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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}

Iran launched missiles toward the United Arab Emirates on Monday evening, shortly after residents across the country received emergency alerts warning of a potential incoming strike and urging them to take shelter. An all-clear notification was issued not long afterward.

UAE officials also reported that Iranian attack drones were deployed in the incident, with at least one drone reportedly hitting a petrochemical facility.

Earlier in the day, the United States military said that US Navy guided-missile destroyers had entered the area after passing through the Strait of Hormuz as part of an operation known as “Project Freedom,” which is intended to keep key shipping lanes open.

American forces are currently working to reestablish safe maritime passage for commercial vessels. As part of the initial phase, two US-flagged merchant ships successfully navigated the strait and continued on their routes without incident.

According to a weekend report by the Financial Times, Israel has transferred its advanced “Iron Beam” air defense system to Abu Dhabi. The system uses laser-based technology to intercept incoming rockets and drones.

The deployment is aimed at countering escalating threats from Iran, which has increasingly relied on coordinated drone and missile attacks against countries in the Gulf.

Sources familiar with the matter said the defensive setup includes multiple layers of protection, integrating the “Iron Beam” system—already used this year along Israel’s northern border—with Elbit Systems’ “Spectro” system, which is capable of detecting drones at distances of up to 20 kilometers.

Reports also indicate that Iron Dome batteries have been positioned in the UAE, alongside the arrival of dozens of Israeli military personnel and advisors to help operate and maintain the sophisticated defense systems.

{Matzav.com}

U.S. military forces destroyed six Iranian vessels that had been deployed to harass shipping in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, as President Trump issued a sharp warning that Iran would be “blown off the face of the earth” if it disrupts efforts to reopen the vital waterway.

Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), told reporters during a press briefing Monday that Iran has typically sent “between 20 and 40 small boats” to threaten commercial traffic in the strait, but noted that “today, we saw just six, and eliminated them quickly.”

“We have an enormous amount of capability and firepower concentrated in and around the Strait, including 864 Apache and MH 60 Seahawk helicopters,” Cooper said, adding that Iran’s military strength has been “dramatically degraded.”

The military action came a day after President Trump unveiled “Project Freedom,” an American effort aimed at clearing the Strait of Hormuz, where maritime movement has been heavily restricted for months following the launch of Operation Epic Fury on Feb. 28.

After Iranian officials warned they would oppose any attempt to reopen the passage and insisted that vessels must coordinate with Tehran before entering, Trump told Fox News that the regime would be “blown off the face of the Earth” if it targets U.S.-flagged ships.

“We have more weapons and ammunition at a much higher grade than we had before,” Trump told correspondent Trey Yingst. “We have the best equipment. We have stuff all over the world. We have these bases all over the world. They’re all stocked up with equipment. We can use all of that stuff, and we will, if we need it.”

The president also said that Iran has grown “much more malleable” in negotiations that have been stalled since mid-April.

{Matzav.com}

President Barack Hussein Obama expressed doubts about Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu’s approach to Iran, saying the Israeli leader has consistently pushed for a more aggressive military posture on the issue.

In a wide-ranging interview with The New Yorker, Obama said Netanyahu made similar arguments to him during his time in office as those later presented to President Donald Trump. “I think my prognosis was accurate,” Obama stated. He added that Netanyahu may have “gotten what he wanted,” but questioned whether the outcome serves Israel or the United States. “Whether that’s what is ultimately best for the Israeli people, I would question that. Whether I think it’s what is good for the United States and America, I would question that,” he said, noting “an ample record” of disagreements with Netanyahu.

Shifting to broader international issues, Obama spoke about the ongoing conflict involving Iran and the evolving global order, warning that repairing relationships with allies could prove more difficult than resolving internal challenges. He pointed to the system established after World War II as a major achievement, highlighting institutions like NATO and the World Bank as part of a structure that, despite its flaws, helped foster global stability and economic growth.

Obama said the United States played a leading role in building that framework by choosing cooperation rather than force. At the same time, he cautioned that recent developments have weakened those alliances. He stated that US partners “can no longer count on us being the hub of that international order,” citing policy decisions and rhetoric that have unsettled traditional allies.

He warned that a reduced American presence on the world stage could have far-reaching consequences. “If we don’t talk about human rights, human rights don’t get talked about that much,” he said, adding that US leadership remains critical, though it may increasingly depend on example rather than directive influence.

Responding to comments made by President Trump regarding Iran, Obama stressed the need for moral clarity in leadership. He said that American leadership must reflect “a basic regard for human dignity and decency,” warning that without such principles, “the world can break in very bad ways.”

Obama also pushed back on the idea that Trump’s presidency signals a rejection of his own policies, saying most Americans still support his positions.

{Matzav.com}

Rudy Giuliani was still in the hospital Monday after being diagnosed with pneumonia, as a close associate said the day could be significant for his recovery.

Giuliani, 81, was admitted over the weekend after falling ill with pneumonia, according to his business associate Tom von Essen, who served as New York City’s fire commissioner during the Sept. 11 attacks.

“Rudy had a tough weekend. He had pneumonia,” von Essen said.

“Today is an important day,” he said.

A representative for Giuliani said Sunday that the longtime ally of President Trump was in critical but stable condition due to an unspecified illness, sparking concern and an outpouring of support.

Von Essen said again Monday morning that Giuliani’s condition had not worsened.

“He seems to be doing OK,” added Giuliani spokesman Ted Goodman.

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