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One of Israel’s most sweeping public transportation reforms in decades has been pulled from the Knesset agenda after Chareidi parties objected over concerns that it could eventually undermine the longstanding status quo regarding Shabbos.

The Metropolitan Transportation Reform, which was approved by the Knesset Economics Committee last month for its second and third readings, was expected to come before the Knesset plenum on Tuesday. Instead, lawmakers removed the legislation from the agenda amid opposition from Chareidi coalition partners.

The proposed reform would transfer broad authority over public transportation planning and management from the Transportation Ministry to newly established metropolitan authorities. Although supporters repeatedly emphasized during committee deliberations that the legislation would not authorize local governments to operate public transportation on Shabbos or alter existing arrangements, Chareidi lawmakers remained concerned that future administrations could use the new framework to erode the status quo.

As previously reported, the legislation had already faced significant obstacles before clearing the Economics Committee, with one of the primary disputes centering on who would lead the newly created metropolitan transportation authorities.

During negotiations led by Economics Committee Chairman MK David Bitan, a compromise was reached under which the director of Israel’s National Public Transportation Authority would head the Gush Dan metropolitan authority for an initial transition period of 18 months. After that, the position would be transferred to a representative of the Tel Aviv municipality, followed by elections among all member municipalities.

The Transportation Ministry opposed that arrangement, insisting that the National Public Transportation Authority retain control for three years instead. The disagreement delayed the legislation and added another layer of political complexity to the reform.

Under the version approved by the Economics Committee, the Gush Dan metropolitan authority would include Tel Aviv, Bnei Brak, Ramat Gan, Holon, Bat Yam, Givatayim, Herzliya, and Ramat Hasharon, with Rishon LeZion and Kiryat Ono expected to join later.

According to sources, Bnei Brak would hold only about 13 percent of the voting power within the metropolitan authority. City officials expressed concern that neighboring municipalities could approve major public transportation policies without meaningful input from the predominantly Torah-observant city.

Beit Shemesh sought to be excluded entirely from the legislation, fearing that Jerusalem would control an overwhelming majority of the voting power within the Jerusalem metropolitan authority. That request was ultimately granted, and Beit Shemesh was removed from the framework. Mevaseret Zion was also excluded, while Tzur Hadassah was added to the Jerusalem metropolitan authority. At the same time, Rechasim was incorporated into the Haifa metropolitan authority.

Alongside the metropolitan transportation reform, the Economics Committee separately approved legislation repealing amendments to the Parking Law. Under the revised measure, private parking facilities will once again be permitted to charge by the full hour and then in 15-minute increments. That provision passed independently and is expected to take effect four months after the law is officially published.

With the metropolitan reform now off the Knesset agenda, it remains unclear when it will return for debate and a final vote. Its future is expected to depend on negotiations between the coalition and the Chareidi parties, particularly over guarantees that the legislation will not lead to any erosion of the Shabbos status quo.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump is signaling that the U.S. military campaign against Iran will continue to escalate, declaring that the strikes will not stop until he decides they have achieved their objective. He also warned that critical infrastructure, including energy facilities, power plants, and bridges, could soon become targets unless Tehran agrees to negotiations.

Speaking with Fox News correspondent Trey Yingst, Trump said the campaign is being deliberately phased, with Iran’s energy sector reserved for later stages of the operation.

“I’ll save the energy targets for last, but ultimately we’ll hit energy targets,” Trump told Fox News reporter Trey Yingst in an interview.

Trump also described an aggressive timetable for the ongoing military action, saying the intensity of the strikes would increase over the coming days.

“We’re going to hit them very hard tonight. We’re going to hit them very hard tomorrow night. We’re going to hit them very hard the night after, and then next week it gets really bad for them because next week comes the power plants,” Trump said.

The president went on to warn that even broader attacks on Iran’s infrastructure would follow if its leadership refuses to enter negotiations with the United States.

“Next week comes the bridges. We’re going to knock out all their power plants. We’re going to knock out all their bridges unless they get to the table and negotiate.”

{Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the sudden petirah of Rav Mordechai HaKohen Beck zt”l, the Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Tiferes Moshe in Monsey and Av Beis Din of Kehillas Segulas Yisrael.

Rav Beck suffered a sudden cardiac arrest while on his way to his yeshiva to begin another day of teaching Torah. He was 80 years old.

Emergency personnel rushed to the scene and made extensive efforts to revive him, but despite prolonged resuscitation attempts, they were unable to save his life. His passing leaves behind thousands of heartbroken talmidim and hundreds of members of his kehillah who looked to him as their spiritual guide for decades.

Rav Beck was born on April 22, 1946, in Pressburg (Bratislava), Czechoslovakia, shortly after the end of World War II. Born to parents affiliated with Munkatcher Chassidus, he belonged to the first generation of Jews born in postwar Europe. His family later immigrated to Montreal, Canada, where he was raised.

Recognizing his son’s exceptional abilities, his father, Rav Yehudah Beck zt”l, sent him to the Nitra Yeshiva established by Rav Michoel Ber Weissmandl zt”l. There he studied under Rav Yaakov Hornstein zt”l before continuing his learning at Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, where he became a talmid of Rav Shneur Kotler zt”l.

A pivotal chapter in his life began when he moved to Yerushalayim to study at Yeshivas Brisk under Rav Berel Soloveitchik zt”l. Rav Beck quickly distinguished himself as one of the yeshiva’s outstanding talmidim, earning a reputation for his brilliant analytical mind, profound understanding, and mastery of the Brisker approach to Torah study.

His rebbi once remarked that while most talmidim required four years to fully grasp the intricate Brisker method, Rav Beck mastered it in only two years. During those years he also became the longtime chavrusa of Rav Avraham Yehoshua Soloveitchik, the current Rosh Yeshiva of Brisk.

Years later, Rav Avraham Yehoshua wrote of his close friend: “He was known for his exceptional talents and vast knowledge, both in breadth and analytical reasoning, among the finest talmidei chachomim… He became renowned for his unique lectures marked by sharpness, depth, and clear reasoning, and his name became known as one of the great disseminators of Torah.”

Rav Beck himself often expressed profound reverence for the Brisker method of learning. In the introduction to one of his seforim, he wrote: “The Brisker Rav always revealed the truth exactly as it is, and truth itself pointed the way. The nature of genuine truth is that once it is uncovered, the matter suddenly becomes remarkably simple.”

In 1969, after returning from Eretz Yisrael, Rav Beck married the daughter of Rav Tzvi Elimelech Kahana zt”l, one of Satmar’s prominent chassidim. Following his marriage, he developed a close relationship with the Satmar Rebbe, Rav Yoel Teitelbaum.

After spending a short period in Williamsburg, he moved to Lakewood before returning once again to Yerushalayim to continue learning under Rav Berel Soloveitchik. In 1979, he returned permanently to the United States, where he was appointed a Rosh Yeshiva at Nitra Yeshiva, the very yeshiva where he had studied in his youth.

In 1991, Rav Beck relocated to Monsey. About a decade later, after the resignation of the previous rav, Rav Yaakov Dovid Schlesinger zt”l, he was chosen to serve as the rav and Av Beis Din of Kehillas Segulas Yisrael. At the same location, he founded Yeshivas Tiferes Moshe, which today is home to approximately 80 bochurim and avreichim. The yeshiva became known for combining the classic Brisker method of learning with a firm and uncompromising Torah outlook.

Every Thursday, Rav Beck delivered a unique shiur devoted to emunah, Jewish thought, and Chassidus, often addressing current events through the prism of Torah and instilling a clear worldview in his listeners.

In recent years, under the leadership of his brother-in-law, Rav Shmuel Birnbaum, an extensive effort was launched to publish Rav Beck’s many shiurim. His son, Rav Yehudah Beck, edited the popular Parshas Mordechai series on numerous masechtos of Shas, compiled from recordings and talmidim‘s notes.

His levayah was held Tuesday afternoon, departing from his beis medrash in Monsey, before proceeding to the local bais hachaim.

The Department of Homeland Security has reportedly instructed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers across the country to temporarily stop conducting routine vehicle stops following two fatal shootings involving ICE agents in Texas and Maine. The move, if confirmed, represents a major change in the agency’s enforcement strategy as both incidents remain under investigation.

The Daily Wire first reported the directive on Tuesday, saying it was issued in response to the recent fatal encounters, which have prompted protests and intensified criticism of ICE’s enforcement methods.

According to the report, three Department of Homeland Security sources said ICE personnel nationwide have been told there will be “no more vehicle stops for now,” except in limited circumstances, such as when executing criminal warrants or participating in joint operations with other law enforcement agencies.

The reported policy change could have a substantial impact on immigration enforcement. Traffic stops have long been one of ICE’s primary methods for apprehending illegal immigrants away from their residences, where agents often face greater legal hurdles and believe suspects may have easier access to weapons.

One agency source told the Wire, “Numbers are going down, we can’t do [anything].”

Newsmax contacted the Department of Homeland Security seeking confirmation and comment regarding the reported directive but had not received a response as of publication.

The reported order follows Monday’s deadly confrontation in Biddeford, Maine, where ICE agents fatally shot a 26-year-old Colombian national during an attempted vehicle stop.

According to an ICE spokesperson, the driver tried to flee the scene, leading one officer to open fire while “fearing for public safety.”

Federal and local investigators, including the FBI, are reviewing the shooting, and DHS said its Office of Inspector General has also been notified of the incident.

Sen. Angus King, an independent from Maine, told CNN that Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin informed him that the man who was killed was not the person ICE agents had originally set out to arrest.

The Maine shooting came just days after another fatal ICE-related shooting during a traffic stop in Houston.

According to The Associated Press, acting ICE Director David Venturella acknowledged that Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a Mexican national who had lived in the United States for many years, was not the individual agents had intended to apprehend.

DHS has said officers believed Salgado Araujo matched the description of the suspect they were pursuing. The department also stated that an agent fired in self-defense after Salgado Araujo allegedly rammed an ICE vehicle.

Reuters reported that the two deadly incidents occurred as the Trump administration has intensified immigration enforcement efforts, with both shootings triggering anti-ICE demonstrations in Texas and Maine.

The Associated Press also reported that the Houston ICE agents involved were not equipped with body cameras during the encounter. DHS has said those officers are expected to receive body-worn cameras within the next 60 days.

If the reported directive is officially confirmed, the temporary suspension of routine vehicle stops would represent one of the most significant operational changes for ICE in recent years as federal authorities continue investigating both fatal shootings.

Americans may be one step closer to ending the twice-yearly ritual of changing their clocks after the House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved legislation on Tuesday that would make daylight saving time permanent across most of the country. The measure now moves to the Senate, where similar efforts have stalled in the past.

The legislation, known as the Sunshine Protection Act, cleared the House by a 308-117 vote. If enacted, the country would remain on the current daylight saving schedule year-round—currently observed between March and November—unless individual states chose to opt out before the law takes effect.

As the final vote was announced, Rep. Scott DesJarlais, R-Tenn., who was presiding over the House session, celebrated by playing the Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun” from his phone while reading the results.

President Donald Trump has strongly backed the proposal, which was introduced by Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla. In a Truth Social post on May 21, Trump pledged that he was “going to work very hard to see The Sunshine Protection Act signed into Law.”

“It’s time that people can stop worrying about the ‘Clock,’ not to mention all of the work and money that is spent on this ridiculous, twice yearly production. It will also be a very nice WIN for the Republican Party. Take it!” Trump wrote.

With House approval secured, the measure now awaits consideration in the Senate.

A similar Senate proposal lost momentum last year after Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., blocked an effort to pass it through unanimous consent in October.

Cotton argued that making daylight saving time permanent could create unintended problems in many parts of the country, noting that sunrise would not occur until 9 a.m. or even later in some areas. He warned that darker mornings could make commutes more hazardous and leave many Americans beginning their workday before daylight.

His office did not immediately indicate whether he intends to oppose an expedited vote on the legislation if it comes before the Senate again.

Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., said voters in his district have long supported ending the clock changes, though he questioned whether the Senate would ultimately move the bill forward.

“I’m kind of digging the fact that we’re going to fix it, I hope,” Burchett said. “See if the Senate takes it up. They probably won’t, but we’ll see.”

Rep. Rich McCormick, R-Ga., also voiced support for the proposal, saying the issue should unite lawmakers from both parties while pointing to financial and health benefits.

“I think it’s popular. It shouldn’t be controversial. It should be bipartisan. It saves money,” McCormick said. Drawing on his experience as an emergency room physician, he added that “you get more depression, you get out of joint” with the time adjustments.

Public frustration with changing the clocks twice each year remains widespread, according to a 2025 AP-NORC survey. While most Americans dislike the current system, opinions remain split over whether the nation should adopt permanent daylight saving time or permanent standard time. Congress previously came close to addressing the issue in 2022, when the Senate unanimously approved permanent daylight saving time, but the bill never received a House vote.

The United States has experimented with permanent daylight saving time before. During the 1970s oil crisis, President Richard Nixon signed legislation establishing the system for a two-year trial in an effort to reduce energy consumption. However, widespread dissatisfaction over extremely dark winter mornings led Congress to repeal the law before the full trial period had ended.

State lawmakers have also taken action in recent years. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, nearly every state has considered legislation addressing the twice-yearly clock changes, and 19 states have already passed laws authorizing permanent daylight saving time if Congress grants federal approval.

Daylight saving time was first adopted temporarily during both World War I and World War II before becoming the national standard under the Uniform Time Act of 1966. Under current law, clocks move ahead one hour each March and fall back one hour every November.

Not every part of the United States follows the practice. Arizona, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and several other U.S. territories do not observe daylight saving time.

{Matzav.com}

In a major development for the olam haTorah, the Knesset on Tuesday gave final approval to legislation halting the arrest of yeshiva bochurim who have not reported for military service. The bill passed its second and third readings by a vote of 58-54, following a heated and emotional debate.

Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu participated in part of the Knesset deliberations but was not present for the final vote. According to sources within Likud, Netanyahu had hoped Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana would personally preside over the session, but Ohana instead delegated that responsibility to his deputy, MK Limor Son Har-Melech.

When Netanyahu entered the plenum during the debate and while lawmakers voted on several reservations to the bill, opposition members repeatedly interrupted the proceedings with chants of “shame” and “go.”

Not all coalition members supported the legislation. MK Yuli Edelstein, MK Sharren Haskel, and MK Dan Illouz of Likud, together with MK Moshe Solomon of the Religious Zionist Party, voted against the measure. Religious Zionist Party Minister Ofir Sofer and MK Michal Woldiger did not participate in the vote.

Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi presented the legislation on behalf of the government and engaged in several sharp exchanges with opposition lawmakers during the debate.

As required under Knesset ethics rules, the chareidi members of Knesset disclosed during the proceedings that members of their own families could potentially be affected by the legislation.

MK Moshe Gafni, chairman of Degel HaTorah, hailed the bill’s passage as a milestone for the Torah community.

“We promised, and we delivered. This is an important step in protecting the Torah world and its students.”

Shas chairman Aryeh Deri also celebrated the vote, describing it as a historic correction of an injustice against bnei Torah.

“Today, with G-d’s help, we passed the law to end the arrests of Torah students. Today, the Knesset is sending a clear message to the dismissed attorney general: Enough persecution. Enough hatred toward Torah scholars. Who would have believed that in the Jewish state, yeshiva students, the cherished Tribe of Levi of the Jewish people, would be treated as criminals? Today, we began correcting that injustice.

“The overwhelming majority of the people of Israel love the Torah, respect its scholars, and understand that they safeguard the identity and spirit of the Jewish people. On this day, I remember the words of my teacher, Rav Ovadia Yosef, zt”l, who was deeply pained by the harm done to yeshiva students and said that the Jewish people are protected from their enemies by their Torah study. He also loved and embraced the soldiers of the IDF, who risk their lives for Israel’s security, and blessed them to return home safely. That is the way of the Torah, to embrace everyone and unite everyone. Do not allow the dismissed attorney general and those who incite to divide us. With God’s help, we will continue to prevail, together.”

Opposition parties immediately announced plans to challenge the legislation. Yisrael Beytenu and several members of Yesh Atid confirmed that they had filed a petition with Israel’s High Court of Justice seeking to overturn the newly approved law.

In their petition, Yesh Atid lawmakers argued that the legislation institutionalizes unequal treatment among Israeli citizens.

“This is what the Knesset and the government regard as their crowning achievement after four years in office and three years after the events of October 7: deepening discrimination between one citizen and another, applying one set of rules to secular, traditional, and religious Israelis subject to military service, and a different set of rules to those subject to conscription from the chareidi community.”

Opposition leader Yair Lapid sharply criticized the coalition following the vote, accusing it of abandoning both the military and the broader public.

He called the coalition a “government of refuseniks, draft dodgers, and the corrupt,” and charged that it had voted “against the IDF, against the Chief of Staff, against Judaism, and against mutual responsibility. That is how they will be remembered. Soon we will return, and together we will amend.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he is aware of the conspiracy theories surrounding the sudden death of Sen. Lindsey Graham but believes federal investigators are pursuing the wrong path, saying the FBI is “wasting their time” by looking into such claims.

Trump made the remarks in the Oval Office after reporters questioned him about the presence of FBI agents at Graham’s Capitol Hill home on Monday, two days after the South Carolina senator died suddenly on Motzoei Shabbos at the age of 71.

“I don’t see a lot of evil there,” Trump said. “I know there’s all sorts of conspiracy theories going along, and I think the FBI is wasting their time if they’re doing that.”

Officials with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Washington, D.C., have said a preliminary examination determined Graham died from “aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease,” meaning his aorta ruptured as a result of hardened arteries.

Investigators are continuing to await toxicology results and the completion of additional medical testing before issuing a final report.

Despite handling high-level foreign policy matters, including meetings with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and developments involving the Strait of Hormuz, Trump indicated he had closely followed the circumstances surrounding Graham’s death. Graham was one of Trump’s closest allies in the Senate, and the two men spoke by telephone on the evening before the senator passed away.

The president said he had personally reviewed the available medical findings and had also been briefed by White House physicians. Trump added that he had learned Graham’s father also died from heart-related complications at a relatively young age.

“They say it’s almost undetectable. You can detect it if you have a very bad back. That’s a sign. It’s a bad sign,” Trump said. “So if anybody has a bad back … that’s one of the primary signs. And he would tell me he had a bad back, but little did anyone realize it was for that. So, when that bursts, which it did, it bursts.”

NBC News said it had contacted the FBI seeking comment on Trump’s remarks.

During an appearance Monday night on Newsmax, Trump was also asked about online speculation suggesting Russia may have been involved in Graham’s death. The senator had been one of the strongest congressional advocates for Ukraine and Israel, had repeatedly called for harsher sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin, and had met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv the day before he died.

“Just to answer the conspiracy theory, I’d love to say yes, but I think he — he had some problems,” Trump told Newsmax. “And his father died just about at the same age. … I’m a believer in the racehorse theory, you know, if you have problems, you have problems. And he had some problems that were a little bit deep-seated and not easy to find.”

On Monday afternoon, NBC News reported seeing nearly 20 FBI agents and other federal investigators gathered outside Graham’s townhouse near the Capitol. Agents entered the residence, photographed the interior, and later exited without appearing to remove any evidence.

FBI Director Kash Patel has said the bureau is “assisting local authorities” with the investigation. Two law enforcement sources familiar with the case also told NBC News that federal authorities remain involved as a precaution while the inquiry continues.

Those same sources said investigators have uncovered no new evidence since Motzoei Shabbos that would indicate Graham’s death resulted from foul play.

Meanwhile, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Graham’s sister, Darline Graham, on Monday to serve the remainder of the senator’s term, which expires in January. She was scheduled to be sworn into office Tuesday afternoon.

{Matzav.com}

Secretary of State Marco Rubio laid out the Trump administration’s case for dismantling the International Criminal Court, arguing that the tribunal has evolved far beyond its original mission and now seeks the power to prosecute American citizens, military personnel, and government officials without the consent of the United States.

In an essay published by the State Department, Rubio asserted that the ICC now “claims the power” to haul U.S. soldiers, law enforcement officers, and elected officials before an international tribunal and imprison them under legal standards that the United States has never accepted.

Tracing the court’s evolution, Rubio argued that its mission has dramatically expanded over time. “The ICC was born at the turn of the century. At first, it was marketed as a narrow backstop to prosecute the gravest crimes,” Rubio wrote. “Now the ICC and its allies seek a standing world tribunal with near-unlimited reach, empowered to override the courts and constitutions of the US and other sovereign states.”

Rubio emphasized that the United States has consistently rejected the ICC’s authority over Americans. He noted that leaders from both political parties have opposed placing U.S. citizens under the jurisdiction of an international court and pointed to President Bill Clinton’s decision not to send the Rome Statute—the treaty establishing the ICC—to the Senate for ratification.

He also highlighted bipartisan congressional approval of the American Servicemembers’ Protection Act, legislation authorizing the president to “use all means necessary” to prevent the ICC from arresting or detaining U.S. citizens.

Rubio sharply criticized the ICC’s decision in 2020 to investigate allegations of war crimes involving American forces in Afghanistan, arguing that the move amounted to an attempt to supersede the U.S. legal system.

“In effect, Ms. Bensouda was anointing herself the final judge of US military policy and the entire US justice system,” Rubio wrote, referring to former ICC Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda.

According to Rubio, efforts to broaden the court’s authority have continued during President Trump’s second administration, with international organizations and activists urging the ICC to investigate American policies and military operations.

He warned that officials responsible for enforcing U.S. law or protecting national security could eventually find themselves targeted by the court.

“Border Patrol agents working to remove violent criminals from our country, US Marines risking their lives to restore order in the Western Hemisphere, federal prosecutors working to dismantle terror networks plotting attacks on the American homeland, all would face the constant risk of persecution,” Rubio wrote.

Rubio argued that recognizing the ICC’s authority would come at the expense of America’s sovereignty.

“To accept the ICC is to surrender control of our national destiny,” he wrote.

Drawing a historical parallel, Rubio said the issue echoes one of the core complaints that fueled the American Revolution, when the Founders resisted being subjected to trials under foreign governments.

“Independence is our birthright,” Rubio wrote. “We don’t intend to trade it for rule by a self-appointed priesthood of ‘international law.’”

Rubio pledged that the Trump administration will continue working to shield American personnel from possible ICC prosecutions while pressing an international campaign against the court.

“The US is launching a diplomatic campaign with a simple message: sovereign states over globalism,” he wrote.

He concluded by promising that the administration would coordinate with allies and employ every available tool to reduce the court’s power and influence.

“This is only the beginning,” Rubio wrote. “Using all the tools at our government’s disposal, working beside every ally with whom we can make common cause, we will dismantle the ICC, brick by brick, if necessary.”

{Matzav.com}

The Mossad’s Persian-language account on X escalated its online campaign against Iran’s leadership on Wednesday, posting an image that appeared to mock several of the country’s highest-ranking officials by suggesting they could all be working for Israel. The post followed reports alleging secret contacts between former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the Israeli intelligence agency.

The graphic featured several prominent Iranian figures, including Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, President Masoud Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, and former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Each official was illustrated wearing an earpiece and bearing a Star of David on his hand, an apparent suggestion that they were acting as Israeli operatives.

Written above the image was a single word in Farsi that translates to: “Which of them?”

The provocative post came a day after The New York Times reported that former Mossad Director David Barnea had attempted to recruit Ahmadinejad as a possible future leader of Iran following the eventual downfall of the Islamic Republic.

According to the report, Barnea and Ahmadinejad secretly met in Hungary during 2024, using a climate conference at Ludovika University of Public Service as cover for their discussions.

The report also described an elaborate Mossad operation carried out at the outset of the war with Iran, during which Israeli operatives allegedly extracted Ahmadinejad and transported him to a secure location inside Iran. It said Ahmadinejad was unsettled by the rescue mission and expressed disappointment with what he believed was Israel’s plan to return him to power. He later departed the safe house under circumstances that have not been publicly explained.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump urged Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu during a phone conversation Thursday to begin withdrawing Israeli troops from Syria and encouraged a similar move in Lebanon, according to U.S. and Israeli officials cited by Axios.

The reported request comes as Israeli forces continue operating in portions of southern Syria and southern Lebanon. Israeli leaders have maintained that the deployments are essential to prevent future cross-border attacks like the October 7 massacre.

According to Axios, one U.S. official said Trump expressed concern that Israel’s continued military presence inside Syrian territory was fueling regional tensions and increasing the risk of a broader conflict. The official said Trump told Netanyahu, “They don’t want you there. You should redeploy,” adding that the president conveyed the same message regarding Lebanon.

The Prime Minister’s Office said that during the discussion, Netanyahu emphasized Israel’s need to maintain security zones along its borders to safeguard the country from future threats.

The conversation came one day after Trump met with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Turkey. According to U.S. officials, the administration has been working to establish a new security framework between Israel and Syria that would eventually include a phased Israeli withdrawal from territory captured following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024.

In southern Syria, recent weeks have seen growing unrest, including demonstrations by local residents opposing the Israeli military presence as well as confrontations between protesters and Israeli forces.

At the same time, American mediators met Tuesday in Rome with Israeli and Lebanese officials to advance implementation of an agreement between the two countries. Under the proposed framework, Israel agreed to withdraw from two designated “pilot zones” in southern Lebanon, allowing the Lebanese Armed Forces to move into those areas.

Israeli troops have not yet pulled out of the designated zones. Lebanese officials have pressed for the withdrawal process to begin and have requested a schedule for additional redeployments. Israeli officials, however, have said they intend to verify that Hezbollah has removed its weapons and military infrastructure from the areas before proceeding.

The White House declined to comment on the Axios report and did not dispute its account. A U.S. official told Axios that Trump “has a strong relationship with Prime Minister Netanyahu” and emphasized that Israel “has always been a great ally to the United States.”

A Gerer yungerman who was sentenced to 20 days in Military Prison 10 despite reportedly having received a full medical exemption from military service was released less than 24 hours after his arrest, bringing a dramatic end to a case that sparked widespread outrage throughout the Chareidi community.

The avreich, Reb Moshe Reuven Werdiger, was imprisoned after what supporters say was a serious bureaucratic error within the military’s administrative system. His release followed an intensive overnight effort by community leaders, senior askanim, and public officials, who pressed military authorities to review the case.

According to those involved, Werdiger has suffered since childhood from a serious and complex medical condition. After submitting all of the required medical documentation to the military draft office, he was reportedly informed that he had been granted a full exemption from military service on medical grounds.

The matter took an unexpected turn when, despite receiving the exemption, Werdiger was contacted and instructed to return to the draft office to complete what he was told were routine administrative procedures. After questioning why he needed to return when he had already been exempted, he was reportedly told, “What difference does it make? Just come to the office and take care of it in five minutes.”

Believing everything was in order, the avreich arrived at the draft office carrying his medical records. Upon his arrival, however, he was informed that he was classified as a draft evader, apparently because his medical exemption had not yet been entered into the military’s computerized records. He was subsequently referred to a military judicial officer at Tel Hashomer.

Although medical documents detailing his severe, life-threatening allergy were presented during the proceedings, officials reportedly maintained that no exemption appeared in the computer system. The military judicial officer declined to rely on the physical documentation and sentenced Werdiger to 20 days in Military Prison 10.

As soon as news of the imprisonment spread, Gerer askanim launched an around-the-clock effort to secure his release. An emergency command center was established, with senior community activists—including Pinchas Kubitz, Motty Babchik, and Rabbi Shimon Shisha, widely known as the “father of the prisoners”—working to resolve the matter with senior officials in the IDF and the Defense Ministry.

During the night, UTJ chairman MK Yitzchak Goldknopf was fully briefed on the situation and, according to the report, conveyed a firm message to military officials on behalf of the Gerer Rebbe. The message warned that unless the avreich was released within 24 hours, thousands of Gerer chassidim would stage a massive protest outside Military Prison 10 on Tuesday.

According to those familiar with the case, the prospect of large-scale demonstrations prompted military officials to reexamine the matter. After determining that the imprisonment appeared to result from a serious administrative error involving an individual who was in fact entitled to a full medical exemption, the prison commander initiated an expedited review.

As part of that review, a military physician was brought into the prison to personally examine Werdiger’s original medical documentation. After reviewing the records, the physician reportedly concluded that Werdiger suffered from a life-threatening allergy and confirmed that he qualified for a full medical exemption. Military officials then updated the computerized records and immediately filed an appeal seeking to overturn the prison sentence.

On Monday afternoon, less than one day after his arrest, the commander of Military Prison 10 signed Werdiger’s release order. He walked out of the prison a free man and returned home to his family, where he was greeted with relief by relatives and the many askanim who had worked tirelessly on his behalf.

Individuals involved in securing his release said that military officials ultimately recognized the seriousness of the mistake.

“The defense establishment realized, perhaps a bit late, that sending an avreich with a life-threatening medical condition to military prison because of their own negligence and bureaucratic failure was a grave mistake that could have ended in disaster and ignited the entire Chareidi community. Common sense and the determination of the askanim prevailed over the bureaucracy.”

Amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the arrest of bnei yeshivah, a new report claims that the vast majority of recent arrests are taking place not during police operations, but inside IDF draft offices after young men voluntarily arrive to address administrative matters.

Speaking on Kol Chai’s morning program, reporter Nati Kalish detailed the recent arrest of a Gerer yungerman from Ashdod and discussed what he described as a recurring pattern in recent weeks, while also highlighting a strongly worded letter issued by the Rosh Yeshivah of Mir warning talmidim not to visit draft offices without prior authorization.

Kalish reported that the avreich from Ashdod was arrested and immediately sentenced to 20 days in military prison.

“An avreich, a resident of Ashdod and a Gerer chassid, was arrested and immediately sentenced to 20 days of actual imprisonment in military prison. According to the precise information that reached us, his arrest was carried out through what his family describes as a form of deception by the military authorities. The avreich was told to come in person to the draft office to take care of technical matters and submit several missing documents. He arrived innocently with the requested paperwork—and was arrested on the spot as a draft evader.”

According to Kalish, the case reflects a broader trend.

“This pattern has repeated itself again and again in recent weeks. The Military Police are hardly going to people’s homes anymore, but nearly all of the arrests now are taking place inside the draft offices themselves. These are bochurim who come to regularize their status according to the law. Some are convinced they are doing the right thing and have no idea they are risking arrest and immediate imprisonment.”

Kalish recalled the response from Ger following a previous arrest involving one of the chassidus’ members in Ashdod.

The last time a Gerer chassid was arrested, thousands of Gerer chassidim gathered outside Military Prison 10 for a massive, organized protest under the direction of the chassidus’ leaders and askanim. The arrested bochur was subsequently released shortly thereafter.

According to the report, Gerer askanim have been engaged in quiet discussions with senior military officials since late Monday night in an effort to have the latest prison sentence overturned.

Sources within the chassidus warned that if the avreich is not released quickly, large-scale public protests could once again be organized.

“If the avreich is not released soon, there will be a major upheaval on the ground,” sources in the chassidus said, adding that organizers are seriously considering launching another wave of mass demonstrations to secure his release.

Kalish also claimed that many bochurim are arriving at draft offices after receiving questionable legal advice from attorneys who promise they can obtain medical exemptions.

“The bochurim come there hoping to receive exemptions for legitimate medical reasons, but they become victims of fixers and non-chareidi attorneys who advertise their services and try to profit financially from them. These people send the young men to the draft offices with completely inaccurate information and without any real experience, and in the end the bochurim are arrested because they are long-standing draft evaders.”

He noted that a similar incident occurred approximately three weeks ago involving a talmid of Yeshivas Mir who was arrested after reporting to a draft office under similar circumstances.

In response to that case, Mir Rosh Yeshivah Rav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel took the unusual step of issuing an official letter to the talmidim announcing the establishment of a special committee to advise bochurim on all matters relating to the draft authorities.

In his letter, Rav Finkel instructed that no bochur should report to a draft office under any circumstances without first consulting the committee and receiving its approval. He further warned that anyone who chooses to act independently and report without guidance would bear full responsibility for any resulting arrest and its consequences.

{Matzav.com}

Newly released Justice Department records indicate that the investigative team led by former Special Counsel Jack Smith reviewed text messages involving more than 40 current and former members of Congress during its investigations into President Donald Trump, prompting sharp criticism from Republicans who argue the actions violated constitutional protections.

The documents, turned over Tuesday to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), show that Smith’s office obtained access to communications exchanged between Trump White House officials and 44 lawmakers representing both political parties.

Among those whose messages were reviewed were Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), the ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who previously served in Congress, and former Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.), now administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

The records also identify several prominent Republican lawmakers, including Grassley, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), and Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), as having communications that were accessed.

During sworn congressional testimony in December 2025, Smith was asked whether investigators had examined “the content of text messages” as part of the two criminal investigations involving the 45th and 47th president. Smith replied, “No.”

Republicans reacted forcefully to the newly disclosed records.

“This is yet another grotesque example of the Biden administration’s weaponization of the Justice Department,” Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) said in a statement. “At this point, no one should be shocked by Jack Smith’s recklessness and blatant abuse of power, but they should be outraged.”

Grassley’s office has previously revealed that Smith’s investigation issued subpoenas seeking records from roughly 430 Republican individuals and organizations, as well as phone logs connected to more than a dozen GOP figures. Grassley has characterized the effort as a broad “fishing expedition.”

According to the documents, Smith’s office established a specialized “Filter Team” whose role was to prevent investigators from viewing privileged communications or infringing upon constitutional protections while reviewing records obtained from the National Archives and Records Administration.

The communications at issue were exchanged between October 2020 and Jan. 20, 2021, during the final months of the Trump administration.

White House officials whose messages were included in the records encompassed former Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, Dan Scavino, Ivanka Trump, Stephen Miller, Peter Navarro, current CIA Director John Ratcliffe, current FBI Director Kash Patel, Rudy Giuliani, Kellyanne Conway, and then-Vice President Mike Pence.

The Filter Team was tasked with screening evidence gathered through two investigations known internally as “Project Coconut,” which examined efforts to challenge the outcome of the 2020 election, and “Project Cranberry,” which focused on allegations involving classified documents kept at Mar-a-Lago.

One internal DOJ email dated Aug. 21, 2023, and included among the records provided to Grassley, shows investigators discussing the direct acquisition of “54 excel files with text messages from White House phones,” which were subsequently uploaded to a shared drive.

Another internal Justice Department document outlined strict procedures governing the review process, stating, “All communication to/from the Filter Team must go through the Coordinator. No materials shall be disclosed to the investigative team without approval of a filter team attorney.”

Despite those safeguards, Assistant Attorney General Patrick Davis wrote in a letter accompanying the records that Smith’s investigators failed to follow the established process.

According to Davis, Smith’s team “bypassed the Filter Team and directly accessed these text messages. The FBI then identified the people whose phone numbers sent or received the texts.”

{Matzav.com}

45Kearny, NJ — Bloom’s Kosher is proud to announce the launch of the Bloom’s Kosher International Teachers’ Grant, a new initiative created to recognize and support the extraordinary dedication of Morahs and Rabbeim who regularly spend their own money on classroom rewards, snacks, celebrations, educational activities, and supplies.

Every year, educators invest hundreds of dollars out of their own pockets to create memorable classroom experiences, encourage good behavior, celebrate accomplishments, and make learning more enjoyable. Rather than investing solely in traditional advertising with uncertain results, Bloom’s Kosher has chosen to invest directly in the people who invest in our children every day.

“Morahs and Rabbeim dedicate themselves to their students every day, often purchasing classroom rewards and supplies with their own money,” said Sholom Rabin, CEO of Bloom’s Kosher. “We wanted to create a program that recognizes their commitment while strengthening Torah learning, supporting the supermarkets that carry our products, and investing directly in the communities we serve. We hope this is just the beginning of a program that will grow year after year and positively impact thousands of educators around the world.”

Applicants will complete an online application and be verified as Morahs or Rabbeim actively teaching in Jewish schools. Approved applicants will receive an email notifying them of their grant amount, along with detailed instructions for the next steps.

Recipients may then purchase any products from the Bloom’s, Oneg, or Sizgit family of brands at the supermarket of their choice. After submitting their receipt and any required documentation, they will receive reimbursement in accordance with the program guidelines.

By reimbursing purchases after they are made, the program directs grant funding through the supermarkets that invest in exceptional shopping experiences, maintain strong inventory, and proudly carry the Bloom’s, Oneg, and Sizgit family of brands. The initiative supports educators while also driving customers to the retailers that make these products available in their communities.

The Bloom’s Kosher International Teachers’ Grant is launching as a pilot program, with funding available for hundreds of grants during its inaugural year. While Bloom’s Kosher would love to support every Morah and Rebbi who applies, funding for the pilot program is limited. Applicants who are not selected may be placed on a waiting list and considered for future funding opportunities as the program expands.

Looking ahead, Bloom’s Kosher envisions the grant becoming much more than a reimbursement program. Future initiatives may include Torah learning campaigns, educational challenges, classroom contests, raffles, and exclusive classroom resources designed to encourage participation while creating memorable learning experiences.

The long-term vision is to expand the Bloom’s Kosher International Teachers’ Grant one school at a time, ultimately supporting thousands of Morahs and Rabbeim throughout the world. As the program grows, Bloom’s Kosher hopes to establish a charitable funding model that will enable the grant to reach even more educators and continue making a meaningful impact for generations to come.

Applications are now open.

Learn more and apply at: https://bloomskosher.com/grant

{Matzav.com}

Darline Graham Nordone was officially sworn into the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, stepping into the seat once held by her late brother, Lindsey Graham, and pledging to continue the work he championed on behalf of South Carolina and the nation.

Nordone took the oath of office just one day after being appointed by South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, who selected her Monday to fill the vacancy created by Graham’s unexpected death two days earlier. Senate President Pro Tempore Chuck Grassley of Iowa administered the oath during Tuesday’s ceremony.

At 62, Nordone becomes the first woman ever to represent South Carolina in the U.S. Senate. Her temporary appointment will last until Jan. 3, 2027, when the winner of the special election officially takes office.

Speaking after her appointment was announced Monday, Nordone reflected on the opportunity before her.

“It is such a privilege to get to finish some of his important work, and I promise to work hard over the next several months to support the president and carry forward the efforts of my brother on behalf of the citizens of South Carolina and the United States,” Nordone said at a press conference Monday after her appointment was announced.

Although she has never previously served in elected office, Gov. McMaster’s office emphasized that Nordone brings decades of experience in public service.

Since 2019, she has led the South Carolina Commission for the Blind as commissioner, where, according to the governor’s office, she “has worked to expand opportunities for South Carolinians who are blind or have low vision to achieve employment and independence.”

State employment records identify Nordone as the agency’s chief executive, with an annual salary of approximately $138,000. As a U.S. senator, her prorated annual salary will be about $174,000.

Before taking over the Commission for the Blind, Nordone spent nearly three decades serving in various public-sector positions, including roles with Clemson University, the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce, and the South Carolina Department of Vocational Rehabilitation.

McMaster’s office also highlighted her additional leadership positions, stating, “In addition to her full-time role as SCCB Commissioner, Ms. Graham currently serves on the South Carolina State Workforce Development Board and is president-elect of the National Council of State Agencies for the Blind,” the McMaster statement continued.

Nordone earned a bachelor’s degree from the College of Charleston and a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling. She is also a Certified Public Manager.

Before McMaster made his decision, President Donald Trump and several South Carolina Republican lawmakers publicly endorsed Nordone as the best choice to temporarily succeed her brother.

“I recommended, to Governor Henry McMaster, Lindsey Graham’s wonderful sister, Darline, to serve as interim Senator from the Great State of South Carolina,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “This would be a fabulous tribute to Lindsey, who loved her dearly!”

Her appointment follows a well-established pattern in American politics, where close relatives have occasionally been chosen to fill congressional vacancies after the deaths of family members.

According to the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University, eight widows have been appointed to replace their late husbands in the U.S. Senate, while the House of Representatives has seen 39 similar successions.

One of the most notable examples occurred in 2001, when Jean Carnahan was appointed to Missouri’s Senate seat after her husband, Democratic Gov. Mel Carnahan, won election posthumously three weeks after he was killed in a plane crash.

Jean Carnahan later lost the seat in a 2002 special election to Republican Jim Talent.

South Carolina Republicans are scheduled to hold a special primary on Aug. 11 to determine the party’s nominee for the November election to permanently fill Graham’s Senate seat.

Lindsey Graham, who never married and had no children, died suddenly Saturday evening after suffering a tear in his aorta. He was 71.

Preliminary findings from the Washington, D.C., medical examiner concluded that the fatal rupture resulted from chronic heart disease.

As many as 50,000 airline tickets could be canceled during July after the United States halted the evacuation of its refueling aircraft currently stationed at Ben-Gurion Airport, prompting Israeli aviation officials to warn of significant disruptions to airport operations, The Jerusalem Post reports.

Israel Airports Authority Director-General Sharon Kedmi issued a letter expressing alarm over the American decision, warning that the continued presence of the military aircraft could have an immediate impact on civilian aviation. “This delay has immediate and serious operational consequences,” he stated.

Transportation Ministry Director-General Moshe Ben Zaken said additional U.S. Air Force refueling aircraft would not be allowed to land at Ben-Gurion Airport. According to reports, Israeli air traffic controllers have also been instructed not to authorize the landing of any further American refueling planes.

Emphasizing the need to protect commercial air travel, Ben Zaken said, “Citizens cannot be harmed; the Defense Ministry must find solutions.”

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed to The Jerusalem Post that the freeze remains in effect despite growing concerns raised by Israeli officials.

At the same time, N12 reported that four additional American refueling aircraft recently landed at Ben-Gurion Airport after arriving from Gulf states that have recently come under Iranian attack.

Later Tuesday, additional reports indicated that another U.S. Air Force refueling aircraft had arrived in Israel.

Responding to those reports, Israel’s Transportation Ministry clarified that the latest aircraft was not remaining at the airport. “The refueling aircraft that landed at Ben Gurion Airport in the last few minutes landed for refueling purposes only and not for parking purposes, precisely and in accordance with the instructions of the Transport Minister,” the ministry said.

{Matzav.com}

A heated confrontation erupted Monday night in the Knesset plenum during debate ahead of the second and third readings of the Basic Law: Torah Study, as MK Simon Davidson sharply criticized the exemption of bnei yeshivah from military service and directly confronted a group of chareidi youths seated in the visitors’ gallery.

Addressing the young men during his speech, Davidson questioned whether they intended to serve in the IDF.

“Have you heard of this thing called enlisting? Are you enlisting? I’m asking you, yes or no? While you’re sitting here looking at us like monkeys in a zoo, people your age are serving in the army, carrying weapons and wearing helmets and fighting.”

Davidson went on to contrast the youths in the gallery with IDF soldiers and reservists currently serving in combat.

“Every day I see dozens like you who come here to enjoy the Knesset, while my children and his children are serving in the army, fighting and losing their friends. I’m tired of seeing you here already. Walking around like it’s a circus. Go serve in the army.”

The lawmaker also spoke about what he described as the tremendous sacrifices made by reservists and their families.

“The price they pay is so heavy. Another 100 days of reserve duty. Do you know how many reservists lose their businesses, their families? Do you know what it’s like for a mother and father who can’t sleep at night because their son is in Lebanon?”

To illustrate his point, Davidson recounted a story involving a friend whose son is currently serving in Lebanon.

“Yesterday I spoke with my friend, Eli Orgad. His son is in Lebanon. They called at two in the morning—it was apparently a mistake. He suffered paralysis on one side of his face. The man is paralyzed on one side of his face because of a mistaken phone call,” he claimed.

Davidson also criticized the coalition’s efforts to advance draft legislation, arguing that it would only increase the number of young chareidim who avoid military service.

“The moment this law passes, the moment they are no longer pursued and there is no military police, they’ll say, ‘Fine,’ another one and another one and another one. Why should we care? Why should we care that we’re ‘having a good time’ while our children of the same age are risking their lives? Why should they care? They don’t care.”

Despite the sharp tone of his remarks, Davidson concluded by telling the youths that his outburst stemmed from deep emotion rather than personal animosity.

“I’m sorry I yelled at you—it came from the bottom of my heart. Truly, it makes me terribly angry. I just want to tell you one thing: You must be part of the State of Israel, part of carrying the burden. Enlist in the army. It won’t make you less religious. It will make you better citizens—for the country, for your brothers, and for your family.”

{Matzav.com}

A growing number of Israeli motorists who use kosher phones are finding themselves unable to obtain receipts after filling up at Israeli self-service gas stations, prompting renewed calls for fuel companies and lawmakers to provide alternatives for consumers who do not use smartphones or SMS services.

The issue was raised by a listener named Dudi during the Osim Seder program hosted by Hillel Kessler on Kol Chai. He said that at many gas stations—particularly self-service pumps—the only receipt option offered after payment is a digital receipt sent via SMS. For customers who use kosher phones or do not utilize text messaging, that often means leaving without any proof of payment.

Dudi said he has encountered the problem repeatedly. In one instance, even the convenience store at the gas station was unable to print a receipt because it had run out of printer paper.

Because he needs receipts for expense reimbursements, he said he was forced to write the transaction details down by hand, leaving him without an official document that could serve as proof of payment. According to Dudi, the problem creates an ongoing financial burden for many drivers, particularly self-employed individuals and employees who rely on receipts to receive reimbursement for business travel.

Joining the discussion was Itcheh Dzialovsky, a longtime advocate for chareidi consumer rights, who agreed that the issue represents a genuine consumer concern. He noted that, to the best of his knowledge, there is currently no explicit legal requirement obligating fuel companies to provide printed receipts at self-service pumps.

Dzialovsky said that government agencies have already developed accommodations for members of the public who do not use smartphones, and argued that gas station operators should adopt similar solutions. He added that while fleet fuel cards (delekan) may offer a practical solution for drivers who regularly use the same vehicle, they are not suitable for the broader public.

During the program, Dzialovsky pledged to contact the major fuel companies directly to raise the issue. He also announced that he would publicly recognize, at no cost, any company that introduces a receipt option that does not require a smartphone or SMS capability.

Kessler noted that the problem extends well beyond gas stations, describing it as part of a broader shift toward digital-only services that increasingly excludes large segments of the population who deliberately choose to use kosher phones.

The Osim Seder program regularly invites listeners to submit questions and concerns involving consumer rights and public services, with the goal of helping listeners navigate issues affecting their daily lives and ensuring they receive the rights and services to which they are entitled.

{Matzav.com}

Why do some Pepsi products have a K, some a Kof-K, and some no hechsher at all? Can you drink them? Rabbi Alexander Charlop, Rav Hamachshir for Pepsi, takes us behind the scenes to explain the surprising answers—including how Pepsi’s secret formula stays secret while remaining kosher.

WATCH:

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Transcription

Hello everyone and welcome back to Let’s Talk Kashrus presented by the Kashrus Awareness Project in conjunction with the CRC of Chicago. Today I am honored to be joined by Rabbi Alexander Charlop, the Rov of Zichron Chaim in Cleveland and the Rav Hamachshir on Pepsi products. Thank you Rabbi Charlop for being here. Pleasure. 

Yasher koach. It’s a zchus we’ve been trying to get you here for a while so we finally made it happen, Baruch Hashem. Now it’s interesting, you are a rov in Cleveland, but you are involved in kashrus unrelated to your rabbinical duties. This is something that as I would want to hear you speak about, this is actually a position as the Rav Hamachshir on Pepsi that you yarshened, you inherited from your father who inherited it from his father. 

So this is something that’s been in the Charlop family for years. Just take us down that road of history how that developed. Okay so my grandfather came to America in 1920 be’erech. He came from Yerushalayim. 

In around 1930 or so he started to realize that in America with food being made commercially, you really needed to have kashrus commercially. He was one of the founders of the OU kashrus department. That’s your zeida. Yes. 

Rabbi Yechiel Michel Charlop. Then he went on his own, he went away from it. He actually, I believe, was the one that got them Heinz, which was like the first big commercial hashgacha that was gotten. And then he went away from the OU, he went on his own. 

He gave the hashgacha I believe since 1934 on Pepsi. Now there are a number of questions that come up and maybe we’ll get into them. How do you give hashgacha on Pepsi if Pepsi tries to maintain a secret? We’ll get to that. But and he developed, and he had a relationship with them until he was nifter in 1974. 

My father took over 1974 and gave the hashgacha till 2014. I worked with him for a number of years beforehand, but I took over the hashgacha since 2014. Now the Charlop family, are you related to the famous Rabbi Yaakov Moshe Charlop, is that same mishpacha? Yes, Rabbi Chiel Michel was a ben bechor of Rabbi Yaakov Moshe. Oh really? Wow. 

Okay. So mishpacha meyuchases. He was a rov in the Bronx and yeah. Very interesting. 

So it is a unique thing that this has carried over from generation to generation. It’s besides for fulfilling your duties as a Rav Hamachshir, you’re literally carrying on the legacy of your zeida and now your father which makes it extra special. How would you describe the yeoman’s task of giving the hashgacha on Pepsi and what are some of the challenges that you encounter? Okay, so the fact that they’re so large really makes the hashgacha much easier. 99 percent of our work is very boring. 

Because they have systems in place. Good hashgachas have good systems. The OU developed many systems that many of us mimic or take part, add, subtract, and they work very well with systems. So for example, just as a mashal, if you’re giving hashgacha on a local restaurant that might only be doing $75,000 of sales a year, the owner of that restaurant could be short on oil and he could go out to a store and get oil which is a major sakana maybe he’ll get oil that’s not kosher. 

At a Pepsi plant where they’re producing Pepsi, there’s nobody in that building that has the ability to order anything for Pepsi. He can put in a request and most of it is not even by his request. He’s just given the task to actually produce it. There’s the team that does procurement, there’s a team that’s involved in regulatory, and the way Pepsi is set up now is that part of regulatory’s jobs, part of what they’re doing is making sure that it is compliant with kosher. 

In fact… You mean that’s actually included in their responsibility? Correct. Just as they have allergen compliance and FDA compliance, all these different compliance, one of the compliance that they need to check before they run any product, because right now everything they run, we’ll get into detail of certain ones that are a little trickier, but everyone that they run, anything that’s in a Pepsi concentrate facility is kosher right now. You could have 700 ingredients, every one of them is kosher. 

How many such Pepsi producing facilities are there around the United States? Okay, so now… This is the part that makes it much easier again from a Kashrus vantage point. I don’t know if I’m allowed to say the exact number, but I can tell you that a Pepsi concentrate has something called global procurement. They are concerned about always being able to deal with any issue that could come up. 

So if the Strait of Hormuz is closed, they have another option. If COVID hit, they have another option. And therefore they’re really biktzei haaretz, they’re at totally different ends of the world. But they have a handful, literally five different plants that are supplying different parts. 

Most of it is supplied from one or two concentrate facilities, but there are five concentrate facilities that are part of… around the world? Around the world. That provide to the smaller Pepsi facilities, would you say, or…? They are providing all the concentrate of anything in America for sure. Anything in America is provided by these concentrate facilities. 

Are all Pepsi beverages under your supervision? So all the what is called the cold fill, all the regular carbonated drinks, the concentrate for all of them is kosher. Now some of them are a little trickier than others, meaning about ten fifteen years ago they started introducing certain energy drinks such as Kickstart. Now Kickstart, all the concentrate… which is a Mountain Dew brand? Mountain Dew Kickstart, yes, thank you. 

Mountain Dew Kickstart is getting the concentrate from a concentrate facility. The concentrate facility is totally kosher. Anything coming out of the concentrate facility is kosher. But they have also direct drop. 

Meaning what does that mean in layman’s terms? They have certain ingredients that are directly sent to the bottler or through a DC, a distribution center, which the distribution center sends it to many bottlers. When it comes to Kickstart, so Kickstart has a grape juice component. It advertises ten percent juice. Almost always when they’re advertising ten percent fruit juice, what they’re referring to is white grape juice. 

White grape juice is the cheapest, sweetest juice that they use. That is being sent directly to the bottler. Now they do order kosher grape juice, but grape juice is a very sensitive product. You can’t just rely on the bottler getting it and assume that it’s okay. 

And therefore we strongly recommend we would not take any responsibility and would say that you should only drink Mountain Dew Kickstart if the bottler has hashgacha. Okay, and how would you know that? Okay, so now the bottlers are at their own discretion can decide if or if not they will have hashgacha and they can decide which hashgacha. Many of them are independently owned and they can decide which hashgacha. For example, the New York area bottler is under Kaf-K. 

There are another couple bottlers as well that are under Kaf-K. They, because of marketing, they put a Kaf-K on the cans, on the bottle. There are many other bottlers that also have hashgacha will only put a K because it gets too complicated, they don’t want to order a million cans with their emblem. So collectively all of them will just order with a K. 

You might have one or two might be under the Star-K, you might have one or two under the CRC, you might have one or two Northeast Vaad of Philadelphia… but the K is representing all of them? And K is for any kosher. As of now, I can’t always guarantee it, as of now they always run by us who they want to use for a specific bottler and they will only use somebody that we say is reliable. Okay, got it. 

As of today, as of this recording, right? This conversation, yes. And based on that, if I would see a Kickstart with a K… you’re comfortable because there’s hashgacha on the bottling facility. Correct. 

So it’s interesting, you jumped right into that topic which is one of the big Pepsi questions is why certain bottles of Pepsi products have a Kaf-K, some have a K, some don’t have hashgacha on it at all. So you addressed why it may have a Kaf-K or a K because those supervising agencies are giving the hashgacha on the local bottling facility in that region. But why is there sometimes no hashgacha on a Pepsi product even though really it sounds like it would be kosher? So many of the bottlers… you are not allowed to put a hashgacha on your final product unless that final product was bottled with somebody taking responsibility that it is kosher. 

We will not take responsibility on a bottler if we never walked into that bottler and if we don’t have ongoing visits into a bottler, we’re not going to take the responsibility for the bottler. In truth, I wouldn’t be concerned about the bottler without taking responsibility because they only… But that mere system, that mere system, that fear is enough to make you comfortable to drink from any Pepsi bottling facility in the United States? Yes, because for them to deviate, they would be paying so much money not to use Pepsi. Right, right. 

And it will be caught. And what about besides for the concentrate, aren’t there other ingredients that they’re using that may be of concern? So right now, at a bottler, on a regular drink, let’s say Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, it’s not Sierra Mist anymore, I forgot what all the different flavors that they have, the Mug flavors, the regular Mountain Dew flavors, including all their orange blast and berry blast and all the different names that they make are just different flavors in the concentrate. All that is kosher. What goes in at the bottler level is very simple. 

There’s sweetener that goes in, which Pesach presents a major issue, but during the year sweetener whether it’s corn syrup or sugar is what would be called a group one. It’s very simple.Carbonation, water, very simple. They will have sent through the DCs, they’ll send citric acid, sometimes another salt like a potassium benzoate, which are also all group ones. 

Furthermore, we are on top of all the distribution centers. There are a few distribution centers in America. We regularly visit them to make sure everything that Pepsi says that they are sending to the final product is kosher. Right. 

And how about the fact that it’s an independent facility, you’re not worried about shared equipment or using it for other runs and things like that? Very good question. So the assumption of most kashrus organizations in America is that that is not an issue because it’s what is called a cold fill plant. Okay. So everything there is filled cold. 

You will have something that they’ll just have to dissolve a concentrate but even that is not getting hot. There’s no klirishon. Got it. So even in a scenario where they would use it, it would still be cold. 

Correct. Even if they used it for something else that wasn’t kosher? And you’re saying it’s probably not even likely that they’re doing that. Right. The only thing that they use it for other than Pepsi is a number of the bottlers might bottle another national brand such as Dr. Pepper. 

Okay. But it doesn’t challenge the integrity of the kashrus. Got it. And especially because nothing is hot and nothing is kavush, nothing is left in a tank for 24 hours overnight or anything like that. 

Got it. And Baruch Hashem, you build up a rapport. I remember the first time we went, they’re very concerned about other people coming in just from proprietary purposes, but the first time the Badatz gives in Eretz Yisrael, and so we’re dealing with the ingredients all the time together. And I remember we went to a specific supplier, and Rabbi Binder from the Badatz and I went down to the supplier. 

Rabbi Binder is brilliant and really understands the chemistry of ingredients very well. But we had to sign confidentiality agreement beforehand. By the time we left, they were nervous that he could repeat… that he’s that brilliant. 

Aha, very interesting. They weren’t worried about me. That’s interesting. But I’m happy you brought up Rabbi Binder, you talk about Eretz Yisrael because that was going to be my next question. 

Basically we’re comfortable with Pepsi in the United States, you’re pretty much good to go with basically everything. Except for the Kickstart which needs either a K or Kof-K. Right, which needs a specific hashgacha. What’s the story with Pepsi products outside the United States? Eretz Yisrael is great. 

And that’s under the Badatz? That’s under the Badatz, yes. Okay. Is it by the way, is Pepsi in Eretz Yisrael owned by the same Pepsi corporation? It’s owned by the same corporation with a lot of overlap. Okay. 

We’re on many emails together. Aha, interesting. So Eretz Yisrael you’re okay. How about if someone goes to Europe or South America or wherever it might be? Okay, so at the beginning of the conversation we spoke about what is called global procurement, which is Pepsi’s ability to supply globally. 

Okay. And if this continent gets knocked off, you have this continent and so on and so forth. Global procurement provides for many many countries, including all of Europe, including Russia, including the US, Canada, Mexico, all of Central and South America and Southeast Asia. Not included is one country in South America, Venezuela. 

Venezuela has its own concentrate facility. I don’t know anything about what goes on in Venezuela. Okay. Not included is China, North Korea. 

India and I would be concerned probably around the number of the countries near India, whether it be Pakistan, Sri Lanka. I’m not sure whether those countries are covered by the India supplier or by global procurement. Got it. So what does that mean now that you’ve told us that, what does that mean regarding someone who’s traveling, sees a Pepsi product, can he buy it, can he use it? If you’re desperate, if it’s not a third world type of place, in all likelihood you’re okay because the Pepsi itself should certainly be made cold fill. 

There’s no hot fill in that so you wouldn’t really run into a major problem anyway. I just am hesitant to make a blanket statement. Right, right. Any final thoughts on this fascinating topic? If you’re health conscious and you don’t want to drink Pepsi, drink Bubly. 

Is that also Pepsi? Owned by Pepsi, okay. And that’s under your supervision as well? Most of the Bubly. All Bublyconcentrate is. Again, Bubly plants, the Bubly bottlers go on the same rule as Pepsi. 

Right, same rule as we discussed prior. Rabbi Harlap, thank you for being here. It’s a tremendous zchus again, we wanted to speak to you for a while. Thank you for bringing us into the world of Pepsi and we wish you continued hatzlacha in your avodas hakodesh in carrying on the avoda that your father fulfilled so admirably, that your grandfather pioneered so many years ago in the last century and continued hatzlacha in all your avoda.

Transportation Minister Miri Regev said Israel remains in the midst of a multi-front war despite recent military gains, while also launching a sharp political attack on the center-left and defending the coalition’s efforts to protect the Torah world through recently advanced legislation.

In an interview with HaMahadura HaMerkazit, Regev stressed that the war is far from over, noting that IDF forces continue operating on several fronts simultaneously and warning that the Iranian threat has not disappeared.

“No, we are still at war. Our soldiers are still in the security zone in Lebanon, in strategic areas of Syria, and in more than 60 percent of the Gaza Strip,” she said.

Speaking about Iran, Regev reiterated the government’s determination to prevent Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

“Iran cannot become nuclear. Iran will not become nuclear. The uranium will be removed from there.”

Regev also praised the Trump administration’s recent approach toward Iran, arguing that Washington has now come to recognize what Israel has long maintained about the Iranian regime.

“President Trump and the Americans have experienced firsthand the Iranians’ lack of credibility,” she said.

She added that the decision to reimpose a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz demonstrates that U.S. leaders now understand that no lasting agreement can be reached with Tehran. Regev further argued that Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia have reinforced among moderate Arab states the understanding that “Iran, together with the Houthis, together with Hezbollah and together with Hamas, are essentially proxies of terror.”

Addressing the fighting in Gaza and Lebanon, Regev said Israel has no intention of withdrawing as long as security threats remain.

“The IDF is there in the security zone that separates the residents of southern Israel from Hamas,” she said.

She added that Israel would likewise maintain its security presence along the northern front “as long as we need to remain there,” arguing that only the complete disarmament of Hamas and Hezbollah would make it possible to establish lasting security.

Turning to domestic politics, Regev commented on the ongoing debate within Likud over the party’s primary system and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s request for reserved slots on the party’s electoral list.

She said she supports holding party primaries while also believing Netanyahu should retain the ability to reserve places on the slate.

“There is no doubt that Likud members should come and influence the composition of the next Likud list for the Knesset,” she said.

At the same time, she emphasized Netanyahu’s central role within the party.

“Likud is Netanyahu, and Netanyahu is Likud, and the one who brings us the greatest number of mandates is Netanyahu.”

Regev said the internal debate over the issue reflects the democratic character of the Likud rather than internal weakness.

Looking ahead to the next election, Regev sharply criticized former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot and the center-left bloc, warning right-wing voters not to be misled.

“Don’t be fooled by Gadi Eisenkot’s smile and image. He is part of the left,” she said.

She argued that a government headed by Eisenkot would neither safeguard Israel’s security nor preserve the country’s Jewish identity.

“The other camp will not protect religion or tradition,” she said, adding that the longstanding partnership between Likud and the chareidi parties would continue in the future.

Regev also voiced support for the recently approved Basic Law: Torah Study and for legislation freezing the arrest of bnei yeshivah.

“As far as Torah study is concerned—the Basic Law: Torah Study—I have absolutely no problem with it. We all understand that Torah study is a value,” she said.

Regarding the proposed arrest freeze, Regev said that had there already been broad agreement on a draft law, such legislation would have been unnecessary.

She also criticized the IDF Chief of Staff’s public opposition to the bill.

“I don’t understand why politics is being brought into this issue,” she said, adding that the IDF itself had participated in formulating the proposal before the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.

Concluding the interview, Regev said she supports expanding military service among the chareidi public, but only through dialogue and accommodations that respect the community’s way of life.

She also criticized the IDF Chief of Staff for what she described as insufficient engagement with rabbanim from the Religious Zionist community.

“The Chief of Staff needs to meet with them, and the Chief of Staff needs to sit down and talk with them,” she said.

Regev concluded by saying Israel today needs “an army that is both smart and large,” adding that increasing enlistment will require cooperation with both the chareidi and Religious Zionist communities while preserving their religious values and lifestyles.

{Matzav.com}