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Senate Republicans on Thursday voted down an effort to advance legislation that would have required President Trump to withdraw U.S. forces from the conflict with Iran, signaling continued support for the administration’s military campaign despite growing unease among some GOP lawmakers over rising casualties and the length of the war.

The Senate rejected a procedural motion to bring the War Powers Resolution out of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, defeating it by a vote of 47-49.

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) broke with most Republicans by joining Democrats in favor of advancing the measure, while Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) was the lone Democrat to oppose it.

Several senators did not participate in the vote, including Republicans Rand Paul of Kentucky and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, both of whom have previously supported efforts to limit President Trump’s authority as commander in chief. Senate Republicans Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Katie Britt of Alabama were also absent.

Although he missed the vote, Paul reiterated this week that he believes the conflict has weakened the United States rather than strengthened it.

“I think the Iran war has not been a success. I’ve been opposed to the Iran war from the beginning. I think by any objective measure we’re worse off than we were before the war,” Paul said after a Senate hearing.

Other Republican senators also expressed concern about the direction of the conflict, citing increasing civilian casualties and uncertainty over the administration’s long-term strategy.

“There’s got to be an off-ramp, that’s all there is to it,” said Sen. Jim Justice (R-W.Va.).

“Naturally all of us are concerned because we’ve lost three wonderful, wonderful service people in the last little while,” he said, referring to three U.S. service members who were killed in the past week.

On Wednesday, President Trump warned that if Iran attacks ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, the United States would respond by striking civilian infrastructure, including bridges and power plants around Tehran.

The conflict has now claimed the lives of 18 American service members.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), who introduced the resolution, argued that Congress needed to reassert its constitutional role as the war continues to expand following the collapse of the ceasefire between the United States and Iran.

“It’s the first resolution since shipping in the Strait of Hormuz has once again been ground to a halt,” he said. “More civilians have been killed as well, and the United States and Iran are now deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure.”

Speaking against the proposal, Sen. Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), a former Navy SEAL, insisted that Iran’s ruling regime remains a grave threat that must be confronted militarily rather than restrained by congressional action.

“This regime that we are fighting does not care about our partisan politics. They don’t care who you voted for, who you pray to, or where you live. They want to kill all of us and they don’t just say it, they actually do it,” he said.

The Senate vote followed action earlier Thursday in the House of Representatives, where four Republicans joined Democrats in approving a separate War Powers Resolution directing President Trump to remove U.S. troops from the conflict unless Congress specifically authorizes military action.

The House approved the resolution by a vote of 214-208. Republicans Tom Barrett of Michigan, Warren Davidson of Ohio, Thomas Massie of Kentucky, and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania joined Democrats in supporting the measure.

The latest congressional debate comes after lawmakers approved another House-backed concurrent resolution in June calling on President Trump to end military operations against Iran. That vote prompted a contentious meeting at the White House on June 24 between the President and Senate Republicans.

Following that earlier vote, President Trump sharply criticized Republican senators who supported the resolution, directing particular frustration toward Rand Paul, Lisa Murkowski, and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana.

After that meeting, both Cassidy and Paul altered their positions. Senate Republicans subsequently defeated another war powers measure sponsored by Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) that sought to require an end to U.S. military involvement in the conflict.

Cassidy voted against Kaine’s proposal after receiving a White House briefing from Vice President JD Vance on the war, while Paul voted “present,” explaining that he wanted to “give the president more space and leverage to negotiate a lasting peace.”

Unlike the concurrent resolution approved in June—which carried no legal force and did not require the President’s signature—the legislation considered Thursday would have been legally binding if enacted into law.

Cassidy again voted against advancing the proposal on Thursday. Even if Congress had approved the measure, it would still have required President Trump’s signature before taking effect.

{Matzav.com}

Longtime New York real estate developer Charles Kushner says he is leaving New York for Florida, citing what he calls the antisemitism of Mayor Zohran Mamdani and First Lady Rama Duwaji as the primary reason for relocating after a lifetime in the city, the NY Post reports.

“I don’t want to pay taxes and live in a city with a blatantly antisemitic mayor and his antisemitic wife, period,” Kushner told The Post. “I also don’t want to live in the city with the people who voted for him.”

Kushner said his decision had little to do with Mamdani’s socialist agenda and far more to do with what he views as the mayor’s longstanding hostility toward Israel and the Jewish community. He pointed to Mamdani’s refusal to participate in the Israel Day Parade, his calls to arrest Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu as a war criminal, his outreach to anti-Israel demonstrators at Columbia University, and what Kushner described as Duwaji’s apparent celebration of the October 7 Hamas massacre.

“I don’t think you can reason with people that celebrate brutality on October 7th and say it was a hoax,” said Kushner, who is currently serving as US Ambassador to France and living in Paris for the time being. “I don’t think they are people worth talking to. I speak to a lot of people that don’t have political views that I have, and there’s two sides, and I respect everybody’s opinion, but I don’t respect anybody that celebrates murder, rape, brutality.”

Kushner also criticized what he described as Mamdani’s broader hostility toward successful business leaders, arguing that the mayor’s political rise reflects growing resentment toward people who have earned wealth through entrepreneurship and investment.

He specifically referenced a viral campaign video in which Mamdani promoted his proposed pied-à-terre tax by singling out billionaire hedge fund manager Ken Griffin as someone who owns valuable New York real estate without living in the city full time.

“You know, Ken Griffin worked hard to earn all that money,” Kushner said. “He took a lot of risk to earn all that money. That’s what America’s about.”

Although Kushner intends to establish Florida residency, he said he is not severing all ties with New York. He plans to keep his Manhattan apartment—even if it means paying the proposed pied-à-terre tax—but worries that Mamdani’s leadership could inflict lasting damage on the city he has long called home.

“I think there’s a lot of people like me that love New York City,” he said, adding that he hopes the city is “so robust and such an energetic and strong city that hopefully one person can’t ruin it.

“Bill de Blasio couldn’t ruin it, because the city is such an economic center, and really a cultural center, and it’s the center of the world,” he said. “But if I was a betting person, if one person could ruin it or bring it down, it’s this mayor.”

Kushner has spent decades building Kushner Companies into one of the country’s most prominent family-owned real estate firms. In 2004, he pleaded guilty to tax evasion, witness tampering, and making illegal campaign contributions before later receiving a presidential pardon from President Trump. His eldest son, Jared Kushner, served as a senior White House adviser and is President Trump’s son-in-law, while his younger son, Joshua Kushner, founded the investment firm Thrive Capital.

Kushner argued that New York should remain a place where ambition and hard work are rewarded rather than one where successful individuals are vilified. He said supporters of the new mayor should focus on taking advantage of the city’s opportunities instead of attacking those who have prospered.

“The opportunity is there for all Americans,” he said, adding. “I hope they find happiness with this moronic mayor.”

For his part, Kushner said he has no regrets about the move and is looking forward to beginning the next chapter of his life in Florida.

“I’m going to have a very nice life as a resident of Florida, with a lot of family and a lot of friends that are doing exactly that, have done, and continue to do exactly the same thing,” he said.

The Trump administration announced a new round of tariffs Thursday targeting roughly 60 countries that have not taken sufficient steps to prohibit goods produced through forced labor, replacing a temporary global tariff policy that expires Friday with a new trade framework tied to labor standards.

Senior administration officials said the new duties will take effect at 12:01 a.m. on July 24. Under the plan, countries that have enacted or begun enforcing laws banning imports made with forced labor will face a 10% tariff, while nations that have failed to adopt such measures will be subject to a 12.5% import tax.

“The United States has had a forced labor import ban for nearly a century, and rigorously enforces it; it’s well past time for our trading partners to do the same,” said US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

“Today’s action will begin to correct what is both a human rights abuse and distortive trade practice to improve the welfare of workers everywhere,” Greer added.

According to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the 10% tariff rate will apply to Argentina, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Canada, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Malaysia, Mexico, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United Kingdom.

The agency also said certain products imported from European Union member states, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and Switzerland will be subject to either the 10% or 12.5% rate, depending on the circumstances. All remaining countries—including China—will generally face the higher 12.5% tariff.

One administration official noted that India qualified for the lower tariff after adopting legislation designed to block products manufactured through forced labor from entering its market.

The latest move underscores the Trump administration’s continued effort to reshape U.S. trade policy while pursuing new legal avenues to impose tariffs after the Supreme Court invalidated last year’s “Liberation Day” tariffs.

“It encourages stronger labor rights enforcement abroad,” an official said of the so-called Section 301 approach. “It will restore fairness in the global market for American workers. And it incentivizes our trading partners to join the United States in eliminating forced labor from global supply chains.”

“For nearly a century, the United States has prohibited imports made in whole or in part with forced labor,” the official added.

Administration officials said oil and natural gas imports will be exempt from the new tariffs, which follow a government investigation examining labor practices in at least 60 countries.

The new duties are being imposed under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, replacing the blanket 10% tariffs issued under Section 122 that are scheduled to expire shortly after midnight.

Officials said the policy will cover approximately 99% of all imports entering the United States, although they do not expect it to significantly alter overall economic conditions because the new rates are largely comparable to the existing tariff levels.

The administration also emphasized that the new Section 301 duties will not be added on top of other tariffs already in place, such as Section 232 tariffs on steel, aluminum, and certain other products that were imposed for national security reasons.

President Trump introduced the temporary Section 122 tariffs earlier this year after the Supreme Court struck down his baseline 10% tariff imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) on Feb. 20.

Thursday’s announcement comes just days after President Trump imposed a 50% tariff on certain Canadian imports, marking another escalation in his administration’s broader trade agenda.

Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon accused New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani of helping create the atmosphere that led to today’s stabbing attack on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, arguing that the mayor’s repeated anti-Israel rhetoric has endangered the city’s Jewish community.

Danon issued the sharp rebuke after two men—one Jewish and one Asian—were stabbed in broad daylight in what authorities are investigating as a possible bias-motivated attack. Witnesses told investigators the suspect shouted “Allahu Akbar” during the assaults.

“Zohran Mamdani, your incitement is putting Jewish lives in danger in New York, home to the largest Jewish community outside Israel. You have spent months fueling hatred, demonizing Israel and legitimizing hostility toward Jews. Now take responsibility for the consequences,” wrote Danon.

He continued, “Every time you pour more fuel on this fire, you make violence more likely. Stop the incitement. Before more people get hurt.”

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar echoed Danon’s criticism, saying the violence was the predictable result of months of inflammatory rhetoric directed at the Jewish state.

“I am appalled by the horrific antisemitic stabbing attack in New York. Appalled but sadly not surprised.”

“This violence did not happen in a vacuum. Months of incitement against the Jewish state from Mamdani have helped create a climate in which Jews are targeted,” said Sa’ar.

“Words have consequences. Mamdani must end the incitement, confront antisemitism with resolve, and act now to protect the city’s Jewish community. Enough is enough,” he added.

Mamdani later addressed the attack in a statement posted on social media, saying he had been briefed on the incident and condemning the violence.

“I have been briefed on today’s horrifying stabbings on the Upper West Side, where an Asian man and a Jewish man were attacked. According to witness and victim statements, the perpetrator yelled ‘Allahu Akbar’ during both attacks. I am relieved that both victims are in stable condition.”

He thanked the NYPD for quickly arresting a suspect before adding, “The NYPD’s initial investigation suggests that mental health may have been a factor. They are also evaluating these stabbings as potential hate crimes. These hateful and despicable attacks have no place in our city.”

New York Governor Kathy Hochul also denounced the attack, describing it as another apparent act of antisemitic violence.

“Disgusted by what appears to be another senseless attack on New Yorkers simply because they’re Jewish. The strength of New York has always been our ability to live together across every faith and background.”

She added, “Anyone who tries to tear that apart will be met with the full force of the law. New York will stand with our Jewish community today, tomorrow, and always.”

Hochul also expressed concern for the second victim, saying, “Our hearts are also with the second victim. Asian New Yorkers, like Jewish New Yorkers, have endured waves of hate-fueled violence in recent years. Hate rarely stops with one group. New York will continue confronting it wherever it appears.”

Police said the attacks unfolded shortly after 1:30 p.m. Thursday on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Officers first responded to West 84th Street and Central Park West, where they found a 57-year-old man suffering from a stab wound to the torso. Minutes later, they discovered a second victim, a 50-year-old man, with a similar injury near West 86th Street and Amsterdam Avenue.

According to the Anti-Defamation League, witnesses reported hearing the suspected attacker shout “Allahu Akbar” during the assaults. Authorities said one victim is Jewish and the other is Asian.

Both men were transported to a nearby hospital, where officials said they are expected to recover.

After the attacks, the suspect allegedly fled into an apartment building on Amsterdam Avenue between West 88th and West 89th Streets. Members of the NYPD Emergency Service Unit and hostage negotiators responded, eventually taking the man into custody at approximately 2:45 p.m. He was transported to a local precinct for questioning.

Investigators also recovered a weapon near the second crime scene at West 86th Street and Amsterdam Avenue. Police said the victims do not appear to have known one another, and detectives have not determined whether either had any previous connection to the suspect.

While investigators are examining whether the attack qualifies as a hate crime, officials stressed that no formal determination has yet been made regarding motive.

New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin nevertheless said the attack appeared to have targeted Jews and called for a forceful response.

“I am absolutely sickened and furious by what appears to be an antisemitic stabbing on the Upper West Side. While we await additional details to be confirmed, we know that what is happening in our city is abhorrent. The fear in the Jewish community is real. Every New Yorker deserves to feel safe in their neighborhood, regardless of their faith or identity,” she wrote in a post on social media.

“We must remain united in condemning antisemitism and ensuring those responsible are held fully accountable. I thank the NYPD for its swift response in apprehending the assailant. My prayers are with the victims and their loved ones,” added Menin.

{Matzav.com}

As thousands of bnei yeshivah headed into bein hazemanim for the month of Menachem Av, the organization “Tzeva Shachor” (“Black Alert”), together with the “Nosnim Gav” support organization, released an emergency bulletin outlining detailed instructions for those concerned about possible encounters with military law enforcement amid the ongoing draft crisis.

The guidance, which has been widely distributed throughout yeshivos, reiterates the unequivocal directives of the Gedolei Yisroel that bnei Torah should not report to military induction offices under any circumstances. It also provides practical instructions on how to respond if approached by police or military enforcement personnel.

The organizations’ first and most emphatic instruction addresses situations in which Military Police officers arrive at a person’s home. According to the published guidelines, residents are advised not to open the door, to avoid any conversation with officers, remain completely silent, and immediately contact the Tzeva Shachor emergency hotline.

The advisory also addresses encounters outside the home, urging bnei yeshivah to remain calm, avoid fleeing or engaging in confrontations, and identify themselves only when legally required to do so. It further advises anyone concerned about detention or arrest to immediately notify the organization’s emergency center.

The organizations also devoted significant attention to issues involving medical deferments and military status. They cautioned bnei Torah not to visit draft offices or military induction centers without first receiving proper guidance and strongly warned against relying on self-described “fixers” or private attorneys who promise to resolve draft-related matters for a fee.

According to the advisory, many individuals have allegedly suffered both financial losses and arrests after placing their trust in such intermediaries.

The published guidelines further stress that if an arrest, chas v’shalom, does occur, the individual should immediately exercise the right to remain silent. The advisory instructs detainees: “Maintain absolute silence and do not answer any questions until receiving guidance from an attorney through the hotline.”

The organizations note that military disciplinary proceedings often move quickly before a commanding officer and without legal representation present in the hearing room. For that reason, they emphasize the importance of obtaining legal guidance beforehand rather than attempting to explain one’s position directly to the officer conducting the proceedings.

Alongside the emergency guidance, Tzeva Shachor announced an unusual initiative designed to draw attention within the yeshivah world. The organization said that any bochur whose home receives a verified visit from the Military Police will receive a complimentary premium coffee machine.

The organizations also published emergency contact information for both the 24-hour Tzeva Shachor hotline and the Nosnim Gav information and support center for anyone seeking guidance or assistance.

Several Israeli municipalities opened public bomb shelters on Thursday as security officials warned that the rapidly escalating confrontation between the United States and Iran could spill over into Israel, raising concerns that Tehran may choose to target the Jewish state.

Among the cities taking precautionary measures was Ramat Gan, where Mayor Carmel Shama-Hacohen directed municipal officials to unlock the city’s public shelters despite no changes being issued to the Home Front Command’s official guidelines.

City officials emphasized that the decision was purely precautionary and was intended to ensure residents would be prepared should the security situation deteriorate.

The municipality also urged building committees and residential associations to inspect and prepare their shared bomb shelters so they would be ready for immediate use if needed.

“Municipal officials, led by the mayor, are in continuous contact with the Home Front Command,” the Ramat Gan municipality said.

Similar precautionary measures were implemented by local authorities in Karmiel, Eilat, and several other municipalities as officials across the country monitored the increasingly volatile regional situation and prepared for the possibility of an Iranian attack.

{Matzav.com}