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Shas MK Michael Malkieli launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu, accused law enforcement authorities of targeting yeshiva students, and defended his party’s decision to bring down the coalition in a wide-ranging interview with Kikar HaShabbat amid the escalating political battle over the draft law and the status of Torah learners.

Speaking candidly about the collapse of the government, Malkieli said the coalition lost its right to exist once it became clear there was no parliamentary majority to pass legislation protecting the status of Torah students.

“From the moment the prime minister reached the conclusion that there was no majority for this law, the coalition and government lost their right to exist. That is why we left and are dissolving the Knesset,” Malkieli declared.

He said the demand for a Basic Law on Torah Study has been a central objective of the chareidi parties since the start of the government’s term.

“From the beginning of the term, everyone understood that the most important issue for the chareidi parties was legislation regulating the status of Torah learners. There were disagreements over the method, but the decision was to advance a government-sponsored bill.

“We sat through hundreds of discussions and thousands of hours of deliberations in an effort to complete the legislation. But once the prime minister concluded there was no majority, the coalition no longer had a reason to continue.”

According to Malkieli, the proposed Basic Law would not only formalize the status of yeshiva students but also provide legal protection against future efforts to prosecute or arrest those engaged in full-time Torah study.

“The Basic Law on Torah Study is not only about regulating the status of Torah learners. In the end, when you come to arrest and persecute someone who studies Torah, under what authority are you doing so? He is fulfilling a Basic Law. Since the draft law did not pass, the Basic Law on Torah Study must move forward. We want to pass it in its second and third readings.”

Malkieli reserved some of his harshest criticism for Netanyahu, accusing him of remaining silent while yeshiva students face arrest.

“We stood by Netanyahu throughout this entire period. No one preserved the right-wing bloc more than Shas chairman Aryeh Deri, and he paid a heavy personal price when the court ruled that he could not serve as a minister. That was a political decision.

“Beyond that, there were major offers from other quarters. Deri protected the right-wing bloc. The offers were endless. They presented us with a blank sheet and said, ‘Come sign.’

“Benjamin Netanyahu knows how to stand in front of every camera, but now he is keeping silent about the arrests of Torah learners in the Jewish state. This is persecution by the judicial system against the Jewish people and those who study Torah. I expect Netanyahu not to sit on the sidelines.”

He also criticized senior Likud officials for what he described as a lack of support for the chareidi community.

“The prime minister and the senior figures in Likud—and I’m not talking about those within Likud, such as Dan Illouz, who openly oppose us—is this a partnership? Is this a values-based bloc? I expect the prime minister to stand before the cameras and say: ‘We support Torah learners. Torah protects us and has always protected us.’ That is what is required.”

Asked about potential coalition partners after the next election, Malkieli made clear that Shas would not join any government that fails to prioritize Torah values.

“There will be no coalition without preserving the values of Judaism and protecting Torah learners.”

Turning to the ongoing arrests of yeshiva students, Malkieli suggested the campaign is politically motivated and designed to weaken public confidence in the chareidi parties.

“There is concern that they will continue making arrests in order to embarrass the chareidi representatives. Clearly there is political thinking behind this. The goal is to create distance between the chareidi public and its representatives, to spread fear and hostility, and to make a yeshiva student afraid to leave his home. There is a clear objective here.”

Malkieli also leveled criticism at Police Commissioner Daniel Levy and senior police officials, arguing that police resources are being directed toward the wrong priorities.

“A commissioner who sends district commanders to pursue Torah learners and create fear on chareidi streets expects cooperation? I call on the commissioner to pound the table and say that the police should be dealing with crime and murder in the streets.

“He should hold a press conference and announce that police manpower is focused on fighting crime. District commanders should say, ‘We are failing in our mission if this is what we are spending our time on. We are putting down the keys.’”

Addressing another major issue on the chareidi agenda, Malkieli defended the coalition’s efforts to advance kashrus reform legislation, explaining that years of negotiations and legal hurdles delayed progress.

“For three years we held dozens of meetings in my office, with Director-General Yehuda Avidan, with the Rishon LeTzion, with legal advisers. There were endless difficulties. We wanted a bill that would be accepted by all government ministries. Two weeks ago we finally reached an agreed-upon text. We are bringing forward legislation that has the approval of the Justice Ministry.”

Malkieli also discussed his decision earlier in the day to withdraw his candidacy for the committee that appoints rabbinical judges in favor of Housing Minister Yitzchak Goldknopf.

“Credit goes to the Shas chairman, who understands the value of unity and the greatness of peace. He understands the challenges we face regarding the Basic Law on Torah Study, kashrus, and daycare funding. This is not the time for fighting. Unfortunately, there are those who choose conflict. The Shas chairman said that if withdrawing would promote peace, then for the sake of unity we should step aside.”

Commenting on tensions between Shas and factions within United Torah Judaism, Malkieli urged greater cooperation and restraint.

“You will not find a single briefing initiated by Shas. We do not engage in briefings. I call on United Torah Judaism: the Torah world is under threat, and this is a time for unity and working together.”

Malkieli also took aim at former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, warning voters against trusting the politician if he returns to national leadership.

“I say: understand who is standing before us. To anyone considering voting for Bennett, if you think he can become prime minister and then deliver everything that is demanded of him, you do not understand who you are dealing with.

“Do not believe a word he says. He is hollow. Even people within his own camp understand that. They know this is a person who will sell everything.”

Responding to criticism from members of Degel HaTorah regarding the appointment of dozens of municipal rabbis, Malkieli defended the selections and questioned why fellow chareidi politicians were fueling controversy.

“People from within the chareidi parties are criticizing us? For what? Take twenty rabbis—who among them is unqualified? Show me one rabbi who is not worthy.

“What exactly is the criticism? Why give ammunition to the opposition? Why join forces with those who oppose religion while yeshiva students are being arrested? Criticize what? The appointment of rabbis?”

{Matzav.com}

A psychiatric assessment expected in the coming days could determine the next stage in the case of the man suspected of murdering a kollel yungerman inside a Bnei Brak beis medrash, as investigators near the completion of their probe into the shocking killing that shook the chareidi community.

According to a report by I24NEWS, mental health experts are expected to issue a decisive opinion on whether the suspect is competent to stand trial and whether he was legally responsible for his actions at the time of the attack.

At the same time, police have entered the final phase of their investigation and say they have gathered substantial evidence directly linking the suspect to the murder scene.

Investigators increasingly believe the killing was premeditated. According to details that have been cleared for publication, the suspect had frequented the synagogue in recent months, where the victim, a 45-year-old yungerman, regularly davened.

During that period, the suspect reportedly became involved in a series of heated verbal confrontations with the victim and other mispallelim. On the day of the attack, he allegedly entered the yeshiva complex during davening, approached the victim while he was seated at a learning bench, and stabbed him multiple times.

The horrific attack unfolded in front of the victim’s young son, who was sitting beside his father and witnessed the assault. The victim was rushed to a hospital in critical condition, but doctors were unable to save his life, and he was pronounced dead several hours later.

Evidence gathered at the scene indicates that the suspect stabbed the victim repeatedly. Multiple eyewitnesses who were present during the attack have reportedly identified him and connected him directly to the crime.

In light of the evidence collected, a court recently extended the suspect’s detention for an additional week to allow investigators to complete the final stages of the case and facilitate the psychiatric examination, which is expected to play a major role in determining how the matter proceeds.

The findings of that evaluation will help determine whether the suspect faces criminal prosecution or is instead referred for psychiatric treatment. The outcome is expected to have a significant impact on the legal proceedings moving forward. Additional developments are expected in the coming days.

{Matzav.com}

In the wake of a heated protest outside the home of Supreme Court Justice Noam Solberg following a wave of arrests of chareidi draft evaders, the Shas and Degel HaTorah factions released a rare joint statement shortly after midnight, criticizing the actions of Israel’s High Court while also denouncing violence.

The statement came after demonstrators gathered outside Justice Solberg’s residence amid growing tensions surrounding the arrests of yeshiva bochurim classified as draft evaders.

In their joint declaration, the two parties said: “We are pained and shocked by the ongoing campaign of persecution and trampling of Torah learners by the judges of the Supreme Court. We have warned time and again that these measures would lead to extremism and anarchy, and sadly, we are now witnessing those fears become reality.”

At the same time, the chareidi factions stressed that they unequivocally oppose any acts of violence connected to the protests.

“We strongly condemn any act of violence of any kind,” the statement said. “Violence is contrary to the way of the Torah and is completely unacceptable.”

The parties concluded by directing a sharp appeal to leaders of the right-wing bloc, urging them to speak out not only against violence but also against what they described as the continued targeting of yeshiva students.

“However, we demand that the leaders of the right-wing parties, who were quick and correct to condemn this incident, also condemn the ongoing and cruel persecution of Torah learners and yeshiva students. The blood of Torah learners is not hefker.”

Shas MK Yinon Azoulay also addressed the issue during a speech in the Knesset plenum on Wednesday evening, condemning the conduct directed at Justice Solberg while defending the right to protest.

“In the State of Israel, it is permitted and even legitimate to demonstrate and express protest, but violence is not part of the democratic rules of the game. Going to the home of a public servant, harassing members of his family, and disrupting their daily lives — this is not the way of the Torah. We feel deep pain over the harm being done to bnei Torah and are working with all our strength to resolve their status, but that does not justify violent behavior of any kind. Therefore, I unequivocally condemn every expression of violence and incitement.”

Azoulay also called on national leaders to publicly address the arrests of yeshiva students.

“I hope that just as Prime Minister Netanyahu and Education Minister Yoav Kisch condemned these events, we will also hear a clear and firm voice from them regarding the arrest of bnei Torah. Bnei Torah who sit and learn Torah should be in the batei medrash and continue their learning, not find themselves under arrest. This is an important public and moral message that the leadership of the state must state clearly,” said Azoulay.

{Matzav.com}

A controversial bill approved by New York Democrats would remove references to “mother” and “father” from numerous state laws and replace them with gender-neutral language, a move that is already drawing fierce criticism from Republicans and conservatives while supporters argue it reflects modern family structures.

Under the legislation, references to a “mother” would be changed to “gestating parent,” while “father” would be replaced by “non-gestating parent” or simply “parent” in various sections of family, domestic relations, and education law. The measure cleared the Assembly earlier this year and won Senate approval this week.

The legislation would also alter legal terminology used in family court proceedings. Cases traditionally classified as paternity matters would instead be referred to as parentage proceedings.

In addition, the bill would replace the legal designation of a “putative father” with the term “an alleged parent” in official state documents. The legislation was sponsored by Sen. Luis Sepulveda of the Bronx and Assemblywoman Amy Paulin of Westchester and now heads to Gov. Kathy Hochul for consideration.

Opponents blasted the proposal as an example of political correctness overriding common language and practical concerns.

“It’s woke culture run amok. It’s one-upmanship,” said state Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar, a former longtime state Senate and Assembly staffer.

“It’s an example of how out of tune the New York legislature is. It’s an unnecessary and wasteful use of time,” Kassar said.

Kassar argued that the measure could encourage lawmakers to pursue additional language-related legislation while more pressing issues remain unresolved. He pointed to the prolonged budget process as evidence that Albany’s priorities are misplaced.

“Imagine people who are considering moving to New York seeing this and saying, ‘Do I need this silliness?’ This is a really weird group of elected officials. It comes out of left field,” he said.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman also criticized the proposal and linked it to broader Democratic policies.

“Democrats led by Kathy Hochul have continued their declaration of war on New York families by canceling the loving terms of Mom and Dad and replacing them with ‘gestating and non-gestating parent,’” Blakeman said in a statement. “The insanity ends when I’m Governor.”

Republican lawmakers who opposed the measure said it demonstrates how disconnected Albany has become from the concerns of ordinary residents.

“At a time when New Yorkers are being crushed by utility bills, rising costs, and public safety concerns, Albany Democrats have decided one of their final priorities in the last days of session should be replacing mothers and fathers in state law,” said Sen. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick (R-Nassau). “That is not what families are asking for. I am a mother and proud to be called ‘mother.’”

“New Yorkers are proud to celebrate moms and dads, and they would rather we, as lawmakers, focus on the issues that actually matter,” she said.

The proposal reportedly generated skepticism even among some Democrats. As the legislative session winds down, not all members of the majority party appeared enthusiastic about the wording changes.

“I have a word we can use for this, ‘unnecessary,’” one Democratic lawmaker told The Post.

The debate unfolded shortly after lawmakers finally approved New York’s $268 billion state budget, which had been delayed for nearly two months amid disagreements within the Democratic majority.

Asked Wednesday whether she supports the legislation, Hochul declined to take a position, saying she had not yet reviewed the bill.

“Well, I’m not familiar with what was introduced,” Hochul said at an unrelated event in Brooklyn Wednesday. “I’ll take a look at it. This has been my practice for five years.”

Supporters of the measure argue that the language updates are necessary to reflect existing legal realities and the way family courts already handle certain cases involving surrogacy arrangements and same-sex couples.

According to a memorandum accompanying the bill, the revisions are intended to bring statutory language into line with current legal standards and family court practices.

Attorneys who specialize in adoption law said the traditional terminology no longer reflects the range of family structures recognized under New York law.

“You have adoptive parents who are of the same gender in New York. There are two male parents, two female parents,” said adoption lawyer Leslie Silver-Hoffman.

Sepulveda defended the legislation, saying it simply updates legal terminology to match existing statutes and judicial rulings.

“The bill was needed to be consistent with current statute and case law,” he said.

The proposal also drew criticism from Rep. Claudia Tenney, who argued that lawmakers should be focused on other concerns facing New Yorkers.

“At a time when New Yorkers are struggling with high taxes, rising costs, and public safety concerns, Albany Democrats are focused on redefining motherhood,” Tenney said. “This is yet another example of out-of-touch politicians prioritizing progressive ideology over the issues that actually matter to hardworking New Yorkers.”

The legislation is the latest example of a broader push toward gender-neutral language in New York government.

In recent years, the state has adopted requirements encouraging the use of terms such as “they,” “them,” and “theirs” in official laws, regulations, and resolutions rather than language tied specifically to males or females.

The trend also extends to identity documents. In 2018, then-Mayor Bill de Blasio and the New York City Council approved legislation allowing residents to select an “X” designation on birth certificates to identify as non-binary.

{Matzav.com}

A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon was reached in Washington after two days of intensive talks hosted by the United States, with the deal centered on ending Hezbollah’s military activity in southern Lebanon and advancing broader peace negotiations between the neighboring countries.

A joint statement released at the conclusion of Wednesday’s discussions said the ceasefire would only take effect if Hezbollah completely halts its attacks and removes all of its operatives from the area south of the Litani River. The agreement makes implementation of the truce directly dependent on those requirements being met.

As part of the arrangement, Israel and Lebanon agreed to move forward rapidly with the establishment of pilot security zones in which the Lebanese Armed Forces will exercise exclusive authority, without the presence of any armed non-state groups. Officials said the initiative is intended to create momentum toward a wider peace and security framework between the two nations.

The United States, Israel, and Lebanon also delivered a strong message against outside influence, declaring that they “rejected any attempt, by any state or non-state actor, to hold Lebanon’s future hostage,” while emphasizing that relations between the countries “must be decided by the two sovereign governments”.

Both sides further stated that they “reaffirmed that they have no hostile intent toward one another and committed to continuing direct negotiations to build confidence”.

The latest diplomatic effort follows defense consultations held at the Pentagon on May 29, where officials began formulating a broader strategic vision for the region. According to the statement, the plan seeks to guarantee “ensuring the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of Lebanon and Israel,” while requiring the “dismantlement of non-state armed groups, and the prevention of their re-emergence”. Participants also jointly “condemned Iran’s attacks on countries in the region, and ongoing activities that undermine stability throughout the Middle East”.

Washington reiterated its commitment to strengthening the Lebanese military so it can fully enforce government authority throughout the country. American officials also pointed to comments made by Secretary of State Marco Rubio on June 2, when he said that “Hezbollah is not just an enemy of Israel and an enemy of America, but that it is an enemy of Lebanon”.

Israel maintained during the negotiations that its long-term security can “only be achieved through the disarmament of Hezbollah and the dismantlement of its infrastructure throughout Lebanon”. Lebanon, meanwhile, emphasized “the necessity for mutual respect of internationally recognized borders” and underscored “the urgent need for full implementation of the cessation of hostilities”.

Under the agreement, negotiators are expected to “reconvene the political and security tracks the week of June 22, with a view toward reaching a comprehensive agreement,” while the United States continues to serve as the primary mediator.

The Washington meeting marked the fourth round of American-sponsored negotiations between Israel and Lebanon.

Following the first round of talks on April 23, attended by Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, and Lebanon’s ambassador to the United States, Nada Hamadeh Moawad, President Donald Trump voiced optimism that a peace agreement between the two countries could be reached before the end of the year.

Trump also said he would like to host Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in Washington within the coming weeks.

Aoun has made it clear, however, that a meeting with Netanyahu is not currently under consideration, arguing that securing and maintaining the ceasefire must come before any direct political engagement between the two leaders.

The Lebanese president has also recently reiterated that a complete Israeli military withdrawal from southern Lebanon remains a “non-negotiable” condition for any final agreement.

{Matzav.com}

A former NYPD detective was sentenced Wednesday to four years in federal prison after admitting his role in a large-scale fraud operation that helped dozens of people obtain pandemic-relief loans through falsified documents.

John Bolden, 47, of Valley Stream, was also ordered to repay $303,138 and surrender $112,002 in illicit proceeds. Prosecutors said the scheme sought to obtain nearly $3 million from the federal government through the Paycheck Protection Program, which was created to help businesses survive the economic turmoil caused by COVID-19.

Federal prosecutors said Bolden abused both his position in law enforcement and his involvement in the tax-preparation industry to facilitate the fraud.

“Despite being a police officer sworn to uphold the law, the defendant organized a scheme that enabled dozens of individuals, including clients, family members and NYPD co-workers, to obtain millions in federal funds using fictitious tax records,” US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Joseph Nocella said in a statement.

“Bolden brazenly took advantage of a COVID relief program created to help struggling businesses survive an unprecedented national crisis.”

According to court records, Bolden used his role as a partner in a tax-preparation business between May 2020 and October 2022 to prepare and submit fraudulent IRS Schedule C forms that were then used to secure PPP loans for clients.

Investigators said Bolden worked closely with the business’s owner, who was identified in court filings as a co-conspirator. Prosecutors alleged that the owner developed the strategy used to generate the fraudulent loan applications.

Court documents indicate that the owner instructed participants to calculate desired loan amounts by taking the target payout, dividing it by 2.5, and then multiplying the result by 12.

Authorities said Bolden’s mother, Jacqueline Johnson, and his cousin, Christian McKenzie, played key roles in recruiting participants. Prosecutors alleged that they connected numerous clients to the operation and received referral payments, typically between $3,000 and $4,000 for each successful application.

The investigation also found that another NYPD detective, Anthony Carreira, fraudulently obtained PPP funds for himself and his wife and later paid kickbacks to Bolden from the money received.

According to prosecutors, the business owner collected his share of the profits in cash in an effort to conceal the financial trail.

Evidence presented in the case included a May 2020 email sent to Bolden by the owner of the tax-preparation franchise. The email allegedly contained an audio recording advising participants to keep requested loans under $20,000 to maximize the likelihood of loan forgiveness.

“we all want the bread, but we also want the loan forgiveness,” according to court documents.

“That’s the big win,” the owner said.

Bolden pleaded guilty to the charges in February, paving the way for Wednesday’s sentencing.

{Matzav.com}

A 23-year-old Orthodox Jewish woman was assaulted aboard a Manhattan subway train Sunday afternoon after an alleged antisemite launched into a stream of hateful remarks before violently attacking her, police said, the New York Post reports.

Authorities identified the suspect as Diana Smith of the Bronx. According to investigators, Smith began shouting antisemitic comments on a crowded C train in Lower Manhattan shortly after 2 p.m. before targeting the young woman and allegedly grabbing, choking, and assaulting her.

“I was a ragdoll and I couldn’t defend myself – there should have been a human barricade around me,” the young Orthodox Jewish victim, who asked her name be withheld, told The NY Post.

“No one stepped up until it was too late.”

The victim, a nurse originally from Montreal, said she boarded the subway at Jay Street and had only been riding for a short distance when Smith entered the train and began making hostile remarks about Jews to other passengers.

According to the victim, Smith first spoke to one couple “about the dangers of Jews stealing wealth” before directing her attention elsewhere in the train car.

She then turned to another couple and wildly said, “You could always see the reflection of a Jew,” said the Jewish woman.

The victim said she soon realized she had become the focus of Smith’s attention.

“And then she turned towards me, like very targeted, stared me down, and smiled with this very eerie smile that I’ll never forget,” the brave nurse said.

Rather than look away, the victim said she chose to confront the hostility directly.

“I decided in that moment I really did not want to show fear in the face of that, so I stared at her right back down, and I said, ‘So you see my reflection?’ and she said, ‘Yeah, and I smell it on you too.’”

Part of the confrontation was recorded on the victim’s cellphone, capturing some of the suspect’s disturbing comments.

“Jews are eating kids,” she shouted.

According to the victim and police, the situation quickly turned physical. Smith allegedly put her hand around the woman’s throat, escalating the encounter from verbal harassment to violence.

Several passengers attempted to intervene, but the suspect continued shouting.

“It’s OK for Jews to eat kids, but I can’t choke her down.”

Moments later, the victim said her phone was knocked from her hand and Smith allegedly wrapped both hands around her neck before kicking and pushing her to the floor.

During the attack, the woman said the suspect yanked her hair so violently that a chunk was torn out.

When the train arrived at Canal Street, the victim ran off the subway car in search of police officers. Another rider activated the emergency alarm, helping authorities quickly respond and take Smith into custody.

The victim said the aftermath of the incident was almost as unsettling as the attack itself, as numerous witnesses approached her only after the suspect had been arrested.

“When I had to identify her, a ton of people were like, ‘Oh, we saw what happened, are you OK?’ And, that was extremely triggering for me, because, of course, I’m not OK. I kept just thinking, I’m not in Nazi Germany,” said the woman, who is only 5-foot-3.

“How is this happening, and how is it that you saw what happened, and just were a bystander?”

In addition to the hair loss and other injuries, the victim said she suffered a concussion during the assault.

Court records show Smith has been charged with hate crime assault, hate crime criminal obstruction of breathing, and aggravated harassment.

The victim said she believes the suspect deliberately singled her out because she was visibly Jewish.

“She’s pure evil, but she was lucid enough to know I was Jewish,” the victim said.

The attack occurred on the same day thousands gathered in Manhattan for the Israel Day Parade along Fifth Avenue. The victim also expressed frustration with city leadership, specifically criticizing Mayor Zohran Mamdani for not attending the event.

“I don’t think New York is protecting Jews. I don’t think Mamdani not going to the Israel Day Parade is helping,” she said.

{Matzav.com}

Human remains discovered Wednesday evening in Kfar Aza have renewed hopes of answering one of the unresolved tragedies of the October 7 massacre, as authorities investigate whether a skull fragment recovered at the scene belongs to the late IDF officer Nirel Zini.

The remains were found in the Dor Tzair section of the kibbutz and transferred to the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute for examination. Among the items recovered was part of a skull, prompting forensic experts to determine whether it is connected to Zini, whose head was never recovered following his murder during the Hamas attack.

Zini served in the Givati Brigade and spent approximately ten years in military service. In 2015, he suffered severe injuries during an operational mission in Chevron, but after an extensive rehabilitation process, he returned to active duty.

On the morning of October 7, 2023, Zini was at his home in Kfar Aza with his partner, Niv Raviv. As terrorists stormed the community, he sent a final message to his family at 10:04 a.m.

“I’ll update you. They’re here. I’m putting down the phone. Pray.”

Relatives later said that Zini attempted to divert the attackers’ attention in an effort to give Raviv an opportunity to hide. Both were ultimately murdered during the assault.

Their bodies were not recovered until six days later. During subsequent meetings with investigators from Lahav 433, family members were informed that Zini had been beheaded during the massacre.

The family has maintained that they were not told about those details before the funeral. They also contend that no government agency undertook a sustained effort to locate the missing remains. According to the family, Amir Zini repeatedly appealed to officials to have his son classified as a fallen soldier whose remains had been taken into Gaza, but those requests were denied.

In the absence of an official search effort, the family launched its own campaign to find answers. Assisted by volunteers and professionals, they conducted extensive searches throughout the devastated kibbutz grounds.

Over time, hundreds of items recovered from the area were sent to the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute for testing. Family members said many of those findings were ultimately identified as animal bones or materials from which no usable DNA could be extracted.

In correspondence sent to Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, Amir Zini wrote that the family had been left to carry the burden of the search largely on its own, while also struggling to obtain information from state authorities.

Now, almost three years after the massacre that devastated Kfar Aza and other communities near the Gaza border, the Zini family is once again waiting for answers. The results of forensic testing will determine whether the skull fragment recently uncovered is the final missing piece connected to Nirel Zini’s murder.

{Matzav.com}

In a unanimous ruling issued Wednesday, Israel’s Supreme Court overturned a government policy that barred representatives of the Red Cross from visiting terrorists held in Israeli prisons.

The restriction was implemented following the outbreak of the war and remained in effect until the court’s decision. The justices ruled in favor of a petition challenging the policy, finding that the government had failed to establish a legal foundation for the measure.

Justice Dafna Barak-Erez wrote that the state did not present a valid legal justification for preventing Red Cross officials from meeting with incarcerated terrorists.

Deputy Supreme Court President Noam Sohlberg concurred, stating that the policy could not remain in force because the government had not identified any legal authority supporting its decision to impose the ban.

Supreme Court President Isaac Amit joined the opinions of his fellow justices, making the decision unanimous.

The ruling sparked an immediate and angry reaction from National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who sharply criticized the court and renewed his call for sweeping judicial reforms.

“A shameful ruling by detached judges who sit in their ivory towers and continue to care for terrorists while citizens of Israel pay the price of terrorism. Any such ruling reminds us why the judicial system needs to change. Reform now!”

{Matzav.com}