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Former IDF Chief of Staff and Yashar Party chairman Gadi Eisenkot says he supports exempting a small percentage of outstanding Torah scholars from military service, opposes proposals to revoke voting rights from chareidim, and would consider bringing Shas into a future coalition if it accepts his core governing principles.

In an extensive interview with Kikar HaShabbat’s Yishai Cohen, Eisenkot discussed the draft law, relations with the chareidi community, Israel’s security challenges, coalition politics, and his campaign to become Israel’s next prime minister.

Draft Law: ‘I’m a Ben-Gurionist’

Addressing the increasingly contentious debate over military service for yeshiva students, Eisenkot rejected calls for eliminating all exemptions.

“I am a Ben-Gurionist,” he said. “Unlike some of my colleagues, I will not say ‘zero exemptions.’ During the War of Independence, Ben-Gurion insisted that 400 yeshiva students continue learning despite the existential war.”

He said he supports granting exemptions to approximately 3% of each draft-age class made up of outstanding Torah scholars.

“I have great respect for the Torah world,” Eisenkot said. “Saying there should be ‘zero learners’ is a populist and unserious statement.”

He also criticized proposals to deny voting rights to chareidim who do not serve.

“Anyone who says chareidim should lose their right to vote is undermining the basic values of democracy.”

At the same time, Eisenkot argued that Israel can no longer tolerate widespread exemptions for those who are not engaged in full-time Torah study.

“There are tens of thousands of chareidim who are not learning in yeshivos. They should have enlisted immediately. The IDF desperately needs soldiers.”

Service Without Compromising Religious Life

Eisenkot pledged that, if elected, his government would ensure that chareidi soldiers can serve without sacrificing their religious lifestyle.

“The responsibility belongs to the IDF,” he said. “A chareidi should enlist as a chareidi and be discharged as a chareidi.”

He pointed to the establishment of dedicated military facilities during his tenure as IDF chief of staff and voiced support for expanding frameworks such as the Hashmonaim Brigade.

“I fully support separate bases, separate units, and missions designed specifically for chareidim. Those who prefer integrated service can choose that, but it should be a personal decision.”

Asked whether he still supports the principle that those genuinely learning Torah should continue studying while those who are not should serve, Eisenkot replied, “Absolutely. We need to define who qualifies as a full-time learner and how many there should be. Those who are not learning should enlist.”

Opposition to Coercion, But Support for Enforcement

When reminded that he previously told Kikar HaShabbat that chareidim could not be drafted through force alone, Eisenkot reiterated that dialogue remains important but emphasized that Israel already has a mandatory service law.

“The basic rule is that there is a compulsory military service law for Israel’s young people,” he said. “Given the existential threats facing the country, everyone must contribute.”

He again stressed that the military must provide all necessary accommodations for religious observance.

Open to Shas Joining His Government

Although often viewed as part of the political opposition to the chareidi parties, Eisenkot declined to rule out Shas as a coalition partner.

“Shas has broad Zionist components,” he said. “Many of its voters serve in the army. I see Shas as a potential partner—provided it accepts my three core principles.”

He noted that his own mother voted for Shas for 30 years.

“I’m the son of a mother who voted Shas for three decades,” he said with a smile. “I’ve finally convinced her to vote for Yashar.”

Asked about his relationship with Shas chairman Aryeh Deri, Eisenkot described him as someone who has often made meaningful contributions on security matters.

“I saw Aryeh Deri contribute significantly in many security cabinets,” he said.

However, he criticized Deri’s opposition to a stronger military response following Iran’s first direct missile attack on Israel.

“I believed we should have responded much more forcefully. Unfortunately, his position prevailed, and the response was far too weak.”

Eisenkot also said Deri should have taken a stronger stand in favor of hostage deals instead of allowing Ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir to dominate the debate.

Despite those disagreements, he said Deri could serve in a future war cabinet under his leadership.

“Absolutely—provided he accepts the three basic principles.”

Calls for Justice Minister’s Dismissal

Eisenkot sharply criticized the justice minister after recent comments urging noncompliance with a High Court ruling.

“This is unprecedented,” he said. “It’s like a defense minister telling soldiers not to obey the chief of staff.”

He argued that Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu should have dismissed the minister immediately.

“A serious prime minister would have fired him this afternoon.”

Although critical of the current judicial controversy, Eisenkot said he supports meaningful reforms to Israel’s legal system.

“The fact that only 42% of Israelis trust the judiciary requires deep examination and reform.”

Security Challenges

Turning to regional security, Eisenkot argued that despite significant military successes against Iran, Israel has not yet achieved its strategic objectives.

“The enriched uranium is still in Iran. The missile program has been rebuilt. Hezbollah has recovered. Those are facts.”

He warned that Israel and the United States must continue working together to ensure Iran never acquires nuclear weapons and to sever Tehran’s ties with Hezbollah.

Asked whether Israel has won the war that began with Hamas’ October 7 attack three years ago, Eisenkot answered bluntly.

“No. Victory is measured by achieving the objectives of the war and improving Israel’s strategic position. We achieved important accomplishments, but we did not complete the political dimension in Gaza, Lebanon, or Iran.”

Rejects Allegations of Weakness on Security

Responding to Likud campaign videos portraying him as weak on national security, Eisenkot dismissed the attacks as misleading.

Regarding claims that he opposed eliminating Iran’s supreme leader, he said critics had deliberately omitted the rest of his remarks.

“I said clearly that eliminating Khamenei would have been entirely justified, and I would have approved eliminating him and the entire Iranian military leadership.”

He also rejected claims that he sought to reduce the size of the IDF or opposed the Rafah operation, calling both allegations false.

Coalition Plans

Eisenkot expressed confidence that his party can emerge as the largest faction in the next election and assemble a governing majority.

If his bloc falls short of 61 seats, he said he would first seek partners from Zionist parties rather than relying on Arab parties.

When asked whether he would choose Arab parties or chareidi parties if forced to decide, Eisenkot said any party willing to accept his three foundational principles would be welcome.

Those principles, he said, are recognition of Israel as a Jewish state with a solid Jewish majority, acceptance of the Declaration of Independence, and support for national or military service.

Concern Over Election Integrity

Eisenkot concluded the interview by expressing concern over the integrity of Israel’s upcoming elections, saying recent attacks on the judiciary undermine public confidence.

“I am very concerned,” he said. “When the justice minister calls for ignoring a High Court ruling signed by the chairman of the Central Elections Committee, that raises a red flag.”

He urged Israelis to remain vigilant against intimidation or attempts to undermine the electoral process.

“Anyone who harms the integrity of the elections will find the people of Israel standing against them like a fortified wall.”

Asked whether he expects to return for another interview in six months as prime minister, Eisenkot replied, “I’m doing everything I can to make that happen. I work hard, not because I’m chasing power, but because I believe I can lead the country, and I’ll do everything possible to achieve that.”

{Matzav.com

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Wednesday strongly condemned the attack on Israel Tax Authority inspectors during an enforcement operation in Bnei Brak, pledging his full support for the officials and calling for those responsible to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

The confrontation erupted after a team of Israel Tax Authority inspectors arrived in the Vizhnitzer neighborhood of Bnei Brak to conduct a planned surprise audit of local businesses. During the inspections, the officials reportedly demonstrated an unusual command of Yiddish as they carefully examined business records, including bank accounts, appointment books, and transactions made through the Bit payment app.

As the inspections continued, hundreds of bochurim and children gathered around the inspectors, surrounding them, shouting insults, and throwing eggs at the government officials.

In a statement posted on X, Smotrich denounced the incident, writing: “I strongly condemn the violence carried out today against Israel Tax Authority personnel by lawless thugs in Bnei Brak.”

He expressed full support for the inspectors, adding, “Such violence against law enforcement officials who carry out their duties faithfully and professionally is completely unacceptable.”

Smotrich concluded by urging law enforcement authorities to act swiftly against those involved.

“I stand behind the employees and all members of the Israel Tax Authority, and I call on the Israel Police and the relevant enforcement agencies to act decisively and without delay to bring the rioters to justice with the full force of the law,” he said.

According to reports, the inspectors had been conducting a routine audit as they moved from one business to another throughout the Vizhnitzer neighborhood. Witnesses said the officials appeared highly familiar with the local community and even seemed to understand conversations conducted in Yiddish.

“It looked like they understood the Yiddish spoken in the neighborhood,” one resident said. “They knew exactly where to look.”

Local business owners were reportedly surprised by the thoroughness of the inspections. One shopkeeper said the auditors went far beyond reviewing cash registers, requesting access to bank accounts, examining transfers made through the Bit payment platform, reviewing computerized bookkeeping systems, and even cross-checking information with appointment calendars and mobile phone schedules in an effort to identify projects and income that had not been reported.

{Matzav.com}

A new poll conducted by the Associated Press in partnership with the NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani enjoys a higher favorability rating among American Jews than Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, despite Mamdani’s outspoken criticism of Israel.

According to the survey, 44% of Jewish respondents expressed a favorable opinion of Mamdani, while just 32% viewed Netanyahu favorably. At the same time, 59% of respondents said they held an unfavorable view of Netanyahu, compared with 39% who viewed Mamdani negatively. The poll did not ask respondents to choose between the two figures directly; rather, each was rated independently as part of a broader list of public personalities.

The survey also found significant divisions among American Jews over Israel’s war in Gaza. Thirty percent of Jewish respondents said they believe Israel committed “genocide” against Palestinians in Gaza, a figure nearly identical to the 31% recorded among the broader American public. By contrast, 49% of Jewish respondents rejected that characterization.

While support for Israel’s initial response to Hamas’ October 7 attack remained strong, opinions were sharply divided over the continuation of the military campaign. Nearly three-quarters of Jewish respondents—73%—said they supported Israel’s immediate military response following the Hamas attack. However, views on the ongoing war were almost evenly split, with 42% saying the continued military operation is justified and 43% saying it is not.

The poll also highlighted the political makeup of the American Jewish community, which may help explain many of the findings. Fifty-nine percent of respondents identified as Democrats or leaned Democratic, while only 27% identified as Republicans or leaned Republican. Ideologically, 42% described themselves as liberal and 41% as moderate. Additionally, 83% of Jewish respondents said they do not support the MAGA movement associated with President Donald Trump.

{Matzav.com}

For the first time in years, the Stoliner Rebbe will not conduct the traditional yahrtzeit tish marking the yahrtzeit of Rav Shlomo of Karlin zt”l, a longstanding annual gathering that has become a central event for Karlin-Stolin chassidim.

The yahrtzeit, observed on the eve of 22 Tammuz, commemorates Rav Shlomo of Karlin, one of the towering figures of early Chassidus, who was murdered by a Russian Cossack in 1792. In Chassidic tradition, Rav Shlomo is often associated with Moshiach ben Yosef, based on a longstanding tradition that he was killed by a non-Jew named Armilus, paralleling descriptions connected to Moshiach ben Yosef.

Each year, the Stoliner Rebbe leads a large yahrtzeit tish in Givat Ze’ev attended by hundreds of chassidim. According to the custom observed in Karlin-Stolin, the Rebbe recites a Shehecheyanu over a new fruit during the tish, even though the yahrtzeit falls during the Three Weeks, when it is customary to refrain from reciting Shehecheyanu on weekdays. In recent years, the fruit traditionally used for the brocha has been a lychee.

This year, however, Karlin-Stoliner chassidim were surprised to learn that the annual gathering would not take place. Notices posted in the chassidus’ batei medrash throughout Eretz Yisroel informed chassidim that they should hold their yahrtzeit seudos locally, rather than travel to the customary central tish.

According to sources, the Stoliner Rebbe departed for Europe on Tuesday morning. While there has been no official confirmation, it is believed that the Rebbe intends to visit the kever of Rav Shlomo in Ludmir, Ukraine, on the day of the yahrtzeit—a visit that, if it takes place, would reportedly mark the first time he has done so.

No official announcement has been made regarding the trip. The Stoliner Rebbe is known for traveling with exceptional modesty, often flying without attendants, aides, or public notice.

{Matzav.com}

An unusual scene unfolded Wednesday in Israel’s Supreme Court when Michael Fuah, chairman of the “Choosing Family” organization, appeared before the justices wearing tefillin during a hearing on his organization’s petition concerning posthumous sperm extraction.

Justice Noam Solberg took note of Fuah’s appearance, observing that it is “not a routine occurrence” for petitioners to appear before the court wearing tefillin. Fuah explained that two months earlier he had accepted upon himself the practice of wearing tefillin throughout the day.

Justice Solberg responded that the practice was noteworthy, pointing out that wearing tefillin all day requires a person to maintain an atmosphere of holiness. Fuah replied that only engaging in frivolous or inappropriate activities would interfere with the mitzvah.

Chief Justice Yitzchok Amit also commented on the uncommon sight, calling the practice “very unusual” and adding that he was pleased Fuah regarded the Supreme Court as a holy place.

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s aviation industry is making a remarkable comeback, with Ben Gurion Airport on track to record one of the busiest months in its history. According to the Israel Airports Authority, passenger traffic is expected to approach 100,000 travelers in a single day by the end of July, reflecting a rapid recovery following Operation Rising Lion.

Figures released on Wednesday show that approximately 85,500 passengers are expected to pass through Ben Gurion Airport on Thursday, July 9, aboard roughly 520 arriving and departing flights. Airport officials say those numbers are only a preview of even heavier travel expected later this month.

Beginning Sunday, July 12, daily passenger traffic is projected to exceed 80,000 travelers on every weekday throughout the remainder of the month. An interim high is expected on Thursday, July 16, when about 91,000 passengers are scheduled to travel through the airport.

The busiest day of the month is forecast for Thursday, July 30, when approximately 94,000 passengers are expected to pass through Ben Gurion Airport on around 560 flight movements. The figure comes close to the 100,000-passenger mark and represents the airport’s busiest day since Operation Rising Lion.

Another particularly busy travel day is expected on Sunday, July 26, when roughly 90,000 passengers are forecast to use the airport.

Overall, approximately 2.3 million passengers are expected to travel through Ben Gurion Airport during July, representing a 25 percent increase compared to the same period last year. The Airports Authority said the figures reflect renewed confidence among both Israeli travelers and international airlines operating in Israel.

The sharp recovery has been fueled by the return of numerous foreign airlines and the reopening of Terminal 1 for international flights. In recent months, the terminal had been operating on a limited basis, with many flights redirected to Terminal 3.

In anticipation of the heavy summer travel season, the Israel Airports Authority issued several recommendations for passengers:

• Arrive at the airport three hours before departure.
• Complete online check-in through your airline before arriving.
• Verify in advance which terminal your flight departs from and its scheduled departure time.
• Use the airport’s self-service kiosks to tag and check baggage.
• Travelers who have already checked in and are flying with carry-on luggage only are encouraged to use the airport’s W fast-track complex for quicker processing.
• Whenever possible, use public transportation to reach the airport.

The Airports Authority also recently opened a designated waiting lot that offers one hour of free parking for drivers picking up arriving passengers. The initiative is intended to reduce congestion around the terminal and discourage illegal roadside stopping.

Airport officials say the strong passenger numbers point to a full return to normal operations for Israel’s aviation sector. During the height of the recent security situation, the airport operated on a limited schedule, with flights provided primarily by Israel’s domestic carriers—El Al, Israir, Arkia, and Air Haifa.

With international airlines now returning in force, the record-breaking passenger forecasts for July signal renewed confidence in air travel to and from Israel, as Israelis once again head abroad in large numbers during the peak summer vacation season.

{Matzav.com}

A matzeivah has been erected at the kever of the mekubal, Rav Amos Guetta zt”l, following the conclusion of the shivah after his tragic murder. Hundreds of talmidim, admirers, and community members gathered at the cemetery in Netanya for the dedication ceremony, while preparations are already underway for an ambitious project that will transform the site into a major center of tefillah and Torah.

As Netanya continues to mourn the loss of Rav Amos Guetta zt”l—a figure renowned for his extraordinary avodas Hashem and known for not sleeping in a bed for nearly 40 years—hundreds visited his kever at the Veterans Cemetery immediately after the shivah concluded. The gathering included the formal unveiling of the matzeivah, accompanied by heartfelt tefillos, Selichos, and the sounding of shofaros.

The inscription on the matzeivah reads: “Here rests Rabban Shel Kol Bnei HaGolah, the father and savior of Yisroel, who endured great suffering, Rosh Yeshiva of ‘Rav Chai Taieb Lo Mes,’ the holy mekubal Rabbeinu Amos Kamos Guetta ztz”l, son of Rabbi Avraham and Fortuna a”h. A lover of Hashem, a lover of Torah, a lover of Yisroel, who drew hearts close to our Father in Heaven with self-sacrifice. He was taken from this world on the 16th of Tammuz 5786. May his soul be bound in the bond of eternal life. His soul shall dwell in goodness, and his descendants shall inherit the land.”

Images from the site show that the kever has already become a major destination, with crowds arriving throughout the day and night to daven. To accommodate the growing number of visitors, organizers have installed lighting, tents, and refreshment stations, providing food and drinks around the clock.

Throughout the shivah, Rav Guetta’s yeshivah in Netanya hosted continuous hespeidim and inspirational gatherings attended by many rabbanim. Those who participated included the Sephardic Chief Rabbi, Rav Dovid Yosef; the Yenuka; Rav Benyahu Shmueli; the mekubal Rav Yaakov Ades; Rav Chaim Yosef Abergel; as well as Rav Yaakov Cohen, Rav Yosef Delouya, Rav Avraham Amrami, and many other rabbanim and marbitzei Torah.

A source at the yeshivah said the gatherings of chizuk and spiritual inspiration will continue long after the shivah. In the coming weeks, the institution plans to host a full schedule of shiurim delivered by prominent rabbanim from morning until night, modeled after the renowned Musayoff bais medrash in Yerushalayim.

Matzav.com has also learned that plans are in their final stages for a major expansion of the site. According to the proposal, a large bais tefillah will be constructed above the kever, alongside a spacious bais medrash, a public mikveh, and a kollel for avreichim, creating a permanent center for Torah, tefillah, and spiritual growth.

{Matzav.com}

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a striking assertion this week, claiming that Ukraine has video documentation for every Russian soldier it kills, wounds, or captures on the battlefield. Speaking at a NATO defense forum in Turkey, Zelensky said Ukrainian forces are inflicting roughly 30,000 Russian casualties each month, with drones accounting for the overwhelming majority of those losses.

Addressing the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Defence Industry Forum in Ankara on Tuesday, Zelensky said Ukraine is currently “eliminating” approximately 30,000 Russian troops every month and has visual evidence confirming every casualty. His comments highlight how dramatically modern warfare has evolved, with tiny digital cameras now integrated into nearly every aspect of combat—from helmet-mounted and rifle-mounted cameras carried by infantry to the countless first-person-view drones dominating the battlefield. As a result, today’s conflicts generate an unprecedented volume of recorded footage, with traditional artillery among the few weapons not routinely producing visual documentation.

Zelensky’s estimate of Russian losses aligns with a recent assessment released by the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Earlier this month, the think tank concluded that “Russia’s monthly casualty rates of over 30,000 per month in 2026Russia’s monthly casualty rates of over 30,000 per month in 2026.” According to the report, the staggering pace of soldiers killed, wounded, or missing has driven the overall toll of Russia’s invasion to roughly two million casualties, including an estimated 1.4 million Russians and about 600,000 Ukrainians.

Seeking to emphasize that his remarks were not intended as a celebration of battlefield success, Zelensky said the figures instead reflect the grim reality of a war Russia chose to launch. He told the forum: “… in Ukraine as we defend our positions on the frontline, and do so in a fully justified war of self-defense, we are now eliminating around 30,000 Russian soldiers every month… and we have video confirmation for every single one of them. The overwhelming majority were struck by drones. And frankly we take no pride in this. We are saying it to show what modern war looks like, not a war we started, but one we are forced to fight.”

If the casualty estimates are accurate, Russia could face increasing pressure to sustain its military campaign, as battlefield losses may now be exceeding the country’s ability to replenish its forces. The CSIS report estimates that Russia is recruiting roughly 27,000 new soldiers each month—slightly fewer than the number reportedly becoming casualties. Supporting Ukraine’s broader claims about the changing nature of combat, the report added: “According to some estimates, over 90 percent of Russian casualties are from drone attacks rather than a result of human-to-human engagements. Casualty rates are extremely high for soldiers that enter the kill zone.”

{Matzav.com}

A newly released study from the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas lends support to Vice President JD Vance’s longstanding argument that the surge of illegal immigration under the Biden administration contributed to rising home prices and rents across the United States.

Vance has repeatedly argued that the arrival of millions of illegal immigrants increased competition for a limited housing supply, placing additional financial pressure on American families seeking to buy or rent homes. During his debate with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Vance said that 25 million illegal aliens were “competing with Americans for scarce homes is one of the most significant drivers of home prices in the country.”

He made a similar point during an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, saying that many young Americans believe “housing is way too expensive,” while arguing that the nation had been “flooded with 30 million illegal immigrants who are taking houses that ought by right go to American citizens” at a time when home construction has failed to keep pace with demand.

According to Fox Business, a recent report from the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas examined how the influx of illegal immigrants “between 2021 and 2024 affected local labor and hosing markets.”

The researchers concluded that illegal immigration played a significant role in both employment growth and rising housing costs. They estimated that “unauthorized immigrant worker flows accounted for about 30 percent of employment growth, roughly 30 percent of home-price growth, and about 20 percent of rent growth”:

“A 1 percent increase in unauthorized workers relative to a local labor force corresponded with roughly a 1 percent increase in overall employment, with no evidence the immigration surge reduced average wages. The same 1 percent increase, however, was associated with a roughly 2.2 percent rise in home prices and a 1.4 percent increase in rents. Researchers found little evidence that homebuilding expanded enough to meet the added demand, concluding the influx acted as a housing demand shock in markets where supply was already constrained.

“The economists estimate unauthorized immigrant worker flows accounted for about 30 percent of employment growth, roughly 30 percent of home-price growth, and about 20 percent of rent growth in the average metropolitan area between March 2021 and March 2024.”

Vance’s assertions have previously been challenged by several major news organizations, which argued that his claims overstated the role of illegal immigration in driving housing costs.

In October 2024, CBS News reported that although Vance “posted some studies and speeches on social media to back up his claim” that millions of illegal immigrants were competing with Americans for housing, the Federal Reserve material he cited amounted to a “short prepared speech by a Fed official who had pointed out that the ‘inflow of new immigrants to some geographic areas could result in upward pressure on rents.’”

CBS also maintained that “the causes behind skyrocketing housing costs stem” primarily from broader market conditions, including “a longstanding lack of new construction in the decade that followed the U.S. housing crash in 2007”:

“The causes behind skyrocketing housing costs stem chiefly from larger issues in the real estate market. The biggest factor: a longstanding lack of new construction in the decade that followed the U.S. housing crash in 2007, along with the ensuing global financial crisis.”

The New York Times likewise questioned Vance’s argument, writing that although “millions of illegal immigrants” have contributed to increased housing demand through population growth, economists believe the primary cause of the affordability crisis remains an inadequate housing supply.

Responding to the new Federal Reserve findings, a spokesperson for Vance sharply criticized previous media coverage.

“Once again, the useless attempts to fact-check the Vice President have proven that the mainstream media is nothing more than a propaganda arm for the Left,” the spokesperson said in a statement to Breitbart News. “While the media tries to gaslight the public into ignoring the real impact left-wing policies have had on their lives, the Trump administration is working to ensure that Americans can afford to own homes on American soil.”

{Matzav.com}

A rare and historic chalitzah ceremony was held this week under the auspices of the Bais Din of the Machzikei Hadas community in Antwerp, Belgium, drawing rabbanim, talmidei chachamim, and hundreds of local residents who gathered to witness the uncommon event.

The ceremony marked the first chalitzah conducted in Antwerp in nearly four decades. The previous ceremony took place approximately 40 years ago at the Moriah bais medrash, where it was presided over by Rav Dovid Moshe Lieberman, zt”l, Av Bais Din of Shomrei Hadas.

The current ceremony was held in a large hall to accommodate the hundreds of Torah scholars and members of the community in attendance. Among those present were Antwerp’s chief rabbi, Rav Aharon Schiff; the dayanim Rav Amram Hennig, Rav Zeikel Pollak, and Rav Eliezer Shimon Eckstein; and the witnesses, Rav Asher Sternbuch and Rav Shalom Grinfeld.

At the request of Rav Aharon Schiff, the city’s Av Bais Din, Rav Aharon Dovid Donner, Raavad of London, traveled especially to Antwerp to preside over and conduct the chalitzah ceremony. According to halachah, one who has never personally conducted a chalitzah should not oversee the procedure lechatchilah.

The day before the ceremony, members of the Bais Din, following longstanding halachic tradition, visited the site to determine the precise location where the ceremony would take place. Rav Donner arrived accompanied by his close associate, Rabbi Strah, from England, along with Rav Elimelech Schwartz of Tshaba.

At the appointed hour, the assembled crowd gathered for the solemn occasion. A palpable sense of awe filled the room as the Bais Din distributed special booklets containing the Seder Hachalitzah of the Maharam, a disciple of the Rema, to all those in attendance.

Preparations for the ceremony required extensive planning and careful attention to detail. Rav Donner, who has previously presided over several chalitzah ceremonies, brought with him from England, together with Rav Elimelech Schwartz, the specially crafted leather chalitzah shoe prepared in accordance with all the requirements of halachah.

In keeping with Jewish law, the dayanim fitted the special shoe onto the foot of the yavam, an avreich who had traveled from France. The widow then removed the shoe, recited the prescribed Yehi Ratzon prayer, and spat onto the ground before him, as required by the Torah. The entire congregation then proclaimed three times in a loud voice: “Chalutz hana’al! Chalutz hana’al! Chalutz hana’al!” (“The one whose shoe has been removed!”)

At the conclusion of the moving ceremony, those in attendance quietly offered a heartfelt prayer: “Yehi ratzon that no daughters of Israel should ever again require either chalitzah or yibum. Amein.”

{Matzav.com}

By Jonathan Pollard

President Donald Trump’s decision to lift U.S. defense sanctions on Turkey is not just another diplomatic misstep.

It is a direct betrayal of Israel, the Jewish people, and America’s long-standing policy to preserve Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge.

Trump announced that Washington would lift sanctions imposed on Turkey over Ankara’s purchase of Russia’s S-400 missile system, a move that could reopen the door to Turkey acquiring F-35 stealth fighters.

That is the same Turkey led by Recep Tayyip Erdogan — a man who has repeatedly attacked Israel politically, aligned himself with Islamist causes, and positioned Ankara as a rival power in the Middle East.

This is not how a faithful ally behaves.

This is not how a president who claims to support Israel behaves.

This is how a president rewards a NATO member like Turkey that refused to stand with the United States when it mattered most.

Trump has spent years castigating European NATO countries for failing to support America, failing to spend enough on defense, and failing to stand shoulder to shoulder with Washington.

Yet Turkey is also a NATO member.

During the recent U.S.-Iran conflict, Turkey did not help the United States.

It did not allow its air, land, or sea assets to be used for operations.

Erdogan thumbed his nose at Trump and stated that Ankara would not permit its territory or airspace to be used in a war to which Turkey was not a party.

Even worse, Trump himself publicly claimed that Erdogan was “a prime candidate” to enter the war with Iran — “maybe on the Iran side” — because, as Trump put it, Erdogan is “not a big fan of Israel.”

Trump said he personally asked Erdogan to stay out of the conflict.

Think about that.

The president of the United States is now rewarding a NATO ally that, by Trump’s own telling, might have entered the war on the side of Iran.

Now, the “reward” for such disloyalty may be access to the most advanced fighter aircraft in the world—after Erdogan flouted NATO by buying Russia’s advanced weaponry.

That is madness.

Turkey declined to support U.S. military operations against Iran, prioritized preventing Kurdish gains over confronting Tehran, and, according to Trump’s own public statements, was a potential participant on Iran’s side before deciding to stay out.

Iran has a significant Kurdish population in its north.

Had the Kurds risen up in the days after February 28, the regime’s grip on the country may well have collapsed.

But Turkey’s actions scuttled U.S. and Israeli plans for such a revolt.

Ankara’s overriding concern was clear: Turkey feared any policy that might strengthen Kurdish forces more than it feared Iran.

For Israel, the danger is obvious. The F-35 is not just another aircraft. It is a strategic platform.

Israel’s possession of the F-35 helps preserve its military superiority against hostile states and non-state enemies.

Allowing Erdogan’s Turkey to move toward that same capability erodes Israel’s edge and signals that Washington’s promises are negotiable.

This is only the latest in a series of Trump decisions that have damaged Israel’s strategic position.

He imposed premature ceasefires that preserved Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran’s military infrastructure.

He walked away from Yemen, leaving Israel exposed to the Houthis.

He negotiated understandings with Tehran that, in my view, failed to destroy Iran’s missile production, failed to dismantle its regional proxies, and failed to end the threat to Israel.

Today he is embracing Erdogan, a man who has called Israel a “terrorist state,” claimed its leaders are Nazis engaging in genocide, and threatened to militarily attack it.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should not endorse Trump’s embrace of Erdogan with a smiling White House visit.

If he goes to Washington after this decision, he risks looking weak.

Israel needs an Israel First doctrine. That means recognizing that no foreign leader — not even an American president — can be trusted to place Jewish survival above political convenience.

It means Israel must reserve full freedom of action against Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas and every enemy that seeks Jewish destruction.

Some of the measures I have advocated are serious because the threats Israel faces are severe.

Iran’s regime, Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and other enemies do not seek compromise. They seek annihilation.

These very same groups also seek to destroy the U.S.

A self-respecting Jewish government must respond not with pleading, but with deterrence, sovereignty and force.

Trump’s defenders will say this is diplomacy.

They will say Turkey is too important to alienate. They will say Erdogan can be managed.

We have heard all of this before. The Jewish people have paid the price too many times for trusting foreign assurances.

The truth is simpler: Trump is rewarding Erdogan despite Turkey’s refusal to help America against Iran and despite Trump’s own admission that Turkey may have leaned toward Iran.

He is doing so while pressuring Israel to accept ceasefires, restraint and humiliation.

That is not friendship. That is betrayal.

Israel must now judge Trump by his actions, not his speeches.

And his actions in Ankara tell us everything we need to know.

Jonathan Pollard is an Israeli citizen, co-president of the Israeli First Movement, and adviser to several technology start-up businesses.

This article first appeared at Newsmax. 

Nearly eight decades after he was killed during Israel’s War of Independence, the final resting place of Pvt. Yaakov Zrihan has been identified following a painstaking 15-year investigation, bringing long-awaited closure to his family.

Investigators concluded that Zrihan was laid to rest in a mass grave at the Harel Brigade military cemetery in Kibbutz Kiryat Anavim, alongside other IDF soldiers who were killed during Operation Harel.

The IDF announced that “Private Yaakov Zrihan fell in a supply convoy to the besieged Jerusalem during Operation Harel in 1948, and his place of burial was unknown. After an intense investigation led by the IDF Casualties Department’s Missing Persons Branch, which took 15 years, his place of burial was located.”

Zrihan immigrated to Israel from Casablanca, Morocco, in December 1947 aboard the Haportzim illegal immigration ship as part of the Habonim movement. After arriving, he underwent training at Kibbutz Ramat Hakovesh as part of the “Hasna” program, whose participants were expected to settle in Kibbutz Bror Chayil. On April 12, 1948, he enlisted in the Transportation Service and became an operational driver in the Etzioni Brigade. Just days later, during Operation Harel, he joined a convoy of approximately 300 vehicles transporting supplies to the besieged city of Jerusalem. On April 20, 1948, fierce fighting erupted in the Shaar Haguy area, where Zrihan and 13 fellow convoy members were killed. He was buried two days later in the cemetery at Kiryat Anavim.

The breakthrough came after years of investigative work aimed at uncovering Zrihan’s fate. In 2024, the IDF assembled a dedicated investigative team that examined historical archives, interviewed witnesses, carried out sophisticated soil testing, and conducted archaeological surveys at the site. By piecing together evidence from multiple sources, investigators were ultimately able to determine the precise location of his burial in the Harel Brigade military cemetery.

On Tuesday evening, members of Zrihan’s family, including his sisters, were officially informed that the investigation had reached its conclusion and that the decades-old mystery had finally been resolved. Brig. Gen. Edna Eliya, head of the IDF Personnel Directorate’s Casualties Division, personally delivered the news.

In the coming weeks, 78 years after Zrihan fell in battle, the IDF will hold a state military ceremony at the Kiryat Anavim military cemetery, where a memorial marker bearing his name will be placed at his grave.

Reflecting on the completion of the investigation, Brig. Gen. Eliya said, “Following a comprehensive investigation, today we were able to bring an emotional sense of closure. We informed the family of Yaakov Zrihan, of blessed memory, of the investigation’s findings and the location of their loved one, who fell in battle 78 years ago. It is a privilege for us to continue acting out of a deep moral commitment to bring comfort and to accompany bereaved families.”

Yvonne Cohen, Zrihan’s sister, expressed the family’s emotions upon learning the news. “For me, finding my brother’s burial place means everything. I will call my sons so that, for the first time, they will be able to recite Kaddish at his grave.”

{Matzav.com}

Tensions between the chareidi parties and the Likud intensified on Wednesday after Degel HaTorah informed Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu that it would oppose any changes to the agreed-upon wording of the proposed Basic Law: Torah Study.

Party officials said their position follows explicit instructions from senior gedolim, who insist that the commitments made by the government be honored in full and that the agreement reached in recent weeks not be reopened for negotiation.

The dispute stems from a meeting held approximately two weeks ago between Netanyahu, Shas chairman Aryeh Deri, and Degel HaTorah chairman Moshe Gafni, during which the prime minister reportedly committed to advancing the Basic Law. However, Coalition Chairman Ofir Katz has since sought to introduce changes to the bill’s language.

Slabodka Rosh Yeshiva Rav Dov Landau sharply criticized the reported attempt to alter the agreement.

“They won’t even honor this agreement?” he asked.

Meanwhile, Coalition Chairman Ofir Katz reportedly expressed frustration with the chareidi parties, saying they did not notify him in advance of their opposition to the proposed revisions or their intention to reject any changes to the legislation. Katz also announced that the Likud plans to submit formal reservations to the bill.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump ordered Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Wednesday to immediately suspend all U.S. trade with Spain, sharply criticizing the country for what he described as its failure to meet NATO obligations and accusing Madrid of being an unreliable ally.

Trump announced the move during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on the sidelines of the alliance’s summit in Ankara, Turkey. For years, Trump has made strengthening NATO’s military readiness a central objective, repeatedly pressing member nations to increase defense spending and restore the alliance’s ability to deter aggression.

In addition to declaring that the ceasefire arrangement with Iran had effectively collapsed because of Tehran’s conduct under the Memorandum of Understanding and criticizing Denmark over Iceland, Trump turned his attention to Spain, portraying it as one of NATO’s weakest contributors. He argued that the country’s socialist-led government had failed to adapt to the alliance’s new security priorities and remained unwilling to make meaningful defense investments.

Trump pointed to Spain’s continued refusal to embrace NATO’s new defense spending target of 5 percent of gross domestic product, instead insisting on adhering to the alliance’s former 2 percent benchmark. He also faulted Spain for declining to assist the United States during its confrontation with Iran. Turning from NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who was seated beside him, Trump instructed, “we don’t have to trade with them, I don’t want to do any more trade with them… take it immediately, don’t even talk to them. They’re hopeless, bad people.”

Bessent responded simply, “yes sir,” prompting Trump to predict that Spain would eventually reverse course, saying he believed the country would “come running back.”

Explaining his decision, Trump argued that Spain has consistently failed to fulfill its responsibilities within the alliance. “Spain is a terrible partner in NATO. They don’t participate, they don’t pay… they’re open about it, they’re hostile”. He also claimed that Spanish officials had treated NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte “terribly.”

It remains unclear exactly how an American suspension of trade with Spain would be implemented. Trump has previously threatened economic measures against Madrid over defense spending, while European officials quickly dismissed the proposal, arguing that Washington lacks the authority to impose such restrictions and warning that any attempt to do so would also harm the United States.

A spokesman for the European Union urged Washington to “honour its commitments,” while Spanish officials maintained that, as a member of the European Union’s Single Market, Spain could not be singled out for an embargo. They also emphasized that they have “no intention” of changing anything about their relationship with the United States.

Spanish officials further argued that trade between the two countries benefits both sides, stating: “…the US has a trade surplus with Spain (meaning it benefits more from this relationship than we do)… the bilateral relationship between the US and Spain is beneficial for both countries”.

Although the United States exports more goods to Spain than it imports, that trade balance is influenced heavily by Spain’s growing purchases of American liquefied natural gas. Over the past year alone, Spain significantly increased its imports of U.S. LNG, with the United States now supplying roughly one-third of the country’s natural gas.

The article noted that Spain’s dependence on imported American energy has become more significant in light of recent concerns over the country’s energy infrastructure, including a widespread power outage that began in Spain and disrupted electricity service across a large section of Europe.

{Matzav.com}

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced a nationwide initiative Tuesday urging hospitals to eliminate ultra-processed foods from their menus, expanding President Donald Trump’s “Make America Healthy Again” agenda by promoting better nutrition as a key component of patient care.

The new Make Hospital Food Healthier Pledge asks hospitals to voluntarily replace heavily processed meals with more nutritious options that follow the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Administration officials say the effort is intended to improve patient recovery and reduce the risk of chronic illnesses through healthier eating.

“Patients recovering from serious medical conditions deserve better than ultra-processed and deep-fried junk foods,” Kennedy said in a statement. “President Trump has directed HHS to put real food at the center of American health.

“Today, we’re challenging hospitals across the country to lead by example by serving nutritious, minimally processed meals that help patients heal, reduce chronic disease, and help Make America Healthy Again.”

Under the voluntary pledge, hospitals are encouraged to reduce offerings of ultra-processed foods, sugary beverages, and processed meats while increasing the availability of whole grains, minimally processed proteins, and meals prepared using healthier methods such as baking, broiling, roasting, grilling, and stir-frying instead of deep frying.

The announcement represents the latest phase of Kennedy’s broader effort to reshape federal nutrition policy since assuming leadership of HHS. The department said improving the quality of hospital food can aid recovery while reinforcing the importance of nutrition in preventing disease.

As part of the campaign, HHS introduced a new nutrition-focused webpage that will serve as the central resource for Kennedy’s food and nutrition initiatives. The site includes the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, educational materials aimed at expanding nutrition training in medical schools, information about the Make Hospital Food Healthier Pledge, and details on the department’s upcoming program, “The Real Food Show.”

The initiative is being carried out in partnership with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz said hospitals should recognize nutrition as a fundamental element of quality medical care.

“When it comes to managing chronic disease, reducing co-morbidities like obesity, and shortening recovery times, a healthy diet can make all the difference,” Oz said in a statement. “I’m grateful to President Trump for his leadership in putting nutrition and prevention at the center of America’s health agenda.”

Oz added that hospitals should “nourish patients with the same commitment they bring to every other aspect of care.”

“That’s why we’re challenging hospitals to limit ultra-processed foods, feature nutritious meals that promote healing, and lead the way in delivering prevention-first, whole-person care,” he said.

The new campaign also builds on guidance issued by Oz in March reminding hospitals that Medicare regulations require facilities to meet the individual nutritional needs of every patient. CMS said hospital meals should be consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

{Matzav.com}

Yair Netanyahu, the son of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, has officially changed his name and is now registered with Israeli authorities as “Yonatan Han,” according to a report published Wednesday by Haaretz.

The newspaper reported that the change came to light through records maintained by the Israel Tax Authority, where the new name appears alongside Netanyahu’s identification number.

According to the report, tax withholding documents issued in December 2024 still identified him as Yair Netanyahu. However, documents issued this year list the same identification details under his new legal name instead.

Yair is not the first member of the Netanyahu family to adopt a different name. His younger brother, Avner Netanyahu, previously used a pseudonym when purchasing an apartment near London in 2022, registering the property with the British Land Registry under the name “Avi Avner Segal.”

The report noted that Yair’s new name carries significant family meaning. “Han” was the original surname of his maternal grandfather, Shmuel Ben Artzi, while “Yonatan” honors his paternal uncle, Yonatan Netanyahu, who was killed while leading the 1976 Entebbe hostage rescue mission.

{Matzav.com}

TEL AVIV – Senior Democratic Party figure Rahm Emanuel delivered a sharp rebuke of Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu during a speech at Tel Aviv University on Wednesday, warning that Israel’s relationship with the United States has reached what he described as a critical turning point. Emanuel argued that Israel’s current leadership has led the country into a diplomatic dead end and called for sweeping changes in both Israeli and American policy.

Emanuel, who served as White House chief of staff under President Barack Obama, represented Illinois in Congress, was mayor of Chicago, and later served as U.S. ambassador to Japan, is widely viewed as a potential Democratic presidential contender in 2028. Speaking as a guest of Tel Aviv University’s Center for the Study of the United States, he emphasized his longstanding personal connection to Israel while urging a major shift in Washington’s approach. Among his proposals were sanctions against individuals who harm Palestinians or support settlement expansion, changes to the structure of U.S. military aid, and opposition to any Israeli annexation of the West Bank.

Opening his remarks, Emanuel spoke about his family’s ties to Israel, noting that his father was born in Yerushalayim and fought in Israel’s War of Independence. He said he understands why many Israelis are skeptical of outside criticism, particularly after failed peace efforts and subsequent waves of terrorism.

Still, Emanuel insisted that Israel cannot shape its future solely through the lens of its past.

“I came from Chicago to say that things have to change if we are to continue this relationship. We are at a crossroads, and things cannot continue on the same path,” Emanuel said.

He added: “Netanyahu and his government have led Israel into a dead end.”

Emanuel argued that Israel’s global image has changed dramatically over the past five years.

“We cannot remain attached only to the past,” he said, contending that Israel has gone from being viewed as the “Start-Up Nation” to what he called “a modern Sparta.”

He further claimed that Israel has transformed “from a country offering technological solutions into a pariah state,” and urged Israelis to consider what that means for the nation’s future.

Emanuel also criticized Israel’s international standing, saying the world increasingly sees not only Palestinian casualties but also what he described as Israeli indifference to those images.

“The world sees that not only are Palestinians dying, but that Israelis are at peace with these images,” he said.

According to Emanuel, continued settlement construction, the prolonged war, and Israeli policy toward the Palestinians have weakened international support for Israel.

“You’ve lost Europe, your largest trade and research partner. Support for you in the United States is declining.”

While acknowledging Israel’s military accomplishments in recent conflicts, Emanuel argued that those victories have not translated into lasting diplomatic achievements.

“You are less secure today than you were before. Israel has failed to convert its military achievements into strategic achievements,” he said.

He added: “You have no plan for the day after in Gaza and Lebanon. Nasrallah, Sinwar, and Khamenei are dead, but Israel is more isolated than ever.”

Emanuel urged the United States to impose sanctions on Israelis who attack Palestinians, as well as on senior Israeli officials who support such violence. He also said companies involved in settlement construction should face sanctions.

“Netanyahu won’t like it, but it’s not the first time,” he remarked.

Emanuel also outlined what he called a “23-state solution,” envisioning a regional framework that would include Israel, the Palestinians, and 21 Arab nations.

He argued that a lasting peace cannot emerge solely from direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.

“The Arabs must hold the Palestinians accountable and put them in their place. The two-state solution must become a 23-state solution, in which they roll up their sleeves, swallow their egos, recognize the historic connection of the Jewish people to this land, and stop encouraging violence and hatred against Israel,” he said.

Emanuel also criticized past Israeli policy toward Hamas.

“Israel must stop the cynical game of funding Hamas instead of funding partners for peace,” he said.

He argued that broader peace with the Arab world would dramatically strengthen Israel’s strategic position.

“If Israel makes peace with 21 Arab countries, it will be your sweetest dream and the Iranians’ worst nightmare,” he said.

Concluding his address, Emanuel said his criticism stemmed from concern for Israel’s future rather than hostility toward the country.

“I have spent 30 years defending Israel and have watched the window for peace grow smaller,” he said.

According to Emanuel, the obstacle is not the absence of a possible agreement but the fact that leaders on both sides “found that war is a more convenient solution than peace.”

He also took direct aim at Netanyahu, saying: “Hamas did what it did to prevent peace. Netanyahu, unfortunately, helped Hamas achieve that—not because of weakness, but because of his unwillingness to pursue an agreement for the day after.”

Looking ahead to Israel’s centennial in 2048, Emanuel urged Israelis to decide what kind of country they want to become.

“The Israel I believed in is an Israel that can make the desert bloom, but it is chaining itself,” he said.

He concluded: “In 22 years this country will be 100 years old. Will it be an Israel with more Nobel Prize winners, seen as the Start-Up Nation and contributing more to humanity than other countries? That is your choice.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump declared that NATO has emerged stronger and more unified than ever following this week’s alliance summit in Turkey, crediting his leadership with driving a massive increase in allied defense spending, strengthening America’s global standing, and delivering a devastating blow to Iran through recent U.S. military operations.

Speaking after the summit, Trump thanked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for hosting what he described as an outstanding gathering of world leaders. Calling Erdoğan both “a great leader” and “a friend of mine for a long time,” Trump praised his leadership of Turkey.

“I want to thank President Erdoğan, who’s really a great man. He’s a great leader. He’s a friend of mine for a long time,” Trump said. “He’s done a fantastic job in Turkey.”

Trump also commended NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, describing him as “an extraordinary person” who has helped forge greater unity throughout the alliance.

Reflecting on the private meeting among NATO leaders, Trump said the atmosphere inside the room was remarkably positive.

“There was tremendous love in that room,” Trump said of the closed-door meeting with NATO leaders. “The press couldn’t see the speaking… every one of them spoke… They have a lot of good in their heart, not evil. They’re doing a great job for their country.”

Trump argued that NATO has been fundamentally transformed under his leadership by persuading member nations to dramatically increase their military budgets.

He noted that alliance members agreed last year to raise defense spending targets from 2 percent to 5 percent of gross domestic product, adding that nearly every country is now moving toward meeting that benchmark.

“Everybody said it was impossible, and now they’re all thanking me,” Trump said.

According to Trump, NATO nations boosted defense expenditures by nearly $150 billion during 2025, with much of that money being spent purchasing military equipment manufactured in the United States.

“We make the best equipment in the world,” he said. “The Patriots and the Tomahawks and everything we have is considered to be the best.”

Trump emphasized that the United States remains “by far the largest contributor to NATO” while investing a record $1 trillion in its own military this year. He added that he plans to seek $1.5 trillion in future defense funding.

The president also pointed to newly announced defense agreements reached during the summit, involving billions of dollars in investments tied to Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Anduril Industries.

“We’re pushing very hard to have the defense companies build more plants,” Trump said, predicting waiting times for key weapons systems could eventually shrink from years to just weeks.

Trump said his meetings with NATO leaders, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, and President Erdoğan reflected what he believes is renewed respect for the United States around the world.

“It was clear that America is back, and we’re stronger and bigger and better than ever before,” he said.

“We’re respected again like maybe never before.”

Returning repeatedly to the atmosphere inside the summit, Trump said unity was the defining theme of the gathering.

“If there’s one word that comes out of today, it’s unification,” he said. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

A significant portion of Trump’s remarks focused on Iran, where he defended recent American military strikes and insisted they had permanently eliminated Tehran’s ability to develop nuclear weapons.

“I was there for one reason-that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said. “We denuclearized Iran.”

“They will never have a nuclear weapon.”

Trump went on to claim that Iran’s armed forces had been virtually destroyed.

“They have no military left. Their air force is gone. Their ships are gone. One hundred fifty-nine ships are at the bottom of the sea. Their radar is gone. Everything’s gone.”

He also asserted that Iran’s deeply buried nuclear facilities had been rendered unusable.

“That stuff is so far down under a granite mountain that collapsed on top of it. It’ll take months to get it out.”

Trump warned that any effort by Iran to restore those facilities would prompt another military response.

“We’re watching that. If anybody goes there, they get blown up.”

Asked whether additional fighting could erupt, Trump said he believes any future conflict would be brief.

“I don’t think it’s going to start again,” he said. “Anything that happens is going to happen very fast.”

He added that the United States had responded decisively after Iran targeted commercial shipping.

“They hit a couple of ships and so we hit them much harder. When they hit, we hit ten times harder.”

Trump also argued that Iran’s economy has reached a dire state.

“They have 350% inflation,” he claimed. “They want to make a deal, but they don’t know how to make a deal.”

At another point, Trump described Iran’s leaders as “scum” and claimed they continue to target him personally.

“I’m number one on the kill list for Iran,” he said. “But I’m doing what’s right for the country.”

Turning to energy markets, Trump predicted oil prices would continue to decline despite instability in the Middle East.

“We have an oil glut right now,” he said. “Oil is coming down.”

He added that maintaining security in the Strait of Hormuz would further stabilize global energy supplies.

“Anything that happens is going to happen very fast and will only make it safer, including for oil.”

Trump also highlighted what he described as major domestic economic successes, arguing that tariffs have fueled an unprecedented surge in American manufacturing.

He said companies have committed more than $19 trillion in new investments in the United States and claimed the nation has reached its highest employment levels ever.

“There has never been anything like what’s happened with this country,” Trump said.

Citing investments by companies including Toyota, Eli Lilly, Merck, and several semiconductor manufacturers, Trump said tariffs have encouraged businesses to build factories inside the United States.

“If you build your product here, you pay no tariff.”

Discussing his meeting with Erdoğan, Trump described the conversation as “excellent” and indicated he is receptive to allowing Turkey to rejoin the F-35 fighter jet program.

“My inclination is to say, look, he’s done everything. He’s helped us in so many different ways.”

Trump praised Turkey as “the second most powerful country in NATO” and said relations between Washington and Ankara have improved significantly since he returned to office.

“It’s one of our best relationships.”

He also credited Erdoğan with honoring his request to stay out of the recent regional conflict.

“He stayed out of that war at my request,” Trump said. “He’s been a very good ally.”

Trump also spoke favorably about Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, saying the country has undergone a dramatic transformation under his leadership.

“He’s doing an unbelievable job in unifying Syria,” Trump said.

“Syria was a mess… and now it’s just come together. He’s done a fantastic job.”

Although Ukraine was not the central focus of his remarks, Trump confirmed that he met with President Volodymyr Zelensky during the summit.

Closing his remarks, Trump reiterated that NATO is now more unified than at any point he can remember and said alliance leaders expressed overwhelming appreciation for continued cooperation with the United States.

“There was tremendous unity in that room,” he concluded. “The love for our country-it was incredible.”

{Matzav.com}

A Wisconsin judge who was convicted of helping an illegal immigrant avoid federal immigration agents was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine but will not serve any prison time.

Judge Hannah Dugan had faced a potential sentence of up to five years in prison after being convicted in December on a felony obstruction of justice charge. Prosecutors said she helped Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican national living in the United States illegally, leave through a rear exit of the courthouse in an effort to avoid waiting agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The events giving rise to the case occurred during the early months of President Trump’s nationwide campaign to intensify immigration enforcement and crack down on illegal immigration.

{Matzav.com}

Israel Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu hinted Wednesday evening that significant developments may be unfolding behind the scenes after revealing that U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had been called back to the White House, forcing the cancellation of his planned visit to Israel. While Netanyahu declined to explain the reason, he suggested the sudden change could signal something far more consequential.

During an interview on Sharon Gal’s podcast, Basalon Shel Sharon, Netanyahu was asked about his anticipated meeting with Hegseth. “Apparently, apparently it’s not going to happen,” he replied calmly. Asked whether the defense secretary was no longer coming to Israel, Netanyahu confirmed, “He was called back home, to the White House.”

Gal noted that the canceled visit seemed disappointing, especially since the agenda was expected to include discussions on a possible sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, Iran, and other key security issues. Netanyahu smiled and responded, “Why do you think it’s disappointing? Maybe it means something else?”

After a brief pause, Gal pressed the prime minister to elaborate. Netanyahu refused, saying only, “No, I can’t tell you. There are several possibilities.”

Netanyahu said he learned of Hegseth’s sudden return to Washington only shortly before the interview while he was in the makeup room. When Gal sought confirmation that the defense secretary was indeed heading back to the U.S. capital, Netanyahu replied, “Yes, yes. That’s correct.”

Later in the interview, Netanyahu was asked whether Israelis should “refresh” their home bomb shelters in light of the latest developments. The prime minister answered bluntly, “Why do you need to refresh it? It should always be ready.”

According to Reuters, Hegseth had been scheduled to meet with both Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yisroel Katz during what would have been his first official visit to Israel since taking office. Among the issues expected to be discussed were the possible sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey and the rapidly evolving situation with Iran.

Although Netanyahu stopped short of issuing any specific warning or suggesting that Israeli military action was imminent, his decision to publicly disclose Hegseth’s abrupt recall, coupled with his smile and remark that the cancellation “maybe it means something else,” fueled speculation that the development carries greater significance than a routine scheduling change.

The comments came amid rapidly escalating tensions between the United States and Iran. Following overnight exchanges of military strikes, President Donald Trump declared that the memorandum of understanding with Tehran was effectively dead and warned that American forces could launch another powerful round of attacks against Iran as soon as tonight.

At this point, it remains unclear whether Hegseth’s return to the White House is directly connected to possible military action against Iran, high-level security consultations in Washington, or another major development. Netanyahu chose not to reveal what he knows, but he also made no effort to dispel the impression that something significant is taking place behind closed doors.

{Matzav.com}