permits leniency, particularly when those chumros come at the expense of others.

“Someone who is machmir about this is a donkey. That’s what I call him—a donkey. He’s not acting like a human being. Why make stringencies against the Torah? What for? If the Torah permits it, do you want to be a big shot and be stricter than the Torah? What do you want? Everything has to be done with sound judgment and common sense… Someone who is machmir, as I said, is a donkey.”

Rav Ovadia concluded that people should follow the minhagim of their forefathers and bathe in accordance with those traditions. He added that women preparing for tevilah, as well as those who customarily immerse for taharah, may bathe and immerse as usual throughout the Nine Days. Only on Tishah B’Av itself does the prohibition on bathing fully apply.

Dear Matzav Inbox,

I don’t know if I’m the only one who’s bothered by this, but every year it gets worse, and this year I finally couldn’t stay quiet.

What in the world has happened to Tisha B’Av?

We all talk about the churban. We’re supposed to cry over the golus. We lament how far we’ve fallen. But then comes Tisha B’Av, and what do so many people spend the day doing? Sitting in front of a screen watching movie after movie after movie.

Seriously? That’s how we’re mourning the Beis Hamikdash?

People will tell you, “They’re inspirational.” So what?

Let’s be honest: Most of these videos have absolutely nothing to do with the churban. Nothing to do with golus. Nothing to do with Kinnos. Nothing to do with why this day even exists. They’re emotional stories, biographies, historical dramas, or productions with a Jewish message. Nice? Maybe. Appropriate for Tisha B’Av? Since when?

We’ve reached the point where people actually look forward to Tisha B’Av because of the movie lineup.

Read that sentence again.

Isn’t that terrifying?

The day we’re supposed to be mourning the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash has become the day people ask, “Which films are coming out this year?”

Something is very wrong.

I don’t understand the logic. On Tisha B’Av we can’t learn regular Torah because Torah brings simchah. We accept that. We put our seforim away except for the parts we’re allowed to learn.

But somehow sitting in front of a giant screen for hours is perfectly fine? How did we get here?

And please don’t tell me, “It’s better than wasting time.” That’s not the point.

The point is that Tisha B’Av isn’t supposed to entertain us. Even meaningful entertainment is still entertainment. The whole purpose of the day is to sit with the pain. To feel the emptiness. To think about what we lost and why we’re still in golus. If we spend the entire day watching productions, when exactly are we supposed to feel the aveilus?

And that’s before getting into another issue. Some of these productions come from places whose hashkafos are, at the very least, debatable. Have they been reviewed and approved by rabbinic authorities? I know for a fact that 90% of them have not. Who is taking achrayus for what’s shown?

Even the ones that are completely fine still don’t belong on the saddest day of the year if they have nothing to do with the churban.

We’re becoming a generation that can’t sit quietly for even one day.

Everything has to be packaged. Produced. Filmed. Projected onto a giant screen.

Are we really incapable of spending Tisha B’Av with an Eicha, a Kinnos, a meaningful conversation, or simply sitting and thinking?

What are we teaching our children? That the highlight of Tisha B’Av is the feature presentation? Where does this end?

We already have advertisements months in advance. Trailers. Premieres.

Before you know it, people will be voting for their favorite Tisha B’Av film. Maybe we’ll even have Jewish Oscars for “Best Tisha B’Av Movie.” I wonder who’s gonna win “Best Actor.” I wonder if he’ll accept his award while wearing his Tisha B’Av shoes.

It sounds ridiculous.

Years ago, what we’re doing today would also have sounded ridiculous.

I know that some people think that others feel inspired by these films. But good intentions don’t automatically make something appropriate.

Maybe it’s time for all of us to ask a very uncomfortable question: Are these productions helping us mourn the churban or are they helping us avoid mourning the churban?

Those are two very different things.

We’re living in a generation drowning in distractions. Must Tisha B’Av become another one?

It’s a sick world when we can spend hours watching movies on the very day we are supposed to be sitting on the floor crying over the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash.

Maybe instead of asking what new movie is coming out this Tisha B’Av, we should be asking why we’re still in golus. That question is infinitely more important.

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The chairman of Israel’s State Employees Union says Tax Authority workers will not resume operations in Bnei Brak despite a meeting between the city’s mayor and the head of the Israel Tax Authority, insisting that employee safety remains unresolved.

Although Bnei Brak Mayor Chanoch Zeibert met Sunday with Israel Tax Authority Director Shay Aharonovitch and the two sides later issued a joint statement, the State Employees Union made clear that the meeting has not altered its position.

Speaking with Israeli media, State Employees Union chairman Attorney Ofir Elkalei said the union’s directive barring Tax Authority employees from returning to work in Bnei Brak remains fully in effect.

“The blood of Tax Authority employees is not hefker. A highly publicized meeting with the mayor still does not guarantee the safety of Tax Authority employees,” Elkalei said. “Unfortunately, there has been no discussion whatsoever with the workers’ representatives on this issue, and another attack could happen as soon as tomorrow.”

Elkalei stressed that the union’s policy has not changed.

“Therefore, Tax Authority employees will not return to work in the city of Bnei Brak until we know how their safety will be protected while they are carrying out their duties.”

He added that neither the meeting nor the coordinated announcement issued by the municipality and the Tax Authority affects the union’s decision.

“Aharonovitch can go back to work,” Elkalei concluded, “but the employees are not returning to Bnei Brak.”

{Matzav.com}

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., blasted New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Sunday over the mayor’s suggestion that local authorities could attempt to arrest Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu during his visit to New York for the United Nations General Assembly, dismissing the proposal as both unrealistic and outside the mayor’s authority.

Speaking on Fox News, Fetterman ridiculed Mamdani’s remarks, arguing that the mayor has neither the legal power nor the jurisdiction to carry out such an action.

“[He’s] such a tough guy to say that kind of thing. He has no way to do that,” Fetterman said, adding, “America’s not even part of that corrupt court,” referring to the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu.

Fetterman went on to urge the mayor to focus on problems facing New York City rather than international affairs.

“He’s just a clown to even say that, so he won’t try that. Just sit down and focus on other… problems that they have in New York. That’s really not your purview. You and I know that. Sit down.”

The senator’s comments came after Mamdani told The New York Times that his administration is examining whether city officials possess the legal authority to detain Netanyahu during the Israeli leader’s expected appearance at the U.N. General Assembly. Mamdani called Netanyahu a “war criminal” and said he “belongs in The Hague.”

Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office fired back Sunday with a sharply worded statement rejecting both the ICC’s authority and Mamdani’s remarks.

“The ICC is a kangaroo court that has no jurisdiction over Americans or Israelis. Its bogus arrest warrant against Prime Minister Netanyahu was issued by a disgraced former ICC Prosecutor, Karim Khan, a few days before allegations of sexual misconduct against him became public. It was a clear attempt by Khan to divert public attention and seek protection from scrutiny.”

The statement also accused Mamdani of attempting to distract from local issues by targeting Israel.

“Instead of backing Khan’s criminal behaviour, Mr. Mamdani should focus on fixing the damage his policies have caused New York. Like Karim Khan, Mamdani appears interested in diverting public attention from his follies and attacking the leader of the Jewish state and the only democracy in the Middle East.”

The United States is not a party to the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the International Criminal Court, and therefore does not recognize the court’s jurisdiction over American citizens or allied nations such as Israel.

Fetterman, who has emerged as one of Israel’s strongest supporters among congressional Democrats, has increasingly found himself at odds with the progressive wing of his party over Middle East policy. During Sunday’s interview, he also reflected on his close friendship with the late Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, praising both his bipartisan approach and unwavering support for Israel. Graham’s sister is now being encouraged to seek the Senate seat he vacated.

“I’m proud to call Senator Graham as a friend. You know, we bonded over our love and devotion to Israel. You know, the Senator, he was working on important, important work. Yeah, he was a great American. It doesn’t mean that he was just a Republican. That doesn’t change that he’s a great American,” said Fetterman.

He continued by praising Graham’s work ethic and willingness to work across party lines.

“If anything, that poor man worked to death. He was always committed to get things done and work together. You know, he was a very bipartisan guy. Yeah, there might be some professional wrestling kind of stuff in public, but in privately, he was always the first guy to cross the bridge and to find a way forward and be very, very agreeable. You know, you can’t fill those shoes without a doubt, but I think it’s also fantastic that his sister now, it seems like she’s going to be able to carry on that legacy.”

Fetterman concluded by warning that if the Democratic Party continues embracing anti-Israel voices, he may ultimately reconsider whether he still belongs in the party.

“That would force me to kind of reevaluate should I remain as a Democrat,” he shared, later adding, “If we became the kind of party that would embrace someone like Hasan Piker, maybe my party doesn’t want like a reasonable commonsense kind of Democrat that reminds people that standing with Israel… used to be part of our core values and one of the reasons why I’ve been I’m proud to be a Democrat.”20

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene sharply criticized Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth after he honored two U.S. service members killed in Jordan during Iranian attacks, arguing that describing their deaths as a “sacrifice” was inappropriate and accusing the Trump administration of dragging America into a war on Israel’s behalf.

Hegseth posted a tribute to the fallen troops on X, writing, “Godspeed, heroes. Their sacrifice only stiffens our resolve.”

Greene reacted angrily, rejecting Hegseth’s characterization of their deaths.

“Sacrifice?? What … are you talking about?? They did not willingly sacrifice themselves. They were killed because of the war you, Trump, and the admin, are waging on behalf of a FOREIGN COUNTRY, Israel,” Greene wrote in a response on X.

“You mean their deaths fuel your bloodlust for a senseless war,” she added.

The Georgia Republican has become increasingly vocal in her criticism of the Trump administration since leaving Congress.

The conflict with Iran has been one of her primary points of disagreement. Greene has repeatedly argued that President Trump campaigned on a promise to avoid new foreign wars. According to The Associated Press, 17 American service members have been killed during the conflict.

Greene has joined other conservative figures, including Tucker Carlson and Megyn Kelly, in asserting that the administration entered the war with Iran to benefit Israel, an allegation President Trump has rejected.

In another post on X, Greene wrote, “This war was started for Israel and is now all about the Strait of Hormuz and control of oil. And there seems to be no end in sight, with the bombing now including power facilities and desalination plants in Iran and Kuwait. Countless innocent people’s lives will be at risk without power and especially water.”

Vice President JD Vance said he believes some members of the Israeli government oppose the memorandum of understanding reached with Iran that was intended to establish a temporary ceasefire.

“There are some people within their system, we know beyond a shadow of a doubt, who are manipulating and trying to change American public opinion to keep the war going on indefinitely,” Vance said during an appearance on “The Joe Rogan Experience” podcast.

“Not toward any objective, but just indefinitely,” he added.

Despite her concerns about outside influences, Greene urged President Trump to bring the conflict to an end, calling the war “evil.”

“This is evil. Most Americans hate our government dragging us into foreign wars and are disgusted we are in another senseless pointless war. Most Americans want our government to be focused on solving problems at home and helping Americans,” Greene added.

“I cannot believe this is where we are after all the America First promises were made in 2024.”

{Matzav.com}

Thousands of Gerer chassidim are expected to gather tonight outside the gates of Military Prison 10 for a massive atzeres tefillah and protest following the arrest of a bochur from Yeshivas Sefas Emes. The demonstration will be led by the Gerer Rebbe, while organizers have issued repeated appeals for participants to conduct themselves peacefully and avoid any confrontation.

The rally is being held in response to the imprisonment of Yisroel Reuven Fine, a bochur from Yeshivas Sefas Emes, who was incarcerated after appearing at the military draft office on three consecutive occasions in an effort to regularize his status.

The gathering is scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m. with Maariv. The tefillah will be led by longtime Gerer askan Motty Babchik, who is currently observing the year of aveilus following the passing of his father, Rav Ben Zion Babchik zt”l. Following Maariv, the rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Chiddushei HaRim, Rav Meir Flakser, will deliver divrei hisorerus to the assembled crowd.

Ahead of the rally, Reb Itche Meir Tauman, the administrator of the Gerer bais medrash, sent a recorded message to thousands of chassidim, urging them to participate.

“With the help of Siyata DiShmaya, the tzibbur of those who fear the word of Hashem are called to an atzeres tefillah and outcry tomorrow, Monday, Parshas Va’eschanan, at 9:30 p.m. near Prison 10, to protest the humiliation of the Torah and the desecration of Kavod Shomayim,” he said.

He also stressed the importance of maintaining order throughout the event.

“It is חובה to obey the instructions of the marshals and under no circumstances to resort to violence. The adults should keep watch over the younger participants. We have promised that we will not enter the courtyards of private homes or damage city property. After the rally, everyone should disperse quietly. Please bring Tehillim and water.”

The organizing committee likewise called on the public to attend, saying the gathering represents “the cry of an entire community” over the imprisonment of bnei yeshiva whose only desire is to devote themselves to Torah learning.

According to organizers, “The rally expresses the outcry of an entire tzibbur over the reality that in Eretz Yisroel, bnei yeshiva whose sole desire is to sit and learn Torah are being imprisoned. We call upon the entire public to participate in this atzeres tefillah and outcry.”

The arrest that prompted the demonstration stems from an unusual series of events involving the young bochur. According to sources within Ger, his original draft appointment was scheduled for last Monday. He reported as instructed but mistakenly went to the draft office in Yerushalayim rather than the office in Haifa where he had been assigned.

Officials in Yerushalayim directed him to Haifa, but by the time he arrived, the office had closed for the day. He was instructed to return the following day.

He returned to the Haifa draft office on Tuesday, but according to those close to him, his processing was not completed and he was once again sent home with instructions to return on Wednesday.

When he appeared for the third consecutive day, military officials informed him that because two days had passed since his original reporting date, he had already been classified as a draft evader. He was immediately arrested and sentenced to 20 days in military prison.

At the same time, Ger is preparing to broaden its campaign against the arrests of bnei yeshiva. During an unusual meeting Sunday between the Gerer Rebbe and Eidah HaChareidis askan Shimon Shisha, the two discussed additional steps that could be taken and the possibility of expanding the protests to other locations.

During that meeting, the Rebbe reportedly instructed that a forceful message be conveyed to military officials.

“We are going to war without gloves.”

According to information obtained by Matzav.com, one of the primary targets being considered for future demonstrations is the Meitav induction unit and military draft offices throughout the country. For now, however, organizers have decided to focus on tonight’s atzeres tefillah outside Prison 10.

Tonight’s gathering will be the second major Ger protest outside Military Prison 10 in approximately one month. The previous rally, also led by the Gerer Rebbe, drew thousands of chassidim, who recited Minchah, said chapters of Tehillim, and cried out over the continued imprisonment of bnei yeshiva.

The demonstration follows last week’s massive protest organized by Sanzer chassidim outside the same military prison after two members of the kehilla were arrested. That rally was likewise led by the Sanzer Rebbe and attended by thousands of chassidim who gathered for tefillah and protest. Following that demonstration, one of the detainees, avreich Avrohom Tzvi Shemerler, was released, while the second detainee remains incarcerated.

{Matzav.com}

Border Czar Tom Homan said Sunday that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s support for sanctuary city policies will not prevent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from carrying out federal immigration laws, insisting that the Trump administration will continue its deportation efforts regardless of local opposition.

Appearing on Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends Weekend,” Homan dismissed Mamdani’s criticism and argued that sanctuary policies have made communities less safe.

Homan said, “Well he has his opinion but he’s not gonna stop ICE from doing their job. What he should do is go talk to the parents of Laken Riley. That alien that killed her was arrested in New York City. If it wasn’t sanctuary city would have been handed over us, he be locked up probably deported. So go talk to her family. And he talked about that he doesn’t want to assists in civil immigration enforcement, okay, so why you like wide you lock us out of Rikers Island? That’s all criminals. He just doesn’t want immigration law enforced.”

Homan also defended the administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement strategy, saying every illegal immigrant who entered the country unlawfully is subject to removal under existing law.

He added, “And he’s damn right, every illegal alien in this nation that is here ilegally, that’s cross, the border illegally, which is a crime, will be deported. That’s called the rule of law if he doesn’t like it and call your members of Congress to change law. But he’s right. President Trump is sitting in an Oval Office today, because his promise to secure the border, you the most secure border in history of this nation now and because he promised mass deportations which we are doing.”

20

{Matzav.com}

A nationwide recall of iceberg lettuce distributed across 27 states has been announced after federal health officials traced a cyclospora outbreak—an intestinal parasite that causes severe diarrhea—to lettuce supplied from central Mexico. The recall has also sparked political debate, with several Democrats blaming President Donald Trump even though investigators identified the contamination source outside the United States.

California-based Taylor Farms issued the voluntary recall after the contaminated lettuce was linked to a growing number of illnesses and multiple lawsuits filed against Taco Bell, which allegedly served shredded lettuce containing the parasite.

No deaths have been reported in connection with the outbreak.

Despite federal investigators tracing the contamination to a supplier in Mexico, some Democratic lawmakers have argued that the Trump administration bears responsibility for the public health crisis.

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., posted a video on social media Saturday claiming the outbreak—the largest of its kind in U.S. history—was the result of the president dismantling the nation’s public health system.

She said the “worst outbreak in U.S. history” was caused by the president “taking a wrecking ball” to “our public health infrastructure,” even though the actual source of the outbreak has been traced to Mexico.

We can thank Trump for making the outbreak of a parasite causing explosive diarrhea MUCH WORSE—seriously!
 
CDC used to track Cyclospora, but Trump gutted our public health infrastructure & made monitoring the parasite optional. Now, we're in the worst outbreak in U.S. history. pic.twitter.com/ZsYXdqrMwG

— Senator Patty Murray (@PattyMurray) July 18, 2026

Abdul El-Sayed, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in Michigan, also criticized the administration, linking the parasite outbreak and poor air quality from Canadian wildfire smoke to what he described as an “abnormally shitty couple of months” for residents of his state.

El-Sayed blamed both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and President Trump’s Food and Drug Administration for the cyclospora outbreak, while also faulting oil companies for the wildfire-related air pollution, attributing it to global warming.

Earlier this week, the CDC announced that the outbreak had been traced to lettuce supplied by a single grower in Mexico. According to reports, at least 1,600 people have become ill this year after being infected with cyclospora.

Taylor Farms de Mexico, based in Guanajuato, announced Friday that it was recalling 25 shredded lettuce and salad products made with lettuce from the affected growing area and said it has halted all purchases from that supplier.

“We are actively removing the implicated products,” Taylor Farms said in a statement. “The company has stopped receiving product from the implicated lot, suspended distribution of the iceberg lettuce from Central Mexico, notified our customers, and we are continuing to work with the FDA, CDC, and state authorities.”

The company also advised consumers to throw away any recalled products immediately and seek refunds if they had already purchased them.

“Consumers who have purchased the recalled iceberg lettuce should discard it immediately and not consume it. Full refunds are also available at the location of purchase. Consumers experiencing health issues should contact their physician. Consumers with any questions may contact our customer care team at 855-455-0098 Monday through Friday, 8am-5pm PST.”

The recalled products were distributed in Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Taylor Farms said the recall includes products sold under eight different brand labels that were shipped as recently as Thursday and have “best by” dates through August 3. A complete list of affected products has been published in the company’s online recall notice.

According to federal health officials, the outbreak has sickened at least 1,645 people and resulted in 141 hospitalizations. Cases have been confirmed in 34 states, with Michigan recording the highest number of infections.

Cyclospora is a parasite typically spread through food or water contaminated with human feces. Outbreaks often occur when fresh produce is washed or irrigated with contaminated water before reaching consumers.

{Matzav.com}

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