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Newly disclosed comments attributed to Shas chairman Aryeh Deri have shed light on deep frustrations within the chareidi political camp, with Deri reportedly blaming Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu for the latest coalition crisis and expressing concerns about the future political direction of United Torah Judaism.

According to a report aired Tuesday on Channel 13 News, Deri privately faulted Netanyahu for mishandling the highly sensitive draft-law issue and for contributing to the growing rift between the government and leading rabbinic figures.

The reported remarks reveal unusually blunt criticism from Deri, who allegedly argued that Netanyahu’s own statements were responsible for escalating tensions and triggering the strongly worded letter from Rav Dov Landau issued against the right-wing bloc.

“The prime minister is responsible for the incident with Rav Landau and for the harsh letter against the bloc. He made a mistake with all the talk that he does not have a majority for the draft law.”

Deri also reportedly voiced concern that United Torah Judaism could ultimately join a coalition opposed to Netanyahu if such an opportunity emerges after the next election.

“They will enter a left-wing government if one is formed after the elections.”

At the same time, Deri emphasized that Shas would not participate in such a move under any circumstances.

“We will never enter a left-wing government. We already know what the left is and what they will do here.”

The Shas leader reportedly went even further, identifying individuals whom he believes are encouraging United Torah Judaism to move away from Netanyahu and the right-wing camp.

According to the report, Deri specifically targeted Motty Babchik, a senior and influential figure within Agudas Yisroel, accusing him of working behind the scenes to bring about a left-wing coalition.

“He is doing everything to establish a left-wing government.”

The reported comments underscore the growing tensions within Israel’s chareidi parties as disputes over the draft law and the future of the coalition continue to intensify. With the prospect of elections drawing closer, the remarks offer a rare glimpse into the disagreements and political calculations taking place behind closed doors among some of the most powerful figures in the right-wing bloc.

{Matzav.com}

More than three years after the current coalition came to power, the Knesset on Tuesday evening approved in a preliminary reading legislation that would reverse the controversial kashrus reform enacted under former Religious Services Minister Matan Kahana.

The bill passed its first reading by a vote of 49-34 and now heads to the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee for further deliberations. Despite clearing its first hurdle, it remains unclear whether supporters will be able to complete the legislative process before the Knesset dissolves and Israel heads to elections.

The proposal has become a source of frustration among some figures in the chareidi parties, who questioned why the legislation was not advanced earlier during the coalition’s tenure.

“We failed not only in passing the draft law and regulating the status of yeshiva students; we failed on many religion-and-state laws that were critical to us,” senior sources in the chareidi factions said in recent days. “What is the explanation for the fact that this law was not brought to a vote three years ago, two years ago, or even one year ago? Why wait until the last minute, when there may not be enough time to complete the legislation? It is a failure.”

The bill seeks to dismantle key components of Kahana’s reform, which opened the kashrus market to private certification bodies. Under the new proposal, authority to issue kashrus certificates would once again be concentrated in the hands of the Chief Rabbinate Council, authorized local rabbanim, and the Military Rabbinate, where applicable.

In addition to restoring the previous framework, the legislation would establish updated regulations governing kashrus standards, the operation of agencies involved in kashrus supervision, and oversight of the certification system.

During the Knesset debate, Degel HaTorah chairman MK Moshe Gafni emphasized the need for professionalism and public confidence in kashrus supervision.

“On the issue of kashrus, there must be professionalism,” Gafni said. “This matter needs to be corrected in an orderly manner. There are things that need fixing. We are asking for a professional discussion so that when a product carries a kashrus certification, the kashrus should be genuine.”

The explanatory notes accompanying the bill argue that Kahana’s reform effectively privatized the kashrus system by allowing private certification organizations to provide supervision and issue certificates based on standards established, in part, by rabbanim who are not public employees.

According to the bill’s sponsors, the Chief Rabbinate Council and the chief rabbis who led it strongly opposed the reform because they believed the unique nature of kashrus supervision requires it to remain a public service rather than a private enterprise.

The explanatory notes state that maintaining public control over kashrus helps preserve transparency, objectivity, and accountability. Supporters of the repeal argue that removing certification from direct public oversight could expose the system to significant economic pressures from the food industry, potentially creating conflicts of interest and allowing outside considerations to influence kashrus standards and enforcement.

Whether the legislation ultimately becomes law may depend on the political calendar, with supporters racing against the possibility of early elections before the bill can complete its remaining readings in the Knesset.

President Donald Trump has agreed to appear at the rescheduled White House Correspondents’ Dinner later this summer, embracing the decision to move forward with the event after an assassination attempt disrupted the original gathering earlier this year.

Announcing his participation, Trump praised organizers for refusing to allow violence to dictate public life or alter longstanding traditions. He described the decision to proceed with the annual dinner as a demonstration of resilience in the wake of the attack.

“This announcement is a very good thing in that we cannot allow Lunatics to change our way of life, or even its scheduling,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

The president said he accepted the invitation after being approached by White House Correspondents’ Association President Weijia Jiang and hinted that his remarks at the event could once again attract attention.

“I was asked to be there, and speak, by Weijia Jiang, President of The White House Correspondents’ Association, and have accepted,” he continued. “I don’t know whether or not I will give the same rather nasty statements, at least as it concerns certain people, but we will soon find out.”

Trump also highlighted the venue selected for the rescheduled event, noting its connection to his own business history.

“In any event,” the president added, “it will be a ‘HOT’ ticket! Interestingly, the location will be The Waldorf Astoria, on Pennsylvania Avenue, a Building and Ballroom that I built.”

The dinner is now set for July 24 and will take place in the Presidential Ballroom of the Waldorf Astoria in Washington, D.C. The property originally operated as a Trump-branded hotel before changing ownership in 2022. Event organizers have indicated that those who purchased tickets for the original dinner will not be required to pay again.

Because the ballroom accommodates approximately 1,300 guests, attendance will be significantly smaller than the original event planned for the Washington Hilton, where organizers expected roughly 2,500 attendees.

The annual dinner had originally been scheduled for April 25. Those plans were derailed after authorities say Cole Tomas Allen stormed a security checkpoint carrying a rifle and opened fire, striking a Secret Service agent who was protected by a bulletproof vest.

Investigators allege that Allen later confessed in a manifesto that his goal was to assassinate Trump and kill as many Cabinet officials as possible. He remains in custody awaiting trial.

In a message sent to members of the White House Correspondents’ Association, Jiang said the organization was determined not to allow the attack to define the event or overshadow its purpose.

“The White House Correspondents’ Dinner has served as a celebration of a free press and the vital role of journalism in our democracy for over a century,” Jiang wrote, according to the New York Post.

She said the shooting reinforced the organization’s commitment to defending constitutional freedoms and protecting the role of a free press.

“When gunfire interrupted this year’s event, it further clarified the WHCA’s mission to advocate for the freedoms that are protected in the First Amendment,” she said. “We will not allow an act of violence to have the last word, especially during a year when we are reflecting on the 250th anniversary of America and everything we stand for.”

Jiang noted that this year’s dinner will be scaled down compared to previous years and will feature additional security precautions.

The rescheduled event will be “a more intimate gathering” and will feature “significantly enhanced safety measures and new access procedures.”

In addition to the traditional dinner and presidential remarks, the evening is expected to include scholarship presentations and awards recognizing excellence in journalism.

Rep. Tom Kean Jr. secured the Republican nomination in New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District on Tuesday, advancing to the general election without opposition even as his prolonged absence from public life continues to draw scrutiny.

The 57-year-old congressman has remained largely out of sight for nearly three months while dealing with an undisclosed medical condition. Although he has acknowledged the health issue, Kean has not yet revealed the nature of his illness and has continued conducting what he describes as “virtual work” rather than returning to public appearances.

Hours before polls closed, Kean released a statement indicating that his return to normal duties is approaching but that doctors have advised him to continue recovering before resuming in-person activities.

“Right now I am focused on my recovery and under the advice of healthcare professionals, I will transition from virtual work to in person work within a matter of weeks,” the congresswoman said in a statement, hours before polls closed in the Garden State.

“At that time I will be completely transparent as to the nature of my medical condition,” he teased.

Kean also sought to reassure constituents that he intends to fully explain the circumstances surrounding his absence once he is able to do so.

Kean said he understands “the need for transparency on this matter and I look forward to sharing my experience with the public.”

His extended absence has fueled concerns about his ability to perform the duties of office. The Republican lawmaker has not cast a vote in Congress since March 5, a fact that has intensified questions from political observers and constituents alike.

Speaking to the New Jersey Globe last month in what was reportedly his first public interview since stepping away from public view, Kean expressed confidence that his recovery is progressing well.

“My doctors are confident that I’m on the road to a full recovery,” Kean told the New Jersey Globe late last month, in his first known interview since his disappearance. “I understand the need for public transparency, and I appreciate the support of my constituents.

“I anticipate that in the next couple of weeks, I’ll return to voting and to the campaign trail,” he added.

Kean, the son of former New Jersey Gov. Tom Kean, is seeking a third term in one of the nation’s most closely watched congressional battlegrounds. Political analysts continue to classify the district as highly competitive heading into the fall campaign.

The district, home to President Trump’s golf club in Bedminster, narrowly backed Trump over former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election by roughly two percentage points. In contrast, voters there supported Democratic Gov. Mikie Sherrill over Republican Jack Ciattarelli by a similar margin in the state’s gubernatorial race.

Kean first won the seat in 2022 when he unseated Democratic incumbent Tom Malinowski. Two years later, he successfully defended the district, defeating Democrat Susan Altman by a wider margin.

President Trump has remained a strong supporter of Kean. During last year’s campaign, Trump praised the congressman for his work on key Republican priorities and highlighted his record on issues ranging from border security to economic policy.

Trump endorsed Kean as a “tremendous advocate of our America First Agenda” who is “working tirelessly to Secure the Border, Stop Crime, Grow our Economy, Cut Taxes, Champion Small Business, Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE, Support our Brave Military and Veterans, and Protect and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment.”

The president reaffirmed that endorsement Monday night in a Truth Social post, once again backing Kean’s reelection bid.

Behind the scenes, however, some Republicans have expressed frustration with how Kean’s team has managed public communication regarding his condition and absence.

“Everybody I’m talking to is just shocked at how poorly this is being handled by the Kean operation,” a New Jersey-based GOP consultant vented to The Post last month. “It’s created an air of mystery that’s fueled the story, or frankly, created the story.”

The consultant argued that a simple public appearance or video message could have gone a long way toward addressing concerns and reassuring voters.

“The general consensus from the people I’m talking to is that something is prohibiting him from looking at an iPhone and doing a proof of life video … saying, ‘I’m here, I’m going through something, but I’ll be back.’”

{Matzav.com}