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President Donald Trump sharply criticized Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on Monday, likening the New York Democrat to a “Palestinian leader” and suggesting he is vulnerable to a primary challenge, while also addressing airport security concerns and the use of federal agents.

Speaking in Memphis, Tennessee, during a visit alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Attorney General Pam Bondi, Trump took aim at Democratic leadership during a roundtable focused on the Memphis Safe Task Force. He argued that Democrats are mishandling the current conflict involving Iran.

“The Democrats are putting our country at great risk during this period of time, a period that they call a war. They call it a war, we call it a military operation,” Trump said about the situation with Iran. “Their leaders, during this time, are, as you know, as you want to say — they’re in a never-never land.”

Trump then turned his focus to Schumer, escalating his rhetoric with a line he has used before.

“Schumer is gone, he’s a Palestinian. He should be fighting on the side of Palestine. He’s actually become a Palestinian leader,” Trump said of Schumer, a Jew — a jab he has used repeatedly in the past.

He continued by accusing Schumer of shifting his political stance and acting out of concern for his electoral future.

“I’ve never seen a man change so much,” Trump continued. “He used to be pro-Israel, now he’s pro-Palestinian, I’ve never seen anything like it. He’s worried he’s going to lose his next election, which it only depends, if anybody runs against him. If anybody runs against him he’ll lose. But he’s gone very whacky and very dangerous for our country.”

Earlier in his remarks, Trump also addressed staffing issues at airport security checkpoints, placing responsibility on Democrats for shortages within the Transportation Security Administration and pointing to steps his administration has taken in response.

“They’re helping TSA, the agents, and they’re working together, so far very well,” Trump said, continuing.

“I actually suggested that in the airports they take off their masks and they did that. In the airports I didn’t like — I’m a big believer in the mask because we have — you know, Biden allowed hundreds of thousands of killers into our country. We’re rapidly getting them out, by the way. But they would go after these people if they knew exactly who they were. But in the airports it’s different. I didn’t love the look in the airport as you get off the plane. So, I made a request, and they agreed to it. So, they’re not going to be doing that. We will also bring out, if we don’t have enough, we will bring out the National Guard where we need it to help out at the airports.”

{Matzav.com}

Arkia Airlines has sharply criticized newly imposed government limits on air travel, arguing that the restrictions amount to a de facto shutdown of Israeli airspace and make normal flight operations nearly impossible.

Under updated directives from the Ministry of Transport, departures from Ben Gurion Airport are now capped at 50 passengers per flight, with takeoffs limited to just one per hour. In response, Arkia said it would proceed with its scheduled flights for now, including its direct service to New York departing at 13:15, but stressed that routine aviation activity cannot continue under these constraints.

In an effort to continue serving travelers, the airline announced plans to relocate the bulk of its operations to nearby airports in Aqaba and Taba. From those locations, Arkia intends to run full-capacity flights to destinations such as New York, Bangkok, and Hanoi. Meanwhile, only a limited number of flights will continue from Ben Gurion Airport, primarily to Larnaca and Athens, and largely for humanitarian needs.

Arkia also made clear that it will not attempt to prioritize certain ticket holders over others, stating that choosing between passengers who have already purchased seats is both impractical and contrary to the company’s principles.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump rejected statements from Iran’s Foreign Ministry denying that recent negotiations had taken place, insisting that discussions between the two sides had been meaningful and criticizing Tehran’s messaging as ineffective.

Speaking to Fox News, Trump said the United States had engaged in significant diplomatic talks with Iran in recent days aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict, and he expressed confidence about the direction of those discussions.

“We have had very, very strong talks. We’ll see where they lead. We have major points of agreement,” Trump told Fox News, saying that the talks were conducted by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. “They went, I would say, perfectly. I would say that if they carry through with that, it’ll end that problem, that conflict.”

.@POTUS on Iran: "We have had very, very strong talks. We'll see where they lead. We have major points of agreement… They went, I would say perfectly. I would say that if they carry through with that, it'll end that problem, that conflict." https://t.co/PZtpN5T0jG pic.twitter.com/k9NjYAbvnH

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 23, 2026

He continued by indicating that the U.S. was dealing with a key figure in Iran’s leadership, while suggesting that prior military actions had reshaped the situation. “We’re dealing with the man who, I believe, is the most respected and the ‘leader.’ It’s a little tough – we’ve wiped out everybody.”

When pressed on whether he was referring to Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Motjaba Khamenei, Trump answered directly: “No.”

Trump added that a successful outcome in the negotiations could bring a swift conclusion to the war, while warning that failure would lead to continued military action. “Otherwise, we’ll just keep bombing our little hearts out.”

Earlier in the day, Trump published a statement on Truth Social describing what he characterized as positive and ongoing diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran.

“I AM PLEASE TO REPORT THAT THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND THE COUNTRY OF IRAN, HAVE HAD, OVER THE LAST TWO DAYS, VERY GOOD AND PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS REGARDING A COMPLETE AND TOTAL RESOLUTION OF OUR HOSTILITIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST.”

“BASED ON THE TENOR AND TONE OF THESE IN DEPTH, DETAILED, AND CONSTRUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS, WITCH WILL CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE WEEK, I HAVE INSTRUCTED THE DEPARTMENT OF WAR TO POSTPONE ANY AND ALL MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST IRANIAN POWER PLANTS AND ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE FOR A FIVE DAY PERIOD, SUBJECT TO THE SUCCESS OF THE ONGOING MEETINGS AND DISCUSSIONS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER!”

The statement signaled a shift from Trump’s earlier warning issued on Shabbos, in which he had given Iran a 48-hour deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli officials confirmed Monday that a malfunction in the David’s Sling air defense system prevented the interception of Iranian ballistic missiles that struck the southern cities of Arad and Dimona on Motzoei Shabbos, leaving more than 120 people injured and causing extensive damage.

The direct impacts led to significant destruction of property and infrastructure, with casualties reported across both locations.

In Dimona, a missile carrying a large explosive payload struck a residential neighborhood, wounding 39 individuals. Among the injured was a 12-year-old boy who was transported to the hospital in serious condition.

Experts said that the ground conditions—softened by recent rainfall—helped absorb part of the blast’s force, reducing what could have been far worse devastation. The IDF emphasized that nearly everyone who was inside designated bomb shelters at the time escaped injury.

The strike in Arad resulted in even higher numbers of casualties, with 84 people hurt, including ten in serious condition. The missile landed in an area with a sizable Ger chassidic population. Investigators determined that although shelters were available in the buildings, most of those injured had not been inside protected spaces when the missile hit.

Despite the severity of the incidents, the IAF and IDF stated that there was no “systematic failure” and no operational mistakes by personnel.

Military sources explained that the type of missiles used is familiar and has previously been intercepted successfully. They also said there is no evidence linking the failed interception in Dimona to the one in Arad. Nonetheless, the IDF is continuing an in-depth technical review to determine what caused the David’s Sling system—designed to defend against medium- and long-range threats—to fail in these cases.

[COMMUNICATED]

“Shas Yidden have a lust for Shas.”

In the course of his popular daily Daf Yomi shiur on Menachos 71 (Monday, 5 Nissan), Rav Eli Stefansky recalled an incredible anecdote related to this daf, from the time he farhered the gaonim of “Kollel Shas Yidden.”

“I was called to give a farher to the yungeleit of Shas Yidden… yungeleit who know Shas cold…” he recalled. “

“One of the questions I asked them was, ‘In which species of tree does the male tree produce the fruit?’ Immediately, there was yelling from all sides, but one thin voice towered above the rest: ‘Tosafos, Menachos daf ayin aleph!’ it cried out.

“When I asked whether anyone knew the text of the Tosafos, Rav Dovid Menashe cited the Tosafos verbatim: ‘Hashem yearns for the dates of Yericho… just as the date yearns for its mate, so too does Klal Yisrael pine to serve Hakadosh Baruch Hu.’”

But Rav Fenster concluded with a remark that put a smile on the faces of everyone present—and aptly summed up the moment of sheer mastery, as well as the entire mission of Kollel Shas Yidden and its visionary, Rav Avrohom Eisen: “And Shas Yidden have a desire to know all of Shas!”

It was a remark that captured far more than brilliance; it revealed a burning passion. In the halls of Kollel Shas Yidden, Torah mastery is lived, breathed, and pursued with unrelenting drive. Their dedication reflects a deeper truth: when Torah becomes one’s heartbeat, even the vast sea of Shas feels within reach.

To watch the dynamic Shas Yiden farheren and siyumim, or for more information and to donate, visit www.shasyiden.com

 or call 718-702-1528. Mail: 1274 49th Street #562, Brooklyn, NY 11219. London: UK Registered Charity #1191225, 2 Timberwharf Road, London N16 6DB, England. Call 0208-066-1566.

Israeli security forces have prevented a planned terrorist attack aimed at Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir, with a 20-year-old resident of eastern Jerusalem taken into custody in connection with the plot.

Investigators say the suspect initiated contact through social media with an individual based in Yemen, who allegedly urged him to carry out acts of terrorism, including an attempt on the minister’s life.

According to authorities, the exchanges between the two escalated, with both sides expressing support for attacks and a desire to die as martyrs. In one of the messages, they wrote: “Like you, by God, I miss my friends every moment. I take every opportunity I can to confront the occupation. May I die a martyr.”

The investigation further revealed that the suspect was also in communication with a terrorist operative located in Turkey. Officials have extended his detention as legal proceedings move forward.

Following the conclusion of the probe, law enforcement officials said they had gathered sufficient evidence to support multiple charges, including contact with a foreign agent, issuing threats to carry out a terrorist act, and conspiracy to commit such an act. A prosecutor’s statement was submitted in court, and the suspect remains in custody pending the filing of formal charges.

Responding to the foiled plot, Ben-Gvir praised the actions of the security services, stating: “I would like to thank the security forces-the Shin Bet, the Israel Police, and all those who acted with determination and professionalism to thwart the attempt on my life. This is the seventh time they have tried to assassinate me unsuccessfully, thank God. I say clearly: I will not be deterred or intimidated, neither by internal nor external elements. I will continue to lead a firm and uncompromising policy for the security of Israel’s citizens in the Negev, the Galilee, and Jerusalem.”

“It is no coincidence that we saw a historic result of the quietest Ramadan since 2013-this is the result of policy, governance, and backing for fighters on the ground. We will continue to act with strength, responsibility, and determination,” Ben Gvir said.

{Matzav.com}