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Senate Republicans Push White House Ballroom Plan Following Security Breach

A group of Senate Republicans, led by Lindsey Graham, is advancing legislation to fund a secure 90,000-square-foot ballroom at the White House, arguing the project is critical for national security in the wake of a gunman’s attempt to breach the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner over the weekend.

Graham and fellow supporters say the proposal would be financed through national park user fees and customs revenue. In addition to the ballroom itself, the plan includes construction of security-focused infrastructure beneath the facility, including space for the Secret Service.

“It’s very difficult to have a bunch of important people in the same place unless it’s really, really secure. The times in which we live are unusual. I’ve been up here for a while now, I’ve never felt the sense of threat that exists today,” said Graham, who was first elected to the House in 1994.

He pointed out that President Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and House Speaker Mike Johnson—second and third in the presidential line of succession—were all present at the dinner when a 31-year-old man armed with multiple weapons attempted to force his way into the ballroom before being subdued by Secret Service agents.

While critics have dismissed Trump’s interest in building a large ballroom near the West Wing as unnecessary or self-serving, Graham said he views it as a practical security measure.

“A meeting space that is secured on the White House grounds that would allow people to do what they did at the Hilton hotel is necessary. I’m convinced that had there been a presidential ballroom adjacent to the White House, the guy would have never gotten in,” he said referring to the assailant.

Graham is working alongside Katie Britt and Eric Schmitt on legislation to authorize the project, which would include a reinforced underground complex designed for emergency use.

Schmitt told reporters that funding mechanisms such as national park fees would help offset the cost of construction.

“Underneath it will be a lot of military stuff. There will be a Secret Service annex and we pay for it by offsetting it with customs fees,” he said. “Private donations can be used but I think they should be used for buying [fine] china and stuff like that.”

Graham said he spoke with President Trump about the proposal on Sunday and indicated that the White House is supportive of the effort.

The South Carolina senator, a close ally of the president, said the ballroom idea frequently comes up in conversations with Trump.

“Every time, all the time. Like, ‘How are you doing?’ ‘Where’s the ballroom?’ ‘How you playin’ [golf?]’ ‘I don’t know, I’d play better if you built the ballroom.’ It’s all the time,” Graham said with a chuckle. “He understands what’s missing.”

He also noted that the timing of the proposal coincides with the visit of King Charles III to the White House, suggesting that a new ballroom would better accommodate such high-profile occasions.

Schmitt, who also speaks regularly with Trump, agreed with the president’s emphasis on the project.

“it’s important,” he said when asked how often the topic has come up in his discussions with Trump.

President Trump himself said during a press conference Saturday night following the shooting that the incident highlighted the need for a secure ballroom at the White House.

Graham said he plans to urge Senate Majority Leader John Thune to fast-track the bill and bring it to the Senate floor for a vote as soon as possible.

Support for the proposal is not limited strictly to Republicans. Senator John Fetterman expressed backing for the idea on Sunday and called on Democrats to reconsider their opposition.

Graham said he has not yet formally presented the plan to his Democratic colleagues but has had informal conversations.

“I’m trying to jumpstart the conversation. I’ve talked to a few of them just out the hall. … Some of them of them were there. They’re rattled like the best of us,” he said.

However, Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin indicated he is not currently in favor of the proposal.

“At this point no. There’s obviously a lot of questions about how much it costs, how many people will be accommodated,” he said.

Durbin also raised concerns about the size and practicality of the proposed ballroom, noting it would be significantly smaller than the Washington Hilton, the traditional venue for the Correspondents’ Dinner.

“I have a lot of questions,” Durbin added. “Who’s paying for this? What’s the arrangement? This administration has too many times come up with deferment of payment to special interest sources. We don’t know the details.”

{Matzav.com}

Dear Matzav Inbox,

I don’t even know why I’m writing this because I’m pretty sure nothing is going to change, but I can’t keep it in anymore.

I’m a bochur in mesivta. I’m not going to say where, for obivous reasons. But what’s going on here is not normal, and everyone acts like it is.

I’m being bullied. Not once, not twice, but every single day. It’s constant. It’s the comments, the looks, the laughing, the things they say under their breath and sometimes right to my face. It’s the nicknames. It’s the pushing around in the hallway. It’s hiding my stuff, messing with my stuff, throwing things, embarrassing me in front of everyone. Sometimes it’s small things, but when it’s all day, every day, it adds up and eats at you.

I go to sleep dreading the next morning. I wake up already feeling sick thinking about going back. People think mesivta is just learning and friends and growing. Maybe for some people it is. For me, it’s walking into a place where I know I’m going to be made into a joke again.

And the worst part is not even the guys doing it. The worst part is that nobody does anything.

Rabbeim know. I told them. Maybe not everything, but enough. They know who the guys are. Everyone knows. And still, nothing changes. Maybe once in a while someone says “stop,” but five minutes later it’s back. There are no real consequences. No one sits them down seriously. No one protects the ones getting it.

It makes you feel like you don’t matter. Like you’re just supposed to deal with it and keep going like everything is fine.

I’ve tried to ignore it. I’ve tried to laugh it off. I’ve tried to stay quiet. I’ve even tried to avoid certain places so I don’t run into them. But you can’t avoid it when it’s your whole day.

Sometimes I wonder if something is wrong with me. Like maybe I deserve this, maybe I’m the problem. But deep down I know that’s not true. No one deserves to be treated like this.

I’m not writing this to get attention. I’m writing because I don’t know what else to do. I feel stuck. I feel alone even though I’m surrounded by people all day.

I wish someone would just step in and actually care. Not just say a few words and move on, but really do something. Make it stop. Make it clear that this is not okay.

Because right now, it feels like it is okay.

And if this is what mesivta is supposed to be for some of us, then something is very wrong.

A Bochur Who Just Wants to Come to Yeshiva Without Being Afraid

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by Rabbi Eliezer Sandler

The concept of the Yissachar-Zevulun Torah Learning Pact goes back well over 3,500 years, to the time of Yaakov Avinu and his sons. It is named for the Torah pact between two of his sons – Yissachar the scholar and Zevulun the merchant. Not only was it an equal pact but, Chazal explained, the deed of Zevulun/the Sponsor is considered even greater than that of Yissachar, because without the support of Zevulun, Yissachar would not have had the wherewithal to study Torah undisturbed.”

It is well-known that when it comes to learning Torah, people who sponsor the learning, often do so, not just as a donation. By financially supporting specific Torah scholars, they enter into a binding, written, signed and sealed learning partnership pact whereby the Sponsor (the Zevulun) is deemed by Halacha as if he personally studied the Torah completed by the Scholar (the Yissachar). (See below.) 

Thus, those who support the Talmidei Chachomim at Shas Yiden via a Yissachar-Zevulun Pact merit a portion in every daf of the entire Talmud Bavli and associated texts that they study, and complete the entire cycle in the space of ONE year. Some of the Sponsors opt to continue sponsoring repeat cycles of Shas which accrue to them.

Sar Hatorah, Maran Hagaon Harav Chaim Kanievsky, zt”l, Nasi Shas Yiden, emphasized: The most mehudar Yissachar-Zevulun pact to support in our times is that offered by Shas Yiden – it comprises the entire Shas, Rashi and Tosfos – all in just one year!

Rav Chaim explained why this pact with Shas Yiden is the most mehudar. Chazal say that the highest level of learning is when one understands what he is learning b’iyun u’ve’amkus. However, even higher than that is when one remembers b’al peh all what he has learned. I have farhered the Shas Yiden avreichim geonim many times and can attest ZEI KENNEN SHAS (they know Shas)!

YES! YOU CAN MAKE

The Yissachar-Zevulun Pact in Halacha

The Shulchan Aruch in Yoreh De’ah Chapter 246 regarding the efficacy of the Yissachar-Zevulun Sponsorship Pact for the Zevulun (the Sponsor) states clearly:  It is deemed as if he (the one sponsoring the learning) himself learned all the Torah studied under the pact. 

All the learning under the Shas Yiden Yissachar-Zevulun Pact is yours בעוה”ז ובעוה”ב (in both This World and the World to Come)! Concerning this, the Netziv of Volozhin comments that in Olam Habah, the Zevulun sponsor will sit together with the Gedolei Torah of the past and merit to participate in their discussions and pilpulim on all the Torah learned.

Achieve Almost 7 million Mitzvos in One Year

The Vilna Gaon in Shnos Eliyahu Pe’ah 41 states that one should hold precious every word of Torah that he learns because each word is considered a mitzvah of its own. 

Thus, since in Talmud Bavli, Rashi and Tosfos there are 6,608,891 words, that translates into almost 7 million mitzvos accruing through Yissachar-Zevulun at Shas Yiden. 

Official Shtar from Shas Yiden

Each Yissachar-Zevulun pact is confirmed by an official contract (shtar) from Shas Yiden specifying the learning of the entire Shas, and is witnessed by talmidei chachomim.

All who wish to enter into a Yissachar-Zevulun Pact for the entire Shas during ONE year should contact Shas Yiden to make arrangements: 718-702-1528.

The opportunity to complete the entire Shas has been a cherished way to honor family members and others as a prized achievement. It has also proven to be a source of comfort for mourners to obtain such a zechus for their dear ones during the year of mourning – a siyum of the entire Shas can be completed on the yahrzeit!

Yissachar-Zevulun Pact –

The legendary visionary and “Father of Yeshivos”, Reb Chaim of Volozhin, was the founder of the famous yeshiva in the town of Volozhin and the beloved talmid of the Vilna Gaon. 

Reb Chaim had an ongoing Yissachar-Zevulun pact with a local shoemaker – a man who was not learned but who dearly valued Torah learning. They had a ‘deal’ whereby the shoemaker would pay the monthly financial support needed for Reb Chaim and his family. For this financial support, the shoemaker would have an equal share in all Reb Chaim’s daily Torah study – both in the mitzvah of Torah study בעוה”ז and that the knowledge of the Torah learned would continue to be his בעוה”ב (in the World to Come).

One day the shoemaker passed away suddenly. During the shiva period, Reb Chaim was facing a perplexing halachic question and researched high and low for a solution. That night the shoemaker appeared to him in a dream and gave him the full solution that he sought. Reb Chaim was amazed and commented, “Azoi gich, Azoi Gich – So quickly, so quickly has he acquired the zchus and knowledge of the Torah that I have studied!”

In the words of Gedolei Torah:

Maran Hagaon Harav Chaim Kanievsky, zt”l, Nasi Shas Yiden:

“In just ONE year, through Yissachar-Zevulun at Shas Yiden, you can be zoche to the entire Shas forever – בעוה”ז ובעוה”ב (in olam hazeh and olam habah).

“Moreover, whoever supports Shas Yiden is zocheh to fulfill both Yissachar-Zevulun and support of aniyei (the poor of) Eretz Yisroel in the fullest sense of the word.

“Those who support Shas Yiden will be saved from chevlei (the travails of) Moshiach – spiritually and materially, and will be zoche to have ehrlicher bonim u’vanos yir’eishomayim ”

Maran Hagaon Harav Dov Lando, shlit”a, Rosh Yeshiva, Slabodka:

“Who compares to the Shas Yiden? Incredible talmidei chachomim geonim who raised the bar in limud Hashas b’iyun u’v’amkus. Blessed are those who enter a Yissachar-Zevulun pact with them.”

Hamashpia Hagadol Reb Meilech Biederman, shlit”a:

 “Yissachar-Zevulun at Shas Yiden – best possible deal, and in just 1 year! 100% partnership! 100% Shas x 5 times! 100% Shisha Sidrei Mishna – בעוה”ז ובעוה”ב”

Sanzer Rebbe, shlit”a:

“A first in 2000 years of Jewish history! Until Shas Yiden, never a Torah institution where ALL the avreichim metzuyonim v’geonim know the entire Shas by heart”

Harav Yaakov Hillel, shlit”a:

“Therefore, the great mitzvah to support the efforts [of the Talmidei Chachomim] with generous donations in order that they should continue diligently with their studies to enhance the greatness of the Torah and its glory. 

ShasYiden.com

David Barnea, the outgoing head of Israel’s Mossad, said in conversations ahead of his departure that connections between aides in Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s office and Qatar did not compromise Israel’s security. The remarks, first reported by Haaretz, were shared in discussions he held with various figures as he prepared to leave his position.

According to reporting by Gidi Weitz, Barnea clarified in those conversations that he was not addressing potential criminal aspects of the case, which fall outside his expertise. However, based on his role, he said he did not identify any damage to negotiations for the release of hostages or any broader security harm stemming from the work carried out by Netanyahu’s associates on behalf of Qatar.

The report noted that Barnea’s position sharply conflicts with that of other senior figures in Israel’s security establishment, most notably former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar. In an affidavit submitted to Israel’s High Court of Justice, Bar wrote that the affair “raises the gravest suspicions of serious harm to national security, particularly regarding damage to hostage negotiations, strengthening Hamas, and harming Israel-Egypt relations.”

At the center of the so-called “Qatar-gate” affair are Yonatan Urich, Eli Feldstein, and Yisrael Einhorn, a strategist who previously worked on Likud campaigns and is known to be close to Urich.

Investigators suspect that Urich and Feldstein were simultaneously working for Qatar while serving in the Prime Minister’s Office, allegedly in coordination with Einhorn. According to materials from the investigation, their objective was to distance Qatar from accusations of financing Hamas and to portray it as the preferred intermediary for a hostage deal.

To advance that effort, the suspects are believed to have circulated pro-Qatar messaging within Israeli media outlets while criticizing Egypt, presenting those narratives as originating from security and diplomatic sources.

ZAKA’s international unit is working to bring the body of Reb Nachum Yisroel Eber z”l, a 51-year-old Belzer chossid from Boro Park who was murdered while visiting Colombia, to Eretz Yisroel for kevurah following a request from his family.

Nachum Yisroel had traveled to Colombia on a trip when contact with him was suddenly lost. After several days of searching, he was found dead with signs of violence on his body, confirming that he had been the victim of a murder.

After the discovery, family members contacted ZAKA’s international emergency center asking for assistance in securing the release of the body and arranging for burial in Israel. Upon receiving the request, volunteers from ZAKA’s international unit, together with members of the local Jewish community, began working with Colombian authorities to complete the necessary legal steps and expedite the transfer.

At the same time, ZAKA’s legal department, which focuses on preserving the dignity of the deceased, is actively working to prevent an autopsy and to speed up the legal procedures required for the release of the body.

Yossi Landau, commander of ZAKA Lachish and a volunteer with the organization’s international unit who is handling the case, described the incident as deeply painful.

“This is a difficult and tragic incident of a Jew who was murdered far from his home. We thank the members of the Jewish community in Colombia and all those involved who are working to bring the deceased to burial in Israel as quickly as possible. The volunteers of ZAKA’s international unit are accompanying the family and sharing in their deep mourning.”

A former Defense Department intelligence official says the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner has revealed troubling weaknesses in the security surrounding President Donald Trump and other top U.S. leaders, raising concerns about potential threats from adversaries such as Iran.

Andrew Badger, speaking to Fox News Digital, said the April 25 incident could embolden Tehran at a time when tensions remain high and ceasefire negotiations have stalled, potentially increasing its willingness to target senior American officials.

“This could show that there is a vulnerability in terms of potentially accessing President Trump or senior officials,” Badger said before warning of “significant vulnerabilities.”

He added that perceived weakness can encourage hostile actors to act.

“When you’re looking at your adversary, and you’re seeing weakness, it also fuels motivation,” he said before claiming that “Iran has the motive to strike at senior Trump officials, including President Trump.”

“Iran, which has a demonstrated history of using criminals and proxy individuals, could certainly look at this as an opportunity.”

Panic erupted at the Washington Hilton Hotel when a suspected gunman, identified as 31-year-old Cole Thomas Allen of Torrance, California, forced his way through a security checkpoint and began shooting.

President Trump and other high-ranking officials were quickly evacuated from the ballroom as law enforcement moved in. Allen has since been taken into custody and appeared in court for the first time on Monday.

The event drew a large concentration of national leadership, including President Trump, first lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, House Speaker Mike Johnson, journalists, and senior administration officials — a situation Badger said heightened the level of risk.

“The top three of the line of succession were at this single event,” Badger noted.

He further warned about the potential consequences had the situation escalated further.

“eight of the nine line-of-succession officials were at this single event,” warning of a worst-case scenario: “If this individual would have somehow worn a suicide vest, you could have eliminated all three of those individuals.”

Badger emphasized that the setting, which was not a fully secured government facility, increased the danger and left room for more complex threats.

“Imagine if there were multiple people. Imagine if he was wearing suicide vests. Imagine if he used some type of drone,” Badger said, emphasizing the scale of potential exposure at a nonsecure venue.

He said the incident comes amid ongoing friction with Iran, which has intensified following joint U.S. and Israeli actions targeting Iranian leadership figures.

Badger pointed to long-standing tensions dating back to the 2020 killing of Iranian military leader Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a U.S. drone strike near Baghdad International Airport ordered by President Trump.

“There has been a driving animus, a driving motivation in the Iranian regime — which they’ve stated publicly — to get revenge for that killing of Soleimani,” said Badger, who served on the front lines of human intelligence operations, including a 2014 deployment to Afghanistan.

Following Soleimani’s death, Ayatollah Khamenei warned that those behind the strike would face “severe revenge,” and said the killing would only deepen resistance against the United States and Israel.

Badger also cautioned that Iran and other adversaries have increasingly turned to unconventional methods in recent years.

“Iran and other state actors such as Russia have increasingly reverted to contracting criminals, or gangsters, to conduct hybrid warfare,” he said.

In the aftermath of the shooting, President Trump highlighted the need for improved security infrastructure, including the construction of a dedicated ballroom at the White House.

“It’s got every single bell and whistle you can possibly have for security and safety… It’s really what you need,” Trump said on Fox News’ “The Sunday Briefing.”

Late-night television host Jimmy Kimmel drew renewed backlash after repeating a controversial joke about first lady Melania Trump during his Monday night show, days after making the remark in a segment that aired shortly before the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

Kimmel, who had previously faced criticism over remarks tied to other high-profile incidents, returned to the topic on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and addressed the reaction to his earlier monologue.

“This was like déjà vu for me today,” he said on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”

He explained that the segment from last Thursday was designed as a comedic roast in the style typically seen at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, which did not take place this year.

During that segment, one of his jokes focused on the first lady.

“Our first lady, Melania, is here. Look at Melania, so beautiful. Mrs. Trump, you have a glow like an expectant widow,” Kimmel said.

Kimmel repeated the same line during Monday’s monologue, despite criticism that followed both the original joke and the attempted assassination targeting President Trump over the weekend, after Melania publicly condemned what she described as “hateful and violent rhetoric.”

Authorities say the alleged shooter, Cole Allen, entered the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner event with plans to carry out an attack against members of the Trump administration.

Kimmel maintained that his original performance was meant purely as satire and was unrelated to the violent incident.

“There was no big reaction to it until this morning, when I faced yet another Twitter vomit storm and calls to fire me from our first lady,” Kimmel said.

He added that the joke was intended to reference “about [Melania’s] age difference and the look of joy we see on her face” whenever she and Trump appear together.

A Judaica store in Toronto was targeted Sunday morning when a rock was thrown through its window, marking another act of antisemitism in Canada’s largest city.

Police said the incident took place near Bathurst Street and Regina Avenue, confirming that a stone was hurled at a local business. Authorities added that the Hate Crime Unit “was consulted and is aware.”

The shop, Aleph Bet Judaica, has now been hit in similar attacks for the third time. Despite the repeated vandalism, owner Moshe Joseph said he refuses to be deterred and plans to respond as he has in the past—by repairing the damage and continuing operations.

“This is not going to scare me,” Joseph said. “I have been in Canada for 49 years.”

He made clear that intimidation would not force him to close his doors.

“We have been open since 1988,” Joseph told The Sun.

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) reacted to the incident by expressing frustration over the ongoing pattern of attacks.

“Another day, another attack. This time a Judaica store in Toronto, which has been targeted before.”

“Words are starting to lose meaning when this keeps happening. We need urgent action from the authorities and all levels of government to safeguard communities and address the sources of the violence before lives are lost,” added CIJA.

The vandalism occurred just one day after another incident in the area, when a man attempted to enter a shul in Thornhill, north of Toronto, and assaulted an individual before fleeing. According to York Regional Police, the episode happened around 9:30 a.m. at the Sephardic Kehila Centre on Bathurst Street, just above Steeles Avenue West. Investigators are treating the case as hate- or bias-motivated. The victim was not injured.

{Matzav.com}

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Monday that an Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz under strict terms is unacceptable to Washington, arguing that it would effectively give Tehran control over a vital international waterway.

In an interview with Fox News, Rubio said Iran’s interpretation of access to the strait differs sharply from that of the broader international community.

“What they mean by opening the straits is, yes, the straits are open, as long as you coordinate with Iran, get our permission, or we’ll blow you up and you pay us,” Rubio stated.

He emphasized, “That’s not opening the straits. Those are international waterways. They cannot normalize, nor can we tolerate them trying to normalize, a system in which the Iranians decide who gets to use.”

Asked what the next step would be if no agreement is reached, Rubio pointed to President Trump as the ultimate decision-maker while highlighting the existing pressure campaign against Iran.

“Well, again, that’s the President’s decision to make. I would start out by reminding everybody that the level of sanctions on Iran are extraordinary, the pressure on Iran is extraordinary, and I think more can be brought to bear. But I hope that in the aftermath of this conflict, the whole world’s eyes have been opened to the threat Iran poses.”

Rubio added that Iran’s leadership calculates its moves carefully, weighing risks and benefits, and said the United States must ensure that the consequences of Tehran’s actions outweigh any potential gains.

“every decision they make, they weigh the costs and they weigh the benefits. And we have to make sure that the costs of all the nefarious things they are doing outweigh the benefits of what they are doing. This is the reason why the [naval] blockade is in place.”

He also clarified that the U.S. naval blockade is aimed specifically at Iran rather than at global shipping traffic.

“is not a blockade against shipping. It’s a blockade against Iranian shipping, because they cannot be the sole beneficiaries of an illegal, unlawful, and unjustified system of tolling and control in the straits.”

Rubio’s remarks came one day after Iran, through intermediaries in Pakistan, delivered a proposal outlining a phased approach to easing tensions with the United States.

According to a U.S. official and sources familiar with the discussions, the Iranian plan prioritizes reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending the current conflict, while postponing negotiations over its nuclear program to a later stage.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday that the administration is “discussing” the Iranian proposal concerning the Strait of Hormuz, but did not indicate that it is actively being “considered.”

{Matzav.com}

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President Donald Trump is dissatisfied with a new proposal from Iran, with U.S. officials pointing to its failure to directly confront concerns over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.

“He doesn’t love the proposal,” a U.S. official told Reuters, describing the president’s reaction.

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, Trump and key members of his national security team have expressed doubts about the Iranian offer, which was submitted Sunday. The proposal suggests reopening the Strait of Hormuz while delaying any negotiations related to Iran’s nuclear program.

Trump met with advisers Monday morning to review the plan, the report said. While he has not dismissed it entirely, officials indicated he is troubled by what he sees as Iran’s unwillingness to negotiate sincerely, particularly its reluctance to agree to Washington’s core demand: ending uranium enrichment altogether and pledging never to develop nuclear weapons.

Iranian sources said their proposal calls for putting nuclear discussions on hold until the current hostilities subside and issues involving shipping routes in the Persian Gulf are addressed. U.S. officials, however, continue to insist that nuclear concerns must be part of any agreement from the beginning.

Even with those differences, sources involved in mediation efforts through Pakistan said communication between the two sides remains ongoing.

Still, prospects for renewed talks appear to have dimmed following Trump’s decision over the weekend to cancel a planned trip to Islamabad by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and presidential adviser Jared Kushner.

The canceled visit had been viewed as a step toward advancing negotiations.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday that the administration is “discussing” the Iranian proposal regarding the Strait of Hormuz, but did not indicate that it is actively being weighed for acceptance.

Speaking to reporters, Leavitt confirmed that President Donald Trump held a meeting with his national security team to review the proposal, which includes mutual steps to ease restrictions on the crucial maritime passage. She emphasized that no final decision has been reached.

She “reiterated” that President Trump’s “red lines” with respect to Iran’s nuclear weapons program are well-known to all sides.

Leavitt “wouldn’t say that they are considering” the Iranian proposal, just that “there was a discussion this morning that I don’t want to get ahead of,” and that President Trump would likely make an announcement on the issue shortly.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli authorities arrested a chareidi draft evader on Monday at his home in Yerushalayim, marking the first proactive detention of its kind since the launch of Operation “Shaagat HaAri.”

According to reports from organizations affiliated with the Peleg Yerushalmi, the arrest took place in the Gilo neighborhood.

Since the start of the operation, the military police had refrained from carrying out targeted arrests of draft evaders until now.

The arrest comes a day after Israel’s High Court of Justice ordered the government to move forward with revoking a series of financial benefits from those who fail to report for military service. The measures include canceling eligibility for housing discounts under the “Mechir Matara” program, eliminating daycare subsidies, ending support for after-school programs, and removing discounts on public transportation and municipal taxes.

In their ruling, the justices sharply criticized law enforcement for halting action against draft evaders, writing: “The complete avoidance by the police of exercising its authority, effectively leaving that authority unused, cannot be justified by claims of prioritization; budgetary constraints or lack of resources are not a valid excuse for inaction.”

Following the court’s decision, Slabodka rosh yeshiva Rav Dov Landau issued a strong response rejecting any compliance with military service. “Yeshiva students will not go to the army under any circumstances, not by force and not willingly, whether there is a law or not,” he said at Ponovezh Yeshiva. He added: “The judicial authorities continue in their wrongdoing; in the end, the wicked will be held accountable. We will not relate to their decrees, we will ignore them, and they and their decrees will disappear.”

{Matzav.com}

WhatsApp announced that beginning September 8, 2026, it will stop supporting older Android operating systems, a move expected to block access to the app for millions of users worldwide.

The change will affect devices running Android 5.0 Lollipop and Android 5.1 Lollipop. In contrast, iPhone users operating on iOS 15.1 or later will not be impacted. The company said the decision is intended to allow continued development of advanced features that require more modern and capable technology.

Those most affected are expected to be users in developing countries such as India and Brazil, where older devices remain common. However, the impact is also relevant in Israel, particularly for individuals using secondary phones, children’s devices, or older smartphones that have not been updated.

Apple users will not see any change, as support for iOS remains intact. Anyone using iOS 15.1 or newer—including iPad users—will continue to receive updates and features as usual. Android users running version 6.0 or higher are also not affected.

WhatsApp cited security and performance concerns as the primary reasons for the shift, noting that older operating systems do not support modern security protocols and struggle to handle the demands of current applications.

Users are strongly advised to back up their chats before the cutoff date. This can be done through the app’s settings by saving data to Google Drive, allowing for easy restoration on a new device. For those without sufficient cloud storage, a local backup to the device’s memory can be created and manually transferred to another phone or computer.

After the September deadline, users with unsupported devices will have only one viable option: upgrading to a newer phone. Even entry-level models today typically run Android 13 or higher, well above WhatsApp’s new minimum requirements.

{Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the passing of Rabbi Irving Goodman zt”l, Rav Emeritus of the Woodridge Shul, who devoted more than six decades of unwavering service to his kehillah and to the broader Sullivan County community.

For over 63 years, Rabbi Goodman stood at the helm of the Woodridge Shul with quiet strength, steadfast leadership, and a deep sense of responsibility to every individual who walked through its doors. His presence defined the shul. His voice, whether delivering a drasha, offering eitzah, or simply greeting a fellow Yid, carried warmth, clarity, and conviction.

Rabbi Goodman’s impact extended far beyond the walls of the shul. In Sullivan County, he was a unifying force, someone to whom people turned in times of simcha and, lehavdil, in times of sorrow. He gave of himself endlessly, whether officiating at countless chasunos, comforting aveilim, or helping families navigate life’s most difficult moments with dignity and faith. His mesirus nefesh for the tzibbur was evident in every aspect of his life.

Even in his later years, as Rav Emeritus, Rabbi Goodman remained a guiding presence. His counsel was sought, his wisdom treasured, and his very being a source of comfort and stability.

The levaya will take place tomorrow, Tuesday, at the Woodridge Shul. Kevurah will take place in Eretz Yisroel.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

[Video below.] President Trump and Melania Trump greeted King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the White House today, signaling a friendly opening to a high-profile visit intended to calm tensions between the United States and the United Kingdom.

As the royal couple arrived, both pairs exchanged greetings, with Melania Trump giving a respectful bow to King Charles.

With the welcoming gestures complete, the group moved into the White House’s Green Room, where they sat down for a classic English afternoon tea featuring small sandwiches, bite-sized desserts, and freshly poured loose-leaf tea strained into cups.

During the visit, the president gestured toward ongoing construction work on a new ballroom at the White House.

After leaving the White House, the king and queen made their way to a large garden reception at the British ambassador’s residence.

At the gathering, Charles and Camilla were seen mingling with prominent figures including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, White House deputy chiefs of staff Stephen Miller and James Blair, and CNN host Kaitlin Collins.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) also spent time with the royal guests, both expressing confidence that members of Congress would extend a warm welcome when the king visits Capitol Hill on Tuesday.

The royal visit, which spans four days, includes several major events, among them King Charles’s planned address to a joint session of Congress and a formal state dinner at the White House.

On Wednesday, the king and queen are scheduled to travel to Lower Manhattan to visit the 9/11 Memorial.

At the same time, the 77-year-old monarch faces expectations to help repair strained relations between Washington and London, taking on a diplomatic role aimed at improving ties between President Trump and the British government.

The president has openly criticized British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, faulting him for what he views as insufficient support during the conflict with Iran and criticizing restrictions on oil drilling in the North Sea.

Starmer, for his part, has made efforts to maintain a positive relationship, including placing a phone call to Trump on Sunday following the shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner the previous night.

“He expressed his relief that the President and First Lady were safe and wished a speedy recovery to the officer injured,” 10 Downing Street said in a readout of the PM’s conversation.

Despite those efforts, British officials see the king’s visit as a key component in strengthening diplomatic ties.

Trump has long expressed admiration for the British monarchy, and the current visit — marking the 250th anniversary of American independence — represents the first official state visit of his second term.

The trip began on a ceremonial note at Joint Base Andrews, where children from British military families living in the United States presented flowers to the king and queen. A U.S. military honor guard stood in formation along the red carpet as a band performed both “God Save the King” and “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Queen Camilla wore a notable piece of jewelry with historic ties to New York City. The brooch, featuring both the Union Flag and the Stars and Stripes, was originally gifted to Queen Elizabeth II by New York City Mayor Robert Wagner during her first state visit to the United States in October 1957. The piece is adorned with rubies, emeralds, and diamonds.

Throughout the visit, a full schedule of appearances has been arranged to showcase the royal couple and foster goodwill among Americans, whose country gained independence from Britain 250 years ago.

One of the central events will take place Tuesday evening, when the president hosts a state dinner at the White House, expected to include many of his children along with business leaders and other invited guests.

Upon arriving in Washington, the king and queen traveled from Joint Base Andrews to Blair House, the official guest residence located across from the White House, where American and British flags lined the street in anticipation of their stay.

WATCH:

Lawmakers from Degel HaTorah have begun exploring the possibility of running independently from Agudas Yisroel in the next elections, a move that could significantly reshape the chareidi political landscape and affect the balance within the right-wing bloc.

During an initial internal discussion held last week, participants examined the feasibility of a split, with sources present at the meeting saying party officials believe Degel HaTorah could cross the electoral threshold on its own and even do so “with ease.” According to those sources, this confidence is based on internal assessments and perceived support trends on the ground.

Despite that optimism, senior figures in the party are also weighing the potential consequences of such a decision. They note that if Degel HaTorah were to run separately, Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu is expected to exert heavy pressure against the move, out of concern that a division within the chareidi parties could result in “wasted votes” from Agudas Yisroel, potentially weakening the broader right-wing bloc.

For now, the discussion is viewed as a preliminary step, and any final decision regarding whether to split or remain united will ultimately be determined by the Gedolei Yisroel.

{Matzav.com}

A 51-year-old Belzer chossid from Boro Park, Reb Nochum Yisroel Eber z”l, was murdered in Colombia after being robbed while traveling, leaving his family and community in shock.

The tragic news emerged after Nochum Yisroel had been reported missing for several days. His body was located in recent hours, prompting coordination between local authorities, members of the Jewish community in Colombia, and community representatives from the United States to ensure proper handling of the remains and arrangements for burial back in the U.S.

Nochum Yisroel was the son of Reb Menachem Mendel Eber of Montreal, a member of the Belzer community who passed away in Iyar 5781. This past Shabbos marked his yahrzeit. His mother is the daughter of Reb Yitzchok Shlomo Greenwald, among the elder and prominent Belzer chassidim in Montreal.

He is survived by his immediate family and 16 siblings spread across Belzer communities worldwide, including in the United States, Canada, and Eretz Yisroel.

Friends and acquaintances expressed deep sorrow upon hearing the news, describing him as a warm and kind individual, known for his generous spirit and welcoming demeanor.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

Amid the escalating debate over Israel’s draft law and proposed economic penalties targeting the Torah community, constitutional attorney David Peter has issued a forceful critique of the High Court’s recent ruling, arguing that it undermines fundamental democratic principles while masking itself in the language of equality.

The latest High Court decision marked a significant escalation in the battle over the conscription of chareidim, with justices invoking their authority to act “for the sake of justice” and ordering government ministries to quickly formulate concrete steps to impose broad financial sanctions.

The measures under consideration strike directly at what many describe as the economic backbone of chareidi families, including canceling daycare and after-school subsidies, eliminating discounts on municipal taxes and public transportation, and even denying benefits tied to government housing programs. The judges acknowledged they were acting “with a very heavy heart” but argued that such steps were necessary due to the state’s failure to enforce the law.

Rejecting the court’s underlying assumptions, Peter asserted in a sharply worded statement that “there is no and never has been a general conscription obligation in Israel.” He explained that, under Israeli law, the draft requirement applies only to individuals who receive a personal order from a military officer, and that for years, authorities have exercised discretion not to draft certain minority groups, including Arabs and chareidim.

According to Peter, the High Court created a “legal fiction” by determining that chareidim require specific legislation to be exempt from service, while other minority groups are effectively excluded through administrative discretion. He described the ruling as one that singles out the Jewish minority sector for unequal treatment under the banner of equality.

Peter further argued that the decision reflects a broader breakdown in the legal system’s adherence to its own principles.

He contended that the court effectively invented new sanctions without any explicit legislative basis.

He also accused the judiciary of overstepping its authority by intervening directly in military and law enforcement matters, asserting that by instructing draft officials to issue conscription orders and directing police actions, the court has assumed powers reserved for the executive branch.

In addition, Peter raised concerns about the implications for minority rights, questioning who will defend the Jewish minority’s ability to achieve protections through parliamentary means if such efforts are routinely struck down as violations of majority equality.

In his concluding remarks, Peter also directed criticism at right-wing figures who support the court’s actions because they favor increased chareidi enlistment. He warned that backing what he views as judicial overreach for short-term political gain is a serious mistake, and argued that the right must undergo a “cultural revolution” to recognize what he described as the court’s use of the draft issue as a political tool to undermine democratic norms, independent of the broader debate over military service.