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This is the moment Klal Yisroel has been waiting for.

Next week, the largest delegation of gedolei Yisroel ever to travel on behalf of Keren Olam HaTorah lands on American soil. Gedolei hador, roshei yeshiva, rabbanim, and admorim will be leaving their yeshivos, leaving their talmidim, and leaving the kehillos that are the center of their lives, to cross an ocean and stand in front of you. These gedolim, advanced in age and unwilling to part with even a single hour of limud haTorah, are clearing their calendars, boarding planes, and traveling to cities across the United States.

Why? Because for over two years the funding has been frozen. The yeshivos are drowning, the kollelim are buckling, and bochurim are now being arrested for refusing to put down a Gemara. This is the fight for the survival of Torah in Eretz Yisroel, and the gedolim recognize there is no one left to send in their place. So they are coming themselves.

We are being presented with the single greatest opportunity a Yid can be offered: to become a shutaf in the olam haTorah at the exact moment malignant forces are trying to tear it down. Now is the chance attach your name to the learning of an avreich you will never meet, in a beis medrash you may never see, and own a piece of every word he learns.

It is within reach for every single Yid. This is no longer something only gevirim can afford. A month of an avreich’s learning is $276. Spread it across the year and it is $23 a month. That is it. That is the price of a shutfus in the survival of the olam haTorah. And the more that you give, the stronger your shutfus will be. 

The gedolim are about to land. Do not wait for them to convince you. Become a shutaf with Keren Olam HaTorah today.

https://www.kerenolamhatorah.org/donate

The Israeli government’s campaign of economic measures targeting draft-eligible yeshiva students is intensifying, with Israeli Deputy Attorney General Gil Limon pressing ahead with efforts to revoke municipal property tax discounts from young chareidi couples whose husbands do not serve in the military.

In a sharply worded letter sent this week to Interior Ministry Director-General Israel Ozen, Limon rejected the ministry’s refusal to advance regulatory changes that would allow local authorities to deny arnona discounts to households headed by men classified as eligible for military service.

Limon argued that the Interior Ministry’s position conflicts with directives issued by Israel’s Supreme Court and instructed officials to continue promoting the measure without delay. The dispute stems from a ruling by Supreme Court Justice Noam Solberg requiring the ministry to determine how it would address the issue of municipal tax discounts for those subject to military draft obligations.

Last Thursday, the Interior Ministry informed officials that it did not intend to pursue the proposed sanction, citing several concerns. Among them were fears that the measure could undermine the financial stability of local governments, push vulnerable families deeper into poverty, and create legal and practical difficulties for municipalities being asked to enforce military service policy.

Limon dismissed those arguments, insisting that both the courts and government professionals have identified the loss of arnona benefits as an effective mechanism for encouraging military service.

“The arguments regarding harm to weaker populations and local authorities do not constitute sufficient justification,” Limon wrote. “We will not be able to defend this position legally.”

Addressing concerns about the financial impact on affected households, Limon acknowledged that eliminating the discounts could significantly burden many families but maintained that the measure was specifically chosen because of its effectiveness.

“Revoking an arnona discount may be economically significant for many households, and for that reason it was identified as an effective step to encourage those obligated to serve. If consequences materialize, government authorities can be expected to formulate appropriate responses.”

Limon also pointed to what he described as a procedural issue, noting that the matter had not been presented to the appropriate ministerial authority. He wrote that because Israel has been without a serving interior minister for approximately ten months, the relevant powers should have been formally transferred to the prime minister, as required by law.

The letter follows another controversial development announced a day earlier. Under new guidelines currently being prepared by government agencies, Torah institutions that enroll students classified as draft-eligible could lose eligibility for tax benefits tied to charitable donations.

Those guidelines were formulated during high-level discussions involving the Justice Ministry, the Israel Tax Authority, and the Corporations Authority ahead of a Supreme Court hearing scheduled for July.

The Israel Tax Authority is expected to publish an official notice on the matter in the coming days. The proposal would add another layer to a growing list of financial penalties that Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara and her office have sought to impose on draft-eligible yeshiva students and the institutions in which they study.

Leaders in the Torah world view the latest move as part of what they describe as an escalating campaign of economic pressure aimed at chareidi families and Torah institutions.

The issue has also sparked sharp disagreements within the government. During a cabinet meeting approximately two weeks ago, several ministers reportedly criticized the attorney general’s demands. Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi voiced particular opposition, declaring: “The government’s policy is that those who do not learn Torah enlist—so why are we discussing measures against those whose Torah study is their occupation?”

{Matzav.com}

A tense overnight hostage crisis at a Chase Bank in Bakersfield came to an end early Wednesday when the suspect, who claimed to be carrying explosives on his body, was fatally shot during a law enforcement operation, authorities said.

Police reported that every hostage held inside the bank was safely rescued and suffered no injuries. Although none required emergency treatment, those involved were evaluated by medical personnel at the scene. The standoff concluded shortly after 4:20 a.m.

“The hostage situation concluded following an officer-involved shooting involving Federal Bureau of Investigation personnel,” Bakersfield police said in a news release.

Authorities have continued to block off streets surrounding the bank while investigators process the scene. Police announced that additional details would be released during a press conference scheduled for Wednesday morning.

Earlier in the ordeal, negotiators succeeded in persuading the suspect to release two hostages. Law enforcement officials had maintained communication with him by telephone throughout the standoff.

As the situation unfolded, officials established a security perimeter covering the area between 18th Street and Truxtun Avenue and stretching from Chester Avenue to H Street.

When the suspect initially barricaded himself inside the bank on Tuesday, several customers and employees were still in the building. Some individuals managed to escape before the situation escalated further.

Authorities said no injuries were reported during the incident. In a statement issued around 6 p.m. Tuesday, the Bakersfield Police Department said that “an adult male subject had barricaded himself inside the building with several community members.”

Several hours later, police announced that negotiators had secured the release of another hostage.

“We remain on scene at the Chase Bank building and have negotiated the release of a second hostage,” police said. “There are currently no injuries reported. Avoid the area as this remains an active scene. We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.”

As the crisis continued into the night, the FBI assumed responsibility for tactical operations. According to reports, federal agents took over “SWAT operations,” while the FBI’s Sacramento field office said it planned to “support the response” throughout the overnight hours.

Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh said she was closely following developments as law enforcement worked to bring the situation to a peaceful resolution.

“The best way the public can help at this time is by avoiding the area and allowing law enforcement officers, negotiators, and other trained professionals the space and opportunity to safely carry out their duties,” she said in a statement.

The incident began Tuesday when authorities received reports of a bomb threat inside the Chase Bank, according to Good Morning America.

Police communications during the standoff indicated that officers believed the suspect might have been carrying an improvised explosive device.

“The suspect possibly has a makeshift detonator in his hand and wires coming out from under his shirt,” a police radio broadcast said.

{Matzav.com}

An Israir flight bound for Ljubljana was unable to reach its scheduled destination on Wednesday after Slovenian authorities declined to issue the landing authorization required for the aircraft, forcing the plane to divert and land in neighboring Croatia instead.

The flight, which had been scheduled to arrive in Slovenia’s capital city, was redirected to Zagreb after clearance to land in Ljubljana was denied by local officials.

Reports indicate that Slovenian authorities have recently adopted a policy of refusing landing permits to Israeli carriers, reportedly as a protest against the actions and policies of the Israeli government.

Israeli officials view the move as a breach of international aviation arrangements governing air travel among European Union nations. The incident prompted immediate involvement from both Israel’s Foreign Ministry and the Civil Aviation Authority, which began working to address the situation.

Efforts by diplomatic representatives and aviation officials to obtain last-minute approval for the aircraft to proceed to Ljubljana continued throughout the day but had not produced results by Wednesday evening.

Transportation Minister Miri Regev condemned the decision, accusing Slovenia of politicizing civilian air travel and unfairly targeting Israeli passengers.

“This is an unacceptable political decision that directly harms Israeli citizens,” Regev said. “Those who seek to boycott Israel through aviation should understand that there will be consequences. Israel will not stand idly by and will use every tool at its disposal to protect its airlines and the freedom of movement of its citizens.”

The dispute comes as Slovenia undergoes a change in political leadership. The outgoing administration has been among the most outspoken critics of Israel within Europe, and the landing ban was imposed during the transition period between governments.

Israeli officials are hopeful that relations may improve soon, as the incoming government, which is expected to assume office in the coming weeks, is generally regarded as more favorable toward Israel than the current administration.

{Matzav.com}

A Republican congressman known for his strong support of Israel has introduced a resolution urging the United States to end its annual military aid package to Israel and replace it with a new arrangement under which Israel would purchase American defense equipment using its own resources. The proposal has received the backing of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.

Rep. Marlin Stutzman of Indiana unveiled the measure on Wednesday, calling for negotiations on a new memorandum of understanding that would gradually move the U.S.-Israel defense relationship away from direct aid and toward a framework based on arms purchases funded by Israel.

The proposal seeks to replace the current 10-year agreement that provides Israel with $38 billion in military assistance through 2028. Rep. Abe Hamadeh of Arizona has joined Stutzman in supporting the initiative.

According to Stutzman, he personally presented a draft of the resolution to Netanyahu during a 45-minute meeting at the prime minister’s office in Yerushalayim on May 27. Hamadeh also attended the meeting.

“I like it,” Netanyahu replied after reading, according to Stutzman.

“This is the direction I’ve been wanting to go for a long time,” Netanyahu said.

Netanyahu later reinforced that position in a letter sent Monday expressing support for the effort. In the letter, he wrote that Israel remains grateful for American military assistance but believes the relationship has reached a new stage.

Israel, he wrote, “appreciates the financial component of the military aid” but that “the time has now arrived for us to move from aid recipient to partner.”

Supporters of the proposal stress that it does not call for an abrupt termination of military cooperation. Instead, it envisions replacing direct aid with a trade-based defense partnership while maintaining extensive strategic collaboration between the two countries.

Additional forms of cooperation could continue under joint defense programs, including discussions surrounding provisions in the next National Defense Authorization Act that would expand cooperation in weapons development and military technology.

During the Jerusalem meeting, Netanyahu emphasized Israel’s desire for greater self-sufficiency while preserving its close alliance with the United States.

“We want to stand on our own feet,” Netanyahu told the lawmakers in Jerusalem, language the prime minister has used publicly for months.

Stutzman argued that changing the structure of the relationship would address shifting attitudes in the United States and help strengthen public support for the alliance.

“A lot of taxpayers don’t even like foreign aid altogether, but there’s a lot of questions around why are we giving Israel $3.8 billion a year under the MOU,” he said.

The congressman said the proposal would demonstrate that Israel is a capable strategic partner rather than a nation dependent on American assistance.

The goal, he added, is to signal “to the rest of the world that Israel is not just leaning on America,” and that “even though we will have a strong partnership with them going forward, it’ll look different.”

Stutzman said he has already discussed the idea with the White House, House Speaker Mike Johnson’s office, senators, and AIPAC, and reported a generally favorable reception.

He described the response as “very much an openness to the dialogue.”

Recent developments suggest that the proposal is gaining traction among some policymakers. Earlier this week, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee publicly referenced a future arrangement based on trade rather than aid.

In a post on X, Huckabee wrote that the “New MOU w/ Israel ends aid & will be based on trade,” marking the first public confirmation by an American official that such a framework is being discussed.

The debate comes as public opinion toward Israel has become more divided in the United States. A Pew Research Center survey conducted in spring 2026 found that 60 percent of American adults view Israel unfavorably, compared to 53 percent a year earlier. Among Republicans under age 50, 57 percent expressed negative views.

Hamadeh praised the proposal, saying it reflects the evolution of the U.S.-Israel alliance into a more equal partnership.

The relationship, he said, is “moving towards true collaboration as strategic partners.”

The resolution itself would not immediately change existing policy. As a nonbinding measure, it serves primarily as a statement of congressional intent and would not alter the current military aid agreement, which remains in effect through 2028.

Police have arrested two additional suspects accused of throwing stones and other objects from the roof of a Yerushalayim hotel at demonstrators affiliated with Peleg Yerushalmi during a protest earlier this week.

The arrests mark a significant development in an ongoing investigation into the incident, which drew widespread attention after footage surfaced showing objects being hurled at protesters marching on a nearby roadway.

Earlier in the week, police arrested a security guard employed at the hotel who is suspected of facilitating access to the roof for those involved in the attack.

Investigators from the Moriah police station continued gathering evidence and eventually identified two additional suspects—a 20-year-old woman and an 18-year-old man, both residents of eastern Yerushalayim.

According to police, the pair are believed to be the individuals seen in video footage throwing stones and other objects at demonstrators below.

The investigation included reviewing videos circulated on social media, collecting witness testimony, and examining evidence gathered from the scene.

According to police, footage obtained during the investigation allegedly shows hotel employees throwing objects from the rooftop while the armed security guard, who had already been arrested, stood nearby without intervening or attempting to stop the incident.

The three suspects are expected to appear Wednesday before the Yerushalayim Magistrate’s Court, where police will seek an extension of their detention as the investigation continues.

Authorities said they remain committed to fully investigating the incident and pursuing legal action against all individuals found to have been involved.

Earlier this week, the Yerushalayim Magistrate’s Court granted a police request to extend the detention of the hotel security guard by three days.

Investigators believe the guard, who was employed as an armed security officer at the hotel, accompanied other workers to the roof and played a role in enabling the incident.

According to the allegations, he used his authority to unlock the secured rooftop access door, effectively allowing the other suspects to reach the roof.

Police contend that despite his responsibility to maintain order and security, the guard failed to prevent the attack, did not stop the individuals involved, and did not notify the appropriate authorities about what was taking place.

{Matzav.com}