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Camp Aliyah has announced a new policy requiring any camper who brings a 24Six music device to camp to have it connected to the platform’s “Upstate Mode” filter, saying the move is intended to ensure that the camp environment reflects the values of its families.

In a letter to parents, the camp explained the thinking behind the new policy, writing that, “In today’s busy world, our children are bombarded with distractions and pressures from all sides. Baruch Hashem every summer thousands of Bnei Torah go to camp where they are in a ‘cocoon’ away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.”

The administration emphasized the powerful role music plays in shaping young people, noting, “As we all know, one of the great influences on the heart and mind of a Yid is the music that he listens to. Throughout the Torah we find references to the ‘Koach Haniguna’ (sic). At a simcha, at a kumzitz or even when traveling, music is used to set a certain tone.”

The letter continues by recognizing music as an important part of the camp experience, stating, “Certainly, camps in general, and Camp Aliyah in particular, have come to recognize how valuable music can be in helping a bochur unwind and relax, surely an important benefit of the camp environment.”

At the same time, camp officials stressed that music must remain consistent with Torah values. “But as with all things that border on ruchniyos, care must be taken to ensure that the music’s effect is only positive and wholesome,” the letter states. “Every Yiddishe parent takes seriously the job of gatekeeping their children’s music selections. We in camp understand that even when a child is in camp, parents want reassurance that the bunk airwaves are dominated by songs and artists with which they are comfortable.”

The letter explains that the growing popularity of the 24Six music device has created new concerns.

“Over the past few years, the 24Six solo device has gained popularity. However, the variety of music styles and singers featured even on that device has given some parents and mechanchim pause, as they are uncomfortable with some messages and styles accessible there.”

Camp Aliyah then announced its new policy in bold lettering. “WHILE CAMP ALIYAH IS NOT ENCOURAGING THE USE OF A 24SIX DEVICE, WE HAVE ESTABLISHED THE FOLLOWING POLICY. ANY CAMPER BRINGING A 24SIX DEVICE TO CAMP MUST BE LINKED TO THE ‘UPSTATE MODE’ FILTER.”

Parents are instructed to activate the filter before camp begins.

“Before coming to camp, a parent must log onto their profile at 24Six.app, and register their son’s 24Six with the ‘UPSTATE MODE’ permissions.”

The camp explained that the filter “whitelists hundreds of singers and groups, including thousands of songs, covers the gamut of music acceptable to the vast majority of our parent body.”

The letter further notes that the filter cannot be removed by campers themselves. “Once installed, the filter can only be removed by Camp Aliyah. (This will happen automatically on the day camp ends.)”

According to the policy, songs by artists who are not on the approved whitelist will simply become inaccessible while the filter is active.

“The filter will prevent songs by artists who are not on the whitelist from being played, even if those songs have already been downloaded to the device. It will not delete those songs; they will simply remain unavailable for as long as the filter is active.”

Camp Aliyah also warned that any devices arriving without the filter will not remain with campers.

“Unfiltered devices will be placed in the camp office and will be returned the last day of camp.”

The camp said additional instructions would be sent shortly, adding, “Details about how to install the filter will IYH be sent out next week. B’EH your son will have enough time to go through the device to select proper music for the summer.”

The letter concludes by thanking parents for their cooperation and expressing hope “for an amazing summer full of ALIYAH in all areas.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump said he has already authorized an overwhelming military response against Iran if Tehran ever succeeds in carrying out an assassination against him, declaring that U.S. forces should strike the Islamic Republic with unprecedented force in such a scenario.

In an interview with The New York Post, Trump said Iran has viewed him as a top target for years and suggested the threat against his life is nothing new.

“I’ve been on their list for a long time. That’s what we’re dealing with,” Trump said. “… The only thing is, I’ve left instructions – if anything happens, to just literally bomb them at levels that they’ve never seen before.”

Trump’s comments came one day after The Wall Street Journal reported that Israeli intelligence had uncovered what it described as a new Iranian plot targeting the president. Trump, however, dismissed suggestions that the threat represented a newly discovered conspiracy, saying Iran’s efforts to target him have been ongoing for years.

“No, no. Israel came up with nothing. No, no,” Trump noted. “I’ve been No. 1 [on Iran’s kill list] for a long time, and it’s the way life is, you know.”

Asked about the continuing danger, Trump ended the exchange with a lighthearted but pointed remark.

“I hope you’ll miss me.”

Earlier this week, while speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Turkey, Trump again addressed the threats he says Iran has made against him.

“They want to take out the US leader – me,” he said. “I’m on every list. I saw this morning, I’m on every single one of their lists. And so far, I guess I’ve been a little bit lucky, but that maybe doesn’t last very long.”

Iranian leaders have repeatedly vowed revenge against Trump over the U.S. drone strike during his first term that killed Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force.

Anti-Trump rhetoric has remained prominent in Iran. During the funeral for Iran’s slain Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, crowds chanted for Trump’s death while holding a banner proclaiming, “We Will Kill Trump.”

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan intensified his criticism of Israel on Friday, accusing Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu and his governing coalition of deliberately creating foreign crises to serve domestic political interests. He also claimed Israel’s policies pose a growing danger to regional and international security.

Speaking during an appearance on The National’s “On the Record with Hadley Gamble,” Fidan declared, “The policies of Netanyahu’s government are not only a problem for us. His policies and his government are a burden for Israel, a burden for the region, and a burden and threat for international security.”

Asked whether the increasingly hostile rhetoric between Turkey and Israel could ultimately lead to direct military conflict, Fidan downplayed that possibility.

“There is no reason to have an open conflict,” Fidan clarified.

The Turkish foreign minister also argued that although European governments are becoming more aware of what he described as the strategic challenges posed by Israel, they have yet to take meaningful action. He warned that continued interference with Syria’s political development could further destabilize the region.

“We are not sure if Israel wants to see a stable, good, powerful, evolving, developed Syria,” he remarked.

When pressed on whether he believes Israel is actively working to weaken Syria’s new leadership in Damascus, Fidan answered affirmatively.

“When you look at the past and current patterns of the Israeli government towards the regional countries, yes.”

The remarks were Fidan’s second major verbal attack on Israel in recent weeks. In an interview with CNN Türk last week, he asserted that Israel’s current political approach and governing philosophy had “become a burden that humanity can no longer bear.”

He also described Israel as one of “humanity’s common problems” and urged the international community to unite in applying pressure against the Jewish state.

Fidan further suggested that Turkey would not shy away from military confrontation if necessary, stating, “We have no problem with confrontation. If it comes to that, it is not an issue for us.”

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar sharply condemned those remarks, saying, “Turkish FM Hakan Fidan’s sickening words are textbook incitement to genocide.”

“Dehumanizing the Jewish people as an ‘unbearable burden’ is the classic, horrific language of history’s worst eliminationist regimes,” the foreign minister added.

Germany also criticized Fidan’s rhetoric. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul responded by affirming Israel’s security concerns, stating, “Israel faces an ongoing threat from the region and has the right and duty to protect its population.”

Fidan’s latest statements are part of an ongoing series of increasingly hostile comments by senior Turkish officials. Last month, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned of possible action against Israel, claiming Israeli military operations in Syria and Lebanon had reached the point where they also threatened Turkey.

Just days before those remarks, Turkish Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi declared that Turkey would one day regain control of Yerushalayim.

Relations between Turkey and Israel had been moving toward normalization shortly before Hamas launched its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Since then, however, Turkish leaders—led by Erdogan—have repeatedly denounced Israel and its military campaign.

In March of last year, Erdogan condemned Israel following its strikes on terrorist targets in Gaza, calling the country a “terror state.”

Several months later, Erdogan claimed Netanyahu’s government represented the greatest threat to stability in the Middle East.

In April, prosecutors in Istanbul filed a sweeping indictment against 35 senior Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Netanyahu, over the Israeli navy’s interception of the “Sumud” flotilla that attempted to reach Gaza in October of last year.

{Matzav.com}

New satellite imagery obtained by CNN has revealed what analysts say could be renewed Iranian efforts to rebuild portions of its nuclear infrastructure, prompting fresh questions about whether Tehran is complying with the terms of its recent agreement with the United States.

CNN’s visual investigation identified new activity during late June and early July at several Iranian missile and nuclear sites. The movements and construction work, particularly around key nuclear facilities, have fueled concerns that Iran may be violating the bilateral memorandum of understanding it signed with the United States on June 17.

The images became available during a brief period when the U.S. government temporarily relaxed restrictions that had prevented commercial satellite companies from distributing imagery of the region. Those limitations have since largely been restored as American military operations resumed.

Among the locations highlighted in the analysis was the Parchin military complex, specifically a facility known as Taleghan 2, which intelligence analysts believe is associated with the storage of specialized explosives used in nuclear weapons development.

Working with the Institute for Science and International Security, CNN compared satellite images taken on June 22 and July 7 and concluded that repair and reconstruction work was underway at the site. According to the report, crews appeared to be repairing damage caused by earlier joint U.S. and Israeli airstrikes.

Satellite imagery also showed activity at the heavily fortified underground complex known as Pickaxe Mountain. Images captured on June 21 revealed a steady stream of vehicles entering and leaving the underground tunnel system while the newly signed agreement between Washington and Tehran remained in effect.

CNN said both Iranian officials and the U.S. government were asked to comment on the satellite findings. A Pentagon spokesman declined to discuss the report, saying the Defense Department does not comment on battlefield conditions or intelligence matters because of operational security concerns.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump said Friday that Iran has requested additional negotiations but insisted that the previous ceasefire arrangement has ended.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has asked us to continue ‘talks.’ We have agreed to do so, but the United States has stated to them, in no uncertain terms, that the Cease Fire is OVER!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Axios reported, citing a source familiar with the discussions, that U.S. and Iranian officials are expected to hold another round of talks next week, with Switzerland emerging as a possible venue.

According to the report, regional mediators have been working to lower tensions and lay the groundwork for renewed diplomacy following the recent military escalation between Washington and Tehran.

Iran’s Fars News Agency, which is affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, quickly denied reports that another round of negotiations has been scheduled.

Earlier this week, Trump authorized a series of military strikes against targets inside Iran following Iranian attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

While those operations were underway, Trump told reporters that Iranian officials had contacted him seeking to reach an agreement with the United States.

“Iran called a while ago. They want to make a deal so badly,” the President said. “I just don’t know if they are worthy. I don’t know if they are going to honor the deal. That’s the problem.”

Israel’s political leadership has ordered the IDF to suspend all military operations classified as “sensitive” in southern Lebanon following a request from the United States, according to a Friday evening report by Kan 11 News.

The report said the directive will remain in place until further notice while officials monitor both the escalating confrontation between the United States and Iran and ongoing diplomatic contacts between Israel and Lebanon.

According to Kan 11, U.S. officials have become increasingly concerned in recent days that Israel could be drawn into the growing conflict with Iran while Washington remains focused on its own confrontation with Tehran.

A security official quoted in the report said Israel stands ready to respond forcefully if Iran launches an attack against Israeli territory, including carrying out major strikes inside Iran. Nevertheless, at the White House’s request, the IDF has been instructed to hold off for now in an effort to prevent the conflict from widening to include Israel.

The report also stated that the IDF could begin withdrawing from designated pilot zones in southern Lebanon as early as next week. The expected redeployment coincides with another round of negotiations between Israeli and Lebanese officials scheduled to take place in Rome.

Israel’s delegation will be headed by Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter, who will be joined by members of the Israeli negotiating team that participated in previous rounds of talks with Lebanon.

On Thursday, a U.S. official said the first pilot zone—under which territory currently controlled by Israeli forces would be transferred back to Lebanese authority—will begin operating “in a matter of days.”

The same official added that the United States “will soon begin outreach to international partners to help the Lebanese Government effectively restore sovereignty in these zones and across their country more broadly.”

The pilot-zone initiative is based on a 14-point framework negotiated during U.S.-mediated discussions between Israeli and Lebanese representatives in Washington in late June.

Despite the diplomatic progress, substantial disagreements remain between Jerusalem and Beirut over both the scope and timing of an Israeli military withdrawal, leaving the future of the framework uncertain.

According to a diplomatic source familiar with the negotiations, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has conditioned Lebanon’s continued participation in the talks on Israel first beginning its withdrawal from southern Lebanon.

The proposed arrangement has also drawn opposition from the Hezbollah terrorist organization, which has refused to disarm as required under the framework agreement and declared that “without Hezbollah, nothing will pass.”

As the wedding season will resume following the Three Weeks, the rabbanim of Bnei Brak have issued a public call urging residents to maintain strict standards of modesty and gender separation not only inside wedding halls, but beginning at the entrances and surrounding streets.

The proclamation was signed by the city’s rabbanim, Rav Chaim Yitzchak Isaac Landau, Rav Shevach Tzvi Rosenblatt, and Rav Masoud Ben Shimon, under the heading, “And They Established a Great Ordinance,” a reference to the Mishnah in Sukkah. The letter calls on the public and community leaders to strengthen adherence to standards of modesty around the city’s simchah halls.

The rabbanim praised the establishment of the Shmirah Kahalachah organization, which was created under their guidance to promote standards of modesty and holiness throughout the city.

“With the help of Heaven, we have merited the establishment, under the guidance of the rabbanim, of the organization Shmirah Kahalachah, which has undertaken to assist in strengthening matters of modesty and holiness in our city,” the letter states.

The rabbanim also commended the municipality, led by Deputy Mayor Rabbi Menachem Zeibert, for improvements made around the wedding hall district, including widening sidewalks and implementing measures to better facilitate proper separation.

According to the letter, new directional signs have now been installed, particularly near Heichlei Malchus Hall, clearly directing men and women to separate entrances beginning from the street itself.

The rabbanim urged the public, educators, and parents to ensure that the new guidelines are observed.

“We ask the entire public to carefully follow these instructions, to ensure that adults guide the younger generation, and that educators and community leaders impress upon their students and followers the importance of observing these standards with special care.”

The letter concludes with words of inspiration based on the teachings of the Vilna Gaon, explaining that preserving proper standards of modesty at simchos helps bring the Divine Presence into Jewish homes and hastens the rebuilding of the Bais Hamikdash.

Quoting the Vilna Gaon, the rabbanim wrote that the prayer “Vesamcheinu B’Tikkuno” refers to the “great ordinance” enacted during the Simchas Bais Hashoeivah, when separate areas were established for men and women. They added that by observing these standards at today’s celebrations—so that it can truly be said that “the Divine Presence dwells where there is joy“—families will merit homes filled with holiness and purity and ultimately the fulfillment of the prayer to rejoice in the rebuilding of the Bais Hamikdash, speedily in our days.

Rav Avraham Yosef delivered a scathing criticism of Israel’s judicial system and government on Friday following the disqualification of thousands of bnei Torah from the government’s subsidized housing lottery, declaring that the decisions reflect a system devoid of compassion and justice.

Speaking on Kol Chai’s Shamor V’Zachor program, Rav Yosef responded to a caller who introduced herself as the daughter of a family that has performed military reserve duty. She explained that although her family participated in the government’s discounted housing lottery and needs the financial assistance to purchase a home, they are deeply pained by the exclusion of approximately 2,600 bnei Torah from the program and feel compelled to protest the decision.

Rav Yosef prefaced his remarks by saying the issue was one of worldview rather than halachah, before sharply criticizing the state’s treatment of the Torah community.

“The fact that there has been wickedness in our country is something that has been going on for 78 years. This didn’t begin yesterday. Seventy-eight years is the numerical value of the word ‘salt.’ They are rubbing salt into our wounds.”

He went on to condemn Israel’s judicial system, saying the country is being governed irrationally, a description he attributed to remarks previously made by Israel’s first Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi, Rav Yitzchak Isaac Halevi Herzog, regarding a legal system that is disconnected from Torah principles.

“Unfortunately, only now are people beginning to realize that all of the judges, without exception, are cruel. They are inhumane. They are far removed from administering fair justice,” he said.

Rav Yosef further charged that there is “the clearest and most malicious selective enforcement,” but added that the chareidi community has no practical political solution to the situation.

“If we still haven’t understood that we are in exile, they are making it very clear to us,” he said.

Turning to politics, Rav Yosef urged listeners not to place their trust in elected officials.

“I don’t place my hopes in politicians, because the hearts of kings and ministers are in Hashem’s hands. Deri has no wisdom, Gafni has no wisdom—there is only the guidance of the Holy One, Blessed is He. Even Bibi is led like a puppet by Hakadosh Boruch Hu.”

He concluded by emphasizing that a Jew’s confidence must rest solely in Hashem.

“Only in Hashem do we place our trust. We rely only on the Creator, and if the Creator has decreed that we must suffer in this way, then we have no choice—we will endure it. What else can we do? Hashem will help us.”

When the caller asked whether a meaningful response would be to adopt and financially assist an avreich‘s family that had been affected by the ruling, Rav Yosef endorsed the idea.

“May you be blessed, yes. Through positive action, do whatever you can.”

At the same time, he rejected proposals to protest by voluntarily giving up eligibility for the housing program or making public declarations.

“Complaining, grumbling, and talking will not help. The protest that the caller suggested is not the correct approach. That is not Judaism. There is no obligation to protest.”

{Matzav.com}

Amid growing financial pressures on the Torah world and continued cuts to funding for yeshivos and kollelim, Rav Don Segal offered a thought-provoking perspective this week, suggesting that the economic hardships may ultimately serve a higher purpose.

Speaking to dozens of roshei kollelim who visited his home to thank him for his dedication and efforts on behalf of Keren Olam HaTorah’s recent fundraising campaign in the United States, Rav Segal urged them to view the current challenges through the lens of emunah.

“They are squeezing us from every direction—through money and all these other things,” he said. “Their intentions are clear, but aliba d’emes, from Heaven it is so that our means of support should remain pure, that they should be clean.”

To illustrate his point, Rav Segal shared a rare personal story from the early years of his leadership of a kollel.

“Many years ago, the kollel was in very difficult financial condition,” he recalled. “A man approached me and offered to finance the entire kollel on condition that it be named after him. I thought to myself, what difference does the name make? The main thing is that the avreichim should have what they need. But the man was a member of the Knesset, and I was concerned that perhaps the money was not truly his own but had come from other sources. I did not want to decide such a matter on my own, especially when the livelihood of avreichim was involved.”

Rav Segal said he brought the question to Rav Aharon Leib Shteinman zt”l for guidance.

“He told me in the name of the Vilna Gaon regarding the statement of Chazal: If Torah were to be forgotten from Israel, one would plant flax, make nets, trap deer, process the hides, and write Torah scrolls. The Vilna Gaon asked: Why go through such a long process? One could simply buy prepared parchment and write. Rather, if the beginning is not pure, the Torah itself is not complete. Everything must be clean from the very beginning.”

Rav Segal concluded with a powerful observation that left a deep impression on those present.

“Who knows whether the reason yeshivos are not succeeding as they should is because they are accepting money from sources that are not worthy.”

{Matzav.com}

Violent riots broke out overnight Thursday into Friday in several European cities after Morocco’s 2-0 World Cup quarterfinal defeat to France, with celebrations by Moroccan soccer fans descending into clashes with police and shocking displays of anti-Semitic hatred.

The most disturbing incidents were reported in The Hague, where, according to local media reports and eyewitness accounts, rioters chanted slogans glorifying Hamas and calling for the extermination of Jews. Among the chants heard during the unrest was, “Hamas! Hamas! All Jews to the gas chambers!” Witnesses also reported hearing rioters shout, “The Jews are cancer!”

In London, disorder erupted in the Edgware Road area, home to a large Moroccan community. Even before the match ended, fans blocked traffic, waved Moroccan flags in the middle of the roadway, and set off fireworks. Following Morocco’s defeat, the situation escalated into violent confrontations with police.

Videos circulated on social media showed a police officer lying injured on the ground after reportedly being struck in the head by a glass bottle thrown during the disturbances. London’s Metropolitan Police said four people were arrested during what British media described as scenes of “chaos.”

“We will show absolutely no tolerance for this kind of disorder on our streets or for assaults on our police officers,” the Metropolitan Police said in a statement. “A police presence will remain in the area throughout the night, and we will review CCTV footage and videos circulating on social media to ensure that everyone responsible is brought to justice.”

Police dispersed the rioters at approximately 1 a.m. local time after additional officers were deployed to restore order. Footage from the scene showed extensive street violence and repeated confrontations between rioters and law enforcement.

Moroccan fans also took to the streets in New York following the loss, although no violent clashes comparable to those seen in Europe were reported.

After days of speculation over his whereabouts during the election campaign, it has emerged that former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett spent the week in Sun Valley, Idaho, attending the invitation-only Allen & Co. conference, one of the world’s most exclusive gatherings of business and technology leaders.

According to published reports, Bennett received a personal invitation from the conference organizers and was the only Israeli invited to participate this year. His attendance comes at a politically challenging time for the Together Party, which he founded with Opposition Leader Yair Lapid, as recent polls have shown the party steadily losing projected Knesset seats.

Held each July, the annual Sun Valley conference transforms the small Idaho resort town into a hub for many of the world’s most influential figures in media, technology, finance, and politics. Often jokingly referred to as “every kidnapper’s wish list,” the gathering attracts top executives, billionaires, investors, and current and former political leaders from around the world.

Among the high-profile attendees this year were Microsoft founder Bill Gates, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Snap CEO Evan Spiegel and his wife, Miranda Kerr, Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings, Spotify CEO Alex Norström, and Fox Corporation and News Corp chairman Lachlan Murdoch. Also attending were CNN anchor Anderson Cooper and political figures including Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner.

The conference is known for its strict privacy and extensive security. With no formal media schedule, the event has earned a reputation as a venue where major business deals are quietly negotiated and influential discussions take place on the future of technology, artificial intelligence, and the global economy. Even the world’s wealthiest attendees are required to wear simple name badges throughout the conference.

Bennett’s participation comes as questions continue to swirl over his political future. Strategic adviser Nevo Cohen recently suggested that, in light of his party’s declining poll numbers, Bennett could ultimately decide to leave politics altogether. At the same time, his former adviser, Dr. Amtzia Samkai, has sharply criticized Bennett’s proposed strategy for weakening Iran, calling the plans “detached from reality” and accusing the former prime minister of presenting a misleading picture.

President Donald Trump announced Friday that he will not sign a bipartisan housing bill approved by Congress, declaring that he is withholding his signature in protest until the Senate passes the SAVE America Act, which he says is essential to protecting election integrity.

Because Trump neither signed nor vetoed the legislation during the Constitution’s 10-day review period, excluding Sundays, the bill is expected to become law automatically on Friday.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump reiterated his opposition to the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, arguing that Congress should focus first on election reform rather than housing legislation, despite the measure’s overwhelming bipartisan approval.

“I will not sign the Housing Bill, which has been fully approved by Congress and sent to the White House,” Trump wrote. He added that the SAVE America Act has broad Republican backing and would require photo identification and proof of U.S. citizenship to vote while sharply restricting mail-in voting to military personnel, disabled voters, those who are ill, and travelers.

Trump also called on Senate Republicans to abolish the legislative filibuster if that is what it takes to enact the election bill, warning that Democrats would not hesitate to do the same if they regained control of Congress.

“The Dumocrats will TERMINATE THE FILIBUSTER, if and when they ever get the chance,” Trump wrote. “The title of DUMB will revert to the Republicans who allowed this horrible calamity to happen.”

The president’s remarks follow his decision on June 24 to cancel a planned White House signing ceremony for the housing legislation after insisting that lawmakers first approve the SAVE America Act, which would strengthen federal voter identification requirements and tighten election regulations.

The housing bill cleared the Senate by an 85-5 vote and passed the House by a margin of 358-32 after months of bipartisan negotiations led by House Financial Services Committee Chairman French Hill (R-Ark.), Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott (R-S.C.), and Democratic lawmakers.

Supporters have hailed the package as the most significant federal housing legislation enacted since the 2008 financial crisis.

Among its provisions are incentives for new home construction, expanded support for manufactured housing, easier access to mortgage financing through community financial institutions, and restrictions preventing large institutional investors from purchasing more than 350 single-family homes.

Trump dismissed the housing legislation as “a yawn” compared to the SAVE America Act, which he has repeatedly argued is vital to safeguarding elections ahead of the 2026 midterm contests.

The affordability of housing remains a pressing issue across the country, with elevated mortgage rates and soaring home prices continuing to put significant financial pressure on American families.

Although housing advocates have welcomed the legislation as a meaningful first step, many economists believe additional action will be necessary because zoning and land-use policies remain largely under the authority of state and local governments.

Trump has made clear that, for now, his chief legislative focus is election security, maintaining that Congress should enact the SAVE America Act before turning its attention to other bipartisan initiatives.

{Matzav.com}

The Trump administration has urged Israel not to join ongoing U.S. military strikes against Iran at this stage, fearing that Israeli involvement could cause the conflict to spiral out of control and reignite a full-scale war, according to a report by CNN citing two Israeli sources.

The report comes amid a sharp escalation in tensions between the United States and Iran, with Tehran threatening to collapse the ceasefire agreement. One of the Israeli sources told CNN that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is eager for Israel to take part in the American military campaign but acknowledged that “the U.S. does not want Israel to participate at this time.”

CNN reported that it sought comment from the White House, but no response had been issued as of publication.

Defense Minister Yisroel Katz said on Thursday that the IDF remains on high alert and is prepared to resume military operations against Iran, even if Israel must act independently. He said the military is ready to reestablish air superiority over Iran and carry out unilateral strikes if necessary to eliminate emerging threats.

Despite those preparations, one of the Israeli sources said the prevailing assessment in Israel is that President Donald Trump is not interested in returning to a broader regional war. According to that assessment, the most significant step Trump would likely authorize, if additional pressure on Iran becomes necessary, would be the reimposition of a naval blockade on Iranian ports.

{Matzav.com}

The IDF announced Friday that it has eliminated two Hamas commanders in separate precision airstrikes carried out in northern Gaza this week, targeting terrorists who played key roles in weapons production and planned attacks against Israeli forces.

In a strike conducted earlier this week on Wednesday, Israeli forces killed Khalil Jamal Khalil Manna, a commander in the Weapons Production Headquarters of Hamas’ military wing. According to the IDF, Manna oversaw rocket launcher manufacturing workshops throughout the war and directed the final stages of their production. He also held a senior leadership role within the weapons production headquarters, managing its operations and manufacturing efforts, and was involved in rebuilding the unit’s capabilities during the ceasefire.

In a second operation carried out Thursday in northern Gaza, the IDF eliminated Osama Walid Deeb Muhareb, a company commander in Hamas’ Nuseirat Battalion. The military said Muhareb had recently been responsible for storing explosive devices that were intended for use in attacks against IDF soldiers.

The IDF said both terrorists posed an immediate threat to troops operating in the area and were targeted in airstrikes to eliminate that danger.

Before carrying out the operations, the military said it implemented a series of measures designed to reduce the risk of civilian casualties, including the use of precision-guided munitions and continuous aerial surveillance.

The IDF added that troops serving under the Southern Command remain deployed in the area in accordance with the ceasefire agreement and will continue operating to eliminate any immediate threats.

{Matzav.com}

Questions are mounting over the defensive capabilities of President Donald Trump’s newly commissioned Air Force One after reports revealed the aircraft lacks some of the advanced protection systems found on the older presidential jet it is temporarily replacing.

The aircraft, a Boeing 747-8 donated by Qatar and placed into service earlier this year, reportedly does not carry all of the sophisticated defensive technology installed on the long-serving Air Force One fleet. The reported differences have fueled scrutiny as the United States remains on heightened alert over threats from Iran, according to The New York Times.

The New York Times and CBS News both reported that, after the NATO summit in Turkey on Wednesday, the Secret Service recommended that Trump return to the United States aboard the older Air Force One rather than the newly modified aircraft.

According to the reports, officials made the recommendation out of an abundance of caution, citing the older aircraft’s superior communications equipment and more extensive defensive capabilities while tensions with Iran remain elevated.

Trump had initially traveled to Turkey aboard the newer presidential aircraft before transferring to the older Air Force One for the flight home.

After landing in the United Kingdom, Trump later resumed traveling aboard the newer jet.

The White House dismissed any suggestion that the president had been exposed to unnecessary danger.

“The new Air Force One is a state-of-the-art aircraft that has been fitted with high-level security protocols that ensure the safety of the president and his staff,” White House communications director Steven Cheung said in a statement.

The Air Force also defended the decision, saying “no risk was taken in security, safety, or mission communications,” while acknowledging that the interim aircraft does not yet possess every capability intended for the future permanent presidential fleet.

According to The New York Times, officials involved with the aircraft’s modifications said the donated plane is missing some of the highly advanced countermeasure systems installed on the current Air Force One, including sophisticated missile-defense technology.

CBS News reported that the older presidential aircraft is equipped with laser-based defenses and additional systems capable of countering incoming missile threats. However, officials declined to confirm whether those same technologies had been added to the Qatari aircraft.

Frank Kendall, who previously served as Air Force secretary, told The New York Times that he was surprised the aircraft entered international service so quickly, saying there likely was not enough time to complete all of the extensive upgrades typically required for an Air Force One aircraft.

“With the Iran situation, this could be of concern,” Kendall said.

The renewed focus on presidential security comes as U.S. officials continue to warn that Iran has long viewed Trump as a target following the 2020 operation that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani. However, current intelligence reportedly has not uncovered any specific assassination plot connected to Trump’s overseas travel.

Trump himself addressed those concerns during the NATO summit, telling reporters Iran considers him “their number one target.”

Democratic lawmakers have pointed to the reports as evidence that the administration may have placed the aircraft into service before all of its planned upgrades were completed.

The White House has firmly rejected that criticism, insisting the aircraft is fully equipped to transport the president safely while Boeing continues work on the long-delayed next generation of permanent Air Force One aircraft.

{Matzav.com}

The investigation into the murder of Rav Amos Guetta zt”l in Netanya continues to unfold, with police actively pursuing multiple lines of inquiry as they work to determine both the circumstances surrounding the killing and the motive behind it. Investigators are also examining aspects of the suspect’s background and his activities in the period leading up to the attack.

According to veteran chareidi journalist Yair Levy, the suspect was raised in a chareidi family in London and later studied in yeshivos in France before eventually becoming affiliated with the Chabad movement.

One of the theories being examined is whether the suspect harbored resentment over the fact that some people referred to Rav Guetta as “Moshiach,” and whether that may have played a role in the crime. Police are reviewing that possibility as part of the broader investigation, although authorities have not concluded that it was the motive for the murder.

Detectives are also exploring another theory—that a third party may have taken advantage of the suspect’s condition and possibly influenced or directed him to carry out the killing. Investigators are continuing to examine that possibility, but no evidence has yet been released confirming or disproving the hypothesis.

Another aspect of the investigation that has drawn attention involves several security-door keys found in the suspect’s pocket at the time of his arrest. According to the report, the suspect did not have a permanent residence, raising questions about why he was carrying the keys. Police are attempting to determine which apartment or property the keys belong to and whether they have any connection to the murder.

Police were asked to comment on the reported details of the investigation. As of publication, no official response had been issued.

{Matzav.com}

A new public opinion poll released Thursday indicates that Israel’s right-wing bloc would secure a parliamentary majority if elections were held today, while Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has widened his lead as the public’s preferred choice for prime minister.

According to the survey, the right-wing bloc would win 63 seats in the 120-member Knesset, enough to form a governing coalition. The left-wing bloc would receive 47 seats, while the Arab parties would capture the remaining 10 seats.

The Likud Party remains the largest faction, polling at 33 seats. It is followed by Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar Party with 21 seats, an increase of one seat compared to the previous poll. Shas is projected to win 10 seats, tying the Democrats with the same total.

Further down the standings, the Beyachad Party, led jointly by Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, is projected to receive 8 seats. Yisrael Beiteinu is also forecast to win 8 mandates, as is United Torah Judaism. Otzma Yehudit would secure 7 seats, while the Religious Zionism Party is projected to win 5. Among the Arab parties, both the Joint List and Ra’am are expected to receive 5 seats each.

Several parties would fail to cross the electoral threshold under the current polling. Those projected to remain outside the Knesset include Blue and White, Moshe Feiglin’s Zehut Party, and Yesodot Yisrael, led by Yoaz Hendel and Zvi Hauser.

The poll also found Netanyahu maintaining a commanding advantage in the race for prime minister. According to the results, 55% of respondents said Netanyahu is the most suitable candidate for the position, marking an improvement from the previous week’s survey. Eisenkot ranked second with 31%, followed by Naftali Bennett at 9%, Avigdor Lieberman at 4%, and Benny Gantz with just 1%.

The survey was conducted by NEXT DATA on July 9, 2026, among a representative sample of 752 adult Israelis. The data was analyzed by Shlomo Filber. As with all public opinion polls, the findings reflect respondents’ views at the time the survey was conducted and are not necessarily predictive of the outcome of a future election.

{Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rav Shmuel Yehuda Kohan z”l, one of the senior and most respected members of the Belzer community, who passed away at the age of 94.

Renowned for his lifelong devotion to Torah, chesed, and taharah, he played a pivotal role in helping establish the Belzer World Center in Yerushalayim and was instrumental in building dozens of mikvaos throughout Eretz Yisroel.

Rav Shmuel Yehuda was born in Sivan 5692 (1932) in Budapest, Hungary, to Rav Yaakov Chaim z”l and Mrs. Leah a”h. Before his parents married, his father sought the guidance of Rav Yeshaya of Kerestir zt”l regarding a proposed match. Although two suitable suggestions had already been presented, the tzaddik, through his ruach hakodesh, instructed him to wait for another proposal. The following day, the Kerestirer Rebbe was nistalek, and shortly thereafter the match that ultimately led to the birth of Rav Shmuel Yehuda was arranged.

During the Holocaust, while the Belzer Rebbe, Rav Aharon of Belz zt”l, was in Budapest, Rav Shmuel Yehuda’s father obtained hadasim for the Rebbe to fulfill the mitzvos of Sukkos. In appreciation, the Rebbe honored him with a dance during the sixth hakafah on Simchas Torah. Before departing the city, the Rebbe distributed protective coins to every member of the Kohan family. Rav Shmuel Yehuda, then a 14-year-old boy, survived the horrors of the Holocaust together with his family in what they regarded as miraculous circumstances.

As the war raged, the Kohan family was relocated to so-called “protected houses” in Budapest, but safety remained elusive. Rav Yaakov Chaim was deported to the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, while his wife and children found refuge at the Swiss Consulate, where nearly 2,000 Jews were crammed together under unbearable conditions. At one point, the Nazis marched them to the banks of the Danube River with the intention of executing them, but in a stunning turn of events they were spared at the last moment and returned to the consulate. Nine months after the war ended, Rav Yaakov Chaim returned to Budapest broken in body but alive, thanks in part to the efforts of Rav Yitzchok Shlomo Ungar zt”l, the rav of the Chug Chasam Sofer community.

Following the war, Rav Shmuel Yehuda studied in the yeshiva of the Rav of Chust before continuing his learning under Rav Shimon Yisrael Pozen zt”l of Shopron. He remained deeply devoted to his rebbe throughout his life and hosted a monthly Mishnayos shiur in his home on every Rosh Chodesh in his memory.

As Communist rule tightened its grip on Hungary in 1948, the family received permission to immigrate to Australia. On their way, they stopped in the United States, where relatives urged them to remain. They sought the guidance of the Frierdiker Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rav Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn zt”l, who instructed them that their mission was to continue on to Australia and spread Yiddishkeit there.

Their arrival in Australia became a source of widespread admiration. Landing in Sydney just minutes before Shabbos, the family left all of their belongings at the airport and walked seven miles with six young children to reach their hotel rather than violate the sanctity of Shabbos. The remarkable display of commitment generated significant publicity in the local press and created a tremendous Kiddush Hashem. The family later settled in Melbourne, where they were among the pioneers who established the city’s first minyan and laid the groundwork for its Jewish community.

In 1960, Rav Shmuel Yehuda married the daughter of Rav Moshe Friedman z”l of Melbourne, who maintained close ties with the courts of Belz, Sanz, and Stropkov. Rav Shmuel Yehuda himself enjoyed close relationships with many of Melbourne’s leading rabbonim, including Rav Yaakov Yitzchok Neiman, Rav Betzalel Stern, and Rav Elimelech Ashkenazi.

Eleven years later, in 1971, he fulfilled his dream of settling in Eretz Yisroel, making his home in Bnei Brak. His residence became known as a welcoming destination for anyone in need. He was recognized for his heartfelt tefillos, rose before dawn each day to immerse in the mikvah, and spent hours learning in the Chug Chasam Sofer bais medrash before Shacharis.

He maintained a close relationship with Rav Elazar Menachem Man Shach zt”l, visiting the Rosh Yeshiva together with his brother, Rav Meir, before every Rosh Hashanah and Purim to receive a brocha.

Rav Shmuel Yehuda was deeply attached to the great tzaddikim of his generation, particularly the Bohusher Rebbe zt”l, whom he served with complete devotion, and, yibadel l’chaim, the Belzer Rebbe. He dedicated enormous energy to strengthening the cause of taharah, overseeing the construction of numerous mikvaos throughout Eretz Yisroel. His crowning achievement was the magnificent mikvah built as part of the Belzer World Center in Kiryat Belz, Yerushalayim. He invested extraordinary financial resources and personal sacrifice into the project and stood at the Belzer Rebbe’s side throughout its development. The first office established to oversee construction of the Belzer bais medrash operated out of the building where his brother and partner in the undertaking, Rav Meir, lived. Together, the two brothers traveled extensively overseas to raise the funds necessary to bring the vision to fruition.

At the dedication of the mikvah during Chol Hamoed Sukkos in 1991, the Belzer Rebbe delivered special remarks praising the Kohan brothers, describing them as renowned for their relentless pursuit of tzedakah and chesed. The Rebbe noted that they had built dozens of mikvaos across Eretz Yisroel and blessed them with long life and many good years.

In his later years, Rav Shmuel Yehuda retired from business and devoted himself entirely to Torah. Together with his brother, he established an evening kollel for working men at the Chug Chasam Sofer bais medrash, where participants eventually completed Shas. Six years ago he suffered the loss of his beloved brother, with whom he shared an exceptionally close bond, and four years later his wife passed away. Even during his final years, as his health declined, those around him marveled at his extraordinary nobility, graciousness, and constant expressions of gratitude toward everyone who assisted him.

The levayah departed from his home on Baal Shem Tov Street in Bnei Brak before stopping at the Chug Chasam Sofer shul, where the community’s rav, Rav Moshe Benedikt, delivered brief words of farewell. The procession then continued to the Bohusher bais medrash. In accordance with the niftar’s request, the levayah paused at the gravesite of the Bohusher Rebbe zt”l in Nachalas Yitzchok Cemetery in Givatayim before continuing to Segulah Cemetery in Petach Tikvah, where he was laid to rest.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

Former Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) said the United States needs a new generation of political leadership, arguing in a newly released interview that elected officials over the age of 80 should no longer be serving in the nation’s highest offices.

Speaking with the Deseret News, Romney said he believes advanced age should disqualify candidates from leading the country.

“I basically think people who are 80 and above really should not be running the world or running the country,” he said.

Romney pointed to scientific research on aging, citing journalist Bill Bryson’s book The Body as support for his position.

“He points out that the human brain shrinks by 20 percent by the time you’re 80 years of age,” Romney said, referring to Bryson’s book.

The remarks came during a lighthearted exchange with McKay Coppins of The Atlantic, who hosts the “Deseret Views” podcast. After being asked jokingly whether he would consider another presidential campaign, Romney responded with humor.

“The reality is, sure, I’d love to do it again, and this time I might get it right, you know? Third time’s the charm,” he said, laughing.

Romney sought the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 before winning it in 2012, when he ultimately lost the general election.

Age became a central issue during the 2024 presidential campaign, with both President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden facing persistent questions about whether they were physically and mentally capable of handling the demands of the presidency.

On the Democratic side, concerns over Biden’s age intensified after a widely criticized debate performance, ultimately leading him to withdraw from the race and endorse then-Vice President Kamala Harris, who was 60 years old, as his replacement.

President Trump became the oldest sitting president during his second term in office and marked his 80th birthday last month by attending a UFC event at the White House. He has also faced continued scrutiny over his health following visible swelling and multiple visits to Walter Reed Medical Center.

Following his annual medical examination in May, however, Trump declared that “everything checked out PERFECTLY!”

In addition to that examination, Trump traveled to Walter Reed in October for a physical and cognitive assessment and underwent his routine annual medical evaluations last April.

{Matzav.com}

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing mounting criticism after his administration unveiled a map highlighting the city’s “immigrant enclaves” that excludes historic Jewish, Italian, and Irish neighborhoods—communities that played a central role in shaping the city’s identity over the past two centuries.

The map, released in May as part of a city initiative celebrating New York’s ethnic neighborhoods, is titled “New York City Immigrant Enclaves.” It identifies 30 communities representing a wide range of immigrant populations, including Yemeni, Pakistani, Egyptian, African, Palestinian, Chinese, Korean, Albanian, Colombian, Dominican, Ecuadoran, Indian, Haitian, Polish, and several others.

Critics, however, say the project overlooks some of New York’s most iconic immigrant communities. They point to the absence of neighborhoods such as Little Italy, as well as longstanding Irish and Jewish enclaves that helped build the city during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Queens Republican Councilwoman Joann Ariola sharply criticized the omission, telling the New York Post that the map suggests the mayor’s office does not view Jews, Italians, and Irish immigrants as worthy of recognition.

“They were able to get a Little Bhod-Tibet in there, but what about the original ‘Little neighborhood,’ Little Italy?” Ariola asked. “And what about areas like Woodlawn, in the Bronx, which are home to plenty of Irish immigrants? Do the Irish and Italians not count for the Mayor’s office?”

State Assemblyman Kalman Yeger also condemned the map, accusing Mamdani of deliberately excluding the Jewish community.

“Mr. Mamdani’s erasing Jews is an essential part of his brand. No surprise.”

Joseph Scelsa, founder of the Italian-American Museum on Mulberry Street, called the omission of Little Italy a serious error.

“Italian-Americans are still a major population in New York City. To not recognize where Italian-Americans came from and settled is a terrible mistake. I don’t understand why Little Italy isn’t included. I hope it’s an oversight,” Scelsa said.

Jewish author Avital Chizhik-Goldschmidt also criticized the map in a post on X, writing, “The Mayor’s Office made a map of NYC’s immigrant enclaves: Little Africa, Little Poland, Little Palestine. But they just couldn’t figure out how to represent 11% of the city. Couldn’t decipher where the Jews are from.”

Manhattan Institute senior fellow Christopher Rufo argued that the controversy fits a broader pattern, noting that Mamdani has previously advocated removing public recognition of Italian heritage.

Former Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt likewise accused the mayor of engaging in “deliberate subversion” by excluding Jewish, Italian, and Irish neighborhoods from the map.

In response to the backlash, the mayor’s office defended the project, arguing that it focuses on immigrant communities rather than religious groups. A City Hall spokesperson said the map “does not highlight religious groups,” adding that the campaign “highlights neighborhoods in New York City that have substantial foreign-born populations from regions and countries around the world.”

The administration also emphasized that the map was designed as a tourism resource and noted that the “immigrant enclave series began during the [Eric] Adams administration.” Officials added that additional neighborhoods are expected to be incorporated into the project “in the upcoming months.”

The House of Representatives is expected to vote next week on legislation that would make daylight saving time permanent across the United States, marking the latest effort to eliminate the twice-a-year clock changes that have long frustrated many Americans.

According to a notice released Thursday, lawmakers will consider the Sunshine Protection Act after the House Energy and Commerce Committee overwhelmingly approved the measure in May by a 48-1 vote. Although the Senate unanimously passed similar legislation in March 2022, the bill stalled in the House amid growing opposition.

The version of the legislation scheduled for a House vote would give individual states the option of opting out of permanent daylight saving time.

Most of the United States has observed daylight saving time since the 1960s, advancing clocks by one hour each spring before returning to standard time in the fall.

Backers of the legislation argue that eliminating the biannual time changes would improve public health and safety. They contend that switching clocks contributes to sleep disruption, increases workplace accidents, and leads to more traffic crashes. They also believe longer daylight hours in the evening during the winter months would encourage greater economic activity.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly voiced support for ending the twice-yearly clock changes. In May, he declared that it was “time that people can stop worrying about the ‘Clock,’ not to mention all of the work and money that is spent on this ridiculous, twice yearly production.”

Even if the bill clears the House, it would still require Senate approval before reaching Trump’s desk. The proposal faces opposition from Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., and several other lawmakers.

Cotton has argued that permanent daylight saving time would produce unusually late winter sunrises, forcing many children to travel to school before daylight for much of the year.

Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., who has introduced versions of the legislation nearly every year since 2018, once again sponsored the measure this session. The proposal has drawn strong support in his home state of Florida, where advocates say additional evening daylight would benefit golf courses, parks, and other recreational facilities.

Rep. Frank Pallone, D-N.J., also endorsed the legislation, saying permanent daylight saving time is “better for safety and will boost New Jersey’s tourism industry. Let’s stop changing the clocks twice a year.”

The United States previously adopted year-round daylight saving time during World War II and briefly reinstated it in 1974 as an energy-saving measure. However, the experiment proved unpopular with the public, prompting Congress to repeal the policy later that same year.

{Matzav.com}