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Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced Tuesday that he intends, in a future term, to pursue a policy of encouraging Palestinians to leave the West Bank, as Israel faces intensifying international criticism over its recent actions in the territory and ongoing settler violence.

Addressing a gathering organized by his far-right Religious Zionism party together with settlement leaders, Smotrich outlined what he described as the priorities for Israel’s next government. Among them, he called for nullifying the Oslo Accords of the 1990s and extending Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank — a step widely viewed as tantamount to annexation.

“Destroy the idea of an Arab terror state; finally, formally and practically cancel the cursed Oslo Accords and get on the path of sovereignty, while encouraging migration both from Gaza and from Judea and Samaria,” said Smotrich, using the biblical term for the West Bank. “There is no other long-term solution.”

The proposal — which opponents argue would amount to ethnic cleansing — has been championed by far-right figures since Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack. Until now, however, most of the public discussion around such plans centered on Gaza rather than the West Bank.

Smotrich’s latest remarks mark one of the few times that a senior Israeli official has openly advocated extending this controversial objective to the West Bank.

His comments follow a cabinet decision, made only days earlier, to approve a contentious policy allowing large portions of West Bank land to be formally registered as state property eligible for Israeli development. The move came on the heels of another security cabinet decision the previous week to implement sweeping changes to land registration and property acquisition rules in the territory — steps critics say effectively amount to annexation in practice.

On Tuesday, 85 nations issued a joint statement condemning Israel’s recent measures, including countries considered close partners of Israel such as the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Cyprus, Greece and Germany.

“We strongly condemn unilateral Israeli decisions and measures aimed at expanding Israel’s unlawful presence in the West Bank,” said the statement organized by the Palestinian Mission to the UN. “Such decisions are contrary to Israel’s obligations under international law and must be immediately reversed. We underline in this regard our strong opposition to any form of annexation.”

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also weighed in Monday, urging Israel to roll back the new land registration policy and describing it as “destabilizing” and “unlawful.”

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi was reappointed Wednesday by Parliament to form her second Cabinet, following last week’s landslide election win that she hopes will allow a hard-right move to the country’s policies. All previous ministers are expected to be retained. Takaichi will look to use the symbolism of the day, seen as a formality, to further boost her […]

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Thousands of Yidden streamed to the Kosel Plaza this morning, beginning at the first light of dawn, to mark Rosh Chodesh Adar with special tefillos. Crowds continued to grow throughout the morning as Yidden ushered in the new month with heartfelt davening at the Kosel.

The Kosel Heritage Foundation reported that during the tefillos, activists affiliated with the radical Women of the Wall group obstructed the primary entrance and exit to the Kosel Plaza.

According to the Foundation, members of the group conducted a “Torah reading” while ignoring requests from police officers and Kosel ushers, even as thousands of mispallelim were arriving at the site. The morning also coincided with the start of Ramadan, bringing additional Muslim worshippers to the area.

The Foundation emphasized that the blocked access points led to unusual congestion and created what it described as a significant safety concern for the many people gathered in the Plaza.

A day earlier, representatives of the Foundation appeared before Supreme Court justices to present their position regarding what they termed “repeated provocations” by Women of the Wall on every Rosh Chodesh.

They stated that Wednesday morning’s events exceeded prior incidents and, they stressed, posed “a real danger to human life.”

In response, Women of the Wall issued a statement saying: “The ushers of the Chief Rabbi of the Western Wall leave us no choice. We are fed up with the mistreatment and the attempts to harm our prayers. We are fed up with the fact that despite there being no legal or halakhic prohibition, the Chief Rabbi of the Western Wall prevents us in every way from reading from the Torah scroll. We will read from the Torah on the first day of the Jewish month, and implement what the court decided a long time ago: Women of the Wall’s prayer with a Torah scroll is a local custom, and we are allowed to read from the Torah at the Western Wall.”

{Matzav.com}

The United States is said to be moving closer to a major military clash in the Middle East, with new reports indicating that such a confrontation could unfold in the near future, Axios reported Wednesday.

According to the report, any American strike on Iran would not be limited in scope. Instead, it is expected to be extensive and sustained, more akin to a full-scale war than a narrow, targeted operation.

Individuals briefed on the matter said that if hostilities erupt, the campaign would likely involve coordinated action by both the United States and Israel. They indicated that the scope would surpass that of Operation Rising Lion in June 2025, when Israel targeted Iran’s underground nuclear installations and was later joined by American forces. A conflict of this magnitude could significantly reshape the region and influence the remainder of US President Donald Trump’s final term in office.

The report further stated that Trump weighed the possibility of striking Iran as far back as January, following Tehran’s harsh crackdown on domestic protests.

After that opportunity passed, the administration reportedly adopted a two-pronged approach: pursuing renewed nuclear negotiations while simultaneously building up a substantial American military presence in the region. Even so, US officials are said to believe that the chances of achieving a meaningful diplomatic agreement remain slim.

{Matzav.com}

A private Indian university was booted from a top artificial intelligence summit in New Delhi on Wednesday after one of its staffers displayed a commercially available robotic dog made in China, claiming it was the university’s own innovation. According to two government officials, Galgotias University was ordered to take down its stand at the summit […]

For nearly two decades, Batya Kahan — the visionary behind the acclaimed Batya’s Kitchen — has transformed the way families experience Pesach. With her signature blend of elevated flavor, meticulous standards, and heartfelt hospitality, Batya has helped thousands of families serve gourmet, homestyle Yom Tov meals with confidence and grace.

Now, for the very first time, she opens her kitchen to the public.

Pesach Secrets from Batya’s Kitchen is Batya Kahan’s highly anticipated debut cookbook — and it is so much more than a collection of recipes. It is a complete Pesach companion, designed to guide you through every stage of Yom Tov preparation with clarity, organization, and calm.

Over 150 Timeless, Gluten-Free, Non-Gebrokts Recipes

Inside this extraordinary volume, you’ll discover more than 150 refined, gluten-free, non-gebrokts recipes — each crafted with care and backed by over 18 years of Pesach expertise. From beloved family classics to fresh, innovative creations, every dish reflects Batya’s elevated style and commitment to foolproof results.

Her recipes are celebrated fortheir:

• Beautiful presentation
• Freezer-friendly brilliance
• Reliable, repeatable success

Whether you’re hosting a small Yom Tov meal or a full Seder for a crowd, these recipes are designed to work, every time.

More Than a Cookbook — A Complete Pesach System

What truly sets Pesach Secrets apart is its practical, make-ahead approach. Batya understands that Pesach is not just about cooking — it’s about managing time, energy, and expectations during one of the busiest weeks of the year.

That’s why this book includes:

Checklists, timelines, and prep plans
Thoughtfully structured to help you stay organized, ahead of schedule, and stress-free.

• A comprehensive shopping and label-reading guide
  Including how to confidently navigate imported Kosher for Pesach labels.
• The Batya Freeze Code
  A step-by-step system teaching you how to properly freeze, store, and reheat dishes so they taste freshly made.
• Plating and presentation guidance
  Transform your Yom Tov table with elegance and intention.
• Traveling-with-food tips
  Pack like a pro for hotel stays, family visits, or Yom Tov away from home.

Throughout the book, Batya’s practical “make-ahead magic” ensures you can focus on what truly matters — meaningful moments around your Yom Tov table.

Bringing Calm and Confidence Back to Pesach

Batya’s Pesach dishes have already earned a treasured place in Jewish homes across the globe. With Pesach Secrets, she shares not only her most beloved recipes, but also the systems, organization, and mindset that allow Pesach to feel doable, stress-free, and absolutely delicious.

Thoughtful, inspiring, and beautifully written, this remarkable guide blends culinary artistry with real-life practicality — empowering every home cook, from beginner to seasoned, to host with serenity and joy.

Whether you’re preparing your first Seder or your thirtieth, Pesach Secrets from Batya’s Kitchen is destined to become a year-after-year staple in Jewish kitchens everywhere.

Available at ArtScroll.com, by calling 718 921-9000 or at your local Jewish bookseller.

 

A group of leading rabbis identified with the Religious Zionist community sent a sharply phrased letter to Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu cautioning against proposals to broaden the inclusion of women in frontline combat roles, particularly within the Armored Corps.

In their message, the rabbis warned that transforming the Armored Corps into a mixed-gender framework would place their students in a direct clash between adherence to religious law and participation in military service. They pointed to scenarios such as male and female soldiers sharing the confined space of a tank, writing that such arrangements are irreconcilable with halakha.

The rabbis underscored that many of their students serve in key combat positions in the Israel Defense Forces with deep dedication, regarding their enlistment as both a national duty and a sacred mission. At the same time, they voiced serious concern over what they described as an accelerated effort to integrate female combat soldiers into central fighting units. They stated that the IDF’s power is not derived only from its operational capabilities, but also from its spiritual character, adding that preserving standards of sanctity and modesty in military settings is vital not just for observant soldiers, but for the army’s overall strength and effectiveness.

According to the letter, the rabbis had avoided public criticism throughout long months of warfare out of a sense of collective responsibility. However, they wrote that recent moves left them compelled to object openly to mixed-gender service that, in their view, conflicts with Jewish law, longstanding tradition, and the foundational principles of the state. They further cautioned that advancing such policies would contradict the IDF’s declared objective of increasing enlistment among religious and haredi recruits.

The letter argues that redesignating the Armored Corps as a mixed unit—similar to previous adjustments in the Artillery Corps, where the number of religious soldiers has reportedly declined significantly—would effectively prevent Torah-observant servicemen from serving in major combat roles. The rabbis warned this could diminish the army’s fighting capacity and weaken the idea of a unified “people’s army.” They also took issue with what they characterized as the introduction of outside social agendas that, in their view, are disconnected from operational necessity or security considerations.

Concluding their appeal, the rabbis urged the Prime Minister to ensure that the IDF remains an institution in which soldiers can serve in line with their religious convictions, emphasizing that this is essential for both military victory and national cohesion. They requested an immediate meeting with Netanyahu in hopes of stopping the plan before it develops into what they described as a grave and irreversible crisis.

{Matzav.com}

WFAN host Craig Carton sharply criticized filmmaker Spike Lee this week, accusing him of going too far during the NBA All-Star festivities and urging that he be barred from league arenas.

Speaking on his Monday program, Carton reacted angrily after Lee was seen seated courtside at the All-Star Game with a bag displaying a Palestine Liberation Organization flag, at the same time Israeli-born player Deni Avdija was making history. “Spike Lee should be banned from every basketball game for the rest of his life,” Carton said in a clip shared on social media. “The fact that Spike Lee would protest the fact that an Israeli-born player made it to the All-Star game… The player’s not political, the player’s just playing basketball. There’s no place for this.”

The incident took place during the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. Lee, long associated with the New York Knicks as one of their most visible celebrity fans, was photographed sitting near the court carrying the PLO-themed bag. The moment drew heightened attention because Avdija, now a forward for the Portland Trail Blazers, had just become the first Israeli-born athlete ever selected to participate in the league’s All-Star Game.

Carton also faulted the NBA itself for permitting the display, suggesting it detracted from what should have been a milestone celebration for Avdija. “But for the NBA to open up their doors and front-row service to a despicable human being and allow him to make this Israeli-born player feel bad, he shouldn’t be allowed in Madison Square Garden,” Carton stressed. “He shouldn’t be allowed in another NBA arena for a long time.”

While many in Israel viewed Avdija’s selection as a proud achievement, Lee’s choice of attire drew criticism from those who argued that political messaging did not belong at a sporting event. Lee has not publicly commented on the matter.

The controversy extended beyond Lee. LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers also faced backlash after remarks he made about Israel during his All-Star media availability.

Ahead of Sunday’s game, James was asked by an Israeli journalist about Avdija. He replied, “I said I believe he was an All-Star. He’s playing exceptional basketball. So that’s that.”

He then addressed Israel more broadly, stating, “If I have fans over there – I’ve never been there – I hope you’ve been following my career. I hope I inspire people over there to not only want to be great at sports but be better in general in life. Hopefully someday I could make it over there. Like I said, I’ve never been over there, but I heard nothing but great things.”

His comments quickly ignited debate online. British-American commentator Mehdi Hasan reacted on Twitter, writing, “What a disgrace LeBron is,” while reposting a message from Laila Al-Arian of Al Jazeera that read, “The entire human rights community: Israel is an apartheid state committing genocide and ethnic cleansing. LeBron James: ‘I’ve heard great things about Israel.’”

Other users on social media accused James of ignoring “Palestinian Arab suffering” and argued that speaking positively about Israel was inappropriate in light of the ongoing conflict.

James has not issued any further response to the criticism.

Minnesota and federal authorities are investigating the alleged beating of a Mexican citizen by immigration officers last month, seeking to identify what caused the eight skull fractures that landed the man in the intensive care unit of a Minneapolis hospital. Investigators from the St. Paul Police Department and FBI last week canvassed the shopping center […]

Negotiations between the United States and Iran are continuing, at least officially, but it appears that a decisive moment is approaching, with Axios reporting on Wednesday that a US strike may be imminent. A White House source said that the chance of a strike in the coming weeks is 90% and that the operation would […]

The Israel Defense Forces announced Wednesday morning that Staff Sergeant Ofri Yafe, 21, from Hayogev, was killed during combat operations in Gaza.

Yafe was a member of the Paratroopers Reconnaissance Unit and was fatally wounded while operating in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.

Preliminary findings suggest that he was struck by friendly fire amid activity in Khan Yunis.

The incident took place at approximately 2:00 a.m. in the area known as the “yellow line” in southern Gaza. Two separate forces from the Paratroopers Brigade were engaged in a standard mission to search and secure buildings. During the course of the operation, one unit mistakenly believed the other to be a hostile force.

As a result of the misidentification, shots were fired at the second unit, leaving Staff Sergeant Yafe critically injured. Medical personnel were rushed to the scene and began evacuating him, but he was pronounced dead during transport before reaching the hospital. The IDF has opened a comprehensive investigation to determine exactly how the fatal error occurred.

Yafe is the fifth Israeli soldier to lose his life in Gaza since the ceasefire that began on October 10, 2025. The others killed in Gaza during this period were Major Yaniv Kula, Staff Sergeant Itay Yavetz, Master Sergeant (Res.) Yona Efraim Feldbaum, and Sergeant Major (Res.) Asael Babad.

Since the war began on October 7, 2023, 925 IDF soldiers have fallen. In total, 2,013 people have been killed since the outbreak of hostilities.

{Matzav.com}

The latest U.S.-brokered talks between Russian and Ukrainian envoys over Russia’s all-out invasion of Ukraine ended Wednesday with no sign of a breakthrough and with both sides saying the talks were “difficult” as the war’s fourth anniversary approaches next week. The negotiations in Switzerland were the third round of direct talks organized by the U.S., […]

For decades, regulations required citizens of Israel – including those who also held another nationality – to use an Israeli passport when entering or leaving the country. When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted government services worldwide, passport offices and Israeli missions abroad operated at limited capacity or were closed altogether. This created significant challenges for many […]

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Maj. Gen. (res.) Amos Yadlin, the former head of IDF Military Intelligence, insinuated in an interview with Channel 12 on Wednesday morning that the US may strike Iran in the coming days, leading to a regional escalation. “Last week I felt comfortable flying to the Munich Security Conference,” Yadlin said. “But I would think twice […]

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The IDF announced on Wednesday morning that an IDF soldier was killed overnight in a friendly fire incident in the Gaza Strip. The soldier was identified as Staff Sgt. Ofri Yafe, z’l, 21, from HaYogev, a moshav in northern Israel. He served in the Paratrooper Brigade’s Reconnaissance Unit. Army Radio reported that the incident occurred […]

One day after the fate of the Kosel’s kedusha was casually tossed around by Supreme Court justices, one of the petitioners, the Women of the Wall organization, escalated its monthly antics on Wednesday morning, Rosh Chodesh Adar. The members of the group not only violated the law by bringing a Sefer Torah to the Kosel, […]

Bnos Penina, a girls school in Lakewood, has informed parents that it will no longer be able to operate in its current location after Wednesday, February 18, and instructed families not to send students beginning Thursday, February 19. According to the letter, administrators said the school has struggled to remain financially viable after parents’ commitments […]