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Spain has officially scrapped a major arms deal with Israel, marking another escalation in the rift between Madrid and Jerusalem, AFP reports.

The contract, worth close to 700 million euros, was removed from Spain’s public procurement platform on September 9, one day before Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced a decree to “consolidate in law” a ban on the trade of military equipment with Israel, according to the news agency.

The deal would have supplied Spain with 12 SILAM rocket launcher systems, a localized version of the PULS model built by Israel’s Elbit Systems. The International Institute for Strategic Studies confirmed the details in its publication, Military Balance.

This cancellation is part of a broader policy shift by Spain to cut military cooperation with Israel. Reports also indicate that Spain annulled a separate contract worth €287 million for 168 anti-tank missile launchers that were to be produced under Israeli licensing.

Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia noted that the government is carrying out a comprehensive review of its defense procurement, with the goal of phasing out all Israeli-made weapons and systems from its military.

The development comes against the backdrop of worsening diplomatic tensions. Sanchez has become one of Europe’s sharpest critics of Israel’s actions in Gaza, which he and his administration have described as “the genocide in Gaza.”

Back in November 2023, Israel’s Foreign Ministry summoned Spain’s ambassador after Sanchez accused Israel of “violating international law and carrying out indiscriminate killings in Gaza.”

In April, Sanchez again went on the offensive, describing Israel’s military actions as a “disproportionate response” to the Gaza conflict, warning that it threatened to “destabilize the Middle East, and as a consequence, the entire world.”

By May, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares was openly calling for international sanctions against Israel, citing its continued fighting with Hamas.

Last week, the dispute deepened further when Spain called in Israel’s acting ambassador in Madrid, Dana Erlich, following accusations leveled by Prime Minister Netanyahu.

The exchange was triggered after Sanchez delivered a televised address on Monday, in which he pledged new steps to pressure Israel to halt the war in Gaza. “Spain, as you know, doesn’t have nuclear bombs, nor aircraft carriers or large oil reserves. We alone can’t stop the Israeli offensive,” he said.

Netanyahu’s office shot back on Thursday with a post on X, claiming Sanchez had issued a “blatant genocidal threat.”

On Sunday, Sanchez voiced support for demonstrators who disrupted and forced the cancellation of the Vuelta a España cycling race, saying he was “filled with pride” by their actions.

In Jerusalem, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar sharply condemned the Spanish leader, declaring, “Sanchez and his government – a disgrace to Spain!”

{Matzav.com}

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By Rabbi Berach Steinfeld

During the Aseres Yemei Teshuva we add special requests in the first and last brachos of Shmoneh Esrei (zochreinu, mi chamocha, etc.). We add more tefillos on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur to the bracha of Ata Kadosh; i.e., we add u’vchein tein pachdecha.

We find a machlokes in the Tur (584) on this topic. Some of the geonim felt one should not add zochreinu and mi chamocha because a person is not supposed to ask for bakashos during the first three brachos of Shmoneh Esrei. Rav Hai Gaon argued with this position and clarified that a person cannot ask for private bakashos; however, if one is asking bakashos for the tzibbur, then it is allowed.

In Meseches Sofrim it is brought down that we only add zochreinu and mi chamocha on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, but not during the rest of Aseres Yemei Teshuva. The reason is that since they are bakashos, the chachamim only allowed them to be said on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, which are yemei hadin. The Tur concludes that we say it during all of Aseres Yemei Teshuva. The Tur then wonders why we don’t add the bracha of Ata Kadosh also during all of Aseres Yemei Teshuva. He concludes that there are places where u’vchein tein pachdecha was added during all of Aseres Yemei Teshuva.

To summarize, we have three opinions here. The first is Meseches Sofrim, where we only add to our tefillos on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. The second opinion, which is the Tur, says that we add zochreinu and u’vchein tein pachdecha during all of Aseres Yemei Teshuva. The third opinion is that we add zochreinu during all of Aseres Yemei Teshuva, whereas we add u’vchein tein pachdecha only on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur.

We can explain all opinions as follows. The shitta of Meseches Sofrim, which states that we only add during Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, could be because the gemara in Rosh Hashana says that we are judged on Rosh Hashana, but the beinonim have the Aseres Yemei Teshuva to correct their ways and ultimately are judged on Yom Kippur. We see from this that Aseres Yemei Teshuva are not judgment days.

If we say that we add u’vchein tein pachdecha for all Aseres Yemei Teshuva, then we would be saying that all ten days are an extension of the judgment, and therefore we add both zochreinu and u’vchein tein pachdecha. We just need to explain our minhag that we add only zochreinu and not u’vchein tein pachdecha.

We could say that the pesukim of u’vchein tein pachdecha are a lashon of gilui malchus, bringing out the kingdom of Hashem, and that we only do on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur are the days when Hashem is on His throne judging us, whereas the bakashos of zochreinu, which prepare us for Yom Kippur, we need to say during all the days of Aseres Yemei Teshuva prior to the day of judgment.

May we all be zocheh badin.

{Matzav.com}

The FBI’s second-in-command said on Monday that he suspects Tyler Robinson, the alleged killer of Charlie Kirk, may not have acted alone, hinting that an “extended network” could have played a role and pointing to “multiple warning signs” before the assassination.

According to a report in The NY Post on Sunday, investigators had already begun examining whether groups online and others close to Robinson might have had advance knowledge of his deadly plans.

Among the groups under review are communities active on the gaming site Steam, as well as Armed Queers SLC, which deactivated its Instagram account after Kirk was gunned down.

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino has now indicated that the bureau is broadening the scope of its probe, checking whether anyone present at the event — including the TikTok personality who questioned Kirk just moments before the attack — might have had prior awareness of the plot.

Speaking on Fox News’ “America’s Newsroom” with host Bill Hemmer, Bongino explained that agents are “looking into” whether the murder of Kirk — a 31-year-old conservative leader, husband, father of two, and founder of Turning Point USA — “was part of a larger effort” that could have included financial support or others who “knew the specifics of it and failed to report that.”

“We’ll also be dropping a lot of paper, a lot of subpoenas out there, to take a look to see if there was any extended network,” Bongino said.

Kirk was slain by a single shot to the neck while speaking at Utah Valley University last Wednesday. Robinson was arrested 33 hours afterward.

When pressed about whether the timing of the shot was connected to Kirk addressing a question about mass shootings carried out by trans individuals, Bongino said, “We’re investigating that.”

“I don’t want to say conclusively right now if there was a connection or not,” Bongino said. “It’s not terribly uncommon for [Kirk] to get questions like that. However, we are looking into that.”

Hemmer also asked Bongino about a discussion Robinson had at a family gathering in which he and a relative expressed their dislike for Kirk.

“There appear to have been multiple warning signs” about Robinson’s state of mind, Bongino said. “You just laid out some of them. There were people in his network, friends and family who had stated that he had become more political.”

Authorities are still piecing together how Robinson became radicalized. Markings discovered on unused bullets from the gun that killed Kirk suggested connections to pro-trans and anti-fascist beliefs.

A relative of Robinson’s roommate, who is cooperating with investigators and is not accused of wrongdoing, said they believe the suspect’s politics may have been shaped by that relationship.

“I think Tyler got a whole lot worse in the year they have been dating. They are big gamers, and obviously they have that group that influences them as well as others. But my gut tells me [the roommate] did more of the influencing,” the relative told Fox Digital.

Utah Governor Spencer Cox commented Friday that Robinson was “deeply indoctrinated with leftist ideology,” though he was not registered with any party. Officials have said Robinson “didn’t like” Kirk or his “viewpoints.”

The NY Post also noted that Robinson’s partner, who lives with him, is transitioning from male to female, though it remains unclear if that relationship influenced Robinson’s political leanings.

Investigators have so far avoided publicly stating what finally drove Robinson to target Kirk, though Bongino said the suspect appeared to have “some obsession” with him, based on his “digital footprints,” describing the assassination as “an ideologically motivated attack.”

FBI Director Patel told Fox on Monday that Robinson “had a text message exchange with another individual in which he claimed that he had an opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk — and he was going to do it because of his hatred for what Charlie stood for.”

According to Patel, a handwritten note with the same threats was later “destroyed,” but investigators were able to preserve proof of its contents. The director explained that the note included Robinson “saying, ‘I have the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I’m going to take it.’”

{Matzav.com}

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In 1987, Rabbi Moshe Sherer, Zichrono L’vracha, set a vision for school aid that he knew might only come in his grandchildren’s time. That time is now.

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When zoning issues hit home, you know who to call. Because cranes don’t do the heavy lifting. Doers do.

As antisemitism surges globally, threats strike our streets, shuls, schools, and campuses. From slurs and bricks hurled, to shots fired and harassment. We are there — in councils, in courts, in Congress — securing millions in grants, defending yachidim in the workplace, and holding hate to task.

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Israelis will be banned from one of Britain’s most prestigious defense academies over the fallout from the nearly two-year-old war against Hamas in Gaza, British media reported.

The Royal College of Defence Studies will not accept students from Israel from next year, the British Government confirmed to the Telegraph.

The move is the first such ban on Israelis by the defense academy since its establishment nearly a century ago.

The director general of Israel’s defense ministry, Amir Baram, who along with Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin studied at the college, was quoted in the British daily as calling the decision “a profoundly dishonourable act of disloyalty to an ally at war.”

The move was a “disgraceful break with Britain’s proud tradition of tolerance—and plain decency,” said Baram, noting that Israel was “defending international shipping from Houthi aggression, preventing nuclear weapons from falling into the hands of an Islamist regime that chants ‘Death to England,’ and fighting to bring home 48 hostages from Hamas captivity.”

A U.K. Defense Ministry spokesman told the Telegraph that while British defense programs were open to personnel from a “wide range of countries, with all UK military courses emphasizing compliance with international humanitarian law… the Israeli government’s decision to further escalate its military operation in Gaza is wrong.”

The spokesman added that “there must be a diplomatic solution to end this war now, with an immediate ceasefire, the return of the hostages, and a surge in humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.”

Relations between the United Kingdom and Israel have plunged over the ongoing war which was triggered by the Hamas-led invasion of southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, which left more than 1,200 people dead, mostly civilians and saw 251 others abducted to Gaza in the single worst attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust.

The United Kingdom was among five countries who sanctioned Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir in June for allegedly inciting violence against Palestinians.

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer subsequently announced in July that the United Kingdom would recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly this month, following the lead of other European nations including France, unless the Israeli government took substantive steps to end the war and humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. The move was strongly condemned by both the United States and Israel.

Earlier this month, the British leader met Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas to advance the P.A.’s bilateral relations with London and coordinate ahead of the U.N. General Assembly meeting.

On Sept. 10, Starmer held a tense meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog at 10 Downing Street in London, with Herzog firmly opposing the U.K. government’s stance on Israel and Starmer criticizing the Jewish state over the war against Hamas in Gaza and the Sept. 9 strike on Hamas leaders in Qatar.

The meeting itself was only announced on the second day of the president’s visit to London at the invitation of the Jewish community. JNS

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump issued a stern warning after reading reports that Hamas has brought hostages out of tunnels and placed them above ground in Gaza City. He condemned the tactic as a “human atrocity” and cautioned the terror group about the consequences.

“I have just read a News Report that Hamas has moved the hostages above ground to use them as human shields against Israel’s ground offensive,” Trump writes on his social media network, Truth Social.

“I hope the Leaders of Hamas know what they’re getting into if they do such a thing. This is a human atrocity, the likes of which few people have ever seen before. Don’t let this happen or, ALL ‘BETS’ ARE OFF. RELEASE ALL HOSTAGES NOW!” he adds.

While the president has made several strong declarations toward Hamas, it remains uncertain what exact steps he might take in response if the terror group does not comply.

Adding to the urgency of the matter, the mother of hostage Guy Gilboa-Dalal said last night that she was informed her son had been moved above ground in Gaza City and was being used by Hamas as a human shield.

{Matzav.com}

The Los Angeles Torah community continues to daven fervently for the recovery of Rav Eliezer Gross, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Gedolah of Los Angeles, who remains hospitalized in critical condition.

A week ago, Rav Gross was admitted to the ICU and his family was told that his situation was critical. Today, boruch Hashem, the doctors were cautiously optimistic, but Rav Gross is still in the ICU.

Rav Gross remains in need of rachamei Shomayim and all are urged to continue davening for Rav Eliezer Yitzchok ben Yocheved.

{Matzav.com}

What was a Chabad shliach doing at North America’s most famous ski site? As it turns out, he wasn’t there for the slopes, but to establish a Jewish center at the heart of one of the busiest tourist destinations on the continent.

Recently, Chabad announced that Rabbi Shneur and Bina Druk have moved with their young children, Musia and Mendel, to Whistler, British Columbia — home to Canada’s most prestigious ski resort. Their mission: to serve the thousands of Jewish visitors and residents who pass through the area each year.

Whistler, located about an hour and a half north of Vancouver in the Coast Mountains, has long been a crown jewel in Canada’s tourism industry. The picturesque town is surrounded by towering peaks, crystal lakes, and dense evergreen forests.

In the winter months, Whistler draws hundreds of thousands of ski enthusiasts who come to experience its legendary slopes, lively alpine village, and Olympic-class facilities. The resort is regularly ranked as the number one ski destination in North America.

But Whistler isn’t only a winter wonderland. During the summer, the region attracts hikers, mountain bikers, and families seeking relaxation by its pristine lakes. The combination of natural beauty and massive investment in infrastructure has turned Whistler into a year-round hub of culture, sports, and global tourism, hosting major festivals, sporting events, and millions of international visitors annually.

According to estimates, Whistler welcomes close to five million tourists each year, and a significant number of them are Jewish. Until now, they had limited access to kosher food and Jewish resources. With the arrival of the new shluchim, that is changing.

Rabbi and Mrs. Druk are establishing a Jewish center that will provide kosher meals, Shabbos gatherings, Torah classes, a mikvah, and even educational programs for children. “We’re already beginning to organize Shabbos meals, shiurim, and home visits,” the shluchim shared.

The new Chabad presence is expected to become a vital resource for Jews who come to enjoy Whistler’s breathtaking surroundings while staying connected to Yiddishkeit.

{Matzav.com}

SEN. SCHUMR (D-NY): “We want to keep the government open by engaging in bipartisan negotiation where we can address some of the grave harms Donald Trump has caused…”

Finnish President Stubb: “Putin failed all his goals. He planned to take Ukraine in 4 days — it’s 4 years, He sought to divide the West — it’s more united than ever. He wanted less NATO spending — Trump raised it to 5%.”  

Two Israeli officials told Axios that Rubio conveyed to Netanyahu the Trump administration supports the ground operation but wants it carried out swiftly and concluded as soon as possible.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro declared that communications with the U.S. government have collapsed, blaming Washington’s threats of bombs, death, and blackmail.

WATCH: U.S. forces test-fire the FIM-92 Stinger man-portable air defense system in Egypt.

During his visit to Israel, Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with families of hostages.

Senate confirms Trump’s top economist Stephen Miran to serve on the Fed’s Board of Governors, a day before a crucial meeting to discuss interest rates

Since Monday morning, almost 30 Chareidim were arrested at Ben-Gurion Airport on the way to Uman, which means that there will soon be over 60 Chareidim sitting in military prison. UTJ chairman Yitzchak Goldknopf wrote a letter to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu demanding that the Chareidim be released for Rosh Hashanah. “I turn to you as the head of the government of the only Jewish state in the world in a request for my brothers who have been imprisoned in the Land of Israel for the ‘sin’ of limmud Torah,” he wrote. “I am ashamed and humiliated by the very fact that I have to make such a request. I am heartbroken that in our days, in the Jewish state, lomdei Torah scholars are arrested and harassed along with their families.” “The painful facts speak for themselves, and therefore I ask you in every which way to act for their immediate release, and at the very least to allow them to celebrate the days of Rosh Hashanah with their families and to daven in the shuls where they daven every year.” “According to media reports, there are currently over 30 detainees behind bars [as of earlier on Monday] for the ‘sin’ of choosing to learn Torah. In the stories of the past of Jewish kehillos in foreign lands, we learned about the advocacy they would employ ahead of the Yamim Noraim in order to release prisoners so that they could daven b’tzibur on the Yimei HaDin and celebrate the Chagim with their families.” In conclusion, Goldknopf wrote, “I very much hope and expect that you, Prime Minister, will assist in their release and at least grant them the opportunity to daven properly on Rosh Hashanah.” (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

A historic moment took place in Tiveria, where the legendary Ma’ayan Mei Dekalim mentioned in Shas was re-identified. The well-known mekubal of Tiveria, Rav Dov Kook, drank from the waters of Ein Yamka, and his close talmid, Rav Yizhar Yosef Gati, mechaber of Zocher HaNishkachos, was zocheh to make the rare brocha of “Borei Mei Refuos.” This is a brocha that had not been heard for nearly two thousand years.

Chazal’s Description of the Spring

The Mishnah in Maseches Shabbos tells us: “Kol ha’ochelin ochel adam l’refuah b’Shabbos, v’chol ha’mashkin shoseh, chutz mi’Mei Dekalim.” The Gemara explains that it refers to a unique spring flowing between two dekalim in Eretz Yisroel, whose waters were a refuah for intestinal machalos. The Yerushalmi adds that the one who drinks from these waters says a special brocha: “Baruch shebara mei refuos.”

Gedolei Yisroel through the generations identified Tiveria as the place of this ma’ayan. The Aruch already in the 11th century wrote about “waters that purge” in Tiveria. Rav Shmuel Sirilio of Tzefas in the 1500s stated clearly that it was the spring between the dekalim of Tiveria. Even Yosef ben Mattisyahu (Josephus) described the “Har Barzel” near Tiveria with its palms and medicinal springs.

In more recent times, talmidei chachomim pointed to Ein Yamka, on the banks of the Kinneret, as the likely location — its waters warm, slightly salty, and long known to the locals for their healing properties.

Rav Kook’s Reaction

When the research was presented to Rav Dov Kook, who himself suffers from digestive problems, he responded with great excitement: “Zeh malei Torah! Tzarich lehavi mei ha’mayim ha’eilu!” He sent people more than once to draw water for him, instructing that they should be drunk on an empty stomach in the morning.

On one occasion, despite being in the middle of a taanis, Rav Kook tasted from the waters. At that moment, his talmid, Rav Gati, recited the ancient brocha “Borei Mei Refuos.” The moving moment was recorded and publicized.

Rav Rafael, a son-in-law of Rav Kook, testified: “Ani yachol lomar she’zeh oseh pe’ulah ba’me’ayim. The water isn’t as salty as Chamei Tiveria, but it’s saltier than the Kinneret — and fit to drink.” Another family member related that he personally saw that the waters behaved exactly as the Gemara described.

Tests of the nearby springs showed salinity levels several times higher than the regular Kinneret, which matches perfectly the description of Chazal regarding Mei Dekalim.

Rav Kook praised the sefer HaMekomos HaNedarim, which documents the rediscovery, saying: “Zeh mitzvah gedolah lechaber Yehudim l’Eretz Yisroel. V’haGaon miVilna omer, kol inyan shel Eretz Yisroel, ha’gevulos v’hamekomos, zeh gufei Torah.”

In fact, Tiveria fishermen once opposed desalination of the Kinneret because blocking Ein Yamka would harm what they themselves called the “refuah clinic for fish,” where sick fish came to heal — another eerie echo of Chazal’s words.

Researcher Yisroel Shapira, who worked on the project, expressed: “It is a zechus not only to identify an ancient ma’ayan, but to bring back to life a forgotten brocha that disappeared in galus and now has returned b’chasdei Hashem.”

Gedolei Yisroel of the previous generation also addressed this brocha. The Minchas Elazar of Munkatch held that the brocha of Borei Mei Refuos should indeed be said on healing waters. Rav Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook zt”l likewise wrote that even though the poskim did not mention it, “Birchas ha’refuah la’olam ra’ui levarech.”

{Matzav.com Israel}