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[Video below.] Former Vice President Mike Pence said the U.S. and Israel war with Iran “had to happen,” defending the ongoing conflict as a necessary response to decades of hostility from Tehran.

“Iran has been at war with America and our most cherished ally, Israel, for 47 years,” Pence said during a televised interview on Sunday, arguing that the Iranian regime has consistently targeted American forces and interests through proxy groups.

The fighting has now entered its third month, contributing to rising energy costs and escalating tensions across the Middle East.

Public sentiment in the United States remains cautious. A Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll found that 61% of Americans believe the U.S. military action against Iran was a mistake, reflecting widespread doubt about the operation.

Despite that, Pence has continued to strongly support Donald Trump and his handling of the situation, portraying the strategy as a necessary stand against a hostile regime.

In a post on X, Pence praised Trump’s recent move to secure maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, calling it a “strong move” and expressing backing for U.S. forces involved in the mission.

“God bless all our troops engaged in Project Freedom,” Pence wrote Sunday night.

The effort is aimed at restoring access to one of the world’s most vital shipping routes after Iran restricted movement in the area, sending global oil prices higher.

Those disruptions have translated into higher costs at home, with average gas prices in the United States climbing to approximately $4.46 per gallon, a sharp increase from last year.

Trump has described the operation as both a strategic and humanitarian mission, pledging to ensure safe passage for vessels moving through the strait and to stabilize global commerce.

The move is part of a broader push by the administration to increase pressure on Iran while maintaining leverage in ongoing diplomatic considerations.

Pence, who has long advocated for a firm U.S. approach toward Iran, reiterated his support for military action during recent public appearances.

Speaking earlier this month at an event in Ohio, Pence said he backs Trump’s decision to use force against Iran and emphasized the importance of projecting American strength on the global stage.

“We worked together closely,” Pence said of his time with Trump, The Columbus Dispatch reported, pointing to their shared approach on national security and foreign policy.

Supporters of the administration argue that decisive action is necessary to counter Iran’s destabilizing behavior and prevent it from developing nuclear weapons.

Critics, however, warn that the conflict could escalate further and question whether the current strategy provides a sustainable long-term solution.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump charged that Iran has been striking vessels tied to countries not directly involved in the conflict, pointing to recent incidents in the Strait of Hormuz.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “Iran has taken some shots at unrelated Nations with respect to the Ship Movement, PROJECT FREEDOM, including a South Korean Cargo Ship. Perhaps it’s time for South Korea to come and join the mission! We’ve shot down seven small Boats or, as they like to call them, ‘fast’ Boats. It’s all they have left. Other than the South Korean Ship, there has been, at this moment, no damage going through the Strait. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Caine, will have a News Conference tomorrow morning. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”

Earlier in remarks to Fox News, Trump warned that Iran would be “blown off the face of the earth” if it moves against U.S. naval forces escorting commercial ships through the strategic waterway.

On Monday evening, Iran fired two waves of cruise missiles toward the United Arab Emirates, saying the strikes were retaliation for the actions of U.S. Navy destroyers operating in the Strait of Hormuz.

Hours before that escalation, the U.S. military said guided-missile destroyers had entered the region after passing through the Strait as part of “Project Freedom,” an operation intended to safeguard open passage for global shipping.

U.S. forces are currently working to reopen key maritime routes for commercial traffic. As part of the initial phase of the mission, two American-flagged merchant ships successfully passed through the Strait and continued on their course without incident.

South Korea later confirmed that one of its cargo vessels sustained damage in an Iranian strike.

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir called on the public not to travel to Meron for the Lag BaOmer gathering at the kever of Rav Shimon Bar Yochai, warning that attendance this year could pose a serious danger to life.

Ben Gvir conducted a comprehensive security assessment Monday evening at Mount Meron, joined by Communications Minister Shlomo Karchi and senior officials from Israel’s security establishment. The meeting focused on preparations for the annual event, which in past years has drawn massive crowds.

Among those present were Police Commissioner Dani Levy, Fire and Rescue Commissioner Eyal Caspi, Deputy Police Commissioner Amir Hetzroni, Northern District Commander Meir Eliyahu, Jerusalem and Heritage Ministry Director-General Shimi Elbaum, and other senior members of the command staff.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Ben Gvir issued a clear message to the public: “This year in Meron, we are guided by the principle of guarding your lives — we are calling on the public not to come. I understand the feelings of everyone who wants to celebrate and rejoice; it is something we all deserve. But this year, as all the leading rabbonim have said: It is a matter of life and death. Do not come to Meron.”

He stressed that the decision was based on security concerns as well as instructions from leading rabbinic authorities, pointing to the tense situation in northern Israel and the restrictions imposed by the Home Front Command.

Ben Gvir also praised the work of the security forces on the ground. “I want to commend the police officers who are standing at checkpoints in the cold, under difficult conditions, and acting with great sensitivity. The officers are working in a very careful and respectful manner, and we call on the public not to come to Meron — do not put your lives at risk.”

Authorities have established a limited framework for this year’s event, restricting it to three official lighting ceremonies: the central lighting by the Boyaner Rebbe, a ceremony representing the religious Zionist community led by Rav Shmuel Eliyahu, and a third lighting for Sephardic communities led by Rav Shlomo Amar.

The tighter restrictions were set following decisions by the Home Front Command and police due to the ongoing security situation in northern Israel. In addition, Rav Shlomo Amar is scheduled to hold the traditional Sephardic lighting in Yerushalayim this evening instead of in Meron, at a gathering near the Shema Shlomo institutions in the Bayit Vegan neighborhood.

{Matzav.com}

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President Donald Trump publicly suggested that House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries could face impeachment after the New York Democrat sharply criticized the U.S. Supreme Court over a recent ruling.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump targeted Jeffries for describing the Supreme Court as “illegitimate” in response to its decision involving congressional redistricting in Louisiana.
“Hakeem Jeffries, a Low IQ individual, said our Supreme Court is ‘illegitimate.’ After saying such a thing, isn’t he subject to Impeachment?” Trump wrote. “I got impeached for A PERFECT PHONE CALL. Where are you Republicans? Why not get it started?”
Trump added, “They’ll be doing this to me!”

Jeffries had released a statement days earlier criticizing the Court’s decision, which addressed whether Louisiana’s congressional district maps comply with the Voting Rights Act.

He argued that the ruling weakens key protections in the landmark civil rights law and could affect minority voters’ ability to elect representatives of their choosing.
“Today’s decision by this illegitimate Supreme Court majority … is designed to undermine the ability of communities of color all across this country,” Jeffries said, calling the outcome “unacceptable” but “not unexpected.”

The Supreme Court’s decision in the Louisiana case focuses on how states draw congressional districts and the degree to which race may be taken into account under the Voting Rights Act.

The ruling is one of several ongoing disputes nationwide over redistricting, an issue both political parties are closely monitoring due to its potential impact on upcoming elections.

Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett sharply criticized Economy Minister Nir Barkat on Monday over his “Israel Basket” initiative with Carrefour, accusing him of effectively boycotting hundreds of thousands of Israelis living in Judea and Samaria. Barkat fired back with a pointed response, escalating the public clash between the two.

Bennett, who heads the “Together” party, attacked the program in a post on X, writing: “Economy Minister Nir Barkat is boycotting half a million Israeli citizens who live in Judea and Samaria.”

He continued his criticism, saying: “Instead of lowering prices through competition, he invented a foolish move in which Israeli taxpayers transfer 50 million shekels to Carrefour — the same chain that boycotts residents of Judea and Samaria for anti-Israel reasons. This is a shameful capitulation to the antisemitic BDS. Both a failure and a disgrace. I will not allow anyone to boycott half a million wonderful Israelis.”

Bennett attached a screenshot showing a map of Carrefour branch locations, which indicated that the chain does not operate stores in Judea and Samaria. While Carrefour does not maintain physical branches in those areas, it does provide online delivery services to some communities there.

In the months following the October 7 attack, the global Carrefour chain became a target of a BDS campaign, which led, among other steps, to the closure of its operations in Jordan in early 2024. Last year, the company also shut down its operations in Oman and began operating there under the “Hypermax” brand.

Barkat responded with a post of his own on X, stating: “The former head of the Yesha Council who changed his skin in order to steal the position of prime minister together with Mansour Abbas, and who called Judea and Samaria the ‘West Bank,’ will not preach to a government that has carried out a tremendous revolution in settlement, established more than one hundred new communities, and is investing hundreds of millions, together with the Economy Ministry, in building new industrial zones. You are a failure and a disgrace.”

At the center of the dispute is the “Israel Basket” initiative promoted by Barkat in recent months, which began being sold through Carrefour last month. The program was designed by the Economy Ministry to encourage supermarket chains to offer lower prices on a range of basic goods, in exchange for a government-backed marketing campaign spearheaded by Barkat, who allocated 50 million shekels for the effort during an election year.

The initiative has drawn significant criticism over how the products included in the basket were selected, with critics arguing that health considerations were overlooked and that specific brands were chosen arbitrarily instead of broader product categories. In addition, most Israeli supermarket chains chose not to participate in the tender, leaving Carrefour as the only bidder — and eventual winner. A Channel 12 News review conducted when the basket launched found that prices were actually higher than those offered by competing chains.

The Economy Ministry responded: “Unfortunately, today no retail chain operates branches in every part of the country without exception. However, in certain areas of Judea and Samaria, Carrefour’s online ordering service is available. The main goal of the ‘Israel Basket’ project is to encourage competition and reduce prices across all supermarket chains — a reduction in prices that we are already seeing in practice in chains operating in Judea and Samaria. The Ministry of Economy and Industry continues to examine additional ways to expand the project’s reach to more cities and communities.”

{Matzav.com}