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New census projections indicate that non-white populations are expected to outnumber whites in the United States for the first time by 2050, with dramatic demographic shifts forecast across much of the country — including major changes in states such as New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.

According to figures released by the U.S. Census Bureau, the transformation is being driven by a combination of international immigration, domestic migration patterns, and declining birthrates among white Americans.

In 1980, approximately 80 percent of the U.S. population was white. Census projections now estimate that figure will fall to 47 percent by 2050 and decline even further to 44 percent by 2060.

The demographic changes at the state level are expected to be even more dramatic.

As recently as 2000, only three states — California, Hawaii, and New Mexico — had white populations below 50 percent.

Hawaii has never had a white majority population. In the 2000 Census, whites accounted for 46 percent of California’s population and 45 percent in New Mexico.

By 2020, the shifts had accelerated significantly. Maryland’s white population fell to 47 percent, Nevada’s to 46 percent, and Texas dropped to 40 percent.

Census projections now indicate that by 2050, another ten states are expected to see whites become a minority population.

Those states include New York, where whites are projected to make up 46 percent of residents by 2050; New Jersey at 37 percent; Connecticut at 45 percent; Delaware at 47 percent; Florida at 39 percent; Georgia at 37 percent; Arizona at 43 percent; Illinois at 49 percent; Oklahoma at 49 percent; and Washington state at 49 percent.

The trends are expected to continue beyond that point, with whites projected to become either minorities or near-minorities in a total of 24 states by 2060.

Among the additional states expected to experience major demographic shifts are Alaska, where whites are projected to account for 50 percent of the population by 2060; Louisiana at 51 percent; Massachusetts at 46 percent; Minnesota at 51 percent; Mississippi at 51 percent; North Carolina at 49 percent; Rhode Island at 47 percent; and Virginia at 47 percent.

The numbers underscore the scale of demographic change that has swept across the country over the last several decades.

West Virginia remains the least ethnically diverse state in the nation. In 2020, whites made up 89 percent of the state’s population, and projections suggest that figure will only decline modestly to 86 percent by 2050.

The Census Bureau projections also outline state-by-state declines over the coming decades.

In Arizona, whites are projected to decline from 53 percent of the population in 2020 to 43 percent by 2050 and 39 percent by 2060.

California’s white population is projected to fall from 35 percent in 2020 to just 23 percent by 2050 and 20 percent by 2060.

Connecticut is expected to decline from 63 percent white in 2020 to 45 percent by 2050 and 39 percent by 2060.

Florida is projected to shift from 52 percent white in 2020 to 39 percent by 2050 and 36 percent by 2060.

Georgia’s white population is forecast to decline from 50 percent in 2020 to 37 percent by 2050 and 33 percent by 2060.

In New Jersey, whites are projected to fall from 52 percent of the population in 2020 to 37 percent by 2050 and 32 percent by 2060.

New York is expected to decline from 52 percent white in 2020 to 46 percent by 2050 and 43 percent by 2060.

Texas, which already had a white population of just 40 percent in 2020, is projected to drop to 27 percent by 2050 and 23 percent by 2060.

Washington state is projected to decline from 64 percent white in 2020 to 49 percent by 2050 and 44 percent by 2060.

The projections reflect what census analysts describe as one of the most sweeping demographic transformations in modern American history.

An atmosphere of tremendous spiritual elevation filled the Vizhnitz chassidus in Bnei Brak over Shavuos as thousands of chassidim gathered to spend the Yom Tov in the presence of the Vizhnitzer Rebbe, Rav Mendel Hager, at the Vizhnitzer beis medrash.

In the days leading up to the Yom Tov, the Rebbe conducted a special and extensive tour of the rapidly advancing construction site of the future Vizhnitzer World Center, the massive new complex currently being built for the chassidus.

One of the highlights of Shavuos night came during the traditional pre-dawn Kadrusa D’Tzafra gathering, held in the large beis medrash in the early morning hours.

But the most dramatic moment of the Yom Tov came during the sale of the Rebbe’s aliyah, which was purchased for the staggering sum of $4 million.

The aliyah was acquired by one of the prominent philanthropists of the Vizhnitzer court as part of the ongoing fundraising efforts for construction of the new global Vizhnitz center.

The donor, who reportedly requested to remain anonymous, designated the enormous contribution toward the building of the grand new mikvah that will serve the large beis medrash complex currently under construction.

A newly released recording has exposed remarks by Yair Golan indicating that he would be willing to sit with chareidi parties in a future coalition if it meant removing Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu and his right-wing allies from power.

The recording, aired Tuesday evening by Channel 14 News, appears to reveal a significant gap between the public rhetoric of opposition parties regarding cooperation with chareidi factions and the political calculations taking place behind closed doors.

Several opposition parties have repeatedly declared that they oppose including chareidi parties in any future coalition and have aggressively promoted the idea of a “coalition of those who serve” in the military. Among the parties most identified with sharp anti-chareidi rhetoric has been Golan’s Democrats party, where several candidates have openly taken hardline positions against the chareidi community.

But according to the recording, Golan privately acknowledged a willingness to work with chareidi parties if doing so would help bring down the current right-wing government.

During a closed-door discussion with party activists, Golan was asked directly whether he ruled out sitting with the chareidim. He responded: “I’m not ruling out the chareidim, absolutely not. I can tell you that if right now the possibility of forming a government depended on a chareidi party joining — I would vote in favor. On condition that Likud, Smotrich and Ben Gvir are not there.”

The recording also captured Golan criticizing fellow opposition politicians over the way they have handled the public debate surrounding the military draft law and enlistment of chareidim.

According to Golan, many of the proposals and demands currently being promoted are unrealistic and driven more by political slogans than practical policy.

“We need to work mainly smartly and with indirect pressure, not direct pressure,” Golan told activists.

“I want to tell you here, every draft law they are talking about is infected with populism. All those opposing what the government is doing — rightly so — but what they are proposing… thousands of chareidim are not suddenly going to enlist tomorrow morning. It’s a process,” he concluded.

The Democrats party declined to comment following publication of the recording.

{Matzav.com}

A shocking antisemitic display erected in downtown Montreal has triggered outrage across the Jewish world after activists at a pro-Palestinian demonstration hung effigies of a visibly religious Jew along with Israeli leaders from mock gallows in a public square.

The disturbing exhibit appeared Sunday at Phillips Square in the heart of Montreal during a protest organized by the extremist group “Montreal for Palestine,” an organization critics say has openly aligned itself with support for Hamas and armed “resistance.”

Photographs and videos from the protest showed a doll depicting a Jewish man wearing a yarmulka suspended from hanging ropes alongside effigies of Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

The display immediately sparked fierce condemnation from Jewish organizations and public figures, many of whom warned that the imagery crossed the line from political protest into explicit incitement to hatred and violence against Jews.

According to critics, the protest organizers have repeatedly refused to condemn the October 7 Hamas massacre and have publicly expressed support for armed struggle against Israel.

This time, demonstrators were accused of taking the rhetoric to a far darker level by publicly displaying violent imagery involving a visibly Orthodox Jewish figure together with senior Israeli officials.

The strongest reactions came from the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, commonly known as CIJA, which issued a sharply worded statement condemning the incident.

The organization stressed that the display was not legitimate political discourse or criticism of Israeli policy but rather a blatant act of antisemitism.

In its statement, CIJA said that hanging effigies of Jews in the streets of Montreal revived some of the darkest antisemitic imagery in human history and accused the demonstrators of promoting hatred and fueling an atmosphere of violence and radicalization.

Jewish community leaders also demanded immediate action from Canadian law enforcement authorities, questioning how much further such incidents must escalate before officials begin treating them as serious threats to public safety.

{Matzav.com}

Jewish music singer Lipa Schmeltzer released an unusual clarification video overnight after widespread rumors circulated online claiming that he had become engaged.

The speculation spread rapidly across social media, prompting Schmeltzer to publicly address the reports while attending a wedding performance.

“I just finished performing at the chuppah. I was supposed to stay for the dancing, but I decided to step outside and record this clarification video,” Schmeltzer said in the clip.

According to the singer, he was shocked to discover the volume of messages flooding his phone.

“I opened my phone and discovered hundreds of ‘mazel tov’ messages from people who thought I got engaged. Some of them even claimed they knew who the kallah was,” he said.

Schmeltzer speculated that the rumors may have started because the wife of fellow singer Moti Ilowitz works as a shadchan and people may have connected unrelated details.

“I assume the rumor maybe started because the wife of my friend, singer Moti Ilowitz, is a shadchan, and people connected the dots,” Schmeltzer explained.

The singer then directly denied the reports.

“The rumors are not true. Right now I’m not there yet, and when the Ribbono Shel Olam decides the right time has come, He will find me the perfect zivug, and my followers will be the first to know,” he said.

Concluding the video, Schmeltzer reflected on the rapid spread of online misinformation and the growing role of artificial intelligence in generating false reports.

“We live in a crazy world where there’s artificial intelligence (AI), and anyone can write and invent whatever they want. My rule is that as long as it doesn’t appear in my status, it’s not true,” Schmeltzer said.

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

The era of bargain airfare may be coming to an end, as soaring jet fuel prices continue hammering the global airline industry and experts warn that travelers are unlikely to see ticket prices fall anytime soon — even if tensions with Iran ease and the Strait of Hormuz fully reopens.

According to a report published by Mako, aviation industry analysts believe the sharp rise in jet fuel costs has already fundamentally altered airline operating expenses, making prolonged higher fares all but inevitable.

Since the outbreak of fighting and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz, the price of jet fuel has nearly doubled. Fuel remains one of the largest expenses for airlines worldwide, meaning the impact is being felt across the industry — from low-cost carriers such as Wizz Air, easyJet, and Ryanair to traditional full-service airlines.

The collapse of American low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines has become a major warning sign for the industry. While the company was already struggling financially, the dramatic increase in fuel prices was reportedly viewed as one of the factors that accelerated its shutdown and led to roughly 17,000 layoffs.

Industry officials estimate that even after shipping routes fully reopen, it could take months before cheaper fuel once again reaches global supply chains and translates into lower ticket prices for consumers.

Current forecasts range from roughly three months under the most optimistic scenarios to as long as 18 months under more pessimistic projections.

In the meantime, airlines are already scaling back operations. Routes that were only marginally profitable before are increasingly becoming unsustainable, leading carriers to reduce flight frequencies and cut seat capacity.

According to aviation analytics company Cirium, airlines removed more than 75,000 flights and approximately 9 million seats from summer schedules during April alone.

The crisis is hitting low-cost carriers especially hard because their business models rely heavily on ultra-cheap fares and narrow profit margins. Ryanair, Wizz Air, and easyJet have all reportedly acknowledged growing financial pressure linked to the war and rising fuel expenses.

For Israeli travelers, the situation is even more complicated. Since the October 7 attacks, many foreign airlines have not fully resumed service to Israel, while the presence of American aerial refueling aircraft at Ben Gurion Airport has reportedly added further congestion and operational disruptions.

Wizz Air is expected to resume only limited operations, easyJet is not expected to return before August, and Ryanair has still not announced a formal return date.

Despite the turmoil, tourism industry officials believe routes to Israel remain profitable for many low-cost carriers and therefore are unlikely to be among the first routes eliminated entirely.

At the same time, the strengthening of the Israeli shekel against the dollar has somewhat softened the financial blow for Israeli passengers by offsetting part of the fare increases.

Still, aviation analysts say the broader picture is becoming increasingly clear: even if a diplomatic agreement with Iran is eventually reached, airfare prices are unlikely to return anytime soon to the levels travelers had become accustomed to in previous years.

Within the industry, many now believe that significantly more expensive flights are rapidly becoming the new normal.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli consumers are beginning to feel a new wave of price hikes on basic dairy products, as supermarket chains across the country raise prices on milk, butter, cheese, and other staples — in some cases by even more than the increases announced by the dairy manufacturers themselves.

Following Shavuos, retail chains started passing the higher costs directly onto shoppers after regulated dairy products already went up in price and new increases from major producers including Tnuva, Tara, Strauss Group, and Gad Dairies began taking effect.

According to a report published by Ynet, Tnuva had announced before Yom Tov that it would increase prices on several products, although some retail chains initially resisted approving the hikes. Now, however, most major chains have already adjusted prices upward on at least some items — and in certain cases consumers are paying increases significantly steeper than those announced by the dairy companies.

Products already affected include white cheese spreads, butter, and shelf-stable milk.

A review found that Tnuva’s 3% and 9% white cheese products in 250-gram containers rose in price at several chains despite Tnuva itself announcing only about a 1.05% increase. In practice, some stores charged consumers far more.

At the חילול שבת AM:PM chain, the price of white cheese reportedly climbed from 5.80 shekels to 6.40 shekels — an increase of roughly 10%. At Wolt Market, the same item rose from 6.20 shekels to 6.50 shekels, nearly a 5% increase. The Victory chain recorded a smaller rise, moving from 6.30 shekels to 6.40 shekels.

Tnuva butter has also become more expensive in many stores. At Victory, the price of a 200-gram package rose from 9.90 shekels to 10.50 shekels — about a 6% jump — even though Tnuva’s own increase stood at 4.8%.

Other chains including Machsanei Hashuk and Super Bareket also raised butter prices, while Keshet Teamim increased the same butter product from 10.50 shekels to 10.90 shekels.

Several chains have additionally started raising prices on shelf-stable milk. Yohananof reportedly increased the price of Tnuva 3% shelf-stable milk from 8.40 shekels to 8.50 shekels, while the online platform of Rami Levy raised the product from 8.50 shekels to 8.60 shekels, although physical branches had not yet implemented the change.

According to Ynet, several chains — including Shufersal, Osher Ad, Salah Dabbah, and most Rami Levy branches — have not yet raised prices broadly. Still, retail officials reportedly acknowledged that additional increases are likely unavoidable and said negotiations with dairy suppliers are still ongoing.

Products from Tara have also begun climbing in price at certain chains, although many stores have not yet passed the increases on to consumers.

At the same time, upcoming price hikes from Strauss and Gad Dairies are scheduled to officially take effect on June 1, though some retailers have already implemented increases ahead of schedule.

At Wolt Market, Strauss Symphony 5% olive cheese rose from 11.90 shekels to 12.90 shekels — an increase of 8.4%. Gad Dairies’ refined Bulgarian cheese also increased there from 29.70 shekels to 30.90 shekels.

The Netiv Hachesed chain also raised prices on a variety of Tara and Strauss products, including Muller yogurt drinks, Tov Taam cheese, and Tara 5% cottage cheese. Strauss Greek yogurt reportedly climbed there by more than 8% as well.

The new increases follow months of announcements by dairy manufacturers regarding updated pricing on both regulated and non-regulated products. Consumers across Israel are now beginning to see the impact directly on store shelves, including on everyday household staples used by nearly every family.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu held a lengthy and highly sensitive phone conversation late Tuesday night focused on rapidly escalating developments involving Iran, Lebanon, and Gaza, as both leaders worked to coordinate policy amid mounting regional instability.

The call took place immediately after Israel’s security cabinet abruptly shortened a meeting that lasted roughly two-and-a-half hours so Netanyahu could speak directly with Trump regarding the evolving military and diplomatic situation across the Middle East.

The conversation reportedly came at a particularly volatile moment following a dramatic assassination attempt targeting senior terror leadership figures in southern areas of the region.

A major portion of the discussion focused on the ongoing diplomatic efforts being led by Washington concerning Iran’s nuclear program and attempts to permanently dismantle Tehran’s nuclear capabilities.

According to sources familiar with the discussions, Netanyahu told ministers in closed-door meetings that Israel’s strategic flexibility remains closely tied to American policy and stressed the importance of remaining fully aligned with Trump’s broader regional objectives.

While concerns reportedly continue circulating within parts of the Israeli government over possible concessions being discussed during negotiations in Qatar, Trump updated Netanyahu on the current state of the talks and reiterated that the United States would immediately return to military options if Iran failed to agree to a verifiable agreement.

The two leaders also reviewed the expanding military operations along Israel’s northern border, where Israeli ground forces have reportedly continued advancing beyond the so-called “yellow line” in an effort to secure dominant strategic positions overlooking the frontier.

According to sources familiar with the call, the White House reaffirmed strong American support for Israel’s right to defend itself against ongoing rocket attacks and Hezbollah threats.

At the same time, however, American officials reportedly urged caution regarding broader operations inside Lebanon, emphasizing a desire to avoid the total collapse of civilian infrastructure throughout the country.

Trump and members of his foreign policy team reportedly stressed that while the administration supports efforts to weaken and disarm Hezbollah, Washington hopes military operations can continue without turning Beirut into a full-scale war zone that could jeopardize parallel diplomatic efforts underway in the region.

The leaders also discussed the latest developments in Gaza, where Israeli officials confirmed that specialized Israeli air units recently targeted the newly appointed head of Hamas’s local military wing.

During the call, Netanyahu reportedly reiterated that Israel would continue pursuing every individual involved in planning or carrying out the October 7 Hamas massacres.

The conversation concluded with both leaders reaffirming mutual support and coordination as they seek to prevent the current conflict from spiraling into a much wider regional war.

According to sources briefed on the discussion, Trump also expressed strong personal support for Netanyahu’s wartime leadership during the exchange.

{Matzav.com}

Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is continuing the anti-Israel rhetoric long associated with his father, issuing a series of inflammatory statements Tuesday describing Israel as a “cancerous tumor” and predicting the destruction of the Jewish state.

Posts published through Khamenei’s official social media accounts included repeated threats against Israel and declarations that the country is nearing collapse.

“The shaken Zionist regime and the cancerous tumor of Israel are approaching the final stages of their wretched existence,” read one post.

A second message added: “By God’s grace – and in accordance with the decisive and forward-looking words of our martyred Leader ten years ago – the Zionist regime will not live to see twenty five years after that date, God willing.”

The language closely echoed years of rhetoric from Mojtaba’s father, Ali Khamenei, who was eliminated earlier this year during joint U.S.-Israeli strikes targeting Iran.

Ali Khamenei had repeatedly referred to Israel as a “cancerous tumor” and openly called for the destruction of the Jewish state throughout his decades in power.

In 2020, Ali Khamenei sparked international outrage after posting comments invoking the Nazi-era term “Final Solution” in reference to Israel.

Following criticism from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Khamenei later claimed that his use of the phrase referred only to the elimination of the State of Israel and not to Jews themselves.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar responded sharply Tuesday to Mojtaba Khamenei’s latest statements.

“Sounds familiar. I remember someone with a similar surname who used to say it.”

Sa’ar then mocked the Iranian leader over his recent disappearance from public view following his appointment as supreme leader, adding: “BTW, where are you?”

{Matzav.com}

Former Fatah leader Mohammed Dahlan has held a series of meetings in recent years with senior officials from Israel’s Shin Bet and defense establishment as part of ongoing efforts to identify a governing alternative for the Gaza Strip, according to a report aired Tuesday night by Kan News.

Sources familiar with the discussions described Dahlan as “one of the strongest people in Gaza,” despite the fact that he has not lived in the territory for years. According to the report, his influence stems largely from his ability to secure funding and financial backing connected to Gaza affairs.

The latest revelations come after reports earlier Tuesday that Shin Bet chief David Zini met with Dahlan during a recent visit to the United Arab Emirates.

According to Kan News, the meeting was not an isolated encounter but part of a broader and ongoing diplomatic-security track taking place behind the scenes amid international efforts to shape the future of Gaza after the war.

The discussions are reportedly unfolding alongside American efforts — together with former UN envoy and current Peace Council director Nikolay Mladenov — to continue advancing President Donald Trump’s regional initiative and create what officials described as a new political horizon for Gaza.

When asked about reports concerning Zini’s meetings, the Shin Bet declined to address the matter directly, stating only: “We do not comment on the schedule of the head of the service.”

Dahlan, once one of the senior leaders of Fatah, previously headed the Preventive Security apparatus in Gaza before falling out with Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas. He has spent years living in exile in Abu Dhabi and currently serves as an adviser to UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

In July 2024, The Wall Street Journal reported that American, Israeli, and Arab officials increasingly viewed Dahlan as a leading candidate to play a major role in governing Gaza in the postwar era.

The report also noted that some regional players view Dahlan as a potential future successor to Abbas within Palestinian leadership circles.

Responding at the time in an interview with Sky News Arabia, Dahlan rejected suggestions that he intended to assume a direct security or executive role.

“I have repeatedly declared my refusal to accept any security, ministerial, or executive role, and I call for the formulation of a realistic and implementable international work plan that will lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital,” Dahlan said.

{Matzav.com}