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Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, delivered a surprising message on Sunday, urging the population to stock up on essential goods, in remarks that fueled speculation both within Iran and across the Arab world.

Speaking at a government meeting, Khamenei stated, “We recommend the accumulation and storage of vital supplies and basic products.” He explained, “There are dangers that cannot be foreseen.”

The call comes against the backdrop of growing rumors in both Iran and Israel about the likelihood of another escalation between the two countries. Khamenei’s choice of words and tone have sparked intense curiosity, as such public recommendations are rare from Iran’s top authority.

In the aftermath of the recent war with Israel, Iranian society is grappling with heightened fear and an unparalleled sense of vulnerability. Israeli strikes during the conflict left deep scars, not only on infrastructure and defense systems, but also on the confidence of ordinary citizens.

Reports from inside Iran describe a population living in daily anxiety, with diminishing trust in the government’s ability to protect them. Many interpret Israel’s military actions as designed not only to inflict physical damage but also to project a message of intelligence and technological superiority—one that was clearly received in Tehran.

Beyond security concerns, Iranians are also facing severe economic hardship. Infrastructure damage, fresh international sanctions, and a growing lack of global confidence have compounded the financial instability, leaving the country in a state of deep uncertainty.

{Matzav.com}

Mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani (D) came under fire Friday night on CNN as anchor Abby Phillip pressed him on his controversial plan to open five government-run grocery stores in New York City — one in each borough — a taxpayer-funded experiment critics say is doomed to repeat the failures seen in other U.S. cities. Mamdani, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, insisted the program could work. “There have been studies that show the applicability of taxpayer-funded grocery stores in major cities like Chicago,” he told Phillip. “This is something I believe will work. We will bring the best and the brightest to deliver it.” But Phillip quickly shot back. “Another example is in Kansas City, where they had a government-run grocery store. It opened in 2018, received nearly $18 million in taxpayer funding, and it’s already on the verge of closing,” Phillip said. “They’ve been riddled with crime, they’ve dealt with a lack of inventory. Frankly, the government is not that good at being in the business of grocery stores.” Mamdani brushed off the Kansas City example, calling it a reason to “prove excellence, not abandon the idea.” “For every one example that you can point to,” Mamdani argued, “there’s another municipality today considering opening a city-run grocery store. The most important thing is the outcome.” He pegged the cost of the proposal at $60 million, which he described as “less than half the city’s already spending on subsidized corporate supermarkets.” But critics warned that Mamdani was ignoring the very real failures elsewhere. “Taxpayers shouldn’t be forced to bankroll an experiment that’s already failed in Kansas City,” one New York business leader told CNN after the segment. “If Mamdani wants to prove socialism works, he can do it with his own money — not ours.” Even Phillip, who pressed him throughout, wasn’t convinced. “You’re proposing something that’s already failed in practice,” she said. “Why should New Yorkers believe your plan won’t collapse the same way?” Mamdani held his ground. “I’m optimistic our government-run stores will not suffer the same fate,” he replied. “This is about feeding New Yorkers and proving a better system is possible.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Media critics are blasting the lack of outrage from liberal politicians and news outlets after the horrific killing of a young Ukrainian refugee in North Carolina, allegedly at the hands of a repeat offender with a staggering 14 prior arrests.

The victim, 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska, was stabbed to death while riding a Charlotte light rail train. Disturbing surveillance footage shows the shocking moment the unsuspecting woman was attacked without warning.

Authorities say the assailant, identified as 35-year-old Decarlos Brown Jr., can be seen in the video rising from his seat behind Zarutska, pulling a pocketknife, and unfolding the blade just before the clip cuts off.

In the recording, Zarutska appears completely unaware of the threat behind her, focused on her phone while Brown allegedly prepares to strike.

After the stabbing, the suspect strolls through the Lynx Blue Line car, leaving streaks of blood on the floor as he carries the knife.

Other riders appear oblivious to what has just occurred, with few reacting to the brutal slaying that unfolded only feet away.

The attacker then strips off his bloody sweatshirt and waits calmly until the train arrives at the next station, where he steps off.

The crime, which happened on August 22, has prompted frustration that major news outlets and political figures have kept largely silent.

Charlotte’s Democratic mayor even went as far as to commend reporters who chose not to show the surveillance footage.

“The video of the heartbreaking attack that took Iryna Zarutska’s life is now public. I want to thank our media partners and community members who have chosen not to repost or share the footage out of respect for Iryna’s family,” Mayor Vi Lyles posted on X.

Her message sparked fury, including from Republican lawmakers in North Carolina.

“The Mayor’s refusal to condemn senseless, horrific, and preventable violence is as telling as it is despicable. Violent criminals, regardless of who they are or what they look like, need to be in jail,” wrote Rep. Brad Knott (R-NC).

Lyles’ team has yet to respond to inquiries seeking comment.

Others argued the case reflects a wider crisis created by lenient policies on repeat offenders.

“The violence in Charlotte is a microcosm of a national epidemic. Americans deserve better than Democrats’ soft-on-crime policies,” wrote Rep. Mark Harris (R-NC).

Edwin B. Peacock, a candidate for Charlotte City Council, highlighted the issue by posting a nighttime video of his own ride on the city’s light rail, calling for serious reform.

“A week ago, 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska was brutally killed on Charlotte’s light rail. Her death is a tragedy we cannot ignore. Who’s riding without paying? Are they the ones causing problems? We need answers,” Peacock wrote on X.

Jim Taylor, the former mayor of nearby Matthews, added his concerns, noting the decline in safety on public transit.

“I’m deeply disappointed in what’s been happening & the loss of focus on making the light rail welcoming & safe to travelers. It’s only going to get worse until the current MTC (Metropolitan Transit Commission) & quite frankly, the City of Charlotte get serious addressing the root cause,” Taylor said in response.

Elon Musk also weighed in, pointing out what he described as a glaring lack of media attention. He reshared a post tallying the number of articles from major outlets about the murder, with the blunt remark: “Zero.”

The case has also drawn commentary from far-right voices, pointing to the racial dynamics of a black suspect accused of murdering a white woman.

Meanwhile, those who knew Iryna are mourning a young life cut short, noting she had fled Ukraine in 2022 seeking safety, only to be killed in such a brutal way in America.

At the time of the attack, she was still dressed in her work attire from Zepeddie’s Pizza, a Charlotte eatery. The restaurant honored her memory with an emotional message.

“Recently our Zepeddie’s family suffered a tremendous loss. We lost not only an incredible employee, but a true friend. Our dear Iryna left this world far too soon, and our hearts are heavy with grief,” the pizzeria posted on Instagram.

“Since her passing, we have kept a candle burning in her memory—a small reminder of the warmth, kindness, and light she brought into our lives every single day.”

Court records reveal Brown, who is homeless, has a long history of convictions dating back more than a decade.

He previously served five years in prison for armed robbery in 2014, was released in 2020, and within months was arrested again for attacking his sister.

Despite this extensive record, Brown was still on the streets when he allegedly carried out Zarutska’s murder.

{Matzav.com}

CNN’s Jake Tapper confronted Trump administration border czar Tom Homan on Sunday over a Truth Social meme posted by President Donald Trump that depicted Chicago as a burning battlefield. The meme, styled after the film Apocalypse Now, showed Trump’s face superimposed on the body of fictional character Lt. Col. Bill Kilgore, with the caption: “I love the smell of deportations in the morning. Chicago about to find out why it’s called the Department of WAR.” Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker blasted the post, writing on X: “The president of the United States is threatening to go to war with an American city. This is not a joke. This is normal. Donald Trump isn’t a strong man. He’s a scared man. Illinois won’t be intimidated by a wannabe dictator.” “Is President Trump planning to go to war in Chicago?” Tapper asked on State of the Union. Homan defended the post, saying Trump’s words were being twisted. “We’re going to war with the criminal cartels. We’re going to war with illegal aliens — public-safety threats that rape children, that commit armed robberies, that distribute narcotics that kill Americans,” Homan said. “And Governor Pritzker protects criminal, illegal alien, public-safety threats every day in that state.” Tapper shot back: “So maybe it should say criminal aliens in Chicago are about to find out why it’s called the Department of War, not Chicago itself.” Tapper pressed further on whether Trump is planning to send National Guard or federal troops into Chicago. “Is the president talking about sending National Guard troops and other federal troops into Chicago to handle deportations, or to handle violent criminals, or both?” Tapper asked. Homan responded: “Look, National Guard are always on the table. We used them in Los Angeles, and we used them in Washington, D.C. They’re a force multiplier. Do they arrest illegal aliens? No. ICE officers and Border Patrol agents with Title 8 authority arrest illegal criminal aliens. But the National Guard provides protection, infrastructure, transportation, processing capability — which allows those with badges and guns to stay on the street arresting the bad guy. So yeah, they’re on the table.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

President Donald Trump is slated to be in attendance at Yankee Stadium on Thursday, when the New York Yankees face off against the Detroit Tigers. The game coincides with the 24th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York City, according to several news outlets.

This will be Trump’s first time at a Major League Baseball matchup since beginning his second term, and only the second game he has attended as president. His previous appearance came at Game 5 of the 2019 World Series in Washington, D.C. At that time, he chose not to participate in the ceremonial first pitch, and reports indicate he won’t be taking the mound for the opening toss this week either.

The connection between American presidents and baseball stretches back over a century. President William Howard Taft is credited as the first to attend a big-league game in the early 1900s, and he would go on to watch more than a dozen contests during his time in office.

Trump’s visit this week marks the first appearance at a major-league game by a sitting president since his own attendance in 2019. Records from Baseball Almanac show that President Joe Biden never went to an MLB game during his tenure. Before Taft, Theodore Roosevelt was the last president who never attended a professional baseball game.

The Yankees and Tigers are scheduled for a three-game series in the Bronx, running Tuesday through Thursday. Each matchup is set to begin at 7:05 p.m., and with both teams in contention, it could serve as an early glimpse of a potential playoff showdown.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump on Friday raised doubts over how many of the hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza remain alive, warning that recent intelligence suggests some of the 20 captives believed to be living may have “recently died.” “You’ve got 20, plus you’ve got about 38 dead people. Young, beautiful, dead people,” Trump said. “The parents want them every bit as much—almost more—than if their son or daughter were alive.” The president said that current talks involve at least 30 confirmed bodies in addition to those still presumed alive. “Of the 20, there could be some that have recently died is what I’m hearing. I hope that’s wrong,” he added. Trump repeated his demand that Hamas release all the hostages at once, rather than dragging out negotiations with piecemeal exchanges. “I always said, when you get down to the final 10 or 20, you’re not going to get them out unless you do a lot. And doing a lot means capitulation. That’s no good either,” Trump said. “But I put out the other day, let them all out. Every single one. No more twos and ones.” He warned Hamas that failure to release all the captives could provoke severe consequences. “If you don’t let them all out, it’s going to be a tough situation. It’s going to be nasty. That’s my opinion. Israel’s choice, but that’s my opinion,” Trump said. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum in Israel responded with gratitude for Trump’s pressure campaign. “The families thank President Trump and his envoy, Steve Witkoff, for their determination, courage and compassion in advancing the negotiations,” the group said in a statement. “He proves that true leadership is measured by brave decisions.” The forum also released a still image of 24-year-old hostage Alon Ohel from a Hamas propaganda video published Friday, showing him alongside fellow captive Guy Gilboa-Dalal in Gaza City. The families asked the public not to circulate the full video, which they said was designed to manipulate Israeli public opinion as the IDF intensifies its Gaza City offensive. Trump’s comments came as his envoy, real estate magnate Steve Witkoff, traveled to Paris for mediation talks with Qatari officials aimed at securing a ceasefire and the release of all remaining hostages. Meanwhile, Israel’s military campaign — dubbed Operation Gideon’s Chariots — has pushed deeper into Gaza City in an effort to break Hamas’s hold and pressure the group into releasing captives. Trump, positioning himself at the center of the negotiations, made clear that while diplomacy continues, the clock is running out. “We’re in very deep negotiation with Hamas,” he said. “We said, ‘Let ’em all out, right now, let ’em all out, and much better things will happen for them.’” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

President Trump on Sunday rejected the idea that he was preparing for a war with Chicago, clarifying comments he had posted online that portrayed the city in ruins and hinted at a looming conflict.

When pressed on whether he was threatening Chicago, Trump told reporters, “We’re not going to war. We’re going to clean up our cities.”

“We’re going to clean them up, so they don’t kill five people every weekend. That’s not war. That’s common sense,” Trump said.

In recent weeks, Trump has pointed to Chicago as the next location where he intends to carry out broad immigration enforcement measures.

His rhetoric has sharpened, and on Saturday he shared an AI-created image showing himself in a law enforcement role, set against a backdrop of a burning Chicago. The scene also showed helicopters flying over the city and text reading “Chipocalypse Now,” a play on the title of the 1979 film “Apocalypse Now” and a reference to Chicago.

“I love the smell of deportations in the morning… Chicago about to find out why it’s called the Department of WAR,” Trump posted, alluding to his executive order that changed the Department of Defense’s name to the Department of War.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker responded strongly on social media.

“The President of the United States is threatening to go to war with an American city,” Pritzker wrote. “This is not a joke. This is not normal.”

“Donald Trump isn’t a strongman, he’s a scared man,” Pritzker added. “Illinois won’t be intimidated by a wannabe dictator.”

Meanwhile, Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, said Sunday that Chicago should “absolutely” expect immigration enforcement activity in the coming week. He noted that the operation could even involve the use of National Guard units.

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s High Court of Justice ruled Sunday that the state has failed to meet its legal obligation to provide Palestinian security prisoners with sufficient food and ordered authorities to immediately rectify the situation. The court, in a 2–1 ruling, sided with petitions brought by the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) and Gisha, which accused National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and the Israel Prison Service of deliberately cutting food rations to levels below subsistence. Justices Daphne Barak-Erez, Ofer Grosskopf, and David Mintz all agreed that Israeli law obligates the state to ensure food “sufficient to enable a basic existence.” But Barak-Erez and Grosskopf concluded the state has not met that standard. Writing for the majority, Barak-Erez pointed to evidence that rations for Palestinian prisoners had fallen below the legal threshold. “The painful testimonies of freed hostages show that a stricter food regime [for Palestinian prisoners] does not improve the suffering of our kidnapped brothers who are still in captivity, and even the opposite,” she wrote. Grosskopf added that the state “has not sufficiently demonstrated” it is carrying out its nutritional obligations. Mintz dissented, insisting that the state’s approved menus and food provisions were consistent with a legally acceptable minimum standard. “The High Court of Justice ordered a halt to Ben Gvir’s policy of starving security prisoners,” said Oded Feller, an attorney for ACRI. “A state does not starve people, regardless of what they have done. This policy, which lasted nearly two years, turned prisons in Israel into torture camps, and according to testimonies from hostages, also led to increased abuse of them.” National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir immediately lashed out at the court. “Our hostages in Gaza have no High Court to defend them. The murderous Nukhba terrorists and abominable rapists have, to our disgrace, the High Court protecting them,” Ben Gvir said. He vowed to maintain a policy of providing only “the most minimal conditions under the law.” Justice Minister Yariv Levin echoed the criticism, accusing the court of misplaced priorities. “While the hostages are being starved in the tunnels, a duo of judges in the High Court require that the food given to the worst terrorists be improved,” Levin said. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Hamas issued a response Sunday night to President Donald Trump’s newly presented plan for a deal that would free hostages and bring about a truce in Gaza.

“We have received several ideas from the American side through mediators to reach a ceasefire agreement. In this context, the Hamas movement welcomes any effort that supports stopping the aggression against our people and emphasizes its immediate readiness to sit at the negotiating table,” the group declared.

“It is our aim to discuss the release of all prisoners in exchange for a clear declaration of an end to the war and the complete withdrawal of forces from the Gaza Strip. Additionally, we seek the establishment of a committee to manage Gaza, composed of independent Palestinians, which would begin operations immediately. This would include an explicit and binding commitment from the enemy to uphold the agreements, preventing a recurrence of past instances where agreements were made but later rejected or canceled,” Hamas added.

In recent days, Trump forwarded to Hamas a detailed outline for a broad exchange arrangement that differs considerably from prior proposals.

Under the terms, all 48 captives—both those alive and those who have been killed—would be handed over at the start of the agreement, while Israel would free hundreds of terrorists along with thousands of Palestinian Arab prisoners.

The outline also stipulates that Israel would suspend its campaign to take control of Gaza City and move straight into talks aimed at ending the conflict, with Trump personally overseeing the process. As long as talks continue, fighting would not resume.

Officials close to Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu responded by saying, “Israel is seriously considering President Trump’s proposal; Hamas will likely continue its refusal.”

Trump himself addressed the matter on Sunday on Truth Social, writing: “Everyone wants the hostages home. Everyone wants this war to end! The Israelis have accepted my terms. It is time for Hamas to accept as well. I have warned Hamas about the consequences of not accepting. This is my last warning; there will not be another one! Thank you for your attention to this matter.”

{Matzav.com}

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee issued a  warning Sunday, blasting European efforts to unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations later this month as a direct violation of the Oslo Accords that risks destabilizing the region and emboldening terror groups. In an interview with the BBC’s Laura Kuenssber, Huckabee said that the recognition drive — spearheaded by countries including France — has already undermined hostage negotiations with Hamas and may prompt Israel to expand sovereignty over swaths of Yehuda and Shomron. “I wish that they’d have thought about the implications,” Huckabee said. “When France announced it would recognize Palestine, Hamas walked away from the negotiations to let the hostages go.” He added that the move sends Israel the message that “if we’re going to be forced into something that goes against Oslo … now Israel is talking about declaring sovereignty over more parts of Judea and Samaria. Whatever the thought was, no matter how noble it may have seemed, it has had disastrous consequences that have proven to do the exact opposite of what many European countries thought would be a great idea.” Huckabee stressed that unilateral recognition directly contradicts the framework of the 1990s Oslo Accords, which envisioned eventual Palestinian statehood through mutual negotiation, not international fiat. “Unilaterally declaring a Palestinian state is a violation of the Oslo Accords that everybody thought would lead to a Palestinian state,” he said. The ambassador also repeated his framing of Israel’s war with Hamas as more than a political conflict. Speaking to CNB News last week, Huckabee described the struggle as “a spiritual conflict, a battle of the ages … It’s heaven versus hell, it’s good versus evil.” He invoked the October 7 Hamas massacre, calling it “a level of evil the likes of which, you just look throughout all history, and you’d be hard-pressed to find anything like it.” “You stand with Israel not for its government,” he continued, “but for the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the Law, the Light, the foundation of Western civilization.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

President Donald Trump announced what he called his “last warning” to Hamas today, telling the terror group to agree to his conditions for ending the fighting.

He issued the statement on Truth Social, without outlining the specifics of the proposal. Some of the reported terms surfaced earlier in the day, but Trump emphasized that Israel had already accepted them.

“Everyone wants the hostages HOME. Everyone wants this war to end!” Trump wrote.

“It is time for Hamas to accept [my terms] as well,” he added.

“I have warned Hamas about the consequences of not accepting. This is my last warning. There will not be another one,” Trump declared.

This isn’t the first time Trump has delivered such an ultimatum. Back in March, he told Hamas there would be “HELL TO PAY,” calling that statement his “last warning” as well.

Just a week ago, Trump posted that Hamas should “IMMEDIATELY give back all 20 Hostages.”

At present, there are 48 hostages being held in Gaza, with estimates indicating that only about 20 are still alive.

{Matzav.com}

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani (D) took direct aim at Elon Musk on Saturday, declaring at a packed Brooklyn College rally that they would not allow the Tesla CEO to become the world’s first trillionaire. “It’s important that we feel the outrage of children going hungry, people being homeless, 85 million without healthcare — and you got one guy, one guy, Mr. Musk, whose wealth is more than the bottom 52% of American households,” Sanders thundered. “Millions are struggling to put food on the table, and making one guy a trillionaire is insane. We are not going to allow that to happen.” The comments came during Sanders’s fiery speech at the “Fighting Oligarchy” town hall alongside Mamdani, whose insurgent campaign has rallied progressive voters against corporate power and political elites. Sanders was responding to reports that Tesla’s board has floated a mammoth new compensation package for Musk — potentially worth between $800 billion and $900 billion — that could catapult his net worth beyond $1 trillion. Despite Tesla’s volatile performance on Wall Street, Musk remains the richest man alive, with an estimated fortune of $342 billion, according to Forbes. Sanders, 83, framed Musk’s pay proposal as the latest symptom of a system rigged for the ultra-wealthy. “We are living in a crazy world,” he said, contrasting Musk’s wealth against working-class Americans crushed by inflation, soaring rents, and stagnant wages. “The richest one percent have never had it so good, while ordinary people are facing unprecedented financial pain.” Though Sanders offered no details on how he and Mamdani would block Musk’s windfall, the rhetoric underscored a central theme of Mamdani’s mayoral bid: that unchecked wealth and corporate power must be dismantled in order to deliver justice for working-class New Yorkers. Mamdani has already made headlines for proposing to open five government-run grocery stores if elected — a plan he defended in a CNN interview Friday night, despite skepticism over cost and implementation. At Saturday’s rally, Sanders endorsed Mamdani as part of the progressive movement’s “future of the Democratic Party,” tying the fight against corporate greed directly to the local battle for New York’s City Hall. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

President Donald Trump issued a warning to the European Union over its continued imposition of massive fines on American technology firms, making it clear that retaliatory trade steps are on the table if the penalties persist.

“Europe today ‘hit’ another great American company, Google, with a $3.5 billion dollar fine, effectively taking money that would otherwise go to American investments and jobs,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “This is on top of the many other fines and taxes that have been issued against Google and other American Tech companies, in particular.

“Very unfair, and the American taxpayer will not stand for it!”

Trump has repeatedly criticized what he considers to be one-sided and damaging trade practices, singling out Europe in particular.

“As I have said before, my administration will not allow these discriminatory actions to stand,” Trump wrote. “Apple, as an example, was forced to pay $17 billion dollars in a fine that, in my opinion, should not have been charged — they should get their money back!

“We cannot let this happen to brilliant and unprecedented American ingenuity and, if it does, I will be forced to start a Section 301 proceeding to nullify the unfair penalties being charged to these taxpaying American companies.

“Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

Section 301 of the U.S. Trade Act of 1974 gives the American government authority to investigate foreign trade policies it believes are unfair and to strike back through tariffs or similar measures.

In another statement posted online, Trump highlighted the cumulative toll of earlier EU penalties on Google, which he said amounted to staggering sums.

“In addition to my previously posted Truth concerning Google, please let this statement serve to represent that Google has also paid, in the past, $13 billion dollars in false claims and charges for a total of $16.5 billion dollars,” Trump wrote.

“How crazy is that? The European Union must stop this practice against American companies, IMMEDIATELY!” Trump wrote.

For years, Trump has cautioned global partners that they cannot keep erecting tariffs and barriers on U.S. exports without facing direct countermeasures from his administration.

He also warned that legal challenges brought by Democratic-aligned firms, which he said rely on “radical left courts” and judges appointed by Democrats, were being used to block his tariff strategy.

“More than $15 trillion dollars will be invested in the USA, a record,” Trump wrote last Sunday. “Much of this investment is because of tariffs.

“If a radical left court is allowed to terminate these tariffs, almost all of this investment, and much more, will be immediately canceled! In many ways, we would become a third world nation, with no hope of greatness again.”

{Matzav.com}

Hagaon Rav Reuven Feinstein, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva of Staten Island, will be delivering divrei chizuk v’hisorerus this afternoon, at approximately 4:30 p.m., at the Kollel Dayanus of the Bais HaVaad, located at 290 River Avenue in Lakewood, NJ.

This gathering will be addressed to the dayanim and chavrei hakollel of the Bais HaVaad, and to the entire community who is warmly invited to join and hear words of inspiration in honor of the auspicious days of Elul and to receive the berachos of the rosh yeshiva in advance of the approaching Yamim Nora’im.

{Matzav.com}

Negotiations over the proposed IDF draft law are gaining momentum, with United Torah Judaism chairman MK Yitzchak Goldknopf scheduled to meet on Wednesday with MK Boaz Bismuth, the newly appointed head of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. This will be the first meeting between the two since Bismuth assumed his post. Until now, discussions had taken place mainly with Shas and Degel HaTorah, but Agudas Yisroel is now also taking an active seat at the negotiating table.

Another round of talks with Bismuth is planned for tomorrow, aimed at drafting a compromise bill that can withstand scrutiny both in the Knesset and before the High Court of Justice.

Sources indicate that they sense a shift since Bismuth replaced MK Yuli Edelstein as committee chair. “We see a positive change in the stance of the committee’s legal adviser, Miri Frenkel-Shor. The atmosphere has become more respectful and businesslike, and we feel a genuine sense of partnership that is allowing the dialogue on the law to move forward constructively,” one source said.

Meanwhile, at today’s committee session, Brig. Gen. Shai Tayeb, head of the IDF’s Planning and Manpower Division, revealed that 2,940 chareidim enlisted in the past year—well above the previous annual average of around 1,800. Still, he stressed that “the enlistment rate remains very low. Tens of thousands of young men are carrying this number on their shoulders, and the gap between the army’s needs and reality is large. The IDF has the capacity to absorb about 4,800 chareidi recruits per year, but we are far from that figure.”

The meeting also featured a clash over the long-debated quota framework. Attorney Dror Granit from the Justice Ministry argued that “the target model has failed,” saying government decisions had not led to meaningful change. But the committee’s legal adviser, Attorney Miri Frenkel-Shor, countered: “It is impossible to say the model failed—the High Court struck it down before it could actually be tested.”

During a review of the bill’s clauses, MK Elazar Stern criticized the terms for deferrals granted to yeshiva students: “According to the law, they are entitled to 75 vacation days per year—this is unreasonable. If so, reservists should also be given a similar vacation mechanism.” Committee chair Bismuth responded: “This is a comment worthy of deeper examination.”

In addition, the committee confirmed Bismuth’s appointment as chairman of the subcommittee on EAPC (the Eilat-Ashkelon Pipeline Company) confidentiality issues, replacing MK Yuli Edelstein.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Israel’s weekly cabinet meeting was once again convened Sunday in a secure underground location in Jerusalem, a minister’s office confirmed to The Times of Israel. The decision marks the second consecutive week that the government has opted for heightened security measures. Last week’s meeting was relocated after threats from Yemen’s Houthi rebels, though Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the time publicly dismissed the warnings. Security around senior officials has been significantly reinforced in recent days, following Israel’s targeted strike late last month that killed several top Houthi leaders in Yemen and Sunday’s Houthi drone attack that struck Ramon Airport in the Negev. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

This weekend’s Jerusalem Post featured a dramatic full-page appeal from the Forum of Religious Reservists and Shutfus L’Sheirut, urging prominent philanthropists of the Keren Olam HaTorah fund to step in and support reservists currently serving in the Israeli army.

The message was explicitly addressed to members of the International Fellowship and the Keren Olam HaTorah fund, listing benefactors from around the world: Solly Azrak (Panama), Meir Birnbaum, Joachim Cohen (Paris), Ezra Erani, Shimon Glick, Avi Goldstein (London), Benzion Heitner (Toronto), Ariel Mashiyev (Toronto), Yaakov (John) Kaplan (Toronto), Jack Hilu (Mexico), Salomon Jasqui (Mexico), Boruch Jeremias, Boruch Karfunkel, Jimmie Khezrie, Yissachar Knoll (Ramat Gan), Leiby Levison (London), Yitzchak Mirilashvili (Herzliya), Chaim Rajchenbach (Chicago), Yitzy Rokowsky, Alberto Safra (Sao Paulo), Leizer Scheiner, Rubin Schron, Jack I. Silvera (Panama), Ronald Wilheim (Cincinnati), Reuven Wolf, the Wolfson Family, and Tyrone Zinman (South Africa).

The body of the ad read in full:

“We are turning to you, as important supporters of Am Yisroel during these challenging times.

“Just this week, 60,000 reservists have been called up for the next phase of the war. Many are talmidei chachamim, older men, with wives and children. Their families are collapsing under the mental and financial pressure.

“How can the yeshiva world stand by while their brothers are drowning?
We know that it is possible to both serve in the army and live a Torah life.
It is possible to have both Safra and Saifa.

“Instead of spending money to keep bochurim out of the army, let’s invest in finding ways to support their Torah learning while in the army.

“The time is now! Please don’t abandon Klal Yisroel in our time of greatest need.”

{Matzav.com}

Israel will host the largest-ever delegation of American state legislators next week, with 250 lawmakers from all 50 states arriving for a weeklong tour aimed at bolstering U.S.-Israel ties and countering mounting global criticism of the Gaza war. A Foreign Ministry spokesperson confirmed Sunday that the bipartisan delegation includes five legislators from each state, most of whom will be setting foot in Israel for the first time. The ministry is billing the trip as a strategic effort to shape opinion at the grassroots of American politics, where statehouses often debate anti-Israel resolutions and measures linked to the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. The lawmakers are slated to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, and Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana. Their itinerary includes tours across the country, with a visit to the Gaza border region to plant trees and hear security briefings designed to underscore Israel’s ongoing challenges. Israeli officials say the mission is designed not only to strengthen bonds but also to equip American legislators to resist anti-Israel measures in their home states. “State lawmakers play a direct role in legislation on BDS and antisemitism,” a ministry official said, noting that the presence of such a large bipartisan group is intended to blunt international campaigns against Israel. The visit is part of a broader Foreign Ministry initiative launched last month to bring more than 400 international delegations — totaling some 5,000 participants — by the end of the year. The stated goal is to “help spread the Israeli narrative in international media” at a time when the government faces withering criticism over civilian casualties in Gaza and its handling of the ongoing conflict. Meanwhile, the cabinet postponed debate on a separate proposal to establish a new public diplomacy unit inside the Foreign Ministry. The unit would be tasked with countering what officials describe as a surge of anti-Israel messaging abroad. The measure is now scheduled to be taken up next week. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Thousands of residents of Arad staged a rare joint protest on Sunday at the entrance to the city, voicing strong opposition to the government’s decision earlier in the day to advance plans for a phosphate mine near the city.

Participants included secular, traditional, and chareidi residents, with large numbers of Gur chassidim joining at the direction of their rabbonim, who invoked the Torah principle of venishmartem—the obligation to safeguard health. Public health concerns and air pollution risks have long been central issues for the Gur community, which has previously mobilized political representatives in the Knesset and government to delay approval of the mine.

The demonstration was marked by an unusual show of unity across sectors of the city. In another unprecedented step, the entire Arad city council—both coalition and opposition members—signed a strongly worded letter to the prime minister and government ministers demanding that the project be halted. “Building the site at such a short distance from residents’ homes amounts to a death sentence for more than 100,000 people in the region. Human life and public health are not expendable,” the letter declared.

Mayor Yair Maayan emphasized the unprecedented consensus: “For the first time in years, there is wall-to-wall unity among all factions in the city on the issue of residents’ health and environmental protection. We will fight this decision until it is overturned in the High Court.”

Yitzchak Gordon, chairman of the city council’s finance committee, added: “Arad has seen many protests in the past, but this time the struggle has full support from all residents and the council. The government is surrendering to the pressure of lobbyists and tycoons at the expense of human life, and we will not stand idly by.”

Responding to the mounting public outcry, the government announced that any decision regarding the mine would be accompanied not only by an environmental impact study but also by a full health impact review, in order to prevent harm to residents.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, is demanding a federal investigation into a Palestinian activist who urged attendees at a Detroit conference to disrupt the U.S. military’s fighter jet supply chain. In a letter sent Wednesday to FBI Director Kash Patel, Cotton called for an inquiry into Aisha Nizar, an organizer with the Palestinian Youth Movement, over remarks she delivered at last weekend’s People’s Conference for Palestine. During her speech, Nizar urged activists to “be surgical” in undermining the U.S. defense industry. She specifically singled out the supply chain for the F-35 stealth fighter, one of America’s most advanced military aircraft. “If one specific node of the F-35 supply chain is intervened in, it has a huge impact,” Nizar said. “We need to be strategic, and we need to be bold in our actions. Because there are many different points of these supply chains of death that we can intervene in.” Cotton condemned the remarks as dangerous incitement, arguing they encouraged sabotage against defense contractors and workers who build critical military hardware. “Nizar’s statements constitute direct incitement of violence against U.S. national security interests,” Cotton wrote. “By advocating for attacks on the men and women who build the F-35, she is seeking to imperil the delivery of one of the nation’s most strategic assets.” The senator urged the FBI to “take any necessary actions to mitigate the threat,” pointing to what he described as the Palestinian Youth Movement’s history of “antisemitic activities” and potentially illegal fundraising practices. The Detroit gathering, billed as the People’s Conference for Palestine, has drawn sharp criticism from U.S. lawmakers who accuse it of promoting extremism and terrorism under the guise of activism. The FBI has not publicly responded to his letter. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)