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A large-scale emergency preparedness drill conducted by the Bnei Brak municipality on Tuesday abruptly became a real-time incident when a live siren was triggered in the city, forcing officials and rescue teams to shift instantly from simulation to actual emergency response, Matzav.com has learned.

The area surrounding Bnei Brak City Hall appeared early in the day like a full-scale disaster scene. Dozens of emergency vehicles, rescue personnel, and municipal security teams were deployed as part of a major exercise simulating a direct missile strike in one of the city’s densely populated areas. Within minutes, however, the planned scenario gave way to a real and tense situation.

In the middle of the drill, as crews were practicing evacuations and treating simulated casualties amid mock destruction, a real siren suddenly sounded across the city. The staged chaos immediately stopped, replaced by focused, operational alertness. Mayor Chanoch Zeibert, together with senior municipal officials and professional teams, quickly moved into a protected municipal shelter and fortified command center.

From the city’s advanced command center, teams managed what effectively became a dual situation—closely monitoring real-time developments following the siren while continuing to oversee the ongoing drill scenario. The rapid transition from routine exercise to live emergency highlighted the city’s high level of preparedness.

During the incident, Home Front Command chief Maj. Gen. Shay Kalper arrived unexpectedly at the command center and observed operations firsthand. He praised the city’s handling of the situation, telling those present: “In this war, the home front is the frontline. The role of the command center is to take care of the citizens here so that the fighters at the front can operate with peace of mind. Bnei Brak is demonstrating today an exceptionally high level of readiness.”

Mayor Zeibert briefed the general on the city’s unique challenges, emphasizing its dense population and large number of children, and outlined a series of practical solutions aimed at saving lives during real emergencies.

After the situation stabilized and operations returned to routine, Kalper and Zeibert—joined by Acting Mayor Menachem Shapira, Deputy Mayor Elharar, Municipal Director General Ehrenstein, and Emergency and Security Department head Chaim Nogelblat—conducted a field tour along Jerusalem Street, where a previous strike had occurred.

The delegation entered residential buildings, visited damaged apartments, and spoke with residents who had narrowly escaped harm during earlier incidents. The direct interaction between officials and residents underscored the critical importance of preparedness, awareness, and access to protected spaces.

Security officials and Home Front Command representatives expressed strong satisfaction at the conclusion of the drill. “Today we saw that in Bnei Brak, emergency preparedness is not just talk, but a well-oiled system that functions under fire,” professionals involved in the exercise said.

{Matzav.com}

In a ruling that could influence how traffic violations are handled during wartime, an Israeli traffic court judge accepted the defense’s argument that security conditions can serve as a mitigating factor, reducing the driver’s license suspension to just 20 days.

The incident took place on Route 1 during the afternoon hours amid “Operation Roaring Lion.” The driver was caught traveling at 157 km/h—approximately 75% above the legal limit of 90 km/h. During the trip, two sirens sounded, and the driver pulled over each time. However, in the intervals between the sirens, while traveling on an open road without access to a protected shelter, he accelerated in an effort to reduce his exposure time.

Attorney Ilon Oron, a former chairman of the National Traffic Committee of the Israel Bar Association and author of a leading traffic law encyclopedia, represented the driver. He argued that during a state of emergency, standard traffic law criteria should not be applied in the usual manner. According to the defense, the repeated sirens created a situation in which the driver, attempting to reach safety quickly, was not fully aware of his speed.

The defense further contended that a distinction must be made between reckless driving stemming from disregard for safety and increased speed driven by a genuine sense of danger, urging the court to take that difference into account.

Prosecutors opposed the argument, maintaining that speed limits must be enforced even during emergencies, particularly in cases involving a driver with a problematic traffic record. Nevertheless, the judge sided with the defense, ruling that the security circumstances warranted consideration and ultimately imposing a 20-day license suspension despite the driver’s prior record.

{Matzav.com}

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is reportedly considering stepping down from his position in the wake of dramatic assassinations of top regime figures, as internal tensions within the Islamic Republic intensify.

According to sources familiar with the matter, Pezeshkian believes that “the entire system is falling apart” following the killings of senior officials, including the commander of the Basij, Ali Ardeshir Amoli Larijani, and Ali Larijani, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.

The sources described unusually sharp anger from the president toward the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. According to those accounts, Pezeshkian views their conduct as reckless and has specifically accused them of failing to adequately protect Ali Larijani.

Some officials have gone further, suggesting that the incident may not have been a failure at all, but rather a deliberate move intended to facilitate Larijani’s elimination.

According to these reports, the slain national security council secretary was seen as the primary rival to Ahmad Vahidi, the commander of the Revolutionary Guards, and his removal ultimately served their interests.

The developments come against the backdrop of deepening divisions within Iran’s leadership. Following the assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei last week, the regime has reportedly split into two main factions—one aligned with Mojtaba Khamenei, and the other with the Larijani camp, whose leading figure has now been killed.

{Matzav.com}

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NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani unveiled a plan to reduce speed limits to 15 mph around all school zones across New York City by 2029, with enforcement expected to apply at all hours of the day, according to sources familiar with the rollout.

The initiative will be carried out through an executive action invoking Sammy’s Law, a 2024 measure that allows the city to set speed limits below the state’s standard minimum. The move fulfills a long-standing demand from street safety advocates.

In addition to the school zone changes, Mamdani said he would like to see the citywide speed limit reduced to 20 mph. However, he stated that such a move would require approval from the City Council, a position that quickly drew criticism from Council Speaker Julie Menin.

Republican members of the City Council also raised objections, particularly over the plan to enforce the lower school zone limits around the clock.

“If this were really about protecting the children, why would it be 24 hours a day?” said Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Queens).

“This is just another attempt at picking the pockets of middle- and working-class residents of the outer boroughs, while making it even more difficult to own a car than it already is. Shame on the mayor for using the safety of our children as a front to cover for yet another money grab.”

Currently, the default speed limit across New York City is 25 mph unless otherwise posted.

Sammy’s Law—named after 12-year-old Sammy Cohen Eckstein, who was killed by a vehicle near Prospect Park in 2013—grants city officials the authority to impose lower speed limits in designated areas.

Mamdani noted that the law has already been used to reduce speeds in certain school zones.

Under the new plan, approximately 700 school zones will see limits reduced to 20 mph, while 100 additional zones will be set at 15 mph by the end of this year.

By the close of 2026, officials expect 800 more school zones to adopt the 15 mph limit, bringing the total to about 1,300 citywide.

The changes will take effect following a 60-day public comment period, according to city officials.

Looking ahead, the Department of Transportation will expand the reduced speed limits to all 2,300 public and private school locations in the city by the end of Mamdani’s current term, the mayor said.

“I would say that today is a significant step forward in us ensuring that we are extending this safety to far more school children across our city, and that we will extend it to every single eligible school zone by the end of 2029,” he said during an event in Flushing International High School.

Not discussed publicly at the event was that enforcement of the new speed limits is expected to continue 24 hours a day, even when schools are not in session, according to sources.

Mamdani was joined by safety advocates, elected officials, and parents who have long pushed for stricter traffic safety measures aimed at reducing fatalities.

Advocates and officials pointed to data showing that pedestrians hit by vehicles traveling at 25 mph are more than three times as likely to suffer serious injuries compared to those struck at 15 mph. The city recorded 205 traffic deaths last year, the lowest number since records began in 1905.

Families for Safe Streets, an advocacy group founded by the mother of Sammy Cohen Eckstein, also attended the event. During the gathering, Mamdani was pressed on whether he would support lowering the citywide speed limit to 20 mph.

He reiterated his support for that goal but maintained that additional legislative action would be required.

“That’s why we would support the council taking this action,” he said.

City Council representatives responded quickly, suggesting that the administration already has tools at its disposal to act.

“Street safety is a priority for Speaker Menin and the Council,” a City Council spokesperson said.

“While a bill to lower the citywide speed limit has yet not been introduced, under Sammy’s Law, the NYC Department of Transportation already has the authority to lower the speed limit in specific locations.”

Efforts to reduce speed limits are not new. Officials from both parties have backed similar measures for decades, including former Mayor Rudy Giuliani in 1999.

Still, opposition has grown in recent years as drivers face additional restrictions such as expanded bike lanes and new tolls, including congestion pricing fees for entering parts of Manhattan.

“Almost everywhere you drive is now in a school zone, so this is essentially lowering the speed limit citywide,” said Councilman David Carr (R-Staten Island).

“This is yet another proposal to punish Outer Borough residents who rely on cars to get around and would make living in New York City even more unbearable and more unaffordable.”

Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, who has acknowledged receiving multiple speeding tickets, argued that reducing speeds near schools should be a broadly accepted goal.

“I think inconvenience is better than death,” he said, before arguing the speed limits weren’t about punishing drivers with tickets.

“This is not about ‘gotcha,’ this is about the folks that we have lost.”

{Matzav.com}

Reb Meir Wolofsky z”l, a longtime resident of Flatbush who later relocated to Toms River to be near his children and grandchildren, has passed away.

R’ Meir was a man who conducted himself with quiet dignity and a steadfast commitment to Torah and Yiddishkeit. Those who knew him speak of his sincerity, his humility, and the consistency with which he lived a life guided by yiras Shamayim and strong middos tovos. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, whose presence brought warmth and strength to his family and all those around him.

He was the father-in-law of noted philanthropist R’ Chuny Herzka and the father of Chavy Herzka, among other distinguished children and descendants who continue in his path.

The levayah was held at the Congregation Sons of Israel Holocaust Memorial Chapel in Lakewood, NJ, followed by additional hespeidim at the Bostoner Bais Medrash in Flatbush.

The aron will be flown to Eretz Yisroel for kevurah.

Yehi zichro baruch.

Sen. John Fetterman sharply criticized Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez over her comments on Israel, calling her remarks misguided and historically insensitive, while also predicting she will not run against Sen. Chuck Schumer in a future primary.

In an interview with Sean Hannity, Fetterman took aim at Ocasio-Cortez’s recent statements made during an appearance in Germany, where she accused Israel of genocide.

“To accuse Israel [of] genocide, and you’re sitting in Germany, like, can you talk about tone deaf and just ignorant to the history?” Fetterman told podcast host Sean Hannity, referring to AOC’s disastrous gaffe-prone foreign-policy outing in Munich last month.

He emphasized the historical weight of making such claims in Germany, referencing the Holocaust.

“I mean, more than 6 million Jews [were massacred] — you know the Holocaust — and now to accuse Israel during that just war for genocide,’’ he said in the interview, set to air Tuesday.

Fetterman said his criticism was not rooted in a single misstep, but in what he viewed as a deeper issue with her framing of the conflict.

“That’s my issue, not because her answer wasn’t great,’’ Fetterman told Fox News Media’s “Hang Out with Sean Hannity” in a nod to the Democratic Socialist rep’s bungling of her appearance at the time.

Ocasio-Cortez’s participation at the Munich Security Conference had drawn attention as a potential preview of a broader national campaign, with some observers viewing it as an opportunity to demonstrate her foreign policy credentials ahead of possible 2028 ambitions.

However, her performance was met with criticism, including factual misstatements such as incorrectly placing Venezuela below the equator, which her detractors cited as evidence that she was not prepared for a larger stage.

The 36-year-old congresswoman, who studied international relations, responded to criticism by arguing that her approach highlighted the importance of pausing to think carefully before speaking.

Fetterman, who said Schumer relies on him at times, dismissed the idea that Ocasio-Cortez would mount a primary challenge against the longtime New York senator.

“She would never run,” Fetterman said when Hannity predicted that Ocasio-Cortez would crush Schumer in a 2028 primary.

He suggested instead that her political future lies elsewhere.

“Either she’ll run for president, or she’ll just kind of continue to rise in” the House of Representatives, the Keystone State senator added.

In another part of the discussion, Fetterman also criticized former Vice President Kamala Harris for describing President Trump as a fascist.

“That’s just not true, and … that forces people to [be] like, ‘Hey, you must be a fascist, too, because you want’” him to win,” Fetterman said of Trump supporters.

He argued that such rhetoric only deepens divisions and makes constructive dialogue more difficult.

“That makes it more difficult to have a better way forward.”

“That’s why I always refuse” to go there, Fetterman said.

{Matzav.com}

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani sparked backlash Tuesday after invoking Ireland’s history of oppression to draw a comparison to what he described as a “genocide” in Gaza, using a St. Patrick’s Day gathering to criticize what he called widespread silence on the Israel-Hamas war.

Mamdani made the remarks while hosting Ireland’s former president, Mary Robinson, at a breakfast at Gracie Mansion marking the start of the city’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.

During his comments, Mamdani reflected on Ireland’s past struggles and framed them as a lens through which to view current global conflicts, praising the Irish tradition of standing in solidarity with oppressed groups. He did not reference conditions inside Iran under its ruling regime.

“Who can better understand those who weep than those who have been made to weep for so long? The story of the Irish, both in Ireland and in New York City, is at one time a story of oppression, of subjugation, and of discrimination,” Mamdani said.

He then commended Robinson, Ireland’s first female president, for her longstanding advocacy on human rights and her vocal support for Palestinians.

“I say this as over the past few years, as we’ve witnessed a genocide unfold before our eyes, there has been deafening silence from so many,” he said.

“For those who have long cared about universal human rights and the extension of them to Palestinians, silence, however, is nothing new, for Palestinians are so often left to weep alone. Yet, former President Robinson has never been silent.”

Mamdani also expressed appreciation to Irish New Yorkers for their role in advancing what he described as a shared pursuit of justice.

The mayor’s comments quickly drew criticism from Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League, who accused Mamdani of turning a cultural celebration into a political platform.

“Mamdani is a master of the politics of victimization. He delighted his left-wing Irish friends by saying, ‘The story of the Irish, both in Ireland and in New York City, is at one time a story of oppression, of subjugation, and of discrimination,’” Donohue said in a statement.

“This is the mentality of the Left. He sees oppression everywhere, nicely teeing it up for guys like him to rescue victims from their oppressors.”

Neil Cosgrove, who serves as political education chairman of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in America, said the holiday should remain focused on Irish-American heritage, even while acknowledging broader global concerns.

“Today is a day to celebrate the Irish-American community. There are 364 other days to go into areas of other politics,” he told The NY Post.

“I think the world needs to hear the message of Saint Patrick — they need to hear it and heed it everyday but certainly we shouldn’t lose that message with other messages on Saint Patrick’s day.”

Robinson, speaking briefly at the event attended by roughly 50 people, highlighted the many ongoing conflicts around the world and suggested that Ireland’s own history shapes how its people view suffering elsewhere.

“We know others are living under the shadow of war and suffering in Iran, in Lebanon, in Palestine, in Ukraine, in Sudan, and Democratic Republic of Congo, and in too many other places,” she said.

“For many Irish people, these realities resonate deeply, as the mayor has said, our own history holds memories of famine, exile, and conflict,” she said.

“Perhaps because of that, many recognize echoes of Ireland’s past within the suffering of others today, in the pain of displacement and the enduring human longing for dignity, justice, and self-determination.”

Mamdani’s remarks came just one day after he met privately with Orthodox Jewish leaders and assured them that combating antisemitism remained a key priority for his administration.

The following morning, before participating in St. Patrick’s Day events, Mamdani again spoke publicly about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He later attended Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, where he was seen smiling as New York’s newly installed archbishop, Ronald Hicks, walked past at the start of the service.

He then joined the city’s annual parade up Fifth Avenue alongside NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, though he left early to attend a luncheon with Hicks.

After the Mass, Mamdani was asked to clarify his comparison between Irish history and the Palestinian situation. He said his remarks were rooted in admiration for Ireland’s historical stance against injustice.

“What we’ve seen time and time again is that it has been the Irish who have been standing up whenever there’s been a person or people oppressed, whether it has been being the first Western government to ban South African goods during apartheid, or it has been this very former president (Robinson) that we honored today standing up in support of Palestinian freedom,” he said.

Mamdani added that Irish immigrants to the United States often faced discrimination themselves, referencing signs that once read “Irish Need Not Apply.”

“It is truly a testament to the Irish spirit of perseverance, of struggle and solidarity that we are here in the city today,” he told reporters.

“I always take inspiration from the Irish.”

A day earlier, Mamdani appeared uncertain when asked about his position on Irish unification — the proposal to bring all 32 counties of Ireland under one independent government — despite confirming his participation in the parade.

“I gotta be honest, I haven’t thought enough on that question,” he said.

His response contrasted with that of New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, who offered a clearer position while marching in the parade.

“I believe in unifying the Irish people, of course,” Hochul told The NY Post while marching in the parade.

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s foreign minister, Gideon Sa’ar, said Tuesday that Israel has effectively secured victory in its war against Iran, though he made clear that military operations will continue and declined to offer any timeline for when the conflict might conclude.

At a press briefing, Sa’ar explained that Israel’s goal is to eliminate what he called “existential threats,” but did not spell out how officials would determine when those threats had been fully neutralized.

“One must be patient,” he said, referring to the 18th day of fighting in a war that has left more than 2,000 people dead across multiple countries, including Iran, Lebanon, Israel, Iraq, and parts of the Persian Gulf.

Israeli leaders, including Sa’ar, have repeatedly said their broader objective is to significantly degrade Iran’s capacity to strike Israel over time, while also creating internal pressure that could eventually lead to political change within Iran.

At the same time, Sa’ar acknowledged that any effort to bring down Iran’s leadership would ultimately have to come from within the country itself, indicating that such an outcome does not appear imminent.

According to the Israeli military, its forces have been targeting Iran’s ballistic missile systems, including launch sites as well as storage and manufacturing facilities. Strikes have also been carried out against locations tied to Iran’s nuclear program, along with security infrastructure.

“We have already won,” Sa’ar said, asserting that Iran has been severely weakened and is no longer the same power it was before the war began on Feb. 28 with coordinated U.S.-Israeli strikes.

“This is clear for us and for our neighbors, but we will continue until the point that the mission is complete,” he said.

Despite those claims, Iran launched multiple waves of missiles toward Israel on Tuesday, underscoring that it still retains the ability to carry out long-range attacks more than two weeks into the war.

Messages from Washington about the duration of the conflict have varied, with President Donald Trump at times suggesting it could end soon while also indicating that operations remain ongoing. Israeli officials have similarly avoided committing to a timeline, and the military has said it is prepared for several more weeks of fighting and beyond.

“We are doing a very important job,” Sa’ar said, shortly after Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that Israeli forces had killed senior Iranian security figure Ali Larijani.

The war between the United States, Israel, and Iran has destabilized the broader region, with Israel also engaged in combat with Hezbollah forces in Lebanon, while Iran has launched strikes targeting Gulf Arab states.

Iran has also effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime passage through which roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas normally flows, fueling rising energy prices and concerns about inflation.

Several American allies have declined President Trump’s request to deploy naval forces to help escort commercial tankers through the strait, with some criticizing the U.S. and Israel for initiating the conflict without broader consultation. Sa’ar condemned Iran’s actions in the waterway, calling them “modern piracy” and warning that the issue affects the entire international community.

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, who appeared alongside Sa’ar, indicated that his country could consider joining a U.S.-led effort to reopen the vital shipping route. However, he said Washington would first need to clearly outline its goals and specify what kind of assistance it is seeking.

{Matzav.com}

The war with Iran has sent shockwaves through global energy markets, pushing oil prices sharply higher and leaving American drivers paying the most for gasoline in nearly two and a half years.

New data from AAA shows that the national average price for a gallon of regular gas climbed to $3.79 on Tuesday, a steep increase from $2.98 before the United States and Israel began coordinated strikes against Iran on Feb. 28. Prices have now reached levels not seen since October 2023.

Consumers across the country are already feeling the impact.

“It’s pretty hard. I mean, times are tough for everybody right now,” Amanda Acosta, a Louisiana resident, told The Associated Press while filling up her car’s tank this week.

“I’m getting way less gas and paying way more money.”

Her frustration reflects a broader trend, as higher fuel costs have become one of the most immediate economic consequences of the conflict. The price of crude oil, which is the key component in gasoline, has jumped and fluctuated significantly in recent weeks due to disrupted supply chains and reduced output from major Middle Eastern producers.

Brent crude, the global benchmark, surpassed $102 per barrel on Tuesday, up sharply from about $70 just weeks earlier. U.S. benchmark crude has also surged, approaching $96 per barrel.

Attention has increasingly turned to Washington. Before the outbreak of the war, President Donald Trump had touted his record of keeping gas prices down. Since then, however, he has shifted his messaging, suggesting that higher oil prices benefit the United States.

In a social media post last week, Trump wrote that because America is now the world’s leading oil producer, “when oil prices go up, we make a lot of money.”

While energy companies stand to gain from rising prices, consumers are left shouldering the burden. The latest spike comes at a time when many households are already grappling with elevated living costs.

Economists warn that higher fuel prices could also feed into persistent inflation, at least in the near term, and potentially weigh more heavily on the broader economy if the trend continues. That, in turn, could increase pressure on the Trump administration as voters remain focused on affordability.

“I just want all of it to end. I just want to get out of there, out of Iran,” said Meghan Adamoli, a New Jersey resident who was among customers filling up at a Multani station on Tuesday.

Adamoli added that while she personally can manage the rising costs, she recognizes that many others are struggling far more.

Truck driver Dan Bradley of Pennsylvania said the increases have hit both his business and personal expenses. Alongside gasoline, diesel prices have also climbed significantly, with the national average exceeding $5 per gallon on Tuesday, up from about $3.76 before the war began.

“It sucks when you’re filling up,” said Bradley. “What are you going to do, not get gas?”

Not everyone views the surge negatively. Clay Plant, who lives in Lubbock, Texas, said higher oil prices are boosting economic activity in his area, where drilling has ramped up.

“It’s kind of a good sign for us in west Texas,” Plant said. “I look at it as my friends and family get to eat and they get to go to work.”

Although the United States has become a net exporter of oil, global pricing dynamics still affect domestic costs. Regions that rely heavily on Middle Eastern imports, particularly in Asia, have been hit even harder by the disruption, but Americans are not insulated from rising prices.

Oil is traded on a global market, and much of the crude produced in the U.S. differs from what domestic refineries are optimized to process. As a result, the country continues to rely in part on imports, leaving it exposed to international supply shocks.

The outlook remains uncertain, with the potential for further price increases if the conflict continues. Iran has effectively shut down most tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint that normally carries about 20% of the world’s oil supply.

This disruption has forced some regional producers to scale back output, as their oil cannot reach global markets. At the same time, strikes by Iran, Israel, and the United States have targeted key energy infrastructure.

These developments have triggered a scramble among nations to secure alternative supplies.

In response, the International Energy Agency announced plans to release 400 million barrels of oil from member countries’ reserves.

After previously minimizing the need to draw from emergency reserves, Trump confirmed that the U.S. would contribute 172 million barrels from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve as part of the coordinated effort.

The administration also said it would temporarily allow Russian oil to re-enter global markets despite existing sanctions tied to the war in Ukraine.

Still, analysts caution that these measures offer only temporary relief. Because refineries purchase crude in advance, it takes time for additional supply to filter through to consumers.

While crude oil prices are the primary driver of current increases, seasonal factors are also playing a role.

Gas prices often rise this time of year as travel increases and refineries switch to producing a more expensive summer fuel blend.

Regional differences also remain significant. On Tuesday, California posted the highest average price at more than $5.54 per gallon, while Kansas had the lowest at around $3.21.

Experts warn that sustained increases in fuel costs could ripple through the broader economy.

As households spend more on essentials like gasoline, many—especially those with lower or middle incomes—will need to cut back in other areas, said Francesco D’Acunto, a finance professor at Georgetown University.

Higher transportation costs also affect the price of goods and services, from food delivery to utility bills.

The combination of inflationary pressure and uncertainty tied to wartime conditions can also dampen consumer confidence.

These conditions, D’Acunto noted, may lead people to delay major financial decisions such as purchasing a home or vehicle.

“So potentially even that will have such an effect on the overall economy.”

{Matzav.com}