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A stormy confrontation broke out Wednesday during a Knesset Finance Committee session, as MK Zvi Sukkot of the Religious Zionism party and MK Iman Khatib-Yassin of Ra’am exchanged sharp accusations, prompting a Knesset security guard to physically separate them.

The dispute unfolded during deliberations over a bill to amend the Income Tax Ordinance to provide tax benefits for residents of threatened communities.

During the discussion, Khatib-Yassin argued, “On the one hand, they ask to bring money into the state treasury from citizens who pay taxes, and on the other hand, they give money to citizens who don’t really pay taxes…”

Sukkot interjected, saying, “Don’t pay taxes like there was no massacre, you’re insolent.”

“Speak to me with respect! Did you hear what he said?” Khatib-Yassin responded.

Sukkot continued, “No, you denied the October 7 massacre, insolence.”

“Did you hear what he said?” Khatib-Yassin repeated.

“Yes, you denied the massacre,” Sukkot replied.

“He called me insolent,” she said.

“Of course you’re insolent. You say that we don’t pay taxes? You denied the massacre, you support Hamas, you are a terrorist, a female terrorist, that’s what you are,” Sukkot shot back.

“Insolent, you are insolent,” Khatib-Yassin responded.

In the background, Arab lawmakers shouted at Sukkot, “You support terror.”

MK Ahmad Tibi joined the fray, shouting, “You piece of nothing. The sole of her shoe. You’re nothing. Don’t call her terrorists.”

Sukkot responded, “You are Hamas supporters, a bunch of terrorists, all of you. Not once did you condemn the massacre. You said it didn’t happen at all, insolence. You call us ‘they also don’t pay taxes!’ You brought the terror!”

“Shame!” Khatib-Yassin yelled.

Sukkot concluded the exchange by telling her, “Go to Gaza.”

The altercation intensified to the point that a Knesset guard intervened to separate the lawmakers as shouting continued around the committee table.

{Matzav.com}

Efforts to advance the draft law remain stalled, as chareidi parties said that a recently submitted preliminary draft does not provide sufficient grounds to resume negotiations. Sharp disagreements over canceling tens of thousands of draft orders already issued and lowering the exemption age have left talks at an impasse.

Earlier this week, coalition officials believed the legislation was back on track after chareidi lawmakers issued an ultimatum demanding that the legal adviser to the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee produce a written version reflecting clauses that had already been agreed upon. Although the draft was delivered a day later than expected, a preliminary text was submitted Monday, seemingly clearing the way for renewed committee discussions.

However, it has now emerged that the chareidi parties do not view the draft as adequate to return to the negotiating table. According to sources familiar with the discussions, United Torah Judaism faction chairman MK Uri Maklev remarked, “We have nothing with which to go to the rabbis.”

Negotiations remain stuck primarily over two key issues. First, chareidi representatives are demanding that approximately 80,000 draft notices already sent out be annulled. Second, they are insisting that the exemption age be set at 26 rather than 29.

Ariel Atias, often described as the “architect” of the draft law, visited the Knesset again Tuesday and met with legal advisers in an effort to bridge the gaps. The meeting, however, did not produce a breakthrough, and both sides reportedly maintained their positions.

At the same time, chareidi parties are weighing the possibility of submitting a revised version of the bill that would exclude the two disputed clauses. They are currently consulting legal experts to assess whether the Supreme Court would invalidate the entire law if it lacks those provisions, or instead instruct the Knesset to amend the problematic sections while allowing the rest of the legislation to stand.

{Matzav.com}

A brief moment in the Knesset today drew widespread attention after Settlement and National Missions Minister Orit Strock politely declined to shake the hand of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the conclusion of his address, an interaction that many observers described as creating a kiddush Hashem.

After delivering what was described as a historic and passionate speech before the Knesset, Modi stepped down into the plenum to greet lawmakers and attendees personally.

As he made his way among members of Knesset, the Indian leader shook hands with those present. An unusual exchange occurred when he naturally extended his hand to Minister Strock, a member of the Religious Zionism party who is religious. She did not take his hand.

Video footage of the encounter, which quickly circulated online and sparked discussion, shows Strock raising her hands respectfully and explaining to Modi that, according to Jewish law, she refrains from physical contact. Modi appeared to accept the explanation without incident.

{Matzav.com}

Slabodka rosh yeshiva Rav Dov Landau delivered a pointed message Tuesday night to yeshiva bochurim, warning them not to endanger themselves in response to recent arrests and stressing the importance of listening to their roshei yeshiva and remaining focused on Torah learning.

The rosh yeshiva spoke during a shmuess at Yeshivas Zichron Yaakov, where he addressed how bochurim should conduct themselves in light of a series of arrests carried out over the past 24 hours.

Opening his remarks, Rav Landau said, “We are learning Torah. One must understand that today the situation is not simple. They are pursuing bnei Torah. May Hashem protect us from them, from all their accusations and from all these matters. But one thing must be understood: do not do anything dangerous, do not engage in dangerous actions. Everything should be done according to what the rosh yeshiva says. Do not act on your own, do not be overly clever. Be wise in Gemara, not in these matters. Listen to everything you are told.”

He continued with a strong warning against risky behavior. “And it is very bad,” the rosh yeshiva added, “that people act and endanger themselves and others. All kinds of actions that are being done are very bad things. They accomplish nothing. It is not fear of Heaven and not anything.”

Rav Landau further instructed the students to adhere closely to the guidance of their rabbinic leadership. “In the yeshiva, you must listen to what the rosh yeshiva says, to the one who guides you. Obey him in every matter. Do not endanger yourselves with all these things. These are very bad matters. Nothing good comes of them.”

He emphasized the importance of following direction and not acting independently. “There are people,” he said, “who do very improper things. Hashem should have mercy on us. There is no need to elaborate. Whatever you are told — listen. In every single matter. Do not initiate things on your own. Do not endanger yourselves in any way. And if you take risks, afterward you bring problems upon yourselves and upon others.”

Concluding his address, Rav Landau returned to the central theme of immersion in Torah study. “We have nothing but learning — to learn, to be immersed in learning. That is everything. May Hashem help us to be immersed in learning, and we will all be saved from all the harsh decrees, and there will be only good for Israel, until the coming of the righteous redeemer speedily in our days, Amen.”

As previously reported, five yeshiva students were arrested over the past day in different locations across the country and transferred to the military police for further processing.

Among those detained was a yeshiva student arrested Tuesday morning at Ben Gurion Airport, as well as another student who was taken into custody at the draft office in Tel Hashomer. The latter had arrived with documents intended to arrange a service exemption but was arrested due to a three-day period of alleged draft evasion.

The student arrested at the draft office was sentenced to 20 days in prison and is receiving legal assistance from support organizations. A similar 20-day sentence was imposed on Itai Ben Merav, a student at Yeshivat Ateret Yaakov, who was arrested at 2 a.m. at his home in Beit Shemesh.

During the Beit Shemesh arrest, 12 military police officers arrived at the residence, six of whom entered the home and conducted what family members described as an extensive search. Relatives said the officers left the house in significant disarray after concluding their operation.

Two additional young men were arrested at 4 a.m. in the same city by civilian police and later handed over to military authorities. The detainees were identified as Menachem Mendel Ben Esther Sheindel, who was sentenced to 20 days in prison, and Yehuda Shimon Ben Sheindel Leah, who is classified as a prosecutorial draft evader.

{Matzav.com}

MK Yoav Ben Tzur sharply criticized what he described as selective enforcement against chareidi draft evaders during a speech Wednesday in the Knesset plenum, accusing authorities of unfairly targeting law-abiding members of the chareidi community.

Ben Tzur addressed the chamber during a debate on an urgent motion submitted to the justice minister regarding enforcement policies toward chareidi draft evaders. In his remarks, he charged that a community with low crime rates and strong civic commitment was being stigmatized.

“You have taken a quality, law-abiding public, a public that loves the country and contributes enormously to all segments of society. You have taken the community with the lowest crime rate and turned it into a leper society, a society whose finest sons are being arrested for the ‘sin’ of learning Torah. Who are you fighting against? Your own people?” Ben Tzur said.

He went on to question the focus of recent arrests. “Who are you arresting?” he asked. “Outstanding young men who have never encountered the police, because they are law-abiding? The chareidi community and its leadership respect IDF soldiers. There are chareidi soldiers within the IDF who have fought, and to all our sorrow, chareidi soldiers have also fallen in battle. The enemy did not distinguish between us and did not carry out selection against us in war, but there are those who, for small political reasons, are carrying out selection within our own people.”

Ben Tzur further accused political opponents of placing partisan interests above national concerns. “You are not lovers of the land, you are lovers of politics! The good of the IDF is not before your eyes, nor the good of the state, only divisive rhetoric guides you. What I, as labor minister — a chareidi with a kippah and beard — have done for reservists, most of those who shout here and in the media against the chareidi community have not done. In fact, you have done nothing, not even passed a single benefit for them.”

{Matzav.com}

Dear YWN, How many times are we going to keep writing about the seminary insanity before someone actually does something about it? I am not even addressing the degrading application process, the subtle humiliations, the endless interviews, the social competition over which “name” you were accepted to, or the tired lines about “rebranding” and suddenly […]

Kamala Harris said she has yet to determine whether she will pursue another campaign for the presidency, offering a brief but notable response during a podcast interview that is expected to fuel renewed discussion about her political future.

Speaking with podcaster and author Sharon McMahon, Harris stated, “I haven’t decided — I might.”

Her remarks are likely to add momentum to speculation surrounding a possible 2028 run and keep her name circulating in discussions about who will lead the Democratic Party in the next presidential cycle.

Harris, who previously served as vice president and as a U.S. senator representing California, became the Democratic nominee in 2024 after President Joe Biden chose not to run for a second term. She was defeated in the general election by President Donald Trump, a loss that triggered widespread internal debate among Democrats over campaign messaging, coalition strategy, and the party’s broader direction.

In the months following the election, Harris has kept a relatively restrained public profile. She has appeared at a limited number of events and participated in policy-related conversations but has largely refrained from publicly dissecting her defeat or outlining her long-term political ambitions.

During the same podcast appearance, Harris discussed her recently released book and dismissed the notion that it was designed as a stepping stone for another campaign.

“The book was about a specific period in time,” she said. “There was no agenda beyond what we’ve discussed already, which is just sharing with people the reality of the experience and hopefully allowing people to see something of themselves.”

Political observers note that even a cautious or noncommittal statement about a potential presidential run can influence early groundwork, including fundraising networks, activist engagement, and behind-the-scenes organizing well in advance of the primary season. A number of Democratic governors and lawmakers are already being mentioned as possible 2028 candidates, though the prospective field remains unsettled.

Harris did not indicate when she expects to reach a decision about another White House campaign, nor did she specify which considerations would ultimately guide her choice.

Party strategists say Democrats continue to analyze the 2024 results and are weighing how best to expand their support in future national elections.

{Matzav.com}

Noam chairman Avi Maoz delivered a scathing speech in the Knesset last week in which he accused senior figures in the security and judicial systems for leading a mutiny against the elected political leadership. In the presence of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Maoz accused former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar and senior Shin Bet officials […]

The Trump administration is pressing Iran to accept a nuclear agreement with no expiration date, seeking to eliminate the “sunset clauses” that limited the duration of restrictions in past deals, according to a new report. U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff told a private gathering of donors affiliated with American Israel Public Affairs Committee on Tuesday […]

Iran pushed back Wednesday against U.S. President Donald Trump’s pressure tactics ahead of critical talks in Geneva over Tehran’s nuclear program, alternating between calling his remarks “big lies” and saying negotiations may yield an agreement through “honorable diplomacy.” The remarks by two Iranian officials came a day before the talks and as America has assembled its biggest deployment of aircraft […]

Sen. John Fetterman joins ‘America’s Newsroom’ reacting to Democrats either skipping the State of the Union address or heckling President Trump and refusing to stand on key issues.

WATCH:

Kol Yisroel Embarks on its Third Mission to Albany in Five Weeks With remarkable siyata d’Shmaya, Kol Yisroel has completed its third advocacy mission to Albany in just five weeks — a testament to the organization’s energy, consistency, and deep-rooted sense of achrayus toward Klal Yisroel. Led by Shmulie Hartstein, Kol Yisroel continues to “hit the […]

Leah Avruch’s debut single, “1, 2, 3,” is now released. Written by Leah and developed in collaboration with Eli Gerstner, the song is a vibrant pop dance track built around a simple but powerful idea: counting our blessings. With its upbeat energy and infectious rhythm, “1, 2, 3” reflects Leah’s desire to inspire gratitude and […]

Rep. Ilhan Omar said Wednesday that she does not regret shouting at President Donald Trump during his State of the Union address, dismissing repeated efforts by CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer to get her to reconsider or apologize for her actions.

Omar made the remarks during an appearance on “The Situation Room,” after video circulated online showing her yelling toward the president while he discussed federal immigration enforcement during Tuesday night’s address.

Sitting next to Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., Omar repeatedly interrupted, accusing Trump of bearing responsibility for the deaths of two Minneapolis residents, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, who were fatally shot by federal immigration agents in January.

One of the individuals Omar brought as a guest, Aliya Rahman, was reportedly taken into custody by Capitol Police after allegedly causing a disturbance during the event.

During the interview, Blitzer referenced comments from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., who had advised Democrats opposed to the speech either to skip it entirely or to register their objections silently.

“Should you have just boycotted the address? And do you think you violated the guidelines set out by your own leader?” Blitzer asked.

Omar rejected the notion that she should have stayed quiet or stayed away.

“No, I think it was really unavoidable,” she said. “The president talked about protecting Americans, and I just had to remind him that his administration was responsible for killing two of my constituents.”

Blitzer continued pressing the issue, noting that Democrats had previously criticized Republicans who disrupted President Joe Biden’s State of the Union speech.

“Many members of your Democratic Party criticized their Republican counterparts when they interrupted President Biden’s State of the Union address, as a lot of us remember,” he said. “Do you have any regrets at all about the interaction we played between you and President Trump just last night?”

“I do not,” Omar said. “And I think many people look at that moment when the president says it is our responsibility to protect Americans, and he does not acknowledge the fact that two Americans, two of my constituents, two of our neighbors, were killed.

“And it was important for me to just remind the American people that the president and his administration was responsible for killing two American citizens.”

Blitzer made a final attempt to ask whether, in retrospect, she might have handled the situation differently, including by boycotting the address altogether. Omar remained firm, maintaining that her presence in the chamber — along with her guests — was deliberate and meaningful.

She said she attended the speech with four guests from Minnesota and insisted that it was important for the people she represents to see her there.

“It was important for us to be there to bear witness, to hold the space for our constituents that have lived through an occupation from federal law enforcement, that have been terrorized, that have seen our neighbors been killed and traumatized in so many ways,” Omar said.

WATCH:

https://matzav.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Download.mp4

{Matzav.com}

A senior Hezbollah official said Wednesday that the Lebanese terrorist group would refrain from intervening militarily if the United States carries out limited strikes on Iran, but warned that any attempt to topple the regime or target Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei would trigger a response. Speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, the official said, […]

An Israeli man who said he was the last surviving member of the Jewish community of Najran in southwestern Saudi Arabia has died at the age of about 82. David Shuker, who spent his final years in Israel, became a public symbol of a largely forgotten chapter of Jewish history in the Arabian Peninsula after […]

Vice President JD Vance said Wednesday that the United States has obtained information indicating Iran is attempting to reconstitute its nuclear program, while emphasizing that President Donald Trump is pursuing a diplomatic resolution but retains additional options if talks fail.

Speaking about Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Vance made clear that preventing Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon remains a central U.S. objective.

“The principle is very simple, Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. If they try to rebuild a nuclear weapon, that causes problems for us. In fact, we’ve seen evidence that they have tried to do exactly that. So the President is sending those negotiators to try to address that problem,” Vance said.

NOW – Vance says, "we've seen evidence," Iran is trying to rebuild nuclear weapons. pic.twitter.com/dCw7aMcQYq

— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) February 25, 2026

He underscored that the administration’s preferred course is negotiation, while noting that other measures remain on the table if diplomacy does not succeed.

“As the President has said repeatedly, he wants to address that problem diplomatically, but of course the President has other options as well.”

President Trump delivered a similar message during his State of the Union address Tuesday evening. He said that last June’s military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities had “obliterated” the country’s program, but added that Iran has since killed more than 32,000 protesters and is working to restart its nuclear activities. He also cautioned that Tehran is advancing missile technology capable of reaching Europe and potentially the United States.

“We’re in negotiations with them. They want to make a deal, but we haven’t heard those secret words, ‘We will never have a nuclear weapon’. My preference is to solve this problem through diplomacy. But one thing is certain: I will never allow the world’s number one sponsor of terror to have a nuclear weapon. Can’t let that happen.”

“No nation should ever doubt America’s resolve. We have the most powerful military on earth – hopefully, we seldom have to use it,” continued the President.

{Matzav.com}

The FBI served search warrants Wednesday at the Los Angeles Unified School District’s headquarters and the home of its leader, a former Superintendent of the Year who was knighted by Spain for his work. The nature of the federal investigation involving the nation’s second-largest school district and Superintendent Alberto Carvalho’s home was not immediately clear. The district […]

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Vice President JD Vance is set to announce that $259.5 million in Medicaid reimbursements to Minnesota will be withheld while federal officials conduct a fraud investigation, along with a nationwide halt on new firms seeking Medicare subsidies for durable medical equipment such as canes and walkers, The Post has learned.

Vance will make the announcement alongside Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, a day after President Trump declared a “war on fraud” during his State of the Union address.

The decision to suspend reimbursement payments to Minnesota affects nearly half of the claims submitted by the state for its Medicaid program serving low-income residents during the most recent fiscal quarter.

The action, described as a “deferment,” targets 14 state-run programs flagged as particularly vulnerable to fraudulent activity. These include services such as autism treatment, in-home rehabilitation, non-emergency medical transportation and overnight supervision. Some of those programs have previously been linked to a major fraud case in the Twin Cities area.

An administration official said Medicaid reimbursements for Minnesota will remain on hold until “further investigation is completed” into potential improper billing practices.

Earlier this year, the Trump administration announced a broader review of Medicaid payments, pausing certain future disbursements to multiple states while investigations were underway. In January, social-services funding was temporarily frozen for five Democrat-led states, including Minnesota and New York. The latest move, however, goes further by affecting claims that have already been submitted for reimbursement.

Separately, the administration is introducing a new policy that will block additional companies from newly enrolling in Medicare’s reimbursement system for durable medical equipment.

Federal officials reported that last year durable medical equipment billing carried an error rate of roughly 20%, amounting to about $1.5 billion in questionable charges. Of that total, approximately $1 billion is believed to involve fraudulent claims, according to officials.

The temporary freeze on new enrollments is intended to give regulators time to scrutinize companies already participating in the program and remove those engaged in improper conduct.

While the Minnesota Medicaid action centers on a Democrat-led state, officials noted that problems tied to Medicare equipment billing are largely concentrated in Republican-led states. One official pointed to elevated levels of suspected fraud in South Florida and in Harris County, Texas.

During his State of the Union address, Trump said Vance would oversee a nationwide campaign to combat misuse of federal benefit programs.

“I am officially announcing the war on fraud to be led by our great vice president, JD Vance,” Trump said, predicting, “we will actually have a balanced budget overnight. It will go very quickly. That’s the kind of money you’re talking about.”

{Matzav.com}