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Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont is seeking to halt a major U.S. arms transfer to Israel, announcing plans to force a Senate vote aimed at stopping the sale of bombs and bulldozers valued at nearly $500 million.

“This week, I will be forcing a vote on legislation to block the sale of nearly half a billion dollars worth of bombs and bulldozers to the Israeli military,” he said in a post on X.

The senator sharply criticized Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s government, accusing it of carrying out “genocide.”

“The extremist Netanyahu government that has committed genocide in Gaza does not need more military support from American taxpayers,” Sanders said in the post.

In a separate message posted Tuesday on another X account, Sanders reiterated his position, calling for immediate action to prevent the transfer.

“This week, I will be forcing a vote to block nearly $500 million in bombs and bulldozers to Israel. Enough is enough.”

He continued by arguing that American funding should not support Israel’s military operations across the region.

“U.S. taxpayers must not keep funding the Netanyahu government’s mass killing and displacement of civilians in Gaza, Iran and Lebanon,” he added.

Sanders had already taken steps last month to advance this effort, introducing joint resolutions designed to stop the proposed sales of both bulldozers and munitions to Israel.

The push comes in the wake of recent coordinated military operations in which the United States and Israel carried out extended strikes against the Islamic Republic of Iran over the course of more than a month.

{Matzav.com}

MK Yoav Ben Tzur said he believes legislation regulating military exemptions for yeshiva students will be approved before the end of the current Knesset term, while launching a sharp attack on the judiciary and the attorney general.

Speaking against the backdrop of Holocaust Remembrance Day, Ben Tzur referenced remarks made during High Court proceedings about what he described as the potential “destruction of the Torah world,” drawing a comparison between the Jewish people’s past suffering and current tensions in Israel. “More than six million Jews were murdered in the Holocaust… and even in the darkest period our people faced, we survived as a nation in order to continue the chain of generations through Jewish tradition,” he said, adding that today, “specifically here, in the Jewish state… they want to dismantle the Torah world.”

According to Ben Tzur, many in the chareidi public feel they are under sustained pressure from elements within the legal system. “The atmosphere is that both the attorney general and the Supreme Court are looking for every possible way to restrict us,” he claimed, warning that the public discourse is spilling over into incitement. “They are trying at any cost to incite… and that incitement is slowly filtering into the public.”

At the same time, he called for greater unity, invoking the days of Sefiras HaOmer and the lesson from Rabi Akiva’s talmidim. He argued that the divisions within Israeli society stem not only from ideological disagreements but from a lack of mutual respect. “They did not treat one another with respect,” he said, expressing regret over the deep internal strife.

The debate also centered on the proposed draft law, which Ben Tzur described as an urgent necessity. “I think it is important to pass this law. We have no other choice,” he said, explaining that the goal is to formalize the status of Torah learners and remove the constant uncertainty they face. Still, he acknowledged the unknowns ahead: “What will happen afterward? We do not know, but we are making our efforts,” particularly in light of the possibility of High Court intervention.

He concluded on a cautiously optimistic note, saying efforts are ongoing to reach agreements and that the outcome will also depend on rabbinic leadership. “We hope and are working to regulate the status of Torah learners,” he said, expressing confidence that despite the challenges, the law will pass before the end of the current term.

{Matzav.com}

[COMMUNICATED]

There is a certain kind of language that keeps coming up when community members speak about Givat Hashalvah. Not the language of brochures or floor plans, but the language of people trying to describe why a place feels different. They talk about belonging. They talk about like-minded families. They talk about a community geared toward their lifestyle. And that may be one of the clearest signs yet of what this project is really trying to build.  

For many families considering life in Eretz Yisroel, the question is not only where to live, but how to live. Givat Hashalvah keeps returning to that distinction. The goal is not simply proximity to Yerushalayim, nor only a higher construction standard, nor only a stronger amenity package. It is the effort to bring those things together into a way of life that feels more aligned. Community members describe it as a place that understands what Americans are looking for, not in the sense of importing America, but in the sense of planning carefully for the rhythms, expectations, and daily dignity that matter to frum families.  

That thought process shows up in the details. Walking paths. Biking paths. Nearby fitness. Spaces to gather. Large windows opening out to the hills. A summit location that gives the project both presence and perspective. In another setting, those might read as amenities. Here, they begin to feel like part of a larger idea: that ruchniyus and gashmiyus do not need to compete with one another when a community is planned with intention. They can support one another. They can help create the kind of daily life people actually want to come home to.  

The setting adds another layer. Givat Hashalvah is close enough to Yerushalayim to remain connected, yet removed enough to offer quiet, air, and a sense of relief from the rush. Community members speak about that balance with unusual clarity. They are not looking for the center of the noise. They are looking for a real life near Yerushalayim, with the city still within reach and the home experience shaped by calm, scenery, and space. From the summit, the hills become part of the atmosphere, part of what residents will wake up to and live with every day.  

In that sense, Givat Hashalvah is not only making a real estate pitch. It is making a case for a different kind of neighborhood experience, one built around shared purpose, thoughtful planning, and a clearer sense of what a community can feel like when it is designed from the ground up. If the community members already speaking about it are any indication, that message is beginning to land.
Explore Givat Hashalvah → https://go.lyo.group/3LxM3tz

A 99-year-old Holocaust survivor who endured Auschwitz and Nazi medical experiments has become a powerful symbol of resilience and faith after returning to religious observance at the age of 97 and beginning to learn in kollel.

Shimon Rothschild, who was featured on Kol Chai radio’s “Shtayim B’tzaharayim” program hosted by Pesach BaGad on Holocaust Remembrance Day, shared harrowing memories from his childhood in Poland near Auschwitz, offering a firsthand account of terror, survival, and spiritual renewal.

Recalling one of his earliest traumatic experiences, Rothschild described how, at just 11 years old, he watched Jews being hanged outside his window. “They are hiding, and you’re afraid that maybe someone will see you when you’re looking,” he said, recounting the fear that gripped him even as he tried to process what he was witnessing.

He went on to describe life in the ghetto, where he was forced into labor at the age of 12 under constant threat of starvation. He also recalled being herded with his community into a soccer field for three days without food or basic necessities. “You can imagine what went on there… no bathrooms, no sleep,” he said.

Rothschild’s survival story is marked by a series of moments that he describes as open miracles. One of the most dramatic occurred upon arrival at Auschwitz, when he attempted to save his younger sister. “Father was in shock… I said I have nothing to lose, I’m stepping out of line,” he recounted, describing how he placed her in the care of a woman in the women’s barracks.

In a split-second decision that ultimately saved his life, Rothschild managed to slip into a group of boys selected for medical experiments conducted by a Wehrmacht doctor. “He said ‘he belongs here’ in German… thanks to that I stayed alive, otherwise our entire family was destroyed,” he said.

After surviving the infamous Death March, during which he saw fellow prisoners murdered along the way, Rothschild returned to Poland, only to encounter continued antisemitism and hostility. “They were happy that they were killing the Jews, and they took all the property,” he said bitterly.

Following a period in Czechoslovakia, he eventually immigrated to Israel, where he built his life.

In recent years, at the age of 97, Rothschild underwent a profound spiritual transformation, returning to religious observance. He now sets aside time daily for Torah study and even dedicated a Sefer Torah in memory of his father, a Gerer chossid.

Today, his story inspire others with his message of faith and perseverance — that even at an advanced age, “kol zeman sheaner doleik – as long as the candle is burning, it is still possible to repair.”

Four israeli Border Police soldiers stationed at the Beit Horon base have been sentenced to time in a military prison after lighting a barbecue on Shabbos, an act deemed a violation of both orders and religious observance regulations.

The incident came to light after a non-commissioned officer noticed the activity while passing through the base. According to a report by Kan News, the officer confronted the soldiers over the breach, prompting them to immediately put out the fire. The NCO subsequently reported the matter to the base commander.

Following a disciplinary hearing, the soldiers were originally handed 20-day prison sentences. However, after filing an appeal challenging the severity of the punishment, the sentence was cut in half to 10 days, which they are now serving.

Border Police officials supported the ruling by the commanders, stating that “this constitutes a serious violation of orders.”

Family members of the soldiers strongly criticized the decision, maintaining that the penalty was excessive given the circumstances. “These are soldiers with no prior complaints, and there should be a scale in sentencing,” they said.

{Matzav.com}

Tom Homan, President Donald Trump’s border czar, pushed back against the Pope’s criticism of the administration’s policies, calling on the Vatican to refrain from involvement in U.S. immigration matters as tensions between the two sides intensify.

Speaking Tuesday outside the White House, Homan said he was offering his personal view as a lifelong Catholic, emphasizing that church leadership should not intervene in decisions related to American border enforcement, according to a report by The Hill.

He argued that those opposing the administration’s stricter immigration measures might change their perspective if they witnessed conditions firsthand at the southern border, pointing to cases involving human trafficking and migrant fatalities as justification for the current approach, The Hill reported.

Homan also commented on a now-removed Truth Social post that showed Trump in what appeared to be a religious setting, saying the president rejected any religious interpretation and instead viewed the image as portraying him as a doctor “healing” people, according to The Hill’s account.

His remarks come as tensions between Trump and Pope Leo XIV have become more public, with disagreements spanning immigration policy and broader international issues, The Hill noted.

Trump has also publicly criticized the Pope, describing him as “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy,” according to remarks captured on video and circulated by C-SPAN.

The Pope, in turn, has responded that he has “no fear of the Trump administration” and that his comments are rooted in his religious mission, saying he is simply preaching the gospel, according to the same coverage.

{Matzav.com}

Vice President JD Vance said Tuesday that while recent negotiations with Iran did not yield an agreement, he remains hopeful that a deal can still be reached, pointing to progress made and continued diplomatic engagement.

Speaking at a Turning Point USA event in Georgia, Vance reflected on the unprecedented nature of the weekend talks in Pakistan, where senior U.S. and Iranian officials met face-to-face.

“It’s a meeting that had never before happened. We had never had a meeting like that where you have the person who’s effectively running the country in Iran sitting across from the Vice President of the United States,” Vance said of the meetings in Islamabad.

JD Vance:

The person who is effectively running Iran sat across from the Vice President of the U.S.—that had never happened.

I think those people wanted to make a deal… you never know, though. pic.twitter.com/F8f0XYjfLW

— Clash Report (@clashreport) April 14, 2026

He acknowledged the deep distrust that has defined relations between the two countries for decades but suggested that both sides showed a willingness to move forward.

“Look, honestly, after 49 years, there’s a lot of mistrust between Iran and the United States of America. You’re not going to solve that problem overnight. But yeah, I think the people we’re sitting across from wanted to make a deal. And I know the President of the United States told us to go out there and negotiate in good faith. That’s what we did. That’s what we’re going to keep on doing. You never know though,” he added.

Vance also outlined President Donald Trump’s broader vision for a potential agreement, describing it as a sweeping arrangement that could reshape Iran’s future if it abandons its nuclear ambitions.

“[Trump] said, ‘If you guys commit to not having a nuclear weapon, we are going to make Iran thrive, we’re going to make it economically prosperous’, and we’re going to invite the Iranian people into the world economy in a way they haven’t been in my entire life. And that’s the kind of Trumpian grand bargain that the president has put on the table. We’re going to keep on negotiating and try to make it happen because it would be great for the world, it’d be great for our country, it’d be great for everybody,” said the Vice President.

Although Vance had indicated early Sunday that the Pakistan talks ended without a deal, discussions appear to be ongoing behind the scenes. According to a CNN report Monday, administration officials are considering plans for a follow-up, in-person meeting with Iranian representatives.

In a separate interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier on Monday, Vance reiterated that while no final agreement was reached, the discussions were not without progress.

He emphasized that the next phase depends largely on Tehran’s response.

“the ball really is in [the Iranians’] court. We’ve made clear where we’re willing, again, to be accommodating, and we’ve made clear where we absolutely need to see the nuclear material come out of the country of Iran.”

{Matzav.com}

King Charles is scheduled to hold a private meeting and tea with President Donald Trump during his upcoming state visit to the United States, as British officials look to leverage the monarchy’s influence to help mend strained relations following the Iran war.

The king and Queen Camilla will travel to the U.S. beginning April 27 for a four-day visit, officially marking 250 years since American independence from Britain. However, the trip carries added weight as tensions have grown between Trump and Prime Minister Keir Starmer in the aftermath of the conflict.

“The visit … recognizes the challenges the United Kingdom, the United States, and our allies face across the world,” a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said on Tuesday. “This visit is a moment to reaffirm and renew our bilateral ties as we address those challenges together, in the UK’s national interest.”

According to details released by the palace, Trump and first lady Melania Trump will welcome the royal couple in Washington with a private tea, followed by formal ceremonies at the White House, including an official greeting, a state dinner, and a one-on-one meeting between the president and the monarch.

As previously announced, King Charles will also speak before Congress, becoming only the second British monarch to do so, following Queen Elizabeth’s address in 1991. The royal visit will then continue to New York, where Charles and Camilla plan to meet with families affected by the September 11, 2001, attacks.

The U.S. portion of the trip will conclude with a stop in Virginia, after which the king will continue on to Bermuda, where he serves as head of state.

Beyond the ceremonial elements, British officials are hoping the visit underscores what a Foreign Office spokesperson described as “the closest of friendships.”

That relationship has faced increasing strain since the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran in late February, with Trump repeatedly criticizing Britain and Starmer for what he sees as insufficient support for the military effort.

He has dismissed Starmer as “not Winston Churchill” and Britain’s aircraft carriers as “toys,” although the president’s affection for Charles and the British royals has remained unwavering.

Public sentiment in Britain toward Trump remains largely negative, according to recent polling, and some political figures have called for the visit to be canceled altogether.

“(Trump) is a dangerous and corrupt ⁠gangster, and that is how we must treat him,” Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrat party, said in parliament ⁠on Monday.

“I really fear for what Trump might say or do while our king is forced to stand by his side. We cannot put His Majesty in that position.”

Starmer, for his part, has attempted to navigate a careful line—keeping distance from the conflict while avoiding direct confrontation with Trump—while emphasizing the enduring importance of U.S.-UK ties.

“The monarchy, through the bonds that it builds, is often able to reach through the decades on a situation like this,” Starmer said.

{Matzav.com}

The United States military announced Tuesday that it has begun effectively implementing a blockade on Iranian ports, even as at least one vessel linked to Tehran managed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. Central Command said, “During the first 24 hours, no ships made it past the U.S. blockade, and 6 merchant vessels complied with the direction from U.S. forces to turn around to re-enter an Iranian port on the Gulf of Oman.”

Although several tankers approaching the strait on Monday initially turned back once the blockade was in place, one vessel, the Rich Starry, changed direction again and successfully navigated through the passage early Tuesday.

At the same time, Iran issued a warning that ports throughout the Middle East could become targets following the deployment of more than 15 U.S. warships to enforce the blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.

The escalating situation has heightened concerns of a broader confrontation, with fears growing that the current ceasefire could unravel, leading to renewed conflict and significant economic consequences worldwide. Ports across the region—from Kuwait to Oman—have been placed on heightened alert.

Amid the rising tensions, officials in Pakistan said Tuesday that Islamabad has put forward a proposal for a second round of negotiations between the United States and Iran. A White House official also confirmed to NewsNation that additional talks are under consideration, though no timetable has yet been finalized.

Separately, direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon were scheduled to begin Tuesday in Washington. Lebanese representatives are seeking to secure a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict with Hezbollah, which has resulted in at least 2,089 fatalities in Lebanon. However, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu has indicated he is not pursuing a ceasefire, instead aiming for Hezbollah to disarm and for a wider peace arrangement with Lebanon.

{Matzav.com}

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Israel’s currency has strengthened significantly, reaching its highest level in roughly 30 years against the U.S. dollar, as growing optimism over renewed diplomatic efforts with Iran and potential discussions involving Lebanon boosts confidence in the market.

The shekel is currently trading at NIS 3.01 per dollar, approaching the key psychological threshold of NIS 3/$, and marking its strongest position since 1995.

“There are expectations for an improvement in Israel’s geopolitical situation, along with expectations of a sharp increase in defense exports,” says Leader Capital Markets chief economist Jonathan Katz. “Meanwhile, the high-tech sector continues to raise funds abroad.”

A discussion in the Knesset Finance Committee on damage caused by a cluster missile strike near the home of MK Moshe Gafni quickly turned into a mix of humor and political tension, as lawmakers traded barbs over the incident.

The matter, dubbed the “shutter incident,” was raised Tuesday during a committee session, referring to damage sustained at Gafni’s residence following an Iranian cluster missile strike on a nearby building on Rechov Rav Yitzchak Nissim in Bnei Brak.

During the discussion, Gafni praised officials from the Israel Tax Authority, noting that they promptly dispatched two representatives to assess the damage caused near his home.

The tone in the room shifted as lawmakers began joking about the situation. MK Yinon Azulai of Shas drew laughter when he quipped, “The prime minister received 1.7 million shekels for a drone hitting the window of his home in Caesarea. Huch did you get?”

MK Yitzchak Pindrus added to the humor, saying, “There will probably be a classified discussion about it.”

Not all remarks were lighthearted. MK Naor Shiri of Yesh Atid struck a sharper tone, stating, “If the prime minister had called me like he called Gafni, I would have hung up on him.”

{Matzav.com}

Israeli officials are increasingly concerned that Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen could open a new front by blocking the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital global shipping route, in response to the U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

While international attention remains fixed on developments around Hormuz, Israeli defense and diplomatic circles are closely monitoring the southern maritime corridor. According to a report aired Tuesday evening on Kan News, Jerusalem fears the Houthis may act on Iran’s behalf and disrupt traffic through Bab el-Mandeb, a chokepoint linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean.

Such a move would effectively serve as a “price tag” imposed by Iran’s Yemeni proxy, potentially in retaliation for American actions in the Gulf.

The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is a critical artery for global commerce, particularly for vessels traveling to and from the Suez Canal. Any disruption there could have far-reaching economic and strategic consequences.

In response to the growing concern, Israeli officials are maintaining ongoing coordination with a wide range of countries, including regional partners, the United States, and nations in Europe and Africa. The goal, officials say, is to ensure that the Houthis do not move to interfere with freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and surrounding waters.

Until now, the Houthis have largely refrained from playing a major role in the broader confrontation tied to Iran. They entered the fray only after roughly a month, launching five ballistic missiles and ten drones toward Israel.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump said the conflict between the United States and Iran is approaching its conclusion, pointing to easing hostilities under a two-week ceasefire while signaling that further action remains possible.

“I think it’s close to over, yeah. I view it as very close to being over,” Trump told FOX Business anchor Maria Bartiromo in an interview that will air on “Mornings with Maria” on Wednesday.

His remarks come as diplomatic efforts are expected to resume, with U.S. and Iranian representatives reportedly planning to return to negotiations on Thursday after discussions over the weekend in Pakistan failed to produce an agreement.

At the same time, the administration has continued to apply pressure. On Monday, Trump ordered a naval blockade targeting all Iranian ports, escalating tensions even after Washington halted its bombing campaign against Iran last week.

While expressing optimism about the war winding down, Trump made clear that U.S. operations are not yet complete.

“If I pulled up stakes right now, it would take them 20 years to rebuild that country. And we’re not finished,” he said. “We’ll see what happens. I think they want to make a deal very badly.”

Vice President JD Vance, along with senior White House officials, met with Iranian counterparts in Pakistan over the weekend to address Tehran’s nuclear ambitions and enrichment activity.

Although the talks ended without a breakthrough, Vance said Monday “a lot of progress” was made and emphasized that the next steps depend on Iran’s decisions.

“The ball is very much in their court,” Vance told “Special Report.” “You ask what happens next, I think the Iranians are going to determine what happens next.”

The war began on Feb. 28, when the United States and Israel carried out coordinated strikes on Iranian targets, an operation that resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and dealt a severe blow to the Islamic regime.

Trump has repeatedly pointed to the damage inflicted on Iran’s leadership and military infrastructure, frequently stating that U.S. forces have “decimated” Tehran’s capabilities.

The fighting has come at a heavy cost, with thirteen American service members killed, along with thousands of casualties reported across the Middle East.

Speaking about his decision to enter the conflict, Trump defended the move as necessary to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

“I had to divert because if I didn’t do that, right now, you’d have Iran with a nuclear weapon,” Trump said. “And if they had a nuclear weapon, you’d be calling everybody over there ‘sir,’ and you don’t want to do that.”

After an eight-hour marathon session, the Knesset Finance Committee on Tuesday approved the transfer of approximately 100 million shekels to chareidi education networks, ending a prolonged standoff marked by a filibuster and sharp criticism from coalition lawmakers.

The funding had previously been frozen by the High Court of Justice following a petition by the Yesh Atid party, after it was discovered that the money had been transferred before receiving the required procedural approval from the committee. The measure ultimately passed unanimously after opposition members, who had conducted a lengthy filibuster throughout the day, walked out of the room just before the vote.

MK Moshe Gafni, chairman of Degel HaTorah, used the debate to sharply criticize what he described as selective enforcement against the chareidi sector. “For years I warned that these transfers need to be brought in on time,” Gafni said, before adding pointedly, “The reality is that here they are talking about only one transfer to chareidi education, while on that same day there were 30 other transfers. Among them were also the salaries of the judges who issued this ruling.”

During the discussion, Shai Calderon, the official in charge of chareidi education at the Education Ministry, presented detailed figures on student enrollment for the 2025–2026 academic year.

According to the data, the Chinuch Atzmai network currently serves 128,935 students across 271 institutions, while the Maayan HaChinuch HaTorani network affiliated with Shas enrolls 61,503 students in 267 institutions. Coalition members pointed to these numbers to underscore what they described as the urgent need to release funding for the hundreds of thousands of children studying in these frameworks.

House Democrats on Tuesday introduced legislation aimed at creating a pathway to potentially remove President Donald Trump from office under the 25th Amendment, though the measure faces steep political hurdles, Fox News reports.

The proposal, spanning 10 pages, was put forward by Rep. Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee. It calls for establishing a 17-member commission tasked with evaluating whether the constitutional provision could be invoked to declare the president unfit for office.

Under the plan, the panel would include physicians and former senior executive branch officials chosen by leaders from both parties in Congress.

“[T]he Commission shall carry out a medical examination of the President to determine whether the President is mentally or physically unable to discharge the powers and duties of the office,” the bill states.

According to the legislation, Democratic and Republican leaders in both the House and Senate would each appoint four physicians and four psychiatrists. Those 16 members would then select a 17th individual to serve as the commission’s chair.

The effort comes as several Democrats in both chambers have called for Trump’s removal or impeachment following his recent social media post warning that a “whole civilization will die tonight” amid the conflict with Iran. Raskin pointed to what he described as Trump’s “increasingly volatile, incoherent, and alarming public statements” during the crisis.

“We have a solemn duty to play our defined role under the 25th Amendment by setting up this body to act alongside the Vice President and the Cabinet,” Raskin said in a statement. “Public trust in Donald Trump’s ability to meet the duties of his office has dropped to unprecedented lows as he threatens to destroy entire civilizations, unleashes chaos in the Middle East while violating Congressional war powers, aggressively insults the Pope of the Catholic Church, and sends out artistic renderings online likening himself to Jesus Christ.”

The bill has attracted the backing of 50 Democratic co-sponsors.

The White House rejected the accusations, insisting there has been no decline in Trump’s cognitive abilities while also turning criticism toward Democrats’ handling of President Joe Biden during his time in office.

“Lightweight Jamie Raskin is a stupid person’s idea of a smart person,” White House spokesman Davis Ingle told Fox News Digital. “President Trump’s sharpness, unmatched energy, and historic accessibility stand in stark contrast to what we saw during the last administration, when Democrats like Raskin intentionally covered up Joe Biden’s serious mental and physical decline from the American people.”

Trump, for his part, defended his earlier remarks, saying he ultimately did not act on his threats after Iran agreed to a temporary two-week ceasefire. He added that his comments “brought [Iran] to the table, with the exception of the one thing which I believe that they’re going to give up on.”

“Remember, what do they say to us? For years, I’ve had to listen to them say, ‘Death to America,’ right?” Trump said on “Sunday Morning Futures,” referencing rhetoric from Tehran. “They say, ‘Death to America, death to Israel, America is a Satan, we will destroy America, death to America.’ Now, does anybody ever complain to you when they say that? I think that’s a big step worse—‘Death to America.’”

{Matzav.com}

Spanish low-cost carrier Volotea is drawing criticism from travelers after reports that it has begun adding fuel-related charges to tickets that have already been purchased, a move that has raised broader concerns about rising airfare across the industry, Fox News reports.

While the additional fee — estimated at roughly $8 to $11 per passenger, according to aviation outlet Simple Flying — may appear modest, passengers are worried it could signal a wider trend as fuel prices continue to climb.

The airline’s policy is based on a contractual provision, similar to clauses used by some cruise companies, allowing adjustments tied to fluctuations in oil costs. Volotea refers to this policy as its “Fair Travel Promise.”

According to multiple reports, customers are notified at the time of booking that an extra charge could be applied about a week before departure if fuel prices increase.

“In the event of extraordinary variations in fuel prices affecting international energy markets, Volotea may apply a limited and temporary adjustment to the ticket price prior to the scheduled departure of the flight,” the company’s website says.

“The exact amount of any such adjustment will be communicated to passengers prior to departure, once the applicable fuel cost variation has been determined,” the website also says.

“Such adjustments will only apply to passengers who have been informed of this possibility during the booking process, allowing them to make an informed decision before completing their purchase,” the website adds.

The airline, which is based in Barcelona, has not publicly responded to requests for comment regarding the backlash.

The policy has sparked strong reactions online, with travelers divided over the fairness of the added charge.

“Pity to see a funky airline like Volotea resort to such a gritty survival instinct. I understand the ‘why’ behind the fuel costs, but charging for already booked seats is a bold move that risks a lot of goodwill,” one reader wrote on the blog “Simple Flying.”

“A loophole in the conditions of carriage allows them to do this? Who ever reads the conditions of carriage?” a second reader added.

Others defended the airline’s approach, arguing that such measures may be necessary to keep flights running.

“Airlines could, of course, just cancel flights, as some apparently already have. Next thing, there’ll be a shortage of seats, and guess what — prices will really rise.”

“$10 seems a small price to keep flights operating as normally as possible.”

Beyond the immediate controversy, industry observers say the bigger issue is what the move could mean for the future of air travel pricing.

Travel site The Points Guy advised customers to book sooner rather than later.

“If you’re planning to fly this summer, go ahead and lock in your airfare now,” The Points Guy wrote.

“As experts noted, prices could surge any day now. That’s especially true if you’re hoping to fly in June or July, which in recent years have been the busiest and most expensive months of the summer to travel.”

American Airlines has extended its suspension of flights to and from Israel through September 8, 2026, citing continued instability in the region and ongoing security concerns.

The decision delays the airline’s long-anticipated return to Tel Aviv, with all routes to and from Ben Gurion International Airport remaining halted for the coming months.

The carrier had previously planned to resume daily nonstop service between New York’s JFK Airport and Tel Aviv on March 28, 2026. Those plans were first postponed and have now been pushed off again as conditions in the region have yet to stabilize.

American Airlines is among several international carriers that have repeatedly adjusted their Israel operations in response to shifting security realities since the outbreak of war in the region.

The extended suspension affects all American Airlines service to Israel, leaving passengers to seek alternative travel arrangements through other airlines or connecting routes.

To accommodate affected travelers, the airline has implemented a special exception policy, allowing customers with tickets to or from Tel Aviv during the impacted period to rebook their flights or receive refunds.

The continued disruption highlights the broader impact of the regional conflict on international travel, as airlines weigh safety risks against the demand for service.

For now, with uncertainty still clouding the situation, a full resumption of regular flights to Israel remains tied to improvements in the security landscape in the months ahead.

{Matzav.com}