Feed aggregator

US Warns Poland of Possible Russian Invasion

Matzav -

The United States has reportedly delivered repeated intelligence warnings to Poland that Russia could carry out military provocations in the coming months, with possible scenarios ranging from attacks inside Polish territory to increased troop deployments near NATO’s eastern frontier.

According to a report by the Polish news outlet ONET, American officials briefed Warsaw on several potential threats. Among the possibilities discussed were a limited ground incursion into Poland, airstrikes against locations within the country, and the positioning of Russian or Belarusian military forces along NATO’s eastern flank.

Officials in Poland’s presidential office told ONET that Washington has issued multiple warnings about what it believes could be a Russian plan involving Poland. Polish intelligence sources reportedly outlined additional possibilities as well, including drone strikes targeting key infrastructure and “simulated airstrikes” intended to force Poland to activate its air defense network.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk acknowledged the heightened security concerns, saying his government is actively preparing for a variety of potential developments.

“We are preparing intensively for different scenarios,” Tusk said. “I don’t intend to scare anyone, but the coming months, also due to the changing nature of the war in Ukraine, may truly be critical, especially for the Baltic states. These concerns are real. We must not underestimate them.”

Poland’s Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski also directed a pointed warning at the Kremlin, urging Russia not to challenge the NATO alliance. “It would be a serious act of reckless folly if Vladimir Putin decides to test NATO’s unity through a disproportionate action. We know what you are planning. Don’t do it.”

Neither the U.S. government nor Polish authorities have officially verified the reported intelligence assessments. Russia, meanwhile, has not publicly responded to the allegations.

{Matzav.com}

‘Appropriate to Mourn a Dictator?’: Danon Rips Guterres Over Condolences to Iran

Matzav -

Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, sharply condemned UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday after reports emerged that the UN chief conveyed condolences to Iran following the death of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

The controversy erupted after Iran’s Foreign Ministry announced that Guterres spoke by phone on Thursday with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and offered condolences over Khamenei’s death.

Responding publicly, Danon lashed out at the UN secretary-general, writing on social media, “Mr. Secretary-General, do you truly believe it is appropriate to mourn Ali Khamenei, a brutal dictator who ordered the murder, torture, and persecution of tens of thousands of innocent Iranians?”

The reported conversation came as Iran prepared for a week-long series of funeral events honoring Khamenei, who was killed in a joint U.S.-Israeli strike inside Iran on February 28.

The latest dispute adds to a long-running and increasingly bitter relationship between Israeli officials and Guterres. Since the Hamas terrorist attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, the UN secretary-general has repeatedly drawn criticism from Israel over what it views as his increasingly hostile rhetoric.

Just weeks after the massacre, Guterres stated that the attack against Israel “did not happen in a vacuum,” remarks that many interpreted as assigning blame to Israel for the assault.

Facing widespread backlash, Guterres later insisted that his comments had been misunderstood and emphasized that he had condemned Hamas.

Tensions escalated even further in May when Guterres placed Israeli entities on the UN blacklist related to sexual violence in conflict zones, prompting Israel to suspend ties with the Secretary-General’s office.

Announcing the move at the time, Danon declared, “We are done with this UN Secretary-General. Guterres has put Israel on the same blacklist along with Hamas, ISIS and the most depraved terrorist organizations in the world. This is a moral disgrace that proves that Guterres has lost all credibility.”

{Matzav.com}

Condition of Rav Chaim Berman Worsens

Matzav -

All are urged to intensify tefillos on behalf of Rav Chaim Berman, “the Ponovezh masmid,” one of the greatest masmidim of the generation, whose condition has taken a serious turn.

Rav Chaim, whose full name for tefillah is Rav Chaim ben Reisa Reizel Berman, has been hospitalized at Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer for an extended period due to severe physical weakness.

Family members and those close to him reported today that his condition has deteriorated significantly.

Widely revered throughout the Torah world for his extraordinary diligence and lifelong devotion to Torah learning, Rav Berman is regarded as one of the foremost masmidim of the generation.

Hundreds of bnei Torah gathered today in the bais medrash of Yeshivas Ponevezh for a special tefillas rabbim.

{Matzav.com}

‘Baby Killers’: Yarmulka-Wearing Jewish Realtor Brutally Attacked in Toronto in Alleged Anti-Semitic Assault

Matzav -

A 64-year-old Jewish real estate agent and attorney was brutally attacked in Toronto this week after a man allegedly targeted him because he was visibly Jewish, hurling bricks and metal objects while shouting anti-Semitic slurs accusing Jews of murdering babies and committing genocide.

Yosef Bitton said the terrifying attack unfolded Tuesday afternoon at a commercial property he manages near the intersection of Jane Street and Lawrence Avenue West in Toronto. According to Bitton, the assailant began swinging a parking marker post and throwing heavy objects while screaming that Jews were “baby killers” committing genocide.

“He said he was from Yemen and that he was a Houthi,” Bitton, who also works as an attorney, told the National Post.

Bitton immediately called 911 as the assault began.

“The first thing I told the dispatcher was that I was being attacked because I was visibly Jewish, and that this person was threatening to kill me,” he said.

The attacker allegedly hurled debris that had been left out for garbage collection, beginning with a brick that struck Bitton in the arm before throwing metal objects and a tree branch at him.

“I dodged all the objects he threw at me and blocked them with my arms. I have scrapes and scratches on both arms,” Bitton recalled. He later sought medical treatment for his injuries. The assault reportedly lasted for more than 30 minutes, yet no bystanders came to his aid.

Bitton expressed deep disappointment over the indifference of those who witnessed the attack.

“There were dozens of witnesses at the bus stop, on the bus, across the street, and at the place where it all started. Nobody lifted a finger to help,” he said.

He noted that the only person who attempted to intervene was one of the retail tenants at the property he manages, who came outside after seeing the attacker wielding the parking marker and tried to keep the two separated.

Asked why he did not physically defend himself, Bitton explained that he feared becoming the one arrested.

“There are people who tell me I should have knocked him out,” he said. “I said: ‘Absolutely not. Then I would have been arrested, he would have been released, and I would have ended up being the bad guy in the story.’ That’s why I made sure to stay about 3 to 5 meters away from him.”

Toronto Police responded to the scene and arrested the suspect. Authorities identified him as 58-year-old Abdulkadir Al-Jilani of Toronto. He has been charged with three counts of assault with a weapon and one count of uttering death threats. Police are investigating whether the attack was motivated by hatred.

Toronto Police stated that when a criminal offense such as assault or property damage is believed to have been motivated by bias, prejudice, or hatred, investigators may consult with prosecutors to seek recognition of the hate motive as an aggravating factor during sentencing if a conviction is secured.

Following the attack, Bitton shared his anguish in a Facebook post, writing, “This is not the Canada I have lived in for the past 64 years.”

{Matzav.com}

Trump Announces Pardons for Pollution Violators Prosecuted for “Fixing Their Car”

Matzav -

President Donald Trump announced Friday that he has granted pardons to six individuals convicted in federal cases involving vehicle emissions equipment, arguing they were unfairly targeted by prosecutors for simply modifying their vehicles. Trump blasted the prosecutions as an example of government overreach and declared that the men were being immediately freed.

“I AM SETTING THEM ALL FREE, RIGHT NOW!,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

The White House did not immediately release the identities of those receiving pardons. However, attorney Stewart Cables and lobbyist Jeff Daugherty, who represent five of the six men, identified them as Ryan Lalone, Wade Lalone, Matt Geouge, Tim Clancy, and Mac Spurlock, according to CBS News.

Daugherty welcomed the decision, crediting both divine intervention and the president for the outcome.

“Thanks to God for putting it on Trump’s heart to approve these pardons, and thank God for Donald Trump.”

He added that Trump was uniquely positioned to understand their situation because of his own experiences.

“Is the only president who would have taken an interest in these parties, and the reason is he’s the only president to face such ferocious weaponization himself.”

According to Daugherty and Cables, the White House notified them Friday that the pardons had been approved.

Earlier in the day, CBS News reported that Trump intended to pardon defendants who had been prosecuted for altering or disabling vehicle air pollution control systems, conduct that federal authorities had charged as violations of the Clean Air Act.

The latest clemency actions follow Trump’s pardon last year of Wyoming mechanic Troy Lake, who served seven months in federal prison after being convicted of disabling emissions-control equipment on diesel engines.

The pardons also come after the Justice Department directed federal prosecutors earlier this year to end all pending criminal cases and investigations involving so-called aftermarket defeat devices, which are designed to disable vehicle emissions-control systems.

{Matzav.com}

Pages

Subscribe to NativUSA Portal aggregator