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A seaplane carrying eight people made an emergency landing in New York City’s East River on Sunday afternoon, prompting a rapid response from emergency crews. All eight occupants were safely rescued, and only two people suffered minor injuries.

The aircraft came down near the NY Skyport Seaplane Base, the city’s only seaplane terminal, along the East River near East 23rd Street and the FDR Drive. Firefighters and marine rescue units arrived within minutes and pulled everyone from the aircraft before it was towed back to the dock.

According to the New York City Fire Department, the emergency call came shortly after noon. Responders found the aircraft floating upright in the water, allowing rescue crews to evacuate the passengers quickly and safely. Two people sustained minor injuries but declined transportation to a hospital.

The Federal Aviation Administration identified the aircraft as a Kodiak 100 seaplane. Preliminary information indicates that a wing strut snapped during the hard landing, leaving the aircraft disabled in the river. The flight had departed from East Hampton on Long Island and was approaching the Manhattan seaplane terminal when the incident occurred.

The cause of the emergency remains under investigation. Air traffic control recordings indicate the pilot declared a “Mayday” shortly before landing in the river, while NYPD helicopters were dispatched after reports that an aircraft had gone down in the water.

Videos from the scene showed firefighters, police boats, and other rescue vessels surrounding the partially submerged aircraft as passengers were evacuated one by one. After the rescue operation concluded, the plane was righted and towed to a nearby dock while authorities secured the area and began their investigation.

{Matzav.com}

[Video below.] NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman warned that the United States is once again engaged in a fierce race to the moon, saying China is advancing rapidly and could soon establish its own human presence on the lunar surface unless America moves first.

Appearing Sunday on CBS News’ Face the Nation, Isaacman said the competition with Beijing has become one of the nation’s top strategic challenges.

“The Chinese are moving at incredible speeds, and they are certainly capable of doing what the Soviets were not during the first space race,” Isaacman said. “The Chinese will land their taikonauts on the moon. There’s no question.”

While expressing confidence in China’s capabilities, Isaacman said the more pressing issue is whether the United States can beat China back to the moon and establish a permanent foothold there.

“The question is, will the United States return before them, and will we do so in a different way this time, when we build a base, establish that enduring presence? I think the answer is yes.”

NASA has continued making progress toward that goal. Following the successful Artemis II mission in April, during which four astronauts circled the moon, the agency recently announced the crew for the next Artemis mission, scheduled for next year.

The Artemis III mission is expected to play a critical role in preparing for America’s return to the lunar surface in 2028 by testing key landing technologies and systems.

Isaacman explained that Artemis III will involve a complex series of operations designed to validate the equipment needed for future lunar missions.

“You’re going to see the three most powerful rockets in the world … And then you’re going to have the landers come together in Earth orbit, test out their capabilities, very a la Apollo 9, give us the confidence in our landers for Artemis IV in 2028. This is an achievable plan to put astronauts back on the surface of the moon.”

Beyond returning astronauts to the moon, Isaacman said NASA intends to begin creating a permanent lunar outpost. He said the agency plans to launch missions at an almost monthly pace during 2027 to establish what he described as a proving ground for future exploration of Mars.

Looking ahead, Isaacman predicted construction of the lunar base could begin as early as next year. By the time astronauts return to the moon in 2028, he said, they should find the first elements of a permanent settlement already in place.

“There’s going to be a buggy there, a lunar terrain vehicle, there’s going to be a start of infrastructure … [and] I would say, early 2030s, the moon is going to be like the International Space Station.”

He added that astronauts will eventually spend extended periods living and working on the moon as NASA gains experience operating in the lunar environment before undertaking future missions to Mars.

“You’re going to have crews that are there on pretty extended periods of time, as we learn in that environment and prepare for Mars.”

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{Matzav.com}

A federal appeals court has cleared the way for the Trump administration to reinstall revised historical exhibits at the site of President George Washington’s former Philadelphia residence, rejecting an effort to block displays that critics argue soften the history of slavery in early America.

The interpretive panels are slated to be placed at the President’s House site, just steps from where the Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776. The National Park Service did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday.

The updated displays are intended to replace exhibits installed in 2010 that focused on the lives of the nine enslaved people who lived in the household of George and Martha Washington during the 1790s, when Philadelphia served as the nation’s temporary capital.

The changes were prompted by President Donald Trump’s 2025 executive order directing federally owned historic sites to avoid presenting material that would “disparage Americans past or living” and instead emphasize the “greatness of the achievements and progress of the American people.”

Friday’s decision by a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit was procedural in nature, allowing a ruling issued last month to take effect. The appellate court sits directly across the street from the President’s House historic site.

The earlier ruling—issued by a panel consisting of one judge appointed by Trump, one appointed by President George W. Bush, and one appointed by President Barack Obama—held that a lower court had improperly ordered the federal government to remove the revised exhibits.

On Thursday, the administration asked the court for permission to immediately reinstall the panels, arguing that they were ready to be put in place and should be installed “without further delay.” Court filings submitted by the administration maintain that the new exhibits continue to address the subject of slavery.

Historians, academics, preservation advocates, and public officials have expressed concern for months that the revised presentation, drafted to comply with Trump’s executive order, minimizes the brutality of slavery in favor of a more celebratory account of American history.

Images posted on a government website show that the replacement panels still discuss the enslaved people who lived at the President’s House and include information about the abolitionist movement, the Constitution’s treatment of slavery, the abolition of slavery in Pennsylvania, the views and actions of George Washington and President John Adams regarding slavery, and the Civil Rights movement of the 20th century. However, the new displays omit some material that appeared on the earlier panels, including a map of the transatlantic slave trade, a slavery timeline, and headings such as “The Dirty Business of Slavery.”

The City of Philadelphia, which sued after the original exhibits were removed, continues to fight the changes. On Friday, city attorneys asked the appeals court to temporarily withdraw its order, at least long enough for the city to formally respond to the administration’s request filed the previous day.

In its filing, Philadelphia argued that allowing the new panels to be installed would cause harm, stating: “The President’s House is a site of exceptional importance to Philadelphia and the Nation, developed through years of federal-local collaboration to tell a historically significant and long-suppressed story.”

Roughly half of the original interpretive panels had already been reinstalled earlier this year before a court order halted that effort.

Two 21-year-old British men narrowly avoided serving prison time after admitting to filming a TikTok video in which they walked through a heavily Orthodox Jewish neighborhood in London carrying a fishing rod while announcing they were “catching Jews.”

According to a report published by the London Evening Standard, both men pleaded guilty and were each sentenced to six weeks in prison. However, the sentences were suspended for 12 months, allowing them to avoid immediate incarceration.

The incident occurred on May 7 in Stamford Hill, home to one of the largest Orthodox Jewish communities in the United Kingdom. During the video, the pair joked about going “fishing for Jews” and verbally harassed a local Jewish resident as part of content they intended to post on social media.

The Metropolitan Police said the suspects attempted to flee when officers arrived at the scene but were quickly caught and taken into custody.

In addition to the suspended prison sentences, the court ordered each defendant to complete 150 hours of community service and participate in 20 days of rehabilitation. They were also directed to pay £85 in court costs.

The case comes amid a significant increase in antisemitic violence across Britain. Among the recent incidents was the stabbing of two Orthodox Jewish men in the Golders Green neighborhood in late April.

Following that attack, British authorities raised the nation’s terrorism threat level from “substantial” to “severe,” marking the first such increase in more than four years.

According to figures released for 2025, the United Kingdom recorded the world’s highest per-capita rate of violent antisemitic attacks, documenting 121 serious assaults against a Jewish population of roughly 300,000.

{Matzav.com}

As the Israeli government moves toward revoking tax-deductible donation status for yeshivos that enroll students classified as military draft evaders, Rav Nachum Bombach, chairman of the board of Yeshivas Itri and a certified public accountant, said the measure would undoubtedly create challenges but expressed confidence that the Torah world would endure.

Speaking with Avi Mimran on Kol Chai Radio’s central news program, Bombach explained that Section 46 of Israel’s Income Tax Ordinance allows donors to approved public institutions to receive a tax credit equal to 35 percent of their contribution, making it a significant incentive for charitable giving.

Even so, Bombach said it remains unclear how severely the proposed change would affect donations.

“A person who donates to a yeshiva is not donating because of the tax benefit,” he said. “After all, 65% of the donation isn’t recognized anyway. If someone chooses to support a yeshiva, it’s possible that the tax benefit is only a secondary consideration. It could even motivate people to continue giving despite losing the benefit. We simply don’t know what the actual impact will be.”

Bombach acknowledged that eliminating the tax incentive appears to be a serious financial blow but noted that yeshivos have already weathered more difficult crises, including the sharp reductions in government funding over the past year and a half.

“Clearly, on the surface, this seems like a significant blow, but we’ve dealt with things that were even worse. The yeshivos survived the budget cuts, and we’ll get through this as well.”

During the interview, Bombach was also asked whether yeshivos could preserve their Section 46 status by placing students classified as draft evaders into a separate nonprofit organization while maintaining the primary institution’s eligibility.

He dismissed the idea as unrealistic.

“I don’t think it’s a practical solution at all. The state would argue that it’s a fictitious arrangement and would never allow it.”

Concluding the interview, Bombach addressed the broader legal and political battle surrounding the draft of bnei yeshivos, saying he believes there are those who are actively seeking to undermine the Torah world.

“We have to deal with the situation,” he said. “We hope that Hakadosh Boruch Hu will bring us better times. For now, this is the reality. The yeshivos have survived, they will survive, and they will continue to grow even stronger.”

[Video below.] Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu pushed back against Vice President J.D. Vance’s recent assertion that the United States is Israel’s only significant ally, saying that while President Donald Trump has been Israel’s greatest friend in the White House, the Jewish state also enjoys strong relationships with many other countries around the world.

During an interview Sunday with Fox News anchor Jacqui Heinrich, Netanyahu was asked about remarks Vance made during a White House briefing last month.

At that briefing, Vance said, “Donald J. Trump the only head of state in the entire world who is sympathetic to the nation of Israel at this moment in time. And he happens to be the head of state of the world’s superpower. If I was in the cabinet of the Israeli government, I might not be attacking the only powerful ally that I have anywhere left in the entire world.”

Heinrich then asked Netanyahu, “What was your reaction when you heard that?”

The Israeli leader began by expressing respect for Vance while making it clear that they do not always see eye to eye.

“First of all, I respect J.D. Vance,” Netanyahu began. “We have a very good relationship, but it doesn’t mean that I agree with everything that he says, and I have to point out this: Donald Trump is a great, the greatest friend we’ve ever had in the White House, and I stand by that completely.”

Netanyahu went on to argue that Israel’s network of allies extends well beyond Washington, pointing to India as one example of a nation that has shown tremendous support.

“Secondly, we have some other friends like the small country of India, you know? It has 1.4 billion people. And, boy,” Netanyahu chuckled, “do we have tremendous support there. I have this Facebook thing,” he laughed again. “I’m just flooded by the overwhelming support there. And we have many others.”

Expanding on that point, Netanyahu said many foreign leaders privately express admiration for Israel despite anti-Israel sentiment in their own countries.

“Let me tell you where we have support, because it’s fashionable now, you know, in many countries, because their media and their social media are inundated with anti-Israel, antisemitic material. Many leaders, you know, call me up and say, ‘Hey, look, I’ve got this problem with public opinion, but I want you to know, we respect you, and can we make some deals? And can you teach us some of the things that your military does? And can we have some of your AI and cyber expertise?’ You know, Israel is the number two country in cyber in the world. And our technology is, it’s so good. So, the relations are not quite as they appear. And we have many, many friends.”

[Video below.] Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie launched a blistering attack on President Donald Trump during an appearance on ABC’s This Week, accusing the president of treating the White House as a vehicle for personal enrichment after reports that Trump earned $1.4 billion last year through his family’s cryptocurrency ventures.

Christie argued that Trump and his family view their return to office as permission to capitalize financially on their political success, comparing the situation to the conduct of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“He and his family believe they are entitled to this,” Christie said. “This is an entitlement to them. They believe, when they came back and won this election the second time, that that gave them license. That the American people gave them license to essentially go and take whatever they could take over this period of time. And, quite frankly, you know, when you look at the scale of this, here’s another thing apparently that Donald Trump learned from Vladimir Putin during his first term. This is Putin-esque type of corruption and self-enrichment!”

Trump has rejected suggestions that he is personally involved in managing his financial holdings. Speaking with reporters on Wednesday, he said he has no role in overseeing his investments.

“I don’t get involved in my personal — we have funds that run my money…I don’t talk to them. I never — I don’t even speak to them. So I have many people — I don’t know what they call it — closed accounts, or something. You put your money in, and that’s it.”

While Christie acknowledged that existing ethics laws do not prohibit the president from engaging in such financial arrangements, he suggested there could be constitutional issues. His remarks prompted host George Stephanopoulos to interject.

“Potentially the Constitution does, the Emoluments Clause,” Stephanopoulos said.

Christie agreed and pointed to Qatar’s gift of a new Air Force One aircraft as another example of what he believes are constitutional concerns. He also argued that repeated statements by Trump about the costs of various projects have damaged his credibility.

“I mean there’s a difference between, obviously, as you know, between the individual ethics laws, which do not apply to him, but the emoluments clause, when you look at the plane. And what I think will start to hurt him more is that he says things that turn out to not be true. Oh, the plane is a gift. It won’t cost us anything. Well, no, it costs us hundreds of millions of dollars to get it up to Air Force One level of operation. Every time he says one of those things, the ballroom won’t cost anybody anything. Now we’re talking about them wanting to move a billion dollars to work on the ballroom.

He concluded by arguing that voters are increasingly taking notice of the controversy.

“The American people are starting to catch up to this. You can feel it.”

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

Elon Musk delivered a blunt patriotic message over the Independence Day weekend, declaring that anyone who does not love the United States should be expelled from the country. The billionaire entrepreneur made the remarks Sunday as part of a series of pro-America posts shared on X, the social media platform he owns.

Musk’s comments came in response to a post by former Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt, who wrote that it was “OK to love America.”

The Tesla and SpaceX CEO argued that such a statement did not go nearly far enough.

He wrote:

“Not merely ‘ok.’ Anyone who doesn’t love America is a traitor and beneath contempt. Those who don’t love America, those who are disloyal should be exiled immediately.”

The post was one of several patriotic messages Musk shared throughout the Fourth of July holiday. Among them was an old photograph of himself as a young man standing in front of an American flag. He also reposted a portion of Vice President JD Vance’s Independence Day address and shared a video in which he likened the United States to Atlas, carrying the weight of the world.

In another message celebrating the nation’s founding, Musk reflected on reading one of America’s foundational documents.

“I read the Declaration of Independence out loud today with heartfelt conviction,” Musk said in another post. “It is a work not just of genius, but also of a purity of soul that resonates to this very day.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump escalated his ongoing public dispute with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Sunday by sharing a meme on social media portraying her as obsessively fixated on him, adding another chapter to the increasingly bitter exchange between the two leaders.

The image showed Meloni looking toward Trump, with the caption across the top reading, “RESTRAINING ORDER NEEDED,” implying that she was behaving like a stalker.

The post was one of several images Trump shared throughout the day. Among them were a picture of him arm-wrestling Hulk Hogan, photos depicting him delivering speeches at Mount Rushmore and other locations, and a nostalgic early-1990s photograph featuring Trump alongside Marla Maples and Macaulay Culkin.

Trump also uploaded an altered image showing ex-President Barack Obama and ex-First Lady Michelle Obama boarding Air Force One. The edited photo featured “BLM,” Obama’s campaign slogan “Yes We Can,” and Arabic writing spray-painted across the aircraft.

The latest jab follows an increasingly public feud that erupted after last month’s conflict with Iran. Trump sharply criticized Meloni and several European governments, accusing them of failing to adequately support the United States during the military campaign. He also claimed he refused to take a photograph with Meloni at the G7 Summit in France because Italy allegedly declined to permit the United States to use “Italy’s landing strips or runways,” creating what he described as a “great logistical inconvenience.”

Trump further suggested that Meloni was now attempting to repair the relationship for political reasons.

“She wants to be friends again in order to get her ‘numbers up,’” Trump added. “No thanks!!!”

Meloni responded forcefully, describing Trump’s remarks as both “unprovoked” and “senseless,” while rejecting the notion that her political standing depended on her relationship with the American president.

“My popularity depends on my ability to defend Italy’s national interest, and that is exactly what I have always done,” she said. “That is also what I did regarding the American military bases in Italy. Their use is governed by agreements that we have always respected, and that cannot be violated as long as I am Prime Minister.”

She concluded with another pointed response directed at Trump.

“Italy remains a sovereign nation. In any case, my popularity is none of your concern. I suggest you focus on yours.”

The increasingly heated rhetoric marks a dramatic shift from the cordial relationship the two leaders once enjoyed. Meloni had long been viewed as one of Trump’s closest political allies among European leaders. During a speech last year, Trump even praised her as a “beautiful young woman,” joking that such a compliment would normally amount to political suicide but saying he was willing to take the risk.

In recent weeks, Trump has also criticized NATO, arguing that the alliance failed to provide sufficient support during the conflict with Iran.

{Matzav.com}

[Video below.] A video has ignited debate over the issue of military service for bnei yeshivos, featuring a thoughtful exchange between a secular driver and several yeshiva bochurim. During the conversation, one of the students offered a heartfelt explanation of how he would respond to a mother whose son is serving on the front lines in Gaza, concluding that while every profession is essential, “talmidei chachamim are needed more than anything.”

The video shows a secular driver transporting several yeshiva bochurim. During the ride, he raised the emotionally charged topic of drafting bnei yeshivos and asked one of the students how he would answer a mother whose son is currently fighting in Gaza or Lebanon.

The yeshiva bochur responded by sharpening the question itself.

“Everyone asks the question: What do I, as a yeshiva bochur, say to a mother whose son is in Gaza? At a time when soldiers are being killed in Gaza and Lebanon, there is a mother who cannot sleep at night because she knows there is a chance that a drone could strike her son, while my mother sleeps peacefully knowing that I am sitting and learning in yeshiva.”

He acknowledged that it is “a powerful and legitimate question,” but argued that the issue should be viewed from a broader perspective.

“Not every mother of a soldier lies awake at night. There are mothers of army cooks, broadcasters on Army Radio, or guards stationed at bases in central Israel. The military includes many roles that are not directly dangerous, yet every person has his own mission.”

At that point, the driver interrupted, saying, “I understand your message, but whether a mother loses sleep doesn’t determine the importance of the role. Every person is a meaningful cog in a much larger system.”

The yeshiva bochur agreed, replying, “That’s true, but it’s important to understand that every person in the world has a mission. Someone whom Hakadosh Baruch Hu designated for Torah study has been privileged with that mission.”

He continued by explaining that, while his words might sound extreme to some, they reflect the Jewish understanding of the nation’s identity.

“Maybe this sounds extreme, but it באמת isn’t. We didn’t become a nation at the signing of Israel’s Declaration of Independence. We became a nation thousands of years ago, when we stood together at the foot of Har Sinai and received the Torah.”

He went on to cite the opening of the Aseres Hadibros, saying that the first commandment, “Anochi Hashem Elokecha,” teaches that Jews are obligated to follow Hashem’s will. He added that the mitzvah of “vehagisa bo yomam valaylah” is fulfilled most completely by yeshiva students who devote their lives to Torah learning instead of pursuing careers or other occupations.

Concluding his remarks, the student said, “We sit from morning until night and learn Torah. As arrogant as it may sound, it’s true—we are the heart of the Jewish people. The Jewish nation has always stood, and will always stand, on Torah. And again, we need an army, we need doctors, we need architects, and we need people to pave roads.”

“But more than anything, we need talmidei chachamim. Because talmidei chachamim are not merely a tool that enables us to live—they are the very essence and soul of our nation.”

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

Tensions flared Sunday along Bar-Ilan Street in Yerushalayim as dozens of demonstrators protesting the construction of the city’s new light rail line entered the construction zone, prompting a large police response and leading to at least one arrest during chaotic confrontations.

According to reports from the scene, protesters breached the site’s security barriers and entered the active construction area, where they allegedly damaged engineering infrastructure and attempted to disrupt work while blocking major traffic routes.

As the situation escalated and concerns grew that one of Yerushalayim’s primary thoroughfares could be severely disrupted, large numbers of police officers were dispatched to the area. Forces from the Yerushalayim District, together with Border Police personnel and special patrol units, surrounded the construction site and worked to restore order.

A police officer at the scene formally declared the gathering an unlawful assembly and instructed the demonstrators to leave immediately. While some complied, others refused and continued protesting inside the construction zone.

The demonstrations are part of an ongoing campaign by members of the Eidah Hachareidis, who have repeatedly protested plans to route one of Yerushalayim’s new light rail lines through the Bar-Ilan neighborhood following a decision by the Yerushalayim Municipality.

Footage from the scene captured dramatic moments as police entered the excavation area, which contains deep trenches, loose sand, and large exposed infrastructure pipes. Video showed officers from the riot police and Border Police taking a protester into custody after he positioned himself among the massive pipes at the bottom of the construction site.

Additional footage showed officers dressed in black uniforms surrounding the suspect amid the dusty construction area, while dozens of chareidi residents and bystanders gathered behind the site’s fencing, loudly voicing their opposition as the arrest unfolded.

Police said they will not permit damage to critical infrastructure projects or interference with traffic throughout the city. Authorities confirmed that one suspect was arrested on suspicion of intentionally damaging construction equipment and actively participating in the disturbances.

Security forces remained heavily deployed along Bar-Ilan Street and surrounding roads following the incident in an effort to prevent further unrest and maintain public order.

Opponents of the project argue that the light rail’s planned route through the neighborhood presents religious concerns and should not proceed. The area has been the site of numerous large demonstrations in recent years, including mass protests led by the Gaavad of the Eidah Hachareidis, some of which ended in violent confrontations with police, including the burning of dumpsters and the use of water cannons by law enforcement.

[COMMUNICATED]

Architect Liran Shukrun describes one of the most important moves in Givat Hashalvah with a kind of quiet simplicity: the cars went underground. On a mountain, that decision is anything but simple. Parking, access roads, and technical systems had to be buried into the hillside. It required engineering, cost, and persistence. But once that happened, the entire ground level changed meaning. It became available for families, movement, greenery, courtyards, and community life.

That is where the “spaces between” become the point. In many residential developments, the areas between buildings are leftover space. At Givat Hashalvah, they are part of the architecture. They are where children pass one another on the way home, where parents meet without scheduling it, where a walk to shul becomes part of the neighborhood rhythm, and where the project begins to feel familiar before anyone formally defines it as a kehilla.

The master plan is built around a sequence of courtyards connected from east to west, almost like walking through an old city. You move from one pod to the next, from home toward school, shul, park, daycare, or shared space, without needing the street to do the work. That matters because the community is not only created by those who live nearby. It is created by how often people naturally cross paths, how easy it is to walk, and how much the plan invites daily life to happen outside the front door.

In Liran’s view, this is the human work of urban planning. A neighborhood has to help people use their feet, see one another, and feel part of the place around them. Givat Hashalvah was planned with that belief at its center. The buildings matter, of course. But the life between the buildings may be what turns the project into a community.

Explore Givat Hashalvah → https://go.lyo.group/3LxM3tz

Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Sunday sharply criticized the government’s decision to reject a Supreme Court ruling concerning the Second Authority for Television and Radio, warning that refusing to comply with court decisions threatens the country’s unity and constitutional order.

In an official statement released by the President’s Office, Herzog addressed the growing standoff between the government and the judiciary after the cabinet instructed the Second Authority not to follow the High Court’s ruling.

“Statements about refusing to obey rulings of the Supreme Court strike at the heart of the unity of the nation,” Herzog wrote.

He continued, “I have said it before, and I will repeat it again and again—disobeying a court ruling is a red line that must not be crossed under any circumstances.”

The government, however, maintains that the Supreme Court itself has no authority to issue rulings that contradict explicit statutory law, as it argues occurred in the case involving the Second Authority. Ministers contend that the government’s authority derives from the law enacted by the Knesset and that the Court cannot invalidate clear legal provisions.

Earlier Sunday, in what many legal observers described as an unprecedented move in Israel’s judicial history, the cabinet unanimously approved a resolution declaring that it would not recognize the Supreme Court’s ruling regarding the Second Authority for Television and Radio. The proposal was jointly advanced by Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi and Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Yariv Levin, marking a dramatic escalation in the ongoing conflict between the executive and judicial branches.

Under the resolution, the government declared that because the Second Authority’s governing council no longer meets the minimum legal requirements established by law, all of its actions are considered legally void. The resolution stated, “You have no authority to trample the law,” adding, “A ruling that contradicts the law will not be recognized, and decisions made pursuant to it are null and void.”

The dispute stems from a Supreme Court decision issued in mid-June allowing the Second Authority’s council, headed by Mordechai Mordechai, to continue operating despite the collective resignation of six of its members. According to reports, those resignations followed pressure allegedly exerted by associates of the communications minister.

Government officials argue that the council’s remaining membership fell below the two-thirds quorum required under the law governing the Second Authority. Karhi and Levin signed a legal opinion asserting that the council’s current composition clearly violates the statute and that any decisions it makes therefore lack legal validity.

The government resolution further stated, “The government will use every legal tool at its disposal to overturn the court’s decision.” It added, “The rule of law binds all branches of government, including the court itself. A ruling that directly contradicts the clear language of the law cannot be considered binding.”

Although the confrontation has not yet produced immediate practical consequences, legal experts warn that if the Second Authority takes action under the authority of the Supreme Court’s ruling while the government refuses to recognize those actions, Israel could face a full-scale constitutional crisis, forcing government officials to choose whether to obey the cabinet or the Supreme Court.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said Sunday that House Republicans are preparing another effort to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, expressing confidence that attaching the legislation to a budget reconciliation package will give it its best chance of becoming law. Johnson said both he and President Donald Trump consider the measure a top legislative priority.

Appearing on “Fox News Sunday,” Johnson explained that lawmakers were dismissed to spend the Independence Day holiday in their home districts before returning to focus on the election-integrity legislation.

“I just decided it was best to send everybody home to go celebrate July 4th in their districts. We’ll come back, get everybody together. The big urgency is to get SAVE America passed. The president has that as a top priority, and so do I. We passed it three times in the House. We’re going to try one more time on a budget reconciliation bill, and I think that will be the way to get it through the Senate, and finally, to the president’s desk so that is forthcoming.”

Johnson also discussed additional election reforms that President Trump would like to pursue, while acknowledging that some proposals may face greater obstacles than the SAVE Act.

“He would like to add, the prohibition of mail in ballots, except for exceptions, like if somebody is deployed overseas or they’re ill or can’t get to the polling place. But he understands that one is a bigger reach. If we can get proof of citizenship and photo ID to vote, that eliminates so much of the problem, all the fraud and everything that everybody’s concerned about in our elections, particularly, frankly, in these blue states. Look, California, they’re still counting ballots from an election that happened a month ago. It’s crazy, and everybody understands it.”

A major political and legal confrontation erupted on Sunday after the Israeli government unanimously approved an unprecedented decision refusing to recognize a ruling by the Supreme Court regarding the Second Authority for Television and Radio. The move has dramatically escalated tensions between Israel’s executive and judicial branches.

The government’s decision drew immediate and fierce criticism from Deputy Attorney General Dr. Gil Limon, who accused the coalition of attempting to undermine the rule of law. He described the measure as “an attempt to normalize a systematic violation of the law.”

According to Limon, “The government has submitted a proposed resolution that explicitly ignores an interim order of the Supreme Court, with the goal of declaring that it will not accept claims based on judicial decisions.”

‘A Red Line That Must Never Be Crossed’

President Isaac Herzog also strongly condemned the government’s decision, warning that defying the nation’s highest court threatens the country’s democratic foundations.

In an official statement, Herzog declared that “Noncompliance with a Supreme Court ruling is a red line that must never be crossed under any circumstances.” He added that “Statements advocating disobedience of Supreme Court rulings strike at the very heart of national unity.”

The controversial resolution was jointly introduced by Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi and Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Yariv Levin. It states that as long as the Second Authority Council does not meet the minimum legal requirements established by law, every decision, appointment, approval, or action taken by the council is to be considered legally void from the outset.

According to the government’s position, any court ruling that directly contradicts the clear language of the law is itself invalid.

Attorney General: ‘A Serious Attempt to Undermine the Court’

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara submitted her official response to the Supreme Court, sharply criticizing the government’s action. She argued that it represents “a serious attempt to thwart the decisions of the court and intimidate those who seek to carry them out.”

Israel Bar Association chairman Amit Becher also denounced the move, calling it “a complete destruction of the rule of law and democracy in Israel.”

“The attempt to ignore the court’s ruling comes alongside efforts to destroy freedom of the press,” Becher said. “A government cannot violate a court ruling, and a government that is not subject to the law betrays its duty and rebels against the state and its people.” He urged opponents to resist the decision “by every legal means.”

The dispute stems from a Supreme Court ruling issued in mid-June that reinstated the Second Authority Council appointed under the previous government. The court allowed the council to continue functioning even though its membership had fallen below the legal minimum of two-thirds of its full complement, as specified in the governing statute.

The government, however, maintains that once the council no longer satisfies the legal quorum required by law, it loses the authority to act. Ministers further argue that even the Supreme Court lacks the power to issue rulings that conflict with explicit legislation.

The resolution adopted Sunday emphasizes that the rule of law binds every branch of government, including, according to the government’s position, the judiciary itself.

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the passing of R’ Kalman Mendlowitz z”l, a beloved member of the Boro Park community whose name became synonymous with warmth, integrity, and making simchos run seamlessly.

For decades, generations of families celebrated their happiest moments in halls that he owned and operated, knowing they were in the hands of someone who cared as much about their joy as they did.

R’ Kalman was the driving force behind Ateres Shlomo Hall on New Utrecht Avenue and 77th Street, one of Brooklyn’s most well-known wedding halls. Together with his family, he also operated Sasson V’Simcha, a pair of halls that hosted everything from bar mitzvahs and sheva brachos to large weddings. Thousands of Yidden marked life’s milestones under his watchful eye, and countless families came away not only satisfied, but deeply appreciative of the way he treated them.

Those who worked with him or celebrated their simchos in his halls invariably described him in the same way: a true mentch. He was known for being gracious, accommodating, fair, and committed to providing excellent food and impeccable service. More than a businessman, he was someone who understood that behind every event was a family experiencing one of the most meaningful days of its life.

His extraordinary dedication was perhaps best illustrated in 2009, when Ateres Shlomo was unexpectedly shut down by authorities on the very day of a scheduled wedding. Faced with what could have been a devastating situation for the chosson and kallah, R’ Kalman sprang into action. He immediately contacted Ateres Chaya, arranged for the wedding to be relocated, and coordinated a remarkable logistical effort. Already-prepared food was transported across Boro Park, his own waiters accompanied it, and the staffs of both halls worked tirelessly throughout the day to recreate the wedding. Thanks to his quick thinking, determination, and refusal to let a family’s joy be ruined, the chasunah went forward successfully.

That episode reflected the values by which he lived. Solving problems quietly, easing the burdens of others, and doing whatever was necessary to preserve another person’s simcha came naturally to him.

One friend told Matzav.com, “Kalman was a prince of a man who allowed people to make simchos with the greatest of ease and totally stress-free.”

R’ Kalman came from a family that devoted its life to bringing joy to Klal Yisroel. His father, R’ Avrohom Abish Mendlowitz z”l, was an example of what an ehrliche Yid should be. “Not a bad word can be said about him, just as he never said a bad word about anyone else,” said a friend. Those qualities of humility, kindness, and respect for others were clearly passed down to the next generation.

His brother was the legendary Jewish music producer R’ Sheya Mendlowitz z”l, whose influence on contemporary Jewish music is immeasurable. He was niftar in 2023.

Together, the Mendlowitz family occupied a unique place in the lives of Yidden. The father embodied ehrlichkeit, one son elevated Jewish music, and another created the setting in which families celebrated their most cherished occasions. For decades, they helped bring happiness to the lives of others in different but complementary ways.

Those who knew R’ Kalman will remember not only the beautiful halls and delicious meals, but the calm reassurance he brought to every event. Families entrusted him with weddings, bar mitzvahs, and other milestones because they knew he would treat their simcha as though it were his own.

The levayah was held on Friday morning at Shomrei Hadas Chapels in Boro Park, just hours before Shabbos.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

The next round of negotiations between the United States and Iran is reportedly scheduled for July 11 in Pakistan, according to Al Arabiya. The meeting would mark the latest step in ongoing efforts to transform last month’s interim agreement into a broader, long-term deal between the two countries.

The report comes as Iran continues a six-day state funeral for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a joint U.S.-Israeli airstrike on February 28. The ceremonies began on Saturday and are expected to conclude with his burial on July 9.

According to Al Arabiya, the upcoming discussions are expected to center on U.S. sanctions, Iran’s frozen financial assets, and Tehran’s nuclear program. Iranian officials have reportedly not yet selected the head of their negotiating team, with that decision expected only after the funeral concludes.

If the meeting takes place, it would follow this week’s indirect technical talks in Doha, Qatar, where American and Iranian representatives met through mediators from Qatar and Pakistan to discuss implementation of the interim agreement reached last month.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly stated that any lasting agreement must resolve issues surrounding Iran’s nuclear ambitions, sanctions relief, and security in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian officials, meanwhile, have continued pressing for the gradual release of billions of dollars in frozen assets as part of a comprehensive settlement.

Neither the U.S. government nor the Iranian regime has officially confirmed the reported July 11 meeting. In recent months, Pakistan, together with Qatar, has taken on an increasingly significant role in facilitating indirect contacts as both sides work toward replacing the temporary accord with a permanent agreement.

Hamas is reportedly preparing to dismantle the governing body that has effectively run the Gaza Strip for nearly 20 years, according to officials within the terrorist organization who spoke with Asharq Al-Awsat. The move is said to be part of a broader effort to replace Hamas’ governing structure with a civilian administrative body.

According to the report, Hamas plans to dissolve its Committee for Monitoring Government Activity, the organization that has functioned as Gaza’s de facto government since Hamas seized control of the territory. In its place, the group intends to hand responsibility to the Gaza Strip Administration Committee, headed by Ali Shaat, which is expected to consist of professional civilian technocrats rather than Hamas officials.

The new administrative committee was established approximately six months ago. However, Israeli authorities reportedly blocked its members from entering Gaza, preventing the body from beginning its operations.

A Hamas official told Asharq Al-Awsat that an announcement formally dissolving the Committee for Monitoring Government Activity could be made as early as Monday.

The report also said that representatives of various Palestinian factions are expected to meet again in Cairo in the coming days as negotiations continue over implementing the second phase of the ceasefire agreement. The discussions may also include senior members of the Peace Council as well as representatives of the Trump administration.

During recent negotiations held in Turkey with representatives from Qatar and Egypt, Hamas reportedly demanded that any disarmament process take place gradually, with its weapons ultimately transferred to a Palestinian governing body rather than surrendered outright. The terrorist organization also insisted that Israel commit to a complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip as part of any broader agreement.

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu dismissed speculation of friction with President Donald Trump during an exclusive interview with Fox News on Sunday, insisting that the close partnership between Israel and the United States remains intact and that both leaders continue to stand united on the most critical issues, especially Iran.

Addressing reports of strained ties, Netanyahu said there is no meaningful disagreement between the two governments. “I don’t think there is a rift between us. Unlike other alliances, Israel and America fight shoulder to shoulder. Ninety-nine percent of the time, the president and I see eye to eye.”

Asked about Trump’s recent comment that Netanyahu “knows who the boss is,” the prime minister downplayed the remark, emphasizing that he and the president continue to enjoy “excellent relations” and remain fully aligned on the shared goal of preventing Iran from becoming a nuclear power.

Netanyahu also issued a firm warning to the Iranian regime following reports that Tehran has resumed reconstruction work and may have violated previous understandings at tunnel sites near Natanz.

“Deal or no deal, as long as I am prime minister of Israel, Iran will not have nuclear weapons,” he declared.

The conversation later shifted to developments in American politics, including what Netanyahu described as a weakening of support for Israel within certain sectors of the United States.

Responding to a question about Jewish elected officials who have criticized his government’s policies while facing mounting pressure from progressive activists, Netanyahu argued that they have allowed themselves to be influenced by political trends.

“They allow themselves to be dragged along by unreasonable protests and toxic ideology,” he said. “I don’t think this trend will last. America can try socialism. We tried it in Israel in the past, and it simply didn’t work. I chose to pursue a free-market economy, and it has worked much better.”

{Matzav.com}