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The New York Knicks will celebrate their NBA championship with a visit to the White House after accepting an invitation from President Donald Trump, ending speculation that the team might decline the traditional honor.

Confirmation came Wednesday from Knicks owner James Dolan during an appearance on WFAN, where he revealed that plans are underway for the championship squad to travel to Washington, D.C.

The visit will be a historic one, as no NBA champion has made an official White House appearance during either of Trump’s presidential terms.

“We just did receive an invitation from the White House, which we accepted,” Dolan said when asked about a potential visit to the nation’s capital. “We still have to figure out the details, et cetera, but yes, of course. Look, I invited the president to come down for the game. He is a friend. I’ve known him for 30 years and I’m very proud to bring the team to the White House.”

Reports circulating online had suggested that the Knicks had turned down a White House invitation, but administration officials quickly rejected those claims.

“This is fake news,” the official told the outlet. “The White House congratulates the Knicks on their championship win and looks forward to discussing a visit in the near future.”

The issue gained attention after the Oklahoma City Thunder, winners of the 2025 NBA title, did not make a White House stop during a March 2026 trip to Washington. Team officials attributed the decision to scheduling complications.

Trump, who was born and raised in New York and has long followed the Knicks, made history earlier in the Finals by becoming the first sitting president to attend an NBA Finals game. He watched Game 3 at Madison Square Garden from a suite alongside Knicks owner James Dolan and his granddaughter, Kai, and was recognized on the arena’s video board during the national anthem.

Following New York’s dramatic comeback victory in Game 5 in San Antonio, which secured the franchise’s first championship in more than five decades, Trump publicly praised the team’s postseason run.

“Congratulations to Jim Dolan and the New York Knicks!!!” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “What incredible playoff wins we have all witnessed, especially the last four — maybe the greatest in the history of basketball.

“Also tonight, a superstar was born. His name is Jalen Brunson, and there are others, including Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and great patriot Mitchell Robinson!”

The last NBA champions to make a White House visit were the Boston Celtics, who were honored in 2024 during Joe Biden’s presidency.

{Matzav.com}

Video released Wednesday night showed President Donald Trump formally signing the memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran, marking a major step in implementing the agreement aimed at ending the conflict between the two nations.

The footage was shared on social media by Deputy White House Chief of Staff Dan Scavino and captured Trump signing the document while attending a dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Palace of Versailles.

As he left the palace following the event, Trump briefly addressed reporters and confirmed the action, stating, “It’s signed.”

Just prior to this evenings dinner at Versailles in France, hosted by President @EmmanuelMacron—President @realDonaldTrump signed the Iran Memorandum of Understanding, once Secretary Rubio received it…

“A pretty key moment in history we are sharing together…” @SecRubio pic.twitter.com/sLYi6G9TM3

— Dan Scavino (@Scavino47) June 17, 2026

According to a White House official, an image of the executed document was immediately transmitted to Iranian representatives and the countries involved in facilitating the negotiations, officially activating the agreement.

Earlier, both Washington and Tehran announced that they had electronically executed the memorandum of understanding, formally bringing the accord into force.

The full text of the framework agreement was made public earlier Wednesday, shedding light on the principles accepted by both sides. The document outlines a series of significant concessions and commitments by the United States, while Iran’s primary obligation is to refrain from developing nuclear weapons.

"It's signed."

President Trump told reporters he signed the Iran memorandum of understanding in Versailles as he departed the palace following a dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron.

A White House official says a photo of the signed agreement was sent to Iran and the… pic.twitter.com/HVELS6RYVB

— Fox News (@FoxNews) June 17, 2026

Under the terms of the memorandum, the parties have established a 60-day deadline to negotiate and finalize a permanent agreement.

Until that final arrangement is completed, the United States has pledged to end its naval blockade of Iran, remove additional restrictions and interference measures, and reduce the presence of American forces in the region.

For its part, Iran agreed to guarantee safe and cost-free passage for commercial shipping between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman for a period of 60 days.

The memorandum also includes a commitment by Washington to work toward a mutually accepted economic reconstruction and development package for Iran valued at no less than $300 billion. In addition, the United States agreed to eliminate sanctions imposed on Tehran, including measures tied to the UN Security Council, the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Board of Governors, and sanctions enacted by the U.S. government.

Another provision requires the United States to immediately issue a waiver permitting the export of Iranian crude oil, refined petroleum products, and related derivatives, while also authorizing the financial and banking services necessary to facilitate those transactions.

{Matzav.com}

As a wave of burglaries continues to plague Bnei Brak, thieves targeted the Chernobyler Chassidus on Rechov Chabakuk, breaking into the chassidus’ beis medrash and stealing valuable silver items used by the Rebbe during his tish.

According to reports, the burglars took advantage of the fact that the Chernobyler Rebbe was spending Shabbos at the Kosel Hama’aravi together with supporters of the chassidus. During his absence, the intruders broke into the room containing a safe where the silver items were stored and made off with the valuables.

The Rebbe had been participating in a special Shabbos known as “Lev Yerushalayim,” organized for approximately 100 Chernobyler chassidim in Yerushalayim. The event was intended to encourage support for the construction of the chassidus’ new beis medrash, which is currently being built in the holy city.

Witnesses said the burglars arrived with their faces covered and carried a special spray designed to prevent the leaving of fingerprints. Investigators believe the perpetrators may have had prior knowledge of the contents of the safe, as they took only items made of genuine silver while leaving behind silver-plated pieces.

Sources within the chassidus estimate the value of the stolen property at tens of thousands of shekels.

A complaint has been filed with police, who have opened an investigation into the incident. Detectives visited the scene on Wednesday to collect evidence and take statements from those involved.

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the untimely petirah of Mordechai (Mordy) Klughaupt z”l, a beloved photographer and cherished member of the Lakewood community, who suffered a sudden medical episode earlier today.

Mordy was widely known throughout Lakewood and beyond for his warm personality and talent behind the camera. Through his company, Crystal Photography, he captured countless simchos, family milestones, communal events, and treasured moments, preserving memories for thousands of families over the years. His professionalism was matched only by his kind nature, and he was admired by clients, friends, and colleagues alike. He also provided waitering services utilized by many in the community.

He was the son of Rav Michel Klughaupt, a revered talmid chacham and longtime Rosh Mesivta at Mesivta of Lakewood, who is recognized as one of Lakewood’s senior and respected talmidei chachamim, and Rebbetzin Ciporah Klughaupt.

Those who knew Mordy describe him as a warm-hearted individual who brought joy wherever he went. Whether at a wedding, bar mitzvah, or community gathering, he had a unique ability to make people feel good. His genuine smile left a lasting impression on all who encountered him.

Mordy leaves behind his wife, Miriam (nee Weinschneider), and their three young children.

The levayah is tentatively scheduled to take place tonight at 11:30 p.m. at the Congregation Sons of Israel Holocaust Memorial Chapel, located at 613 Ramsey Avenue in Lakewood, followed by kevurah at the adjacent Mt. Sinai Cemetery. The levayah will be broadcast on Zoom HERE.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

The final stretch of this year’s yeshiva registration season is underway as entrance examinations have begun at Yeshivas Ponevezh, with a record number of applicants seeking admission for the coming academic year. The unprecedented volume of candidates has prompted the yeshiva’s leadership to move the testing schedule forward in order to complete the process on time.

Examinations officially began on Wednesday, weeks after most major yeshivos had already completed their testing, finalized registration, and issued acceptance decisions. Traditionally, Ponevezh begins its entrance exams on the seventh of Tammuz, but this year the schedule was advanced following a dramatic surge in applicants. For the first time, more than 600 bochurim have registered to be tested for admission. In response, Yeshiva Nosi Rav Eliezer Kahaneman directed that the process begin earlier so that every candidate could be evaluated before the end of Tammuz.

At Ponevezh, the admissions process is centered primarily on rigorous testing. Each applicant undergoes a series of evaluations, including an initial examination with Rav Eliezer Kahaneman, followed by additional testing conducted by members of the yeshiva’s distinguished faculty, including Rav Chaim Peretz Berman, Rav Dovid Levy, Rav Dovid Miller, Rav Yehuda Shmuel Meller, Rav Yosef Kahaneman, Rav Rafael Shmulevitz, and Rav Yaakov Epstein. Candidates also meet for an interview with one of the yeshiva’s mashgichim, Rav Eliyahu Eliezer Klarman or Rav Ezra Rothschild.

The examinations take place in the homes of the yeshiva’s rabbanim in the Ponevezh neighborhood of Bnei Brak. Overseeing the registration process and coordinating examination schedules are Rabbi Menachem Eschayek, a longtime close aide to Rav Eliezer Kahaneman, and Rabbi Zelig Diskin, the spiritual director of Yeshivas Meshech Chochmah and a close associate of Rav Gershon Edelstein zt”l.

One member of the testing panel, Rav Chaim Peretz Berman, is currently in the United States together with other leading Torah figures on behalf of Keren Olam HaTorah. He is expected to rejoin the admissions process upon his return to Eretz Yisroel in the middle of next week.

As in every year, one of the most closely watched questions is how many applicants will ultimately be accepted. Based on recent trends, insiders do not expect a major increase in enrollment. However, projections indicate that the incoming class could be approximately 20 to 30 students larger than last year’s, bringing the total number of accepted bochurim to roughly 450. Those students will be divided among three separate first-year shiurim.

Once all candidates have completed their examinations, the decisive stage of the admissions process will take place. Toward the end of the month, the yeshiva’s rabbanim will gather for the annual admissions meeting, during which they will review every applicant individually. The deliberations, held at the home of Rav Eliezer Kahaneman and led by Rosh Yeshiva Rav Berel Povarsky, often continue late into the night as the rabbanim carefully determine which candidates will be offered a place in the upcoming first-year class.

Anticipation throughout the yeshiva world remains extraordinarily high. For many bochurim, admission to Ponevezh represents a lifelong aspiration. Yet even those who are not accepted rarely remain without options for long, as other leading yeshivos closely monitor the results and quickly recruit talented applicants who do not secure a place at Ponevezh. As a result, the conclusion of the Ponevezh admissions process often serves as the final piece that shapes the broader yeshiva registration landscape for the coming year.

{Matzav.com}

As demonstrations over the military draft issue continue, MK Yaakov Tessler of United Torah Judaism delivered a blistering condemnation of police conduct following clashes Wednesday between protesters and law enforcement officers.

The Chareidi lawmaker accused police of using excessive force against demonstrators and claimed that officers crossed the line from law enforcement into outright abuse.

“The brutal cruelty we witnessed today—police throwing grenades, striking people with batons, tearing protesters’ clothing, and abusing them mercilessly—is not law enforcement,” Tessler said. “It is a dark outburst of rage born from systematic brainwashing against Chareidim. Chareidi blood has become cheap.”

Tessler argued that the confrontations were the predictable outcome of what he described as ongoing incitement against the Chareidi community by political leaders and media figures.

“The shocking scenes are the direct result of the wild and ongoing incitement against the Chareidi public,” he said. “When an entire media establishment and irresponsible politicians portray Chareidim as the enemy, police officers on the ground get the message, and the result is a complete loss of control.”

According to Tessler, the protests reflect deep frustration within the Chareidi community over the treatment of Torah students and the continued efforts to draft yeshiva students into military service.

“Yeshiva students are not criminals, and Torah study is not a crime,” he declared. “This protest stems from profound pain over the systematic persecution of Torah learners in Eretz Yisroel. The Torah world will not surrender to violence driven by hatred.”

His comments came after widely circulated footage from demonstrations near Bnei Brak showed confrontations between protesters and police, sparking a fierce public debate over the conduct of both demonstrators and law enforcement authorities.

{Matzav.com}

The heads of Israel’s Chareidi Hesder Yeshivas have issued a public appeal to Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu, calling for an immediate one-year suspension of the arrests of yeshiva students while the government works toward a long-term solution to the military draft dispute.

In a letter sent Wednesday to Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yisroel Katz, and Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Chairman Boaz Bismuth, the yeshiva leaders urged the government to enact a temporary one-year measure that would halt the arrests and create an opportunity to formulate a lasting arrangement regarding military service and Torah study.

Unlike several proposals raised in recent days that focused exclusively on stopping the arrests of yeshiva students—and were quickly rejected by both coalition and opposition figures—the yeshiva leaders outlined a broader framework. Their proposal combines a one-year freeze on arrests with a significant expansion of military and national service tracks tailored to the Chareidi community, along with an increase in enlistment to those programs. According to the authors, the combination of these elements would give the plan a much stronger legal foundation.

The letter argues that blaming the Chareidi leadership alone for the ongoing crisis does not accurately reflect reality. The rabbis wrote that repeated efforts over the past decade to regulate the status of yeshiva students have failed due to shortcomings on multiple fronts, including the judicial system, political leadership, the Israel Defense Forces, and the broader security establishment.

The yeshiva leaders also warned that the current wave of arrests is actually harming efforts to encourage greater Chareidi participation in military service. They contend that trust cannot be built while yeshiva students continue to face detention and legal action.

As part of their proposal, they are calling for a nationwide initiative to expand service opportunities during the one-year suspension period. Among their recommendations is a goal of tripling enrollment in Chareidi Hesder Yeshivas within a year, supported by dedicated government funding.

They also propose significantly expanding service tracks designed for Chareidim within the military, police, emergency services, and local defense organizations. In addition, they advocate creating accelerated enlistment programs for older men who never previously served, integrating them into reserve-duty frameworks, and launching a broad public campaign encouraging participation in service options compatible with the Chareidi way of life.

According to the letter, the objective of the proposed year-long pause is to create practical conditions that would allow a Chareidi young man who wishes to do so to combine serious Torah study with contributing to Israel’s security needs, without being forced to choose one over the other.

The rabbis also called on lawmakers to use the temporary period to finalize a broadly accepted draft law that would both protect the status of full-time Torah scholars and establish clear pathways for those seeking to combine Torah study with military or national service.

The letter concludes with an appeal for national unity and swift action.

“The Jewish people need unity, responsibility, the preservation of the Torah world, and the safeguarding of Israel’s security at this time—not another division within the camp,” the rabbis wrote.

{Matzav.com}

An Israeli police officer has been suspended from operational duty after footage surfaced appearing to show him kicking a protester during demonstrations on Route 4 near Bnei Brak, an incident that sparked widespread outrage and prompted a formal review by police leadership.

The controversy erupted after videos from the protest circulated widely on social media, showing heated confrontations between police officers and demonstrators. In response, police announced that the officer seen in the footage was immediately removed from operational responsibilities pending a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The suspension was ordered by Tel Aviv District Commander Chaim Sargarof following the publication of videos from the protest organized by members of the Peleg Yerushalmi movement against the arrest of yeshiva students.

Police Commissioner Danny Levy also addressed the incident, stating that all available footage and evidence would be thoroughly reviewed.

“If, after reviewing the videos from the protest at the Bnei Brak junction, we determine that commanders or officers acted contrary to police procedures, we will not hesitate to deal with it severely and suspend them from operational activity,” the commissioner said.

Levy added that senior police commanders were present at the scene and emphasized that he expects them to maintain control of such situations.

“There were senior commanders at the protest, and my expectation is that they control the event,” he said.

The demonstration took place Wednesday morning on Route 4 near the entrance to Bnei Brak, where hundreds of protesters blocked traffic to protest the detention of yeshiva students. Large numbers of police officers were deployed to clear the roadway and restore the flow of traffic.

During the operation, several confrontations broke out between officers and demonstrators, producing scenes that quickly became the focus of intense public criticism.

Videos circulated throughout the day showed police using force against protesters. In one of the most widely shared clips, an officer appeared to kick a demonstrator who was lying on the ground.

Senior Israeli officials are sharply criticizing the agreement being finalized between the United States and Iran, arguing that it weakens the leverage that had been built against Tehran and removes the military threat that had forced the regime to the negotiating table.

According to a report broadcast Wednesday evening by Kan News, Israeli sources described the proposed accord as a deeply flawed arrangement that “releases the pressure too early and removes the military threat that had until now remained on the table.”

The officials also expressed concern over provisions linking developments in Iran with the situation in Lebanon, contending that those clauses run counter to Israeli interests and may not even serve Lebanon’s interests.

According to the sources, “they are contrary not only to what Israel wants, but also to what Lebanon is interested in.”

Israeli officials further raised alarms about President Donald Trump’s proposal to address restrictions on Iran’s ballistic missile program through a broader regional framework involving Gulf states. Officials in Yerushalayim fear that such an approach would fail to impose meaningful limits on the missile arsenal that poses a direct threat to Israel.

Earlier in the evening, Trump addressed the developing agreement during a press conference, expressing confidence that the negotiations had achieved Washington’s primary objectives.

“We reached an agreement that achieves everything we wanted to achieve,” Trump said. “It will open the Strait of Hormuz and prevent Iran from ever obtaining a nuclear weapon.”

Asked about Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities, Trump suggested that completely eliminating the country’s missile program was unrealistic.

Referring to the issue, he said Iran should be allowed to have “some missiles,” explaining, “Others have them too. There are those who say they shouldn’t have missiles at all. That’s not how it works.”

The president also defended his decision to halt military operations and pursue a negotiated settlement with Tehran, rejecting criticism from those who favored continued military action.

“There is not a single country that asked us to continue bombing Iran. Only fools say that,” Trump added.

The reported disagreements underscore growing tensions between Washington and Yerushalayim as details of the proposed agreement emerge, with Israeli officials warning that key provisions may leave Iran with significant military capabilities while reducing international pressure on the regime.

{Matzav.com}

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee forcefully rejected Iranian demands that Israel pull its forces out of Lebanon and halt military operations against Hezbollah, proposing instead that members of Hezbollah and Hamas be expelled to Iran if Tehran truly wants peace in the region.

Responding Wednesday on the social platform X, Huckabee mocked Iran’s position and suggested a dramatic solution to eliminate the threat posed by its proxy groups.

“Iran demands @Israel cease defense of border against Hezbollah,” Huckabee wrote on the social platform X. “Gaza peace plan depends on Hamas disarming. Idea: EVERY member of Hezbollah & Hamas DEPORT to ‘Mothership’ in Iran. Result? Lebanon & Israel free from Iran terror proxies. Give PEACE a chance!”

Huckabee has previously argued that Hezbollah is not covered by the 14-point memorandum of understanding intended to formalize the end of the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. While the agreement makes no direct mention of the Iranian-backed terrorist organization, it does contain language that “declare[s] the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon.”

Iranian officials, however, have interpreted the agreement as directly applying to the situation in Lebanon.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the ceasefire arrangement carries “particular emphasis on Lebanon.”

“Any continued occupation of Lebanese territory will be regarded by us as a violation of the memorandum of understanding,” Araghchi told diplomats in remarks played on Iranian state media Tuesday, according to CBS News.

Tehran’s military establishment echoed that warning. The Khatam Al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, which serves as the operational command center of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, cautioned Israel against continuing military activities in Lebanon.

The command warned Israel to stop “repeated ceasefire violations in Lebanon or face a harsh response from Iran’s Armed Forces,” according to a report published Tuesday by the state-run Fars News Agency.

Huckabee has consistently maintained that Israel retains the right to defend itself regardless of Iranian objections, previously stating that Israel “does not need Iran permission to defend itself.”

President Trump also expressed confidence this week that the broader agreement would remain intact despite ongoing Israeli military actions in Lebanon. Speaking Tuesday, he dismissed Hezbollah as “that little pinprick out there that constantly rears its head.”

At the same time, Trump suggested that the conflict with Hezbollah has dragged on too long and criticized tactics that have resulted in significant civilian casualties.

“Israel is fighting Hezbollah too long, and too many people are being killed,” the president added while at the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Évian-les-Bains, France. “And you don‘t have to knock down an apartment house every time you‘re looking for somebody, because there are a lot of people in those apartment houses, and they‘re not all Hezbollah, that I can tell you.”

Israeli leaders have made clear they do not intend to comply with demands for a withdrawal from territory captured during recent fighting. Officials stated Monday that Israeli forces will remain in strategic areas of Lebanon.

Defense Minister Yisroel Katz said Israeli troops will continue operating in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza until all remaining “terrorist infrastructure” has been eliminated.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir also rejected any suggestion that Israel is obligated to follow terms negotiated by Washington.

“Trump’s agreement does not bind us,” Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir wrote Monday on the social platform X in a post translated from Hebrew. “Israel is not subject to the United States, and we are an independent and sovereign nation!”

{Matzav.com}

[Video below.] Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) sharply criticized President Trump’s newly announced agreement with Iran on Wednesday, arguing that the proposed deal could leave Tehran in a stronger position and provide the regime with additional resources to expand its military capabilities.

During an appearance on MS NOW’s “Money, Power, Politics,” Kelly expressed concern that the agreement may ultimately benefit Iran rather than constrain it.

“Well, I think it emboldens the Iranians and makes them more powerful, it gives them resources to build more ballistic missiles and may leave them with the ability to develop a nuclear weapon,” Kelly told Stephanie Ruhle.

The criticism comes just days after Trump revealed that Washington and Tehran had reached an accord aimed at ending a conflict that had dragged on for three months. The fighting caused extensive destruction throughout the region, rattled global financial markets, and contributed to rising energy prices worldwide.

Kelly suggested that the framework being discussed bears little resemblance to the type of agreement critics of previous administrations would have accepted.

“What I’m hearing and seeing so far in this plan, this is like total capitulation. Imagine if Joe Biden or Barack Obama signed this deal, what Donald Trump would say about it, and so if this is his plan, I think at least if Congress gets a say, this thing’s a nonstarter,” Kelly said.

Trump has maintained that the final details of the agreement will remain private until U.S. and Iranian representatives formally sign the document later this week. Nevertheless, several media organizations have reported obtaining what they describe as a 14-point memorandum of understanding outlining the proposed terms.

The White House disputed those reports Wednesday. Communications Director Steve Cheung said the document circulating publicly was inaccurate and insisted that the reported version “does not reflect the language of the actual MOU.”

According to reports about the alleged framework, the agreement would require an end to military operations on “all fronts,” including in Lebanon, where Israel has been engaged in efforts to dismantle Hezbollah’s military infrastructure.

The reported terms also call for the restoration of commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, with both sides committing to return maritime traffic to prewar levels within 30 days after the agreement is signed.

As debate over the proposal intensifies, critics and supporters alike are awaiting the release of the final text to determine whether the agreement represents a diplomatic breakthrough or a concession that could reshape the balance of power in the Middle East.

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

President Trump said Wednesday that the 60-day negotiation period outlined in the newly signed memorandum of understanding with Iran should not be viewed as a strict deadline, suggesting the talks could continue beyond that timeframe if progress is being made and Iran complies with its commitments.

Speaking to reporters in Paris, Trump dismissed the notion that the two-month window represented a final cutoff point for reaching a comprehensive agreement with Tehran.

“No, I don’t. [It] could take longer,” Trump said in Paris when asked if 60 days marked a final deadline.

The president indicated that the pace of negotiations was less important to him than Iran’s conduct during the process.

“I don’t view it as hard,” he continued. “Just as long as they’re behaving, I really don’t care that much.”

Trump’s remarks came shortly after senior administration officials released the full text of the memorandum to the press. According to the agreement, Washington and Tehran pledged “to negotiating and achieving the final deal in a maximum 60 days extended with mutual consent.”

Despite the breakthrough, Trump emphasized earlier in the day that the memorandum is merely a preliminary framework and should not be mistaken for a completed agreement.

“No, it’s not final. It’s a memorandum of understanding, and if I don’t like it, we’ll go back to shooting at them, dropping bombs on their head,” he said.

The president also warned that military action remains an option if Iran fails to meet expectations during the negotiation period.

“If they don’t behave, we’ll go back to dropping bombs right smack in the middle of their head,” he continued, adding “they’ve misbehaved for 47 years.”

Under the framework agreement, Iran would pledge never to develop a nuclear weapon, a commitment similar to provisions included in the Obama-era nuclear accord that Trump later withdrew from. However, the memorandum leaves unresolved several major issues involving Tehran’s nuclear infrastructure, including the fate of its stockpile of enriched uranium.

Trump suggested Wednesday that securing control over Iran’s enriched nuclear material was not his primary concern, arguing that preventing the creation of a nuclear weapon was the more important objective.

“Because it’s very hard to get it. I don’t think anybody could get at. We could get at it with great work and a lot of time,” he said.

His comments underscored the administration’s position that the ultimate measure of success will be ensuring Iran remains unable to build a nuclear bomb, even as negotiators continue to work through the unresolved details of a final agreement.

{Matzav.com}

A growing number of Republican lawmakers are sounding the alarm over President Trump’s newly unveiled agreement with Iran, arguing that the deal grants sweeping concessions to Tehran while offering too little in return. Leading the criticism on Wednesday was Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, who warned that the president is being poorly advised and is pursuing a dangerous course.

“History teaches that giving billions of dollars to theocratic lunatics who want to murder us is not a good idea. I think the president is receiving some very poor advice on this deal,” Cruz told The Hill.

His criticism came shortly after the administration released the complete text of the memorandum of understanding designed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end hostilities between Washington and Tehran. Under the proposal, sanctions on Iranian oil exports would be removed, and Iran would gain access to a reconstruction fund valued at approximately $300 billion.

According to the document, the United States would be required to “terminate all types of sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran, including the United Nations Security Council resolutions, I.A.E.A. Board of Governors resolutions, and all unilateral U.S. sanctions, primary and secondary, in an agreed-upon schedule as part of the final deal.”

The agreement also includes a declaration from Iran reaffirming its longstanding claim that it does not seek to acquire or manufacture nuclear weapons.

In addition, the two countries agreed to address Iran’s existing stockpile of enriched nuclear material. The memorandum specifies that Iran would be required to “down-blend” or dilute any weapons-grade nuclear material currently in its possession.

Cruz is not alone in his objections. Several prominent Republicans have sharply criticized the proposal, arguing that it rewards Tehran after years of confrontation and pressure.

Among the most vocal critics is Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, who denounced the agreement on Wednesday as the “worst foreign policy blunder in decades.”

“Reagan is rolling over in his grave. Iran’s nuclear ambitions were not curbed, and they have learned that threatening the Strait of Hormuz works and will undoubtedly leverage it in the future. Now, Iran gets to build brand-new infrastructure under this deal,” Cassidy posted on the social platform X.

The backlash highlights a widening divide within Republican circles as lawmakers debate whether the agreement represents a diplomatic breakthrough or a costly concession that could strengthen Iran economically and strategically for years to come.

{Matzav.com}

President Trump warned Wednesday that oil supplies could have been exhausted within a matter of weeks if the Strait of Hormuz had remained closed, arguing that the newly reached agreement with Iran prevented what could have become a global energy catastrophe.

Speaking in France during the Group of Seven summit, Trump emphasized the importance of restoring maritime traffic through the strategically vital waterway, saying the world was facing a looming shortage of available oil.

“We run out of reserves at about four weeks,” Trump said while discussing the memorandum of understanding reached with Iran. “You know, there are reserves all over the world, and we would really run out, and there’ll be a time when you wouldn’t be able to get it.”

Trump painted a dire picture of what could have happened had oil supplies continued to tighten, warning that widespread disruption would have followed.

He said it would be “bedlam” if the oil ran out.

Defending the agreement with Tehran, Trump argued that reopening the shipping lane was essential to stabilizing energy markets and ensuring the continued flow of crude oil around the globe.

“What this does is it allows the ships to go,” he said of the Iran deal. “If we keep bombing, those ships won’t be going.”

It was not immediately clear whether the president’s remarks referred specifically to American petroleum reserves or to worldwide oil stockpiles. White House officials declined to provide additional clarification, directing inquiries back to Trump’s public comments.

Concerns about shrinking inventories have been growing in recent weeks. The International Energy Agency, which represents many of the world’s major oil-consuming nations, has repeatedly cautioned that reserves have been declining as the conflict disrupted supplies.

Last month, IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said emergency reserve releases had helped maintain market stability, while warning that those stockpiles could not support demand indefinitely.

At the time, Birol suggested that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the ongoing conflict had reduced available commercial inventories to only a few weeks’ worth of supply.

The agency also issued projections in May indicating that global oil consumption was expected to outpace production during the current year.

When the war began, the United States joined other IEA member nations in announcing coordinated releases from strategic petroleum reserves in an effort to offset supply disruptions. Combined, those measures added roughly 400 million barrels of oil to global markets.

As part of that effort, the Trump administration committed to releasing 172 million barrels from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve over a period of 120 days.

At the time of the announcement, America’s reserve contained approximately 415 million barrels. A release of 172 million barrels would ultimately reduce that total to roughly 243 million barrels, barring any additional purchases or withdrawals.

New figures released this week show the Strategic Petroleum Reserve has fallen to approximately 340 million barrels, its lowest level since 1983.

Before the conflict erupted, nearly 20 percent of the world’s oil consumption passed through the Strait of Hormuz. Its closure triggered sharp increases in oil prices over recent months, a surge that also translated into higher gasoline costs for consumers around the world.

{Matzav.com}

A new Rasmussen Reports survey indicates that American voters are increasingly skeptical of the U.S. military campaign against Iran, with more respondents viewing the war as unsuccessful than successful. The poll also found that nearly half of voters want military operations halted immediately, while only about one-third support continuing the conflict until Iran’s ruling regime is overthrown.

The findings come as the war appears to be approaching a diplomatic conclusion. President Donald Trump and Iranian officials have been advancing toward a memorandum of understanding that was electronically signed on Sunday and is scheduled to be formally signed in person Friday in Switzerland.

The survey, conducted among 1,032 likely voters on June 11, 14, and 15, showed that 44% of respondents regarded the conflict, which began in February, as successful. Of those, 19% described it as very successful.

At the same time, 48% said the military effort had failed to achieve its objectives, including 27% who characterized it as not successful at all.

When voters were asked whether the United States should stop military action now or continue fighting “until the Islamic regime in Iran is completely destroyed,” nearly half opted for ending the war immediately. Thirty-five percent favored continuing the campaign until regime change was achieved, while 16% remained undecided.

The latest numbers reflect a significant change in public opinion compared to earlier this year.

A Rasmussen survey conducted in mid-March found considerably stronger support for the conflict. At that time, 61% said the war had been successful, including 35% who called it very successful. Only 29% viewed the campaign as unsuccessful, while 12% said it was not successful at all.

The movement from 61% approval of the war’s success to just 44% represents a 17-point decline in support over roughly three months. The percentage of voters who viewed the campaign as very successful also dropped dramatically during that period.

Polling began after Trump terminated a previous ceasefire arrangement and authorized renewed military action against Iran, arguing that the country had “taken too long to negotiate a deal.” The survey was conducted before Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf formally completed the electronic signing of the MOU on Sunday.

Public opinion was closely divided regarding Trump’s decision to resume military operations. Forty-five percent approved of ending the ceasefire and restarting strikes, including 29% who strongly approved.

Meanwhile, 46% opposed the decision, with 33% expressing strong disapproval. Although overall support and opposition were nearly identical, stronger feelings were concentrated among those who opposed the move.

Political affiliation revealed much sharper differences than the overall results suggested.

Among Republican voters, three-quarters supported the renewed strikes. Support fell to 39% among independents and just 24% among Democrats. More than half of Democratic respondents, 53%, said they strongly disapproved of the decision.

Views on regime change followed a similar partisan pattern. Fifty-eight percent of Republicans favored continuing military action until the government in Tehran was eliminated. That position was supported by only 18% of Democrats and 31% of independent voters.

The survey also found a significant gap between supporters of the two major 2024 presidential candidates. Seventy-one percent of Trump voters considered the war successful, compared with only 20% of voters who backed Kamala Harris.

Differences also emerged across demographic categories.

Male voters were more likely than female voters to view the military campaign positively, with 49% of men calling it successful compared with 38% of women.

Voters age 65 and older produced one of the survey’s more unusual findings, as they were both the group most supportive of continuing the fight to achieve regime change and the group most likely to say the war had been unsuccessful.

Racial and ethnic responses showed somewhat narrower differences. Support for ending military operations immediately ranged from 47% among white voters to 58% among voters in other minority groups. Black voters registered 51% support for withdrawal, while 48% of Hispanic voters favored ending the conflict. Hispanic respondents were also the demographic group most likely to describe the war as successful.

The survey reported a margin of sampling error of plus or minus three percentage points at a 95% confidence level. The margin of error for individual demographic and political subgroups was higher.

{Matzav.com}

Blue and White chairman MK Benny Gantz issued a stark warning about rising tensions between Israel’s secular and chareidi communities during a wide-ranging interview with Yishai Cohen on Kikar HaShabbat’s studio program, while also sharply criticizing Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu over the emerging U.S.-Iran agreement and addressing the recent clashes surrounding chareidi draft protests.

Gantz said the events of October 7 fundamentally changed Israel’s security outlook and argued that the country can no longer tolerate the emergence of threats on its borders.

“After October 7, there is a new reality,” Gantz said. “We are no longer prepared to allow a threat to be built up against us and wait for it to explode. That will not happen again.”

Addressing concerns in Israel over the developing agreement between the United States and Iran, Gantz said the deal should be judged primarily by its impact on Iran’s nuclear program and Israel’s ability to defend itself.

“We need to examine what happens with the Iranian nuclear program, because that is the greatest threat,” he said. “Military action was taken, and now we need to see what the diplomatic component will be.”

Gantz stressed that any agreement must preserve Israel’s freedom to act against future threats.

“The next critical element is ensuring Israel’s freedom of action to defend itself—not only once a threat has developed, but to prevent it from developing in the first place,” he said.

He then placed responsibility for the agreement squarely on Netanyahu.

“This is Netanyahu’s failure,” Gantz declared. “He should have been sitting in rooms and holding discussions with President Trump over an extended period and not allowing this to take shape. This is not a matter of Right or Left. We all need to be working on this issue.”

Turning to the contentious debate over chareidi military service and the recent demonstrations on Highway 4, Gantz took a nuanced position, criticizing excessive police force while also expressing concern about growing societal divisions.

“I saw some footage and heard about the incident,” he said. “Unlike the military, which must use all necessary force against its enemies, the police, when dealing with its own citizens, should use the minimum amount of force possible—not the maximum.”

At the same time, Gantz emphasized that public demonstrations must comply with police instructions.

“The assumption is that when a police officer tells someone to move from one place to another, that person complies,” he said. “Public protests naturally create inconvenience and disruption, but at a certain point the police say, ‘That’s enough, clear the road.’ What we are seeing here is something entirely different. Extremists are threatening the majority from which they emerged.”

Gantz then directed a personal appeal to chareidi leadership, saying he is deeply concerned by what he sees developing in Israeli society.

“What worries me most—and I say this to the leaders of the chareidi community—is that hatred of chareidim is developing,” he said. “That is not good, and it should not be this way. We need to live together. You cannot separate a sector from society and at the same time not be part of the broader public.”

He stressed that his support for military service is not motivated by hostility toward the chareidi community.

“I discuss the issue of military service without incitement against chareidim,” Gantz said. “I am speaking in favor of service and enlistment not in order to incite, but because it is necessary for the country and beneficial for society. Ultimately, it is also what will help preserve the chareidi community.”

Addressing the arrest of yeshiva students who fail to comply with draft orders, Gantz said he is willing to show patience but not to abandon enforcement measures.

“I am prepared to be patient, but I am not willing to give up on sanctions,” he said. “When my son received a draft order, if he had failed to report, he could have been arrested. How is this any different? I am not saying every person should be arrested, but there must be consequences.”

Despite recent polls showing Blue and White hovering near the electoral threshold, Gantz expressed confidence that his party will remain politically relevant.

“I think our situation is not good, but it is better than people describe it,” he said. “I am convinced that we will pass the threshold and become stronger. We are focused on establishing a government of national unity.”

Gantz also made clear that he does not believe Netanyahu should continue serving as prime minister.

“Netanyahu must conclude his role,” he said. “He is responsible for what has happened here, for both the good and the bad. He has been prime minister for many years. This is a government, not an empire.”

Asked whether Gadi Eisenkot or Naftali Bennett would be better suited to serve as prime minister, Gantz declined to choose between them.

“I won’t answer that,” he said. “What matters even more than who serves as prime minister is what kind of government is formed. Israel needs a government of national unity.”

{Matzav.com}

A chareidi man who was arrested following a protest outside the home of Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg says he and other detainees were subjected to difficult conditions, including lengthy confinement without basic necessities and repeated transfers between detention facilities.

The man, identified only as Shlomo, shared his account during an interview on the “News of Anash” program on Kol Chai, where he recounted the events that led to his arrest and the week he spent in custody.

According to Shlomo, he was unaware that the protest was being held outside the justice’s home until he arrived at the scene.

“There were notices in the shul and we went,” he said. “Only when I got there and heard that it was the home of Justice Sohlberg was I shocked. If I had known in advance that we were going there, I probably would not have come.”

Shlomo said the demonstration itself lasted only a few minutes and insisted that he played no active role in any disruptive behavior.

“I stood on the side. I wasn’t violent, I didn’t block any roads, and I didn’t do anything unusual,” he said. “After a few minutes we returned to the buses, and then the police closed off the bus and took us to the police station.”

He claimed that those detained were kept for extended periods without access to basic accommodations.

“We sat for a long time without air conditioning, without water, and without restrooms,” he said. “Only after we called for help did they agree to provide minimal conditions.”

Shlomo also described what he said were prolonged transfers between detention facilities.

“They put us on a transport vehicle, and we were there for many hours without knowing where they were taking us,” he said. “It was extremely hot and crowded, and people fainted. Only afterward were we transferred elsewhere.”

He further alleged that he witnessed other detainees being treated improperly during the course of their detention.

According to Shlomo, one detainee who lost consciousness in a holding cell did not initially receive adequate medical attention. In another incident, he said, a detainee suffering from a panic attack was forced to wait a significant amount of time before receiving treatment.

Shlomo said he fully cooperated with investigators and provided all requested personal information. Nevertheless, he claimed he remained in custody for approximately a week despite not being accused of any violent conduct.

“This was the first time I was ever arrested,” he said. “I told the investigators that I hadn’t done anything, but it didn’t change the situation.”

Reflecting on the experience, Shlomo said he remains deeply frustrated by what he and other detainees endured.

“I never believed we would reach a situation like this,” he said. “I’m considering filing a lawsuit over what we went through, but I don’t know whether it will change anything.”

During the interview, host Nati Kalish noted that he had spoken with other individuals arrested in the same incident and said they provided accounts that were broadly similar regarding both the circumstances of their arrests and the conditions under which they were held.

{Matzav.com}

As tensions between Israel’s chareidi community and the broader public continue to intensify, a series of dramatic developments—including mass protests, allegations of police brutality, and calls for an economic boycott of major consumer brands—are reshaping the public debate surrounding the arrest of bnei Torah and the ongoing draft controversy.

One of the most striking scenes unfolded today when more than 10,000 Gerer chassidim, led by the Gerrer Rebbe, gathered outside Military Prison No. 10 in a powerful show of solidarity following the arrest of a member of the chassidus.

At the same time, what began as a spontaneous protest movement among members of the Peleg Yerushalmi and the so-called “Ratzfanik” faction in support of imprisoned bnei Torah escalated into a confrontation with police that participants described as unprecedented in its severity. Protesters alleged that officers used excessive force, resulting in injuries, torn clothing, the use of stun grenades, and numerous physical altercations.

The images emerging from the demonstrations have fueled a broader discussion about the limits of police authority when dealing with ideological protests and have become a rallying point for critics of law enforcement’s handling of the events.

Leaders of the Peleg Yerushalmi argue that police conduct crossed every acceptable boundary and have reportedly begun considering legal action against authorities. Members of the movement say they are exploring a range of options for future demonstrations, amid growing fears that continued confrontations could eventually result in serious injuries or worse.

Among the ideas reportedly under discussion is a strategy aimed at disrupting major transportation routes while avoiding direct clashes with police. According to proposals circulating within activist circles, demonstrators would stage a series of rotating road blockages at different points along the Ayalon Highway. Under the plan, one group would temporarily shut down traffic before dispersing moments before police arrived, while another group would simultaneously launch a new blockade elsewhere, creating a continuous cycle of disruptions throughout the morning.

While protest activity continues on the streets, another campaign is emerging behind the scenes—one focused not on demonstrations, but on economic pressure.

Activists within the chareidi community have begun promoting a boycott targeting companies connected to businessman Dudi Wertheim, whom some blame for what they view as hostile media coverage of the chareidi public. The campaign specifically focuses on products manufactured by companies under the umbrella of the Central Bottling Company, which holds the Israeli franchise for Coca-Cola and owns a number of other major brands.

Supporters of the initiative argue that consumers should not financially support corporations linked to media outlets they believe are contributing to anti-chareidi sentiment.

“It is unacceptable that they incite against our community while continuing to profit from our purchases,” organizers of the effort have reportedly argued.

Wertheim’s business interests include Coca-Cola Israel, dairy producer Tara, beverage brands Carlsberg and Tuborg, fruit juice manufacturer Prigat, and bottled water company Neviot, among others.

Those promoting the boycott believe that economic pressure may prove more effective than public criticism in influencing media policy. Their goal, they say, is to send a clear message that negative portrayals of the chareidi community carry financial consequences.

The campaign has gained momentum in recent days, with boycott appeals spreading rapidly through chareidi email networks and messaging groups that serve as major sources of information for many avreichim and bnei Torah.

Meanwhile, prominent roshei yeshivah have continued addressing the growing anxiety surrounding arrests and military enforcement measures.

Rav Yehoshua Eichenstein, rosh yeshivah of Yad Aharon, recently delivered a strongly worded address to talmidim of Yeshivas Chayei Daas during the institution’s relocation to its new campus in Yerushalayim’s Beis Yisrael neighborhood. A central theme of his remarks was reassuring young avreichim and yeshivah bochurim who fear arrest due to their draft status, encouraging them not to allow anxiety to overwhelm them.

In another notable development, MK Yaakov Asher delivered an unusually sharp speech in the Knesset, condemning police conduct toward demonstrators. Observers noted that his remarks made him the first Lithuanian chareidi lawmaker associated with Degel HaTorah to publicly criticize police actions against protesters from the Ratzfanik camp.

The White House has secured an additional $351.6 million for security-related upgrades, raising fresh questions about whether any of the money could ultimately support President Trump’s controversial ballroom project, which is being planned on the former site of the East Wing.

The funding was authorized Friday by the Office of Management and Budget. According to federal records, $340.8 million was directed to a “Procurement, Construction, and Improvements” account, while another $10.75 million was allocated to an “Operations and Support” account maintained by the Secret Service.

The newly released funds originate from the One Big Beautiful Bill, approved through the budget reconciliation process last July. That legislation provided the Secret Service with $1.7 billion earmarked for staffing, training facilities, technology upgrades, operational programs, retention incentives, and recruitment bonuses.

Whether the latest $351.6 million allocation will be used in any way for the White House ballroom initiative remains uncertain. The project is currently the subject of ongoing legal challenges.

Responding to questions from Fox News Digital, White House spokesman Davis Ingle said the East Wing redevelopment effort is closely linked to presidential protection requirements.

“The East Wing Modernization Project is inextricably tied to the security of the President, the White House grounds and the certain security infrastructure assets”

Ingle noted that security agencies have been involved in planning the facility from the outset.

“The press release announcing the construction of the ballroom highlighted coordination with the White House Military Office and the United States Secret Service regarding design features and planning,” he said. “President Trump and generous American patriots are funding the ballroom to the tune of approximately $400 million, which will be a secure and appropriate venue for Presidents for generations to come.”

He also pointed to recent security concerns as evidence that the project is necessary.

“The events over the weekend and the foiled attack on the historic UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House proves exactly why the East Wing Modernization Project is severely needed for large scale events, which include drone proof structures and drone ports among other critical security enhancements,” Ingle added.

The Secret Service did not immediately respond to requests seeking clarification about the funding.

Trump has described the planned development as far more than a ceremonial event space. According to the president, the ballroom will sit atop an extensive six-story underground complex housing a military hospital, research facilities, conference areas, and advanced systems designed to defend against drone and missile threats.

In remarks delivered in late May, Trump estimated the project’s price tag at roughly $400 million and reiterated that private donors—not taxpayers—would finance the construction.

That claim has been challenged by a report published Tuesday by The Washington Post, which cited a contractor’s estimate placing the total cost at approximately $600 million. According to the report, taxpayers could end up covering more than half of the final bill.

For years, Trump has argued that a White House ballroom would significantly improve security for major presidential events. His argument gained renewed attention after federal authorities announced Sunday that they had disrupted an alleged plan to launch explosive-equipped drones at buildings near the UFC Freedom 250 event held at the White House.

Construction plans required the demolition of the East Wing in October 2025, a move that sparked legal action from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The organization contended that the administration sidestepped required review procedures and lacked congressional approval for the project.

The legal battle intensified in March when U.S. District Judge Richard Leon concluded that the administration likely exceeded its authority and ordered all above-ground construction activity suspended.

That setback proved temporary. On April 17, a three-judge panel of the D.C. Circuit Court put Leon’s ruling on hold, allowing work to continue while the appeal process moves forward.

Security concerns resurfaced only days later when a gunman opened fire at Secret Service personnel stationed at a security checkpoint outside the White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton.

Following the arrest of the suspect, Cole Tomas Allen, Trump and his supporters renewed calls for construction of the ballroom, arguing that a secure White House venue would reduce vulnerabilities associated with off-site events.

Another violent incident occurred on May 23, when a shooting took place outside the White House, prompting Trump to again make the case for the project.

“This event is one month removed from the White House Correspondent’s Dinner shooting, and goes to show how important it is, for all future Presidents, to get, what will be, the most safe and secure space of its kind ever built in Washington, D.C. The National Security of our Country demands it!” he wrote on Truth Social on May 24.

{Matzav.com}

A prominent activist assisting bnei yeshiva facing draft-related issues is warning bochurim and avreichim not to rely on private attorneys who promise to secure military exemptions for large fees, claiming that some bochurim ultimately end up arrested despite paying thousands of shekels for legal assistance.

Rabbi Ezra Ben Shimon, one of the leaders of the Chayei Olam organization, issued the warning during an interview on Kol Chai Radio’s “Central Edition” program hosted by Avi Mimran.

According to Rabbi Ben Shimon, some attorneys offer what appear to be quick solutions to students seeking to resolve their military status, but the results can be devastating.

“There are lawyers who tell a bochur: Bring me 5,000 or 7,000 shekels and I’ll arrange an exemption for you. In practice, they lead him to report, and then he gets arrested. The bochurim not only paid a deposit, but also found themselves in prison.”

He claimed that a significant number of those currently detained followed legal advice that ultimately resulted in their arrest.

Rabbi Ben Shimon urged students not to take any action without first consulting rabbanim and qualified advisers familiar with the issue.

“Don’t be tempted by promises,” he said. “There are attempts and tactics that simply do not work, and in the end the one who pays the price is the bochur.”

Beyond legal matters, Rabbi Ben Shimon described the support his organization provides to families of detainees, including legal assistance, emotional support, and practical help with daily needs.

As an example, he pointed to the case of an avreich from Ofakim who was recently arrested. He said Chayei Olam volunteers assisted the man’s blind mother, his wife, and his children, helped provide groceries and food, and filed an appeal against the 14-day jail sentence that had been imposed.

“The emotional and physical support for the families falls upon us,” he said. “You cannot leave a wife and children alone. Sometimes you even need to arrange a babysitter so the wife can visit her husband in prison.”

Rabbi Ben Shimon said many families, particularly within the Sephardic community, are increasingly anxious about the situation. He noted that concerns are especially pronounced in peripheral areas and mixed neighborhoods, where families fear the possibility of unexpected encounters with law enforcement.

To address those concerns, he said the organization operates a 24-hour assistance hotline that helps connect parents and students with rabbanim, advisers, and other professionals.

He also revealed that Yeshivas Be’er HaTalmud is considering organizing a major gathering of tefillah and chizuk outside Prison 10, with hundreds of students expected to participate.

“The bochurim need to know that there are people standing behind them and looking out for them,” he said.

{Matzav.com}