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Russian President Vladimir Putin used a phone call to President Donald Trump on Saturday to offer birthday wishes on his 80th birthday while also discussing a range of major geopolitical issues, including the war in Ukraine, negotiations with Iran, and the trajectory of relations between Moscow and Washington.

According to Kremlin adviser Yury Ushakov, the conversation lasted approximately 55 minutes and took place in a cordial and open atmosphere.

“Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin congratulated the U.S. president by phone today on his 80th birthday. The conversation was friendly and candid and lasted about an hour,” Ushakov told reporters following the call.

Ushakov said Trump was especially appreciative of the call because Putin was the first foreign head of state to personally reach out and congratulate him on his birthday.

“Donald Trump was touched by Putin’s words and thanked him, noting that Vladimir Putin was the first among all foreign leaders to call him at the White House,” Ushakov said.

The Kremlin aide added that Putin complimented Trump’s perseverance and resolve, expressing admiration for the American president’s ability to withstand political challenges and pressure.

Beyond the birthday greetings, the two leaders reportedly reviewed the current state of U.S.-Russia relations and discussed the possibility of future contacts between officials from both governments.

Iran was also a major topic of discussion. According to Ushakov, Trump told Putin that talks between Washington and Tehran appear to be approaching a breakthrough.

“Donald Trump said that an agreement is close, and he expects that the results of difficult but ultimately successful negotiations may soon be made public,” Ushakov said.

Putin reportedly welcomed indications that tensions involving Iran could be easing. The conversation took place as the Middle East continues to grapple with escalating tensions involving Iran and Israel.

Analysts note that ongoing instability in the region could ultimately benefit Russia economically.

Higher oil prices driven by Middle East unrest are expected to boost Russia’s energy income.

Experts also suggest that any diplomatic developments involving Iran that alter sanctions policies or reshape energy markets could create new opportunities for Moscow by improving conditions for Russian oil exports and expanding its flexibility in global energy trade.

The war in Ukraine remained one of the central subjects of the call. According to Ushakov, Trump reiterated his desire to end the conflict and indicated a willingness to apply pressure on all parties involved in pursuit of a ceasefire.

“Regarding the Ukrainian conflict, Donald Trump once again stressed the need to cease military operations,” Ushakov said. “He stated that he is prepared to exert influence on both European partners and Kyiv.”

Trump has consistently advocated for a ceasefire and a negotiated resolution to the war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has previously expressed support for an unconditional ceasefire proposal backed by the United States.

However, efforts to secure such an agreement have stalled, with Russia continuing its military campaign and large-scale attacks across Ukraine.

According to Ushakov, Trump argued that a rapid end to the war could fundamentally reshape relations between the United States and Russia.

“Trump said that if the war is ended as soon as possible, this would open prospects for building a truly new quality of American-Russian relations,” Ushakov said.

The Kremlin also announced that Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, are expected to visit Russia in the near future for additional talks, a sign that diplomatic engagement between the two countries remains active.

{Matzav.com}

Dozens of members of Peleg Yerushalmi gathered Sunday outside the home of Supreme Court President Yitzchok Amit in Mevaseret Zion, protesting what they said was an attempted arrest of a draft evader in the area.

According to reports, the demonstration was organized in response to efforts by authorities to apprehend a yeshiva student classified by the military as absent from service.

The protest comes amid a growing trend of demonstrations by members of Peleg Yerushalmi targeting senior judicial figures as tensions over the draft issue continue to escalate.

Two weeks ago, a violent protest by extremist chareidi demonstrators took place outside the home of Supreme Court Deputy President Justice Noam Sohlberg in Alon Shvut. Protesters allegedly caused significant damage to vehicles and other property during the demonstration.

Following that incident, police detained approximately 70 suspects. Earlier today, the State Attorney’s Office filed indictments against Nachman Plotnik, Avraham Fried, Gershon Hanun, and Shimon Attaf, all residents of Beit Shemesh, for their alleged roles in the unrest near Sohlberg’s home. All four were charged with participating in a riot, while two also face trespassing charges.

In light of the disturbances at Sohlberg’s residence, Yerushalayim District police deployed large forces near Amit’s home during recent demonstrations in Mevaseret Zion. Authorities said the increased security presence was intended to prevent a repeat of the chaos that occurred in Alon Shvut.

Police established roadblocks on nearby streets and restricted access to the area surrounding the judge’s home in an effort to maintain order and prevent demonstrators from reaching the residence itself.

As Israel braces for a potential Iranian response and diplomatic efforts continue toward a broader regional agreement, senior Israeli ministers are increasingly voicing frustration with President Donald Trump, accusing him of sending a dangerous message in the wake of recent attacks against Israel.

The Security Cabinet convened Sunday evening at a secret location amid heightened tensions, but alongside preparations for possible developments with Iran, criticism of Washington’s approach has been growing in Israel.

According to reports, several cabinet ministers sharply criticized Trump’s reaction to the recent attacks from Lebanon, arguing that his comments effectively legitimize attacks on Israel.

“The message being conveyed normalizes attacks on a sovereign nation,” ministers reportedly said.

According to a report by i24NEWS, members of the government believe efforts to separate the Iranian front from the Lebanese front have failed and that policymakers must now recognize the direct connection between the two arenas.

The report also said that ministers participating in cabinet discussions called for a tougher Israeli response policy, arguing that “the era of restraint is over” and that every attack against Israel must be met with a forceful response.

The criticism comes after Trump publicly rebuked Israel following its strike in Beirut’s Dahieh district.

In a Truth Social post, the president wrote, “The attack should not have happened, especially on such a special day when we are so close to a peace deal with Iran.”

Trump further stated that “Israel has the right to defend itself against threats, but the attack it was responding to was very small and meaningless. No one was hurt or killed, and it should not disrupt this important process.”

The president also expressed optimism about a broader regional agreement, saying, “We are very close to a deal that will bring peace to the region, including Lebanon, and all sides should show restraint. There should be no more attacks by Israel anywhere in Lebanon, but there should also be no more attacks by any other side, including Hezbollah, against Israel. This could be the beginning of a long and beautiful peace — let’s not ruin it!”

Later, in an interview with Fox News, Trump predicted that “I expect the deal to be signed within two or three hours or tonight,” before revealing details of a conversation he had with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.

“I spoke with Netanyahu on the phone and asked him, ‘What the …. are you doing?!’” Trump said.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli officials believe President Donald Trump may be prepared to grant additional concessions to Iran in an effort to prevent Tehran from retaliating for Israel’s strike on a Hezbollah target in Beirut’s Dahieh district, according to a report Sunday by Channel 12.

While the exact nature of any potential concession remains unclear, the report said intensive diplomatic discussions are taking place behind closed doors as the administration seeks to preserve momentum toward a broader agreement with Iran.

According to the report, American officials have also conveyed a clear message to Israel: Israel should avoid taking any steps that could endanger the emerging deal. The understanding reportedly extends even to a scenario in which Iran carries out an attack, with expectations that Israel would refrain from actions that could derail negotiations.

Iranian officials, meanwhile, claimed that the Trump administration offered financial incentives in exchange for restraint. Tehran said it rejected the proposal, declaring, “We will not betray our allies (Hezbollah). The response is close.”

Tensions escalated after Israel carried out a strike in Beirut following the explosion of several Hezbollah drones inside Israeli territory. The operation occurred on the same day Trump had reportedly hoped to finalize a memorandum of understanding with the Iranian regime.

Reacting angrily on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “This morning’s attack on Beirut should not have happened, particularly on a special day when we are so close to a Peace Deal with Iran.”

The president argued that Israel’s response was disproportionate to the threat it faced, saying that “Israel has the right to defend itself against threats, but the attack it was responding to was very small and meaningless, nobody was hurt, injured, or killed, and should not disrupt this important process.”

Trump also suggested that the proposed agreement would bring stability beyond Iran itself, stating, “We are very close to a deal that will bring peace to the region, including to Lebanon, and all sides should stand down.”

Calling for restraint from both sides, he added: “There should be no more attacks by Israel anywhere in Lebanon, but there should also be no more attacks by any other party, including Hezbollah, against Israel. This could be the beginning of a long and beautiful peace – Let’s not blow it!”

In an interview with Fox News, Trump revealed details of a conversation with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu after the strike, saying he asked him, “What the ‎‎‎ are you doing?” and instructed him not to launch additional attacks.

The president’s frustration was even more apparent in comments he made to Axios reporter Barak Ravid. Speaking candidly about the Israeli operation, Trump said: “Why did Bibi have to do a ….‎‎‎ attack? I was so pissed off. I let him know. He has no ….judgement. I let him know that.”

According to Channel 12, one of Netanyahu’s closest confidants said Trump’s public criticism was met with shock in Israel. A senior Israeli official described the administration’s position as a dramatic shift in U.S.-Israel relations.

“Trump’s announcement is a resounding slap in the face. The restrictions have reached a new level—the expectation that we not strike inside Lebanese territory is inconsistent with the notion of a strategic ally,” the official said.

{Matzav.com}15

A new independent investigation into tefillin sold by Judaica and STaM retailers in Brooklyn, NY has uncovered troubling findings that raise serious questions about quality-control practices within portions of the industry.

The private investigation, conducted by Rabbi Moshe Yisroel Dovid Wolf, involved the purchase of the least expensive pairs of tefillin sold by nine different Brooklyn-area retailers. The tefillin were purchased anonymously, documented on video, and submitted for a blind examination by an experienced sofer who was not told which store supplied any particular pair.

According to the investigation, more than 60% of the tefillin examined were determined to be either pasul (halachically invalid) or b’dieved (a level that may fulfill the mitzvah after the fact , are not allowed to be worn again after the findings are revealed,  and definitely should not be sold to consumers in its present condition).

The findings were subsequently reviewed by posek Rav Avraham Tzvi Wosner of Monsey, New York, who issued the final halachic ruling on each pair. Rabbi Wosner heads the rabbinic oversight of Vaad Mishmeres STaM (VMS), widely regarded as the world’s leading organization dedicated to ensuring the halachic integrity of Sifrei Torah, Tefillin, and Mezuzos.

After reviewing the findings, Rabbi Wosner expressed deep pain over what had been discovered. Rabbi Wosner remarked in Yiddish: “עס טוט אזוי וויי אז זיי פארקויפן די תפילין” (“It hurts so much that they are selling these tefillin.”)

Rabbi Wolf stated that Rabbi Wosner’s reaction reflected concern not only for the specific deficiencies found in individual pairs, but also for the broader responsibility of those who sell STaM products to ensure that every pair of tefillin reaching a customer has been properly checked and verified.

“This investigation was never about attacking any particular store,” said Rabbi Wolf. “It is about protecting consumers and raising awareness. Most people assume that if tefillin are being sold in a reputable Judaica store, they have already been thoroughly checked and verified. Unfortunately, the evidence suggests that assumption is not always justified.”

“Tefillin are handwritten by human beings, and mistakes can occur at every price point,” Rabbi Wolf explained. “The issue is not whether mistakes can happen. The issue is whether those mistakes are being identified and corrected before the product is sold to the public.”

The investigation also revisits longstanding ruling regarding STaM in 1987 issued by the Crown Heights Beis Din, which stated that local sellers of STaM must verify the kashrus of the products they sell and may not rely solely on quick wholesale inspections performed in Israel prior to being sold.

The complete investigation documents the purchase of the tefillin, the opening of the batim, the examination of the parshiyos, the findings of the sofer, and the final rulings issued by Rabbi Wosner.

Rabbi Wolf hopes the project will increase consumer awareness and encourage higher standards throughout the STaM industry.

“The goal is simple,” Rabbi Wolf said. “We should all be able to take for granted that the Tefillin that are being sold in religious stores are Kosher. Our sages tell us that the Mitzvah of Tefillin brings blessings to the individual that puts them on, adds in the protection to the entire Jewish community and hastens the Geulah. When a Jew spends hard-earned money to buy tefillin, he deserves confidence that what he is receiving has been properly checked, meets the standards that were promised, and that he will fulfill the Mitzvah while putting them on.”

{Matzav.com}

A major controversy erupted in Tzfas following a large Shabbos retreat attended by hundreds of families affiliated with Satmar and the Eidah Hachareidis, with local residents complaining about noise, sanitation issues, traffic disruptions, and the use of what they claim were unapproved facilities.

Hundreds of families traveled to the city for the weekend and stayed in public buildings that typically function as educational institutions. The facilities were reportedly rented specifically for the gathering, which was also attended by the eldest son of the Satmar Rebbe.

The uproar intensified after details emerged about the accommodations used during the event. Residents alleged that the visitors were housed in a building that had not received the necessary occupancy approvals, sparking outrage among neighbors in the city’s southern section.

According to local complaints, the large-scale gathering created significant disturbances throughout the weekend. Since the school buildings were not equipped to accommodate such an event over Shabbos, industrial generators were brought in to provide electricity, resulting in substantial noise complaints. After Shabbos, residents said large quantities of garbage were left behind, with piles of refuse reportedly overflowing into nearby streets.

Local activist Natalie Fitoussi discussed the matter during an appearance on Liat Ron’s radio program and claimed the facilities were not suitable for hosting guests.

“Hundreds of families were hosted inside educational facilities belonging to a chareidi girls’ seminary. The site operated using generators, which means it does not have a Form 4 occupancy permit. One of the workers died there in the past after a fall. You can see from the photos that the place is not up to code.”

Fitoussi also criticized what she described as the private use of public property and questioned how the funds generated by the event were handled.

“Beyond the fact that the place is not up to code and someone is using public buildings in Tzfas as though they were his private business, I am very interested in knowing where the money went. Residents pay municipal taxes and property taxes here, and it isn’t cheap. This certainly wasn’t free. There was catering, waiters, and non-Jews working there on Shabbos. The garbage dumpster overflowed completely. Our criticism is not against chareidim. We simply feel that decisions were imposed on us in a forceful manner without consulting the local community.”

Residents also claimed the event caused severe traffic congestion. According to those complaints, large numbers of pedestrians walked along the main roadway leading to Ziv Medical Center, making travel difficult and disrupting normal traffic patterns.

Nurit, a Tzfas resident of 40 years, described one encounter she experienced during the weekend.

“I was driving home alone from my daughter’s house when people suddenly started shouting ‘Shabbos’ and banging on my car. I have never experienced anything like that. Tzfas residents know how to show respect, but these were people who came from outside the city.”

Fitoussi further alleged that confrontations occurred and that police were forced to intervene.

“There was violence, and the police closed the road so vehicles would not pass through the area. When they realized the police were coming, they acted as if it were a national emergency drill and disconnected all of the generator cables. They came to Tzfas to create terror. They don’t care about anyone else, just like the government.”

The Tzfas municipality did not dispute the seriousness of the complaints and said the incident would be thoroughly reviewed.

“This is a serious incident that requires a comprehensive investigation, lessons to be learned, and a briefing of all relevant parties to ensure that such a situation does not happen again,” the city said in a statement.

During Keren Olam HaTorah’s emergency fundraising campaign in Lakewood, Rav Yisroel Bunim Schreiber shared a painful and startling personal account from the medical treatments he has been undergoing in Eretz Yisroel, describing what he said was discrimination directed at him because he is a chareidi rosh yeshiva.

Rav Schreiber, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Nesiv Hadaas — for whom the public has been asked to daven, Rav Yisroel Bunim ben Chaya Roiza l’refuah sheleimah — traveled to the United States as part of Keren Olam HaTorah’s fundraising mission. On Motzoei Shabbos, he participated in an asifa at the Lakewood Yeshiva alongside Rav Chaim Mordechai Ausband, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Ateres Shlomo.

Seeking to illustrate what the chareidi community in Eretz Yisroel is experiencing, Rav Schreiber spoke about the difficult medical treatments he is currently undergoing as a result of his illness.

In remarks delivered in Yiddish, the rosh yeshiva recounted what he described as a shocking example of the hostility faced by lomdei Torah in Israel. He explained that while he regularly receives ongoing treatment, there are occasions when he must visit doctors who are not part of his usual medical team.

According to Rav Schreiber, one physician entered the room, noticed his chareidi appearance, and learned that he was a rosh yeshiva. The doctor then left, assuring him that he would return in a few minutes.

Instead, approximately ten minutes later, another medical professional entered the room and explained the reason for the change. “The doctor finds it difficult to treat a rabbi, so I came to replace him,” the caregiver told him.

Rav Schreiber said the physician effectively refused to provide treatment himself solely because he was chareidi, sending another practitioner in his place. He told the audience that the incident reflects what he believes is a painful and deeply troubling reality currently facing the chareidi community in Eretz Yisroel.

President Donald Trump sharply criticized Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Sunday, blaming Israel’s strike in Beirut’s Dahieh district for delaying what he said was an imminent agreement with Iran and accusing the Israeli leader of exercising poor judgment.

Speaking during a live interview on Fox News and in comments later confirmed to journalist Barak Ravid, Trump expressed anger over the operation, claiming it disrupted delicate diplomatic efforts that were nearing completion.

According to Trump, a deal with Iran was on the verge of being finalized. “A deal will be signed within two or three hours. I told Netanyahu, ‘What the …. are you doing?’” he said, referring to Israel’s recent military action in Beirut.

The president said he had personally conveyed to Netanyahu that further strikes against Hezbollah should be avoided in order not to jeopardize ongoing negotiations. Trump added that he would likewise seek to prevent Iran from launching attacks against Israel.

Trump did not hold back in his criticism of the Israeli prime minister, declaring, “Bibi has no **** judgment. I told him I’m not happy,” in reference to Israel’s recent actions.

The criticism was echoed in additional remarks Trump made to Ravid, in which he reportedly confirmed the severity of the message he delivered to Jerusalem.

Repeating his frustration, Trump stated, “Bibi has no **** judgment — I delivered that message to him — that I am very unhappy about the strike in Beirut,” arguing that the operation had created an unnecessary crisis. He also questioned the decision to launch the strike given what he characterized as the limited impact of Hezbollah’s earlier attack.

“Why did Bibi do this attack?” Trump asked during the interview. “Hezbollah fired and hit in the middle of nowhere. Nobody was hurt. Then he had to do this **** attack, and in Beirut. It made me very angry.”

The president also described learning about the strike shortly before what he said was supposed to be the official signing of an agreement with Tehran.

“They called me and said, ‘Sir, Israel is attacking in Beirut’ — one hour before we were supposed to sign the deal. I couldn’t believe it was happening. It’s very bad,” Trump said.

Iran, however, has continued to insist that no agreement is expected to be signed today.

Despite his criticism of Israel’s actions, Trump maintained that the emerging agreement would ultimately benefit Israel by preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. He said the deal would allow inspections of suspicious Iranian sites with 24 hours’ notice and would eliminate Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium.

Trump concluded by saying that diplomatic efforts remain underway despite the setback and expressed confidence that an agreement could still be reached later in the day.

“We were supposed to sign the deal this morning, and the Israeli strike in Beirut delayed it,” Trump said. “I think the signing will still happen today in a few hours. But the Israeli strike shook things up.”

Growing concerns in Israel over potential efforts by the Trump administration to limit the IDF’s operational freedom in Lebanon may have played a role in Sunday’s strike in Beirut, according to a report from Israel.

The report, by political correspondent Anna Barsky, suggests that the Israeli strike in Beirut’s Dahieh district was intended in part to send a clear message that Israel will continue to act militarily in Lebanon when necessary and will not accept new restrictions on its operations, even as diplomatic efforts with Iran continue.

According to the report, Israeli officials are determined to preserve complete freedom of action on the northern front and are seeking to make that position unmistakably clear amid ongoing discussions involving Washington and Tehran.

The Beirut operation reportedly comes against the backdrop of growing tensions between Jerusalem and Washington. During one of their recent conversations, President Donald Trump allegedly urged Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to agree to an Israeli withdrawal from five strategic positions in southern Lebanon as well as from the Syrian Hermon region.

The proposal, which security officials reportedly view as a worst-case scenario, was said to be part of a broader American effort to secure understandings with the Iranian regime as part of a potential agreement.

According to the report, Netanyahu firmly rejected the proposal and made clear during the conversation that Israel would not agree to such a withdrawal.

Meanwhile, criticism of Israel’s actions has been increasing on social media in the United States, particularly among some members of the MAGA movement, who have argued that the Beirut strike was intended to complicate or derail a possible agreement with Iran. According to the report, that assessment may not be entirely unfounded.

At the same time, the United States has reportedly been exerting significant pressure on Iran in an effort to prevent a military response against Israel. Washington’s diplomatic push is aimed at preventing a broader regional escalation while negotiations continue.

The report adds that similar pressure could be directed at Israel should Iran launch missiles in the coming hours and Israel prepare a response.

For its part, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the ongoing developments and emphasized that authority over any agreement with the United States does not rest with him or his government.

Explaining Iran’s decision-making structure, Pezeshkian stated that “the decision regarding war or negotiations is in the hands of the Supreme Leader and the National Security Council, and everyone must obey.”

His comments underscore that Iran’s ultimate military and diplomatic decisions remain subject to the approval of the country’s highest leadership.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump expressed frustration Sunday over Israel’s retaliatory strike against a Hezbollah command center in Beirut, signaling that he believes further Israeli military action could jeopardize ongoing efforts to reach an agreement with Iran.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump criticized the operation, writing, “This morning’s attack on Beirut should not have happened, particularly on a special day when we are so close to a Peace Deal with Iran.”

While emphasizing Israel’s right to protect itself, Trump argued that the incident prompting the response did not warrant a major military escalation. “Israel has the right to defend itself against threats, but the attack it was responding to was very small and meaningless, nobody was hurt, injured, or killed, and should not disrupt this important process,” he said.

The president maintained that diplomatic progress is within reach and suggested that restraint from all sides could pave the way for broader regional stability. “we are very close to a Deal that will bring peace to the region, including to Lebanon, and all sides should stand down,” Trump stated.

Calling for an immediate halt to hostilities, Trump urged both Israel and Hezbollah to refrain from further attacks. “There should be no more attacks by Israel anywhere in Lebanon, but there should also be no more attacks by any other party, including Hezbollah, against Israel. This could be the beginning of a long and beautiful peace – Let’s not blow it!” he urged.

The Israeli strike targeted a Hezbollah command center in Beirut’s Dahieh district after three unmanned aerial vehicles launched from Lebanon entered Israeli airspace earlier in the day. Two of the drones detonated near Shlomi in the western Galilee, while a third exploded later inside a military zone in Israel.

{Matzav.com}

A dramatic shift has emerged in the prediction markets, with former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot overtaking Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu as the leading contender to become Israel’s next prime minister following the country’s next election.

According to the latest figures from the Polymarket forecasting platform, Eisenkot, chairman of the Yashar party, is now viewed as the most likely candidate to form the next government.

The market currently assigns Eisenkot a roughly 36.4% chance of becoming prime minister, compared with 32% for Netanyahu. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett ranks third at approximately 24%, while Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Liberman trails far behind at about 3.6%.

When viewed collectively, the market suggests that traders see a greater likelihood of a post-Netanyahu government than a continuation of the current leadership. Roughly 68% of market activity reflects scenarios in which Netanyahu does not remain prime minister after the next election.

That does not necessarily mean those traders are betting specifically on Eisenkot. Some participants believe Bennett, Liberman, or another candidate could ultimately succeed in assembling a governing coalition.

Eisenkot’s rise has been particularly striking. For an extended period, he lagged significantly behind both Netanyahu and Bennett in the market’s rankings. In recent weeks, however, his standing has surged, allowing him to pass both rivals and move into first place.

Analysts caution that Polymarket is not a public opinion survey. Rather, it is a prediction market where participants buy and sell contracts based on what they believe will happen in the future.

As a result, the percentages fluctuate constantly in response to political developments, campaign news, public statements, and trading activity.

The question being evaluated is also different from traditional polling. Prediction markets are focused on who will ultimately become prime minister, not which party will win the most Knesset seats.

A candidate whose party finishes second—or even third—could still emerge victorious if he succeeds in assembling a coalition capable of securing a parliamentary majority.

For that reason, the numbers are generally viewed as a reflection of traders’ assessments regarding coalition-building prospects rather than direct measures of voter support.

Despite Eisenkot’s newfound lead, the race remains highly competitive. The gap separating him from Netanyahu is relatively narrow and could change quickly as political conditions evolve.

For now, however, the message emerging from the market is clear: a growing number of traders believe the post-election political landscape may usher in a new era, even though no single challenger has yet established himself as the overwhelming favorite to replace Netanyahu.

{Matzav.com}

[COMMUNICATED]

The Gemara asks a question: Nashim b’mai zakyan? By what merit do women acquire their share in Torah? The answer has always been that women earn their cheilek by building the world of limud haTorah, by carrying it on their shoulders and making it possible. On Tuesday, June 16, young women will have the chance to grab their own eternal cheilek. 

Keren Olam HaTorah is inviting post-seminary girls to an exclusive evening in Bell Works, offering the rare opportunity to stand in the presence of the Gedolei Hador, receive their berachos, and to become true partners in upholding the yeshivos of Eretz Yisroel, by running  Keren Olam Hatorah’s dedicated call center. 

The urgency could not be greater. Keren Olam HaTorah is a historic initiative of the Gedolei Hador, launched to save the yeshivos of Eretz Yisroel amid the severe Israeli government budget cuts that have threatened to choke off their lifeblood. Today, the Keren stands behind and supports 120,000 lomdim. As long as the crisis endures, so must the fight for Torah. 

The program will include an uplifting musical and inspirational program, an address from Rabbi Joey Haber, and a full dinner buffet. Even better, the program will include a visit from the Gedolei Hador themselves, offering their brachos directly to you, no intermediaries involved! 

The Gedolim are calling on you. Will you answer? 

What: Exclusive call-center event for post-seminary girls 

When: Tuesday, June 16. Doors open 7:00 PM 

Where: Bell Works 

Register: kerenolamhatorah.org/girlsevent or call: 732.941.1000 ext. #5 

Email: girlsevent@kerenolamhatorah.org

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is leading an aggressive effort by the Trump administration to dismantle international “birth tourism” operations, targeting networks accused of helping pregnant foreign nationals travel to the United States using fraudulent paperwork so their children can automatically obtain American citizenship.

The crackdown gained attention Saturday after Fox News host Kayleigh McEnany highlighted the administration’s recent actions during a report on America. According to McEnany, hundreds of visas were revoked in recent days as part of the initiative.

“The State Department [is] shutting down a sophisticated tourism network after the U.S. Embassy in West Africa revealed more than 100 foreign nationals were using fraudulent documents and visa fixers to illegally obtain American citizenship,” McEnany explained.

She said investigators uncovered similar activity elsewhere on the continent. “It was a similar story in North Africa. Over 100 Visas were just revoked as embassy there said expecting mothers were coming to America to give birth for the sole purpose of giving their child American citizenship,” she continued. “Meanwhile in Europe, we now know that there was over 400 suspected birth tourism cases since 2024.”

McEnany later interviewed State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott, who described the alleged operations as organized schemes designed to exploit U.S. immigration laws.

“These are networks that are essentially trying to sell citizenship to the United States as if it was a commodity,” Pigott said. “That includes coaching people on how to defraud U.S. Consular Officers to try to obtain a visa through fraud.”

Pigott argued that the issue extends beyond immigration concerns and places financial burdens on American taxpayers.

He continued, “That also includes the logistics you laid out in the United States that leave the American taxpayer footing the bill — often time in these cases, birth tourists pay the absolute minimum when it comes to their medical expenses, and then U.S. taxpayers foot the bill. That is outrageous, that is unacceptable, we are putting a stop to it.”

The report follows a recent announcement by the State Department declaring that it is “defending the integrity of U.S. citizenship by ending illegal birth tourism schemes.”

The administration’s intensified focus on the issue comes as the U.S. Supreme Court considers questions surrounding birthright citizenship. President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized the practice, calling it a “great scam” that wealthy foreign nationals have exploited for years.

The high court is expected to issue its ruling later this summer, a decision that could have significant implications for future immigration and citizenship policy in the United States.

{Matzav.com}

Israel carried out a targeted airstrike on a Hezbollah command facility in Beirut’s Dahieh district on Sunday after the terror group launched aerial threats toward Israeli territory earlier in the day.

The IDF said the site was being used by Hezbollah operatives to coordinate and advance attacks against Israeli civilians and Israeli troops operating in southern Lebanon. According to the military, the strike killed the head of Hezbollah’s communications division.

Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yisroel Katz said in a joint statement that “In response to continued Hezbollah attacks on Israel’s territory, including a terror drone strike this morning, Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz authorized an IDF surgical strike on a Hezbollah terrorist target in the Dahieh quarter of Beirut. Israel will not tolerate firing at its territory.”

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, through its Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, condemned the strike and warned that “the crimes of the Zionist entity in Dahiyeh will not go unanswered.”

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, who is leading Tehran’s negotiations with the United States, also criticized the attack. “The Zionists’ incursion into Dahieh has once again shown that America either lacks the will to fulfill its commitments or the ability to do so. By giving the green light to the regime, you cannot gain concessions. The game of bad cop and good cop is outdated.”

He further warned, “If you lack the will and ability to fulfill your commitments, speaking of continuing the path is not possible.”

Israel’s Foreign Ministry pushed back against Ghalibaf’s remarks, accusing Iran of distorting the events. “The Iranian regime, as always, is lying. Iran’s proxy, Hezbollah, is the one that attacked Israel again this morning, completely unprovoked.”

The ministry continued, “Hezbollah constantly fires at Israeli civilians. Even after the ceasefire, Hezbollah has not stopped targeting Israelis. It was Hezbollah that launched an unprovoked attack on Israel in March, acting under the orders of its Iranian masters. Israel will not tolerate firing at its territory.”

The exchange comes just hours before a potential agreement between Washington and Tehran that, according to President Trump, is expected to address the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, end ongoing hostilities, and launch talks regarding Iran’s nuclear program.

The Israeli strike followed the penetration of three drones launched from Lebanon into Israeli airspace during the morning. Two of the UAVs detonated near Shlomi in the western Galilee, while a third later exploded inside a military zone in Israel.

The IDF said the drones landed in military areas near the border and not inside civilian communities. No injuries were reported, and the military said it is reviewing the circumstances surrounding the incidents.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for a forceful response, saying the attack represented a challenge to Israel’s deterrence policy regarding Beirut’s Dahieh neighborhood.

“The fire toward northern communities is a test of the Dahieh equation that the Prime Minister announced,” Smotrich said. “I call on him to implement it with determination and force and bring down more buildings in Dahieh today. We are in critical days that will shape the region for many years. We promised security to the residents of the north, and we must deliver.”

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir likewise demanded a stronger reaction and said he would raise the issue in discussions with Netanyahu.

“For every drone, a missile. For every violation, fire. For every UAV, Dahieh should shake. For every hair on the head of an IDF soldier, a thousand Hezbollah terrorists. Terror is not contained – it is defeated,” Ben Gvir said.

The latest escalation follows a Hezbollah attack last week that prompted an Israeli strike in Beirut. That exchange was followed by an Iranian missile barrage of roughly 23 missiles fired at Israel and two separate waves of Israeli Air Force strikes targeting sites in Iran.

After last week’s confrontation, Katz reiterated Israel’s policy regarding attacks from Lebanon, declaring that “every attack on northern communities will lead to a strike in Dahieh,” the Beirut stronghold widely viewed as Hezbollah’s central base of operations.

{Matzav.com}

A unique and educational Torah event will take place this evening, June 14, when the Agudath Israel of America Torah Projects Commission presents a special shiur in Airmont, New York, featuring Rav Amitai Ben David, acclaimed author of Sichas Chulin and a renowned expert in the practical and halachic aspects of shechitah.

The program will begin at 8:30 p.m. at Bais Hamedrash Birkas Sheish–Skohl, located at 1 Regina Road in Airmont, and is expected to attract Daf Yomi participants, bnei Torah, rabbanim, and members of the broader community seeking a deeper understanding of one of the most fascinating and practical areas of halachah.

What makes this event especially noteworthy is that the shiur will feature a live shechitah and treifos demonstration, offering attendees a rare opportunity to witness firsthand many of the concepts discussed in Maseches Chulin and related areas of Torah study. Through practical examples and real-life illustrations, participants will gain a clearer appreciation of the intricate halachos governing kosher slaughter and the examination of animals.

Organizers explain that the program is designed not only for Daf Yomi learners studying or reviewing the sugyos of Chulin, but also for anyone interested in understanding the halachic foundations behind the kosher food that appears on Jewish tables every day.

Rav Amitai Ben David has earned widespread recognition for his ability to present complex halachic subjects in a clear, engaging, and accessible manner. His sefer, Sichas Chulin, has become a highly regarded resource for those seeking a deeper understanding of shechitah and treifos.

The shiur, as mentioned, will take place at Bais Hamedrash Birkas Sheish–Skohl, located at 1 Regina Road in Airmont, New York, beginning at 8:30 p.m.

{Matzav.com}

After the New York Knicks captured the NBA championship last night, New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani announced plans for a citywide celebration, including a ticker-tape parade and a special ceremony at City Hall where members of the championship team will receive Keys to the City.

The festivities are scheduled for Thursday, June 18, and will commemorate a title that generations of Knicks fans had long hoped to witness.

According to City Hall, the event will be the first ticker-tape parade ever held in honor of the Knicks and will celebrate the team that finally delivered an NBA championship to New York after decades of anticipation.

City officials said additional information regarding the parade route, ceremony details, and media access will be released on Sunday, June 14.

“For more than 50 years, New Yorkers have waited for this moment. Through near misses, heartbreak and a hope that every year could be our year, this city never stopped believing in the Knicks. And this team fulfilled that hope with grit, resilience and heart — just like the five boroughs itself,” said Mayor Mamdani. “New Yorkers have cheered for our team from packed living rooms in the Bronx to watch parties in Brooklyn, from bars in Queens to Staten Island to Manhattan, and Madison Square Garden itself. Now it’s time for our city to celebrate together. Bing bong.”

The mayor also announced that City Hall and a number of municipal buildings throughout the city will be illuminated in the Knicks’ signature blue and orange colors on the evening of June 18 to mark the championship victory.

Among the buildings scheduled to be lit in blue and orange are City Hall itself, the David N. Dinkins Manhattan Municipal Building at 1 Centre Street, and Brooklyn Borough Hall on Joralemon Street.

Officials indicated that additional city-owned properties may also join the tribute as New York prepares for what is expected to be one of the largest sports celebrations in the city’s history.

The announcement comes as Knicks fans across all five boroughs continue celebrating a championship that ended a decades-long wait and delivered one of the most memorable moments in franchise history.

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Fox News host Mark Levin is urging President Donald Trump to press ahead with efforts to dismantle Iran’s ruling regime, arguing that any agreement signed with Tehran will ultimately prove meaningless because the Islamic Republic cannot and will not abide by its commitments.

Levin made the remarks last night during his Life, Liberty & Levin program, just one day before Trump said that a deal with Iran was expected to be signed.

According to Levin, whether the arrangement takes the form of a memorandum of understanding or a final agreement is largely irrelevant because Iran’s leadership will never genuinely comply with its terms.

“A memorandum of understanding, from my perspective, or a final deal will not matter to the Iranian regime,” Levin said. “It will not matter to the Iranian regime, even if they sign on the dotted line tomorrow, the next day, whenever. Or if they are bombed into signing — one or the other, or both, at some point. They will never abide by any of it.”

Levin argued that the nature of Iran’s ruling ideology makes lasting compliance impossible, maintaining that the regime views the United States as an enemy it is religiously and politically committed to defeating.

“They cannot [abide], they cannot. Because as a matter of religious and political ideology [and] doctrine, they will not in the end bend to the demands of the great Satan. They will not bend to the demands of the very people and society and government they exist to destroy by any means necessary.

“They would be committing an act of defiance against Allah, for whom they are committed to die. We and they are on two totally different wavelengths. Totally different wavelengths. They view the act of diplomacy as a last resort, but as a resort to survive. For them to survive, and ultimately for us to lose.”

The conservative commentator contended that Tehran sees negotiations not as a path to peace but as a temporary tactic designed to preserve the regime while allowing it to continue pursuing its long-term goals.

Later in the broadcast, Levin compared Trump’s partnership with Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to the historic alliance between Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill during World War II. Nevertheless, he said the military gains achieved against Iran should be completed rather than traded away for a diplomatic settlement.

“I continue to truly believe we should finish the spectacular military achievements we have won on the Iranian people and get it over with. I truly do,” Levin said. “The mass-murdering death cult that is the Iranian regime is not going to commit suicide.”

Levin’s comments carry added significance because he has been among Trump’s most vocal supporters in recent years. During a Chanukah event last winter, he famously referred to Trump as the “first Jewish president,” and he has consistently praised the president’s handling of the confrontation with Iran, including the military campaign launched earlier this year.

The broadcaster has also become a central figure in the debate among conservatives over America’s role in the conflict. After media personality Megyn Kelly argued that the United States was fighting “Israel’s war” and accused Levin, Ben Shapiro, and others of “pushing” America into attacking Iran, Trump publicly came to Levin’s defense and criticized what he described as “jealous” detractors.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump celebrated the New York Knicks’ NBA championship victory on Saturday, praising the team’s remarkable postseason run and singling out several players for their standout performances.

Posting on Truth Social, Trump offered congratulations to Knicks owner James Dolan and the organization following the franchise’s title-winning season.

“Congratulations to Jim Dolan and the New York Knicks!!!” Trump posted.

The president described New York’s journey to the championship as one of the most impressive playoff performances ever witnessed in professional basketball.

He called the Knicks’ remarkable playoff run “maybe the greatest of all time.”

Trump also highlighted several members of the championship roster, reserving special praise for star guard Jalen Brunson, whom he said had emerged as one of the league’s premier players during the postseason.

“Tonight, a superstar was born, his name is Jalen Brunson, and there are others, including Karl-Anthony Towns OG Anunoby and, great patriot, Mitchell Robinson!” he wrote.

The president has followed the team closely throughout its playoff run. Last Monday, Trump attended Game 3 at Madison Square Garden, where he watched the Knicks continue their march toward what ultimately became a championship season.

{Matzav.com}

Qatar reportedly engaged in covert discussions with Iran during the recent conflict, proposing a deal designed to protect its critical natural gas infrastructure from attack while simultaneously increasing economic pressure on the United States and Israel, according to a report by The Washington Post.

The report claims that as Washington and Israel prepared military operations against Iran, Qatari officials quietly sought assurances that Tehran would refrain from targeting the country’s massive energy facilities.

According to the newspaper, Qatar conveyed a message to Iranian officials that if Tehran spared the Ras Laffan natural gas complex from attack, Doha would halt gas production at the facility. Such a move would likely trigger a sharp rise in global energy prices and increase economic pressure on the United States and Israel to bring the conflict to a rapid conclusion.

Despite those efforts, Iran later launched a missile attack against Qatar in mid-March, sending plumes of smoke rising from the vicinity of the world’s largest natural gas production complex.

The strike reportedly damaged portions of infrastructure connected to a facility responsible for nearly one-fifth of the world’s gas supply, jeopardized multi-billion-dollar contracts with China and other international customers, and complicated efforts to end the conflict by drawing Qatar—one of the principal mediators between Washington and Tehran—deeper into the crisis.

According to The Washington Post, the attack also shattered Qatar’s secret efforts to keep the Ras Laffan complex off Iran’s target list.

Middle Eastern security officials and Western sources briefed on intelligence assessments told the newspaper that Doha had spent considerable time attempting to secure informal guarantees that the facility would be spared.

The industrial complex in question is enormous, covering an area nearly twice the size of Washington, D.C. The natural gas produced there powers homes, industries, and electrical grids across Asia, Europe, and other parts of the world.

The report alleges that Qatar essentially offered Iran a “secret deal” under which Tehran would avoid attacking Qatari territory while Doha would leverage its gas production as a means of pressuring world powers to seek a swift end to the war.

One source familiar with the discussions told The Washington Post that Qatar’s message to Iran was straightforward: “You will achieve your goals without attacking us.”

Officials cautioned, however, that Qatar never succeeded in obtaining a formal commitment from Tehran. Nonetheless, subsequent developments suggested that some form of tacit understanding may have existed, at least temporarily.

On the third day of the conflict, Qatar shut down operations at Ras Laffan, publicly citing military threats to the facility.

However, satellite imagery reviewed by The Washington Post reportedly showed no visible damage to the complex at the time of the shutdown.

Statements by senior Qatari officials also contributed to turbulence in global energy markets. Among them was a warning from Qatar’s energy minister that the war would “derail the world’s economies.”

In response to inquiries from The Washington Post, Qatari officials strongly denied seeking any secret arrangement with Iran.

Doha insisted that the decision to suspend gas production was based solely on concerns for employee safety and the protection of critical infrastructure amid the threat of military attacks.

“Any suggestion that operational decisions related to energy production were made in coordination with Iran or for Iran’s benefit or to influence the course of the war is completely false,” Qatar’s International Media Office said in a statement.

Qatar further accused critics of attempting to undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts.

Officials said the allegations were intended to “sabotage efforts to mediate an end to the war, damage Qatar’s reputation, and undermine the strategic partnership between Qatar and the United States.”

Qatar maintains close channels of communication with Iranian leaders as part of its longstanding role as a regional mediator.

The Gulf nation hosts leaders of the Iranian-backed Hamas terrorist organization in Doha and shares access with Iran to the world’s largest natural gas field.

According to the report, U.S. officials said the CIA and senior members of the Trump administration were aware of Qatar’s communications with Iran, despite concerns that such contacts could be viewed as potentially conflicting with broader American and Israeli military objectives during the conflict.

{Matzav.com}