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Vice President JD Vance said Thursday that although President Donald Trump is weighing potential military action against Iran, there is “no chance” the United States would become entangled in a prolonged conflict in the Middle East.

In an interview with The Washington Post, Vance said he is unsure what course Trump will ultimately choose regarding Iran. He outlined options that range from targeted military action “to ensure Iran isn’t going to get a nuclear weapon” to resolving “the problem diplomatically.”

If Trump authorizes additional strikes — which some US officials have indicated could be broader than last June’s attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities — Vance maintained that such action would not spiral into the kind of open-ended war he has long criticized.

“The idea that we’re going to be in a Middle Eastern war for years with no end in sight – there is no chance that will happen,” he told The Post while traveling back to Washington from an event in Wisconsin. His comments appeared aimed at countering foreign policy analysts who argue that any expanded confrontation with Iran could prove difficult to contain.

Vance pointed to prior operations as examples of limited, defined objectives, saying last year’s action in Iran and the January apprehension of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro were “very clearly defined.”

The vice president described himself as continuing to be a “skeptic of foreign military interventions,” adding that he believes the same characterization applies to Trump.

“I think we all prefer the diplomatic option,” Vance said. “But it really depends on what the Iranians do and what they say.”

The interview took place as American and Iranian officials were engaged in indirect negotiations in Geneva, against the backdrop of a substantial US military buildup around Iran. No agreement emerged from the talks, though Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said progress had been made and that “technical talks” would resume next week in Vienna, Austria. US officials told Axios that the discussions were positive.

Trump has also spoken openly about the possibility of regime change in Iran, including removing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei from power. Earlier this month, he told reporters that it “would be the best thing that could happen.”

Asked whether, during his time as a commentator and US senator critical of the Iraq War, he ever imagined serving in an administration contemplating foreign regime change, Vance responded with a laugh.

“Well, I mean, look. Life has all kinds of crazy twists and turns,” Vance told The Washington Post. “But I think Donald Trump is an ‘America First’ president, and he pursues policies that work for the American people.

“I do think we have to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past. I also think that we have to avoid overlearning the lessons of the past. Just because one president screwed up a military conflict doesn’t mean we can never engage in military conflict again. We’ve got to be careful about it, but I think the president is being careful.”

On Wednesday, before the Geneva discussions began, Vance said the United States has intelligence indicating Iran is attempting to revive aspects of its nuclear program.

He reiterated that Trump favors a negotiated solution but is prepared to consider other measures if necessary.

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

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

Trump echoed that stance during his State of the Union address Tuesday evening. He said that last June’s strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear program, while also accusing Tehran of killing more than 32,000 protesters and attempting to restart its nuclear activities. He warned that Iran is developing missiles capable of reaching Europe and potentially the United States.

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

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

{Matzav.com}

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Europe’s top human rights court has ruled that a medieval antisemitic carving affixed to a German cathedral may remain in place, rejecting a petition filed by a Jewish retiree who argued the relief violates the rights of Jews in Germany. According to a report Friday in the German magazine Der Spiegel, the European Court of […]

Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) said Thursday that President Donald Trump is transforming Immigration and Customs Enforcement into what he described as a heavily armed force that will operate on American streets, raising concerns about increased militarization and reduced training.

Speaking on MS NOW’s “The Last Word,” Schiff outlined findings from a review of Department of Homeland Security contracting records, which he said show a sharp rise in spending on weapons and detention infrastructure tied to immigration enforcement.

Schiff said, “We wanted to go through DHS contracting records and document just how much they’re spending to militarize this new, you know, effectively new police forces, palace guard of the presidents that is wreaking such havoc in our cities. And we found dramatic increases in spending on weapons, as you said, ICE agents will be equipped with now 3 to 4 times the amount of weapons as the previous year. Customs and Border Protection doubling their expenditure on the same.”

He argued that the increased weapon purchases are occurring alongside a reduction in training for new agents, which he described as a troubling development.

He added, “I think what we’re seeing is a dangerous combination of a much more heavily armed immigration, law enforcement, complex. At the same time, we heard whistleblower testimony this week that they’ve cut the training for these new ICE agents. And they’re getting inadequate training on when to use these weapons and how to use these weapons. That is a really dangerous mix. And we wanted to sound the alarm with this report that we’re seeing the emergence of a kind of law enforcement or immigration enforcement industrial complex, because it’s not just the weapons. We’re seeing dramatic increases in expenditures on detention centers. They want to build around the country. And this is a way of gathering its own momentum. And we need to be aware of what’s happening, that we’re building a not small army now, that’s going to be policing American streets.”

{Matzav.com}

Sweden’s military has intercepted a suspected Russian drone off the south of the country as a French aircraft carrier was docked in the port of Malmö, officials said. The armed forces said Thursday that a Swedish naval ship observed the suspected drone during a patrol in the Öresund, the strait that divides Sweden from Denmark. […]

Pakistan and Afghanistan traded attacks in a dramatic escalation of tensions between the countries that Pakistan’s defense minister said Friday means they are now in “open war.” Tensions have been high between the neighbors for months, with border clashes in October killing dozens of soldiers, civilians and suspected militants. Pakistan accuses Afghanistan’s Taliban government of harboring militant groups that then stage […]

For more than two decades, one number barely moved. In survey after survey, Americans said they sympathized more with Israel than with the Palestinians in the long-running conflict. That pattern has now broken. For the first time since Gallup began asking the question more than 20 years ago, more Americans say they sympathize with the […]

An El Al flight en route to Miami was forced to turn around Thursday afternoon and divert to Portugal due to a medical emergency involving one of the passengers — just hours after another company flight changed course because of a suspected engine malfunction.

The Miami-bound flight made a U-turn and landed at an alternate airport in Portugal after a passenger experienced a medical emergency during the journey.

In a statement, the airline said: “El Al flight LY1017 from Tel Aviv to Miami landed at an airport en route due to a medical incident involving one of the passengers. After consultation with the company physician, it was decided to land in order to evacuate her to a hospital as soon as possible.”

The company added, “After the passenger is evacuated, the flight will continue to its destination as planned. El Al places the safety and security of its passengers and crew at the top of its priorities.”

The incident occurred only hours after a separate event earlier in the day involving a flight from Tel Aviv to Boston. That flight diverted to Heathrow Airport in London following concerns about a possible technical malfunction in one of the aircraft’s engines.

The plane, which had already entered Atlantic airspace, turned around and landed in London. The airline stated that there was concern over a potential technical issue with one of the engines, possibly limited to an indicator system malfunction. However, in accordance with safety protocols, it was decided not to proceed to the original destination.

{Matzav.com}

Vice President JD Vance insists there is “no chance” the United States will be dragged into a prolonged war with Iran. Speaking to the Washington Post aboard Air Force Two, Vance projected confidence that any potential U.S. strike on Iran would be limited and decisive, brushing aside warnings from foreign policy experts that escalation is […]

As US forces mass in the Middle East, Iran faces the threat of major strikes by the world’s most powerful military, potentially targeting its leaders, military, nuclear sites, and critical infrastructure. Iran has nowhere near the capabilities of the United States, and is even more vulnerable after last year’s war with Israel as well as […]

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The commander of US Central Command, Navy Admiral Brad Cooper, met with President Donald Trump on Thursday to outline possible military courses of action involving Iran, according to a person close to the president cited by ABC News.

Also present at the meeting was General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the president’s senior military adviser, a second individual familiar with the conversation told ABC News.

The briefing coincided with indirect negotiations in Geneva between American and Iranian representatives over Tehran’s nuclear and ballistic missile activities. While no agreement was announced at the conclusion of the talks, Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said progress had been made and indicated that “technical talks” would resume in Vienna, Austria, next week.

Despite the ongoing diplomatic channel, Trump has continued to signal that military action remains an option and has reinforced the US force posture in the Middle East.

In recent days, several Republican lawmakers and members of the administration have privately argued that Israel, rather than the United States, should spearhead any strike on Iran if diplomacy fails, according to two people familiar with those internal discussions.

It was not clear as of Thursday whether Trump had endorsed that approach. The president has reportedly grown increasingly dissatisfied with Tehran’s refusal to stop enriching uranium and curb its ballistic missile development.

ABC News reported that Trump typically weighs a broad range of viewpoints before reaching a final decision. Politico first disclosed that some senior advisers and Republican figures have pushed for Israel to assume the lead role in any military action.

At the same time, sources say a coordinated US-Israeli operation remains under consideration. The United States has deployed substantial naval and air assets to the region, placing ships and combat aircraft within operational range of Iranian targets.

“The media may continue to speculate on the President’s thinking all they want, but only President Trump knows what he may or may not do,” White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly said, reiterating a line she has used repeatedly in recent weeks when asked about the administration’s plans regarding Iran.

{Matzav.com}

A new Knesset seat projection published by Channel 14 indicates continued stability for the right-wing bloc, which would secure 65 mandates if elections were held today. The survey also shows Likud maintaining a clear lead as the largest party in the Knesset.

According to the poll, Likud drops by one seat compared to the previous survey but still stands at 33 mandates, keeping its position at the top of the political map.

In second place is the Joint List with 13 seats. The notable shift in the survey comes from Gadi Eisenkot, whose party Yashar rises to 11 mandates — an increase of two seats from the last measurement. Shas also gains one seat, reaching 11 mandates. In contrast, Naftali Bennett’s party weakens and falls to fifth place with 10 seats.

The Democrats maintain their standing with 9 mandates. Yisrael Beiteinu and United Torah Judaism each receive 8 seats, though the latter drops one mandate compared to last week’s poll. Otzma Yehudit remains steady at 8 seats, while Religious Zionism strengthens slightly to 5. Yesh Atid hovers just above the electoral threshold with 4 mandates, and Blue and White fails to cross the minimum threshold required to enter the Knesset.

When broken down by political blocs, the right-wing camp holds 65 mandates, while the left-wing bloc stands at 42. The Arab parties collectively account for 13 seats, preserving the current balance between the opposing camps.

On the question of suitability for prime minister, Binyomin Netanyahu continues to lead by a wide margin with 55 percent support — a three-point increase. Gadi Eisenkot ranks second with 19 percent and shows upward momentum, while Naftali Bennett declines sharply to 14 percent, marking a drop of seven points. Avigdor Liberman registers a modest rise to 6 percent, and Benny Gantz trails behind.

{Matzav.com}

The U.S. military used a laser Thursday to shoot down a Customs and Border Protection drone, according to members of Congress, and the Federal Aviation Administration responded by closing more airspace near El Paso, Texas. Just over two weeks ago, the FAA shut down the El Paso airport and the surrounding area after another use […]

President Donald Trump on Thursday praised a federal court decision rejecting a lawsuit that sought to block construction of a new ballroom at the White House, describing the outcome as “great news for America.”

In a message posted on social media, Trump wrote that the judge had “thrown out, and completely erased, the effort to stop its construction” of what he called “the most beautiful Ballroom anywhere in the World.”

The president stressed that “not one dollar of Taxpayer money is being spent,” saying the initiative is financed solely by “Patriot Donors and Contributors.”

Trump added that the planned ballroom — which he has previously floated as a venue for future inaugurations and large-scale state functions — is “ahead of schedule, and under budget,” and said it would stand “as a symbol to the Greatness of America.”

Since it was first announced, the proposal has drawn debate. Opponents, including historic preservation advocates and ethics groups, have raised concerns that erecting a substantial new addition within the White House grounds could affect the historic nature of the executive residence, which is subject to federal preservation protections.

Backers of the project contend that constructing a permanent ballroom would eliminate the recurring need for temporary tents and off-site locations for major gatherings, enhance the White House’s ability to host official events and do so using private funding rather than public dollars.

{Matzav.com}

Three years after the passing of the longtime rov of Meron, Rav Elazar Stern has now been formally appointed as the official rav of Meron, succeeding his father, Rav Meir Zev Stern zt”l, who led the community for decades.

Rav Elazar was confirmed in the role today in an official capacity, solidifying what had already been his practical leadership in recent years.

For many years, Rav Stern has served as a respected posek and dayan, recognized for his clear rulings and depth in Torah scholarship. He is the author of the widely regarded seforim Gan Na’eh and the responsa work Birkas Elazar.

While residing in Ashdod, he served as rav of the Ma’orei Or community. Following his father’s passing, and in accordance with his father’s wishes, he relocated to Meron, where he continued serving in rabbinic leadership and halachic guidance for residents and visitors alike.

With today’s decision, the appointment has now received formal confirmation from the Meron Moshav committee, granting official status to Rav Stern’s role as rav of the sacred site.

{Matzav.com}

Greenpeace is fighting for its life in North Dakota’s court system, where a judge has decided to order the environmental group to pay an expected $345 million to an energy company whose Dakota Access oil pipeline construction drew protests nearly a decade ago. A jury last year found three Greenpeace entities liable for numerous claims and awarded more […]

The Knesset’s legal department issued a sharp warning Thursday that a proposed amendment to Basic Law: The Government — dubbed the “Ben Gvir Law” — could be invalidated by the High Court of Justice if enacted in its current form.

In a preparatory document circulated to members of the special committee reviewing amendments to the Basic Law, the Knesset’s legal adviser wrote that the bill’s attempt to bar judicial review over the appointment and dismissal of ministers may exceed constitutional boundaries set by the Supreme Court. The adviser cautioned that the proposal could be viewed as personal legislation and potentially deemed an abuse of the Knesset’s constituent authority under standards established in recent rulings.

According to the draft under consideration, courts would be prohibited from exercising judicial review over the appointment or removal of ministers, aside from verifying compliance with formal eligibility requirements set by law. In practical terms, this would eliminate judicial scrutiny of the prime minister’s discretion and remove from the court’s authority the precedent established in the Deri-Pinhasi ruling, which laid the groundwork for intervention in appointments considered extremely unreasonable.

The legal opinion states that a sweeping elimination of judicial oversight would conflict with warnings expressed in recent Supreme Court decisions, particularly the January 2024 ruling that struck down the amendment canceling the reasonableness doctrine. In that case, a majority of justices held that the court retains authority to intervene in exceptional cases involving misuse of constituent power. The document notes that several senior justices indicated that a narrower amendment — for example, one that limits application of the reasonableness doctrine specifically in the context of ministerial appointments — might have been considered differently than a broad measure barring all forms of review.

The legal department warned that the current wording could undermine foundational principles of separation of powers and the rule of law because it “leaves entire areas without effective judicial review” and hampers the protection of important public interests, including public trust and governmental integrity.

Beyond the substantive concerns, the legal office also pointed to constitutional and political timing issues. Renewed efforts to advance the bill could place it in direct tension with the Supreme Court’s doctrine of “abuse of constituent authority,” as articulated in the ruling on incapacity legislation. The document highlights that in light of Justice Stein’s ruling regarding Aryeh Deri, as well as the conditional order issued in a petition asking the court to instruct the prime minister to dismiss National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, there is heightened concern that the amendment may be aimed at producing immediate consequences for specific political figures. Under the framework set by the court, such circumstances could support a claim that the Knesset is not acting as a general constituent authority but rather tailoring a Basic Law to address a present political need.

Among the alternatives suggested by the legal department is adopting a more limited model that would restrict judicial review only with respect to the reasonableness doctrine, particularly in cases where appointments have also been approved by the Knesset, while preserving the possibility of review on other legal grounds. Another option under consideration is prospective application — delaying the amendment’s effect until the next Knesset — a step that could mitigate claims of personal legislation and avoid the appearance of altering constitutional rules midstream.

The legal adviser further recommended strengthening parliamentary oversight mechanisms to prevent the creation of unchecked executive authority. Proposed measures include expanding the Knesset’s ability to hold individual votes on certain ministerial appointments during the swearing-in of a government; requiring presentation to the plenum of the circumstances surrounding a new minister’s appointment upon the request of 40 members of Knesset; and even establishing a structured process allowing the Knesset to remove a minister by majority vote after due proceedings and the opportunity for the minister to present arguments.

Deliberations on the proposal resumed after the Knesset Committee voted to reconstitute the special committee under Section 89 of the Knesset bylaws, enabling it to revisit language that had previously been prepared for second and third readings but never brought to a final vote. The legal department emphasized that nearly three years have passed since that draft was formulated and that significant constitutional rulings have since been issued, warranting a renewed review of the bill’s language and its compliance with judicial standards.

At the center of the debate is whether lawmakers will insist on advancing a sweeping amendment that would largely remove High Court involvement in ministerial appointments and dismissals, or instead adopt a more measured revision designed to reduce constitutional friction and increase the likelihood that the legislation would withstand judicial scrutiny if challenged.

{Matzav.com}