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A public controversy erupted Wednesday following reports that Shin Bet Director David Zini ordered the removal of a memorial display at the agency’s headquarters honoring Shin Bet personnel who were killed during the October 7 Hamas massacre.

According to a report by Josh Breiner in Haaretz, the memorial, which had been placed near the entrance to the Shin Bet headquarters in Tel Aviv, commemorated members of the security service who lost their lives in the October 7 attacks.

The report said Zini justified the decision by saying that “there is no need to see the failure before our eyes every day.” Sources close to the Shin Bet chief were also quoted as describing the memorial display as conveying “defeatism.”

According to the report, a senior security official said the directive to dismantle the memorial was met with “astonishment” inside the agency.

In response to the report, the Shin Bet issued a statement explaining the reasoning behind the decision.

“The failure of October 7 was one of the greatest and most painful failures in the history of the State of Israel,” the agency said. “In the view of the head of the service, displaying only some of the fallen minimizes the scope of the failure and reflects only part of the terrible disaster that befell us. At the agency’s headquarters there is an official memorial wall displaying all of the service’s fallen, not just a small portion of them.”

Opposition leader Yair Lapid sharply criticized the reported decision, calling it “a moral failure.”

“In Jewish thought, memory is not weakness—it is strength,” Lapid wrote.

Quoting the late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, Lapid added: “To be a Jew is to carry the burden of memory without allowing it to rob us of hope and faith.”

“That is why we commemorate the destruction on Tisha B’Av,” he continued. “That is why the country comes to a standstill on Holocaust Remembrance Day and Memorial Day.”

Lapid concluded by warning, “What we forget, we are liable to repeat. What we remember, we can prevent. Memory is not only pain. It is also responsibility. It is our moral compass and the source of the strength to build a different future.”

He called on Zini to reconsider the decision.

{Matzav.com}

In response to a growing number of serious accidents involving electric scooters, one of Boro Park’s foremost rabbonim has enacted a sweeping new policy prohibiting bochurim in his yeshivah from owning or riding the increasingly popular vehicles.

Rav Binyomin Eisenberger, rosh yeshivah of Yeshivas Heichal HaTalmud and rov of Heichal HaTefillah, announced this week that all bochurim in his yeshivah are strictly forbidden from possessing or using electric scooters.

The new directive follows a troubling rise in serious traffic accidents involving motorized scooters and similar vehicles throughout the Brooklyn neighborhood. According to reports, the immediate catalyst for the decision was a recent incident in which one of the yeshivah’s own bochurim suffered severe injuries after being struck by a passing vehicle while riding an electric scooter.

The yeshivah is located on the outskirts of Boro Park, along 60th Street, a considerable distance from many bochurim‘s homes. As a result, numerous bochurim had come to rely on electric scooters as a convenient way to travel to the yeshivah in time for sedorim and tefillos.

Despite the inconvenience the new policy may cause, Rav Eisenberger determined that the growing danger to life could no longer be ignored.

Under the new regulations, no bochur may own, bring, or ride an electric scooter in connection with the yeshivah. Instead, bochurim have been instructed to travel on foot whenever possible or use safer transportation alternatives, such as local taxi services.

The move comes amid increasing concern in chareidi communities over the growing number of accidents involving electric scooters and bicycles. In recent years, these vehicles have become commonplace in many neighborhoods, but they have also been linked to a steady stream of serious injuries and fatal accidents.

Many community members expressed hope that Rav Eisenberger’s decisive action will encourage other mosdos and communities to adopt similar safeguards, helping prevent future tragedies and protect the lives of countless bochurim.

In unusually sharp remarks, former Rishon LeTzion Rav Yitzchok Yosef voiced strong support for the ongoing protests against the arrest of yeshivah students and launched a blistering attack on Israel’s right-wing government, lamenting what he described as the continued persecution of the Torah world.

The comments, published Wednesday in an audio recording, came against the backdrop of nationwide demonstrations over the detention of bnei Torah. In the recording, Rav Yosef criticized the authorities for targeting yeshivah students and avreichim and expressed particular concern over what he described as the disproportionate impact on Sephardic members of the Torah community.

“We are participating in the protest against the authorities for what they are doing in stopping Torah learners and persecuting them—arresting talmidei chachamim, avreichim, and bnei yeshivah,” Rav Yosef said. “Sadly, it is primarily Sephardim. There is blatant discrimination here. They are humiliating them.”

The Rishon LeTzion then turned his criticism toward the government itself, expressing dismay that such policies were being carried out under a coalition identified with the political right.

“Woe to us that דווקא a right-wing government has imposed such decrees against the bnei Torah, the avreichim, and the holy Torah,” he declared. “May there not be Heavenly displeasure. We protest with all our strength against this ביזיון התורה.”

Continuing his remarks, Rav Yosef appeared to allude to the government with a pointed biblical phrase.

“We do not rely on those who are in politics—‘their right hand is a false right hand,’” he said, adding an appeal to the authorities: “We ask the government: Remove your hands from the talmidei chachamim. Leave the Sephardic bnei Torah alone. Leave us in peace so that we may sit and learn Torah.”

Concluding his message, Rav Yosef reiterated his long-held position regarding military service for yeshivah students.

“One who studies Torah is exempt from going to the army—and even one who is not studying Torah. How can he go to such a secular army?” he said. “Be strong and courageous. Hashem is with you, mighty men of valor.”

{Matzav.com}

A new Israeli government initiative targeting the Torah world is expected to begin in the coming weeks, as Israel’s Tax Authority prepares to strip tax benefits from chareidi nonprofit organizations that support yeshivos attended by students classified by the military as draft evaders.

According to a report aired Wednesday evening on Kan News, the Tax Authority is expected to contact yeshivos whose donors currently receive tax deductions and require them to disclose whether any of their students are officially designated as “draft dodgers” under military records.

As part of the process, yeshivos will reportedly be required to submit lists of students for cross-checking against army databases. Under the planned policy, any yeshivah found to have students classified as draft evaders would lose eligibility for tax-benefit status. Estimates suggest that the financial impact could amount to tens of millions of shekels annually.

The move is being viewed by many in the chareidi community as another step in what they describe as an ongoing campaign against the Torah world.

The initiative follows a directive issued approximately one month ago by Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, who instructed that donors to yeshivos whose students do not serve in the military should no longer qualify for tax benefits. The directive drew fierce criticism from chareidi political parties, which warned that the financial damage to yeshivos and Torah institutions could ultimately reach tens or even hundreds of millions of shekels each year.

Kan News further reported that even before responding to petitions filed with the High Court of Justice, the attorney general had already instructed the Tax Authority and other relevant government agencies to begin preparing the groundwork necessary to halt the subsidization of donations to chareidi yeshivos through the tax-benefit system.

The expected implementation of the policy comes amid escalating tensions surrounding the status of yeshivah students, military draft enforcement, and the arrest of bnei Torah, issues that have sparked widespread protests and political turmoil across the country in recent weeks.

President Donald Trump abruptly derailed a planned White House-style signing ceremony for a bipartisan housing package on Wednesday, refusing to move forward with the legislation until Congress first approves his election security proposal, the SAVE America Act. The unexpected decision came amid an increasingly tense day at the U.S. Capitol that also featured a heated confrontation with Republican senators over the ongoing conflict with Iran.

The housing affordability bill had been scheduled for a public signing event intended to showcase bipartisan cooperation on one of the country’s most pressing economic issues ahead of the November midterm elections. Instead, Trump canceled the event just two hours before it was set to begin.

Explaining his decision, Trump declared that the legislation would remain unsigned until lawmakers advanced his election proposal.

“Today’s Housing News Conference and Signing is hereby cancelled until such time as we pass the desperately needed SAVE AMERICA ACT, which I consider to be a National Emergency,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.

The SAVE America Act would require individuals to provide proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote and present photo identification at the polls. Supporters argue the proposal would safeguard election integrity, while Democrats contend it would place unnecessary obstacles in the way of eligible voters.

Although the measure has already stalled in the Senate, with Republican leadership acknowledging it currently lacks the votes necessary to overcome procedural hurdles, Trump continued pressing lawmakers to take it up.

The president, who has continued to maintain that fraud prevented him from winning the 2020 presidential election, carried that message into a private lunch with Senate Republicans later in the day.

According to multiple reports, the meeting became contentious when Trump confronted Republican senators who had joined Democrats a day earlier in supporting a resolution related to the Iran conflict.

Four Republican senators crossed party lines to approve a largely symbolic measure calling on Trump either to seek congressional authorization for continued military operations against Iran or to bring those hostilities to an end.

After the meeting, Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana recounted his exchange with the president, saying Trump questioned why any Republican would support the resolution.

“I stood and said: ‘You have not told the American people what’s going on. It was supposed to last four weeks; it’s lasted four months. Our original objectives have not been achieved and I want to know what’s going on,'” Cassidy said, according to The Hill and CNN.

Cassidy, who was defeated in Louisiana’s Republican primary in May by a Trump-endorsed challenger, will not be seeking another term in November.

Trump appeared to remain frustrated as he departed the luncheon.

“I don’t like a few people, but that’s OK — I think you know who they are.”

The dispute over war powers unfolded as the administration continued pursuing a permanent agreement with Iran following months of fighting that unsettled energy markets worldwide and exposed divisions within the Republican Party.

Before entering the closed-door meeting alongside Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Trump brushed aside reporters’ questions about the housing legislation and instead expressed confidence about developments in the Middle East.

He said the “war is going very well” and that “Iran is making very big concessions.”

The housing legislation itself had cleared Congress with overwhelming bipartisan support and was widely promoted by Republicans as a meaningful response to the nation’s housing affordability crisis.

Among its key provisions are measures designed to increase the nation’s housing supply, reduce regulatory barriers to construction, and make homeownership more accessible at a time when elevated mortgage rates, limited inventory, and soaring rents continue to strain American families.

Trump had previously praised the legislation as part of his broader effort to reduce Americans’ cost of living during a period of stubborn inflation, some of which has been linked to instability caused by the Iran conflict.

On Wednesday, however, the president downplayed the importance of the housing package, describing it as being of “minor importance” and saying it “pales in comparison” to passing the SAVE America Act.

Despite Trump’s refusal to sign the measure immediately, the legislation may still become law. Under the Constitution, a bill automatically takes effect after ten days if the president neither signs nor vetoes it while Congress remains in session.

The president also demonstrated his commitment to prioritizing the election proposal last week when he called off the Senate confirmation hearing for his nominee to serve as director of national intelligence, saying lawmakers should instead focus on advancing the SAVE America Act.

Backers of the legislation argue it would significantly strengthen election security by ensuring that only eligible citizens cast ballots.

Critics, however, maintain that voter fraud is exceedingly uncommon and warn that the proposal would disproportionately affect minority communities, married women, and others who may face greater difficulty obtaining the required identification and documentation.

{Matzav.com}

A series of violent incidents targeting chareidi participants in Wednesday’s nationwide convoy protest has intensified concerns over rising anti-chareidi hostility, with several confrontations reported across the country and one particularly disturbing altercation taking place on Highway 1 as demonstrators returned home.

The most serious incident occurred Wednesday evening when a motorist was filmed attacking a vehicle carrying chareidi protesters traveling on Highway 1 toward Tel Aviv. Video footage circulated online shows the enraged driver smashing a side mirror and attempting to assault those inside the vehicle.

Within moments, additional protesters gathered at the scene, leading to a heated confrontation. Police officers who arrived shortly afterward intervened and restored order before the situation escalated further.

In a statement, police said, “A short time ago, Border Police officers from the Mateh Yehuda station were dispatched to Highway 1 following reports of a fight and a gathering of people around the incident. Upon arrival, officers acted quickly to separate those involved and restore public order.”

According to the police, “A preliminary investigation indicates that the victim is a resident of Beit Shemesh. The suspect, a resident of Rishon LeZion, will be summoned later today for questioning at the police station to clarify the circumstances of the incident.”

The attack came after a day marked by multiple reports of violence directed at participants in the massive vehicle protest organized in response to the arrests of yeshivah students.

Earlier on Highway 1, one driver was reportedly seen pointing a handgun in the direction of chareidi demonstrators. Footage released by protest organizers appeared to show the individual driving slowly near a group of young chareidim while holding what appeared to be a firearm.

Protest organizers condemned the incident as a serious threat and called on law enforcement authorities to take immediate action.

“No shots were fired,” organizers noted, but they described the incident as deeply alarming and indicative of the growing hostility directed toward the chareidi public.

Another violent confrontation reportedly involved Beitar Illit Deputy Mayor Gedalyahu Eisenstein, chairman of the city’s chassidic faction. Witnesses said a driver deliberately collided with his vehicle before physically attacking him and allegedly attempting to choke him.

In a separate incident on the Ayalon Highway, a truck driver reportedly exited his vehicle and charged toward one of the protest convoy’s cars that had departed from Bnei Brak. According to eyewitness accounts, the man was armed with a knife and sticks.

Passengers said the attacker struck the vehicle repeatedly and pounded on its windows while they remained trapped inside, fearing for their safety. The occupants reportedly contacted police immediately and refrained from responding physically despite what they described as an imminent threat.

The string of confrontations has fueled accusations from protest organizers and chareidi leaders that inflammatory rhetoric against the Torah community is contributing to a dangerous atmosphere in which physical violence is becoming increasingly common.

As investigations continue into the various incidents, organizers are calling on authorities to ensure that those responsible are held accountable and that participants in future demonstrations can exercise their right to protest without fear of intimidation or attack.

What organizers described as the largest vehicle protest in recent memory brought major highways across Israel to a near standstill on Tuesday, as tens of thousands of participants rallied against the arrest and imprisonment of bnei Torah. The demonstration, known as the “Convoy Protest,” drew participants from across the spectrum of the chareidi community and culminated in dramatic scenes outside Prison 10, where recorded messages from leading Torah authorities were broadcast directly to incarcerated yeshivah students and avreichim.

Within minutes of the protest’s launch, its impact was being felt nationwide. Traffic congestion spread across major roadways, media outlets devoted extensive coverage to the demonstrations, and many workers reportedly left their jobs early in anticipation of the disruptions. Participants said the message was unmistakable: the Torah community would not remain silent in the face of efforts to imprison those dedicated to Torah study.

One of the most striking aspects of the protest was the rare display of unity among Israel’s various chareidi factions. Chassidim affiliated with Agudas Yisrael, the yeshivah community following the guidance of Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, and large segments of the Sephardic Torah community all took part. Organizers credited the involvement of Rav Moshe Maya, the senior member of the Moetzes Chachmei HaTorah, with helping bring broad Sephardic participation and the support of Shas representatives.

Heavy traffic jams were reported throughout the country as convoys moved along highways and major intersections. In many locations, participants held Minchah minyanim on roadsides and in the midst of protest gatherings. At the same time, several confrontations were reported between protesters and secular motorists, including verbal altercations and physical incidents that organizers described as acts of hostility toward the demonstrators.

Authorities sealed off access routes leading to Prison 10, deploying large numbers of police officers to prevent thousands of protesters from approaching the facility. Unable to reach the prison itself, organizers erected powerful sound systems near the area and broadcast messages of support, protest, and inspiration toward the prison grounds.

Recorded addresses from leading Torah figures echoed through the area, carrying words of encouragement to those being held behind bars for refusing military service. Protest organizers said the messages were intended to strengthen the imprisoned bnei Torah and remind them that the broader Torah world stood firmly behind them.

Rav Meir Tzvi Bergman delivered an emotional message directed to the detainees.

“I want to join and strengthen the young men who were arrested because they sit and learn Torah. ‘Praiseworthy are you for having been seized because of Torah.’ You are giving strength to the entire future of Klal Yisrael.”

The elderly rosh yeshivah repeated his words with visible emotion, again emphasizing that the imprisoned students were providing encouragement and inspiration to the entire Jewish people.

Former Sephardic Chief Rabbi Rav Yitzchak Yosef also addressed the prisoners, speaking with evident pain about the arrests and emphasizing that the protest was not only on behalf of full-time Torah scholars but also against what he described as broader persecution of observant Jews.

“We ask all the authorities—we do not rely on those who are in politics, their right hand is a false right hand—we do not rely on the authorities. We ask them: Leave the Torah scholars alone, leave the Sephardic Torah students alone.”

Following additional songs and prayers, Rav Shmuel Betzalel, rosh yeshivah of Porat Yosef and a member of the Moetzes Chachmei HaTorah, delivered a fiery address.

“Those who are distant want to abolish the holy Torah. They do not understand what the Jewish people are. And you prisoners, prisoners of the holy Torah, who are imprisoned for the sanctification of Hashem’s Name—Hashem is with you, mighty heroes. You will bear your imprisonment with pride, and all the public that came to identify with the holy Torah—Hashem should bless them all, to sustain the Jewish people. Without the holy Torah, the Jewish people do not exist, and they want, G-d forbid, to erase the Torah of our forefathers and the nation itself.”

He also addressed the prisoners directly.

“I turn to the avreichim and the young men who are behind bars in the prisons: Preserve the spirit of true yiras Shamayim that you maintained within the holy yeshivah. At the same time, let your spirits and hearts be uplifted through the ways of the holy Torah. Feel, feel that the Holy One, Blessed is He, is with you—that you are prisoners and representatives of the entire Torah world and of the Torah itself.”

The crowd also listened to a recorded blessing from Rav Yaakov Meir Shechter, one of the senior figures of the Breslov community.

“Be strong and courageous. The Holy One, Blessed is He, will help. Fortunate are you… with all your strength, fortunate are you in this world and the next.”

Rav Moshe Berezovsky, rosh yeshivah of Slonim, likewise spoke of the spiritual significance of the arrests.

“The courts and governmental authorities placed you in prison in order to break your desire to remain faithful to the Holy One, Blessed is He, and to His Torah. We do not abandon the source of our life, even if it requires self-sacrifice. Rabbi Akiva also taught us the way—to sacrifice oneself with joy. All my life I was distressed, wondering when I would have the opportunity to fulfill this. Thank G-d that the wicked among Israel are not yet killing us for learning Torah, but they are trying to harass us, humiliate us, and treat us like criminals because we wish to learn Torah and remain faithful to the Holy One, Blessed is He, and His holy Torah.”

Rav Yitzchak Moshe Erlanger delivered an impassioned message rooted in the story of Rabbi Akiva’s defiance of Roman decrees against Torah study.

“Fortunate are you for having been seized because of Torah. I ask the Master of the Universe to give me the right words to say. The Gemara tells us: ‘The wicked kingdom decreed that the Jewish people should not engage in Torah.’ The Roman government decreed that the Jewish people should not study Torah. Pappus ben Yehudah came and found Rabbi Akiva gathering crowds publicly and studying Torah. Rabbi Akiva simply ignored all of those decrees and continued gathering the masses and teaching Torah.”

Throughout the gathering, organizers recited the names of all those currently imprisoned, along with the names of their mothers, for prayer. Special prayers were also offered for R’ Amram Markowitz, an avreich and father of two young children who reportedly lost consciousness while in prison.

As the protest concluded late Tuesday night, organizers hailed the demonstration as a historic success, pointing to the nationwide disruption, the unprecedented unity among disparate chareidi groups, and the powerful messages delivered to those imprisoned as evidence that the Torah community had made its voice heard across Israel.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump revealed on Wednesday that he personally persuaded Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to remain on the sidelines during the recent conflict involving Iran, while also signaling that Ankara could soon receive a significant benefit from Washington.

Speaking at the White House alongside NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Trump said Erdogan had considered becoming involved in the war but ultimately refrained after discussions with him.

“He’s a friend of mine, and he stayed out of the war,” Trump said.

Trump went on to suggest that Turkey had been among the countries most likely to enter the conflict, potentially in support of Iran.

“You know, he was a prime candidate to go into the war with Iran. Maybe, on Iran’s side because he’s not a big fan of Israel, as you know. And I asked him to stay out. He stayed out.”

The president also offered strong praise for Erdogan, describing the Turkish leader as both capable and widely respected.

“Erdogan loves Turkey, right? He’s doing a great job. He loves Turkey. I love the US, but he loves Turkey, and he’s doing a great job. He’s a respected man, a respected leader. He’s been a friend of mine.”

During the exchange with reporters, Trump was asked whether the United States might eventually provide Turkey with F-35 fighter jets, something Ankara has long sought.

Responding positively, Trump emphasized Turkey’s importance within the NATO alliance and hinted that he may soon take steps favorable to Erdogan.

“I think so. He’s a member of NATO. Some people don’t consider himself, but he really is. He is a strong member of NATO. Yeah, I’m going to probably do something that’s going to make him very happy.”

Trump’s comments come against the backdrop of increasingly strained relations between Turkey and Israel. Prior to Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack, officials from both countries had been making progress toward repairing ties that had been damaged for years.

That effort largely unraveled after the war began, with Erdogan emerging as one of Israel’s most outspoken international critics.

In March 2024, Erdogan condemned Israel following military operations against terrorist targets in Gaza and referred to the Jewish state as a “terror state.”

Later that year, he argued that the Netanyahu government posed the greatest danger to stability in the Middle East.

Erdogan also drew international attention in April 2024 when he hosted then-Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh in Istanbul. Haniyeh was subsequently eliminated by Israel.

A short time afterward, the Turkish president stated that more than 1,000 Hamas members were receiving medical treatment in Turkish hospitals and criticized Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis for describing Hamas as a terrorist organization.

More recently, Erdogan has broadened his criticism of Israel, warning that Israeli military activity in Syria and Lebanon could eventually threaten Turkish interests as well.

Earlier this month, he cautioned against additional Israeli operations in the region, declaring, “We see comprehensive initiatives led by Israel in the Mediterranean, and no one should pursue adventures there.”

He also accused Israel of endangering regional stability, saying, “Israel’s aggression threatens the entire world.”

Warning that Turkey would not remain passive if its interests were harmed, Erdogan added, “If the rights of Turks or Turkish-Cypriots are harmed in the Middle East – our response will be unequivocal and strong.”

Trump’s remarks highlighted both his close personal relationship with Erdogan and Turkey’s continuing importance in regional diplomacy, even as tensions between Ankara and Israel remain high.

{Matzav.com}

A new survey released by the Kantar Institute for Kan News points to growing momentum for Israel’s right-wing parties while signaling declining support for the Beyachad (Together) alliance headed by Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid.

According to the poll, if Israelis were to vote today, the Likud would emerge as the largest party with 24 Knesset seats. Close behind would be Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party, which would secure 22 mandates.

The Bennett-Lapid Beyachad list would receive 16 seats, while Yisrael Beytenu would win 10. The Democrats and Otzma Yehudit would each capture 9 seats, followed by Shas with 9 and United Torah Judaism with 7. Hadash-Ta’al would receive 6 seats, Religious Zionism would win 5, and Ra’am would enter the Knesset with 4 mandates.

Several parties would fail to clear the electoral threshold under this scenario. Blue and White, the Reservists Party, and Balad would all remain outside the Knesset.

When the results are broken down by political blocs, the current coalition parties would hold 54 seats, while parties opposed to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu would collectively command 56 seats.

The poll also examined a hypothetical scenario in which Beyachad, Yesh Atid, and Eisenkot’s Yashar party joined forces under a single slate led by Eisenkot. In that case, the unified list would become the largest faction in the Knesset with 36 seats.

Even under that arrangement, however, Likud would still secure 26 seats, and the broader Netanyahu-aligned bloc would remain at 56 mandates.

Researchers also tested support for a potential new political alliance bringing together Benny Gantz, Dedi Simhi, and Yoaz Hendel. That proposed party would receive 7 seats, according to the survey.

One of the most striking findings involved the future strength of Yesh Atid. If Bennett and Lapid were to part ways and run separately, Bennett’s party would win 14 seats while Yesh Atid would plunge to just 4 mandates, barely surviving above the electoral threshold.

Respondents were also asked who should head the anti-Netanyahu camp in the next election. Eisenkot emerged as the clear favorite, receiving support from 40 percent of those surveyed. Bennett trailed far behind at 16 percent, while 27 percent said neither man should lead the opposition bloc.

A separate Channel 13 News poll produced similar results, showing continued strength for the right and modest gains for Religious Zionism.

In that survey, Likud received 23 seats and Eisenkot’s Yashar party 20. The Bennett-Lapid alliance dropped to 15 seats, while Yisrael Beytenu climbed to 12. The Democrats would win 10 seats, Otzma Yehudit 9, Shas 8, and United Torah Judaism 8. Hadash-Ta’al would secure 6 seats, Religious Zionism 5, and Ra’am 4.

As in the Kan News survey, the Reservists Party, Balad, and Blue and White failed to cross the electoral threshold.

The Channel 13 poll found the Netanyahu-aligned bloc holding 53 seats, compared to 57 seats for the opposition camp, suggesting that despite gains for the right, neither side currently enjoys a decisive path to forming a stable governing coalition.

{Matzav.com}

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A new Washington Post analysis has reignited concerns about political bias in artificial intelligence, finding that several of the most widely used AI chatbots were significantly more likely to generate responses categorized as left-leaning when addressing controversial political topics.

The newspaper evaluated leading AI systems developed by OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, Elon Musk’s xAI, and other companies. Using a set of political prompts created by researchers, the study examined how the chatbots responded to divisive policy questions and whether those responses reflected left-leaning viewpoints, right-leaning viewpoints, or arguments from both sides.

Among all the models tested, ChatGPT from OpenAI displayed the strongest tendency toward responses classified as left-leaning, according to the Post’s findings.

The analysis found that ChatGPT offered exclusively left-leaning arguments in 80 percent of its answers, while only 3 percent of its responses contained solely right-leaning arguments. The remaining 17 percent included perspectives from both sides of the debate.

The trend was not limited to ChatGPT. DeepSeek, an artificial intelligence platform developed in China, also produced a substantial majority of responses that were categorized as left-leaning. According to the analysis, 70 percent of its answers fell into that category, compared with 7 percent that were exclusively right-leaning and 23 percent that incorporated both viewpoints.

Even Gab AI, a chatbot associated with the conservative-oriented social media platform Gab, generated more responses classified as left-leaning than right-leaning. The Post reported that 50 percent of its answers were categorized as left-leaning, while just 3 percent were deemed exclusively right-leaning. Another 47 percent presented arguments from both perspectives.

Anthropic’s Claude also showed a tendency toward left-leaning responses, though to a lesser degree. Researchers determined that 43 percent of its answers reflected left-leaning viewpoints, while 57 percent included arguments representing both sides of an issue.

According to the Post, only two of the AI models tested regularly provided responses that approached political questions with a broader balance of viewpoints.

Google’s Gemini included arguments from both sides in 93 percent of its responses. Meanwhile, Elon Musk’s Grok produced left-leaning responses 40 percent of the time, right-leaning responses in 33 percent of cases, and balanced responses in 27 percent.

The findings arrive as President Donald Trump has increasingly focused on concerns surrounding ideological bias in artificial intelligence systems.

Earlier this year, Trump signed an executive order requiring that AI technologies used by federal agencies operate as “neutral, nonpartisan tools.”

Google defended Gemini’s results in the study. A company spokeswoman told the Post that the chatbot was intentionally designed to provide responses that remain balanced and avoid favoring any particular political viewpoint.

Anthropic likewise rejected claims that its system exhibits political bias.

A company spokesman told the newspaper that Claude is trained to treat different political viewpoints equally and undergoes extensive testing before new versions are released to the public.

To conduct the analysis, the Post instructed each chatbot to answer political questions in 30 words or fewer, with personalization features disabled.

Researchers then reviewed the responses and classified them according to whether they reflected left-leaning arguments, right-leaning arguments, or a combination of both viewpoints.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump declared Wednesday that Iran has assured the United States it is not imposing any tolls, insurance fees, or other charges on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, while warning that inaccurate reporting on the issue could derail ongoing negotiations between Washington and Tehran.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump sharply criticized media reports suggesting that Iran was seeking to profit from or restrict commercial traffic through the critical maritime corridor, insisting that Iranian officials had conveyed the opposite message to the United States.

“Iran has informed the U.S. that, despite troublemaking Fake News reporting to the contrary, there are ‘NO TOLLS, NO INSURANCE COSTS, & NO OTHER CHARGES OF ANY KIND BEING SOUGHT OR RECEIVED BY IRAN ON SHIPS TRAVELING THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ,'” Trump wrote.

Trump indicated that the accuracy of that assurance is essential to the future of diplomatic discussions between the two countries, making clear that any deception would have immediate consequences.

“If this is false information, negotiations would end, immediately!” Trump said.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most strategically significant waterways in the world, serving as a key route for global shipments of oil and natural gas. A substantial portion of the world’s energy supply passes through the narrow passage linking the Persian Gulf with international shipping lanes.

Because of its importance to global commerce, any uncertainty surrounding access to the strait has the potential to unsettle energy markets and trigger fears of disruptions to worldwide supply chains.

Trump’s remarks came as his administration continues diplomatic engagement with Iran after a period marked by escalating tensions, military conflict, and regional instability.

Administration officials have repeatedly stated that the objective of the negotiations is to establish lasting regional stability while ensuring that Iran is unable to threaten its neighbors or international security.

The president also sought to dispel reports that the United States had recently transferred funds to Iran or released assets directly to the Iranian government.

“Additionally, no money has been given to Iran, or released from their money to them, by the U.S.,” Trump wrote.

Instead, Trump outlined a plan under which Iranian funds currently controlled by the United States would be used to purchase American agricultural products intended for humanitarian relief.

“We will be releasing some of their money, that is totally controlled by us, to our Farmers and Ranchers, for the purchase of Corn, Wheat, Soybeans, and more,” Trump said.

“Food is desperately needed in Iran, and we will be purchasing it for them exclusively from the United States.”

Under the proposal described by Trump, the funds would be directed toward the purchase of American-grown food products rather than being handed over directly to Iranian authorities. The approach could provide economic support to U.S. farmers while helping address food shortages inside Iran.

The president’s comments underscored the delicate state of the negotiations, as both sides continue discussions aimed at easing tensions while avoiding renewed conflict in one of the world’s most strategically important regions.

A federal judge on Wednesday struck down major portions of President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at tightening election procedures, including a provision that would have required prospective voters to present documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote.

The ruling arrives as Trump is mounting an aggressive push on Capitol Hill for the SAVE America Act, legislation that would impose many of the same citizenship-verification requirements through congressional action rather than executive order.

U.S. District Judge Denise Casper ruled that the president exceeded his constitutional authority when he attempted to implement the election-related measures unilaterally. According to reports from Newsweek and The Associated Press, Casper concluded that the Constitution assigns responsibility for regulating federal elections primarily to Congress and the states.

Casper, who was appointed to the federal bench by President Barack Obama, determined that the executive branch does not possess the authority to independently establish such election requirements.

The executive order at the center of the case was signed in March and formed part of a broader White House initiative focused on strengthening election-security measures across the country.

According to administration officials, the directive sought to require proof of citizenship for federal voter registration and instructed federal agencies to adopt additional safeguards designed to protect election integrity.

Wednesday’s decision is not the first legal setback for the order. Several federal courts have already halted portions of the directive, concluding that Congress never granted the president the authority to impose such requirements through executive action.

The ruling came on the same day Trump traveled to Capitol Hill to rally support among Senate Republicans for the SAVE America Act.

Under the proposed legislation, individuals seeking to register for federal elections would be required to provide documentary evidence of citizenship, including items such as passports, birth certificates, or naturalization documents.

The measure would also direct states to implement systems for verifying the citizenship status of individuals listed on voter rolls.

Current federal law already bars noncitizens from participating in federal elections, and voter-registration forms require applicants to certify, under penalty of perjury, that they are American citizens. Critics of the SAVE America Act argue that illegal voting by noncitizens is already rare and contend that additional documentation requirements could make registration more difficult for eligible voters.

According to Reuters, Trump urged lawmakers to prioritize passage of the bill despite uncertainty over whether it can secure enough support in the Senate.

The president also raised the pressure on Congress by withholding his approval of a major bipartisan housing package, indicating that he would not sign the legislation unless lawmakers advance the SAVE America Act. The move effectively linked an unrelated housing measure to his election-security agenda.

Backers of the SAVE America Act maintain that congressional approval would provide the legal foundation necessary for citizenship-verification requirements that courts have repeatedly ruled cannot be imposed solely through presidential action.

As a result, Wednesday’s court ruling may strengthen Trump’s argument that any lasting election-security changes must come from Congress rather than the White House.

The decision comes at a politically important time for the administration, which has placed election integrity at the center of its domestic policy priorities ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Democrats and voting-rights organizations continue to oppose the legislation, arguing that requiring citizenship documents could create obstacles for otherwise eligible voters who may not have immediate access to the necessary paperwork.

With the executive order now significantly curtailed by the courts, the battle over the SAVE America Act is expected to take on even greater importance as Trump intensifies his efforts to secure election-security legislation before voters head to the polls in next year’s midterm contests.

{Matzav.com}

Postmaster General David Steiner delivered a stark warning to lawmakers on Wednesday, telling Congress that the United States Postal Service is facing a financial crisis and may soon be unable to sustain operations without significant reforms and federal assistance.

Appearing before a Senate committee, Steiner argued that the Postal Service’s longstanding financial challenges have reached a critical point and called on Congress to intervene to stabilize the agency’s future.

In prepared testimony, Steiner painted a troubling picture of USPS finances, saying the organization is relying on extraordinary measures simply to remain operational.

“The bottom line is that we are out of cash. We are borrowing from our employees’ retirement funds to continue operations,” Steiner’s written testimony before a Senate committee said, warning it could run out of operating funds in months if ⁠it stopped deferring obligations.

Steiner said the agency’s difficulties stem from deeper structural issues that lawmakers must address.

“The Postal Service has a broken business model, and action is needed by Congress to fix it,” he emphasized.

Among the changes he is seeking, Steiner urged Congress to reimburse USPS for services that consistently lose money and to pursue additional reforms aimed at restoring long-term financial stability.

The Postal Service has already begun taking steps to confront its mounting fiscal problems. Earlier this year, Steiner announced that USPS had retained restructuring advisers to help evaluate options for addressing the agency’s worsening financial condition.

One of the central questions facing the organization, according to Steiner, is whether it can continue maintaining six-day-per-week delivery service to approximately 170 million addresses nationwide. He noted that the current system costs roughly $3.4 billion each year and that nearly 70 percent of delivery routes operate at a loss. He also pointed out that about 58 percent of the nation’s 18,000 post offices are unprofitable.

The financial pressures have been building for years. Since 2007, the Postal Service has accumulated approximately $120 billion in losses. Much of that decline has been driven by the steep reduction in first-class mail volume, historically the agency’s most lucrative product, as consumers and businesses increasingly rely on digital communication while USPS continues to maintain its extensive nationwide delivery network.

Last month, the Postal Service announced a series of cost-cutting measures, including a pause on nonessential expenditures related to travel, office supplies, and consulting services.

In a memo distributed to postal officials, Steiner said the spending restrictions were necessary “to protect core operations and ensure we can continue meeting all essential obligations.”

The agency has also taken steps to conserve cash by temporarily suspending certain employer contributions to a federal pension program. In addition, USPS plans to increase the price of a first-class postage stamp from 78 cents to 82 cents beginning July 12.

Postal officials estimate that delaying pension contributions will preserve approximately $2.5 billion through the end of the current fiscal year on September 30. Over a longer period, the move could generate savings of as much as $15 billion through 2030.

Steiner’s testimony highlighted the urgency of the situation, placing renewed pressure on Congress to decide whether to pursue major changes to the Postal Service’s business model or risk further financial deterioration at one of the nation’s oldest and most widely used public institutions.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump directed the Department of Justice on Wednesday to examine whether major oil companies are unfairly keeping gasoline prices elevated despite a sharp decline in crude oil costs following the recent U.S.-Iran peace agreement.

The move comes as gasoline prices, while significantly lower than their spring highs, remain well above levels seen before the conflict with Iran began. Trump argued that consumers are not receiving the full benefit of falling oil prices and accused the industry of failing to pass savings on to drivers.

In a post published early Wednesday on Truth Social, Trump expressed frustration that gasoline prices have not dropped more rapidly in response to the decline in global oil markets.

“The big Oil Companies are not dropping their price at the pump commensurate with the sharply lower prices they are paying for Oil,” Trump wrote.

“Those prices are dropping like a rock! In other words, customers are being ‘gouged.’ I have instructed the DOJ to immediately start looking into this. Gasoline prices better start going down a lot faster than what I’m seeing!”

The president did not identify any specific companies in his remarks.

National average gasoline prices currently stand at approximately $3.91 per gallon. While that figure is substantially below the highs reached during the conflict with Iran, it remains roughly $1.14 higher than the average price recorded in January, before American military operations began.

Market data show that gasoline prices have been falling steadily for six consecutive weeks. According to figures compiled by GasBuddy, average pump prices have dropped more than 14 percent since reaching their peak in May.

Crude oil, however, has fallen much more sharply over the same period. U.S. benchmark crude has declined about 23 percent in recent weeks and is down roughly 40 percent from the highs reached earlier this year.

Trading on Wednesday reflected that continued weakness. Brent crude for August delivery slipped 0.91 percent to $76.38 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate declined 0.94 percent to $72.52 per barrel.

Oil markets have been retreating rapidly since President Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a 14-point memorandum of understanding in Versailles last week. The agreement formally ended the war that erupted on Feb. 28 and reopened the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping.

The accord extended the existing ceasefire for an additional 60 days, ended the American naval blockade, authorized renewed Iranian oil exports, and launched negotiations regarding Tehran’s nuclear program. Prior to the conflict, nearly 20 percent of all seaborne oil shipments passed through the strategically vital waterway.

During the war, energy markets reacted dramatically. West Texas Intermediate surged to $119.47 per barrel on March 9, while Brent crude climbed to $126.41 on April 30, its highest level in more than four years. The spike came amid Iranian mining operations in the Strait of Hormuz and the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports.

Gasoline prices followed suit, climbing above $4.50 per gallon during the Memorial Day holiday period, according to AAA tracking data.

Energy experts caution, however, that fluctuations in crude oil prices do not immediately translate into lower prices at gas stations.

Karen Young, a senior research scholar at Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy, characterized Trump’s comments as “political theater” during an interview with CNBC. She noted that refining costs, transportation expenses, taxes, and other factors all affect how quickly changes in crude markets are reflected at the pump.

Research cited by Fortune suggests that only about 13 percent of a decline in crude prices is typically passed on to consumers within a week, with roughly half of the savings eventually reaching motorists over a longer period.

The issue carries significant political implications as Republicans prepare for November’s midterm elections. Although prices have retreated from their wartime highs, gasoline remains approximately 41 percent more expensive than it was before the conflict began.

Trump’s directive also places new scrutiny on an industry that he frequently courted during the campaign, potentially signaling a tougher federal antitrust posture toward major energy companies.

As of Wednesday evening, the Department of Justice had not announced any formal investigative actions, legal theories, or timetable related to the president’s request.

{Matzav.com}

The chassidic world is mourning the loss of R’ Betzalel Alter HaKohen Dim, a renowned badchan whose wit, Torah knowledge, and unique ability to bring joy to countless celebrations made him one of the most beloved figures in the world of chassidus. He passed away on Wednesday at the age of 74 following a prolonged illness.

For decades, R’ Betzalel was a familiar presence at simchos throughout the chassidic community, where he captivated audiences with his clever rhymes, humorous observations, and Torah-infused performances. His passing leaves a void in a field in which he was considered one of the true veterans and masters.

The levayah was scheduled to take place Wednesday night at 10:15 p.m. from the Munkatcher beis medrash on Ohr HaChaim Street in Bnei Brak. The procession was set to continue via the Makova beis medrash on Rabbeinu Tam Street and the Satmar beis medrash in the Shikun neighborhood before proceeding to the cemetery in Elad for burial.

Born in the United States, R’ Betzalel was raised in the Munkatcher chassidus by his father, R’ Meir Dim. Even during his younger years in America, he began receiving invitations to perform at weddings and celebrations, quickly developing a reputation for his talent in bringing joy to others.

Over the years, he became one of the most respected and sought-after badchanim in the chassidic world. Those who listened carefully to his humor recognized that behind the laughter stood a genuine talmid chacham. Many of his jokes and observations were rooted in obscure midrashim, passages of Gemara, and Tosafos, woven seamlessly into performances that entertained while reflecting deep Torah scholarship.

Whether at a wedding, a sheva brachos, or another communal gathering, R’ Betzalel had a remarkable ability to transform a room. Audiences would be left roaring with laughter as he delivered elegant wordplay, sharp humor, and uplifting messages.

For more than three decades, he devoted himself passionately to the art of bringing simchah to others. During that time, he appeared before countless leading rabbinic figures and admorim, including the Nadvorna, Biala, Kaliv, and Shomrei Emunim Rebbes of previous generations, as well as, yibadlu l’chaim tovim, the Vizhnitz, Sanz, and Makova Rebbes, the Shevet HaLevi, and many others.

What distinguished him from many others in the field was his ability to blend divrei Torah, humor, stories of tzaddikim, and refined satire into a single performance. Yet despite his talent and confidence on stage, he maintained profound reverence for Torah leaders and was known to carefully tailor his remarks whenever performing before rabbanim and admorim.

A significant portion of his repertoire was inspired by R’ Chaim Mendel Marmelstein of the United States, one of the most celebrated badchanim of the previous generation, from whom he drew much inspiration and material.

Although he spent time among many chassidic courts, R’ Betzalel was deeply devoted to Satmar throughout his life. In a gesture that reflected both his generosity and dedication to the mosdos, he personally donated all of the tables and chairs used by the Satmar yeshivos in Bnei Brak.

During his final illness, numerous admorim and rabbinic leaders visited him at the hospital. Among those who came to offer encouragement and support was Rav Shimon Zev Meisels, Rav of the Yismach Moshe beis medrash in Kiryas Yoel-Monroe and son-in-law of the Satmar Rebbe, Rav Aharon Teitelbaum.

He is survived by his wife, son, and daughters, along with countless friends, admirers, and members of the chassidic community who benefited from his warmth, scholarship, and ability to bring happiness to others.

Tehei nishmaso tzerurah b’tzror hachaim.

The Chernobyler chassidus was plunged into mourning on Wednesday with the tragic news of the sudden passing of R’ Akiva Rand z”l, a young avreich and devoted member of the community, who was killed in a traffic accident in Moldova. He was just 29 years old.

R’ Akiva had traveled to Moldova together with a group of Chernobyler chassidim to visit the kever of Rav Yechiel Heshel of Krilovitz, a grandson of the Apta Rov and son-in-law of Rav Yehoshua of Belz. The visit coincided with the yahrtzeit, observed on the 9th of Tammuz.

According to reports, R’ Akiva was driving when his vehicle veered off the road and plunged into a ditch. He was killed in the accident. Several companions traveling with him sustained injuries and were transported to a local hospital. Authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Members of ZAKA are working to expedite the transfer of his body to Eretz Yisroel for burial.

The pilgrimage had special significance for members of the Chernobyler chassidus. The gravesite had recently undergone restoration, and the Rebbe had originally planned to travel there two years ago. That trip was canceled because of the war. The Rebbe was also unable to attend this year’s visit due to ongoing health concerns and physical weakness.

R’ Akiva was born in London to his father, Rabbi Mordechai Dovid Rand, a respected member of the Chernobyl community in the city, and to his mother, Mrs. Rand.

As a bochur, he studied in the Chernobyler yeshivah, where he became especially close to the rosh yeshivah, Rav Binyamin Yonah Zev Rechnitzer, and was known for carefully recording and preserving his shiurim.

Following his marriage, he settled in Yerushalayim with his wife, the daughter of Rav Yosef Mordechai Weiss, the Rav of Machzikei Hadas in Zurich, Switzerland, and a grandson of Rav Yonasan Binyamin Weiss, the longtime Rav of Montreal.

In Yerushalayim, R’ Akiva devoted himself to Torah study in Kollel Nachalas Akiva. In the afternoons, he learned with bochurim at Yeshivas Kochav MiYaakov–Tchebin. He also served as one of the gabbaim of the Chernobyl beis medrash on Tuval Street.

Friends and acquaintances describe him as an exceptionally refined individual, a talmid chacham, and a sincere yerei Shamayim who was beloved by all who knew him.

His passing is especially heartbreaking in light of the personal challenges he had endured. For five years after his marriage, he and his wife waited to be blessed with children. In recent years, they merited to welcome two children into their family.

The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the Chernobyl community. Just two weeks ago, R’ Akiva played a central role in organizing a special Shabbos at the Kosel in support of efforts to purchase a permanent home for the Chernobyl beis medrash in Yerushalayim. Participants recalled that much of the planning and logistics for the historic event were handled by him.

Friends also noted that only six weeks ago he celebrated the birth of his daughter and hosted a kiddush in honor of the joyous occasion.

R’ Akiva is survived by his parents, his wife, and two young children, who are now left without their devoted father.

His untimely passing has left family members, friends, and fellow chassidim struggling to come to terms with the loss of a young man whose life revolved around Torah, avodah, and service to others.

Tehei nishmaso tzerurah b’tzror hachaim.

{Matzav.com}

Thousands of vehicles from 19 cities across Israel took part today in a massive convoy protest against the imprisonment of bnei Torah detained over military draft-related issues, bringing major highways to a standstill and drawing support from senior rabbinic and political leaders.

The demonstration, organized by a coalition of chareidi groups, began at approximately 4:00 p.m. as convoys departed from dozens of gathering points throughout the country. Organizers estimated that tens of thousands of drivers ultimately joined the protest, which was intended to show solidarity with yeshiva bochurim currently being held in military detention facilities.

While the original plan called for convoys to converge near Prison 10, one of the primary military detention facilities, organizers later clarified that participants would stop and spread out along Highway 57 rather than proceed all the way to the prison itself.

By evening, major traffic arteries throughout central Israel had been severely disrupted. Highway 1 was temporarily closed in both directions, while significant backups were reported on numerous roads as thousands of vehicles moved slowly through the country.

At approximately 9:00 p.m., Highway 1 was again shut down in both directions, creating some of the most severe traffic disruptions of the day.

The protest concluded shortly after 9:00 p.m., with organizers announcing that participants had begun returning home following what they described as a highly successful event.

One of the most emotional moments of the evening came when a recorded message from Rav Meir Tzvi Bergman was broadcast over powerful loudspeaker systems near Prison 10 so that detained bnei Torah could hear his words of encouragement.

“I want to join and strengthen the bochurim who were arrested because they sit and learn Torah,” Rav Bergman said. “Ashreichem she’nitpastem al divrei Torah. You are giving strength to all of us and to the future of Klal Yisrael.”

The rosh yeshivah repeated the message with visible emotion, telling the detainees that their sacrifice was providing inspiration for the entire Jewish people.

The day was also marked by a series of violent incidents involving protest participants.

In one of the most alarming episodes, video footage circulated online showing an individual allegedly drawing a handgun and pointing it toward demonstrators on Highway 1. The circumstances surrounding the incident were not immediately clear.

Earlier in the evening, a woman was reported to have been seriously injured during protest-related events on Highway 1. Additional details about the circumstances of her injuries were not immediately released.

In Beitar Illit, Deputy Mayor Gedalyahu Eisenstein, chairman of the city’s chasidic faction, was reportedly attacked during the convoy. Witnesses alleged that another driver intentionally struck his vehicle before physically assaulting him and attempting to choke him.

Additional confrontations broke out in Arad, where clashes were reported between local secular residents and members of the Ger chasidus participating in the protest.

A separate incident occurred on the Ayalon Highway near Tel Aviv, where participants alleged that a truck driver exited his vehicle and approached one of the convoy cars armed with a knife and clubs. According to those inside the vehicle, the driver struck the car and pounded on its windows while the occupants remained inside. Police were notified and launched a review of the incident.

Throughout the evening, organizers accused law enforcement authorities of attempting to suppress the protest by issuing citations and taking steps they claimed interfered with participants’ right to demonstrate.

The organizing committee said it had received numerous reports from drivers alleging police efforts to hinder the protest.

“This constitutes a serious attempt to violate a fundamental right in a democratic state, and we will not remain silent,” organizers said, adding that their legal team would pursue all available avenues to challenge what they described as infringements on freedom of expression and protest.

The committee also expressed appreciation to non-chareidi Israelis who spontaneously joined the demonstrations.

According to organizers, many drivers from the broader Israeli public chose to participate in solidarity with the struggle against the imprisonment of bnei Torah, contributing both to the size of the convoys and to the public attention generated by the protest.

Political reactions were swift and sharply divided.

Shas formally joined the protest after calls from senior gedolei Torah urging public demonstrations against the arrests. Senior party figures, including MK Michael Malkieli, Health Minister Uriel Busso, and MK Yonatan Mashriki, attended portions of the convoy.

Speaking at the event, Malkieli declared, “In the State of Israel, they are supposed to protect Torah learners and not persecute Torah learners.”

MK Meir Porush also strongly defended the protesters and condemned attacks against participants.

“We are following with concern the reports of harm to protest participants and call on the police to act forcefully against anyone who uses violence against the chareidi public,” Porush said.

He further charged that inflammatory rhetoric from public officials had contributed to the atmosphere surrounding the demonstrations.

Opposition politicians, meanwhile, sharply criticized the protest.

Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Liberman accused chareidi political leaders of “holding the chareidi public hostage” and blamed them for widespread traffic disruptions throughout the country.

National Unity leader Gadi Eisenkot similarly condemned the demonstrations, accusing the chareidi parties and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu of enabling what he described as the paralysis of the country’s working population.

Despite the criticism, organizers declared the protest a success, citing the large turnout and broad participation from communities across Israel.

Moti Babchik, one of the event’s organizers, said the demonstration had generated tremendous public support.

“The event was successful,” Babchik said, pointing to what he described as an exceptionally strong response from the public.

As thousands of vehicles made their way home late Thursday night, organizers said the message had been delivered loud and clear: the arrests of bnei Torah remain one of the most volatile and emotionally charged issues confronting Israel’s chareidi community.

Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu delivered a forceful defense of Israel’s wartime strategy on Wednesday, declaring that the country’s military successes were achieved because it ignored calls for restraint and acted decisively in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Iran. He also revealed that while he informed President Donald Trump before launching Israel’s operation against Iran, he never sought American approval.

Addressing the Federation of Local Authorities in Israel Conference, Netanyahu argued that Israel’s willingness to take bold military action fundamentally altered the strategic landscape and prevented far greater threats from materializing.

Focusing first on Lebanon, Netanyahu said Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah has transformed conditions along the northern border and created a buffer against future attacks.

“It’s true, Hezbollah is still in Lebanon, but there is something else there now. Today, there is a security zone there that prevents Hezbollah and its remnants from invading the Galilee, because that was the plan,” Netanyahu said.

According to the prime minister, Israeli forces have been systematically dismantling Hezbollah’s underground infrastructure, dramatically reducing the terror group’s capabilities.

“We are destroying all of this underground infrastructure. I was there in southern Lebanon and I saw it; it’s unbelievable. It is simply different,” he added.

Netanyahu acknowledged that significant security threats remain, pointing specifically to the growing danger posed by armed drones, which he described as one of the next major challenges facing Israel.

“We still have work to do, especially on what I call the ‘Manhattan Project’ – we will be the first in the world to solve the explosive drone problem, which is a global issue, and we are solving it,” he stated.

The prime minister argued that Israel’s battlefield accomplishments were possible only because it rejected demands to halt military operations before key objectives had been achieved.

“If we had followed your suggestion to stop at Rafah, we would have gotten nada, zero, gornisht, nothing. Zero. That is not who we are,” he said.

Turning to Syria, Netanyahu said critics had similarly urged Israel to avoid intervention there, advice he said would have been a mistake.

“They told us not to enter; they said it wasn’t wise. We entered with all our might, and we also saved our Druze brothers, whom I salute,” he said. “We will protect our Druze brothers and we will never abandon them.”

Netanyahu devoted considerable attention to Iran, describing the effort to prevent Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons as the central mission of his political life.

“Over the years, I have dedicated most of my adult life to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons; I saw it as an existential threat to our survival,” he said.

“I do not want the thousands-of-years-old existence of the Jewish people to be cut short by these Ayatollahs acquiring nuclear weapons.”

While highlighting years of covert Israeli activity inside Iran, Netanyahu said he eventually concluded that direct military action was necessary despite fierce opposition from skeptics.

“They told us: ‘A military operation in Iran? You are forbidden from doing that. Eliminating the leadership of Iran? No, no, not that.’ So I did not listen to them, and I led Operation Rising Lion,” Netanyahu said.

The prime minister said he personally selected the name of the operation to reflect what he views as the determination and courage of the Israeli people and military.

“I chose this name, ‘A people shall rise like a lion’ – because we have a nation of lions and an army of lions.”

Netanyahu also disclosed details of his communication with Trump before the operation began, stressing that Israel acted independently.

“I told him: ‘We are going into Iran, because I am not waiting for these oppressors who declare openly that they want to destroy us. I will not let that happen. Therefore, we are taking action.’ I didn’t ask for permission; I simply informed him of our plan,” he said.

The prime minister compared that decision to his earlier dispute with the Biden administration over Israel’s operation in Rafah, recalling warnings that military aid could be suspended if Israel proceeded.

“When they told me, ‘Do not enter Rafah,’ the President of the United States said he would halt the weapons supply,” Netanyahu said. “I said I respect him very much, and he even came here at the beginning of the war, but we have no choice, we will enter – and if we must, we will fight with our fingernails.”

Netanyahu said moments arise when Israel must stand firm regardless of outside pressure, even from its closest allies.

“Because there are moments when you must know how to tell even the President of the United States what we stand for,” he added.

The prime minister concluded by criticizing opponents who, he said, spent months urging Israel not to act and are now complaining that military victories were incomplete.

“The very same people who told us don’t enter Gaza, don’t enter Rafah, don’t enter Lebanon, don’t enter Syria, don’t enter Iran… today, they come and tell us, ‘But you didn’t finish the job,'” he said.

Arguing that critics would never have supported the operations that produced Israel’s gains, Netanyahu added: “They, who wanted zero, come and tell us, ‘You didn’t achieve 100%, only 80-90%.'”

{Matzav.com}

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday that Israel’s continued military operations in southern Lebanon are solely a response to Hezbollah attacks, while emphasizing that the United States is working to strengthen Lebanon’s ability to police its own territory and prevent future threats against Israel.

Speaking to reporters before departing Kuwait, Rubio discussed ongoing American-mediated talks between Israel and Lebanon, describing the negotiations as part of a broader effort to reduce Hezbollah’s influence and expand the authority of Lebanon’s official government and military.

“The whole purpose, the only reason Israel is in Lebanon is because Hezbollah launches rockets and drones from there,” Rubio said. “The reason why they’re involved there is because territory of Lebanon is being used to launch drones and missiles against Israel.”

According to Rubio, the long-term objective is to place more areas of southern Lebanon under the control of the Lebanese Armed Forces rather than Hezbollah.

“Our hope [is] that the Lebanese armed forces and the legitimate, sovereign Lebanese government will continue to be able to control and secure more and more of their own territory, because that’s who needs to control Lebanese territory, not a terrorist group like Hezbollah,” he stated.

While expressing confidence in the intentions of Lebanon’s government, Rubio acknowledged that its military still requires significant development before it can fully assume responsibility for security in the region.

“We have to build up that capacity. That’s been a longstanding challenge. I think the willingness is there. I think we need to help build up that capacity,” he said.

Rubio explained that current discussions include the possibility of establishing limited “pilot zones” where Lebanese forces would first assume responsibility before the concept is expanded elsewhere.

“This is not going to happen overnight,” he said.

The secretary also stressed that Israel has no desire to retain Lebanese territory and has repeatedly conveyed that its presence is tied exclusively to security concerns.

“I want to reiterate what the Israelis have told us, and that is the only reason why they’re there is because Hezbollah’s launching against their people. If Hezbollah wasn’t launching against them, they wouldn’t be there,” Rubio said.

A substantial portion of Rubio’s remarks focused on the ongoing diplomatic effort between Washington and Tehran.

Asked about the administration’s decision to provide a temporary 60-day waiver easing certain sanctions on Iranian oil exports, Rubio characterized the move as a tactical element of the negotiation process rather than a permanent policy shift.

“Anytime you enter into a negotiation, it’s a process of give and take. This is a temporary measure. It’s for 60 days,” he said.

Rubio warned that the sanctions relief is contingent on Iran honoring commitments it made during recent discussions in Switzerland and suggested that President Donald Trump retains a wide range of options if Tehran fails to comply.

“We expect them to live up to the commitments they made in Switzerland,” he said. “If they don’t live up to those commitments, the President has a lot of options at his disposal, including, I’m not saying he’s going to do it, I’m saying including reversing these sanctions.”

Emphasizing the administration’s expectations, Rubio added, “They’ve made very straight-up commitments in Switzerland, and the President has been very clear they need to keep those commitments.”

When asked about the timeline for allowing international inspectors access to Iran’s nuclear facilities, Rubio indicated that inspections should begin immediately.

“As soon as possible.”

“That needs to happen. That’s a commitment they made, and it’s one they need to keep,” he said.

Rubio also made clear that any eventual agreement must be comprehensive and enforceable, signaling that Washington will not settle for a symbolic arrangement.

“If we’re going to get a deal, it has to be a real deal, and it has to be a good deal,” he said. “If Iran wants to make a good and real deal, the United States is open to that. If they’re not, then, of course, the President has options.”

The secretary dismissed speculation that Israel is attempting to derail the current memorandum of understanding that governs the negotiations, insisting that Jerusalem remains fully informed regarding the administration’s efforts.

“We’re working on this. The Israelis exactly know what we’re working on. All of our partners in the region know what we’re working on. Everybody understands what the President’s red lines and positions are on this,” he said.

Rubio further revealed that negotiations will continue next week, with technical experts scheduled to resume discussions as diplomats work through a range of complex issues.

“The technical group will return on the 30th next week to continue those talks,” he said, explaining that the negotiations have been divided into multiple tracks addressing different components of a potential agreement.

Addressing concerns among Gulf Arab nations, Rubio pledged that the administration would remain in close contact with regional partners and would not pursue an arrangement that jeopardizes their security.

“We’re not going to do anything that undermines the security of our allies, our long-standing allies in the region,” he said.

{Matzav.com}