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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani vowed Friday that his administration would not accept the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision allowing the Trump administration to revoke deportation protections for hundreds of thousands of Haitian and Syrian migrants, calling the ruling one of the most damaging blows to immigrants in recent history.

Responding to the court’s 6-3 decision, the socialist Muslim anti-Israel mayor released a video message condemning both the ruling and the administration’s immigration policy.

“To have people who frankly taught the world about freedom have their own freedom put into jeopardy by the actions of a Supreme Court and federal administration — it is not only cruel, it’s not something we will ever accept,” Mamdani said in a video statement after Thursday’s bombshell 6-3 ruling.

The Supreme Court concluded that the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) law does not permit judicial review of the administration’s decisions, preventing lower federal courts from blocking the Trump administration’s move to terminate deportation protections for more than 350,000 Haitians and approximately 6,000 Syrians living in the United States.

Soon after the ruling was issued, Mamdani appeared alongside immigration advocates, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, and Attorney General Letitia James before issuing an additional statement through City Hall.

“The Supreme Court just sparked one of the largest attacks on immigrants in modern American history. In one fell swoop, thousands of Haitians and Syrians now risk losing the right to live and work in the country they call home,” Mamdani also said in a statement issued by City Hall.

He warned that New York City would feel the effects of the ruling more than many other places because of its large Haitian and Syrian populations.

“This decision will cause enormous pain across the five boroughs. Here in New York, it falls hardest on our Haitian community, one of the largest in the country, alongside Syrian families,” the statement said.

Seeking to reassure affected residents, Mamdani pledged that the city would continue to stand behind immigrants with Temporary Protected Status.

“To the tens of thousands of New Yorkers with TPS who are watching the news, frightened about what comes next, hear me clearly: New York City is your home. You belong here. We will not turn our backs on you.”

City Hall also announced that the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs would soon release updated guidance and additional resources for impacted migrants.

“You will not face this cruelty alone. This administration will stand alongside immigrant New Yorkers today, tomorrow, and every day that follows,” Mamdani said.

New York City’s sanctuary policies generally prohibit local agencies and law enforcement from assisting federal immigration enforcement or participating in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations.

Since taking office in January, Mamdani has expanded those sanctuary protections. In February, he signed an executive order barring ICE agents from entering city-owned properties—including public schools, homeless shelters, and hospitals—without a judicial warrant.

The executive order also directed a review of city agencies to ensure compliance with sanctuary policies, called for recommendations to strengthen enforcement of those rules, and required additional training for municipal employees.

“We will make it clear once again ICE will not be able to enter New York City property without a judicial warrant. That means our schools, our shelters and our hospitals,” Mamdani said at the time.

According to city figures, New York is home to roughly 115,000 Haitians and nearly 12,000 Syrians.

Temporary Protected Status has been available to Syrian nationals since 2012 following the outbreak of the country’s civil war, while Haitians have been eligible for the designation since the devastating 2010 earthquake.

The Supreme Court previously issued a similar ruling that cleared the way for the Trump administration to end Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelan migrants.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump declared Friday that even Iran’s own leadership and citizens were relieved by the death of Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani, while also touting his administration’s military and diplomatic actions against Tehran as having prevented the Islamic Republic from obtaining nuclear weapons.

Trump made the remarks during a speech before the Faith and Freedom Coalition, where he reflected on key moments from his presidency and highlighted what he described as major successes in confronting Iran.

Recalling the January 3, 2020 U.S. drone strike in Iraq that killed Soleimani, Trump argued that the operation was welcomed even within Iran. He claimed that the country’s late Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, “and all of the people in Iran were happy about” Soleimani’s death “because they were afraid of him too.”

Trump also disclosed that Israel had originally planned to participate in the operation but ultimately withdrew shortly before it was carried out.

“And I said to a couple of generals that we had who were very good, I said, ’What do you think, generals, can we do it?’ Because we worked on it for 30 days, worked on it with Israel. They said, ‘We’ll do it, sir…we’ll do it better. And he was dead the next day.”

Turning to last week’s Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and Iran, Trump praised the accord as a landmark achievement, saying it delivered results no previous administration had managed to secure.

Calling the agreement “historic,” Trump said it accomplished “what no president has ever been able to accomplish before, that Iran will never have a nuclear weapon. We’re not going to let that happen. And thanks to the power and skill of the United States Armed Forces, Iran today has no Navy, no Air Force, no anti-aircraft capability, no radar, virtually no manufacturing. Their drone capacity has been cut by 82 percent. Their missile capacity has been cut by 80 percent. Their rocket launchers have been cut by 90 percent.”

The president also renewed his criticism of the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement negotiated during the Obama administration, which he withdrew the United States from during his first term.

Labelling former President Barack Obama “a disaster”, Trump continued, “He gave [Iran] $1.7 billion in cash. Gave it to Iran. Thought he could buy their friendship. And it was just the opposite. They used the money, and they built missiles and everything else. And I terminated the JCPOA, which was his agreement. It was the Iran nuclear deal. It was a disaster.”

Trump concluded by arguing that withdrawing from the Obama-era agreement and later authorizing military action against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure had prevented a far greater threat.

He further stated that if he had not terminated the Obama-era deal, “Iran would have had a nuclear weapon. If I didn’t send the B-2 bombers in 10 months ago, they would have had a nuclear weapon. We obliterated that nuclear dust. And then you wouldn’t have Israel. Israel would be gone.”

{Matzav.com}

The United States launched a series of military strikes against Iranian targets on Friday after Tehran attacked a commercial cargo ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz, with U.S. officials saying the operation was intended to respond to the assault and safeguard one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes.

In a statement posted on X, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said American forces targeted Iranian facilities used to store missiles and drones, along with radar installations connected to the attack.

According to CENTCOM, the military action followed Iran’s June 25 drone strike against the Singapore-flagged cargo vessel M/V Ever Lovely as it was departing the Strait of Hormuz along the Omani coastline. The ship was struck by what officials described as a one-way attack drone.

CENTCOM condemned the incident, describing Iran’s actions as an “unwarranted aggression” that violated the existing ceasefire agreement while threatening the principle of free navigation through the strategically vital waterway.

“CENTCOM forces continue to provide safe passage coordination and support to commercial vessels transiting the strait,” the command said, adding that the U.S. forces remain “present and vigilant.”

{Matzav.com}

Israel and Lebanon signed a landmark framework agreement in Washington today, marking a major diplomatic milestone intended to reshape the security situation along Israel’s northern border. The US-brokered accord establishes a roadmap for future understandings between the two countries while making the removal of Hezbollah and Iranian influence from Lebanon its central objective.

The agreement was formalized during a ceremony in Washington attended by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Israel’s Ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, signed on behalf of Israel, while Lebanon was represented by its ambassador to the US, Nada Hamadeh Moawad.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the Israel-Lebanon peace framework: "It's the beginning of the beginning. There is a lot of work ahead." pic.twitter.com/djoFtFMeaQ

— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) June 26, 2026

Addressing those gathered before the signing, Rubio welcomed the breakthrough, saying, “We are pleased to announce the agreement between Lebanon and Israel. Both countries deserve it after years of suffering caused by external interference,” he stated.

Israeli officials had indicated earlier in the day that a framework agreement would be unveiled following four days of intensive negotiations held in Washington.

According to Channel 12 News, the Memorandum of Understanding is designed to create the conditions for a new security reality along the northern frontier. At the heart of the agreement is a shared commitment to eliminating Iran’s influence inside Lebanon and preventing Hezbollah from continuing to operate as the dominant military force in the country.

Under the terms of the agreement, Israeli forces will continue holding positions within the Yellow Line security zone until Hezbollah has been completely disarmed and the Lebanese government demonstrates that it can exercise full authority over all of its territory.

Explaining Israel’s position, a senior Israeli official told Channel 12 News, “We will withdraw from the territory we have taken only if Hezbollah ceases to be a factor in the entire country. We retain the freedom to respond to any threat that arises.”

The official also emphasized that Jerusalem is seeking broad international recognition for maintaining its military presence in the security zone for as long as threats against Israel remain.

The framework further includes a pilot initiative under which the IDF would gradually leave a limited area of southern Lebanon, allowing the Lebanese Armed Forces to move into those positions and assume responsibility for security.

The pilot phase will initially focus on two designated sectors. One area is located outside the Yellow Line, west of the Salouqi River and south of the Litani River. The second extends north of the Litani, with portions both inside and outside the newly established Yellow Line.

Implementation of the pilot program is expected to begin once the Lebanese Armed Forces complete their deployment preparations. During the initial stage, US military personnel will accompany Lebanese troops to assist them in carrying out the transition.

Following the signing ceremony, a senior Israeli diplomatic official described the agreement as an important diplomatic breakthrough, stating, “Following lengthy negotiations, representatives from the US, Israel, and Lebanon signed a trilateral working framework this evening, designed to pave the way for future agreements and achieve a lasting peace settlement.”

The official stressed that Israel’s security requirements remain unchanged, adding, “Israel will maintain its security zone within the boundaries of the Yellow Line in Lebanon until the day Hezbollah and all other terrorist organizations in Lebanon are disarmed, and a threat to the State of Israel no longer emanates from Lebanese territory. The IDF will retain full operational freedom of action throughout the security zone to neutralize threats of any kind.”

Highlighting the broader significance of the agreement, the senior diplomatic official concluded, “This trilateral framework represents a major achievement for Israel.” He asserted that the framework agreement “categorically rejects Iran’s attempt to force a unilateral withdrawal from southern Lebanon,” effectively stripping both Iran and Hezbollah of any role or influence in the country.

[Video below.] Rav Shlomo Englander, rosh yeshiva of Bais Shmaya, delivered a forceful address condemning demonstrations, road blockages, and confrontational protest tactics, arguing that such methods run contrary to the teachings of the Chazon Ish and the traditional approach of gedolei Yisroel.

The remarks, published in the Daas Emes MiToraso publication by Otzar HaParshah, focused on what the rosh yeshiva described as the growing phenomenon of young bnei Torah embracing the view that the draft decree should be fought through public protests, force, and disruptive demonstrations.

Rav Englander cited a historic letter that the Chazon Ish dictated word for word following an incident in which a group of young men set fire to the vehicles of Shabbos motorists in Yerushalayim.

In the extraordinary public proclamation, the Chazon Ish wrote: “This is not the way, nor is it the portion of Yaakov… The holy Torah and its mitzvos will not prevail through acts of violence, for ‘Its ways are ways of pleasantness, and all its paths are peace.’”

The Chazon Ish went on to denounce such conduct in especially sharp terms.

“Terror is a foreign branch in the vineyard of faithful Judaism, a poisonous fruit of secular parties that educate people to admire brute force and the hands of Eisav. Blessed is He Who has not made us like the secularists. Their ways are not our ways, and may we have no share with them.”

Rav Englander noted that following publication of the letter, tensions subsided, and even the most zealous elements refrained from acting in opposition to the Chazon Ish’s unequivocal position.

The rosh yeshiva also referenced another letter published in 1953 with the approval of the Chazon Ish, which stated that anyone who believes the spiritual struggle can be won through force and violence has adopted the worldview of “kochi v’otzem yadi.”

He further recalled the well-known account involving the Brisker Rav, who once confronted one of the leaders of Neturei Karta demonstrations by declaring, “You are a Zionist.”

According to the story, the Brisker Rav explained that had the man lived in Soviet Russia, he would never have dared stage such protests because he feared being shot. The fact that he protested in Israel, the Brisker Rav argued, demonstrated that he relied on the Zionist government’s laws and restraint. One who depends on those laws, he said, is, in that sense, a Zionist.

Rav Englander also cited the death of Rav Pinchos Segalov, who died after being struck by a police officer, as well as comments made by Rav Moshe Silber at the levayah of a bochur who was killed by an Arab driver during a demonstration. Rav Silber reportedly said that anyone responsible for organizing that protest should repent for the bloodshed.

Rav Englander also questioned why bnei Torah involved in such demonstrations later turn to civil rights organizations to complain about police conduct.

“Is that not Zionism as well,” he asked, “when they believe the authorities will uphold the law?”

Concluding his address, the rosh yeshiva said such methods fundamentally contradict the educational principles handed down by the gedolim. Just as children should not be disciplined through slaps and shouting because it teaches that force is an acceptable means of achieving one’s goals, he argued, the same principle applies to public protests.

“If people hold demonstrations, break into the homes of government officials, and smash their windows, even if, as a result, several bochurim are released from prison, anyone who follows that path is being educated in a way of force and violence,” Rav Englander concluded. He stressed that such an approach is inconsistent with the educational philosophy taught by the Chazon Ish and the gedolei hador.

WATCH:

A major public gathering in support of bnei yeshivah imprisoned in military jails has been postponed until Monday night, organizers announced. The event, titled Maamad Kevod HaTorah, will be led by the former Rishon LeTzion, Rav Yitzchak Yosef, president of the Moetzes Chachmei HaTorah, and is expected to draw tens of thousands of participants.

The rally follows a decision reached two weeks ago at a gathering of Sephardic community rabbanim in Bnei Brak, where leaders resolved to organize a mass demonstration in response to the draft of bnei yeshivah and the imprisonment of bnei Torah in military detention facilities.

Originally scheduled for Motzoei Shabbos following Parshas Balak, the event has now been rescheduled for Monday after numerous rabbanim and participants from outside Bnei Brak requested additional time to arrange their attendance.

According to organizers, the rally will bring together the city’s rabbanim, roshei yeshivah, roshei kollelim, and other gedolei Torah, alongside thousands of bnei Torah and avreichim, in a public demonstration of support for those currently incarcerated over the draft issue.

The gathering will take place along Rechov Eshel Avraham and Rechov Rabinov in the Ramat Elchanan and Ramat Aharon neighborhoods of Bnei Brak.

The rally is scheduled to begin Monday night, the 14th of Tammuz, at 9:30 p.m. Organizers say they are preparing for the arrival of tens of thousands and emphasize that the event will be conducted in an orderly fashion while expressing broad public support for lomdei Torah who have been imprisoned in military jails.