Feed aggregator

A heavily armed man was shot dead by Secret Service agents this evening after opening fire near the White House in a chaotic scene that left at least one bystander seriously wounded, according to sources familiar with the incident.

Authorities identified the gunman as 21-year-old Nasire Best, who allegedly began shooting near a security checkpoint around 6:10 p.m. after drawing the attention of law enforcement by pacing erratically along 17th Street Northwest.

Sources said Best pulled out a revolver and fired several rounds before Secret Service officers responded with a barrage of gunfire, killing him at the scene before he could advance further.

At least one civilian nearby was struck during the exchange and suffered serious injuries, sources said.

Investigators have not yet confirmed a motive for the attack, though sources described Best as a mentally unstable individual who had previous encounters with federal authorities around White House security zones.

According to the sources, Best had repeatedly loitered near restricted areas surrounding the White House and had previously violated a court order barring him from the grounds.

“FBI is on the scene and supporting Secret Service responding to shots fired near White House grounds – we will update the public as we’re able,” FBI Director Kash Patel wrote on X.

The sudden eruption of gunfire sent journalists and White House correspondents scrambling for safety as many were conducting live broadcasts and routine reporting outside the building.

“I was in the middle of taping on my iPhone for a social video from the White House North Lawn when we heard the shots,” said Selina Wang, a senior ABC White House correspondent.

“It sounded like dozens of gunshots. We were told to sprint to the press briefing room where we are holding now.”

Following the shooting, Secret Service personnel immediately locked down the White House complex and instructed reporters gathered on the North Lawn to run into the briefing room for protection. The lockdown remained in effect for roughly 30 minutes before officials declared the area secure.

The incident unfolded less than two hours after President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that he was in the Oval Office working on negotiations related to a possible peace agreement with Iran.

Records show that Best had multiple prior interactions with police and federal security personnel. On June 26, 2025, he was involuntarily committed after allegedly obstructing traffic near 15th Street and E Street NW.

He was later arrested again on July 10, 2025, on an unlawful entry charge after allegedly bypassing a restricted pedestrian checkpoint near the White House by walking through an exit turnstile lane.

Court documents from that earlier arrest stated that “[Best] claimed he was [Yoshka] and that he wanted to get arrested.”

Officials have not determined whether Saturday’s shooting was politically motivated, but lawmakers from both parties quickly denounced political violence in the aftermath of the attack.

House Speaker Mike Johnson praised the response of federal agents and expressed concern for the victims.

He offered thanks to the “brave Secret Service agents who took quick, decisive action to protect President Trump, and our prayers are with victims of tonight’s senseless shooting for a speedy recovery.”

Rep. Cory Mills echoed those sentiments, stating that “there is no place in America for political violence, and every leader should be condemning it unequivocally.”

Rep. Betty Column also condemned the violence and urged Americans to “unite behind a common belief that our differences should be resolved at the ballot box.”

Today’s shooting is the latest in a series of violent security incidents tied to national politics in recent years.

The attack came roughly a month after another gunman opened fire at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner while Trump was attending the event. It also follows the July 2024 assassination attempt against Trump during a campaign rally, when a gunman grazed his ear during the shooting.

{Matzav.com}

Tulsi Gabbard announced Friday that she is stepping down as Director of National Intelligence in order to care for her husband following his diagnosis with what she described as “an extremely rare form of bone cancer.”

Gabbard informed President Donald Trump of her decision during a meeting in the Oval Office earlier in the day. Her resignation will officially take effect on June 30.

In a resignation letter obtained by Fox News Digital, Gabbard thanked Trump for entrusting her with the leadership of the nation’s intelligence apparatus over the past year and a half.

“I am deeply grateful for the trust you placed in me and for the opportunity to lead the Office of the Director of National Intelligence for the last year and a half.”

She then formally announced her departure from the administration.

“Unfortunately, I must submit my resignation, effective June 30, 2026,” she wrote. “My husband, Abraham, has recently been diagnosed with an extremely rare form of bone cancer.”

Gabbard said the diagnosis has created an urgent personal situation requiring her full attention in the months ahead.

“My husband faces major challenges in the coming weeks and months.”

“At this time, I must step away from public service to be by his side and fully support him through this battle,” she said.

In her letter, Gabbard praised her husband for standing beside her throughout her military and political career, calling him a constant source of support during some of the most difficult periods of her life.

“Abraham has been my rock throughout our eleven years of marriage — standing steadfast through my deployment to East Africa on a Joint Special Operations mission, multiple political campaigns and now my service in this role.”

“His strength and love have sustained me through every challenge,” she continued. “I cannot in good conscience ask him to face this fight alone while I continue in this demanding and time-consuming position.”

President Trump later responded publicly to the announcement in a post on Truth Social, praising Gabbard’s work in the administration and expressing confidence that her husband would recover.

“Unfortunately, after having done a great job, Tulsi Gabbard will be leaving the Administration on June 30th.”

“Her wonderful husband, Abraham, has been recently diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer, and she, rightfully, wants to be with him, bringing him back to good health as they currently fight a tough battle together,” he continued. “I have no doubt he will soon be better than ever. Tulsi has done an incredible job, and we will miss her. Her highly respected Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence, Aaron Lukas, will serve as Acting Director of National Intelligence.”

Gabbard said she is proud of the changes made during her tenure at ODNI but acknowledged that work remains unfinished.

“I have made significant progress at the ODNI — advancing unprecedented transparency and restoring integrity to the intelligence community,” she said, while noting that “there is still important work to be done.”

She pledged to help facilitate an orderly transition before leaving office.

“I am fully committed to ensuring a smooth and thorough transition over the coming weeks so that you and your team experience no disruption in leadership or momentum.”

She concluded her letter by thanking both Trump and the American public.

“Thank you for your understanding during this deeply personal and difficult time for our family.”

“I will remain forever grateful to you and to the American people for the profound honor of serving our nation as DNI.”

Later Friday, Gabbard shared the resignation letter publicly on X, writing that “It has been a profound honor to serve the American people as DNI.”

During her tenure, Gabbard led a sweeping restructuring effort within the intelligence community, overseeing significant reductions in staffing levels and initiatives she said would save taxpayers more than $700 million annually. Her office also dismantled diversity, equity, and inclusion programs throughout the intelligence agencies.

This month, Gabbard ordered the declassification of more than 500,000 pages of federal documents, including records connected to the Trump-Russia investigation as well as the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and Senator Robert F. Kennedy.

She also authorized the release of records tied to the origins of the Trump-Russia “Crossfire Hurricane” investigation, arguing the documents demonstrated that Obama administration officials politicized intelligence regarding Russia’s 2016 election interference in an effort to weaken Trump after his first presidential victory.

Among her other initiatives, Gabbard established the federal government’s first “Weaponization Working Group,” which was designed to coordinate investigations into what the administration described as the Biden administration’s misuse of federal agencies against political opponents.

Under Gabbard’s leadership, the National Counterterrorism Center also intensified efforts targeting narco-terrorism. According to the administration, the agency blocked more than 10,000 individuals tied to narco-terrorism from entering the United States during 2025 and added more than 85,000 others with similar connections to the federal terror watchlist.

{Matzav.com}

The IRS is considering adding a citizenship-status question to next year’s federal tax forms as the Trump administration continues efforts to tie immigration enforcement more closely to federal agencies, according to people familiar with the internal discussions.

Sources said IRS officials are reviewing two possible versions of the standard Form 1040, the main tax return document Americans use to report income and apply for deductions and credits. The individuals spoke anonymously due to concerns about professional consequences.

One draft reportedly contains only routine revisions tied to updates in federal tax law. The second version includes the same changes but also introduces a new section asking taxpayers to identify whether they are non-citizens or hold dual citizenship.

The proposed language on the form reads: “Check this box if you are a non-U.S. citizen or have dual citizenship.”

Officials at the Treasury Department, which oversees the IRS, declined to comment Friday on the reported proposal.

Under current law, foreign nationals living in the United States — including illegal aliens — are still required to file tax returns and generally use the same federal tax documents as American citizens. Supporters of immigration reform have long argued that paying taxes should be considered when determining whether illegal immigrants may eventually qualify for legal status.

The reported proposal comes after months of efforts by the Departments of Treasury and Homeland Security to coordinate more closely on immigration enforcement matters.

Throughout much of 2025, the two agencies worked to establish systems allowing immigration officials to gain access to confidential taxpayer information as part of the Trump administration’s broader deportation initiative.

That effort, however, hit a legal roadblock in November when a federal judge barred the IRS from handing over taxpayer records to DHS. The administration later appealed the ruling.

Court filings earlier this year also revealed that the IRS improperly transferred information tied to more than 42,000 taxpayers to the Department of Homeland Security. The agency acknowledged the error in February during proceedings related to the case.

{Matzav.com}

Sharp criticism erupted tonight over reports of a developing ceasefire and diplomatic agreement between the United States and Iran, with Senator Lindsey Graham and Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman warning that the arrangement could dramatically strengthen Tehran’s position in the Middle East.

Graham, who is widely viewed as a close ally of President Donald Trump, posted a strongly worded reaction on social media questioning the logic behind any agreement that leaves Iran capable of threatening the Strait of Hormuz or attacking Gulf oil infrastructure.

“If a deal is struck to end the Iranian conflict because it is believed that the Strait of Hormuz cannot be protected from Iranian terrorism and Iran still possesses the capability to destroy major Gulf oil infrastructure, then Iran will be perceived as being a dominate force requiring a diplomatic solution.”

He warned that such an outcome would reshape the balance of power across the region in Iran’s favor and create long-term dangers for Israel and America’s allies.

“This combination of Iran being perceived as having the ability to terrorize the Strait in perpetuity and the ability the inflict massive damage to Gulf oil infrastructure is a major shift of the balance of power in the region and over time will be a nightmare for Israel. Also, it makes one wonder why the war started to begin with if these perceptions are accurate. I personally am a skeptic of the idea that Iran cannot be denied the ability to terrorize the Strait and the region cannot protect itself against Iranian military capability. It is important we get this right.”

Lieberman also attacked the emerging agreement, arguing that any arrangement allowing the Iranian regime to remain in power poses a direct threat to Israel.

“Any deal leaves all the ayatollahs in power. And one must understand, regarding producing an atomic bomb, any advanced country today can produce one. For example, Germany and Japan. That is a political decision. Maybe it will take them a month and a half, maximum three months.”

He argued that the real danger lies not in Iran’s technological capabilities alone, but in the ideology of its leadership.

“There is all the technological infrastructure, all the knowledge, available manpower, no one is concerned, neither Japan nor Germany, because there there is a responsible measured elected leadership. In Iran, on the contrary, there is a fanatic leadership that says its supreme goal is the destruction of the State of Israel, and it does not matter what kind of deal it is,” he said.

Lieberman also addressed Israeli domestic politics, saying his political ambitions remain unchanged as coalition negotiations continue behind the scenes.

“I have two objectives: to bring down the October 7 government and to be prime minister,” Lieberman clarified.

Discussing the possibility of joining a future coalition, Lieberman said he would insist on sweeping military conscription changes as a condition for participation.

“There will not be a single exemption,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Financial Times reported that Washington and Tehran are nearing a deal that would extend the ceasefire for an additional 60 days.

According to the report, the agreement would include a phased reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and discussions regarding either diluting or removing Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium. The report also said the United States is expected to ease restrictions on Iranian ports, soften sanctions, and permit the gradual release of frozen Iranian assets held overseas.

The Associated Press, citing multiple individuals involved in the negotiations, reported that both sides are now reviewing the draft agreement and hope to reach a final decision within the next 48 hours.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Bakayi told Iranian media that negotiations are approaching the finish line.

“We are in the final stages of drafting a memorandum of understanding to end the war.”

Bakayi said the remaining discussions are centered on concluding the conflict and resolving issues tied to the release of Iran’s frozen financial assets abroad.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump announced tonight that a sweeping agreement involving Iran and several Middle Eastern nations is nearing completion, saying the remaining details are expected to be revealed “shortly.”

In a lengthy message posted to Truth Social, Trump said he had participated in a major call from the Oval Office with a number of Arab and regional leaders to discuss what he described as a developing peace framework tied to Iran.

“I am in the Oval Office at the White House where we just had a very good call with President Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, of The United Arab Emirates, Emir Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, and Minister Ali al-Thawadi, of Qatar, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir Ahmed Shah, of Pakistan, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, of Türkiye, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, of Egypt, King Abdullah II, of Jordan, and King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, of Bahrain, concerning the Islamic Republic of Iran, and all things related to a Memorandum of Understanding pertaining to PEACE.”

Trump indicated that negotiators have already reached broad consensus on the framework and that only final steps remain before the agreement is formally unveiled.

“An Agreement has been largely negotiated, subject to finalization between the United States of America, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the various other Countries, as listed. Separately, I had a call with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, of Israel, which, likewise, went very well.”

He added, “Final aspects and details of the Deal are currently being discussed, and will be announced shortly. In addition to many other elements of the Agreement, the Strait of Hormuz will be opened. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

According to Reuters, the developing arrangement is expected to proceed in three phases: formally ending the conflict, addressing tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, and beginning a 30-day negotiating period aimed at reaching a broader long-term understanding, with an option to extend those talks if needed.

Saudi outlet Al Hadath reported that an official familiar with the negotiations said a public declaration could come within “a few hours.”

A source involved in the talks also told The Washington Times that Washington and Tehran are expected to jointly confirm the agreement by Sunday afternoon. The source said negotiators finalized a draft proposal early Saturday and anticipated an announcement within 24 hours.

The report added that senior negotiators on both sides have already approved the draft text, leaving only formal signoff from the leadership of the participating countries.

Al Jazeera, citing an Iranian source, reported that the proposed memorandum would include an end to the war, the lifting of the blockade, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and the removal of American forces from the active conflict zone.

According to the report, “the memorandum of understanding includes ending the war, lifting the siege, opening the Strait of Hormuz, and the withdrawal of American forces from the war zone. The memorandum of understanding does not include nuclear issues because they are complex and require time for negotiations. Thirty days after the agreement, the door can be opened to nuclear negotiations.”

Even as momentum toward an agreement appeared to build, Trump cautioned that a final outcome was far from guaranteed.

Speaking to Axios, Trump said the odds of reaching what he considers an acceptable deal remain uncertain. “solid 50/50,” he said, before adding, “I think one of two things will happen: either I hit them harder than they have ever been hit, or we are going to sign a deal that is good.”

Trump also said he does not believe Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu fears the United States will agree to unfavorable terms. He reiterated that any final agreement would address Iran’s nuclear enrichment capabilities and its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.

{Matzav.com}

A ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran could be formally announced as early as Sunday, according to multiple reports, setting off growing debate in Washington over whether the proposed arrangement would strengthen Tehran’s position in the region.

Reuters reported that the emerging agreement would unfold in three phases: first, a formal declaration ending the war; second, steps aimed at stabilizing the crisis surrounding the Strait of Hormuz; and third, the opening of a 30-day negotiating period for a broader long-term accord, with the possibility of extending those talks.

Saudi outlet Al Hadath cited an official who said the announcement is expected within “a few hours.”

Meanwhile, a source familiar with the discussions told The Washington Times that American and Iranian officials are preparing to unveil the finalized agreement by Sunday afternoon. The source said negotiators reached consensus on a draft framework early Saturday and anticipated a public announcement within a 24-hour period.

According to the report, senior negotiators from both countries have already signed off on the draft, leaving only final authorization from the leadership on each side before it can move forward.

The White House declined to comment on the report from The Washington Times.

The possibility of a ceasefire drew immediate criticism from some Republican lawmakers, who warned that any agreement leaving Iran with leverage over regional shipping lanes or oil infrastructure could embolden the regime.

US Senator Lindsey Graham responded, “If a deal is struck to end the Iranian conflict because it is believed that the Strait of Hormuz cannot be protected from Iranian terrorism and Iran still possesses the capability to destroy major Gulf oil infrastructure, then Iran will be perceived as being a dominate force requiring a diplomatic solution.”

He continued, “This combination of Iran being perceived as having the ability to terrorize the Strait in perpetuity and the ability the inflict massive damage to Gulf oil infrastructure is a major shift of the balance of power in the region and over time will be a nightmare for Israel.”

Graham also questioned the logic behind the conflict if the final result leaves Iran with the same military leverage that initially triggered the confrontation.

“Also, it makes one wonder why the war started to begin with if these perceptions are accurate. I personally am a skeptic of the idea that Iran cannot be denied the ability to terrorize the Strait and the region cannot protect itself against Iranian military capability.”

“It is important we get this right.”

US Senator Roger Wicker voiced similar concerns, warning against trusting Tehran to negotiate honestly under a temporary ceasefire arrangement.

“The rumored 60-day ceasefire – with the belief that Iran will ever engage in good faith – would be a disaster. Everything accomplished by Operation Epic Fury would be for naught!”

{Matzav.com}

The scheduled execution of a Tennessee death row inmate convicted in a triple murder case was abruptly halted Thursday after medical personnel spent more than an hour unsuccessfully attempting to establish the intravenous lines required for the lethal injection procedure.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee later announced that the state would not attempt to execute Tony Carruthers again for at least one year.

According to the Tennessee Department of Correction, officials were able to place an initial IV line without difficulty, but medical staff could not locate an appropriate vein for the mandatory backup IV required under state execution procedures.

Officials then attempted to place a central line, but those efforts also failed, ultimately forcing the state to cancel the execution.

Maria DeLiberato, one of Carruthers’ attorneys, said the inmate appeared to be in visible pain during the prolonged attempts to establish access.

She said she watched Carruthers “wincing and groaning” throughout the procedure and described the ordeal as “horrible” to witness.

While speaking to reporters after the execution was called off, DeLiberato became emotional upon learning that Gov. Lee had formally granted a reprieve.

“That’s amazing!” she said. “I’m so grateful!”

Carruthers was sentenced to death for the 1994 abductions and killings of Marcellos Anderson, Anderson’s mother Delois Anderson, and Frederick Tucker in Memphis.

During his original trial, Carruthers ultimately represented himself after repeatedly clashing with his court-appointed lawyers and threatening several of them.

His current legal team argued that Carruthers suffered from severe “paranoia and delusions” that made it impossible for him to cooperate with counsel, though they said the trial judge interpreted his conduct as intentional obstruction.

The prosecution’s case relied heavily on testimony from witnesses who claimed Carruthers had either confessed to the killings or discussed them with others. No physical evidence directly linking him to the murders was introduced during the trial.

Prosecutors alleged that Marcellos Anderson was involved in drug dealing and claimed Carruthers wanted to seize control of the narcotics trade in that section of Memphis.

Among the witnesses who testified against Carruthers was a man later identified as a police informant. According to later reports, the informant subsequently stated publicly that he had been compensated for his testimony.

James Montgomery, who was initially sentenced to death alongside Carruthers, later had his sentence reduced and was released from prison in 2015, court documents show.

In recent legal filings, Carruthers’ attorneys argued that the death sentence was heavily influenced by testimony from a medical examiner who claimed the victims had been buried alive — a conclusion that was later retracted.

Subsequent expert reviews, according to the defense, determined that the original claim was false.

Carruthers’ lawyers also argued that he is mentally incompetent and therefore should not be executed.

According to court filings, Carruthers believed the government never intended to carry out the execution and instead was pretending to move forward in order to pressure him into accepting a plea agreement that existed only in his imagination.

His attorneys said Carruthers believed the government’s motive was to avoid paying him millions of dollars he thought he was owed.

Court filings further stated that Carruthers became convinced his own attorneys were participating in a conspiracy against him, leading him to refuse communication with them.

{Matzav.com}

בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר

בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר

בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר

בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר

בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר

בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר

בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר

בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר

בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר

בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר

בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר

בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר בתי הכנסת מקוטשיםצילום: שוקי לרר

President Donald Trump announced Thursday that his administration is easing federal restrictions on refrigerants used in grocery stores and air-conditioning systems, arguing the rollback will reduce costs for consumers and prevent unnecessary economic burdens on businesses.

During a White House event, Trump said the Environmental Protection Agency’s action would delay expensive regulations limiting which cooling chemicals businesses and households are allowed to use.

According to Trump, the change will “substantially lower costs for consumers” by postponing mandates that would have forced companies to rapidly transition away from older refrigerants.

The decision marks another attempt by the administration to respond to mounting public frustration over inflation and rising living expenses ahead of critical elections later this year.

The rules being relaxed were adopted during the Biden administration and targeted hydrofluorocarbons, or HFCs — chemicals commonly used in refrigeration and cooling systems that are considered harmful greenhouse gases.

Despite the administration’s claims, it remains uncertain whether the policy shift will meaningfully reduce grocery prices or how quickly any savings would reach consumers. Several industry groups warned that the move could actually increase costs because manufacturers have already spent years redesigning products, upgrading factories, and training workers to comply with the previous standards.

Inflation in the United States climbed to an annual rate of 3.8% in April as energy prices surged amid the Iran war and the impact of President Donald Trump’s broad tariff policies. Rising oil and gasoline costs have contributed to inflation outpacing wage growth.

Trump sharply criticized the prior regulations during Thursday’s ceremony, which included executives from grocery chains such as Kroger and Piggly Wiggly.

The Biden-era regulation was “unnecessary and costly and actually makes the machinery worse,” Trump said. He added that the EPA’s rollback would safeguard hundreds of thousands of jobs while saving Americans more than $2 billion annually.

The Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute, which represents more than 330 manufacturers involved in air-conditioning and commercial refrigeration, criticized the administration’s decision and warned it could destabilize the market.

“This rule works against basic supply and demand,” said Stephen Yurek, the group’s president and CEO. “By extending the compliance deadline” for phasing out hydrofluorocarbons, or HFCs, the administration “is maintaining and even increasing demand in the market for existing refrigerants while supply continues to fall.”

Yurek said manufacturers had already adjusted product lines and certified new systems based on the earlier compliance deadlines. According to the group, nearly 90% of residential and light commercial air-conditioning systems already rely on replacement refrigerants instead of HFCs.

The latest policy reversal is particularly notable because Trump himself signed bipartisan legislation during his first term aimed at reducing emissions from refrigerators and air conditioners.

That 2020 measure brought together environmental advocates and major industry organizations in a rare alliance on climate policy and received praise from both political parties.

The law reflected a broad agreement in Washington that the United States should move quickly to phase out HFCs, which are considered thousands of times more powerful than carbon dioxide in contributing to global warming.

The EPA’s latest action underscores the second Trump administration’s broader effort to dismantle regulations viewed as supportive of climate initiatives.

Lee Zeldin has described the administration’s environmental agenda as an effort to drive a “dagger through the heart of climate change religion.”

Environmental groups blasted the move, arguing it would increase climate-related pollution while disrupting a transition the industry has spent years implementing.

The 2020 law signed by Trump — known as the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act — established a phased reduction of HFC use as part of an international agreement focused on ozone and climate pollution.

That legislation accelerated the industry’s shift toward alternative refrigerants using less harmful chemicals that are already widely available in global markets.

Major business organizations, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the American Chemistry Council, backed both the legislation and the international Kigali Amendment agreement, calling them victories for American jobs and manufacturing.

American companies such as Chemours and Honeywell have become major producers of the alternative refrigerants now sold domestically and internationally.

The EPA rule issued in 2023 — which is now being softened — would have imposed major restrictions on HFC use beginning in 2026.

Zeldin argued that the Biden administration’s timetable did not provide companies sufficient time to adapt and said the accelerated transition caused supply shortages and price spikes last year, though some industry officials dispute that claim.

The Food Industry Association supported the Trump administration’s proposal when it was first floated last year, arguing that the earlier requirements “imposed significant and unrealistic compliance timelines.”

{Matzav.com}

Marco Rubio said Thursday that negotiations with Iran are showing encouraging developments, though he cautioned that the situation remains fragile and warned that the United States is prepared to pursue other measures if diplomacy ultimately fails.

Speaking with reporters, Rubio struck a cautiously hopeful tone regarding the high-level discussions with Tehran, while making clear that Washington is keeping all options available.

“There are some good signs,” Rubio told reporters, adding, “I don’t want to be overly optimistic, as well. So, let’s see what happens over the next few days.”

Rubio explained that although American negotiators have managed to make progress in the talks, internal divisions within Iran’s ruling system continue to complicate efforts to reach a lasting agreement.

“But obviously we’re dealing with a system that itself is a little fractured.”

.@SecRubio on Iran: "@POTUS's preference is to do a good deal… I'm not here to tell you that it's going to happen for sure, but I'm here to tell you that we're going to do everything we can to see if we can get one. If we can't get a good deal, @POTUS has been clear — he has… pic.twitter.com/dhah7hSlvV

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 21, 2026

The secretary of state emphasized that the Trump administration’s primary goal remains a broad and enforceable agreement capable of eliminating the threats posed by the Iranian regime. He stressed that President Donald Trump continues to favor a diplomatic resolution if one can be successfully achieved.

“It’s always been his preference. If we can get a good deal done, that would be great. I’m not here to tell you that it’s going to happen for sure, but I’m here to tell you that we’re going to do everything we can to see we can get one,” Rubio stated.

At the same time, Rubio warned that the administration’s willingness to negotiate should not be mistaken for weakness, signaling that serious consequences could follow if Tehran rejects American demands.

“But if we can’t get a good deal, the president’s been clear; he has other options. I’m not going to elaborate on what those are, but everybody knows what those are. But his preference is always a deal. His preference is always an agreement. His preference is always diplomacy,” he added.

Rubio’s comments followed Trump’s recent revelation on Truth Social that the United States had prepared to launch strikes against Iran on Tuesday but delayed the operation because what he described as “serious negotiations” were underway.

Trump also addressed the standoff with Iran earlier this week during remarks at a Congressional picnic held at the White House.

“I think we’re going to be finished with that very quickly,” Trump said.

The president added that Iranian officials appear eager to finalize an agreement and repeated his insistence that Iran will never be permitted to obtain nuclear weapons.

“They want to make a deal so badly. They’re tired of this, and we’re going to be finished with that very quickly. Hopefully, we’re going to get it done in a very nice manner,” he added, while once again stressing that “they won’t have a nuclear weapon.”

On Thursday, Trump predicted that the confrontation with Iran would soon come to an end while reiterating that Tehran will not be allowed to keep its stockpile of enriched uranium.

During remarks in the Oval Office, Trump said the United States intends to seize the highly enriched material and likely destroy it afterward.

“We will get [the highly enriched uranium]. We don’t need it. We don’t want it. We’ll probably destroy it after we get it – but we’re not going to let them have it,” Trump said.

Addressing the ongoing negotiations, Trump said the administration is continuing diplomatic efforts but insisted the outcome regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions is non-negotiable.

“Right now, we’re negotiating, and we’ll see, but we’re going to get it one way or the other. They’re not going to have a nuclear weapon.”

Trump also touted American military dominance in the region, claiming the United States has effectively shut down movement through the Strait of Hormuz and severely weakened Iran’s military infrastructure.

“We have total control of the Strait of Hormuz. The blockade has been 100% effective. Nobody’s been able to get through. It’s like a steel wall. We have the greatest military anywhere in the world. We wiped out their Navy, we wiped out their aircraft. I would say we knocked out about 85% of their missile capacity,” the President stated.

{Matzav.com}

[Video below.] Federal authorities are searching for a Minnesota man accused in a massive $90 million Medicaid fraud operation after he allegedly escaped FBI agents by jumping from a fourth-floor balcony and fleeing on foot Thursday morning.

Muhammad Omar, one of 15 individuals charged in connection with an alleged scheme targeting Minnesota’s Medicaid system, managed to evade capture shortly before federal officials held a press conference announcing the case.

Video captured during the incident showed Omar limping away across the property on one foot while carrying a shoe in his hand.

Authorities said the suspect was dressed in a white shirt and bright blue shorts. At one point during the escape, he appeared to stumble and fall before getting back up and disappearing into a nearby building.

Colin McDonald urged the public to assist law enforcement in locating Omar.

“I would encourage the public to help turn this man in to face justice for the fraud that he has perpetrated, and now, to face the additional charges for seeking to flee from law enforcement and seeking to obstruct justice by virtue of his conduct today,” he said.

Federal prosecutors have charged Omar with conspiracy to commit health care fraud along with four separate counts of health care fraud.

McDonald described the investigation as one of the most significant Medicaid fraud crackdowns ever brought by federal authorities.

“The bust involved the ‘highest loss amount ever charged in a Medicaid case’ as well as the ‘largest autism fraud scheme ever,’” McDonald said.

According to investigators, some of the fraudulent claims involved patients who allegedly received little or no legitimate care despite enormous sums being billed to Medicaid.

“One patient was supposed to be receiving 24-hour care … but he was actually being serviced by a fraudster and received no services,” McDonald said. “This patient was later found dead.”

Prosecutors allege the stolen taxpayer funds were funneled into luxury purchases, including upscale homes, expensive jewelry, and high-end vehicles.

McDonald warned that the broader scale of fraud affecting Minnesota’s Medicaid system could be staggering.

He suggested the overall amount of fraud impacting the state may ultimately surpass $9 billion.

{Matzav.com}

Nickolay Mladenov on Thursday rolled out a sweeping 15-point strategy intended to implement a diplomatic framework for the future governance and stabilization of Gaza, including the dismantling of terrorist control structures and the introduction of an international security presence.

The plan, which Mladenov published on social media shortly after addressing the United Nations Security Council, is aimed at carrying out President Donald Trump’s Gaza Comprehensive Peace Plan in full.

Mladenov explained that the roadmap is divided into several operational stages. The opening five points establish broad civilian and administrative principles. Points six through eleven center on a major security transition process. Points twelve through fourteen call for the deployment of an International Stabilization Force together with a phased IDF withdrawal. The final point links Gaza’s long-term reconstruction to measurable and verified stability on the ground.

The international envoy stressed that the initiative is not meant merely to freeze the conflict temporarily.

“simply to preserve a ceasefire,” Mladenov warned, saying the objective is instead to permanently end Gaza’s recurring cycle of warfare and military escalation.

Recognizing the deep mistrust between the sides, Mladenov said the entire framework is built around strict reciprocal actions that would only proceed following independent confirmation by an Implementation Verification Committee, known as the IVC.

“trust between Israelis and Palestinians is effectively non-existent,” Mladenov acknowledged.

“The process therefore does not rely on promises alone,” Mladenov wrote on social media. “Each obligation by one side triggers an obligation by the other.”

The proposal would dismantle the current governing system in Gaza and replace it with a temporary transitional structure established under UN Security Council Resolution 2803. Under the framework, oversight would be handled by the newly created Board of Peace together with the Office of the High Representative.

Civilian administration inside Gaza would be managed by the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, or NCAG — a temporary body made up of Palestinian Arab technocrats tasked with overseeing governance until a restructured Palestinian Authority assumes control.

A central element of the proposal addresses Israel’s long-standing demand that armed terrorist organizations be separated entirely from civilian governance in Gaza.

“Gaza cannot recover while armed groups simultaneously operate as governing authorities,” Mladenov stated.

The roadmap seeks to cut Hamas leadership off from public institutions while at the same time protecting ordinary civil servants who pass vetting procedures from blanket punishment or retaliation.

The security component of the plan is built around the doctrine of “One Authority, One Law, One Weapon,” under which only approved, nonpartisan security personnel would be authorized to bear arms inside Gaza.

As part of the proposal, terrorist organizations would be required to permanently halt all military activity.

Mladenov also called for a major restructuring of Gaza’s policing apparatus, including extensive vetting procedures and reforms designed to absorb trained civilian police into unified local security systems.

According to the proposal, the approach is intended to create a gradual and internationally monitored disarmament process while preventing a broader collapse of internal security in the enclave.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump said Thursday that the conflict involving Iran is approaching its conclusion, while making clear that Tehran will not be permitted to retain its stockpile of enriched uranium.

During remarks to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump stated that the United States intends to take possession of Iran’s highly enriched uranium and suggested it would likely be destroyed afterward.

“We will get [the highly enriched uranium]. We don’t need it. We don’t want it. We’ll probably destroy it after we get it – but we’re not going to let them have it,” Trump said.

"Can they keep their highly enriched uranium?"@POTUS: "No. We will get it. We don't need it. We don't want it. We'll probably destroy it after we get it — but we're not going to let them have it." pic.twitter.com/fHmF1UHXOe

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 21, 2026

Addressing the ongoing negotiations with Tehran, Trump indicated that diplomatic talks are continuing but insisted the end result is non-negotiable.

“Right now, we’re negotiating, and we’ll see, but we’re going to get it one way or the other. They’re not going to have a nuclear weapon,” he said.

Trump also boasted about American military dominance in the region, claiming the United States had effectively sealed off the Strait of Hormuz and severely weakened Iran’s military capabilities.

“We have total control of the Strait of Hormuz. The blockade has been 100% effective. Nobody’s been able to get through. It’s like a steel wall. We have the greatest military anywhere in the world. We wiped out their Navy, we wiped out their aircraft. I would say we knocked out about 85% of their missile capacity,” the President stated.

A day earlier, Trump said he was prepared to give Iran a brief window to respond in negotiations before taking further action.

“If I can save war by waiting a couple of days, if I can save people being killed by waiting a couple of days, I think it’s a great thing to do,” the president told reporters at Joint Base Andrews.

At the same time, Trump warned that military action could follow quickly if the administration is dissatisfied with Iran’s response.

“If we don’t get the right answers, it goes very quickly,” he stated. “We’re all ready to go. We have to get the right answers. It would have to be a complete 100% good answers, and if we do, we save a lot of time, energy and lives, most importantly.”

Trump also said his administration has been encouraged by the tone and quality of the Iranian officials participating in the talks.

“We’re dealing with people that are, I think, far more reasonable than the people that are really no longer with us,” the president said. “We’re dealing with some people with talent, with good brain power, and we’re pretty impressed by it, so hopefully those people will make a deal that’s going to be great for everybody.”

On Monday, Trump disclosed on Truth Social that the United States had been preparing to strike Iran on Tuesday, but delayed the operation because negotiations had intensified.

Speaking later with reporters, Trump elaborated on the decision to hold off on the planned attack.

“We were getting ready to do a very major attack tomorrow. I’ve put it off for a little while, hopefully, maybe forever, but possibly for a little while, because we’ve had very big discussions with Iran, and we’ll see what they amount to,” he said.

Trump also addressed the Iran situation Tuesday evening during a Congressional picnic held at the White House, predicting the standoff would soon come to an end.

“I think we’re going to be finished with that very quickly,” Trump said.

He added that Iran appears eager to reach an agreement and repeated his insistence that Tehran will never be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons.

“They want to make a deal so badly. They’re tired of this, and we’re going to be finished with that very quickly. Hopefully, we’re going to get it done in a very nice manner,” he added, while once again stressing that “they won’t have a nuclear weapon.”

{Matzav.com}

Iran’s leadership has ordered that the country’s stockpile of near-weapons-grade uranium remain inside the country, according to two senior Iranian officials, signaling a sharp escalation in Tehran’s position during ongoing negotiations with the United States and threatening to derail already fragile peace efforts.

The directive, issued by Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, directly clashes with one of President Donald Trump’s central demands in talks aimed at ending the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.

Israeli officials told Reuters that Trump had assured Israel that any eventual agreement would require Iran’s highly enriched uranium — material that could potentially be used in a nuclear weapon — to be removed from Iranian territory.

For years, Israel, the United States, and Western governments have accused Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons capabilities, citing Tehran’s decision to enrich uranium to 60%, a level far beyond civilian energy needs and much closer to the 90% enrichment required for a nuclear bomb. Iran has consistently denied seeking nuclear arms.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly stated that Israel will not view the conflict as concluded unless Iran’s enriched uranium is removed, its ballistic missile program dismantled, and its backing of regional proxy groups brought to an end.

“The Supreme Leader’s directive, and the consensus within the establishment, is that the stockpile of enriched uranium should not leave the country,” said one of the two ⁠Iranian sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

The sources said Iran’s leadership believes surrendering the uranium stockpile would leave the country exposed to future military action by the United States and Israel. Under Iran’s political system, Khamenei holds ultimate authority over major national decisions.

Asked about the developments, White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales said: “President ⁠Trump has been clear about the United States’ red lines and will only make a deal that puts the American people first.”

A fragile ceasefire remains in effect following the conflict that erupted after U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28. Iran later retaliated by targeting Gulf nations hosting American military bases, while clashes also intensified between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah terror group in Lebanon.

Despite the temporary halt in major fighting, negotiations have stalled amid continued tensions. A U.S. blockade affecting Iranian ports and Tehran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz — one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes — have complicated mediation efforts being led by Pakistan.

According to the Iranian sources, many in Tehran suspect the current lull in fighting is merely a tactical move by Washington designed to lull Iran into a false sense of security before launching another round of airstrikes.

Iran’s lead negotiator, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, warned Wednesday that “obvious and hidden moves by the enemy” indicated the United States was preparing additional attacks.

Trump said Wednesday that the United States remained prepared to strike Tehran again if Iran refused to reach a deal, though he added Washington might wait several more days in hopes of receiving “get the right answers.”

The Iranian officials said some progress has been made in narrowing disagreements, but major disputes remain unresolved over Iran’s nuclear activities — particularly the future of its enriched uranium reserves and Tehran’s insistence that its right to uranium enrichment be formally recognized.

Iranian leaders continue to insist that their top priority is securing a lasting end to the war and obtaining firm guarantees that neither the United States nor Israel will carry out future military attacks.

Only after such guarantees are secured, Iranian officials say, would Tehran be willing to enter comprehensive negotiations regarding its nuclear program.

Israel is widely believed to possess nuclear weapons, though the country has never officially confirmed or denied having an atomic arsenal, maintaining its longstanding policy of ambiguity.

Before the war broke out, Iran had indicated it might be willing to export roughly half of its uranium enriched to 60%, which significantly exceeds civilian requirements.

However, the Iranian sources said Tehran’s position hardened after repeated threats by Trump to launch military strikes against the country.

Israeli officials told Reuters there remains uncertainty over whether Trump ultimately intends to authorize additional attacks and whether he would permit Israel to resume military operations. Iran has warned it would respond forcefully to any renewed assault.

Still, one Iranian official suggested there may be room for compromise.

“There are solutions like diluting the stockpile under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency,” one of the Iranian sources said.

The International Atomic Energy Agency estimates Iran possessed approximately 440.9 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% at the time Israeli and American forces struck Iranian nuclear facilities in June 2025. The current status of that material remains uncertain.

IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said in March that much of the remaining stockpile was believed to be stored in underground tunnels at Iran’s Isfahan nuclear facility, with slightly more than 200 kilograms thought to be located there. The agency also believes additional material remains at the massive Natanz nuclear complex, home to two uranium enrichment facilities.

Iran maintains that some highly enriched uranium is necessary for medical applications and for operating a Tehran-based research reactor that uses relatively small amounts of uranium enriched to approximately 20%.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump is calling for criminal prosecutions against former special counsel Jack Smith and members of his team after a former federal prosecutor connected to Smith’s classified documents case was charged with allegedly funneling sealed Justice Department records to her private email accounts.

“Deranged Jack Smith and his ‘gang’ are really bad news. Can never be allowed to happen again,” Trump wrote Wednesday night on Truth Social. “They should all be prosecuted!”

Trump’s remarks came shortly after the Justice Department revealed charges against Carmen Mercedes Lineberger, a former managing assistant U.S. attorney in South Florida who worked on issues tied to Smith’s investigation into documents kept at Mar-a-Lago.

According to federal prosecutors, Lineberger secretly transferred sensitive DOJ materials — including portions of Smith’s unreleased report on the classified documents case — to personal Gmail and Hotmail accounts, allegedly disguising the files as baking recipes in an effort to avoid detection.

Investigators say the files were relabeled with names such as “Bundt_Cake_Recipe.pdf” and “Chocolate_cake_recipe.pdf” to conceal the contents.

Prosecutors allege the records included sealed investigative documents and internal Justice Department communications that U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon had specifically ordered kept confidential.

Lineberger, 62, appeared in federal court in West Palm Beach on Wednesday and entered a plea of not guilty.

She has been charged with obstruction of justice, theft of government property, and concealment of official records. A conviction on all counts could expose her to a lengthy prison sentence stretching decades.

FBI Director Kash Patel sharply criticized the alleged misconduct in a statement posted to X.

“This FBI will not hesitate to bring to account those who violated the trust of the American public in an investigation that should’ve never been brought to begin with,” Patel wrote.

The charges against Lineberger are expected to fuel additional scrutiny over Smith’s prosecution of Trump regarding classified materials retained at Mar-a-Lago after his first term in office.

Judge Aileen Cannon threw out the case in 2024, determining that Smith’s appointment as special counsel violated constitutional requirements.

Smith eventually dropped his appeal after Trump won reelection.

The unreleased section of Smith’s final report — the same material prosecutors say was emailed by Lineberger — has remained under seal and has never been made public.

Trump’s legal team previously argued that releasing the report would improperly disclose privileged information and grand jury material while violating constitutional safeguards.

The Justice Department had supported Cannon’s ruling preventing the report from being distributed outside official departmental channels.

In recent years, Lineberger also attracted attention for backing diversity, equity, and inclusion programs promoted during the Biden administration and for participating in implicit bias initiatives connected to the National Black Prosecutors Association, according to Just the News.

Because of Lineberger’s professional ties to the Southern District of Florida office where she previously worked, the case is being handled by prosecutors from the Northern District of Florida to avoid potential conflicts of interest.

{Matzav.com}

The woman prosecutors identified as the mastermind behind a massive Minnesota pandemic fraud operation that siphoned away $250 million intended to feed needy children has been sentenced to 41 years behind bars.

Aimee Bock, 45, received the lengthy prison term Tuesday after a jury convicted her in March on every charge she faced. Federal prosecutors called her the “ringleader” of what they described as one of the largest COVID-era fraud operations uncovered anywhere in the United States.

Most of the defendants charged in the sprawling case are Somali immigrants, while the food assistance was intended to benefit members of Minnesota’s Somali community.

In addition to the prison sentence, Bock was ordered to repay $5.2 million.

According to prosecutors, Bock and fellow defendant Salim Said falsely reported serving 91 million meals through the program. Authorities said the pair instead diverted hundreds of millions of dollars in federal money to support extravagant personal spending, Acting US Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick said following the convictions.

Federal investigators said the nonprofit organization Feeding Our Future exploded from receiving roughly $3 million in federal funding to taking in more than $200 million by 2021. When officials at the Minnesota Department of Education began scrutinizing the dramatic increase, prosecutors said Bock responded by suing the agency, allowing the federal money to continue pouring in.

The scheme finally began to unravel in January 2022, when the FBI, IRS, and other federal authorities carried out coordinated raids at 26 sites across Minnesota suspected of participating in the fraud network.

To date, authorities have charged 79 individuals in connection with the Feeding Our Future scandal, and more than 60 people have already been convicted.

{Matzav.com}

In a column published today ahead of Shavuos, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who is also the chairman of the Religious Zionism Party, examined the interconnection between the giving of the Torah, the offering of bikkurim, and Jewish settlement in Israel.

Smotrich contended that while some might see these elements as distinct aspects, they actually serve as a unified representation of the relationship among the Jewish people, the Torah, and the land itself.

He articulated that Shavuos embodies both “the spirit and the book” alongside “the soil, the tractor, and the agricultural produce born of our labor.” He stressed that the Torah “is not disconnected from life,” emphasizing its ties to the commandments associated with the land and the joy experienced by farmers as they present their initial harvests in Jerusalem.

The finance minister noted the resurgence of first-fruits celebrations during the period of Zionist settlement, asserting that the pioneers “did not invent a new holiday,” but rather brought back a long-lost custom that faded during years of exile. He remarked that this revival symbolizes a deep connection between the spiritual and the tangible, as well as between the Torah and the Land of Israel.

Smotrich further commented that “Zionism without a connection to Torah is a body without a soul, and it becomes lost,” making it clear that the Torah was never meant to be confined solely within academic settings.

“The Torah was given so that we would illuminate all of reality through it – the field and the battlefield, the economy and the culture,” he explained, highlighting its comprehensive significance.

Concluding his column, Smotrich touched upon the prevailing security situation and the relevance of Torah study alongside military service. He reflected, “When we see fighters who combine book and sword, who charge forward with a sacred book in their uniform pocket, and some of whom tragically do not return, we understand the depth of this connection.”

He expressed that on the night of Shavuos, “we will reconnect to the giving of the Torah, and through it continue to build and develop our land and our state.”

{Matzav.com}

UK Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis has strongly criticized Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir for mocking Gaza flotilla activists and sharing a video documenting his actions on social media. “I have rarely seen the Jewish world so united in revulsion than in its response to this shameful display. Such conduct is the very antithesis of our core Jewish values and an awful Chillul Hashem,” Rabbi Mirvis remarked.

The uproar began on Wednesday, following Ben-Gvir’s visit to an Ashdod Port facility where Gaza flotilla activists were being detained. During this visit, he confronted those held and subsequently shared video footage of both the confrontation and their treatment online.

The fallout from this incident provoked significant international backlash, prompting several nations to summon Israeli ambassadors to address the matter and calls for sanctions against Ben-Gvir.

On Thursday morning, the UK government summoned the Israeli Chargé d’Affaires to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office in light of the video posted by Ben-Gvir. A statement issued by the Foreign Office noted: “This behaviour violates the most basic standards of respect and dignity for people. We are also deeply concerned by the detention conditions depicted and have demanded an explanation from the Israeli authorities. We made clear their obligations to protect the rights of all those involved.”

In the wake of this situation, Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa’ar denounced Ben-Gvir’s actions, claiming he “knowingly caused harm to our State in this disgraceful display – and not for the first time. You have undone tremendous, professional, and successful efforts made by so many people – from IDF soldiers to Foreign Ministry staff and many others.” He added, “No, you are not the face of Israel.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also expressed his disapproval of Ben-Gvir’s actions: “Israel has every right to prevent provocative flotillas of Hamas terrorist supporters from entering our territorial waters and reaching Gaza. However, the way that Minister Ben Gvir dealt with the flotilla activists is not in line with Israel’s values and norms. I have instructed the relevant authorities to deport the provocateurs as soon as possible.”

{Matzav.com}

A 26-year-old yungerman from Ofakim was arrested overnight at a gas station between Netivot and Ofakim after military authorities identified him as a draft evader wanted for military service.

The arrest took place just hours before the start of Shavuos, when traffic police conducting a routine inspection discovered that the young man was listed in military records as absent from IDF service. He was subsequently transferred to the custody of the military police.

According to reports from the Nosnim Gav organization, the avreich was taken to Ir HaBahadim for further processing and to determine possible punishment.

The organization stated that “the case is currently being reviewed by professional representatives and attorneys accompanying the family.”

The group also called on the public to daven for the swift release of Tzuriel ben Simcha.

The arrest comes amid growing tensions surrounding enforcement efforts against chareidi draft evaders and follows reports released ahead of Shavuos indicating that nine chareidi young men classified as deserters are expected to spend Yom Tov in military prison.

Organizations involved in assisting draft evaders and deserters say the number of arrests has increased in recent weeks, attributing the rise to heightened enforcement activity by military authorities.

The arrest has generated significant anger in chareidi circles, particularly because it occurred only hours before Yom Tov and involved a married avreich and young father whose life is devoted to Torah learning.

{Matzav.com}

Monday’s deadly shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, which claimed the lives of three men, has once again placed the mosque under intense public scrutiny due to both its historical connections to two September 11 hijackers and more recent outrage over inflammatory anti-Israel remarks made by its imam and members of his family.

Federal and local authorities are treating the attack as a hate crime after investigators said two teenage suspects — Caleb Liam Vazquez, 18, and Cain Lee Clark, 17 — allegedly opened fire inside the mosque before later being discovered dead in a nearby vehicle from what officials believe were self-inflicted gunshot wounds. Law enforcement sources said investigators uncovered Nazi paraphernalia, extremist manifestos, and antisemitic writings tied to the suspects, who authorities described as adherents of neo-Nazi ideology.

As investigators worked to piece together the motive behind the attack, attention also shifted back to the controversial history of the Islamic Center of San Diego, including longstanding questions surrounding individuals connected to the mosque and the September 11 terror attacks, as well as criticism directed at Imam Taha Hassane over comments defending what he described as Palestinian “resistance.”

The mosque first became the subject of national attention after it was revealed that two of the September 11 hijackers, Nawaf al-Hazmi and Khalid al-Mihdhar, attended services there while residing in San Diego. The 9/11 Commission later examined allegations that people affiliated with the mosque community assisted the pair with housing and logistical support after they arrived in California. Subsequent reports alleged that associates connected to the mosque also helped the hijackers obtain identification documents, buy a vehicle, and gain access to financial resources. The commission, however, did not determine that mosque officials or congregants knowingly participated in the terrorist conspiracy.

Separate reports further alleged that members of the mosque community organized a welcoming event for the hijackers shortly after their arrival in San Diego in 2000.

In more recent years, controversy surrounding the mosque centered largely on Hassane, who has served as imam there since 2004. Following Hamas’s October 7, 2023 massacre in Israel — in which approximately 1,200 people were murdered and more than 250 were kidnapped in the deadliest attack against Jews since the Holocaust — Hassane faced backlash for comments widely viewed as justifying the violence.

“This did not start last week or on October 7th,” Hassane said in a video posted to social media days after the attack. “This is the result of brutal Zionist occupation and genocide.”

Hassane later promoted the sermon on Instagram, writing: “Resistance is justified when people are under occupation and don’t let them change that narrative.”

His rhetoric intensified in the weeks that followed. During an October 20 sermon delivered less than two weeks after the Hamas massacre, Hassane again defended what he repeatedly referred to as “resistance.”

“When people are occupied, then the resistance is justified,” Hassane said. “We cannot accuse somebody who is fighting for his life to be a terrorist. The terrorist is the one who started the occupation, not the one who is defending himself.”

The criticism surrounding Hassane did not end after the immediate aftermath of October 7. In subsequent months, his public statements and activism continued attracting attention over his harsh anti-Israel rhetoric and support for radical anti-Israel campaigns.

In January 2024, Hassane accused Israel of enforcing “apartheid.” Not long afterward, he posted online: “Zionism is Islamophobia!”

Several months later, in May 2024, Hassane publicly backed anti-Israel protest encampments at the University of California, San Diego. He appeared alongside demonstrators and urged university officials to “boycott and divest from Israel.”

Members of Hassane’s family also became embroiled in controversy over anti-Israel activism and inflammatory social media activity.

According to watchdog organization Canary Mission, Hassane’s daughter, Selma Hassane, “promoted incitement, spread hatred of Israel, engaged in anti-Israel activism and is a supporter of the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement.”

Canary Mission documented years of activism tied to Selma Hassane, including involvement with the controversial campus organization Students for Justice in Palestine, participation in anti-Israel demonstrations, and organizing efforts in support of Palestinian causes.

Meanwhile, Hassane’s wife, Lallia Allali, drew widespread condemnation after reposting an image weeks following the October 7 attacks that depicted a Star of David decapitating five babies alongside the phrase: “The devil is killing.”

The fallout from the post quickly spread into her professional life. At the time, Allali served on the San Diego Union-Tribune Community Advisory Board as an emeritus member and regularly contributed commentary focused on interfaith understanding and “Islamophobia.” She also taught at the University of San Diego and authored academic work addressing anti-Muslim bias.

The San Diego Union-Tribune later denounced the image as “a graphic and deplorable antisemitic image,” adding that after verifying the repost, “we accepted her resignation and removed her from the list of board members and contributors on our website.”

The University of San Diego also announced that Allali would no longer teach at the institution, stating: “While individuals have the right to express their views on their personal accounts, they do not reflect the views of USD leadership nor any official position of the university.”

Rabbi Abraham Cooper, associate dean and global social action director of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, strongly condemned the repost at the time, calling it a contemporary “blood libel” and labeling the imagery “despicable and deplorable.”

Residents living near the mosque also told the New York Post that relations between the Islamic Center and surrounding neighborhoods became increasingly strained after the October 7 attacks, particularly due to concerns involving a nearby Hebrew-language charter school.

“Hassane was supposed to bridge all the communities, but quickly became a hostile figure,” local journalist and parent Stella Escobedo told the outlet.

{Matzav.com}