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Deputy Supreme Court President Noam Solberg became the focus of a violent protest this week after issuing a court ruling that strongly criticized police reluctance to enforce military draft laws against yeshiva students and ordered greater cooperation between civilian police and military authorities.

The ruling, published about six weeks ago, has been cited by extremist protesters as the reason they targeted Solberg’s home and family. The demonstration on Wednesday night drew widespread condemnation from across Israel’s political spectrum.

In his decision, Solberg addressed what he described as the police’s ongoing refusal to play a more active role in locating and detaining draft evaders and military deserters from the chareidi community.

He wrote that the court had been informed, both in written submissions and during oral arguments, that police continue to refrain from detaining draft evaders during routine encounters despite having the authority to do so. The police also maintained that they were unable to assist the military police in planned operations to apprehend draft evaders, even though military authorities require police cooperation to carry out such actions in civilian areas.

Solberg sharply criticized this approach, noting that the police justified their policy by citing concerns that enforcement operations in chareidi neighborhoods often trigger large-scale disturbances and require additional manpower.

The judge acknowledged that police resources are limited and that law enforcement agencies must prioritize among competing responsibilities. However, he argued that a complete refusal to exercise legal authority cannot be justified simply by invoking resource constraints or budgetary limitations.

According to Solberg, police discretion does not extend to abandoning enforcement altogether. He wrote that leaving legal authority unused and effectively dormant cannot be excused by claims of competing priorities.

He concluded that the police were failing to fulfill their legal duty to enforce the law against draft evaders from the chareidi sector and stated that such a situation could not be accepted.

Solberg then directed the Israel Police to assist military enforcement authorities and actively participate in enforcing conscription laws within the chareidi community.

He emphasized that such cooperation is especially necessary because the issue involves what he described as a large-scale, ongoing, and deliberate violation of the law.

In one of the ruling’s most forceful passages, Solberg argued that allowing public disorder to deter enforcement sends a dangerous message and rewards those who seek to obstruct the legal process.

He wrote that it is unacceptable for authorities to avoid enforcement specifically because opponents threaten widespread disturbances, warning that such an approach creates a reality in which lawbreakers benefit from their actions and force determines outcomes.

The judge further stated that a democratic society cannot tolerate a situation where those willing to exert pressure or create unrest effectively dictate whether laws will be enforced.

Concluding his discussion of enforcement, Solberg instructed the state to move quickly and diligently to pursue criminal proceedings against draft evaders from the chareidi community according to the same standards applied to the broader public.

He also specifically rejected any policy under which police officers decline to detain or arrest individuals identified as draft evaders during routine interactions with law enforcement.

The ruling ultimately paved the way for increased police involvement in locating and apprehending yeshiva students classified as draft evaders, including arrests made during traffic stops and other routine encounters, followed by their transfer to military authorities.

{Matzav.com}

Beitar Illit Mayor Meir Rubinstein, who also serves as chairman of the Forum of Chareidi Local Authority Heads, delivered a forceful warning Wednesday night over the arrests of yeshiva students and the ongoing draft crisis, declaring that the chareidi public will not accept efforts to criminalize Torah learners.

Speaking on Kol Chai’s Hamahadura Hamerkazit with host Avi Blum, Rubinstein said the current situation has created fear and anxiety throughout the yeshiva world.

“I haven’t changed—the reality has,” Rubinstein said at the start of the interview. “We are living through a disgraceful situation in which thousands of yeshiva students are walking around in constant fear, even terror. Every yeshiva student feels like a fugitive. This cannot continue, and it cannot simply be accepted.”

Rubinstein noted that since the founding of the State of Israel, prime ministers from across the political spectrum—including David Ben-Gurion, Yitzchak Rabin, Shimon Peres, Yitzchak Shamir, and Menachem Begin—supported arrangements that exempted yeshiva students from military service.

“After 70 years, this is not going to work. It simply will not work,” he said.

Asked whether chareidi municipal leaders should halt cooperation with the police and state authorities, Rubinstein replied that the damage has already been done.

“There is no greater harm than taking our entire community and turning everyone into criminals,” he said.

He stressed that the chareidi public would not resort to violence but would pursue other forms of resistance, including public protest, separation from government institutions, and a broad outcry against the policy.

Rubinstein argued that no democratic country could successfully impose such a dramatic change on such a large segment of its population.

“Maybe that can happen in North Korea, or in the Russia of the czars, in places like that,” he said.

He added that municipal leaders who interact with residents daily witness firsthand the fear and distress affecting yeshiva students and their families.

Addressing the performance of the chareidi political parties, Rubinstein acknowledged that their efforts had fallen short but declined to place blame on individual lawmakers.

“There is not a single chareidi Knesset member who did not work on this issue,” he said. “But in terms of results, the failure has been total.”

At the same time, he insisted that the setback in the Knesset cannot lead the chareidi public to surrender, close their Gemaros, or accept a reality in which yeshiva students are treated as criminals.

Turning to the prospect of a broader public campaign, Rubinstein said the chareidi community should learn from the tactics employed by opponents of judicial reform.

“We were promised judicial reform, and why didn’t judicial reform happen? Because of pressure from the streets,” he said. “We are now going to take to the streets exactly like Kaplan. The entire country will burn, just like Kaplan. They taught us a lesson.”

Rubinstein argued that the issue requires no complicated strategy, only a firm and united public stance.

“You do not touch what is sacred. ‘Do not touch My anointed ones.’ It is not going to happen. Period.”

He vowed that the chareidi community would never accept a situation in which yeshiva students and their families—whom he described as a population of more than one million people—are transformed into fugitives.

“That is not going to happen during wartime, during peacetime, during difficult times, or during times of prosperity,” he said.

Asked whether the draft dispute is affecting the chareidi community’s place within Israel’s right-wing camp, Rubinstein responded that he remains firmly identified with the political right and deeply committed to Eretz Yisroel.

At the same time, he emphasized that the priorities of the chareidi public are clear.

“For us, the right begins first with Toras Yisroel, and only afterward with Eretz Yisroel,” he said.

He concluded by arguing that the real question is no longer whether the chareidi community remains part of the right, but whether the right itself remains true to its principles.

“The chareidi public is still on the right,” Rubinstein said. “But if the right is not protecting yeshiva students, then the question is not whether the chareidim have left the right. The question is whether the right has remained the right.”

{Matzav.com}

Former Vice President Mike Pence is warning that the Republican Party is moving away from its traditional conservative roots, arguing that a growing “populist right” faction poses a significant challenge to the principles that have guided the party for decades.

Speaking Wednesday on CNN’s “News Central,” Pence said many Americans, particularly those in agricultural communities, remain concerned about the economic impact of broad tariff policies and rising costs.

“There’s concern in the heartland, particularly on the farm, for the impact of broad based tariffs, the rising input costs for farmers and, I expect Republicans will take all of that to heart. And, I hope what they do, as I argue in my book, is return our party to the consistent advocacy of the conservative agenda. This define the Republican movement for the last 50 years.”

Pence said he wrote his new book in part to alert Americans to what he sees as an ideological shift within the conservative movement itself.

“I wanted people to know around the country that, a new threat to conservatism has emerged from within our movement. And it’s, I call it the populist right. And essentially advances policies of protectionism, isolationism, marginalizing traditional values. And, and while they’ve had some success prevailing on the second Trump administration, not all, I think the second Trump administration has gotten a lot right. Secured the border, extended all those Trump Pence, tax cuts, stood up to Iran, stood with Israel but when you look at when you look at the stops and starts on Ukraine, by this administration, when you look at, the, you know, voices on the outside that have even questioned our support for Israel and the economic policies, nationalization of businesses, broad based tariffs against friend and foe alike, price controls. I wanted to write a book that it was about what conservatives believe in the hopes that in the midterms and in 2028, we return our party to those founding principles.”

While praising several accomplishments of President Trump’s current administration, Pence expressed concern about policy directions he believes are inconsistent with long-standing Republican views on free markets and limited government.

He specifically pointed to proposals that would involve greater federal participation in private enterprise and said such ideas would have been unthinkable in earlier Republican administrations.

“This new cabinet that, new voices, I mean, the idea of, of literally having the federal government take a percentage share of American businesses, would have, I think, never even been discussed in the first Trump administration. Republicans have always believed in and limited government in free market economics and free enterprise. Those policies, big government policies that have made their way into this administration.”

Pence’s remarks reflect an ongoing debate within Republican circles over the party’s future direction, as competing factions vie for influence ahead of the 2026 midterm elections and the 2028 presidential race.

{Matzav.com}

A personalized mRNA-based cancer vaccine developed by Moderna and Merck has demonstrated encouraging long-term results in patients with advanced melanoma, significantly reducing the chances of the disease returning or leading to death over a five-year period.

The experimental treatment, known as intismeran autogene, is being tested in combination with KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), a widely used immunotherapy drug. New findings from the phase 2b KEYNOTE-942 trial were unveiled at the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s annual meeting in Chicago on May 27.

Researchers reported that patients who received the vaccine-immunotherapy combination experienced a 49% lower risk of melanoma recurrence or death compared with those treated with pembrolizumab alone after nearly five years of follow-up.

The study included 157 individuals with high-risk stage 3 and stage 4 melanoma whose tumors had been surgically removed. Participants were divided into two groups, with one receiving both intismeran autogene and KEYTRUDA, while the other received only KEYTRUDA.

According to investigators, the benefits seen in the combination-treatment group continued over time and remained durable throughout the follow-up period.

The vaccine is tailored to each individual patient. Scientists identify specific mutations within a patient’s tumor and use that information to create a personalized mRNA therapy designed to train the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells if they return.

Researchers said the treatment has thus far demonstrated a favorable safety profile and has generally been well tolerated by patients.

Among the most frequently reported side effects were fatigue, pain at the injection site, chills, fever, and headaches. Investigators said they observed no new long-term safety issues and no serious adverse events directly linked to the vaccine.

The treatment has now advanced to a phase 3 clinical trial, the final stage typically required before regulatory approval can be considered.

In comments released by Merck in January, Kyle Holen, MD, Moderna’s senior vice president and head of development, oncology and therapeutics, said the findings underscore the “potential of a prolonged benefit … in patients with resected high-risk melanoma.”

“We continue to invest in our platform in oncology because of encouraging outcomes like these, which illustrate mRNA’s potential in cancer care,” he said.

Dr. Marjorie Green, senior vice president and head of oncology, global clinical development at Merck Research Laboratories, noted that many patients with advanced melanoma remain vulnerable to the disease returning even after surgery.

“As such, demonstrating the longer-term potential of intismeran autogene and KEYTRUDA to reduce the risk of recurrence for certain patients with melanoma is a meaningful milestone,” she said.

Merck also highlighted the positive long-term data while pointing to upcoming results from the late-stage INTerpath clinical program being conducted with Moderna in several cancers that have traditionally been difficult to treat.

{Matzav.com}

Elon Musk is on the verge of becoming the first person in history with a net worth exceeding $1 trillion, a development that is already fueling debate in Washington and emerging as a talking point for Democrats ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

The catalyst is SpaceX’s anticipated debut on the Nasdaq on June 12. The rocket and aerospace company is expected to enter public trading with a valuation of approximately $1.75 trillion, a move that could push Musk’s fortune beyond the trillion-dollar mark for the first time.

Democratic lawmakers have quickly seized on the prospect, using it to spotlight concerns about wealth inequality and advocate for higher taxes on the ultra-wealthy.

“Nobody should be a trillionaire. Tax the … rich,” Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., wrote on X.

Sen. Bernie Sanders echoed that sentiment during a campaign event in Maine last month, calling it “insanity” for a single individual to accumulate such enormous wealth. Meanwhile, Michigan state lawmaker Mallory McMorrow, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate, has incorporated the issue into her campaign messaging.

Speaking by phone, McMorrow argued that Musk’s immense fortune helps illustrate broader economic concerns facing American families.

“Elon Musk is somebody who would not be as successful as he is without billions of dollars of government contracts and subsidies,” she said, drawing the line to gas prices, healthcare cuts and federal contracting.

To put the figure in perspective, McMorrow noted that $1 trillion would be enough to fund Michigan’s entire $81 billion state budget for more than a dozen years.

Musk’s approach toward the trillion-dollar threshold stems from two major financial developments.

The first occurred in November 2025, when Tesla shareholders approved a compensation package that could ultimately be worth as much as $1 trillion if Musk achieves a series of business and market-value goals, including raising Tesla’s valuation to $8.5 trillion.

The second is the upcoming SpaceX public offering. The IPO is expected to raise approximately $75 billion under the ticker symbol SPCX. Because Musk owns roughly 42 percent of the company, the offering alone could elevate his net worth beyond $1 trillion.

Musk has repeatedly argued that his wealth is tied to long-term goals involving humanity’s future beyond Earth. His SpaceX compensation package is reportedly linked to progress toward establishing a self-sustaining city of one million residents on Mars.

The billionaire has also defended himself against criticism over taxes. In 2021, Musk stated that he paid more than $11 billion in federal taxes. However, ProPublica reported that he paid no federal income tax in 2018.

Tax experts note that federal tax laws generally apply to income rather than overall wealth, meaning large increases in asset values do not automatically result in income-tax obligations.

Public opinion appears to be largely concerned about growing economic disparities. An Economist/YouGov survey conducted from January 2 through January 5 among 1,646 American adult citizens found that 80 percent view the gap between rich and poor as a major problem, while 59 percent support federal efforts to reduce that disparity. The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.4 percentage points, with larger margins for subgroup results.

The debate is also taking on immediate policy significance. California voters are expected to consider a proposal this fall that would impose a 5 percent annual tax on net worth exceeding $1 billion.

Although Musk lives in Texas and would not be subject to the proposed California levy, his potential emergence as the nation’s first trillionaire has already intensified the political battle over wealth, taxation, and economic inequality.

{Matzav.com}

A Jewish physician in the United Kingdom has raised serious concerns about antisemitism within the National Health Service, claiming that some medical professionals have openly stated they would refuse emergency treatment to Israeli patients, prompting a government response and an urgent review of the healthcare system.

The doctor, identified only as Baruch, told ITV News that he was disturbed by conversations with fellow healthcare workers at a London hospital who allegedly admitted they would not provide life-saving care to Israelis in emergency situations.

“It is very scary to me that I have met doctors who’ve said that they will not, point-blank, treat somebody who has come from certain areas of the world. If they are dying in A&E, I’ve been told by doctors that if they’re from Israel, then they will not treat that person. That to me is disgraceful,” Baruch stated.

Baruch also alleged that Jewish patients had, in some cases, been denied access to kosher food while receiving hospital care.

The accusations drew a swift response from Britain’s Department of Health and Social Care, which characterized the claims as deeply troubling.

Officials acknowledged broader concerns within the healthcare system, stating that “the medical healthcare professional regulatory system is failing to protect Jewish patients and NHS staff.”

In response to the allegations, Prime Minister Keir Starmer ordered an urgent review of antisemitism and discrimination within the NHS. The investigation will be led by Lord Mann and will examine both antisemitic incidents and other forms of racism throughout the public healthcare system.

Baruch said the atmosphere he has experienced within the medical profession, combined with growing concerns about antisemitism in British society, has led him and his wife to decide to leave the United Kingdom and relocate to Israel.

The move brings an end to a family history in Britain stretching back approximately 400 years, dating to the return of Jewish settlement during the era of Oliver Cromwell. With his parents and five siblings already living overseas, Baruch said he will be the last member of his family to leave.

“To have that long lineage of a family who came here 400 years ago and now having to leave because on the one hand we want to leave, we love Israel, but also leaving because of antisemitism, is very sad,” Baruch reflected.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care reiterated the government’s concerns and commitment to addressing the issue.

“These reports are shocking. It is unacceptable that people do not currently feel safe working in and using the health service. Recent incidents of antisemitism have drawn stark attention to problems of culture and how racist incidents are addressed. This government has been clear that change is needed and that the medical healthcare professional regulatory system is failing to protect Jewish patients and NHS staff. That’s why the prime minister ordered an urgent review, led by Lord Mann, into antisemitism and all forms of racism in the health service. We will use every tool at our disposal to make sure Jewish NHS staff feel safe at work,” the spokesperson confirmed.

The revelations come against the backdrop of a broader rise in antisemitic incidents across the United Kingdom. In late April, two Orthodox Jewish men were wounded in a stabbing attack in London’s Golders Green neighborhood, an incident that contributed to the government raising the national terrorism threat level from “substantial” to “severe” for the first time in more than four years.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump has reportedly told senior aides that he would be prepared to abandon the current ceasefire with Iran if American service members are killed by Iranian forces, according to a report published Wednesday by The Wall Street Journal.

Despite that warning, U.S. officials told the newspaper that the ceasefire remains in effect, even after a new round of hostilities this week. Those incidents included American strikes Tuesday night on Iran’s Qeshm Island and an Iranian response involving missiles and drones launched toward Kuwait.

The report suggests that Trump is still seeking to avoid a wider war in the region and may be willing to tolerate limited exchanges between the two sides rather than immediately return to full-scale conflict. Officials indicated that the president appears prepared to endure smaller confrontations for an extended period if doing so helps prevent a broader regional war.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Trump struck an optimistic tone regarding ongoing negotiations with Tehran and suggested an agreement could be close at hand.

“I hear the negotiations with Iran are going very well. If a deal happens with Iran it could be done over the weekend,” Trump told reporters, adding that Iran is “close” to signing the papers.

Trump also said he wants Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium transferred to U.S. control and expressed confidence that such a move could occur soon.

When asked whether the ceasefire remained intact following Iran’s overnight attack on Kuwait, Trump replied, “There’s a reason for everything, and we hit them pretty hard”, while also acknowledging that “anything can happen when you are dealing with Iran.”

The president’s comments came a day after he pushed back against reports claiming that negotiations between Washington and Tehran had broken down.

In a post published Tuesday on Truth Social, Trump said discussions with Iran had continued uninterrupted and insisted that recent reports suggesting otherwise were inaccurate.

“Fake News Reports that the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the U.S.A., stopped speaking a few days ago are false and erroneous,” wrote Trump.

He added, “The conversations between us have been going on continuously, including four days ago, three days ago, two days ago, one day ago, and today. Where they lead, one never knows, but as I told Iran, ‘It’s time, one way or another, for you to make a Deal. You’ve been doing this for 47 years, and it cannot be allowed to go on any longer!’”

Trump’s remarks followed reports in Iranian media claiming that Tehran had suspended indirect talks with the United States because of Israel’s expanding military operations in Lebanon. The president’s statements directly contradicted those reports and underscored his administration’s position that negotiations remain active.

{Matzav.com}

A recent graduate of New York University has been arrested after allegedly placing a banner featuring swastikas and a Star of David on top of a university building during commencement celebrations, authorities announced Wednesday.

According to law enforcement officials, the 23-year-old suspect has been charged with criminal trespass as a hate crime, as well as burglary and aggravated harassment. Investigators say he climbed onto a campus building near West 4th Street and Greene Street in Greenwich Village and displayed the banner at approximately 5 p.m. on May 13.

Police said the banner was designed to resemble the Israeli flag and contained two swastikas, a Star of David, and the university’s logo. The student newspaper Washington Square News reported that the banner was hung from the Steinhardt building, home to NYU’s education programs and named after Jewish philanthropists Judy and Michael Steinhardt.

University officials subsequently filed a hate-crime complaint with law enforcement, prompting a formal investigation.

Authorities arrested the suspect Tuesday after reviewing surveillance footage that allegedly showed him inside the building and later on the roof around the time the banner appeared. According to court documents, investigators determined that he used his own NYU electronic access credentials to enter the facility.

A source familiar with the investigation said the suspect admitted during questioning that he created and displayed the banner because some students were concerned about the university’s positions regarding Israel.

Because the charges do not qualify for bail under current New York law, the suspect was released following a brief appearance in Manhattan Criminal Court on Tuesday evening.

In a statement, the university thanked investigators for their efforts in identifying the individual responsible.

The university expressed its appreciation for the police department’s “exhaustive work and for the efforts of the Manhattan District Attorney in identifying the person responsible for this heinous crime.”

“The symbols that were represented are antisemitic and hateful to every person of conscience; this appalling act violated our sense of community and solidarity,” Wiley Norvell, NYU senior vice president for university relations and public affairs said, as quoted by the New York Daily News. “In addition to criminal proceedings, we will immediately pursue our disciplinary procedures, which carry the most severe consequences.”

The arrest comes amid a continuing rise in antisemitic incidents reported on college campuses across the United States since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza.

New York University has been among the institutions facing scrutiny over campus antisemitism. In July 2024, the university reached a settlement in a lawsuit brought by Jewish students who alleged that the school had failed to adequately address antisemitic conduct on campus.

{Matzav.com}

In a significant challenge to President Donald Trump’s authority over military operations involving Iran, the House of Representatives voted Wednesday to approve legislation aimed at restricting the president’s ability to engage in military action without congressional approval.

The vote marks the latest success in an ongoing effort by congressional Democrats to place legal limits on the administration’s war-making powers. According to CNN, momentum behind the initiative has been building in recent weeks as lawmakers push for greater congressional oversight of military decisions involving Iran.

The measure, which takes the form of a concurrent resolution, must also be approved by the Senate before it can take effect. Because it is not standard legislation, it does not require the president’s signature and will not be sent to the White House.

The resolution passed by a narrow 215-208 margin. Four Republicans—Representatives Thomas Massie, Brian Fitzpatrick, Tom Barrett, and Warren Davidson—broke with party leadership and joined Democrats in supporting the measure. The vote came after three previous attempts to advance similar legislation failed in the House.

Representative Gregory Meeks of New York, the ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, led the effort to bring the resolution to the floor.

The House had originally planned to vote on the proposal on May 21, but Republican leaders canceled the vote at the last moment after determining that member absences would likely result in defeat.

Following that decision, Meeks accused House Speaker Mike Johnson of deliberately preventing lawmakers from voting in order to protect the administration from political embarrassment.

Ahead of Wednesday’s vote, Johnson mounted a vigorous defense of the president’s authority and warned that congressional intervention could undermine delicate diplomatic negotiations currently underway.

“I think it is a very dangerous prospect to take away from the administration and the commander-in-chief right now the ability to negotiate. That’s what this does. It, it weakens us, our position, and our leverage in negotiation on the peace in that situation. ‘Operation Epic Fury’ is concluded,” Johnson told CNN on Wednesday.

The Speaker also argued that the administration’s objectives in Iran had been clearly defined and successfully accomplished, rejecting growing calls from lawmakers in both parties for additional details about the strategy and its implementation.

“The president is now in the process of, of concluding a peace agreement, and we have to allow him the latitude to do that, and I think a war powers resolution right now is very untimely, and a very, very negative, and dangerous thing for the country,” the Speaker concluded.

{Matzav.com}

By Rabbi Pinchos Lipschutz

Those at the Adirei HaTorah event on Sunday participated in something extraordinary.

They saw tens of thousands of bnei Torah gathered together. They saw roshei yeshiva, rabbonim, yungeleit, baalei batim, fathers and sons. They heard singing, felt excitement, and sensed that they were part of something historic.

But there are some people who would see much more than a gathering.

They would see a miracle.

Imagine a Holocaust survivor entering the stadium.

He looks across the sea of faces and struggles to comprehend what he is seeing. Everywhere he turns are young men devoted to Torah learning. Tens of thousands of people who have come together for no purpose of personal gain, entertainment, or recognition. They assembled for one reason, to honor the Torah and those who dedicate their lives to studying and living by it.

To many, it is inspiring.

To him, it is almost unimaginable.

He remembers a different world.

He remembers the great Torah centers of Europe. Warsaw, Vilna, Lublin, Pressburg, Slabodka, Mir, Kletzk, Telz, Ponovezh and hundreds of towns and villages whose very air seemed filled with Torah. He remembers botei medrash that hummed day and night, yeshivos overflowing with talmidim, and communities whose lives revolved around Torah.

Then came the destruction.

The Nazis did not merely seek to murder Jews. They sought to eradicate Judaism. They burned seforim, destroyed yeshivos, murdered rabbonim, roshei yeshiva and talmidim, and attempted to sever a chain stretching back to Har Sinai.

The survivor remembers standing amid the ruins and wondering whether that chain had been broken forever.

He remembers the ashes.

He remembers the silence.

He remembers a world in which entire communities vanished almost overnight.

Who could have imagined then what would come next?

Who could have imagined that less than a century later, there would be gatherings of tens of thousands of bnei Torah in America?

Who could have imagined stadiums filled not for sports, not for politics, not for entertainment, but solely for kavod haTorah?

A survivor would not simply see a crowd.

He would see the grandchildren of those who never had the opportunity to grow old.

He would see the dreams of murdered parents and grandparents walking among the living.

He would see proof that the Jewish people possess a resilience that defies every law of history.

Most nations celebrate military victories, economic achievements, or political triumphs.

The Jewish people fill stadiums to celebrate Torah.

A survivor would understand the significance of that better than anyone.

He witnessed what happens when Jews lose everything. Homes can be confiscated. Businesses can be destroyed. Entire communities can be wiped out.

Yet one thing endured.

The Torah.

The Nazis believed that they were burying the future of the Jewish people.

Instead, they planted seeds.

From the remnants emerged new yeshivos. From displaced persons camps emerged future roshei yeshiva, rabbonim, and teachers. Survivors crossed oceans carrying little more than faith, memories, and an unwavering commitment to rebuild.

Today, their descendants fill botei medrash across the globe.

Every young man learning a blatt Gemara is a declaration that the Jewish story continues.

Every yeshiva is a monument greater than any structure of stone.

Every child learning Alef-Bais is a victory over those who sought to extinguish us.

There is another person whose eyes would fill with tears upon entering the Adirei HaTorah event.

Not a survivor of Europe, but a Torah Jew who lived in America during the 1930s and 1940s.

He remembers a very different America.

Today we speak about the flourishing Torah world in the United States as though it were inevitable.

It was anything but.

In those years, many observers—within and outside the Orthodox community—were convinced that traditional Judaism had little future in America.

The challenges seemed overwhelming.

Shabbos observance often came at the cost of employment. Day schools were scarce. Yeshivos struggled to survive. Children of immigrants rapidly assimilated. The prevailing assumption was that America could provide economic opportunity, but never become a true home for Torah.

Europe was where Torah flourished.

America was where it would fade away.

Even many sincere Torah Jews feared that Orthodoxy might survive only as a small and shrinking remnant.

Had you told someone in those years that one day tens of thousands of bnei Torah would gather in a packed stadium to celebrate Torah learning, he would have thought that you were describing a fantasy.

A stadium?

Filled with lomdei Torah?

In America?

The very idea would have seemed impossible.

Imagine bringing such a Jew to Adirei HaTorah.

He would look around in astonishment.

Not because he had never seen a large crowd, but because he had spent a lifetime hearing that such a crowd could never exist.

Every face would refute the predictions.

Every yeshiva represented would disprove the experts.

Every voice joining in song would testify that Torah had not merely survived in America, but had flourished beyond anyone’s expectations.

The small yeshivos that struggled to keep their doors open became thriving institutions.

The handful became thousands.

The thousands became tens of thousands.

What many believed could never take root on American soil became one of the greatest centers of Torah learning in the world.

Standing at Adirei HaTorah, he would realize that he is witnessing one of the greatest surprises in modern Jewish history.

The dream became reality.

In truth, these two men, the survivor from Europe and the Torah Jew from early America, are seeing the same thing.

One sees the defeat of Hitler.

The other sees the defeat of assimilation.

One remembers a world where Torah was nearly destroyed.

The other remembers a world where Torah was expected to disappear.

Both arrive at the same conclusion.

The chain was not broken.

The Torah lives.

Yet, perhaps there is an even deeper perspective.

The survivor and the American Torah pioneer would not merely be looking at a crowd. They would be looking at the fulfillment of their hopes and prayers.

For the young men filling the stadium are not merely participants in an event. They are the answer to questions that previous generations carried in their hearts.

The survivor wondered whether there would be grandchildren learning Torah.

There are.

The immigrant who struggled to keep Shabbos wondered whether his descendants would remain faithful to Yiddishkeit.

They did.

The rosh yeshiva who opened a small classroom with a handful of students wondered whether Torah would ever flourish in America.

It has.

The parents who sacrificed comfort and convenience so their children could receive a Torah education wondered whether those sacrifices would bear fruit.

The fruit is before us.

What previous generations could only dream about, this generation experiences as reality.

And perhaps that is the greatest lesson of all.

When we look at a gathering such as Adirei HaTorah, we should not merely count how many people are present.

We should think about how many people stand behind them.

Behind every ben Torah are parents and grandparents who sacrificed. Behind every shteiging yungerman is a dedicated wife.

Behind every yeshiva are visionaries who built when there was little reason to believe they would succeed.

Behind every row of young men holding Gemaros are generations who carried the Torah through poverty, persecution, exile, and uncertainty.

In a sense, every seat in the stadium is occupied by more than one person.

The living fill the seats.

But surrounding them are the hopes, dreams, prayers, and sacrifices of generations past.

As the singing rises and the voices of thousands join together in honor of Torah, one can almost hear the verdict of history itself.

Those who sought to destroy us failed.

Those who predicted our decline were mistaken.

Against every calculation, every forecast, and every expectation, the Torah world has risen from the ashes, crossed oceans, taken root in new lands, and flourished beyond imagination.

The world may see a gathering.

They would see a resurrection.

The world may see a stadium.

They would see the rebuilding of a civilization.

The world may see an event.

They would see the fulfillment of a promise that has accompanied our people through every exile and every persecution: that the Torah entrusted to us at Har Sinai will never disappear from the Jewish people.

Standing amid the tens of thousands assembled for the honor of Torah, they would know that they are witnessing far more than a celebration.

They are witnessing eternity.

They tried to extinguish the flame.

Instead, it became a blazing fire.

And its light continues to illuminate the world.

Many articles about the growth of the Torah world focus on numbers — how many attendees, how many yeshivos, how many students, how many communities. Those numbers are certainly remarkable.

But what makes Adirei HaTorah so moving is that it is not really a story about quantity. It is a story about improbability.

If you had stood in Europe in 1945 amid the ruins of Jewish civilization, you would not have predicted this.

If you had stood in America in 1950, when many believed that Torah Judaism was destined to fade into history, you would not have predicted this.

If you had asked the survivors, the struggling roshei yeshiva, the rabbonim fighting off efforts to lower the mechitzah and open the parking lot, the immigrants fighting to keep Shabbos, or the parents sacrificing everything to send a child to yeshiva, they would have hoped for this, but many would have hardly dared imagine it.

That is why a gathering like Adirei HaTorah feels different. It is not merely large. It is unexpected. It represents the triumph of faith over statistics, conviction over prediction, and mesorah over the powerful currents that seemed destined to sweep it away.

Perhaps the most powerful image is not the stadium itself, but the thought of those earlier generations looking upon it.

A survivor searching the crowd for the grandchildren he feared would never exist.

A European rosh yeshiva seeing thousands of talmidim learning on a continent once thought inhospitable to Torah.

An immigrant laborer who lost job after job for Shabbos watching generations of descendants proudly living as Torah Jews.

A mother who scrimped and sacrificed to pay yeshiva tuition seeing a world where Torah education is cherished and sought after.

What would they say?

Perhaps nothing.

Perhaps they would simply stand silently and cry.

Not tears of sadness, but tears of gratitude.

Because before them would stand the answer to decades of prayers.

A living testimony that Torah is not merely preserved in books. It lives within people. It passes from parent to child, rebbi to talmid, generation to generation. And as long as that chain remains unbroken, the story of Klal Yisroel continues.

That is what makes Adirei HaTorah so powerful.

It is not only a celebration of those learning Torah today.

It is a tribute to those who made sure that there would still be Jews learning Torah today. And it is a declaration to future generations that the chain they preserved is now in our hands.

Yet, Adirei HaTorah is not merely a celebration of the past.

It is a celebration of the present.

To focus only on what was lost or what was rebuilt would be to miss the extraordinary reality standing before us.

The greatest achievement of Torah Jewry is not that Torah survived.

It is that Torah lives.

Across America and around the world, hundreds of thousands of Jews begin and end their days with Torah. Botei medrash hum from early morning until late at night. Young men devote years to serious Torah study. Baalei batim rise before dawn and remain after exhausting workdays to learn. Children fill classrooms learning Chumash, Mishnah, Gemara, and halacha. Families build homes centered around Shabbos, tefillah, chesed, and mitzvos.

This is not a museum preserving a glorious past.

It is a vibrant, living world.

The Torah celebrated at Adirei HaTorah is not merely the Torah learned by previous generations.

It is the Torah being learned today.

At this very moment, somewhere, a father is learning with his child. Somewhere, a rebbi is teaching a class. Somewhere, a chavrusa is struggling over a difficult Tosafos. Somewhere, a young boy is reciting Alef-Beis. Somewhere, a young girl is learning what it means to live a life of kedusha and emunah.

The chain continues to grow.

And perhaps that is what makes the gathering so remarkable.

The attendees are not gathering around a memory.

They are gathering around a reality.

The world often measures success through wealth, power, fame, or influence.

Adirei HaTorah celebrates something entirely different.

It celebrates people who dedicate themselves to understanding Hashem’s wisdom.

It celebrates lives shaped by Torah values.

It celebrates parents who sacrifice for Torah education, teachers who devote themselves to their students, communities built upon chesed, and individuals who strive each day to become better servants of Hashem.

In an age captivated by celebrities, athletes, entertainers, and influencers, tens of thousands gather to honor lomdei Torah.

What does that say about a people?

It says that despite all the changes in the world, despite the distractions and pressures of modern life, Torah remains at the center of Jewish existence.

The significance of Adirei HaTorah is not merely that tens of thousands attend.

It is what those tens of thousands represent.

They represent countless more learning in yeshivos and kollelim here and around the world.

They represent families striving to build Torah homes.

They represent communities where Torah guides daily life.

They represent a generation that appreciates that Torah is not an artifact of the past, but the foundation of the present and the future.

That is worthy of celebration.

Not only because previous generations dreamed it would happen.

But because it is happening.

Perhaps one of the most remarkable aspects of Adirei HaTorah is that many of those who attend do not fully appreciate how remarkable it is.

Not because they are ungrateful.

But because they are young.

They were born into a world where Torah flourishes.

For them, bustling botei medrash are normal. Thriving yeshivos are normal. Torah communities stretching across cities and continents are normal. Fathers learning with their children, kollelim filled with yungeleit, schools overflowing with students, and neighborhoods built around Torah life are simply the reality they have always known.

They never experienced the world that came before.

They never stood in the shadow of the destruction of Europe.

They never heard predictions that Orthodox Judaism could not survive in America.

They never saw yeshivos struggling to keep their doors open or families fighting to preserve Torah observance against overwhelming odds.

And that is precisely what makes the moment so extraordinary.

The greatest victories eventually become so complete that people forget there was ever a battle.

The young man sitting in a packed stadium surrounded by tens of thousands of fellow bnei Torah naturally assumes that this is how things are supposed to be.

But the generations before him know differently.

They know how improbable it all is.

They know how many obstacles stood in the way.

They know how many tears were shed, how many sacrifices were made, how many tefillos were offered, and how much faith was required to bring the Torah world to this point.

The young men filling the seats see themselves as ordinary participants in an extraordinary event.

But from the perspective of history, they are the event.

They are what previous generations dreamed about.

They are the answer to prayers offered in DP camps, in struggling yeshivos, in immigrant apartments, and in homes where parents wondered whether their children and grandchildren would remain faithful to Torah.

The greatest tribute to those earlier generations is not merely remembering their sacrifices.

It is recognizing what those sacrifices produced.

Look around the stadium.

Look at the thousands of young faces.

That is the achievement.

That is the victory.

That is the miracle.

Not simply that Torah survived.

But that an entire generation has grown up taking its flourishing for granted.

And perhaps that is the most profound sight of all.

The builders of the Torah world would look upon those young men and smile.

For they would know that what was once an impossible dream has become reality.

Rav Aharon Kotler, the Ponovezher Rov, the roshei yeshiva of Telz, and the many other builders of Torah who were mocked, criticized and perceived as irrational and impractical relics are today viewed as heroes blessed with incredible foresight and spiritual strength.

It’s a new day, a new era, with new vistas, old battles won and new battles to be fought. We look forward with faith and strength, saluting today’s heroes who make it possible, leading, supporting and implementing shelo yomush haTorah hazos mipinu umipi zareinu vezera zareinu ad olam ad bias Moshiach Tzidkeinu bekarov beyomeinu. Amein.

{Matzav.com}

Iran issued a sharp warning on Wednesday that any military strike on Beirut would trigger a renewed regional conflict, as diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon continued in Washington.

Speaking to the Hezbollah-affiliated Al Mayadeen television network, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States cannot be separated from developments in Lebanon.

“The fate of the war between Iran and the Zionists (Israel) and Americans is inseparable from the fate of the battle in Lebanon, and these two fronts have been intertwined since day one,” Araghchi stated during an interview with the pro-Hezbollah Lebanese broadcaster Al Mayadeen TV.

Araghchi also warned that Tehran is prepared to respond militarily if Israel targets the Lebanese capital, making clear that Iran views Beirut as a red line.

“Any attack on Beirut will have grave consequences and will lead to a full-scale resumption of the war,” he continued, adding Iran’s “armed forces are ready to strike Israel if it attacks Beirut”.

Since the outbreak of hostilities, Iranian officials have repeatedly insisted that any diplomatic effort to resolve the broader regional conflict must include an end to military operations in Lebanon.

On Wednesday, Araghchi reiterated that, from Tehran’s perspective, a lasting end to the fighting can only be achieved if Israel completely withdraws its forces from Lebanese territory.

“The end of the war in Lebanon also means the end of the occupation. That is, the end of the war must be accompanied by the withdrawal of the Zionist regime’s forces from the areas they have occupied,” Araghchi told the television station.

The comments came as Israeli and Lebanese representatives met in Washington for a second consecutive day of direct talks under American mediation. The discussions marked the fourth round of negotiations between the two sides.

Following Wednesday’s session, the United States, Israel, and Lebanon announced that progress had been made toward a ceasefire arrangement. In a joint statement, the parties said they had agreed on a truce “contingent on a complete cessation of Hezbollah fire and the evacuation of all Hezbollah operatives from the South Litani Sector”.

The current diplomatic effort follows an earlier meeting held on April 23, attended by Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, and Lebanon’s ambassador to the United States, Nada Hamadeh Moawad.

After that initial round of talks, President Donald Trump expressed optimism that Israel and Lebanon could achieve peace before the end of the year.

Trump also said he would like to host a meeting in Washington between Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun within the next few weeks.

Aoun, however, has indicated that such a summit is not currently under consideration, maintaining that ending the fighting must come before any direct political engagement between the two leaders.

The Lebanese president has also emphasized that a complete Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon remains a “non-negotiable” condition for reaching any final agreement.

{Matzav.com}

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Shas MK Michael Malkieli launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu, accused law enforcement authorities of targeting yeshiva students, and defended his party’s decision to bring down the coalition in a wide-ranging interview with Kikar HaShabbat amid the escalating political battle over the draft law and the status of Torah learners.

Speaking candidly about the collapse of the government, Malkieli said the coalition lost its right to exist once it became clear there was no parliamentary majority to pass legislation protecting the status of Torah students.

“From the moment the prime minister reached the conclusion that there was no majority for this law, the coalition and government lost their right to exist. That is why we left and are dissolving the Knesset,” Malkieli declared.

He said the demand for a Basic Law on Torah Study has been a central objective of the chareidi parties since the start of the government’s term.

“From the beginning of the term, everyone understood that the most important issue for the chareidi parties was legislation regulating the status of Torah learners. There were disagreements over the method, but the decision was to advance a government-sponsored bill.

“We sat through hundreds of discussions and thousands of hours of deliberations in an effort to complete the legislation. But once the prime minister concluded there was no majority, the coalition no longer had a reason to continue.”

According to Malkieli, the proposed Basic Law would not only formalize the status of yeshiva students but also provide legal protection against future efforts to prosecute or arrest those engaged in full-time Torah study.

“The Basic Law on Torah Study is not only about regulating the status of Torah learners. In the end, when you come to arrest and persecute someone who studies Torah, under what authority are you doing so? He is fulfilling a Basic Law. Since the draft law did not pass, the Basic Law on Torah Study must move forward. We want to pass it in its second and third readings.”

Malkieli reserved some of his harshest criticism for Netanyahu, accusing him of remaining silent while yeshiva students face arrest.

“We stood by Netanyahu throughout this entire period. No one preserved the right-wing bloc more than Shas chairman Aryeh Deri, and he paid a heavy personal price when the court ruled that he could not serve as a minister. That was a political decision.

“Beyond that, there were major offers from other quarters. Deri protected the right-wing bloc. The offers were endless. They presented us with a blank sheet and said, ‘Come sign.’

“Benjamin Netanyahu knows how to stand in front of every camera, but now he is keeping silent about the arrests of Torah learners in the Jewish state. This is persecution by the judicial system against the Jewish people and those who study Torah. I expect Netanyahu not to sit on the sidelines.”

He also criticized senior Likud officials for what he described as a lack of support for the chareidi community.

“The prime minister and the senior figures in Likud—and I’m not talking about those within Likud, such as Dan Illouz, who openly oppose us—is this a partnership? Is this a values-based bloc? I expect the prime minister to stand before the cameras and say: ‘We support Torah learners. Torah protects us and has always protected us.’ That is what is required.”

Asked about potential coalition partners after the next election, Malkieli made clear that Shas would not join any government that fails to prioritize Torah values.

“There will be no coalition without preserving the values of Judaism and protecting Torah learners.”

Turning to the ongoing arrests of yeshiva students, Malkieli suggested the campaign is politically motivated and designed to weaken public confidence in the chareidi parties.

“There is concern that they will continue making arrests in order to embarrass the chareidi representatives. Clearly there is political thinking behind this. The goal is to create distance between the chareidi public and its representatives, to spread fear and hostility, and to make a yeshiva student afraid to leave his home. There is a clear objective here.”

Malkieli also leveled criticism at Police Commissioner Daniel Levy and senior police officials, arguing that police resources are being directed toward the wrong priorities.

“A commissioner who sends district commanders to pursue Torah learners and create fear on chareidi streets expects cooperation? I call on the commissioner to pound the table and say that the police should be dealing with crime and murder in the streets.

“He should hold a press conference and announce that police manpower is focused on fighting crime. District commanders should say, ‘We are failing in our mission if this is what we are spending our time on. We are putting down the keys.’”

Addressing another major issue on the chareidi agenda, Malkieli defended the coalition’s efforts to advance kashrus reform legislation, explaining that years of negotiations and legal hurdles delayed progress.

“For three years we held dozens of meetings in my office, with Director-General Yehuda Avidan, with the Rishon LeTzion, with legal advisers. There were endless difficulties. We wanted a bill that would be accepted by all government ministries. Two weeks ago we finally reached an agreed-upon text. We are bringing forward legislation that has the approval of the Justice Ministry.”

Malkieli also discussed his decision earlier in the day to withdraw his candidacy for the committee that appoints rabbinical judges in favor of Housing Minister Yitzchak Goldknopf.

“Credit goes to the Shas chairman, who understands the value of unity and the greatness of peace. He understands the challenges we face regarding the Basic Law on Torah Study, kashrus, and daycare funding. This is not the time for fighting. Unfortunately, there are those who choose conflict. The Shas chairman said that if withdrawing would promote peace, then for the sake of unity we should step aside.”

Commenting on tensions between Shas and factions within United Torah Judaism, Malkieli urged greater cooperation and restraint.

“You will not find a single briefing initiated by Shas. We do not engage in briefings. I call on United Torah Judaism: the Torah world is under threat, and this is a time for unity and working together.”

Malkieli also took aim at former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, warning voters against trusting the politician if he returns to national leadership.

“I say: understand who is standing before us. To anyone considering voting for Bennett, if you think he can become prime minister and then deliver everything that is demanded of him, you do not understand who you are dealing with.

“Do not believe a word he says. He is hollow. Even people within his own camp understand that. They know this is a person who will sell everything.”

Responding to criticism from members of Degel HaTorah regarding the appointment of dozens of municipal rabbis, Malkieli defended the selections and questioned why fellow chareidi politicians were fueling controversy.

“People from within the chareidi parties are criticizing us? For what? Take twenty rabbis—who among them is unqualified? Show me one rabbi who is not worthy.

“What exactly is the criticism? Why give ammunition to the opposition? Why join forces with those who oppose religion while yeshiva students are being arrested? Criticize what? The appointment of rabbis?”

{Matzav.com}

A psychiatric assessment expected in the coming days could determine the next stage in the case of the man suspected of murdering a kollel yungerman inside a Bnei Brak beis medrash, as investigators near the completion of their probe into the shocking killing that shook the chareidi community.

According to a report by I24NEWS, mental health experts are expected to issue a decisive opinion on whether the suspect is competent to stand trial and whether he was legally responsible for his actions at the time of the attack.

At the same time, police have entered the final phase of their investigation and say they have gathered substantial evidence directly linking the suspect to the murder scene.

Investigators increasingly believe the killing was premeditated. According to details that have been cleared for publication, the suspect had frequented the synagogue in recent months, where the victim, a 45-year-old yungerman, regularly davened.

During that period, the suspect reportedly became involved in a series of heated verbal confrontations with the victim and other mispallelim. On the day of the attack, he allegedly entered the yeshiva complex during davening, approached the victim while he was seated at a learning bench, and stabbed him multiple times.

The horrific attack unfolded in front of the victim’s young son, who was sitting beside his father and witnessed the assault. The victim was rushed to a hospital in critical condition, but doctors were unable to save his life, and he was pronounced dead several hours later.

Evidence gathered at the scene indicates that the suspect stabbed the victim repeatedly. Multiple eyewitnesses who were present during the attack have reportedly identified him and connected him directly to the crime.

In light of the evidence collected, a court recently extended the suspect’s detention for an additional week to allow investigators to complete the final stages of the case and facilitate the psychiatric examination, which is expected to play a major role in determining how the matter proceeds.

The findings of that evaluation will help determine whether the suspect faces criminal prosecution or is instead referred for psychiatric treatment. The outcome is expected to have a significant impact on the legal proceedings moving forward. Additional developments are expected in the coming days.

{Matzav.com}

In the wake of a heated protest outside the home of Supreme Court Justice Noam Solberg following a wave of arrests of chareidi draft evaders, the Shas and Degel HaTorah factions released a rare joint statement shortly after midnight, criticizing the actions of Israel’s High Court while also denouncing violence.

The statement came after demonstrators gathered outside Justice Solberg’s residence amid growing tensions surrounding the arrests of yeshiva bochurim classified as draft evaders.

In their joint declaration, the two parties said: “We are pained and shocked by the ongoing campaign of persecution and trampling of Torah learners by the judges of the Supreme Court. We have warned time and again that these measures would lead to extremism and anarchy, and sadly, we are now witnessing those fears become reality.”

At the same time, the chareidi factions stressed that they unequivocally oppose any acts of violence connected to the protests.

“We strongly condemn any act of violence of any kind,” the statement said. “Violence is contrary to the way of the Torah and is completely unacceptable.”

The parties concluded by directing a sharp appeal to leaders of the right-wing bloc, urging them to speak out not only against violence but also against what they described as the continued targeting of yeshiva students.

“However, we demand that the leaders of the right-wing parties, who were quick and correct to condemn this incident, also condemn the ongoing and cruel persecution of Torah learners and yeshiva students. The blood of Torah learners is not hefker.”

Shas MK Yinon Azoulay also addressed the issue during a speech in the Knesset plenum on Wednesday evening, condemning the conduct directed at Justice Solberg while defending the right to protest.

“In the State of Israel, it is permitted and even legitimate to demonstrate and express protest, but violence is not part of the democratic rules of the game. Going to the home of a public servant, harassing members of his family, and disrupting their daily lives — this is not the way of the Torah. We feel deep pain over the harm being done to bnei Torah and are working with all our strength to resolve their status, but that does not justify violent behavior of any kind. Therefore, I unequivocally condemn every expression of violence and incitement.”

Azoulay also called on national leaders to publicly address the arrests of yeshiva students.

“I hope that just as Prime Minister Netanyahu and Education Minister Yoav Kisch condemned these events, we will also hear a clear and firm voice from them regarding the arrest of bnei Torah. Bnei Torah who sit and learn Torah should be in the batei medrash and continue their learning, not find themselves under arrest. This is an important public and moral message that the leadership of the state must state clearly,” said Azoulay.

{Matzav.com}

A controversial bill approved by New York Democrats would remove references to “mother” and “father” from numerous state laws and replace them with gender-neutral language, a move that is already drawing fierce criticism from Republicans and conservatives while supporters argue it reflects modern family structures.

Under the legislation, references to a “mother” would be changed to “gestating parent,” while “father” would be replaced by “non-gestating parent” or simply “parent” in various sections of family, domestic relations, and education law. The measure cleared the Assembly earlier this year and won Senate approval this week.

The legislation would also alter legal terminology used in family court proceedings. Cases traditionally classified as paternity matters would instead be referred to as parentage proceedings.

In addition, the bill would replace the legal designation of a “putative father” with the term “an alleged parent” in official state documents. The legislation was sponsored by Sen. Luis Sepulveda of the Bronx and Assemblywoman Amy Paulin of Westchester and now heads to Gov. Kathy Hochul for consideration.

Opponents blasted the proposal as an example of political correctness overriding common language and practical concerns.

“It’s woke culture run amok. It’s one-upmanship,” said state Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar, a former longtime state Senate and Assembly staffer.

“It’s an example of how out of tune the New York legislature is. It’s an unnecessary and wasteful use of time,” Kassar said.

Kassar argued that the measure could encourage lawmakers to pursue additional language-related legislation while more pressing issues remain unresolved. He pointed to the prolonged budget process as evidence that Albany’s priorities are misplaced.

“Imagine people who are considering moving to New York seeing this and saying, ‘Do I need this silliness?’ This is a really weird group of elected officials. It comes out of left field,” he said.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman also criticized the proposal and linked it to broader Democratic policies.

“Democrats led by Kathy Hochul have continued their declaration of war on New York families by canceling the loving terms of Mom and Dad and replacing them with ‘gestating and non-gestating parent,’” Blakeman said in a statement. “The insanity ends when I’m Governor.”

Republican lawmakers who opposed the measure said it demonstrates how disconnected Albany has become from the concerns of ordinary residents.

“At a time when New Yorkers are being crushed by utility bills, rising costs, and public safety concerns, Albany Democrats have decided one of their final priorities in the last days of session should be replacing mothers and fathers in state law,” said Sen. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick (R-Nassau). “That is not what families are asking for. I am a mother and proud to be called ‘mother.’”

“New Yorkers are proud to celebrate moms and dads, and they would rather we, as lawmakers, focus on the issues that actually matter,” she said.

The proposal reportedly generated skepticism even among some Democrats. As the legislative session winds down, not all members of the majority party appeared enthusiastic about the wording changes.

“I have a word we can use for this, ‘unnecessary,’” one Democratic lawmaker told The Post.

The debate unfolded shortly after lawmakers finally approved New York’s $268 billion state budget, which had been delayed for nearly two months amid disagreements within the Democratic majority.

Asked Wednesday whether she supports the legislation, Hochul declined to take a position, saying she had not yet reviewed the bill.

“Well, I’m not familiar with what was introduced,” Hochul said at an unrelated event in Brooklyn Wednesday. “I’ll take a look at it. This has been my practice for five years.”

Supporters of the measure argue that the language updates are necessary to reflect existing legal realities and the way family courts already handle certain cases involving surrogacy arrangements and same-sex couples.

According to a memorandum accompanying the bill, the revisions are intended to bring statutory language into line with current legal standards and family court practices.

Attorneys who specialize in adoption law said the traditional terminology no longer reflects the range of family structures recognized under New York law.

“You have adoptive parents who are of the same gender in New York. There are two male parents, two female parents,” said adoption lawyer Leslie Silver-Hoffman.

Sepulveda defended the legislation, saying it simply updates legal terminology to match existing statutes and judicial rulings.

“The bill was needed to be consistent with current statute and case law,” he said.

The proposal also drew criticism from Rep. Claudia Tenney, who argued that lawmakers should be focused on other concerns facing New Yorkers.

“At a time when New Yorkers are struggling with high taxes, rising costs, and public safety concerns, Albany Democrats are focused on redefining motherhood,” Tenney said. “This is yet another example of out-of-touch politicians prioritizing progressive ideology over the issues that actually matter to hardworking New Yorkers.”

The legislation is the latest example of a broader push toward gender-neutral language in New York government.

In recent years, the state has adopted requirements encouraging the use of terms such as “they,” “them,” and “theirs” in official laws, regulations, and resolutions rather than language tied specifically to males or females.

The trend also extends to identity documents. In 2018, then-Mayor Bill de Blasio and the New York City Council approved legislation allowing residents to select an “X” designation on birth certificates to identify as non-binary.

{Matzav.com}

A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon was reached in Washington after two days of intensive talks hosted by the United States, with the deal centered on ending Hezbollah’s military activity in southern Lebanon and advancing broader peace negotiations between the neighboring countries.

A joint statement released at the conclusion of Wednesday’s discussions said the ceasefire would only take effect if Hezbollah completely halts its attacks and removes all of its operatives from the area south of the Litani River. The agreement makes implementation of the truce directly dependent on those requirements being met.

As part of the arrangement, Israel and Lebanon agreed to move forward rapidly with the establishment of pilot security zones in which the Lebanese Armed Forces will exercise exclusive authority, without the presence of any armed non-state groups. Officials said the initiative is intended to create momentum toward a wider peace and security framework between the two nations.

The United States, Israel, and Lebanon also delivered a strong message against outside influence, declaring that they “rejected any attempt, by any state or non-state actor, to hold Lebanon’s future hostage,” while emphasizing that relations between the countries “must be decided by the two sovereign governments”.

Both sides further stated that they “reaffirmed that they have no hostile intent toward one another and committed to continuing direct negotiations to build confidence”.

The latest diplomatic effort follows defense consultations held at the Pentagon on May 29, where officials began formulating a broader strategic vision for the region. According to the statement, the plan seeks to guarantee “ensuring the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of Lebanon and Israel,” while requiring the “dismantlement of non-state armed groups, and the prevention of their re-emergence”. Participants also jointly “condemned Iran’s attacks on countries in the region, and ongoing activities that undermine stability throughout the Middle East”.

Washington reiterated its commitment to strengthening the Lebanese military so it can fully enforce government authority throughout the country. American officials also pointed to comments made by Secretary of State Marco Rubio on June 2, when he said that “Hezbollah is not just an enemy of Israel and an enemy of America, but that it is an enemy of Lebanon”.

Israel maintained during the negotiations that its long-term security can “only be achieved through the disarmament of Hezbollah and the dismantlement of its infrastructure throughout Lebanon”. Lebanon, meanwhile, emphasized “the necessity for mutual respect of internationally recognized borders” and underscored “the urgent need for full implementation of the cessation of hostilities”.

Under the agreement, negotiators are expected to “reconvene the political and security tracks the week of June 22, with a view toward reaching a comprehensive agreement,” while the United States continues to serve as the primary mediator.

The Washington meeting marked the fourth round of American-sponsored negotiations between Israel and Lebanon.

Following the first round of talks on April 23, attended by Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, and Lebanon’s ambassador to the United States, Nada Hamadeh Moawad, President Donald Trump voiced optimism that a peace agreement between the two countries could be reached before the end of the year.

Trump also said he would like to host Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in Washington within the coming weeks.

Aoun has made it clear, however, that a meeting with Netanyahu is not currently under consideration, arguing that securing and maintaining the ceasefire must come before any direct political engagement between the two leaders.

The Lebanese president has also recently reiterated that a complete Israeli military withdrawal from southern Lebanon remains a “non-negotiable” condition for any final agreement.

{Matzav.com}