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[Video below.] President Donald Trump said escalating U.S. military deployments to the Middle East are tied to pressure on Iran, claiming Tehran backed away from large-scale executions after he warned of severe consequences. Speaking in an interview Wednesday with CNBC, Trump was asked whether the movement of aircraft carriers and F-15 fighter jets signaled additional steps. He responded by reiterating that Iranian officials cancelled hundreds of planned hangings following his threat of force.

“We hope there’s not going to be further action,” Trump said. “They were shooting people indiscriminately on the streets and they were going to hang 837, mostly young people” after he threatened to hit them hard if they harmed protesters.

Trump also addressed Iran’s nuclear ambitions, saying the regime must abandon any pursuit of atomic weapons. “They gotta stop with the nuclear,” he told CNBC.

A night earlier, Trump warned that the United States would respond decisively if Iran kills protesters or follows through on reported assassination threats against him.

In a separate interview with NewsNation host Katie Pavlich, Trump was asked about reports that Iranian authorities continue to burn protesters alive and about threats made against him over the weekend.

“Well, they shouldn’t be doing it, but I’ve left notification: Anything ever happens, the whole country is going to get blown up,” Trump said. “But I have very firm instructions: Anything happens, they’re going to wipe them off the face of this earth.”

Earlier Wednesday, Iran’s state television released its first official death toll tied to the nationwide protests sweeping the Islamic Republic. The broadcaster reported a total of 3,117 fatalities, including 2,427 civilians and members of the security forces.

That official figure stands in sharp contrast to estimates from human rights organizations, which say the number of people killed during the unrest is significantly higher.

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

Two tumultuous weeks saw the fall from power in Syria of the Kurdish-led force that was once the main U.S. partner there, as Washington shifts its backing to the country’s nascent government. Analysts say the Syrian Democratic Forces miscalculated, taking a hard stance in negotiations with the new leaders in Damascus on the assumption that if a military conflict erupted between […]

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Israel’s defense establishment has raised its level of alert in recent days amid concerns that Donald Trump may have decided to carry out a military strike against Iran, possibly within days, according to Israeli security officials. Officials said that while there have been no public signals from Washington indicating such a decision, Israel is taking […]

A wave of anger swept through the Torah-observant public after Israel’s satirical television program Eretz Nehederet released a promotional clip widely condemned as a degrading mockery of Rav Shlomo Yehuda Be’eri, known throughout the Torah world as the Yenuka.

The segment, aired ahead of the show’s scheduled broadcast, triggered sharp backlash from rabbanim, askanim, and countless ordinary Jews who view the portrayal as a direct affront to kavod haTorah and to a revered talmid chacham.

In the sketch, comedian Daniel Chen appears as a caricature dubbed the “Tenuka,” a clear and deliberate play on the Yenuka’s title. The character is presented as confused and theatrical, accompanied by exaggerated behavior including playing an organ, while a submissive aide, portrayed by Ortel Tsabari, hovers in exaggerated reverence. Viewers say the skit reduces a talmid chochom to an object of ridicule, turning spiritual greatness into cheap satire.

The reaction was immediate and intense. Social media platforms filled with denunciations accusing the program of crossing an inviolable line. Many commenters warned that mocking tzaddikim is not humor but a serious transgression, expressing outrage that a public broadcaster would demean someone seen as embodying Torah purity and yiras Shamayim. Calls to boycott the show have spread rapidly, alongside pleas that those responsible reflect on the gravity of their actions.

The promotional clip itself attempts to frame the parody as lighthearted, presenting the “Tenuka” as an obsessive Torah phenomenon surrounded by sycophantic admiration. Lines in the sketch portray the aide as utterly insignificant before the rov, a depiction critics say cynically twists sincere kavod into parody and derision.

Defenders of the Yenuka point out that the real Rav Be’eri is renowned for extraordinary Torah knowledge, with vast portions of Tanach and Shas committed to memory, alongside niggunim that have inspired thousands. To them, the skit represents not satire but a willful distortion of a life devoted to Torah and kedushah, emptied of context and respect for the sake of a laugh.

Opponents of the broadcast argue that this incident fits a broader pattern in which secular media figures target the Torah world, particularly from cultural centers in Tel Aviv, portraying emunah and spiritual leadership as backward or absurd. They see the sketch as another salvo in an ongoing struggle over Jewish identity and values in the public sphere.

{Matzav.com}

Southwest Airlines is officially ending its long-standing open-seating policy, a move that will take effect for flights departing on or after January 27, 2026. Under the new system, passengers will be assigned seats and the airline will adopt a group-based boarding process similar to other major carriers. Instead of receiving a boarding letter and position […]

Rahm Emanuel on Josh Shapiro saying he was asked if he was a double-agent for Israel: “Totally appropriate and totally inappropriate questions…if you don’t ask ’em you’ll have not done your job…on the other hand…how would you know you were dealing with a double-agent?”

[Audio below.] Audio recordings aired Wednesday night on Channel 12 indicate that gedolei Yisroel who support advancing a proposed conscription law see it as a temporary maneuver designed to delay action, not as a pathway toward bringing yeshiva bochurim into the IDF.

This is no surprise, as has been surmised in a number of prior extensive reports on the matter here on Matzav.com.

In the recordings, Hagaon Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch explains that his backing of the legislation is rooted in the belief that it would “buy time” for the Torah community. When asked whether yeshiva students who are not part of formal learning frameworks might eventually be drafted, he answered without hesitation: “God forbid.”

Rav Hirsch also rejected the enlistment benchmarks included in the bill, making clear that there is no intention to comply with them. “Do they think we will want to meet the target? Of course we will not want to,” he said. He went on to predict that the law would fall apart within a few years, adding, “In the meantime, we gained time.”

Similar sentiments were voiced by Hagaon Rav Dov Landau, who stated plainly that there is no plan to send chareidim to military service, including those not enrolled in yeshivos. “What they are talking about is nonsense. It will not happen. We will not go to the army; no one will go to the army,” he said.

The broadcast prompted swift political backlash. Opposition leader Yair Lapid said the recordings demonstrate that “the spiritual leaders of the chareidi parties are openly admitting that the draft-evading law is a fraud and that no chareidi youth will enlist.”

Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman delivered similar criticism, declaring, “The rabbinical council of draft evasion has revealed its true face. It’s all a bluff – no chareidi will enlist. We will continue to send our sons and daughters to the army, and they will continue to send theirs to live off the taxes we pay.”

Within the coalition, Likud MK Dan Illouz called for immediate action, saying, “I once again urge my fellow coalition members to join my demand to amend the law.”

The National Religious Reservists Forum also issued a sharp response, stating, “It’s time to stop closing our eyes and face reality. The leading chareidi authorities are openly admitting they have no intention of meeting enlistment targets and are merely stringing along the public that serves.”

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

Rabbi Dror Aryeh, a Dati Leumi Rav in Yeshivas Sderot, warned of the “dehumanization of Chareidim” in an article published in Arutz Sheva following the silence from the media in the wake of the killing of Yosef Eisenthal, z’l, by an Arab bus driver. Sadly, the messages in the article bear repeating following the shocking […]

Lobbyist Ezra Friedlander seen talking to Eric Trump before a dinner in Davos Switzerland.

President Trump on his Greenland deal: It is really fantastic for the USA. It gets everything we wanted, including especially real national security and international security.

A jury began deliberating Wednesday in the trial of one of the first police officers on the scene of the Robb Elementary School attack in Uvalde, Texas, and prosecutors urged a conviction to send a message that law enforcement must fulfill their duty to protect when a gunman threatens children. Adrian Gonzales, a former Uvalde schools officer, is the […]

US President Donald Trump is pushing his top aides to present what he describes as “decisive” military options against Iran, as the United States continues repositioning major military assets toward the Middle East, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal. The discussions come after Trump pulled back from potential strikes last week, but […]

[Video and photos below.] The Kol Yisroel organization made its first official visit to Albany on January 20, marking the launch of an effort to introduce the organization and begin building working relationships with elected officials across New York State.

The visit opened with a meet-and-greet with Rockland County Assemblymember Karl Brabenec. Over the course of the day, Kol Yisroel representatives met with a bipartisan group of lawmakers and senior staff, including Assemblymembers Bill Magnarelli, Patrick Carroll, Al Taylor, Emily Gallagher, Stacey Pheffer Amato, and Aron Wieder.

Additional meetings were held with the chiefs of staff for Assemblymembers Steve Stern and John Zaccaro Jr., as well as staff from the office of Assemblymember Micah Lasher. Kol Yisroel also met with staff from the offices of State Senators James Skoufis and Shelley Mayer, including Senator Mayer’s chief of staff. Senator Mayer currently serves as chair of the Senate Education Committee.

The day concluded with a meeting with Rockland County State Senator Bill Weber.

Two central issues were discussed throughout the visit. The first involved the possible introduction of legislation to establish a new school district in East Ramapo, based on Wards 1–4 and Wards 5–9. The second focused on advocating for an expansion of legislation creating buffer zones around houses of worship. Kol Yisroel voiced disappointment with the currently proposed 25-foot buffer, stating that it falls short of providing meaningful protection, and urged lawmakers to consider a 100-foot standard.

Kol Yisroel described the meetings as productive and encouraging and said it plans to return to Albany in the coming weeks to continue discussions. The organization added that it will keep the community informed as the effort moves forward.

VIDEO AND PHOTOS:

{Matzav.com}

US President Donald Trump claimed Thursday that he told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “stop taking credit” for the Iron Dome missile defense system, asserting that it is American technology — a statement that is widely regarded as inaccurate. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Trump made the remarks while discussing […]

Israel is home to more than half a million children from birth to age three, yet oversight of early childhood care remains uneven, with large numbers of infants and toddlers placed in settings that operate outside the state’s licensing framework, according to a report published Wednesday by Yediot Acharonot.

The report states that of roughly 540,000 young children nationwide, only about half are enrolled in supervised childcare facilities. An additional 114,000 infants and toddlers are cared for in centers that do not hold official licenses.

Although a Supervision Law enacted in 2021 was intended to extend regulatory oversight to private childcare centers, implementation has faced mounting difficulties since the legislation was approved, affecting enforcement and compliance across several areas.

Those challenges are expected to intensify next year. In 2026, the budget designated for monitoring daycare centers is projected to drop sharply to 46 million shekels, down from approximately 190 million shekels in 2023.

Officials warn that the reduced funding could significantly weaken efforts to shut down illegal daycare operations. Estimates from the Israeli Tax Authority suggest that between 1,000 and 1,500 daycare centers are currently operating without proper authorization.

Data gathered since last August by the Education Ministry and the Welfare Ministry show that 470 unlicensed daycare centers have already been identified. Authorities note that these facilities are spread across different sectors and that there has also been a rise in the detection of daycare centers that are failing to report income to the tax authorities.

{Matzav.com}

The Supreme Court on Wednesday seemed inclined to keep Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook in her job, casting doubt on President Donald Trump’s bid to wrest control of the nation’s central bank. The justices heard arguments over Trump’s effort to fire Cook based on allegations she committed mortgage fraud, which she denies. No president has […]

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New Jersey will once again require cursive writing instruction in its public schools, with a new law directing districts to teach the skill to students in grades three through five starting next fall.

Governor Phil Murphy signed the legislation on Monday, making cursive a formal part of the curriculum once again. Supporters of the measure argue that handwriting instruction equips students with practical life skills, including the ability to sign documents and manage everyday tasks such as opening bank accounts and writing checks.

“For those of us who grew up handwriting our school papers, it’s hard to imagine that some children can no longer read or write using cursive,” said bill supporter and state Assemblywoman Shanique Speight.

“Requiring that cursive be taught in our public schools will benefit our students and prepare them for the future, so I am pleased to see this bill signed into law.”

Murphy also framed the move in a broader historical context, pointing to the nation’s approaching 250th anniversary and emphasizing the importance of giving students direct access to foundational texts through penmanship. He said cursive instruction allows students to “read our nation’s founding documents.

“We owe it to our students to give them a well-rounded education that ensures they have the tools to fully understand our rich history and become competent leaders,” Murphy said in a statement.

According to the governor’s office, the requirement will take effect with the next full academic year.

State Department of Education Commissioner Kevin Dehmer said the change reinforces the state’s educational goals by integrating traditional skills with modern learning standards.

“By embedding cursive instruction into the curriculum for grades three through five, this legislation strengthens our commitment to a well-rounded education that prepares students for real-world tasks, helps them connect with historical texts, and complements other learning,” Dehmer said.

Cursive instruction largely disappeared from classrooms around 2010, when the Common Core standards were introduced and districts shifted focus away from handwriting. In recent years, however, several states have reconsidered that approach.

New Jersey now joins states such as California and New Hampshire that have reinstated cursive as a required part of elementary education.

In New York, cursive remains optional at the district level, though efforts have been made to change that. A bill introduced by state Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, who represents parts of Brooklyn and Staten Island, would mandate cursive instruction statewide, but it has failed to advance despite being introduced repeatedly over the past decade.

“The notion that a pupil could graduate from twelve years of education without knowing how to sign his or her name in cursive is unacceptable,” according to her proposal.

“This bill would require that this fundamental building block of our children’s education be removed from schools simply because they are not required as part of any of the numerous standardized tests students are subjected to.”

Back in New Jersey, the cursive mandate drew broad support from lawmakers across the state.

“Cursive writing is not about nostalgia – it’s about development,” said state Assemblywoman Rosy Bagolie.

“From a learning-science perspective, handwriting engages neural pathways connected to literacy, attention and memory,” she said.

Murphy left office on Tuesday, with Democrat Mikie Sherrill being sworn in as New Jersey’s new governor later that day.

{Matzav.com}

The Knesset on Tuesday approved in a preliminary reading a bill that would advance regulation to allow ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft to operate in Israel. The bill passed by a vote of 37-2, receiving broad support in a rare show of bipartisan cooperation. It was co-sponsored by Blue and White MK Eitan […]