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A massive explosion echoed across northern Israel on Sunday evening as the IDF demolished one of Hezbollah’s largest and most heavily fortified underground terrorist installations in southern Lebanon. The sprawling tunnel complex, described by the military as one of Hezbollah’s most significant strategic assets, contained hundreds of weapons, approximately 80 tons of explosives, launch shafts, drones, and other military equipment intended for attacks against Israel.

Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yisroel Katz announced that the operation, dubbed “Operation Closing Verse,” targeted Hezbollah’s underground infrastructure near the southern Lebanese village of Majdal Zoun. They said the mission dealt a significant blow to the terrorist organization while reaffirming Israel’s determination to continue eliminating threats along its northern border.

According to the Israeli leaders, the underground network stretched for more than 200 meters and reached a depth exceeding 25 meters beneath the surface. The facility housed hundreds of weapons and multiple launch shafts aimed at Israeli territory and civilian communities.

The IDF later revealed additional details about the sophisticated complex. Beyond its four launch shafts, the tunnel contained 12 fortified rooms that served as terrorist living quarters and weapons storage facilities. Reinforced blast doors had also been installed throughout the underground network in an effort to protect the site from military attack.

Troops discovered dozens of dismantled drones, aircraft components, explosive warheads, and approximately 80 tons of explosives inside the complex. Military officials said the tunnel represented one of Hezbollah’s most important strategic assets in the sector and had been constructed using technology and engineering expertise supplied by the Iranian regime.

During the operation, Israeli forces eliminated more than 20 Hezbollah terrorists in the area, including approximately ten members of the organization’s elite Radwan Force.

Netanyahu and Katz also disclosed that Israel informed the United States and the U.S. envoy to Lebanon in advance of the operation.

“IDF commanders and troops will remain in the southern Lebanon security zone and will continue to destroy terror infrastructure, eliminate threats to northern communities, and ensure the safety of Israel’s citizens,” the military said in a statement.

The IDF said troops from the 551st Brigade Combat Team, together with elite Yahalom combat engineers operating under the 91st Division, located and destroyed the underground complex during ongoing operations inside the security zone.

Ahead of the controlled detonation, regional councils across the Western and Upper Galilee alerted residents that an unusually powerful explosion would be heard as the IDF completed the destruction of Hezbollah’s terrorist infrastructure.

Military officials also warned that the force of the blast could activate independent earthquake detection systems that are not connected to the Home Front Command’s warning network.

In a message distributed to residents before the explosion, authorities wrote: “Due to the sheer force of the blast, local, independent earthquake alerts—which are not connected to Home Front Command systems—may be triggered. There is no danger to residents in the north.”

The controlled blast was heard across wide areas of northern Israel, marking the destruction of what the IDF described as one of Hezbollah’s largest and most strategically important underground military installations along the Lebanese border.

{Matzav.com}

The French Jewish community, both in Eretz Yisroel and throughout the Diaspora, is mourning the passing of Rav Ron Chaya zt”l, one of the most influential figures in French-speaking kiruv and harbotzas Torah, who was niftar at the age of 67 after suffering a stroke several weeks ago.

Rav Chaya, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Yeshuos Yosef in Yerushalayim, had been hospitalized at Hadassah Ein Kerem Medical Center in recent weeks following the stroke. His condition deteriorated significantly during the day and he was niftar overnight.

Widely regarded as one of the foremost mekarvei rechokim among French Jewry, Rav Chaya devoted decades of his life to bringing thousands of Jews closer to Torah and Yiddishkeit. Through his inspiring lectures, infectious joy, and deep love for every Jew, he transformed countless lives, helping thousands of individuals and families reconnect with their heritage.

His unique speaking style earned him an enormous following throughout France, Israel, and beyond. Rav Chaya was known for presenting the timeless truths of the Torah with passion, clarity, and conviction, never hesitating to publicly articulate the Torah’s perspective, regardless of prevailing public opinion.

Over the course of many decades, he produced thousands of talmidim and played a pivotal role in spreading Torah throughout the French-speaking Jewish world. His influence extended far beyond the walls of his yeshivah, reaching communities across Europe and Israel.

Among those paying tribute was his former student, Knesset member Yossi Taieb, who mourned the loss of his revered mentor.

“The Torah mourns tonight. It is with profound sorrow that I learned of the passing of one of the greatest benefactors of the French Jewish community, our teacher Rav Ron Chaya, zt”l.

“Rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Yeshuos Yosef, the rav educated thousands of students and brought them closer to the Creator.

“Over the years, I merited to seek his counsel, appreciate the depth of his Torah wisdom, and receive his blessing.

“The rav, of blessed memory, welcomed everyone with a radiant smile, humility, selfless devotion, and love for every Jew.

“‘And the entire House of Israel shall weep over the burning that Hashem has kindled.'”

The levayah is scheduled to take place on Monday at 12:00 p.m. at Yeshivas Yeshuos Yosef on Chizkiyahu Shabtai Street in the Ramot Daled neighborhood of Yerushalayim.

Tehei nishmaso tzrurah bitzror hachaim.

{Matzav.com}

Following an intensive international effort spanning several days, the body of Reb Akiva Rand z”l, the young avreich who was killed in a tragic automobile accident in Moldova last week, arrived in Israel. The successful transfer of his remains brought a measure of relief to his grieving family and the hundreds of Tchernobyler chassidim who had anxiously awaited the outcome of an extraordinary campaign to preserve the kavod hameis.

Behind the scenes, a complex diplomatic and legal battle unfolded immediately after news of the tragedy reached Israel. The operation was led by Chabad shluchim Reb Mendy Axelrod and Reb Schneur Tiefenbrun. Also involved were the Israeli Foreign Ministry, Israel’s embassy in Moldova, and ZAKA’s International Unit, who all mobilized to assist the family during their darkest hours while working tirelessly to ensure that the niftar would be brought to kever Yisroel without delay.

At the same time, Reb Mendy Axelrod and Reb Schneur Tiefenbrun, and ZAKA’s International Unit, engaged in an intense legal and diplomatic struggle with Moldovan authorities and the country’s judicial system. Despite an initial insistence by local officials that an autopsy be performed, the askanim ultimately succeeded, through persistent efforts, in securing the release of the body without any postmortem examination.

Volunteers remained at the crash scene for many hours, carefully tending to every aspect of the recovery with the utmost respect and dignity. They meticulously gathered all necessary remains and evidence to ensure that Reb Akiva would receive a proper Jewish burial.

Hundreds of chassidim, relatives, and friends accompanied him on his final journey during the levayah, which departed shortly after midnight from the Tchernobyler beis medrash on Rechov Tuval in Yerushalayim. He was laid to rest on Har HaMenuchos.

The fatal accident occurred last Wednesday while Reb Akiva was traveling with a group of chassidim to Moldova to visit the resting place of the tzaddik, Rav Yechiel Heshel of Krylovitz, whose yahrtzeit had been observed the previous week. While driving near Kishinev, Reb Akiva apparently lost control of his vehicle, which veered off the roadway and plunged into a deep ravine. Local emergency responders pronounced him dead at the scene, while the other passengers were injured and transported to a nearby hospital.

Friends and acquaintances recalled another painful dimension of the tragedy. For many years, Reb Akiva and his wife longed for children, pouring out countless tefillos before finally being blessed, through Heaven’s mercy, with three young children. Those three children have now been left orphaned by the devastating loss of their devoted father.

Tehei nishmaso tzrurah bitzror hachaim.

{Matzav.com}

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani sparked fresh controversy on Sunday after saying he does not support Israel’s identity as a Jewish state and accusing Israel of using billions of dollars in American military aid to violate international law and kill civilians.

Speaking during an interview with ABC News, Mamdani was asked whether he supports Israel’s definition as a Jewish state. He responded, “I think any state that privileges one religion over another is a state that I cannot tell you I support, whether it be Israel, Saudi Arabia or anywhere else.” He added, “I’ve said time and again that I support the state of Israel as a state with equal rights.”

Zohran Mamdani to ABC News:

I've said time and again that I support the state of Israel as a state with equal rights.

I believe that any state that privileges one religion over the other is one that I can't tell you I support, whether it be Israel or Saudi Arabia or anywhere… pic.twitter.com/Rica4Fi05I

— Clash Report (@clashreport) June 28, 2026

Mamdani also criticized continued U.S. military assistance to Israel, arguing that Democratic voters are increasingly opposed to the policy.

“We’ve seen Democrats turn out in droves in districts across this city to make clear that they are tired of tens of billions of dollars of our taxpayer money going to violate international law, to kill thousands of civilians,” he said.

Asked whether there is still room within the Democratic Party for lawmakers who support military aid to Israel, Mamdani declined to answer directly and instead argued that party leaders should follow the will of Democratic voters.

“I think what we’ve seen is that it’s time for us as elected officials to stop declaring what the party should be, but instead we should allow Democratic voters themselves to take the lead,” he said.

He also addressed the ongoing conflict involving Israel and the Palestinians, saying, “You and I know that right now the way Palestine is described is as though there is a ceasefire—that’s the language that’s generally used. More than a thousand Palestinians have been killed in this ‘ceasefire.’ What New Yorkers want to see is a politics of conscience, a politics of clarity, a politics of deep conviction. To act according to international law, to believe in the humanity of all people—that should not be too much to ask, and I think our party needs to listen to what Democrats are saying.”

Israel’s Consul General in New York, Ofir Akunis, sharply rejected Mamdani’s remarks.

“No one needs your recognition of Israel,” Akunis said. “If you knew a little history, instead of inciting and spreading hatred all day, you would know that Israel’s Declaration of Independence guaranteed full equality for all its citizens—and that has been the reality since the day our state was established.”

Akunis also warned that rhetoric such as Mamdani’s contributes to the rise in antisemitism across the United States.

“The surge in antisemitism across America is the result of ignorance and a lack of knowledge, combined with a fundamental hatred of the Jewish people,” he said. “I warn once again that Mamdani’s inciting words will end in very serious and violent acts against Jewish communities in the city and against the Israelis who live there.”

{Matzav.com}

A heated debate erupted Sunday during a Knesset House Committee meeting on the proposed Basic Law: Torah Study after MK Yitzchok Goldknopf of United Torah Judaism made remarks about military draft evasion, prompting angry interruptions from fellow lawmakers.

Addressing the committee, Goldknopf challenged the discussion surrounding draft evaders, declaring, “I heard here some poignant things that I never dreamed I’d have to talk about. I’m sure that the draft dodgers you’re talking about are the draft dodgers who live in Tel Aviv.”

His comments immediately drew fierce criticism from other members of the committee, several of whom interrupted his speech, shouting, “Shame on you, what nonsense!”

Goldknopf went on to explain that he was referring to individuals who receive military exemptions through special arrangements connected to “receive legal permission from Habima (performing arts theater), or from basketball, or soccer.” Committee members quickly pushed back, pointing out that even professional athletes serve in the IDF.

Later in the discussion, Goldknopf emphasized what he described as the indispensable role of Torah study in the existence of the Jewish state.

“We certainly appreciate all those who stand on the front and all those who choose this path, but there is no and would not be a Land of Israel without the Torah of Israel, and we all know this.”

He concluded by underscoring the longstanding tradition of uninterrupted Torah learning, saying, “there are great sages, there are instructions from generations back on how the Torah must be studied in the Land of Israel and how it must be studied around the world.” He added, “We live in a world with so many countries, I don’t know of any where they arrested someone who studied the Torah or prevented someone from studying the Torah.”

{Matzav.com}

The U.S. dollar has climbed back above the 3-shekel mark for the first time since late April, reversing months of shekel strength amid weakness in global AI and semiconductor stocks, heightened regional tensions, and growing expectations that the Bank of Israel will soon cut interest rates.

According to a report by N12, the shift in the currency markets has been driven by a combination of factors, including a sharp decline in technology shares worldwide, rising security concerns in the region, and forecasts that the Bank of Israel will lower its benchmark interest rate again next week.

One of the primary reasons for the shekel’s strong performance in recent months had been a steady inflow of U.S. dollars from major technology companies operating in Israel. A report by Leader Capital Markets noted that Mellanox, Nvidia’s Israeli subsidiary, exports products on a large scale and regularly converts substantial amounts of dollars into shekels to pay taxes in Israel—a process that strengthens the local currency.

That trend, however, reversed last week. The global SOX semiconductor index fell by approximately 8%, while weakness spread throughout AI-related stocks in markets across Asia and Israel. Tel Aviv’s Technology Index dropped 2.47% on Friday, with the technology sector’s decline contributing to the weakening of the shekel.

The Israeli currency also lost ground against a broader basket of foreign currencies, suggesting that geopolitical concerns are playing a significant role. Ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran, the security situation in Lebanon, and fears of continued regional instability have prompted investors to demand a higher risk premium for holding shekels.

For Israeli consumers, a stronger dollar is most noticeable in expenses tied to the U.S. currency, including airline tickets, overseas vacations, purchases from international online retailers, and certain imported goods. The impact on retail prices within Israel, however, is not expected to be immediate and will depend largely on importers’ pricing policies and future currency movements.

Attention is now turning to next week’s interest-rate decision by the Bank of Israel. Many economists expect the central bank to lower its benchmark rate by a quarter of a percentage point, from 3.75% to 3.5%. At the same time, the recent rise in the dollar could make policymakers more cautious, since a weaker shekel tends to increase import costs and place additional upward pressure on inflation.

Beyond the rate announcement itself, investors will be closely watching the Bank of Israel’s updated economic outlook. Markets are eager to see whether the central bank signals a clear path toward additional rate cuts or opts for a more cautious approach in light of ongoing security uncertainty, the government’s budget deficit, and continued volatility in financial markets.

{Matzav.com}

Shin Bet Director David Zini has reportedly ordered an immediate investigation into the leak of the launch date of Israel’s operation against Iran to Channel 12, overruling objections from Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara and the agency’s own legal advisers following a dramatic confrontation at last Thursday night’s Security Cabinet meeting.

According to a report by Channel 14, the unprecedented clash erupted after several cabinet ministers sharply criticized the Shin Bet’s failure to investigate the leak, despite what they said were direct instructions from Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu and the defense minister to do so.

During the meeting, ministers reportedly questioned how such a serious security breach—the disclosure of the launch of Operation Rising Lion to Channel 12—had not yet become the subject of a criminal investigation.

In response, Zini reportedly revealed that the delay was not due to reluctance on the part of the Shin Bet, but because the agency’s head of investigations and its legal adviser had blocked the probe under the direct guidance of Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara.

The revelation reportedly triggered strong outrage among ministers. Following the criticism, Zini decided to move forward with the investigation immediately, despite the attorney general’s legal opinion and opposition from the Shin Bet’s legal department and senior investigative officials.

The report also says investigators may already be closing in on the source of the leak. Security officials from both the Shin Bet and the Defense Ministry’s security division (Malam) reportedly possess intelligence and evidence gathered from multiple independent sources that could directly identify the individual responsible for the unauthorized disclosure.

The affair has intensified criticism within senior government circles, where officials are questioning why an investigation into what many describe as one of the gravest national security leaks in Israel’s history required approval from legal advisers while operational security and human lives were potentially at risk.

In response, the Shin Bet issued a statement saying: “We do not comment on discussions that take place during closed-door meetings. We will, of course, continue to follow this matter and will not rest until it has been fully investigated and the individual who leaked information that severely endangered the security of the state is identified.”

{Matzav.com}

A new investigation has uncovered widespread deterioration across federal office buildings, revealing leaking roofs, mold, rodent infestations, failing infrastructure, and billions of dollars in deferred maintenance that critics say reflects years of government inefficiency and neglect.

According to a report by The New York Times, the federal government faces an estimated $50 billion backlog in maintenance and repairs across approximately 1,475 properties owned by the General Services Administration (GSA). The report warns that, within a few years, the cost of needed repairs could surpass the total value of the federal government’s real estate holdings.

The problems became more visible after President Donald Trump directed federal employees to return to in-person work last year, sending workers back into buildings where maintenance issues had been accumulating for decades.

One of the primary causes of the growing backlog is the lengthy federal approval process for major repair projects. Current law requires congressional approval for GSA projects exceeding $3.96 million, and agency officials say the average approval takes more than 435 days. During that time, building conditions often continue to deteriorate, increasing both repair costs and safety concerns.

The investigation highlighted numerous examples of serious infrastructure failures across the country, including chronic roof leaks at an IRS facility in Atlanta, mold contamination at Veterans Affairs offices in Hilo, Hawaii, elevators at Boston’s John F. Kennedy Federal Building that have trapped occupants dozens of times, and outdated plumbing, ventilation, and electrical systems in federal facilities nationwide.

The report also found that prolonged building closures during the COVID-19 pandemic created additional maintenance challenges. Water systems left unused for extended periods raised concerns about Legionella bacteria, although the GSA said recent testing at the Food and Drug Administration headquarters found no evidence of contamination. Agency officials nevertheless acknowledged that extended vacancies introduced new risks to aging infrastructure.

Conditions at several IRS facilities have drawn particular scrutiny. Employees at one Atlanta office reported recurring mouse infestations, while another building has relied on plastic sheeting, hoses, and trash cans to catch rainwater dripping through a roof that has leaked for years.

Following complaints from employees and coverage by local media, GSA Administrator Edward Forst visited the Atlanta campus and ordered repairs to be expedited. The agency confirmed it had found evidence of mice and said emergency roof work would proceed immediately rather than waiting for the full congressional approval process.

In Austin, Texas, inspectors identified more than 100 building code violations at another IRS office, citing exposed electrical wiring, malfunctioning HVAC equipment, plumbing deficiencies, and inadequate ventilation. The GSA said many of those repairs are expected to be completed by October.

The bipartisan Public Buildings Reform Board argues that simply allocating more money for repairs will not solve the underlying problem. Instead, the board has urged the federal government to sell underutilized properties and shrink its real estate portfolio, contending that taxpayers should no longer bear the cost of maintaining outdated and inefficient buildings.

Board member Nick Rahall said the mounting maintenance backlog is creating “unhealthy and sometimes unsafe work environments” while driving up costs for taxpayers, adding to calls for sweeping reforms in the way the federal government manages its vast inventory of office buildings.

{Matzav.com}

House Speaker Mike Johnson announced Sunday that he will deliver a bipartisan housing affordability bill to President Donald Trump on Monday, signaling that the legislation will move forward despite Trump’s recent refusal to sign it until Congress advances a separate voter ID proposal.

Speaking during a televised interview, the Louisiana Republican expressed confidence that the measure’s path to becoming law is now clear.

“It’s passed by both chambers. I’m sending it to him on Monday, and it will become law,” Johnson said.

The announcement comes just days after Trump unexpectedly canceled a planned White House signing ceremony for the housing bill. The president delayed action on the legislation in an effort to pressure congressional Republicans to pass the SAVE America Act, a controversial election security measure.

The proposed legislation would require voters to present photo identification in federal elections, require proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote, and direct states to provide their voter registration rolls to the federal government.

Although the House approved the measure in February, it has remained stalled in the Senate amid strong Democratic opposition.

Johnson met with Trump on Thursday to discuss possible strategies for advancing the voter ID legislation while also arranging a new timetable for signing the housing bill.

Many Trump allies have advocated incorporating the SAVE America Act into a budget reconciliation package, which could be approved in the Senate with a simple Republican majority of 51 votes. They have also urged Senate leaders to override the parliamentarian if the voting measure is again ruled ineligible for reconciliation, as occurred earlier this year.

Democrats have sharply criticized the proposal, arguing that the voter ID requirements would make it more difficult for thousands of Americans—particularly those living in heavily Democratic areas—to cast ballots.

Because the housing affordability bill has already cleared both the House and Senate, it can still become law regardless of whether Trump signs it. Under the Constitution, the president has 10 days after receiving the legislation to either sign or veto it. If he takes neither action within that period, the bill automatically becomes law without his signature.

Johnson also said he has spoken with Senate Majority Leader John Thune about moving the voter ID legislation through the upper chamber.

“He’s got a big challenge on his hands, of course, and I’ve encouraged him to do everything possible within his power to move it. I believe he will,” Johnson said. “We’ll send them over a provision that fits.”

{Matzav.com}

Planned negotiations between the United States and Iran, which were scheduled to resume in Switzerland this weekend, have been canceled as military clashes between the two countries continue to escalate, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the latest round of talks was called off because of the ongoing hostilities, casting uncertainty over efforts to advance negotiations beyond the preliminary agreement reached earlier this month.

The development came as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi asserted that Iran holds exclusive authority over maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz under the preliminary agreement reached with President Donald Trump. He warned that attempts to bypass Iran’s authority could trigger additional confrontations similar to those seen in recent days.

Araghchi’s remarks directly contradict the U.S. position that the agreement does not grant Iran control over the vital international waterway and that commercial vessels should not require Iranian permission to transit the strait.

His comments followed several days of military exchanges between Iran and the United States. The latest fighting began after Iranian forces attacked a vessel attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz while navigating near the coast of Oman. Tehran, which has sought to redirect maritime traffic to a separate route closer to its own coastline, had warned ships against using the alternative shipping lane.

The renewed violence has unnerved shipping companies and raised fresh doubts about the reopening of one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints. The disruption threatens one of the principal achievements of President Trump’s preliminary agreement with Iran, which envisioned moving negotiations into a second phase focused on more contentious issues, including Tehran’s nuclear program.

The negotiations had been expected to resume in Switzerland later this week but have now been postponed indefinitely because of the fighting, according to sources cited by the Wall Street Journal.

“Managing and fully restoring maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz is Iran’s responsibility,” Araghchi said. “No other country or entity has responsibility or authority in this matter.”

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz warned that Washington would respond forcefully to any additional attacks on commercial shipping.

“If the Iranian regime thinks for a moment that President Trump will sit idly by, stand idly by, while Iran continues to attack international shipping without response or our bases without response, they are greatly mistaken,” Waltz said on Fox News. “And they have seen that loud and clear over the last several nights.”

In recent days, Iran attacked two commercial vessels—a container ship and an oil tanker transporting Qatari crude. The United States responded with strikes against Iranian communications facilities, drone sites, and missile positions along the Strait of Hormuz. Iran subsequently expanded the conflict by launching attacks against Kuwait and Bahrain.

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Reb Meyer Greisman z”l, a beloved machzik Torah and baal tzedakah, who was niftar following a serious illness. He was 75. He leaves behind a legacy of extraordinary generosity, quiet chesed, and unwavering dedication to the Torah world.

In recent months, countless tefillos were recited on his behalf as family, friends, and members of the broader community fervently hoped for his recovery. Despite those heartfelt tefillos, Reb Meyer was called to his eternal reward, leaving a profound void in the lives of all who knew him.

Reb Meyer originally lived in Flatbush, Brooklyn, and, in recent years, resettled in Jackson, NJ.

For many years, Reb Meyer was recognized as one of the community’s outstanding supporters of Torah. He gave generously—and often quietly—to an extraordinary range of mosdos, yeshivos, kollelim, organizations, and individuals in need. Whether the cause involved Torah learning, chinuch, chesed, or helping a family through difficult times, Reb Meyer was among those who could always be counted upon to respond with remarkable generosity.

Those who knew him speak not only of his philanthropy, but of the warmth with which it was offered. He possessed a heart of gold, always looking for ways to help another person, often without seeking recognition or acknowledgment. His kindness extended far beyond financial assistance; he offered encouragement, friendship, and genuine concern for the well-being of others. His life was a reflection of selfless giving and sincere compassion.

He leaves behind a distinguished family who continue to walk in his path of Torah, chesed, and tzedakah. They carry forward the values that defined his life and stand as a living testament to the enduring legacy he built.

He is survived by his wife; his children, Duvie Greisman, Moshe Greisman, Chaya Bienstock, Ariella Zicherman, Peri Parnes, and Shirah Sochaczewski; and many grandchildren.

The levayah will take place today at 4:30 p.m. at the Congregation Sons of Israel Holocaust Memorial Chapel, located at 613 Ramsey Avenue in Lakewood, New Jersey. The aron will then be flown to Eretz Yisroel for kevurah there.

Watch the levayah live HERE.

Passcode: 363069

Yehi zichro baruch.

President Joe Biden returned to the political spotlight Saturday night, delivering a speech attacking President Trump at a Democratic Party gathering in Maryland before appearing uncertain about how to leave the stage at the conclusion of his remarks.

Appearing at the Maryland Democratic Party’s Fight Back & Win summit outside Baltimore, Biden defended his presidency while launching a series of attacks against Trump. The event marked another public appearance for the 83-year-old after Democrats ended his 2024 reelection campaign following his widely criticized debate performance against Trump.

During the speech, Biden accused Trump of engaging in the “deliberate distraction – destruction of NATO” and mocked plans for a new White House ballroom, dismissing it as a “vanity project.”

After wrapping up his remarks with a familiar message about America’s resilience, Biden hesitated onstage as he searched for the correct exit.

He looked toward the side of the stage for direction, gestured in two separate directions while trying to determine where to go, and ultimately left by walking off with his back facing the audience.

The Maryland appearance, held at the Live! Casino & Hotel in Hanover, came only days after Biden attended the opening of the Barack Obama presidential library in Chicago.

That event also ended awkwardly for the former president. As the program concluded, Biden appeared uncertain about where to go and called out, “Where’s my granddaughter?” while approaching the podium. At various points during the event, he was escorted by former first lady Jill Biden.

Reading from a teleprompter throughout Saturday night’s address, Biden occasionally squinted at the screen and coughed several times during the opening portion of his speech. He repeatedly criticized the president, who defeated him in the 2024 election after Biden had won the White House in 2020.

“Have you noticed that Americans are saying the economy under the Biden administration is a hell of a lot better than under Trump?” he told party faithful in the deep blue state.

Continuing his criticism, Biden said, “It’s not just his vanity projects – tearing down the East Wing of the White House making room for his ballroom. Putting his name on the Kennedy Center. Building an arch in his own honor. Even hiring his own pool guy to fix the reflecting pool. Woah – what a loser,” drawing applause from the audience.

He also said it was “simply stunning to me” that Trump made “billions of dollars” after returning to the White House, adding that “he has no shame.”

The latest incident added to a series of well-publicized moments in which Biden appeared to struggle with stage directions during his presidency, including a widely discussed G7 photo opportunity in Italy in 2024.

Although he addressed national issues and criticized Trump, Biden did not mention the ongoing ideological divisions within the Democratic Party following victories by democratic socialist candidates in three New York primary elections.

Biden is currently undergoing treatment after being diagnosed with Stage 4 prostate cancer.

Meanwhile, former first lady Jill Biden has increased her public appearances while promoting her new book, in which she disclosed that she initially feared Biden might be “having a stroke” during his difficult 2024 presidential debate performance.

Hunter Biden has also become increasingly active online, using social media to promote his artwork while responding to critics of his father. In one recent post, he challenged Donald Trump Jr. to a cage match and criticized the UFC event that was held on the South Lawn of the White House.

{Matzav.com}

The full text of a proposed law aimed at suspending the arrests of bnei yeshiva for avoiding the army has been revealed, outlining a dramatic compromise that would temporarily halt criminal proceedings against thousands of bnei yeshivah while imposing unprecedented oversight and enforcement measures on yeshivos.

Under the proposed legislation, thousands of bnei yeshivah whose legal status expired following the lapse of the previous draft law would receive retroactive legal relief. At the same time, the bill would establish an extensive monitoring system designed to ensure compliance within the yeshivah world.

The proposal calls for a temporary 90-day emergency measure during which no arrests or criminal investigations would be carried out against eligible military-age individuals who failed to report for induction, provided they take steps to regularize their status within the time frame established by the law.

A key feature of the plan is the creation of a special three-member military committee that would review individual applications. The panel would be headed by an officer holding the rank of major general, appointed by the Military Advocate General, and would also include the deputy head of the IDF Personnel Directorate. Eligible applicants would be required to submit their requests within 30 days of the law taking effect.

To qualify for protection under the law, a bochur would have to submit an application accompanied by a sworn affidavit from his rosh yeshivah, confirming that he had been learning consistently beginning on July 1, 2023, or from the date his military obligation took effect. While the committee reviews the application, no indictments for draft evasion or failure to report could be filed, ongoing criminal proceedings would be suspended, and enforcement of existing court rulings would be frozen.

If the committee determines that the applicant met the required learning standards, all criminal proceedings against him would be formally dismissed. The proposal is intended to resolve the legal uncertainty surrounding thousands of bnei yeshivah whose exemptions expired but who maintain that they continued learning uninterrupted.

The relief offered by the bill is coupled with significantly stricter eligibility requirements. To qualify as a recognized talmid yeshivah, an individual would be required to maintain a schedule of at least 45 hours of weekly Torah study in a yeshivah, or 40 hours per week in a kollel. The proposal also bars participants from engaging in any employment or outside occupation while claiming that status.

Both the talmid and the rosh yeshivah would be required to sign legally binding affidavits under Israel’s Evidence Ordinance. In addition, every rosh yeshivah would be obligated to notify the IDF by the 14th of each month regarding any student who no longer meets the eligibility requirements. The provision would place ongoing responsibility on yeshivah administrations not only to certify enrollment initially, but also to monitor attendance and compliance continuously.

Perhaps the most far-reaching provision in the draft legislation concerns oversight of the yeshivos themselves. Authorized inspectors would be required to conduct physical attendance audits at every recognized yeshivah at least once every three months, while the defense minister would be obligated to submit quarterly reports detailing the inspection results to the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.

According to the proposal, if inspectors determine that at least 20 percent of a yeshivah’s students are repeatedly absent, the institution would first receive a formal warning. If the problem persists, the yeshivah would be removed from the Defense Ministry’s list of recognized institutions. Such a move could automatically revoke the draft deferments of all its students, forcing them either to transfer to another approved yeshivah or become subject to military service.

The legislation also requires Israel’s Education Ministry to provide the IDF with information on graduates of chareidi educational institutions, enabling the military to more accurately measure annual enlistment targets instead of relying solely on reports submitted by the yeshivos.

Deliberations on the draft law are expected to begin Tuesday and continue over the following two weeks as lawmakers seek to advance the measure toward final approval in the Knesset. The proposal already faces legal opposition, with critics arguing that the temporary freeze on arrests could face significant challenges before Israel’s High Court of Justice.

{Matzav.com}

Prosecutors in Yerushalayim have filed indictments against three city residents accused of throwing rocks from the roof of a hotel at chareidi demonstrators below. One of the defendants, an armed security guard employed at the hotel, is accused of facilitating the attack by allowing the others access to the rooftop.

According to the indictment, the investigation was launched by Yerushalayim’s Moriah Police Station after authorities received reports and video footage of an incident that took place on June 1, 2026. During the incident, rocks were allegedly thrown from the roof of a hotel at chareidi protesters gathered on the nearby roadway.

Police investigators collected witness testimony and additional evidence, including video footage that allegedly shows the suspects throwing rocks at the demonstrators as well as at passing vehicles. The indictment further alleges that one of the defendants was seen smashing a large rock on the rooftop to create smaller stones that could be thrown more easily.

Prosecutors also allege that the hotel’s armed security guard unlocked the door leading to the rooftop, enabling the other two defendants to gain access. According to the indictment, he remained nearby while the rocks were being thrown, failed to intervene to stop the attack, and did not report the incident to authorities, despite his responsibilities as a security guard.

Following the completion of the investigation and the gathering of what police described as sufficient evidence, the Yerushalayim District Prosecution Unit filed formal indictments against all three defendants in court.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu is expected to personally attend a crucial meeting of Likud’s Constitution Committee on Sunday in an effort to win support for his proposed overhaul of the party’s Knesset candidate list. But senior party officials believe he is likely to face a majority opposed to his plan.

According to reports, the meeting is shaping up to be one of the most contentious internal Likud battles ahead of Israel’s 26th Knesset elections. Netanyahu decided to attend after realizing that negotiations over the structure of the party’s electoral slate had reached an impasse.

At the heart of the dispute is Netanyahu’s demand to reserve 10 personally selected slots within the first 30 places on the Likud list while pushing district representatives down to positions after No. 40. Opposing the proposal are senior Likud figures Chaim Katz and David Bitan, who insist Netanyahu receive no more than six reserved slots and want district representatives to remain guaranteed places within the top 30.

The internal battle has also spilled into a public campaign aimed at party activists. Messages circulated among Likud members declared: “Netanyahu is saving Likud! Yes to Netanyahu’s reserved slots, no to the corrupt membership drive.” Another message urged supporters: “Don’t let Bitan and Chaim Katz confuse you. We all know there is a hostile takeover attempt against Likud.”

Netanyahu has reportedly warned that if no compromise is reached, he will personally appear before the committee to try to persuade members to back his proposal. Even so, senior figures within the party remain skeptical that his direct involvement will change the outcome. One Likud official said, “It won’t help Netanyahu,” adding, “In any case, there will be a majority against him. It’s better for him to reach agreements.”

In an effort to reduce opposition, Netanyahu has reportedly offered to eliminate separate reserved positions for women and young candidates, instead including those groups within the reserved slots he is seeking for himself.

The party has yet to decide when its primary elections will be held, with August 4 and August 11 currently under consideration.

At the same time, Netanyahu is continuing to shape his preferred candidate list for the next election. Among his key objectives is broadening Likud’s appeal to younger voters and Israel’s Ethiopian community. Potential candidates reportedly being considered include Yoseph Haddad, Netta-Li Shem Tov, and several young IDF combat veterans who distinguished themselves during the recent wars.

Sources close to the prime minister say his hands-on involvement reflects his desire to assemble a balanced slate that preserves Likud’s traditional base while also attracting moderate right-wing voters. Before he can focus on expanding the party’s support at the ballot box, however, Netanyahu must first convince members of his own party to back his plan.

Two members of Venezuela’s Jewish community have been killed and several others remain missing following two powerful earthquakes that devastated northern Venezuela, according to local Jewish leaders. Hundreds of Jewish residents have also been displaced after their homes were destroyed or suffered severe damage.

Less than two hours after the earthquakes struck northern Venezuela—including the capital city of Caracas—leaving thousands dead and thousands more missing, Jewish families whose homes had become uninhabitable began making their way to Hebraica, the Jewish community center in Caracas. More than 400 people sought shelter there on the first night, sleeping in parked cars and on beach chairs set up around the center’s soccer field.

“Based on all the years of hardships we’ve experienced—massive power outages and other problems—the community already knows where it can go if something happens,” Roberto Mishkin, a leader of the country’s largest Ashkenazi Jewish community, told the Forward. He added that aftershocks continue to shake the region. “A lot of people don’t want to go back because they live on high floors. They are afraid.”

Community leaders confirmed that two members of the Jewish community were killed in the disaster, while several others remain unaccounted for. Hundreds more have been left homeless after their residences were either destroyed or badly damaged.

“People are worried, very worried, very desperate, and many people don’t know whether they can return to their homes,” said Elias Farah, the former president of Venezuela’s Sephardic Jewish community and a past leader of the Venezuelan Zionist Federation.

Mishkin said Venezuela’s Jewish community had already been enduring significant hardship for years before the earthquakes struck. He noted that more than 300 Jewish families had been relying on food and medical assistance provided by local Jewish organizations, including the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC).

According to the Forward, community leaders are now working to restore a sense of normalcy amid the devastation. On Friday, organizers purchased mattresses so displaced families would no longer have to sleep in their vehicles or on beach chairs. They are also hoping to establish a communal kitchen to provide meals for those who cannot afford food.

“Right now everyone here is safe,” Mishkin said. “We’re feeding several families, and we’re trying to manage, but this is a very poor community.”

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich says he played a decisive role in shaping Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, arguing that his insistence on continuing the offensive prevented an early end to the war and ultimately helped secure the return of all the hostages.

Speaking in an interview on Nadav Perry’s All In podcast, the Religious Zionism Party chairman claimed that, without his intervention, the fighting would have been halted before Israeli forces reached Rafah.

“I think that if not for me, the war in Gaza would have been stopped even before Rafah. In fact, if not for me-contrary to the way some people try to portray me as someone who is cold-hearted and doesn’t care about the hostages-I think that thanks to me, all the hostages are here,” Smotrich said.

He went on to describe a critical moment following the January 2025 hostage agreement, arguing that Israel was on the verge of accepting another limited deal that would have prolonged negotiations with Hamas.

“After the previous deal, in January 2025, we were left with 20 hostages and the bodies of others, and another deal was beginning to take shape under which only eight would return. If, at that moment, I hadn’t drawn a red line and told Netanyahu, ‘Absolutely not. Once our soldiers have entered Gaza to maneuver, there will be no pause just to improve our negotiating position,’ we would still be negotiating with Hamas today over one hostage after another.”

Smotrich also asserted that he has substantial influence over the government’s wartime decision-making, attributing that influence to his preparation, strategic clarity, and willingness to focus on military objectives rather than political considerations.

“According to Smotrich, “I have a very significant influence on the war. That stems from being absolutely clear about where I want this war to end. I read all the intelligence material, study it thoroughly, and come to the discussions fully prepared. I am also capable of being pragmatic and not playing politics during the war-unlike others.”

{Matzav.com}

A media outlet affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has declared that the country has “no choice” but to acquire a nuclear weapon, escalating concerns about the future of the recently signed peace agreement between Tehran and Washington.

The article, published Sunday by the Iranian state-linked Fars news agency under the headline “No choice but to build the atomic bomb,” argues that Iran can only negotiate effectively with its adversaries if it possesses nuclear deterrence.

“To achieve the peace and calm that Iran needs, it must absolutely reach nuclear deterrence to ensure that the rest of the issues can be resolved through negotiation,” thunders the piece, before drawing a comparison between Iran’s current standoff with the United States and China’s relationship with Washington during the 1970s.

“America threatened China with nuclear attack twice — similar to Trump’s recent nuclear threats against Iran — but when did Kissinger secretly meet with the Chinese and then negotiate? It was when China built the atomic bomb,” the article continues.

The commentary further argues that nuclear weapons would provide strategic balance rather than encourage war. “Nuclear deterrence means that you can reach a balance of power against America and Israel, who possess atomic bombs — not so that war does not happen, but so that the scope of conflict remains controllable,” it goes on.

The article stands in sharp contrast to the commitments Iran made under the Memorandum of Understanding signed with the United States earlier this month. As part of the agreement, Tehran pledged not to pursue a nuclear weapon and agreed to restore access for International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors after international oversight had been suspended last year.

The United States has also demanded that Iran halt all uranium enrichment activities for the next 20 years.

The renewed rhetoric comes as the head of the IAEA continues pressing Tehran to allow inspectors unrestricted access to its nuclear facilities so the agency can verify compliance with the agreement.

“The government of Iran has affirmed quite clearly that [developing nuclear weapons] is not their intention, but of course, intentions are not enough,” IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi told reporters on Friday.

“In order to have certainty, we need to have a very strong system of verification as soon as practicable,” he added.

Although Iran agreed to permit IAEA inspectors to return in September, it has yet to authorize inspections of the nuclear facilities targeted by President Trump during the 2025 U.S. airstrikes.

Questions also remain about the whereabouts of Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium, which has not yet been fully accounted for.

Iranian officials have echoed the broader message that the country must preserve its military capabilities, offering additional support for the themes advanced by the state-linked publication.

“Iran’s military capabilities ensure the Iranian people’s inherent right to legitimate self-defence in the face of aggression and crimes, while at the same time guaranteeing peace and stability in the region,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said in a statement on X on Friday, later attacking the country’s Gulf neighbors.

Baghaei also accused Gulf states of “engaging in aggression against their Muslim neighbor,” and “remaining silent regarding the Israeli nuclear arsenal,” in his statement.

{Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rebbetzin Rochel Lieff a”h, who passed away at the age of 104.

Born in the historic Batei Machsah neighborhood of Yerushalayim in 1922, Rebbetzin Lieff was raised in an illustrious Yerushalmi family steeped in Torah and yiras Shamayim.

Her father was Rav Yaakov Leib Bergman, who was a son-in-law of Rav Yitzchok Shlomo Blau, a distinguished member of the renowned Blau family of Yerushalayim.

She later married Rav Yaakov Dovid Lieff zt”l, the longtime rov of Talmud Torah Tiferes Yisroel/The Avenue O Jewish Center in Brooklyn. Together, they built a home that became a beacon of Torah, producing children who continue to have a profound impact on the Torah world. Rav Yaakov Dovid was niftar 28 years ago.

Among her distinguished children are Rav Moshe Tuvia Lieff, rov of Agudath Israel Bais Binyomin on Avenue L in Flatbush, and Rav Eliezer Simcha Lieff, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Gedolah of South Monsey. She was predeceased by her son, Nochum Shlomo Lieff, who passed away at a young age.

Although she enjoyed a successful career as a mathematics professor at Brooklyn College, Rebbetzin Lieff never allowed her professional accomplishments to overshadow the central mission of her life. She remained steadfastly devoted to her family’s growth in Torah, providing constant encouragement and support to her husband in his rabbanus and to her sons as they pursued lives of Torah learning and leadership. Those who knew her saw a woman who skillfully balanced intellectual achievement with deep dedication to her role as the foundation of a home built upon Torah.

Throughout more than a century of life, Rebbetzin Lieff witnessed—and helped shape—the remarkable growth of the postwar Torah world. From her roots in Yerushalayim to the flourishing kehillos of Brooklyn and Monsey, she stood at the center of a family whose impact has been profound.

The levayah will take place today at 12 noon at Yeshiva Gedolah of South Monsey, located at 260 Saddle River Road in Airmont, NY. Following the levayah, the aron will be flown to Eretz Yisroel for kevurah there.

Yehi zichrah baruch.

{Matzav.com}

In a landmark decision, Israel’s cabinet unanimously approved a resolution formally recognizing the Armenian Genocide, marking a significant shift in Israeli policy and setting the stage for a final vote in the Knesset.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, who introduced the proposal, announced the cabinet’s decision immediately after the vote, saying, “Just a short while ago, the Government of Israel approved the resolution I brought before it to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide.”

The measure will now be brought before the Knesset plenum, where lawmakers will cast the final parliamentary vote.

Sa’ar said the decision reflects Israel’s moral responsibility as the Jewish state to acknowledge one of history’s greatest atrocities. “This horrific genocide, which took place more than a century ago and whose historical facts are no longer seriously disputed, claimed the lives of 1.5 million people and destroyed an ancient cultural and historical heritage,” he said. “As Jews, and especially as the nation-state of the Jewish people, I believe it is our moral duty to make this decision.”

The cabinet resolution also denounces any effort to deny, minimize, or distort the historical record of the genocide. With the vote, Israel joins 32 United Nations member states—including the United States, Canada, Russia, and Germany—that have officially recognized the Armenian Genocide. The European Parliament and the Holy See have likewise extended formal recognition.

For decades, Turkey has rejected characterizing the mass killings, deportations, and imprisonment of Armenians during the final years of the Ottoman Empire as genocide, despite extensive historical evidence. Critics have accused Ankara of maintaining an “institutionalized campaign of denial and minimization” that includes the “manipulative rewriting of history books.”

The move, however, is expected to carry diplomatic consequences. Israel’s recognition of the genocide could complicate its close relationship with Azerbaijan, an important strategic ally that has received Israeli military support during its conflicts with Armenia. The decision is also widely expected to provoke a sharp response from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.