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Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairman Boaz Bismuth announced Monday that a broad legislative initiative is being advanced to strengthen the IDF’s manpower, including renewed efforts to pass a draft law.

Speaking in the Knesset plenum, Bismuth said that he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided—at the request of the IDF chief of staff—to move forward with a comprehensive set of laws aimed at reinforcing the army’s personnel structure.

He explained that the plan includes three coordinated pieces of legislation to be promoted together: extending mandatory service, regulating conscription, and updating reserve duty requirements. “This is a necessary step to strengthen the IDF’s manpower system,” he said.

The announcement drew sharp criticism from opposition leader and Yesh Atid chairman Yair Lapid, who argued that the proposal would place a heavier burden on those already serving while allowing continued exemptions for the chareidi community.

“When you talk about extending service, the draft law, and the reserves law—the meaning is longer mandatory service and more reserve duty days,” Lapid said. He added that the move is intended “to allow the chareidim to continue not serving, at a cost of billions.”

Lapid also made clear that his party plans to oppose the legislation. “We will not let this pass. We stopped previous attempts and we will stop this one as well.”

As previously reported last Friday, the effort to advance the draft law had not been abandoned but temporarily delayed due to the need to pass the state budget. In official submissions to the High Court of Justice, Bismuth and Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs stated that the delay was only technical.

According to those filings, once the budget process is completed—including tens of billions of shekels allocated to defense—the government intends to resume advancing the legislation until it is finalized.

The documents were submitted as part of petitions concerning the continued operation of the national-civil service track for yeshiva students, and they indicate that the government plans to return the conscription issue to active legislative consideration in the near future.

A senior Israeli official has criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, saying he believes Israel owes him something because he is Jewish, highlighting ongoing tensions between Kyiv and Yerushalayim.

Since the war between Russia and Ukraine began, Ukrainian officials have not concealed their frustration with Israel for refusing to supply weapons. While Israel has provided humanitarian aid, set up a field hospital, assisted with water purification systems, and delivered an early-warning alert system similar to Israel’s “Red Alert,” it has stopped short of sending military equipment.

In August, Ukraine’s ambassador to Israel, Yevgen Korniychuk, addressed attempts to arrange a meeting between Zelensky and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “There were several attempts for him to come to Israel since October 7. Unfortunately, the attempts did not succeed, and it was not our fault.”

The latest incident occurred this month, when Netanyahu requested a conversation with Zelensky regarding the situation with Iran. Zelensky initially agreed, but coordination fell apart after the time window proposed by Israel did not suit him. Additional scheduling efforts also failed, and the call ultimately never took place. Israeli officials were also displeased that Zelensky chose to give an interview to an Israeli media outlet before speaking with Netanyahu.

A senior Israeli source familiar with Israel-Ukraine relations told Ynet that this reflects a broader pattern in Ukrainian conduct. “They never knew how to conduct a discreet dialogue with us, only made public demands. Zelensky is convinced that we owe him something just because he is Jewish, and that is not the case. That doesn’t mean we couldn’t have helped more, but they are no less to blame than we are.”

The official added that Israel has no particular strategic interest in Ukraine aside from the annual pilgrimage to Uman. “We don’t have any special interest in Ukraine except Uman, but that is a seasonal issue. This current round in the Middle East is meant to strengthen Ukraine’s strategic value and send a message to the United States. The issue has nothing to do with us,” he said.

A similar situation unfolded last September, when efforts were made to arrange a call between Netanyahu and Zelensky regarding travel to Uman for Rosh Hashanah. Zelensky did not accept the call. “Zelensky is disappointed and understands that Bibi calls him every year when he needs Uman after pressure from the chareidi parties,” the senior Israeli official said.

Despite the friction, the source emphasized that intelligence cooperation between Israel and Ukraine remains solid. “There is no crisis at the moment, perhaps a kind of competition. We are competing over weapons and American attention,” the senior Israeli official concluded.

{Matzav.com}

Drivers in Israel are bracing for a sharp increase in fuel costs, as the price of gasoline is set to climb above 8 shekels per liter for the first time in nearly two years.

The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure announced Monday that updated fuel prices for April will reflect a significant jump.

Beginning at midnight between Tuesday and Wednesday, the maximum price for a liter of 95-octane gasoline in self-service stations will rise to 8.05 shekels—an increase of 1.03 shekels, or about 14.7%, compared to the previous rate.

This marks the first time since July 2022 that fuel prices have crossed the 8-shekel threshold. The surcharge for full-service fueling will remain unchanged at 25 agorot per liter.

In Eilat, where fuel prices are exempt from VAT, the cost will reach 6.82 shekels per liter, reflecting an increase of 87 agorot. The additional fee for full service in Eilat will remain unchanged at 21 agorot.

The primary driver behind the price hike is a steep rise of approximately 49% in gasoline prices in the Mediterranean basin, fueled by global oil price increases linked to the ongoing war, along with about a 2% rise in the fuel exchange rate. The government has chosen not to reduce the excise tax, meaning the full increase will be passed on to consumers.

According to data from the Energy Ministry, taxes—comprising excise tax and VAT—account for roughly 60% of the final price paid by consumers, with excise tax alone making up about 45% of the total cost.

{Matzav.com}

The IDF has identified a growing difficulty among Hezbollah operatives in executing terror attacks in the northern arena, according to a report aired Monday on I24.

Military officials say the terror group is increasingly failing in multiple attempts to carry out operations, reflecting a broader weakening of its operational capabilities.

At the same time, security sources estimate that the campaign is far from over and could continue for at least another month.

About a week ago, reports emerged of Lebanese civilians openly opposing Hezbollah, with some declaring that they are already looking ahead to peace with Israel.

Since the outbreak of the war, thousands of civilians in Lebanon have been displaced within their own country, and many believe that a lasting solution will only come through peace.

On the diplomatic front, Lebanese Prime Minister Salam said in an interview with the Saudi network Al-Hadath that he is not afraid of pressure or coercion from Hezbollah and that efforts are underway to accelerate negotiations.

Others in Lebanon point to the fact that several Arab countries already maintain diplomatic ties with Israel, viewing that path as a way to improve their own situation.

For now, until a structured plan is put forward for direct negotiations with Lebanon, public sentiment in the country regarding the question of peace with Israel appears to be shifting in a more favorable direction with each passing day.

[Videos below.] Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu said in a Monday interview that Iran’s rapid progress in developing both nuclear weapons and long-range delivery systems presents a growing danger not only to Israel but also to Europe and the United States, while commending President Donald Trump for recognizing the threat early on.

In a conversation with Newsmax’s Christopher Ruddy, Netanyahu pointed to rising tensions with Tehran and stressed that Iran’s expanding missile capabilities make confronting the regime increasingly urgent before it can project power far beyond the Middle East.

“There was also that attempted strike near Diego Garcia — 2,500 miles from Iran,” Ruddy noted, highlighting the growing range of Iranian weapons.

“Yes, it wasn’t an intercontinental missile, but it’s getting there — about 4,000 kilometers [approximately 2,500 miles],” Netanyahu responded.

“That puts much of Europe within range.”

Netanyahu said that for years, Western governments underestimated Iran’s steady advancements in both nuclear development and the systems needed to deliver those weapons, a failure he suggested helped bring about the current situation.

“The question is whether the West will wake up,” Netanyahu said. “Iran has been pursuing nuclear weapons and delivery systems for years, yet many ignored it.”

He contrasted that approach with Trump’s stance, saying the president identified the danger long before it became widely acknowledged and took concrete steps in response.

“President Trump didn’t ignore it,” he said. “He recognized the threat decades ago and acted decisively, including leaving the Iran nuclear deal.”

Trump’s 2018 decision to withdraw from the Obama-era Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action drew strong objections at the time from Democrats and several European allies, though supporters argued it was necessary to stop Iran from continuing its weapons efforts under the agreement’s framework.

Recent intelligence findings and defense reviews have increasingly highlighted the growing reach and technological improvement of Iran’s missile program.

Security analysts warn that if these developments continue, Iran could eventually acquire the capability to directly threaten major Western cities.

Netanyahu described the issue as a critical test for the broader Western alliance, arguing that inaction would only embolden Iran and increase instability on a global scale.

“This is not just Israel’s problem,” he said, emphasizing that Iran’s ambitions extend far beyond the region.

His comments reflect a wider conservative perspective that emphasizes deterrence and a strong response when dealing with hostile regimes, particularly those seeking nuclear weapons.

As developments continue, Netanyahu delivered a pointed warning: Iran’s threat is not theoretical, it is intensifying, and he believes the time for a coordinated and forceful Western response is long overdue.

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Monday that the United States is actively degrading Iran’s military strength and anticipates completing its mission within weeks rather than months.

Speaking during an appearance on Good Morning America, Rubio discussed the ongoing escalation and explained that the strategy being carried out under President Donald Trump is centered on weakening Iran’s missile infrastructure and naval forces.

During the interview, ABC anchor George Stephanopoulos pressed Rubio about Trump’s reported remarks regarding a possible strike on oil installations at Kharg Island.

“Let’s talk about the President’s comments overnight, talking about taking the oil on Kharg Island. How would he do this?” Stephanopoulos said. “Why would he do this? Won’t it take ground troops?”

Rubio answered by shifting the focus to what he described as the larger aims of the campaign.

“First of all, it’s important to remember the objectives of this operation from the very beginning,” Rubio said. “We are destroying Iran’s navy.

“We are destroying their ability — their missile launchers by a significant percentage. We’re going to wipe out their defense industrial base, meaning their ability to make new missiles and new drones in the future, because it posed a great threat to the region.”

He added that Iran is currently in a weakened position and warned that postponing action would give Tehran time to recover militarily.

“That was an unacceptable risk, it needed to be addressed, and President Trump is addressing it,” he added.

Rubio also responded to Iranian threats involving control of a key global shipping route, saying the United States will not permit such a move.

“Now, they are making threats about controlling the Hormuz Straits in perpetuity, creating a tolling system and the like — that’s not going to be allowed to happen,” Rubio said.

He emphasized that Washington has multiple ways to respond, though he declined to provide specifics.

“He said the U.S. has “a number of options available to him … to prevent that from happening.

“Obviously, I’m not going to discuss what those options are, and we’re not going to discuss military tactics.”

Rubio concluded by reiterating the administration’s confidence in the timeline of the operation.

“We are going to achieve our objectives in a matter of weeks, not months,” he said.

{Matzav.com}

Motorists across the United States are once again confronting higher fuel costs, with gasoline prices essentially reaching the $4-per-gallon level nationwide — a benchmark that carries significant financial and psychological impact.

Data from AAA shows the national average price for regular gas sitting just below that mark, at about $3.99 per gallon. While technically under $4, for most consumers the difference is negligible as they adjust their spending to absorb rising fuel expenses.

Industry experts point out that the $4 threshold has historically influenced consumer behavior. “Once prices reach this level, behavior starts to change,” said one market observer, noting that people often cut back on nonessential driving and begin considering more fuel-efficient vehicles.

The latest increase is the result of several overlapping factors, including seasonal demand, tighter global oil supply, and continued geopolitical tensions affecting energy markets.

A key contributor is the annual transition to summer-blend gasoline, which costs more to produce. Prices typically rise during the spring as refineries make this shift, and this year is no exception, with additional upward pressure coming from overseas developments.

For drivers, the impact is clear at the pump. Filling a typical 15-gallon tank now runs around $60, marking a noticeable jump compared to earlier months. In states with higher fuel costs, such as California, prices have already surged well past the national average, nearing $5 per gallon in some regions.

Diesel fuel is also becoming more expensive, though it remains below its previous highs. AAA reports that diesel is averaging in the low-to-mid $4 range nationwide, generally exceeding gasoline prices due to higher refining costs and sustained demand from trucking and industrial use.

Even with the recent increases, analysts emphasize that current prices are still below the record levels seen in 2022, when the national average surpassed $5 per gallon. Nonetheless, the return to roughly $4 gas is enough to renew concerns about inflation and the strain on household budgets.

Looking ahead, fuel costs will largely depend on how oil markets evolve in the coming weeks. For now, drivers are once again facing a familiar situation: gas prices have effectively returned to $4 per gallon.

{Matzav.com}

Mark Zuckerberg saw his personal wealth drop sharply as investor concerns over Meta’s mounting legal challenges triggered a steep selloff, erasing more than $20 billion from his net worth in a single day, according to a report by the New York Post.

Shares of Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, fell nearly 5% on Friday, concluding a difficult week in which the stock declined by roughly 13%.

The downward slide accelerated following two significant courtroom losses that heightened fears Meta could face a surge of lawsuits resembling the wave of litigation that once targeted tobacco companies.

The financial impact was immediate.

On Thursday alone, Meta lost approximately $119 billion in market value, pushing it out of the top seven U.S. companies by market capitalization for the first time since 2023.

Zuckerberg, who holds about a 13% stake in the company, saw his net worth fall to around $182.5 billion — a drop of $21 billion within 24 hours — making him the largest loser on Forbes’ real-time billionaire list.

The legal setbacks unfolded in quick succession.

A court in New Mexico determined that Meta did not adequately safeguard minors from sexual predators, imposing $375 million in penalties on the company.

The following day, a jury in California concluded that Meta and Google’s YouTube intentionally created addictive features aimed at younger users, awarding $4.2 million in damages to a woman who is now 20 years old.

Meta has indicated it plans to appeal both rulings, but investors are increasingly focused on the broader implications, particularly the risk of numerous similar lawsuits already taking shape nationwide.

Legal analysts say the decisions could represent a pivotal moment, potentially paving the way for thousands of cases accusing social media platforms of engineering products that addict children and expose them to harm — a development that could significantly alter the industry’s future.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump said Monday that the United States stands alone in even considering the issue of birthright citizenship, arguing that no other country gives the matter such attention.

Trump contended that the widely accepted reading of the 14th Amendment has been stretched far beyond what it was originally meant to address, particularly in the context of illegal immigration and what he described as “birth tourism.”

“Birthright Citizenship is not about rich people from China, and the rest of the World, who want their children, and hundreds of thousands more, FOR PAY, to ridiculously become citizens of the United States of America,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.

“It is about the BABIES OF SLAVES!” Trump added, stressing that the amendment was adopted after the Civil War to guarantee citizenship for formerly enslaved individuals, not to provide automatic citizenship across the board.

He also argued that the current system is being taken advantage of, saying that foreign nationals are using American laws to secure citizenship for their children while benefiting economically at the country’s expense.

“The World is getting rich selling citizenships to our Country,” he said, adding that the U.S. legal system has allowed the issue to persist because of what he called weak judicial interpretations.

The comments come as Trump’s executive order aimed at limiting birthright citizenship is set to be reviewed by the Supreme Court, with oral arguments scheduled for Wednesday.

The order seeks to block automatic citizenship for children born in the United States if neither parent is a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident.

Supporters of the policy argue that the phrase “subject to the jurisdiction thereof” in the 14th Amendment has been incorrectly applied for decades, and that revisiting its meaning is necessary to uphold the law and reduce illegal immigration.

Trump’s directive describes citizenship as a “priceless and profound gift” and maintains that it should not be granted automatically to those whose parents are in the country illegally or only on a temporary basis.

The policy, however, faces significant legal hurdles grounded in longstanding precedent.

One of the central cases is United States v. Wong Kim Ark (1898), which held that individuals born on American soil are citizens even if their parents are not — a decision that many legal scholars say remains controlling.

Opponents of Trump’s move argue that it violates the Constitution and could impact hundreds of thousands of births each year.

Supporters, however, say the current interpretation of birthright citizenship encourages illegal immigration and places pressure on public resources.

The issue has also reignited debate over the original purpose of the 14th Amendment, which was ratified in 1868 to overturn the Dred Scott decision and ensure citizenship for formerly enslaved people.

For Trump and his allies, the effort represents a push to return to that original understanding while addressing what they view as loopholes that weaken national sovereignty.

{Matzav.com}

A 42-year-old man was hospitalized overnight after suffering chemical burns during Pesach cleaning in Bnei Brak, emergency responders said.

Medical teams from United Hatzalah were called to Rechov HaRav Shach, where they provided initial treatment to the man, who was injured after being exposed to a strong cleaning substance.

According to responders, the man sustained burns to his face from sodium hydroxide, commonly known as caustic soda. United Hatzalah medics Moishy Kreiser, Meilech Henig, and Manny Streicher, who treated the victim, said family members reported that the incident occurred while he was cleaning the home ahead of Pesach, when the substance suddenly splashed onto his face, causing a chemical burn.

Emergency personnel treated him at the scene before transporting him urgently by ambulance to Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer. His condition was listed as moderate.

United Hatzalah’s spokesperson unit urged the public to exercise caution when using hazardous cleaning materials, warning that improper handling can lead to serious burns or respiratory issues. They emphasized that following basic safety guidelines can help prevent severe injuries and unnecessary tragedies.

Israel is pressing President Donald Trump to continue the ongoing military campaign against Iran, arguing that the coming weeks present a critical opportunity to achieve what officials describe as a “victory image” against the regime.

According to a report aired Monday evening on Channel 12 News, sources close to Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu are conveying to Washington that now is not the time for a ceasefire. Instead, they believe sustained military pressure could deliver a decisive outcome.

The message being communicated is that, with many military targets already struck, the next phase could focus on civilian infrastructure and energy facilities. Israeli officials assess that such strikes in the coming weeks could inflict severe economic damage on the regime.

In Israel, there is growing belief that this strategy could force Iran into a surrender agreement—or potentially even lead to the collapse of the regime. Officials emphasize that the possibility of regime change remains on the table.

At the same time, Kan News reported that the IDF Intelligence Directorate is providing the United States with detailed and high-quality intelligence on the Strait of Hormuz, nearby islands, and Kharg Island. This assistance comes as the U.S. prepares for the possibility of a ground commando operation inside Iran, should diplomatic efforts between the sides break down.

A senior Israeli security official said the country is nearing its objectives in the campaign against Iran and is now focused on deepening its gains in order to strengthen President Trump’s leverage in future negotiations with Tehran, including on the nuclear issue.

“The American president himself is handling the Iranian nuclear issue. We will act as required. We are determined to achieve the objectives,” the official said.

Jordan’s King Abdullah II recently refused a request to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, according to a report aired Monday evening by Israeli journalist Roi Kais on Kan News.

According to Israeli and Arab sources, Netanyahu’s office had reached out to the Jordanian royal court prior to the war with Iran, seeking to arrange a meeting with the king. In response, Jordan presented a series of conditions that would need to be met before such a meeting could take place. A source familiar with the details told Kan 11 that one of the reasons for the refusal was the closure of the Al-Aqsa Mosque since the outbreak of the war.

Two Jordanian sources close to decision-makers confirmed that Netanyahu had indeed requested the meeting. In response, Jordan sought clarification from Israel on several key issues related to the Palestinian matter. These included positions on the establishment of a Palestinian state, assurances against the displacement of Gaza’s population, rising incidents of settler violence in Yehuda and Shomron, the question of annexation, changes to land status in those areas, restrictions affecting Muslim worshippers visiting the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the signing of a new water agreement, and easing the transfer of humanitarian aid into Yehuda and Shomron.

The responses provided by Israel were reportedly insufficient from the Jordanian perspective. As a result, it was decided not to grant Netanyahu what sources described as a diplomatic achievement in the form of a meeting with the king. Instead, Jordan opted to maintain its relationship with Israel through ongoing security coordination behind the scenes.

According to sources, one of the goals of the proposed meeting was to signal to the United States that ties between Israel and Jordan remain stable, particularly in the aftermath of the ceasefire in Gaza. Netanyahu’s office declined to comment on the report.

President Donald Trump said Monday that the United States will soon take action following an Iranian missile attack targeting the Haifa area, including near Israel’s largest oil refinery.

Speaking to the New York Post, Trump indicated that a response is forthcoming. “You’ll see shortly,” Trump said when asked how the U.S. plans to react to the strike.

Addressing questions about Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Trump said the U.S. will need about a week to assess whether he is prepared to cooperate in efforts to bring the conflict to an end.

The attack occurred around 11:30 a.m., when Iran launched a cluster missile in the direction of Haifa. Reports from the city and nearby areas indicated multiple sites where interceptor fragments struck. Fire and Rescue Services confirmed that a residential building in Shfar’am sustained a direct hit.

Earlier in the day, Trump said that Washington is engaged in ongoing talks with what he described as a new leadership in Tehran, aimed at halting the war.

“The United States of America is in serious discussions with A NEW, AND MORE REASONABLE, REGIME to end our Military Operations in Iran,” he announced on Truth Social.

He warned that while negotiations are progressing, failure to quickly reach an agreement could lead to significant escalation. “Great progress has been made but, if for any reason a deal is not shortly reached, which it probably will be, and if the Hormuz Strait is not immediately ‘Open for Business,’ we will conclude our lovely ‘stay’ in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinization plants!), which we have purposefully not yet ‘touched.'”

He added, “This will be in retribution for our many soldiers, and others, that Iran has butchered and killed over the old Regime’s 47 year ‘Reign of Terror.’ Thank you for your attention to this matter.”

In a matter of seconds, homes turned to rubble. Families were left with nothing — just days before Pesach.

Standing amid scenes of mass devastation, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu described the aftermath of the Iranian missile strike in Arad in stark terms: “It was a very difficult night for the State of Israel.”

His remarks came on Sunday afternoon, March 22, just hours after the Motzei Shabbos attack, in what officials described as one of the largest and most destructive missile barrages since the outbreak of the Iran war. The strikes hit residential areas with terrifying force, leaving widespread destruction and hundreds of casualties.

Rescue teams worked through the night — pulling victims from the rubble, treating the injured, and searching desperately for anyone still trapped beneath collapsed structures. Entire buildings were reduced to ruins. Families fled in panic, many escaping with nothing but the clothes they were wearing. Streets that had been alive only hours earlier were transformed into scenes of chaos and heartbreak.

In Arad, dozens of apartments were torn open. Possessions were buried beneath debris. Lives were irrevocably altered in a single moment.

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PM Netanyahu at the site of the missile strike in Arad. GPO/Avi Ohayon

But beyond the headlines and casualty figures lies a deeper, more painful reality.

170 families are now homeless.

Families who lost everything in an instant — no homes, no belongings, no sense of normalcy.

And Pesach is almost upon us.

Pesach. The Yom Tov of dignity. The Yom Tov of family. The night when every Yid is meant to sit like a king.

But for these families, there is no table. No kitchen. No clothing prepared. No sense of what tomorrow will even look like.

Children who should be asking the Mah Nishtanah at the Seder are instead asking where they will sleep. Fathers who should be preparing the Seder are trying to hold their families together.

And yet — Klal Yisroel did not remain silent.

With open hearts and extraordinary generosity, Yidden across the world stepped forward. With urgency and with heart, they gave. They cared. They refused to let their brothers and sisters stand alone.

Because of that, most of the families have already been helped. They have a place. They have what they need to enter Yom Tov with at least a measure of dignity.

But not all.

Forty-eight families are still waiting.

Forty-eight families with nowhere to go.
Forty-eight families watching the hours slip away.

Two days to Pesach.

Two days until the night when Klal Yisroel sits together and declares, “Now we are free.”

This is the final moment. The last chance.

In two days, it will be too late.

Help the remaining 48 families bring in Pesach, like true Bnei Chorin.

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara moved Monday to immediately block the transfer of hundreds of millions of shekels that had been allocated for Torah mosdos and programs assisting at-risk chareidi youth, despite those funds having been approved overnight as part of the 2026 state budget.

According to Baharav-Miara, the coalition’s overnight actions were unlawful, claiming they were intended to sidestep rulings of the Supreme Court regarding the issue of military conscription.

During the night, chareidi factions succeeded in advancing a series of amendments to the budget legislation, structured to ensure that coalition funds designated for the chareidi tzibbur would be funneled directly into relevant programs within the Ministry of Education. This was done in order to avoid the funds remaining in a general reserve that would require further legal authorization and oversight by the Finance Committee.

In a sharply worded letter, the Attorney General asserted that the process used to pass these amendments lacked validity. “Approving these reservations without legal and professional opinions constitutes an attempt to override steps taken to implement the court’s ruling on conscription, as well as rulings concerning benefits granted to draft evaders,” she wrote.

She further directed senior officials in government ministries not to move forward with implementing the transfers. In her explanation, she pointed to Directive 1.1801, which requires a full legal review of any political agreements with budgetary ramifications—a requirement she said was not fulfilled in this case.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid responded to the development, stating: “The overnight maneuver by the haredi parties has been invalidated-the money has been stopped. Following Yesh Atid’s appeal to the Attorney General, she ordered the halt of all the illegal funds approved overnight and is demanding further action against draft evaders. As I promised, you can rely on us. The celebrations of Aryeh Deri, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Bezalel Smotrich were premature. We will continue to fight for you. This money will not pass.”

MK Moshe Gafni, chairman of Degel HaTorah, strongly pushed back against the Attorney General’s decision, maintaining that the budget was passed properly and in accordance with the law. “The budget was lawfully approved last night with an unprecedented majority. Gali Baharav-Miara has no authority to intervene-this is criminal by any standard, and her hostility toward the haredi public is evident to all. Of the ten measures of hatred that descended upon the world, she took nine.”

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s parliament gave final approval Monday night to legislation enabling the death penalty for terrorists, marking a dramatic shift in the country’s legal approach to terror-related killings.

The bill passed its second and third readings in the Knesset plenum, with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu voting in favor alongside members of the Yisrael Beyteinu faction. Opposing the measure were MK Benny Gantz and representatives of the Degel Hatorah faction. Noam party chairman MK Avi Maoz did not participate in the vote.

Presenting the proposal during earlier deliberations, National Security Committee chairman MK Zvika Fogel described the measure as a necessary response to the current security situation. “The State of Israel is facing unparalleled evil and hatred,” said Fogel.

“Our enemies do not seek a border, a compromise or a shared future, but to destroy, harm, sow fear here and undermine our very existence here,” continued Fogel. “Faced with such a reality, our responsibility is clear – to protect the citizens of Israel. Not with words or hopes, but with deeds. This law is not a law of revenge or rage, but of the responsibility of a state towards its citizens, of leadership towards human life.”

He said, “The reality has changed and, to my delight, so has the security perception of the senior security officials, especially after we parted ways with those who were defenders of the concept and now everyone supports the need to advance the proposal, even if they had comments on its details. After dozens of discussions, most of which were in-depth and serious, a balanced proposal was formulated here that understands the complexity of reality but also does not deny it.”

“The existing option for the death penalty in Israeli law has not been implemented since the Eichmann trial,” he continued. “This bill adds a significant layer to the wall of defense that we are obligated to build, especially since that Black Sabbath. We are not bloodthirsty and do not seek to kill, we are a people who sanctify life and precisely for that reason cannot afford to abandon life. This law is part of a set of changes and another layer on the path to winning the War of Rebirth and the struggle for our future and the future of our children.”

Not everyone supported the move. MK Gilad Kariv sharply criticized the legislation, arguing that it constitutes an “immoral, unJewish and undemocratic” law.

The new measure aims to turn the death penalty from a rarely theoretical provision into a practical sentencing option, while distinguishing between different jurisdictions. In Judea and Samaria, capital punishment would become the default penalty for murder carried out under terrorist circumstances. Judges would no longer be required to reach a unanimous decision, and the option for clemency or sentence reduction by the commander-in-chief would be eliminated.

Inside the Green Line, courts would be permitted to impose either the death penalty or life imprisonment in cases where a person deliberately causes a death with the intent of harming the state.

Under the framework of the law, the Minister of Defense will have the authority to decide whether a terrorist from Judea and Samaria is prosecuted in a military or civilian court. Those sentenced to death will be held in a separate prison section, and the sentence is to be carried out within 90 days following an automatic appeal.

Existing Israeli law already includes provisions for capital punishment in military courts, but only under strict conditions requiring unanimous agreement among judges, with execution carried out by firing squad.

Although the death penalty remains on the books for crimes such as treason, warfare against the state, and assisting the enemy, Israel’s courts have avoided using it for decades. Since the country’s founding, only one execution has been carried out under civilian authority — that of Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann in June 1962.

Air travel across major U.S. airports began returning to normal this week after widespread disruptions caused by unpaid Transportation Security Administration officers led to severe delays over several weeks.

Airports in Baltimore, Houston, New York, New Orleans, and Dallas—all of which had recently experienced extensive wait times—reported significantly shorter security lines on Monday. At the height of the crisis, some travelers faced waits exceeding four hours, the longest delays recorded in the TSA’s nearly 25-year history.

The situation began to improve after President Donald Trump issued an emergency directive on Friday requiring that TSA personnel be paid, despite Congress failing to resolve the 45-day partial government shutdown. The Department of Homeland Security indicated that workers would begin receiving their pay as early as Monday.

Some TSA employees confirmed on social media that their paychecks were deposited into their accounts early Monday morning.

Attendance among TSA officers had dropped sharply during the standoff. On Friday, approximately 12.4% of the workforce—about 3,560 employees—did not report for duty, contributing to the long lines seen at airports nationwide. Since mid-February, more than 500 security officers have resigned.

The situation was especially severe at certain airports. More than one-third of TSA workers were absent Friday at New York’s JFK Airport, as well as in Baltimore, Atlanta, and New Orleans. In Houston, nearly 45% of security personnel failed to report to work at the city’s two major airports.

The funding impasse stems from a broader dispute in Washington. Congressional Democrats have withheld funding for the Department of Homeland Security while pressing for changes to immigration enforcement policies, following a Minneapolis incident in which agents fatally shot U.S. citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti.

Democrats had proposed separating TSA funding from the larger DHS budget while continuing negotiations over reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations.

However, Republican leaders in the House rejected a bipartisan Senate agreement aimed at ending the six-week stalemate and instead advanced their own legislation to fund the entire Department of Homeland Security.

The disruptions came at a particularly busy time for travel, with spring break season bringing passenger volumes about 5% higher than the same period last year.

To help manage the backlog, hundreds of immigration agents and Homeland Security Investigations officers were deployed to 14 airports across the country last week to assist with screening operations. The White House said those personnel would remain in place until conditions fully stabilize.

As Israel continues to fight a multi-front war, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, a member of the security cabinet, laid out his positions on the conflict with Iran and sweeping changes to prison conditions in an interview with Kol Chai Radio’s main news program.

Addressing the Iranian front, Ben Gvir spoke forcefully about his objectives. “The regime in Iran is a Nazi regime that needs to be removed from the world. It must be overthrown and destabilized and stripped of all its capabilities. Thank God many of them have already been reduced, but we still have much more to do there, and with Hashem’s help we will do it.”

One of the central points of the interview was his push for legislation instituting the death penalty for terrorists, which he described as “the most important law in the history of the state.” According to Ben Gvir, the law would apply to terrorist murderers from Judea and Samaria without requiring approval from the attorney general or special military panels. Responding to past objections, including those raised by Rav Ovadia Yosef, the minister said: “The reasons for opposition in the past no longer exist today. All the security agencies—the Shin Bet, police, Mossad, and the IDF—have changed their position and support the law. They understand that it is a deterrent.”

He issued a direct appeal to chareidi political leaders: “I call on Rabbi Deri, Rabbi Gafni, and Rabbi Goldknopf—this is a historic opportunity. When a terrorist enters a room, he does not distinguish between chareidi and secular. This is morally, Torah-wise, and halachically correct. Someone who slit the throat of a Jewish child must face his punishment.” He added that the legislation would also apply to members of the Nukhba forces: “The sentence will be determined by this law, and they must meet their end.”

At the same time, Ben Gvir described what he called a transformation in the treatment of security prisoners, which he has personally reviewed during surprise inspections. “There is tremendous success. I enter the prisons and don’t hear even a chirp of a bird. It used to be an all-inclusive hotel here with shawarma, lamb meat, studies, and cosmetic treatments. That’s over. Today there is a minimal menu, there are no more pitas on Pesach—even on a regular day—and this Pesach they are eating matzah, and not too much. The Shin Bet tells me: ‘They are afraid to enter Ben Gvir’s prisons.’”

Ben Gvir also rejected the claim that terrorists are indifferent to their own lives. “That is a myth. I walk through the wings and see that they want life much more than people think. A female terrorist asked me why she doesn’t have perfume in prison—I told her she should have thought about that before she incited murder. When they know there is a death penalty, they will think a million times before going out to carry out an attack.”

On the issue of incitement, the minister made clear that enforcement would be uniform and uncompromising. “Anyone who incites the murder of Jews—whether he is acting on behalf of Iran and even if he is Jewish—must sit in prison. There is no difference. We have achieved governance and determination, and with Hashem’s help we saw the quietest Ramadan because we made it clear that the rules of the game have changed.”

Amid ongoing security tensions with Iran and Hezbollah, and just days before Pesach, the former Rishon Letzion, Rav Shlomo Moshe Amar, Chief Rabbi of Yerushalayim, delivered an emotional and powerful message in a special interview with Avi Mimran on Kol Chai Radio’s main news program.

Rav Amar described the current situation as an unprecedented chain of miracles unlike anything seen in human history, explaining that “the one who experiences a miracle does not recognize his miracle.” He said that the sheer number and force of missiles launched toward Israel should have caused devastating consequences, yet Hashem protected the nation—both through advanced defense systems and through missiles landing in uninhabited areas.

The Rishon Letzion emphasized that Jewish blood is not hefker, and that the Ribbono Shel Olam avenges every drop of blood that is spilled. He spoke with emotion about what he described as a powerful spiritual awakening taking place, with thousands of Jews returning to observe Shabbos, putting on tefillin, and reconnecting to their heritage.

“Never have we been as close to the completion of the redemption as we are in these days,” the rabbi declared with confidence. He added that the leading sages of the generation are in agreement that the geulah is poised to be revealed before our very eyes, just as in earlier times people could not have imagined meriting to touch the stones of the Kosel.

In his remarks, Rav Amar explained the apparent delay in the coming of Moshiach based on the teachings of the Ohr Hachaim HaKadosh. According to this explanation, Moshe Rabbeinu desired a redemption at the highest possible spiritual level, rather than one in the form of “a poor man riding on a donkey.” For this reason, forces of evil and the sitra achra attempt to disrupt Torah study in every possible way, knowing that once the redemption arrives, wickedness will vanish like smoke.

The rov urged the public to strengthen their commitment to Torah study, placing particular emphasis on the importance of the learning of young children, whose pure voices sustain the world and upon whom the redemption depends.

Concluding his uplifting message, Rav Amar offered words of encouragement and faith: “Shake yourself from the dust, arise, put on your garments of glory, My people.” He called on the public not to despair, but to recognize the guiding Hand of Hashem in current events. He expressed hope that in these very days we will merit the announcement of Eliyahu Hanavi and the rebuilding of the Beis Hamikdash, peacefully and calmly, bringing true joy and salvation to all of Klal Yisroel.

{Matzav.com}

Senator Cory Booker sharply criticized the ongoing U.S. military involvement in Iran on Sunday, warning that the conflict could ultimately be remembered as one of the most significant presidential missteps in recent history.

Speaking during an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Booker responded to a question from host Kristen Welker regarding diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran. Welker noted that the United States has reportedly presented Iran with a 15-point proposal addressing its ballistic missile and nuclear programs, drawing comparisons to negotiations conducted during the Obama administration. She asked whether Booker supports the current administration’s attempt to reach a deal to end the war.

“I don’t support this administration, period. They’ve gotten us into what will be looked at as one of the greatest blunders, presidential blunders of our time. Remember, this president had stated objectives, none of which he is achieving right now, from the nuclear program all the way to, frankly, regime change. The regime is more extreme. They’ve shown an asymmetric ability to choke off the Straits of Hormuz has caused a global oil shock. And for Americans at home, our costs continue to rise. This is after the president has cut people’s health care and nutrition programs. And now, with over $25 billion to that has been spent on the war. Over 300 people injured, 13 Americans who’ve lost their lives. This president is pushing us further and further into a conflict, with no foreseeable off-ramp and thousands more troops moving into that region. And he still has not come to Congress for any kind of authorization for what is clearly not just a war, but the biggest military engagement we’ve had since the war in Afghanistan. This president is off the chain, and we are in a global crisis of his causing.”

{Matzav.com}