Feed aggregator

A fighter in the IDF’s Chashmonaim Brigade has provided a rare glimpse into the unit’s operational activities in Yehudah and Shomron, speaking about nighttime raids, weapons seizures, and the unique challenges of serving as a chareidi soldier. He also addressed the ongoing debate over chareidi enlistment and explained why he believes chareidi soldiers benefit from having chareidi commanders.

Corporal Y., a fighter currently enrolled in the brigade’s squad commanders course, spoke with Kikar HaShabbos about both his military training and the operational missions carried out by participants in the course.

According to the soldier, the training program incorporates active operational duty alongside classroom and field instruction.

“As part of the course, we spend two weeks engaged in operational activity. We carry out offensive and defensive missions, search for weapons, and participate in the arrest of wanted suspects,” he explained.

He noted that much of the brigade’s work takes place after dark in order to maximize the element of surprise.

“Most of the activity in Yehudah and Shomron takes place at night in order to create an element of surprise. Before every mission, we carefully plan the route, the arrival, and all stages of execution, and then we head out at night to carry it out.”

Describing the types of assignments the troops encounter, he said many operations involve intelligence-driven missions focused on locating hidden weapons and apprehending wanted individuals.

“We receive information about weapons hidden along roads or inside villages, as well as suspects wanted for questioning, and we act accordingly,” he said.

The soldier also reflected on his operational service before entering the commanders course. He said that he served with his battalion along Israel’s northern border with Lebanon, first at the Zarit outpost and later at the Magen Yoav position.

“We were stationed at outposts in the sector and carried out disruption operations against Hezbollah activity directed toward Israel, as well as searches for weapons in the area,” he said.

Asked whether the public debate surrounding chareidi enlistment reaches soldiers in the field, he acknowledged that the topic does arise but said it is not a dominant issue among his fellow servicemen.

“There is some discussion among the guys, but in the end everyone does what his rav tells him to do. I spoke with my rav and he recommended that I enlist, so I enlisted.”

The fighter said he generally avoids walking around in uniform when off base, but added that his encounters with the public have largely been positive.

“When people meet me personally, the reactions are generally positive,” he said.

One of the subjects he emphasized most strongly was the importance of developing chareidi leadership within the brigade. He explained that during his training he was initially commanded by officers from the Religious Zionist community and later by chareidi commanders.

“In the end, a chareidi soldier needs a chareidi commander. There are many small things and nuances that a chareidi commander understands because he is familiar with the world from which the soldiers come,” he said.

Looking ahead, the soldier expressed interest in continuing along the command track and eventually assuming greater leadership responsibilities.

“Right now I want to become a squad commander, and later perhaps attend officers’ training as well. I would like to command recruits from the moment they arrive in the army until they become fighters.”

Concluding the interview, he offered a brief request to the public.

“Pray for us that we succeed.”

{Matzav.com}

Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi launched a vigorous defense of his controversial communications reform during a wide-ranging interview with Kikar HaShabbos, rejecting allegations that the proposal would increase chilul Shabbos, attacking Israel’s legal establishment, and urging chareidi coalition partners not to be intimidated by the courts or the Attorney General.

The interview focused on several of the most contentious issues currently facing the government, including the communications reform bill, concerns about Shabbos observance, the draft law crisis, and the role of the Supreme Court and Attorney General in shaping public policy.

“The Panic Channels Are Going Crazy”

At the outset of the interview, Karhi addressed the mounting criticism directed at him as the legislation approaches final votes in the Knesset. According to the minister, the opposition stems primarily from economic interests and a desire by established media organizations to preserve their dominance.

“First of all, as we get closer to the finish line, and with Hashem’s help prepare to bless the completed work, everyone is going crazy,” Karhi said. “All the monopolies that currently control public consciousness and dominate public opinion—the panic channels—are unwilling to allow the market to open up. They don’t want other voices to be heard. They don’t want Kikar HaShabbos to receive a channel, or i24 to be able to broadcast on cable and satellite. They want to continue controlling public opinion, and that’s why they’re panicking.”

Karhi further claimed that media interests are actively working within the chareidi community to build opposition to the legislation.

“According to reports, they’re setting up campaign headquarters and even recruiting chareidi public relations people to hang pashkevilim against me. As if they need to teach me what Torah is, or what it means to protect our heritage and values. Anyone who follows my work sees how committed I am to these issues, and we’re already facing votes tomorrow.”

“A Complete Falsehood” Regarding Shabbos Concerns

The minister was asked directly about allegations that the new government streaming application intended to replace the Idan Plus system would facilitate and fund chilul Shabbos and the broadcasting of sporting events on Shabbos.

Karhi forcefully rejected the claims and argued that the reform would actually reduce chilul Shabbos.

“Today, the Idan Plus system costs the state 40 million shekels annually. That system requires technicians to maintain it around the clock, including on Shabbos. We are eliminating that. It will become an internet platform, like any government website or chareidi website whose servers remain operational on Shabbos, but without technicians actively desecrating Shabbos.”

He also pointed to specific language included in the legislation.

“We explicitly included in the law that sporting events of public significance will not be broadcast live on the application during Shabbos or Jewish holidays. Show me another piece of legislation where someone had the courage to include a legal definition of the beginning and end of Shabbos and Yom Tov. In addition, the annual cost to the state will drop from 40 million shekels to only two or three million.”

Addressing concerns about inappropriate content, Karhi insisted the law contains safeguards.

“There will be no obscene broadcasts on the application—period. We included language in the law making such content prohibited for any registered content provider.”

He added that discussions are ongoing with representatives of the chareidi parties and MK Avi Maoz to further strengthen content restrictions.

“We are working together on amendments that will define the content even more clearly. The regulator will be able to prevent channels that offend public sensitivities or promote religious conversion from appearing on the application, and those rules will be subject to oversight by the Knesset Economics Committee.”

Karhi also emphasized what he sees as one of the reform’s major benefits.

“This law will reserve ten free channel slots on all platforms for new news outlets. It will allow additional media organizations to obtain a channel free of charge and not remain dependent on monopolies.”

The minister further claimed that, according to reports he has heard, chareidi public relations professionals have been hired by Channel 12’s Keshet network to oppose the reform because established broadcasters wish to preserve their dominance.

Keshet strongly denied the allegation, stating: “There is absolutely no truth to this.”

Draft Law Crisis: “The Attorney General Is Hurting the Children of Torah Learners”

The second portion of the interview focused on the draft law dispute and economic sanctions affecting the chareidi public, including daycare subsidy issues.

Karhi strongly defended the chareidi parties while launching a sharp attack on Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara and the legal system.

“The Attorney General isn’t sitting on the sidelines rubbing her hands together in satisfaction—she is actively intervening,” Karhi charged. “In her eyes, anyone who learns Torah deserves to be mistreated. She harms the children of Torah learners more than the state harms the families of terrorists or crime families. Their goal is to bring down the government and create division among us.”

The minister also discussed the government’s approval of the proposed Basic Law: Torah Study.

“This is legislation that will neutralize the damage being done regarding daycare subsidies. Once there is a Basic Law establishing that Torah study stands alongside equality as a constitutional value, it becomes impossible to use the courts to undermine it. Of course, no one suggested that grants for someone serving 400 days in combat should be identical to someone who did not serve, but this law will protect basic rights.”

“Don’t Go to Lavan the Aramean for a Blessing”

Concluding the interview, Karhi appealed directly to the chareidi parties, urging them not to allow concerns about legal opposition to dictate their legislative agenda.

“I view the chareidi factions as our natural and genuine partners. Some chareidi lawmakers are waiting to receive approval from the legal advisers and the Supreme Court—and in my view that’s like going to Lavan the Aramean to ask for a blessing.”

He argued that legal officials are fundamentally opposed to the coalition’s goals.

“Their objective is exactly the opposite. They enjoy the turmoil. We need to stand up to them and make it clear: You do not determine policy.”

Karhi concluded by citing a well-known statement by the late Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin.

“As Yitzchak Rabin once said, ‘I am not afraid of the Supreme Court justices. They will rule according to the laws that we enact.’ That’s exactly what we need to do.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump sparked immediate controversy Wednesday after declaring, “I love the inflation,” while responding to questions about a new government report showing a significant increase in consumer prices.

Speaking with reporters, Trump dismissed concerns about the latest inflation figures and argued that the economic data remained encouraging despite the ongoing conflict with Iran.

“No, I love it. The numbers were great,” Trump said when asked if he was concerned about the latest data, which showed the consumer price index rising to 4.2 percent over the past 12 months — with an increase of 0.5 percent in May alone, according to the Labor Department.

The president then elaborated on his remarks, linking rising energy prices to recent U.S. military actions targeting Iranian assets.

“I love the inflation,” the president continued, noting how the U.S. recently took out millions of barrels of oil and 22 ships from Iran. “That’s why oil is $85 dollars a barrel.”

Trump acknowledged that the conflict has created economic headwinds but insisted that national security concerns had to take precedence over short-term economic considerations.

He argued that the American economy had reached unprecedented heights before the war began and maintained that preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons was a more pressing priority.

“We had just hit the highest stock market in history, highest 401k’s in history,” Trump said from the Oval Office. “Everything was going well, and I said I hate to do this to you guys but Iran’s going to have a nuclear weapon very soon. We have to go and attack.”

The inflation report released by the Labor Department showed that energy costs continued their upward climb in May. According to the data, energy prices rose 3.9 percent during the month after increasing 3.8 percent in April and 10.9 percent in March.

Despite the latest surge in prices, Trump and senior administration officials have continued to predict that inflation and fuel costs will decline sharply once hostilities in the Middle East subside.

For now, however, the outlook remains uncertain. Although a ceasefire remains technically in place, continued exchanges and military activity have fueled concerns that instability in the region could persist for the foreseeable future.

Trump’s critics have seized on several recent comments he has made regarding the economy during the conflict, including previous remarks indicating that concerns about Americans’ personal finances were not at the forefront of his thinking while negotiating with Iran. His latest comments about inflation are likely to add further fuel to that debate as economic concerns continue to weigh on voters.

{Matzav.com}