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The Knesset has taken a historic step toward formally recognizing Israel’s combat veterans suffering from psychological trauma, as a new bill establishing their legal status advanced Sunday and is expected to receive final approval later this week.

The Knesset Committee, chaired by MK Ofir Katz, together with the Labor and Welfare Committee headed by MK Michal Waldiger, approved legislation that, for the first time, formally defines combat veterans suffering from combat-related trauma under Israeli law.

The bill, which is expected to pass its second and third Knesset readings this week, would establish an official legal definition of a combat veteran suffering from combat trauma within the Disabled Veterans Law. It would also guarantee specialized treatment and rehabilitation through the Defense Ministry’s Rehabilitation Department while expanding benefits, financial assistance, and support services for their families.

Kikar HaShabbos has learned that the legislation was originally developed during discussions surrounding the Basic Law: Torah Study. Lawmakers later decided to incorporate the measure into an amendment to the Disabled Veterans Law, a move that ultimately received bipartisan support from both coalition and opposition members.

During the committee deliberations, lawmakers and government representatives said the legislation is intended to bring Israel’s laws in line with the country’s complex security reality and ensure that thousands of combat veterans suffering psychological trauma receive care specifically tailored to their needs.

Labor and Welfare Committee Chairwoman MK Michal Waldiger welcomed the bill’s advancement, saying, “I am happy to lead a meaningful and moving amendment that is tailored to the complex reality of the State of Israel. Combat veterans deserve personalized care and the best possible rehabilitation, both for themselves and for their family members, whose lives were turned upside down in an instant. They gave for us, and today, through great effort and true justice, we are giving back to them a little so that they can return to life.”

Following the committee’s approval, Netanel Shaked, one of the leaders of the Combat Veterans Forum, thanked MK Moshe Abutbul and the Shas party for supporting the legislation. He described the measure as a historic law that, for the first time, will provide official legal recognition to combat veterans suffering from combat trauma while significantly expanding the system of benefits, compensation, and assistance available to them and their families.

If the bill receives final approval in the Knesset plenum, Israel will, for the first time, formally enshrine the legal status of combat veterans suffering from combat trauma in statute, replacing a system that for years relied primarily on administrative procedures and government policies.

A new organization aimed at uniting chareidi journalists from across the media spectrum is set to be formally launched on Monday at the Museum of Tolerance in Yerushalayim. But even before the inaugural conference has taken place, organizers claim the initiative is already facing an organized effort to discredit and derail it.

Dozens of chareidi reporters, editors, broadcasters, and media professionals representing a wide range of chareidi news outlets are expected to attend the founding convention of the newly established Chareidi Journalists Council. Organizers describe the body as a professional organization designed to support journalists working in the chareidi media. In recent days, however, a series of media reports has fueled speculation that some parties are attempting to undermine the new organization before it even begins operating.

Much of the controversy stems from a recent investigative report aired by Channel 14, which alleged that the conference is being organized by Avi Widerman, whom the network characterized as a prominent left-wing figure. The station later reported that former Chief Rabbi Rav Dovid Lau had withdrawn from the event following publication of that investigation.

Organizers strongly dispute those claims, arguing that the reports appear to be part of a broader campaign to tarnish the council by attaching political labels to it rather than addressing its stated professional mission.

They point to the reporting surrounding Rav Lau’s absence as an example. While Channel 14 claimed the former chief rabbi canceled his participation because of its investigation, organizers say the official response from Rav Lau’s office—and subsequent conversations with his staff—confirm that he informed organizers last week that he would be unable to attend because he is currently overseas as part of an official delegation strengthening ties with Jewish communities in the Diaspora.

“Those facts apparently were of no interest to those looking to manufacture a negative headline,” one of the conference organizers said. “Deciding on the facts first and only afterward asking for a response is the exact opposite of journalistic ethics. And if that is the reason the Chareidi Journalists Council is being established, then that alone justifies its existence.”

Organizers also reject claims that the conference represents a political initiative associated with the left, noting that the lineup of keynote speakers tells a very different story.

Among those scheduled to address the gathering are Israel’s Chief Rabbi, Rav Kalman Ber; veteran educator and chairman of the Madaim V’Yahadus network, Rav Ben Zion Nordman; and Dr. Avishai Ben Chaim, who is widely identified with Israel’s political right, traditional values, and the “Second Israel” movement.

“The list of speakers at the council’s inaugural conference completely refutes the claim that this is a left-wing event,” a source involved with the new organization said. “It appears that someone has already decided on a target and refuses to let the facts get in the way. Instead of journalism, we are seeing anonymous actors trying to sabotage an important initiative.”

The source added that Widerman’s Zericha Foundation operates under the guidance of gedolei Yisroel. While Widerman has never concealed his personal political views, the source said those opinions have never influenced the foundation’s work, including its involvement with the journalists’ council.

“It is unfortunate that some have chosen to take sides against chareidi journalists who simply want to establish a professional organization that will provide them with support,” the source said. “Unlike members of the general media, chareidi journalists currently have no professional body standing behind them.”

According to the organizers, the council’s mission is entirely professional and is intended to address a growing need within the chareidi media. They say that in recent years, chareidi journalists have increasingly faced threats, pressure campaigns, and lawsuits intended to intimidate them, making a unified representative body more necessary than ever.

The organization’s primary goals are to protect the professional rights of chareidi journalists, provide formal recognition for their work, and offer legal assistance and representation to reporters carrying out their responsibilities on behalf of the public.

“This council is more necessary today than ever before,” one of the organizers said. “Journalists should not have to fear competing media organizations trying to impose agendas on them. Our goal is to provide full support and protection to every chareidi journalist, regardless of any political or ideological agenda.”

{Matzav.com}

Despite the rapidly intensifying confrontation between the United States and Iran, Israeli officials believe Tehran is unlikely, at least for now, to launch direct attacks against Israel, according to assessments discussed Sunday evening at the highest levels of government.

According to a report by Israel’s Channel 12 News, Israeli officials—including participants in a security meeting chaired by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Sunday evening—believe Iran understands that attacking Israeli territory or civilians would trigger a return to full-scale war and could send the conflict spiraling beyond anyone’s control.

An Israeli official quoted in the report said, “We all hope our assessment proves to be wrong and that Iran makes the mistake.” The official added, “The Americans know that we want to complete our missions in Iran—and they know exactly what we mean. Right now, it isn’t relevant. The current operation is limited, and we are not part of it. We will become part of it only if the Americans bring us into it—or if the Iranians bring us into it.”

Earlier Sunday, Iran’s Fars News Agency reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had launched drone strikes against American HIMARS surface-to-surface missile launchers in Kuwait. According to the Iranian report, “the missile infrastructure that was prepared to launch attacks against Iran was destroyed.”

Meanwhile, Sabereen News, a media outlet affiliated with pro-Iranian militias in Iraq, reported that drones targeted headquarters belonging to Iranian Kurdish opposition groups in the Sulaymaniyah province of northern Iraq. The report did not immediately provide additional details regarding the alleged strikes.

{Matzav.com}

A new series of arrests targeting bnei Torah has raised concerns that another wave of mass chareidi protests could be imminent. On Sunday, two Gerer chassidim and one Erlauer chassid were arrested and sentenced to military prison after attempting to resolve their draft status with Israeli authorities.

One of those arrested was a young Gerer chassid and talmid of Yeshivas Chiddushei Harim, who was detained after reporting to the military induction office in an effort to “regularize his status.” He was sentenced to 20 days in military prison.

Also arrested on Sunday was a Gerer avreich from Ashdod. He, too, was sentenced to 20 days in Prison 10 and, according to reports, was being transported there shortly after his sentencing.

In a separate incident, a young Erlauer chassid, a talmid of Yeshivas Chayei Torah, was arrested after reporting to the induction office in Be’er Sheva in an attempt to regularize his status. He was likewise transferred to Prison 10.

The arrests come roughly one month after Gur held its largest protest yet against the arrest of bnei yeshivah. Tens of thousands of chassidim participated in the demonstration following the detention of a yeshivah bochur from Ashdod who had been declared a draft evader. In an exceptionally rare move, the Gerrer Rebbe personally attended the mass rally.

In addition, approximately two weeks ago, thousands of vehicles took part in a nationwide protest convoy that departed from multiple locations across Eretz Yisroel, including Yerushalayim. The demonstration, titled “Enough Is Enough!,” featured a slow-moving procession toward military detention facilities but stopped short of physically blocking access to Prison 10.

{Matzav.com}

Health officials are investigating a growing outbreak of a rare foodborne parasite that has already sickened hundreds of people across the United States, with experts still unable to identify a single source. As the number of infections continues to climb, many Americans are wondering whether the fresh fruits and vegetables in their kitchens are safe to eat.

Since May, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed at least 145 cases of cyclosporiasis nationwide. The true number, however, appears to be significantly higher. Michigan alone had reported more than 1,000 infections as of July 9.

The illness is caused by Cyclospora cayetanensis, a parasite that is relatively uncommon in the United States. It spreads through food or water contaminated with human waste. According to Wisconsin health officials, some infected individuals may have contracted the parasite while traveling to countries where it is more widespread. CDC figures show that at least 45 patients became sick after eating food or drinking water outside the United States.

Within the U.S., however, infections are more commonly linked to contaminated fresh produce. Previous outbreaks have been associated with foods such as romaine lettuce, basil, cilantro, snow peas, and raspberries. Although investigators are still searching for the cause of the recent cases, the CDC says “there is currently no evidence of a single, multistate … outbreak.”

With the source still unknown, many people are understandably concerned about becoming infected, particularly because the illness can produce unpleasant and prolonged symptoms.

Not everyone exposed to the parasite becomes sick. For those who do develop symptoms, the CDC and Cleveland Clinic say the hallmark sign is frequent watery diarrhea that can be severe and “sometimes explosive.”

Patients may also experience loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, “bloating, including burping and farting,” a mild fever, and significant fatigue. Symptoms generally begin anywhere from two days to two weeks after exposure.

Anyone experiencing these symptoms is urged to seek medical attention. Doctors can confirm the infection through specialized stool testing.

Dr. Katie Theoktisto of Baylor Scott & White told Nexstar’s KXAN that in some patients the illness will “self-resolve after a few days.”

She cautioned, however, that persistent diarrhea should not be ignored. “If you’re having a diarrheal illness that’s lasting over a week or two, it’s probably something unusual,” she warned, saying that “those with prolonged symptoms should seek care from their health care providers.”

According to Theoktisto, young children, pregnant women, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems face a greater risk of serious illness. These patients may also experience symptoms that return after initially improving.

She noted that several treatments are available. The Cleveland Clinic says therapy may include antibiotics, anti-diarrheal medications, and maintaining proper hydration. Patients who cannot take sulfa-based medications because of allergies can be treated with alternative drugs.

The CDC says that while healthy individuals may recover without medical treatment, others can remain “sick for anywhere from a few days to a month or longer.” Symptoms may disappear and then return, placing some patients at risk for “severe or long illness.” Without treatment, the infection can persist for a month or even longer.

One encouraging fact is that Cyclospora is not believed to spread directly from one person to another.

To reduce the risk of infection, health officials advise thoroughly washing all fruits and vegetables before eating, preparing, or cooking them.

Experts also recommend refrigerating peeled, cut, or cooked produce promptly and trimming away any bruised or damaged portions of fruits and vegetables before consuming them.

{Matzav.com}

Tensions between Washington and Tehran escalated sharply on Sunday after Iran’s parliamentary speaker warned the United States to honor the terms of a temporary peace agreement or face serious consequences, as fresh American airstrikes targeted Iranian positions following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf issued the warning in a social media post, declaring that the United States could no longer expect Tehran to accept unequal arrangements. “The era of one-sided deals is OVER,” Qalibaf wrote on social media. “We told you: keep your word or pay the price. Reality is knocking.”

Along with his statement, Qalibaf published one of the 14 provisions contained in the memorandum of understanding between the two countries. The clause stated: “Upon the signing of this MOU, the Islamic Republic of Iran will make arrangements using its best efforts for the safe passage of commercial vessels with no charge for 60 days only, from the Persian Gulf to the Sea of Oman and vice versa.”

The latest American military action marked the third wave of U.S. airstrikes against Iranian targets after the Islamic regime announced it was shutting down the Strait of Hormuz indefinitely. The strategic waterway carries roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas shipments. Iran closed the passage after its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) attacked the Cyprus-flagged cargo vessel GFS Galaxy, accusing the ship of traveling along an “unauthorized route.”

The IRGC later declared through Iranian state media that the critical shipping lane would remain closed “until the U.S. ends its intervention in the region.”

According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), the strike on the commercial vessel caused extensive damage to its engine room, and one crew member remains unaccounted for. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reacted to CENTCOM’s announcement with a blunt warning on social media, writing: “Iran made a poor choice. Now they pay.”

The renewed military confrontation has further dimmed hopes of reviving negotiations between Washington and Tehran. President Trump said the memorandum intended to serve as a framework for a broader peace agreement is effectively finished after both countries accused each other this week of violating its terms while exchanging military fire.

Expressing his frustration before authorizing the second round of strikes earlier in the week, Trump told reporters, “I don’t want to deal with them anymore. They’re scum.”

The president intensified his warnings on Friday, stating that the United States has contingency plans ready to “decimate and destroy” Iran if Tehran carries out what officials say is an assassination plot targeting him.

Those remarks followed a report by The Wall Street Journal stating that Israeli intelligence had recently provided U.S. officials with new information indicating that Iran was actively considering a plan to assassinate President Trump.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, issued his own threatening message, vowing revenge for the death of his father, who was laid to rest on Thursday after being killed during the initial U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran in February.

In a Telegram message reviewed by Reuters, Khamenei declared: “We pledge to avenge the blood of the martyred leader and all the martyrs of these two wars from the criminal and disgraced killers.”

{Matzav.com}

Federal authorities have joined the investigation into the unexpected death of Sen. Lindsey Graham, with FBI Director Kash Patel confirming that the bureau is providing full support to local law enforcement as officials continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the longtime South Carolina senator’s passing.

Patel announced the FBI’s involvement in a statement posted Sunday on X, paying tribute to Graham’s years of public service. “Senator Lindsey Graham was a devoted public servant, a fierce defender of our nation, and a true patriot who dedicated his life to the people of South Carolina and the United States,” Patel wrote.

He also extended condolences to the senator’s family and associates while confirming the bureau’s role in the investigation. “Our prayers are with his family, loved ones, colleagues, and all those who knew him during this devastating time,” he added. “The FBI is assisting local authorities and has made every necessary resource available.”

Graham, 71, died Saturday evening after what his office described as a “brief and sudden illness.” News of his passing was released early Sunday.

In its statement, Graham’s office requested privacy for the family as they mourn. “Senator Graham’s family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period,” the four-term senator’s office added.

Investigators from the FBI, the U.S. Capitol Police, and the Metropolitan Police Department are all participating in the inquiry as authorities work to determine whether there is any indication of foul play in the senator’s death.

According to police scanner recordings obtained by NBC News, emergency responders were dispatched to Graham’s Capitol Hill residence Saturday night following a report of a person suffering cardiac arrest.

Images obtained by NBC News showed paramedics transporting an individual from Graham’s home on a stretcher to a waiting ambulance, while numerous police vehicles and fire apparatus remained at the scene.

Only a day before his death, Graham had returned to Washington after traveling to Ukraine during the Senate’s recess. While overseas, he met Friday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

A longtime advocate of strong American support for Ukraine, Graham had consistently backed the country’s war effort against Russia. During his visit, he also worked with a bipartisan group of senators and the White House to finalize language for new legislation aimed at imposing additional sanctions on Russia.

President Trump said Sunday that he had spoken with Graham shortly after the senator arrived back in Washington from Ukraine on Saturday evening.

Recalling their final conversation, Trump said Graham appeared somewhat fatigued after the overseas trip but gave no indication that anything was seriously wrong. “He sounded a little tired, but perfect. But a little bit tired, he had a right to be,” Trump told host Kristen Welker on NBC News’s “Meet the Press.”