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President Donald Trump intensified his criticism of House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Thursday, urging that the New York congressman face charges for allegedly encouraging violence. Trump’s remarks came in the wake of an incident last month involving an armed individual who tried to gain entry to the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

“This lunatic, Hakeem ‘Low IQ’ Jeffries, should be charged with INCITING VIOLENCE!” Trump posted on his Truth Social page. “The Radical Left Democrats actually want to Destroy our Country. President DJT.”

Although Trump did not directly reference the attempted breach in his written statement, the post featured two images: one showing Jeffries speaking in front of a sign promising “maximum warfare” against Trump’s policies, and another depicting the suspect—identified as California resident Cole Allen—captured on surveillance footage while attempting to access the event.

In the aftermath of the incident, Jeffries publicly defended his use of the phrase “maximum warfare,” according to reporting by Axios, maintaining that the language was tied to political disputes rather than any endorsement of violence.

“As it relates to the comment related to ‘maximum warfare, everywhere, all the time,’ in connection with the redistricting battle that Republicans launched, I stand by it,” Jeffries said. “You can continue to criticize me for it. I don’t give a damn about the criticism … get lost.”

Some Republican lawmakers have argued that Jeffries’ rhetoric contributes to heightened tensions. Representative Andrew Clyde criticized the remarks in a social media post last month.

“Hakeem Jeffries called for ‘Maximum warfare’ against President Trump and his Administration,” Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga., wrote in a post last month on X. “The Democrat Party’s rhetoric is demonic and dangerous.”

Representative Randy Fine also weighed in, calling on Democrats to respond to Jeffries’ statements.

“It is unacceptable that House Democrats continue to remain silent in the aftermath of his call for ‘maximum warfare, everywhere, all the time’ against Republicans,” Fine posted on X.

{Matzav.com}

Rudy Giuliani’s current hospitalization is being linked to health complications stemming from his time at Ground Zero following the September 11 attacks, according to information he shared publicly on Thursday.

The 81-year-old former New York City mayor reposted a message from Dr. Maria Ryan, who detailed how Giuliani developed restrictive airway disease after spending prolonged periods at the World Trade Center site in the aftermath of the attacks.

“On 9/11 @RudyGiuliani ran to the towers to assist and lead,” Ryan wrote on X. “While there one of the towers fell and he was trapped. Upon emerging from the building he was covered by white dust.”

According to Ryan, the long-term effects of that exposure led to chronic respiratory issues, which were recently aggravated when Giuliani contracted human metapneumovirus.

“He lives with difficulty breathing every day,” Ryan wrote. “Recently he got a virus, metapneumovirus that overwhelmed his already compromised 9/11 lungs.”

She noted that Giuliani is still in the hospital but remains conscious of the widespread support and prayers being offered on his behalf.

“He is a deeply religious man. Keep the prayers coming!” she wrote.

Giuliani has since been transferred out of the intensive care unit, though he continues to receive treatment in the hospital as he recovers from pneumonia.

His spokesman, Ted Goodman, said that Giuliani and his relatives are grateful for the “outpouring of love and prayers” expressed by supporters.

Giuliani became a global figure during the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, when he led New York City through the crisis, earning widespread recognition as “America’s Mayor.”

In the days and weeks that followed the attacks, he was frequently present at Ground Zero, working alongside emergency personnel and recovery teams amid hazardous conditions filled with dust and debris.

Health officials and advocacy organizations have since documented that many first responders and workers who were exposed to the site developed serious respiratory conditions and other lasting medical issues.

Giuliani’s recent health crisis was described by some as “nothing short of a miracle,” following his hospitalization with severe breathing complications tied to double pneumonia.

Individuals close to him told Newsmax that doctors initially viewed his condition as potentially fatal.

Despite the seriousness of his illness, Giuliani is said to be focused on returning to his media appearances and continuing his vocal support of President Donald Trump.

Trump commented on Giuliani’s condition earlier in the week, writing on Truth Social that Giuliani is “a True Warrior” and “the Best Mayor in the History of New York City, BY FAR.”

Giuliani has been a prominent supporter of Trump since backing him in the 2016 presidential race.

Those familiar with his condition say that physicians are encouraged by his progress as he undergoes continued care and recovery efforts in the hospital.

Officials in Merom HaGalil say widespread damage totaling millions of shekels was caused in recent days after large numbers of people attempted to reach Mount Meron for Lag BaOmer by bypassing security restrictions.

According to local authorities, many individuals made their way through open areas, forests, and agricultural land, leaving behind extensive destruction to infrastructure and private property.

The regional council reported significant damage, including breached fences, trampled farmland, harm to orchards, and destruction of irrigation systems. In addition, security fencing in communities near the northern confrontation line was damaged—barriers that had only recently been installed with government funding as part of defense preparations.

Council head Amit Sofer warned about the severity of the situation, stating: “We raised this important issue with government ministers. This involves heavy damage to security fences in frontline communities that were funded just this year by the Ministry of National Security, as well as to private agricultural infrastructure: fences that were broken and trampled, damage to crops and orchards, and to irrigation systems. Farmers on the confrontation line are still recovering from the damage of the war. A solution must be provided—this situation cannot continue without accountability.”

The council is currently working to collect evidence and document the full scope of the destruction in order to seek government assistance and compensation for those affected.

Israel’s Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Rav Kalman Meir Bar issued a sharply worded protest following a decision by authorities in Belgium to file charges against three mohalim, condemning the move as antisemitic and comparing it to historic persecutions.

In a formal letter, Rav Bar—who also serves as president of the Chief Rabbinate Council—strongly criticized the decision, underscoring the central importance of circumcision in Jewish life and calling on Belgian authorities to reverse course. “One of the defining markers of a Jew, wherever he may be, is the fact that he fulfills the divine command of ‘you shall circumcise every male.’ History teaches us how Jews in every generation and across the globe, since becoming a nation, have sacrificed themselves for this important mitzvah. I call on the authorities to reconsider this hasty step, to take into account the harm to Jewish communities around the world, and to withdraw this unprecedented prosecution—and the sooner the better.”

In his full letter, Rav Bar expressed deep shock at the development, writing, “I was shocked to hear that law enforcement authorities in Belgium have filed an indictment against three mohalim. Words are insufficient to express my dismay at this matter. It is deeply regrettable that this country is joining an unflattering list of those who wage war against Judaism—something that, by definition, is called antisemitism.”

He continued by emphasizing the historical and religious significance of circumcision, adding, “One of the defining markers of a Jew, wherever he may be, is the fact that he fulfills the divine command of ‘you shall circumcise every male.’ History teaches us how Jews in every generation and across the globe, since becoming a nation, have sacrificed themselves for this important mitzvah. This reminds us of one of the decrees imposed by Antiochus upon the Jews during the period of Hellenistic rule over the Land of Israel. This is a decree that outrages every Jewish soul, and the public will not remain silent in the face of such a phenomenon.”

Addressing claims that circumcisions could instead be performed by physicians rather than certified mohalim, Rav Bar rejected the argument outright. “The claim that circumcisions can be performed by doctors rather than trained mohalim, on the grounds that the latter are not qualified for surgical procedures, is fundamentally flawed. History shows that since the Jewish people became a nation—long before there was documentation of European populations—it has been the mohalim who circumcised Jewish children.”

He stressed that the practice is rooted in religious obligation rather than medicine, writing, “Circumcision is a mitzvah, not a surgical procedure, and there are halachic requirements that doctors are entirely unfamiliar with and do not meet for the fulfillment of this commandment.”

Rav Bar concluded with a renewed appeal to Belgian officials: “I call on the authorities to reconsider this hasty step, to take into account the harm to Jewish communities around the world, and to withdraw this unprecedented prosecution—and the sooner the better.”

He signed the letter, “On behalf of the right of the Jewish people to live everywhere according to their faith.”

{Matzav.com}

A classified CIA report presented this week to senior U.S. officials concludes that Iran may be able to withstand the Trump administration’s naval blockade for roughly four months before experiencing a serious economic breakdown, according to a report published Thursday by The Washington Post.

That internal evaluation stands in contrast to repeated statements from the White House suggesting that Tehran is close to collapse.

According to individuals familiar with the intelligence findings, Iran has managed to preserve a substantial portion of its missile capabilities despite weeks of strikes carried out by U.S. and Israeli forces.

One American official indicated that Iran still holds approximately 70% of its pre-conflict missile inventory and about 75% of its mobile launching systems. The same official noted that the country has reopened underground storage sites and repaired parts of its weapons infrastructure that had been damaged.

These conclusions differ from comments made Wednesday by President Donald Trump, who described Iran’s missile arsenal as being largely destroyed.

”Our missiles are mostly decimated, they have probably 18, 19%, but not a lot by comparison to what they had,” Trump said at the White House.

Even as administration figures continue to emphasize the success of the blockade, they also acknowledge that Iran remains capable of resisting.

A senior U.S. intelligence official told the Post: ”The president’s blockade is inflicting real, compounding damage — severing trade, crushing revenue, and accelerating systemic economic collapse.”

White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly likewise maintained that the economic campaign is rapidly taking a toll on Tehran.

”During Operation Epic Fury, Iran was crushed militarily,” Kelly said. ”Now, they are being strangled economically by Operation Economic Fury and losing $500 million per day thanks to the United States military’s successful blockade of Iranian ports.

“The Iranian regime knows full well their current reality is not sustainable, and President Trump holds all the cards as negotiators work to make a deal.”

At the same time, officials cited in the report said Iran has adjusted to the pressure by stockpiling oil at sea, cutting back on production to protect infrastructure, and possibly preparing alternative land-based export routes through Central Asia.

One U.S. official suggested that the CIA’s estimate may actually understate Iran’s ability to endure.

”The leadership has gotten more radical, determined, and increasingly confident they can outlast U.S. political will and sustain domestic repression to check any resistance,” the official said.

”Comparatively, you see similar regimes lasting years under sustained embargoes and airpower-only wars.”

Experts also pointed to Iran’s drone arsenal as an ongoing danger to international shipping passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

Former Israeli intelligence official Danny Citrinowicz told the Post that even relatively small-scale drone strikes could disrupt global oil flows, since insurers would likely refuse to cover vessels operating in such conditions.

Citrinowicz said that while there have been tactical successes on the battlefield, the long-term strategic picture remains unclear.

”The problem is they don’t think they need to capitulate,” he said.

He later added on social media that the conflict could ultimately reinforce Iran’s leadership rather than weaken it, leaving the country with meaningful missile strength and ongoing uranium enrichment capabilities despite continued U.S. and Israeli military pressure.

New polling indicates shifting political momentum in Israel, with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu widening his advantage while the joint political effort of Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid shows signs of weakening.

A Channel 12 News survey published Thursday night found that if elections were held today, Netanyahu’s Likud would be tied with the Bennett-Lapid “Together” party, with each receiving 25 seats. The figure represents a one-seat drop for the Bennett-Lapid alliance compared to the previous week’s poll.

The survey also showed a slight decline for Gadi Eisenkot, whose “Yisra!” party fell by one seat to 14. The broader opposition bloc dropped to 59 seats—down one from the previous poll—without counting Arab parties.

In contrast, Yair Golan’s Democrats party gained one seat, rising to 11. Avigdor Lieberman’s Yisrael Beiteinu held steady at 9 seats, as did Aryeh Deri’s Shas and Itamar Ben-Gvir’s Otzma Yehudit, each also at 9.

United Torah Judaism, led by Yitzchak Goldknopf, strengthened to 8 seats. Among Arab parties, Mansour Abbas’s Ra’am and the Hadash-Ta’al alliance were each projected to win 5 seats.

Several parties remained below the electoral threshold, including Bezalel Smotrich’s Religious Zionism (2.9%), Yoaz Hendel’s Reservists party (1.0%), Benny Gantz’s Blue and White (1.5%), and Sami Abu Shehadeh’s Balad (0.8%).

The poll also explored hypothetical political alliances. If Eisenkot’s party were to merge with Lieberman’s Yisrael Beiteinu, the joint list would become the largest faction with 25 seats, surpassing both Likud and the Bennett-Lapid alliance, each projected at 24. In that scenario, the opposition bloc would reach 60 seats—without Arab party support—while the coalition would fall to 50.

Another scenario examined a potential alliance between Hili Tropper and Hendel. In that case, Likud would drop slightly to 24 seats but still emerge as the largest party. The Bennett-Lapid list would decline to 23 seats, and Eisenkot’s party to 13. The new Tropper-Hendel list would cross the threshold with 5 seats.

When respondents were asked who is best suited to serve as prime minister, Netanyahu led in every matchup. Against Bennett, he received 39% support compared to Bennett’s 36%. The same margin held against Eisenkot, 39% to 36%. Against Lieberman, Netanyahu maintained 39%, while Lieberman trailed with 24%.

A separate poll conducted by Channel 14 and the NEXT DATA research firm painted an even stronger picture for Netanyahu. Based on a sample of 721 respondents, the survey showed the right-wing bloc maintaining a solid 65-seat majority—enough to form a stable government under Netanyahu’s leadership.

In that poll, Likud surged to 34 seats, making it the clear largest party. The Bennett-Lapid alliance dropped sharply to 16 seats—four fewer than it had received in the first poll following its formation. Eisenkot’s party climbed slightly to 13 seats.

Among other parties, Shas was projected at 10 seats and United Torah Judaism at 8. Otzma Yehudit, the Democrats, and Yisrael Beiteinu each received 8 seats, while Religious Zionism stood at 5.

The broader center-left bloc lagged far behind, totaling just 45 seats. Arab parties Hadash-Ta’al and Ra’am each received 5 seats but were not seen as playing a decisive role in coalition-building. Balad (2.1%) and Blue and White (1.8%) remained below the threshold.

On the question of leadership, Netanyahu held a commanding lead, with 56% of respondents saying he is best suited to serve as prime minister. Eisenkot placed a distant second with 20%, followed by Bennett at 18%, Lieberman at 5%, and Gantz at just 1%.

The poll also measured public opinion on security issues. A majority of 59% said Israel should seize additional territory in Lebanon to eliminate the threat posed by Hezbollah, while 32% opposed such a move and 9% said they had no opinion.

Another question examined perceptions of coordination between Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the campaign against Iran. A majority of 58% described the cooperation as “full and close,” while 33% said it was only partial, and 9% believed there was no coordination at all.

Israeli military police carried out coordinated overnight raids on the homes of yeshiva bochurim in several cities, including Herzliya, Tel Aviv, and Dimona, as part of a renewed wave of arrest attempts, though in each case the targeted individuals were not taken into custody.

The operation is part of a broader series of enforcement actions against yeshiva students reported over the past week.

The most dramatic incident occurred in Herzliya. At approximately 4 a.m., military police forces arrived at the home of a talmid from Yeshivas Chazon Mordechai, a mosad that has already seen one of its talmidim arrested earlier this week. According to reports, family members opened the door, after which officers entered the home and conducted what was described as a forceful and aggressive search.

A turning point came when the student’s mother managed to contact the Tzeva Shachor alert system, a network that assists yeshiva bochurim. Upon noticing the phone call, the commanding officer reportedly ordered his forces to withdraw immediately. The family was left shaken by the incident, but the student was not arrested.

Additional attempts were made elsewhere across the country.

In Tel Aviv, the operation focused on the residence of a student from Yeshivas Kiryat Malachi, who had previously been detained by authorities. When forces arrived, however, the student was not present, and officers left the scene without making an arrest.

At the same time, in the southern city of Dimona, military police raided the home of a married yeshiva student affiliated with the Gerer chassidus. In that case as well, a rapid alert through the Tzeva Shachor system led to members of the public arriving at the scene, prompting police to withdraw without detaining the suspect.

The overnight activity follows a series of recent arrests involving yeshiva students.

Last Sunday, a yeshiva student in Herzliya was reportedly taken into custody after receiving a phone call telling him a package was waiting outside his yeshiva. When he went to retrieve it, he encountered military police officers who arrested him and transported him to the Tel Hashomer base.

In another case, a yeshiva student was handed over to military police after being detained by Israeli police at a gas station near Ashdod.

{Matzav.com}