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The United Arab Emirates quietly joined military operations against Iran during the recent conflict, carrying out dozens of airstrikes in coordination with the United States and Israel, according to a report published Friday by The Wall Street Journal.

The newspaper reported that Emirati aircraft struck a range of Iranian military and energy-related targets throughout the war, with operations continuing even after a ceasefire had been announced.

According to the report, the UAE adopted a far more confrontational posture toward Iran than neighboring Saudi Arabia, exposing significant disagreements between UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The two leaders reportedly differed sharply over how aggressively to confront Tehran and manage the broader regional crisis.

The Wall Street Journal had previously disclosed that the UAE was directly involved in attacks on Iranian infrastructure during the conflict, marking a major escalation in Abu Dhabi’s role in the war.

One of the most notable operations reportedly carried out by the UAE targeted an oil refinery on Iran’s Lavan Island in the Persian Gulf.

Sources cited by the newspaper said the strike was conducted in early April, around the same time President Donald Trump announced a temporary ceasefire following a month of sustained aerial attacks.

The operation reportedly caused extensive damage.

The aerial assault reportedly ignited a massive fire at the facility and successfully disabled a significant portion of the refinery’s production capacity.

The report comes against the backdrop of repeated Iranian attacks on the UAE during the war. Tehran targeted the Gulf nation on multiple occasions, including one incident in which two waves of cruise missiles were launched at Emirati territory.

That missile attack left three people injured and underscored the growing risks faced by Gulf states that became involved in the conflict.

The revelations provide new insight into the extent of the regional coalition aligned against Iran during the war and suggest that the UAE played a far more active military role than had previously been publicly known.

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu visited the northern front on Friday, where he met with senior military leaders and troops operating against Hezbollah, praising the IDF’s progress and declaring that Israeli forces are inflicting significant damage on the terror organization throughout Lebanon.

Joining Netanyahu during the visit were Defense Minister Israel Katz and Deputy IDF Chief of Staff Maj.-Gen. Tamir Yadai. The delegation toured positions of the IDF’s 36th Division near the northern border and received operational briefings from Northern Command chief Maj.-Gen. Rafi Milo and 36th Division commander Brig.-Gen. Yiftach Norkin.

The Israeli leaders were updated on ongoing military activity in Lebanon and held discussions with brigade commanders currently overseeing combat operations in the field.

Addressing troops and commanders, Netanyahu emphasized the determination he witnessed among those serving on the front lines.

“I came here today with the Minister of Defense, with the Deputy Chief of Staff, with the Commander of the Northern Command, with the Division Commander, with the commanders you see here, and with the soldiers in the field. I spoke with the brigade commanders who are currently in the field,” Netanyahu said. “I hear them, and I also hear the soldiers, some of whom are standing here behind me; there is an immense fighting spirit. From here, the battle against Hezbollah in the north is being managed.”

The prime minister pointed to what he described as substantial military achievements, saying Israeli forces have expanded their operational reach and established control over strategic areas.

“And I must tell you that there are very impressive results here. Our forces have crossed the Litani; they have advanced to controlling positions. We are operating in Beirut, in the Beqaa, across the entire width of the front, and we are dealing Hezbollah a crushing blow,” the Prime Minister said.

Netanyahu rejected any suggestion that the assessment was exaggerated, saying battlefield reports from both commanders and soldiers reflected the same reality.

“When I say this, it is no empty statement. The brigade commanders tell me, as do the soldiers, that in every contact with them, in every encounter, we are both eliminating Hezbollah and causing them to flee,” Netanyahu continued.

He attributed the military’s successes to the determination and morale of the troops engaged in combat operations and praised both the soldiers and their leadership.

“And it is this spirit that brings us these achievements. I salute you. You are lions. You have commanders who are lions, and you are proving the strength of the spirit of the Israel Defense Forces. Keep going, with great success, until the very end,” he concluded.

The visit comes as Israeli forces continue operations against Hezbollah positions throughout Lebanon, with military officials maintaining pressure on the terror group across multiple sectors of the northern front.

{Matzav.com}

[Videos below.] Blue Origin suffered a major setback Thursday when its New Glenn rocket exploded during a ground test at Cape Canaveral, Florida, sending a huge fireball and plume of smoke into the sky and dealing another blow to Jeff Bezos’ efforts to compete in the rapidly evolving commercial space industry.

Videos captured the dramatic blast as spectators watched in disbelief. The towering rocket was engulfed in flames moments after the test began, producing a massive explosion that prompted onlookers to exclaim, “Oh no!” and “Oh my God!”

Blue Origin later acknowledged the incident in a brief statement posted on X, describing the event as an “anomaly” and confirming that “all personnel have been accounted for.”

The accident adds to a growing list of challenges facing Bezos’ aerospace company as it attempts to establish itself as a major player in the race to dominate space transportation and exploration.

At the time of the explosion, the New Glenn vehicle was not conducting a launch. Instead, engineers were carrying out a standard static-fire test, a procedure in which the rocket’s engines are ignited while the vehicle remains anchored to the launch pad.

The failed test is particularly significant because New Glenn is expected to handle a wide range of future missions, including deployments of Amazon’s Project Kuiper broadband satellites, NASA cargo, and commercial payloads. No flight had been scheduled when the explosion occurred.

Bezos addressed the incident on social media, emphasizing that investigators are still working to determine what went wrong.

“It’s too early to know the root cause but we’re already working to find it,” Bezos wrote on X.

“Very rough day, but we’ll rebuild whatever needs rebuilding and get back to flying. It’s worth it.”

Standing 98 meters (321 feet) tall, New Glenn is Blue Origin’s flagship launch vehicle and a central component of the company’s long-term strategy to challenge Elon Musk’s SpaceX, whose Starship rocket program continues to advance.

Musk responded to news of the explosion with a brief message expressing sympathy for the setback, describing the mishap as “most unfortunate.”

The latest failure follows another recent problem for New Glenn. Only weeks ago, the rocket fell short during a mission intended to place a communications satellite into its designated orbit, triggering a formal review.

Although the mission successfully recovered and reused a booster stage, the uncrewed flight was unable to deploy a satellite for AST SpaceMobile into the planned orbit.

Following that mission, the Federal Aviation Administration directed Blue Origin to undertake a “mishap investigation,” a review process that concluded earlier this month.

In comments released last week, the company said regulators had accepted its findings.

“The FAA has approved our NG-3 report, and corrective measures have been implemented,” Blue Origin said last week, explaining that thermal conditions caused one of the rocket’s engines to not achieve its full thrust, causing it to miss its target orbit.

Florida Congressman Mike Haridopolos, whose district includes Cape Canaveral, said he had been in communication with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman after the explosion.

“I am grateful there were no reported injuries and thankful for the first responders, engineers, and launch crews who acted quickly,” Haridopolos said.

The explosion comes as Blue Origin continues working with NASA on technology intended to support future Artemis lunar missions, including the development of a lunar landing system.

Isaacman confirmed that NASA was monitoring the situation and stressed the difficulty of building powerful new launch vehicles.

“Spaceflight is unforgiving, and developing new heavy-lift launch capability is extraordinarily difficult,” he wrote on X.

“We will work with our partners to support a thorough investigation of this anomaly, assess near-term mission impacts, and get back to launching rockets.”

NASA’s current plans call for testing orbital rendezvous operations involving lunar landers in 2027, with a crewed mission to the Moon targeted before the end of 2028.

Whether those goals can be achieved on schedule remains uncertain. Both Blue Origin and SpaceX still face major technical hurdles, and many analysts in the aerospace industry have repeatedly questioned whether either company can meet the ambitious timelines required for upcoming lunar missions.

{Matzav.com}

A forthcoming memoir by Jill Biden offers a behind-the-scenes account of the dramatic hours following President Joe Biden’s decision to abandon his 2024 re-election campaign, portraying Vice President Kamala Harris as aggressively pressing for an immediate presidential endorsement.

In her new book, View from the East Wing, scheduled for release on June 2, the former first lady describes a July 21, 2024, phone conversation in which Biden informed Harris that he would not seek another term, becoming the first sitting president since Lyndon Johnson in 1968 to step aside rather than pursue re-election.

According to excerpts published by USA Today, Jill Biden recalls Harris reacting with surprise when she heard the news.

“Oh my God, Joe. Are you sure?” Jill Biden recalls Harris saying before pushing for her boss’s backing, according to an excerpt reported by USA Today.

The memoir describes Harris as quickly turning the discussion toward securing Biden’s endorsement for her own candidacy.

When Joe Biden suggested postponing any endorsement announcement until the following morning, Harris reportedly objected and insisted: “I want it sooner.”

As Biden attempted to buy time and told Harris he would reconnect with her after reaching a decision, she continued to press the issue.

After the president said he would call her back “when I figure this out,” the veep pressed: “Could you do it soon? Say, in 20 minutes?”

Jill Biden writes that she ultimately removed herself from the conversation, suggesting she had heard enough of the exchange.

At that point, Jill Biden writes, she walked out of the room, apparently unable to bear any more.

Within roughly 30 minutes of announcing his withdrawal from the race, Biden publicly endorsed Harris in a separate statement, effectively ending any possibility of a contested fight for the Democratic nomination ahead of the party’s convention in Chicago the following month.

The book also revisits the long-standing tensions between Harris and Jill Biden, whose strained relationship dates back years before they served together in the White House.

One of the most notable flashpoints came during a Democratic primary debate in 2019, when Harris sharply criticized Biden over his earlier opposition to federally mandated busing programs intended to promote school integration.

Jill Biden later defended her husband in a call with supporters, expressing outrage over Harris’ attack.

“With what he cares about, what he fights for, what he’s committed to, you get up there and call him a racist without basis?”

According to reports cited in the memoir, Jill Biden’s reservations about Harris did not end there. After Joe Biden secured the Democratic nomination, she reportedly opposed selecting Harris as his running mate.

As recounted in the book, Jill questioned the decision at the time, saying: “There are millions of people in the United States. Why do we have to choose the one who attacked Joe?”

{Matzav.com}

President Trump announced Friday that he is preparing to make a final decision on a proposed agreement with Iran that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, end the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports, and potentially involve American participation in removing and destroying Iran’s remaining enriched uranium reserves.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump emphasized that any agreement must ensure Iran can never obtain a nuclear weapon, indicating that the United States would oversee the elimination of uranium buried at Iranian nuclear sites damaged during last year’s military campaign.

“The enriched material, sometimes referred to as ‘Nuclear Dust,’ which is buried deep underground with virtually collapsed mountains, caused by our powerful B2 Bomber attack 11 months ago, sitting on top of it, will be unearthed by the United States … in close coordination and conjunction with the Islamic Republic of Iran, plus the International Atomic Energy Agency, and DESTROYED,” he wrote.

Trump further asserted that the United States possesses unique capabilities necessary for such an operation.

“He also noted that ‘it is agreed’ that the US ‘is the only Country, along with China, with the mechanical capability’ of extracting the uranium.”

Questions remain about whether the destruction of Iran’s enriched uranium is actually part of the proposed agreement. White House descriptions of the draft accord released Thursday did not include any commitment by Tehran to eliminate its existing stockpile.

It was not immediately clear whether Trump was referring to an additional understanding still being negotiated or a provision already included in the draft framework.

Iranian officials quickly pushed back on Trump’s characterization of the proposal. The semi-official Fars news agency dismissed the president’s comments as a “mixture of truth and falsehood” used in an “attempt to portray a fabricated victory.”

Despite the disagreement over details, the proposed accord would represent the most significant diplomatic development since the United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran on Feb. 28. Those operations were aimed at preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, degrading its military and missile infrastructure, and increasing pressure on the ruling regime.

According to the memorandum of understanding put forward by the Trump administration, the cease-fire would be extended for an additional 60 days, maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz would resume, and both sides would continue negotiations over unresolved nuclear issues, including future limits on uranium enrichment.

Trump reiterated what he described as a non-negotiable requirement for any deal.

“Iran must agree that they will never have a Nuclear Weapon or Bomb.”

He also said Iran would lose the ability to collect fees from vessels traveling through the strategic waterway, guaranteeing “unrestricted shipping traffic, in both directions.”

Addressing security concerns in the region, Trump stated that mines in the waterway would be removed.

“All water mines (bombs), if any, will be terminated (we have removed, through detonation, numerous such mines with our great underwater mine sweepers,” he added.

Iran has consistently maintained that its nuclear activities are intended solely for civilian purposes and has repeatedly denied pursuing nuclear weapons.

Supporters of Trump’s approach argue that previous agreements failed to adequately address Iran’s ability to retain enriched uranium and maintain enrichment capabilities. They point to the 2015 nuclear agreement negotiated by President Barack Obama, which stated that Tehran “will ensure the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program,” but did not require the complete dismantling of Iran’s enrichment infrastructure.

For that reason, Trump has focused on the complete removal of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile and preventing the country from restoring enrichment operations in the future.

Although Trump said he was heading to the Situation Room to decide whether to move forward with the agreement, some of his comments suggested that at least one element of the proposal may already have been settled.

“Ships caught in the Strait due to our amazing and unprecedented Naval Blockade, which will now be lifted, may start the process of ‘heading home!’” he said. “Say HELLO to your wives, husbands, parents, and families from me, your favorite President!”

Iran has reportedly insisted that the blockade be lifted before it reopens the Strait of Hormuz, according to Fars, leading some observers to interpret Trump’s remarks as an effort to satisfy that demand.

At the same time, Iranian officials continued to project confidence and signaled that pressure, rather than negotiations, had brought Washington to the table. Fars reported claims that Tehran would extract concessions from the United States “not through dialogue, but with missiles.”

Earlier Friday, Iran’s chief negotiator and parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, cautioned that Tehran would judge any agreement solely by actions rather than promises.

“We do not trust guarantees and words, only actions are the criterion. No action will be taken before the other side acts,” Qalibaf said in a post to X.

He also issued a cryptic warning about the balance between diplomacy and military readiness.

“In negotiations, we merely make them understand,” he said without adding context. “The winner of any agreement is the one who is better prepared for war from the day after.”

The White House confirmed Thursday that the proposal remains under active consideration. If approved, it would launch a new round of negotiations focused on broader questions surrounding Iran’s nuclear program and regional activities.

Iran is reportedly seeking extensive sanctions relief, a reduction of the American military presence in the region, and an end to Israel’s military operations in Lebanon as part of any long-term agreement.

Trump indicated that financial concessions are not currently part of the package.

“No money will be exchanged, until further notice.”

His statement suggested that economic relief and other financial arrangements could be deferred to future negotiations.

The latest developments come as Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Washington on Friday for meetings with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Pakistan has been playing a key intermediary role in efforts to broker an agreement between Washington and Tehran.

{Matzav.com}

Former Rishon LeZion Rav Yitzchak Yosef issued a strongly worded letter Friday morning condemning the small group of young attendees who booed and jeered when the name of Shas chairman Aryeh Deri was mentioned during a major gathering held Thursday night at Binyanei HaUma in Yerushalayim.

The letter, written personally in the Rav’s own handwriting, came after reports that several youths disrupted the event, known as Ve’atah Kisvu Lachem, by whistling and expressing disapproval when Deri’s name was referenced. According to those close to the Rav, he chose to handwrite the letter specifically to avoid any claims that it had been drafted by aides or political associates.

In the opening of the letter, Rav Yosef emphasized that the incident involved only a small minority and praised Deri’s longstanding service to the Sephardic community.

“Last night, at the distinguished event held at Binyanei HaUma in conjunction with the Rishon LeZion Prize and attended by the members of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah, including Rav Avraham Salim, Rav Yehudah Cohen and Rav Shlomo Machpud, there was a small group of youths who failed to show proper respect and harmed the honor of shlucha d’Rabbanan, who devotes himself on behalf of the Sephardic public, our very dear Rav, the emissary of the sages, HaRav HaGaon Rabbi Aryeh Deri, shlita, chairman of our movement.”

The former Sephardic Chief Rabbi sharply criticized the conduct of those involved and described the behavior as a serious breach of proper respect.

“And I am pained and protest this lack of derech eretz toward our friend, HaRav Rabbi Aryeh, shlita. This behavior is a serious matter!”

Rav Yosef concluded the letter with a call for unity within the Sephardic Torah community and the Shas movement.

“We need unity in our movement. We are all united!”

The letter was released just hours after Deri met with Rav Yosef at his home for what was described as an urgent consultation regarding the growing wave of arrests targeting yeshiva students and Torah learners.

During the gathering at Binyanei HaUma, Rav Yosef addressed the assembled bnei Torah and spoke about the arrests, saying: “Unfortunately, they are arresting only our Sephardic boys, but do not be afraid—you are the strength of the Jewish people.”

{Matzav.com}

In an unprecedented move, the Satmar Rebbe, Rav Aharon Teitelbaum, delivered an emergency address on Thursday that was broadcast live without advance notice to Satmar communities and institutions around the world. The dramatic speech focused entirely on what the Rebbe described as the growing spiritual threat posed by artificial intelligence, which he warned is causing widespread damage among yeshiva students, young women, and even married kollel members.

Speaking emotionally and at times through tears, the Rebbe compared the current challenge to earlier battles against computers, video technology, and smartphones. However, he stressed that AI presents a far greater danger, describing it as a spiritual breach unlike anything previously encountered.

Opening his remarks with verses from Tehillim, the Rebbe focused on the words, “Hashem, You have raised my soul from the grave,” explaining that without Divine assistance, a person cannot overcome the yetzer hara.

Quoting the Gemara in Sukkah, the Rebbe noted that the evil inclination grows stronger each day and that a person would be unable to defeat it without Heavenly help. He then connected that concept to modern technology.

“In our generation, the power of technology renews itself every day,” the Rebbe said. “Every day there are new tools, more advanced than the day before. In earlier generations, the yetzer hara grew stronger gradually. We fought those battles with all our strength in order to save Klal Yisroel, especially its young people, from falling into spiritual destruction.”

The Rebbe then reviewed the struggles against earlier technologies.

He recalled the fierce opposition to home computers and said that communities eventually found workable solutions, such as keeping computers out of the home and installing filters where computers were needed for business purposes.

According to the Rebbe, those safeguards protected countless Jewish families and prevented many people from being drawn into harmful influences.

He similarly pointed to the battles against video technology and smartphones.

“When video and smartphones arrived, there was still a solution,” he said. “A person could choose not to bring those devices into the home. Through those efforts, thousands of G-d-fearing Jews were protected, and holy Jewish homes remained pure and safeguarded.”

The central focus of the speech came when the Rebbe turned to artificial intelligence, which he repeatedly described as a new and uniquely dangerous spiritual threat.

“Now, however, a new yetzer hara has arrived, far worse than what came before. This yetzer hara is called AI.”

The Rebbe warned that AI can be accessed through virtually any device, including what are commonly considered kosher phones.

“Even through a kosher phone, one can become connected to this yetzer hara,” he said. “And it possesses an enormous power of attraction.”

The Rebbe distinguished between business-related uses of AI and other forms of engagement with the technology, saying that while business applications also require extreme caution, his primary concern was a second category that he believed presents grave spiritual risks.

“Oy li im omar, oy li im lo omar — woe is me if I speak and woe is me if I remain silent,” he said. “The children already know about this. The young boys and girls already know about it. Everything is open before them.”

The Rebbe went on to warn that AI provides easy access to material and influences that violate the most fundamental prohibitions of Judaism.

“Every forbidden thing — idolatry, immorality, bloodshed — this tool opens a path to it,” he declared. “It draws young people into those terrible places and pulls them down into the depths.”

At one point, the Rebbe became visibly emotional as he described what he said is already taking place within Jewish homes.

“Many, many young people are already immersed in this,” he said. “With every phone in the house, a person can connect to this kelipah in an instant. Parents are unaware. They have no way to supervise it.”

He repeatedly described the situation as “geferlich” — frightening and dangerous — and cried out, “Gevald! Gevald on the world!”

According to the Rebbe, the consequences are already being felt among young men, young women, and even married Torah scholars.

“There are victims,” he said. “Young bochurim, older bochurim, girls in Bais Yaakov, even young avreichim. They become connected to this kelipah and fall into spiritual ruin.”

He warned that such involvement destroys yiras Shamayim, weakens a person’s desire to learn Torah, and introduces influences that can fundamentally alter a person’s spiritual life.

“This removes all desire for the holy Torah,” he said. “It strips away the taste of Torah and brings the impurity of America directly into holy Jewish hearts.”

The Rebbe then issued one of the most striking directives of the address, calling on community members to intervene if they become aware of individuals who are involved with what he described as the dangerous side of AI.

Citing the Torah’s command regarding testimony and responsibility, he said that anyone aware of another person’s involvement has an obligation to notify the administration of the institution where that individual studies.

“If someone knows of another person who is connected to this kelipah, he must immediately inform the administration of the institution so they can save that soul from destruction,” the Rebbe said.

He stressed that the primary defense against the danger is personal vigilance and self-supervision, arguing that no external system of monitoring can effectively address the challenge.

Despite the grim tone of much of the speech, the Rebbe concluded with a message of hope for those who have already become involved with AI and wish to change course.

Returning to the verse “Hashem, You have raised my soul from the grave,” he cited the teachings of the Shelah HaKadosh and emphasized that no one is beyond recovery.

“Even someone who has already fallen into these traps can still be rescued,” he said. “A person can sever his connection to this kelipah and leave it behind.”

He urged listeners to turn to Hashem in sincere prayer and ask for the strength to break free from harmful influences and reclaim their spiritual lives.

“May Hakadosh Boruch Hu help us subdue the sitra achra,” the Rebbe concluded, “and merit to serve the Creator with a pure heart throughout our lives, ‘and I shall dwell in the House of Hashem for length of days.’ Amein.”

Senior Hamas officials have no intention of giving up their weapons and believe the terrorist organization has emerged stronger since the ceasefire agreement, according to a regional diplomat who recently met with members of the group’s leadership.

The diplomat told Israel’s Channel 13 News on Thursday that Hamas leaders are convinced the United States will prevent Israel from launching any major new military campaign in Gaza and believe their position in the territory continues to improve.

According to the diplomat, Hamas officials told him, “Our strength has increased since the ceasefire agreement. There is no reason whatsoever for us to disarm. Trump will not allow Netanyahu to advance large-scale and far-reaching military operations in Gaza. Israel must fulfill its side of the agreement.”

The diplomat said Hamas has gained confidence since the withdrawal of significant Israeli military forces from parts of Gaza and believes its grip on the territory will continue to grow.

He added that during one of the meetings, Hamas officials referenced the phrase “total victory” in Arabic and openly questioned whether Israel would ever be able to achieve such an outcome.

The report comes as Israel continues its campaign against Hamas leadership. On Wednesday, the IDF and Shin Bet confirmed the elimination of Mohammed Odeh, who had recently assumed command of Hamas’s military wing following the death of Izz al-Din Haddad.

According to the joint statement, Odeh was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City after months of intelligence-gathering aimed at tracking his movements and those of his associates. Several buildings used as hideouts in the Rimal neighborhood were targeted during the operation. A nearby apartment used by a Hamas terrorist who participated in the October 7 massacre and was part of Odeh’s support network was also struck.

“Odeh served as the head of Hamas’ military wing over the past two weeks, following the elimination of Izz al-Din Haddad,” the IDF Spokesperson said. “In recent years, Odeh served as the head of Hamas’ intelligence headquarters. In his role, he was responsible for planning and coordinating attack and raid targets carried out by Hamas terrorists during the October 7 massacre.

“In addition, throughout the war, Odeh was involved in directing numerous terrorist attacks and led intelligence collection and analysis efforts for the purpose of carrying out terrorist operations against IDF forces and Israeli civilians. The Hamas intelligence apparatus under his command supported the organization’s terrorist activities and provided the operational framework for actions that posed a threat to IDF troops and citizens of the State of Israel.”

{Matzav.com}

Sen. Cory Booker sharply criticized President Donald Trump’s immigration policies during a CNN appearance Thursday, describing the administration’s enforcement efforts as “chaotic, cruel and corrupt” after visiting a detention facility in Newark, New Jersey.

During an interview on The Lead, host Jake Tapper asked the New Jersey Democrat about his visit to the center and what he learned from speaking with detainees housed there.

“Senator, you went inside the facility yesterday. You said it is a moral stain in our nation. What did you see? What did the detainees tell you?” Tapper asked.

Booker responded by focusing on the facility’s private ownership and the conditions he said detainees are facing inside.

“Well, remember this is being run by a private corporation that showered Republicans with cash. Have $1 billion operation. So it is a private, for profit prison now profiting off of people’s pain. Inside, the conditions were insufficient and unacceptable. From lots of complaints about medical conditions, not getting the proper treatment from women, not getting the proper gynecological care when they were in severe crisis. And obviously, we’re hearing complaints about the food and more. Remember, these people are New Jersey’s neighbors. There are people in there that I talked to that have been in our country not years but decades, who have American children and grandchildren who have committed no crimes. A majority of the people there have committed no crimes. And so this is a problem and a moral abomination on multiple levels.”

Booker said his visit reinforced concerns he already had about the administration’s approach to immigration enforcement, arguing that Newark has become a focal point in the broader national debate over the issue.

“I now see again, this is a president with a chaotic, cruel and corrupt, immigration enforcement. And we’re seeing the epicenter now moving to Newark, New Jersey.”

Syria’s transitional government announced that it has uncovered additional remnants of Bashar Assad’s long-concealed chemical weapons program and detained 18 individuals allegedly connected to its development and operation, marking one of the most significant investigations into the former regime’s weapons activities since Assad’s downfall.

Assad was driven from power in December 2024 and later fled to Russia, one of the key allies that supported his government throughout Syria’s devastating civil war. Following his removal, control of the country passed to a transitional administration led by a coalition of insurgent and jihadist factions under Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former member of al-Qaeda.

Since taking power, Syria’s new leadership has distanced itself from both Russia and Iran, Assad’s longtime backers, while seeking closer ties with Western governments. Among its initiatives was joining the Global Coalition to Defeat the Islamic State in November 2025.

The government has also expanded cooperation with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), headquartered in The Hague. On Tuesday, the OPCW reported that inspectors had gained access to multiple chemical weapons facilities that had never previously been disclosed by the Assad government. During those inspections, teams discovered “dozens of undeclared chemical munitions such as aerial bombs and rockets, as well as separately found chemicals and related equipment.”

Authorities working alongside OPCW personnel have so far identified more than 70 rockets and aerial bombs apparently built to deliver chemical agents, similar to munitions linked to attacks carried out by Assad’s forces against opposition-held areas in 2013 and 2017.

Investigators also located materials associated with the production of sarin nerve gas. Among the substances recovered was hexamine, a compound with legitimate industrial uses that was previously identified as a component used by Assad’s chemical weapons specialists in the manufacturing process for weaponized sarin.

Previous investigations by OPCW and United Nations teams uncovered stores of chlorine and mustard gas used by Syrian military units. Officials say nearly 100 additional sites across Syria remain on the list for future inspection.

Mahamad Katoub, the transitional government’s representative to the OPCW, described the discoveries and arrests as a major victory for both Syria and the international community.

“Today we delivered for the Syrian people and for the world, despite the secrecy, the danger, and the enormous security challenges,” he said.

“It is the first time such munitions could be recovered before they were used in crimes against the Syrian people,” he added.

Katoub declined to publicly identify the 18 people taken into custody but said those arrested include “high-level military, political, and technical officials.” He noted that at least four of the suspects are already under sanctions imposed by the United States, the United Kingdom, or the European Union.

Earlier this month, on May 8, Syria’s Interior Ministry announced the arrest of former Brig. Gen. Khardal Ahmed Dayoub, a senior Assad-era military commander accused of involvement in a 2013 chemical attack near Damascus. Authorities also linked him to chemical assaults in Eastern Ghouta.

Officials charged Dayoub with “direct involvement in systematic violations against civilians,” including responsibility for attacks that killed approximately 1,400 people.

OPCW Director-General Amb. Fernando Arias said Wednesday that the latest findings reinforce longstanding conclusions that Assad’s government concealed critical information about the scope of its chemical weapons activities.

“confirms the Secretariat’s repeated assessment since 2014 that the former Syrian regime withheld information and unsuccessfully attempted to mislead the Secretariat and the international community on the extent of its chemical weapons program.”

Arias praised the cooperation shown by Syria’s current authorities during the investigation.

“I welcome Syria’s cooperation and support for this deployment,” Arias said.

He stressed that substantial work remains ahead and called on Syrian officials to fully account for and eliminate the materials that have been uncovered.

“The Syrian authorities now need to declare and destroy what has been found, under the Secretariat’s verification and to continue supporting the Secretariat in unveiling the full scope of the chemical weapons program they have inherited,” he added.

{Matzav.com}

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani renewed his criticism of federal immigration enforcement on Thursday, accusing Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents of carrying out actions he described as “cruel and inhumane” and defending the city’s status as a sanctuary jurisdiction.

Speaking on MSNBC’s The Briefing, Mamdani argued that New York’s sanctuary-city policies are both a public-safety measure and a reflection of the city’s identity as a destination for immigrants from around the world.

“We are proud of the fact that we are a sanctuary city. We’re proud of that for a number of reasons. One, it is a policy designed to keep New Yorkers safe. Two, we know that here in our city, we are proud of the more than 3 million New Yorkers who are immigrants. I’m one of them. And we know that in a city like this, it is incumbent upon us to live up to the ideals of the Statue of Liberty, not just tell people to come and look at it when they visit from across the world.”

Host Jen Psaki then asked the mayor about his communications with President Donald Trump, noting that Mamdani has previously discussed immigration issues with the president and had been involved in efforts that helped secure the release of a detainee in New York.

“You speak to the president from from time to time. You’ve spoken to him about his immigration policies in the past. You’ve even helped get a detainee in New York released. I’m curious, have you spoken to him since Mark when Mullen made that announcement?” Psaki asked.

Mamdani declined to discuss the details or frequency of his conversations with Trump but said he has consistently voiced his objections to ICE’s operations whenever the subject arises.

“No. I keep the cadence of our conversations private. But what I will say, Jen, is that when I’ve had those conversations with the president, I have made clear, as you’ve said, that I view ICE actions to be cruel and inhumane.”

The mayor went on to argue that federal immigration enforcement efforts do not improve public safety and alleged that the agency has operated without sufficient accountability.

“These are not actions that serve any interest of public safety. And I say that time and again, because what I’ve seen as the mayor of New York City is an agency that is operating with impunity, whether across the five boroughs of New York or whether elsewhere across the country. And so often, New Yorkers have no idea as to what could put them at risk beyond just the simple fact of their existence in this city.”

Mamdani’s remarks are the latest in an ongoing dispute between New York City officials and the Trump administration over immigration enforcement, sanctuary-city policies, and the role of federal authorities in local communities.

{Matzav.com}

A Belzer yungerman was arrested in Kiryat Gat on Friday afternoon, just hours before Shabbos, on allegations of draft evasion, setting off protests, sharp criticism from Belz erleaders, and an immediate investigation ordered by Israel Police Commissioner Daniel Levy.

The yungerman was detained by police and is currently being held at the police station on Sderot Lachish in Kiryat Gat.

According to eyewitnesses, the arrest occurred after the yungerman approached police officers in an effort to assist them during a gathering that had developed in the area. Witnesses claim that despite his attempt to help, officers subsequently sought to transfer him to the Military Police due to his alleged status as a draft evader.

Following the arrest, the “Tzeva Shachor” protest alert network, which mobilizes demonstrations in response to the detention of bnei yeshiva and yungeleit, called on members of the public to gather at the scene and protest in an effort to prevent his transfer to military authorities.

The arrest drew an angry response from within the Belzer community. A source in the chassidus harshly criticized the move, saying, “Police Commissioner Daniel Levy has lost his bearings. There are hundreds in Belz who enlist. If this young man is not released, they will all be returning home on Sunday.”

The unusually strong statement comes amid heightened sensitivity surrounding relations between the chareidi community and both the police and military, particularly regarding the detention of bnei yeshiva and yungerleit classified as draft evaders.

The current incident has generated particular outrage because, according to eyewitness accounts, the yungerman was not participating in any confrontation with law enforcement. Rather, they say, he approached officers in an effort to assist them during an event taking place in the city.

The controversy also comes one day after a report on Channel 12 News revealed that police are formulating a new policy for handling chareidi draft evaders in an effort to reduce tensions with the chareidi public.

Under the proposed framework, a chareidi draft evader who voluntarily enters a police station to file a complaint, report a missing person, or receive police services would not be detained or transferred to the Military Police.

However, if a police officer encounters a draft evader during a routine traffic stop, at a checkpoint, or in another incidental encounter, the individual would still be detained and transferred to military authorities under existing procedures.

Supporters of the detained yungerman argue that his case falls outside the category of routine enforcement, maintaining that he approached officers of his own accord to assist them and should not have been treated as someone attempting to evade authorities.

Representatives of the chassidus warned that failure to release the yungerman could lead to a significant deterioration in relations between the chareidi community and law enforcement as early as next week.

As the controversy intensified, Commissioner Daniel Levy instructed police officials to immediately investigate the circumstances surrounding the young chareidi man’s detention. The review was ordered following claims that the yungerman was arrested despite having approached officers to assist them during an incident in the city, rather than as part of any confrontation with police or attempt to avoid law enforcement authorities.

According to reports, the commissioner also directed that the full chain of events leading to the arrest be examined in light of the conflicting accounts surrounding the incident.

A long-running chapter in Satmar reached its conclusion Thursday as representatives of the four sons of the late Satmar Rebbe, the Berach Moshe, gathered for a landmark meeting to complete the distribution of the Rebbe’s treasured estate, including rare sifrei kodesh, manuscripts, and sacred heirlooms worth millions of dollars.

The historic gathering, which followed nearly two decades of negotiations, delays, and quiet efforts to resolve the issue, took place under a veil of secrecy at the home of philanthropist Reb Lipa Friedman on the outskirts of Monsey.

Representing the heirs were Rav Yoel Teitelbaum, Av Beis Din of Beis Baruch in Kiryas Yoel and son of the Satmar Rebbe, Rav Aharon Teitelbaum; Rav Chaim Hersh Teitelbaum, son of Rav Lipa Teitelbaum of Zenta; Rav Yaakov Dov Teitelbaum, Av Beis Din of Sighet and son of the Satmar Rebbe, Rav Zalman Leib Teitelbaum; and Rav Moshe Horowitz, son-in-law of Rav Shalom Eliezer Teitelbaum, Av Beis Din of Satmar 15.

Serving as witnesses to the lottery were Rav Sholom Glick, a senior member of Yeshivas Mesivta D’Satmar and Satmar rov in Lakewood, and Rav Shimon Katz, a dayan of the Satmar community in Monsey.

As first reported before Pesach, members of the family had signed a joint letter calling upon anyone in possession of items belonging to their father’s estate to return them so that the inheritance could finally be organized and distributed among the heirs.

Behind the scenes, mediators from various Satmar circles spent years attempting to resolve the complicated matter of the Rebbe’s financial estate and sacred possessions. During his lifetime, the Berach Moshe appointed his longtime attendant, Reb Moshe Friedman—widely known as Reb Moshe Gabbai—to oversee matters relating to the inheritance together with his close associate, philanthropist Reb Eliezer Kestenbaum.

Following the Berach Moshe’s passing, however, the deep division within Satmar prevented an orderly distribution of the estate.

Approximately a decade ago, Reb Moshe Gabbai arranged for the transfer of many of the items to the business premises of philanthropist Reb Meir Hirsch, a prominent supporter of the Mahar”א community and a close friend of Reb Moshe. Over the past year, the collection was carefully cataloged, examined, and appraised.

Among the items are rare books, handwritten manuscripts, and treasured artifacts passed down through the Sighet-Satmar dynasty, tracing their lineage from the Yismach Moshe through the Vayoel Moshe. The Berach Moshe inherited many of these possessions after the Vayoel Moshe passed away without leaving children. The collection is believed to be worth several million dollars.

Following publication of the family’s letter, additional valuable items that had remained in the possession of chassidim and associates were returned to the estate, reportedly with the encouragement of the Satmar Rebbe, Rav Aharon Teitelbaum. Once the collection was assembled and documented, preparations for the final division could proceed.

According to the Berach Moshe’s will, the sacred items and books were to be divided equally among his four sons. To fulfill that directive, organizers assembled four separate packages, carefully balancing both the monetary value and the historical and spiritual significance of each group of items.

Each package included a mixture of sacred objects, manuscripts, books, and family heirlooms so that no bundle would be viewed as more prestigious or valuable than another.

For example, one package contained the Rabbeinu Tam tefillin of the Kedushas Yom Tov, while another included a menorah that had belonged to the same revered ancestor. Other packages contained rare manuscripts, books, and additional treasured artifacts. Once the values were equalized, a lottery was conducted to determine which heir would receive each package.

Also present at the gathering were Reb Moshe Friedman, the longtime attendant of the Berach Moshe and official custodian of the estate; attendant Reb Shmuel Teitelbaum; philanthropist Reb Eliezer Kestenbaum; Reb Meir Hirsch, who safeguarded much of the collection for years; and Reb Moshe Yitzchok Wertheimer, the famed hoiz bochur of the Berach Moshe during the Satmar split, who managed many of the estate’s logistical details over the past year.

Sources familiar with the process said several individuals played critical roles in recent months as the negotiations approached their final stages. Among those credited with helping bring the matter to completion was the host, Reb Lipa Friedman, son of Reb Moshe Gabbai, who quietly worked to bridge gaps and finalize arrangements between the various parties.

Friedman, a well-known supporter of Satmar institutions with close ties to many leading philanthropists and community figures, is said to have helped create the channels of communication that ultimately enabled the agreement to be completed after nearly two decades.

The event also carried a personal dimension. It was held in Friedman’s home just days before the wedding of his eldest daughter, scheduled for this coming Sunday. As preparations for a family simchah continued, the residence simultaneously became the setting for one of the most significant and sensitive moments in recent Satmar history, bringing closure to a process that had remained unresolved for almost twenty years.

{Matzav.com}

Jill Biden is facing growing criticism from individuals who worked in the Biden administration after remarks she recently made about President Joe Biden’s widely criticized debate performance against President Donald Trump, comments that many former aides reportedly view with deep skepticism.

The controversy erupted after Jill Biden described her reaction to the June 2024 CNN debate, suggesting she feared her husband may have been suffering from a serious medical episode during the event.

Alex Thompson, the Axios journalist who co-authored the book Original Sin, which examined concerns surrounding Biden’s mental and physical condition, said he has heard significant pushback from former Biden administration officials since Jill Biden’s comments became public.

According to reporting cited from The Atlantic ahead of the release of her upcoming memoir, Jill Biden said she believed her husband might have been experiencing a medical emergency.

“Well, a lot of Democrats, including several Biden aides that I’ve talked to since yesterday when this interview came out, just simply don’t believe her,” Thompson told CNN’s Brianna Keilar.

Thompson noted that Jill Biden appeared with her husband at a rally immediately following the debate and continued participating in campaign activities in the days that followed, behavior that some former aides believe is difficult to reconcile with her current account.

“And a lot of former Biden aides, you know, have told me if you really believed he might be having a stroke, that it’s not necessarily the same behavior that you would do. There’s no evidence that there was any significant medical exam afterward,” Thompson said before acknowledging she suggested her husband take a cognitive exam but was overruled by his advisors, per The Atlantic.

He said many Democrats view the renewed discussion as an attempt to revisit and reshape a chapter of political history that has already been heavily scrutinized.

“And, you know, a lot of Democrats think that this is simply unhelpful to come out at this moment and try to rewrite this portion of history… I have to say that there is a significant skepticism that she is trying to rewrite this narrative right now.”

Thompson also referenced reporting he conducted during the 2024 campaign, arguing that Biden’s debate performance was not an isolated incident. According to his reporting, aides and advisers had observed similar struggles months before the debate took place.

He further pointed to Biden’s interview with former Special Counsel Robert Hur, during which questions were raised about the president’s memory and recall. Despite those concerns, Thompson said Biden’s closest advisers continued to publicly maintain that he was capable of serving effectively.

“They just feel that the inner circle gaslit them,” Thompson said.

Thompson added that the reaction from some former Biden administration officials has been unusually intense.

“I’ve been surprised by the level of anger and frustration that I’ve heard from former Biden aides towards the former first lady in the last 24 hours,” he added.

In a separate post on X, Thompson revealed that one former Biden official offered an even harsher assessment of Jill Biden’s recent explanation, telling him simply: “she’s lying.”

{Matzav.com}

The Trump administration on Thursday launched a new website that uses the language and imagery of extraterrestrial conspiracies to spotlight immigration enforcement efforts, presenting data on illegal immigration through a platform called Aliens.gov.

The new site, which adopts a science-fiction theme, argues that the “aliens” Americans should be concerned about are not visitors from another planet but illegal immigrants already living in communities across the country. The website was introduced as a tool for tracking immigration arrests, border encounters, and enforcement actions nationwide, according to information obtained by Fox News Digital.

“They walk among us,” the website reads. “For 60 years, the U.S. government has kept a closely guarded secret. Aliens have been walking among us, living in our neighborhoods, and interacting with us in our daily lives. They’ve shopped in the same stores, attended the same classes as our children, and lived seemingly normal human existences.”

The site then delivers its central message:

“With one exception — they do not belong here.”

Fox News Digital reported that it reviewed the website in advance of its launch. The platform combines immigration statistics with references to UFO disclosure campaigns, using humor and satire while advancing the administration’s position on border security and illegal immigration.

According to a White House official, the goal is to draw public attention to what the administration views as the consequences of the previous administration’s border policies.

“This is a first of its kind effort to draw eyeballs to the fact that the previous administration’s porous border didn’t just put families in border states at risk, many across the country were in harm’s way,” a White House official told Fox News Digital.

Among the website’s features is an interactive map of the United States displaying locations where immigration arrests have occurred. Visitors can also view a running total of migrant encounters, which the site says has exceeded three million.

Drawing from Immigration and Customs Enforcement data, the platform allows users to search enforcement actions by city, state, or alleged offense. Search results include information such as arrest dates, criminal allegations, countries of origin, and any reported gang connections.

The website presents a sharply critical assessment of past immigration policies, claiming that federal officials knowingly permitted large numbers of migrants to enter and remain in the country.

“Millions arrived under the cover of darkness and embedded themselves directly into our society. Countless presidents, congressmen, and senior officials knew exactly what was happening. Instead of protecting American citizens, they chose to cover it up and even accelerate the invasion,” the new website states.

The site credits President Trump with bringing attention to the issue and portrays him as the first national leader willing to confront it directly.

“Until one man finally had the courage to tell the truth. Bold. Unapologetic. Unafraid. President Trump was the first to call out the real danger Aliens pose to every American family, every community, and the future of our nation,” the website said. “The truth is no longer out there. It is right here. Right now.”

White House officials told Fox News Digital that the information displayed on the website will be refreshed continuously and will also be integrated into the administration’s existing White House mobile application.

The platform additionally includes an ICE reporting feature that encourages members of the public to “report suspicious aliens.”

The launch comes shortly after the Department of War released two batches of previously classified UAP records as part of a government-wide transparency initiative. That effort directed agencies to review internal archives for decades-old reports involving unidentified aerial phenomena, responding to longstanding public interest in UFO investigations and government secrecy surrounding unexplained sightings.

{Matzav.com}

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani defended his decision not to attend Sunday’s Israel Day Parade during a public safety briefing on Thursday, reaffirming a campaign pledge that has drawn sharp criticism from supporters of Israel and many within the city’s Jewish community.

Mamdani, whose positions on Israel have long been the subject of controversy, confirmed earlier this week that he would not take part in the annual celebration. His absence marks a significant departure from the practice of previous New York City mayors, who traditionally joined the march along Fifth Avenue as a show of support for Israel and solidarity with the city’s large Jewish population.

“While I will not be attending, our administration has been preparing for weeks to ensure the parade is safe,” Mamdani announced during the joint law enforcement briefing, as quoted by The New York Daily News.

He stressed that City Hall’s focus remains on providing security for major public events throughout the city, regardless of whether he personally participates in them.

A visible contrast within the administration emerged when journalists asked whether any senior officials would represent the mayor’s office at the parade. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch immediately made her position known by indicating that she would be attending.

“It’s the mayor’s decision not to march, and it is my decision to march proudly,” Tisch declared, describing the annual event as “one of the most joyful days of the year.”

Tisch said police are implementing the most extensive security operation ever assembled for the parade, citing increased concerns over threats targeting Jewish institutions both in New York and across the country.

According to city officials, the security plan will include a record number of officers, specialized tactical units, and heavy weapons teams stationed throughout the parade route. Everyone seeking entry into the event area will be subject to screening procedures. Emphasizing that no exceptions will be made, Tisch warned: “If you think you are too important to be screened, don’t come”.

Mamdani’s decision to stay away from the parade is the latest flashpoint in a broader record of actions and statements that have generated criticism from pro-Israel groups and elected officials.

During last year’s mayoral campaign, Mamdani declined to condemn the phrase “globalize the intifada”. He also faced criticism for comments he made about Israel on October 8, 2023, one day after the Hamas attack that killed more than 1,200 people in southern Israel.

He has frequently accused Israel of committing war crimes during its military campaign against Hamas in Gaza and has stated that he would seek the arrest of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should he travel to New York City.

Further controversy erupted shortly after Mamdani took office when he rescinded several executive orders concerning Israel that had been enacted by his predecessor, Eric Adams.

Among the directives revoked was an order signed by Adams in June 2025 adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism for New York City government.

Another canceled directive barred mayoral appointees and agency employees from participating in boycotts or divestment efforts targeting Israel.

Since assuming office, Mamdani has repeatedly found himself at the center of disputes involving allegations of antisemitism. One recent report highlighted social media activity by his wife, Rama Dawaji, who reportedly liked several posts that praised or appeared sympathetic to Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack.

Additional criticism followed earlier this month when Mamdani released an official city video marking the “Nakba,” the term used by Palestinian Arabs to describe the creation of the State of Israel as a catastrophe.

Despite objections from numerous Jewish organizations, the mayor stood by the decision to publish the video and defended its release.

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s ambassador to the United States said Thursday that any agreement aimed at resolving concerns over Iran’s nuclear program must result in the complete dismantling of Tehran’s nuclear infrastructure, including hundreds of centrifuges that could rapidly produce enriched nuclear material.

Appearing on NewsNation’s Katie Pavlich Tonight, Ambassador Michael Leiter said Israel believes a diplomatic solution remains possible, but only if Iran’s nuclear capabilities are fully eliminated and independently verified.

Leiter said the ideal outcome would involve Iran opening its facilities to international inspectors and allowing experts to confirm that all nuclear-related materials and equipment have been removed.

“[T]he best case scenario would be that they actually open it up as a result of any deal and turn it over, by inspectors that would come in, experts that would come in and assess that all of it has been removed. But it’s important to point out, they have 1,700 centrifuges that can produce nuclear weapons tomorrow — enriched material, I should say, tomorrow. So those have to be dismantled as well or at least completely taken out of the ability to be reconstituted.”

The ambassador emphasized that merely pausing Iran’s nuclear activities would not be sufficient. In Israel’s view, any arrangement must ensure that the machinery used to enrich uranium cannot be restored or brought back into operation at a later date.

Earlier in the interview, Leiter expressed confidence that ongoing diplomatic efforts could ultimately produce a far-reaching agreement that eliminates the need for military action.

“we’re very confident, at the end of the day, if we have a deal of that nature, rather than going back to kinetic activity, it’s going to include a complete dismantlement of Iran’s nuclear capabilities.”

His remarks come as negotiations continue over a potential agreement with Iran, with nuclear enrichment and the future of Tehran’s uranium-processing infrastructure remaining among the central issues under discussion.

{Matzav.com}

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