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In an inspiring encounter between two leading gedolim, the renowned mekubal, Rosh Yeshivat Ahavas Shalom, Rav Yaakov Hillel, visited the home of senior posek Rav Moshe Sternbuch. The two engaged in a heartfelt and profound conversation, focused on the pressing spiritual needs following the conclusion of the war with Iran.

At the outset of the meeting, Rav Sternbuch warmly greeted Rav Hillel with the words: “Fortunate are you, who disseminates Torah in Klal Yisroel, increasing kedushah, increasing taharah, increasing truth—for the Toras Hashem is truth in your mouth.”

When asked by those present what area requires strengthening in light of recent events, Rav Sternbuch answered unequivocally: “In limud haTorah. Torah protects and saves. All brachos come through Torah study. One who merits to increase Torah study has acquired a tremendous treasure.”

Later in the discussion, Rav Sternbuch was asked how women can strengthen themselves. He responded, “They should not waste their husbands’ time or prevent them from learning Torah.”

Regarding young women who are not yet married, the posek was asked how they can fortify themselves during this time. Rav Sternbuch replied succinctly: “In emunah.”

The conversation then turned to the mekubal’s renowned commentary on the Thirteen Principles of Faith. Rav Sternbuch emphasized the importance of teaching these concepts in a meaningful way, encouraging teachers to ensure that their students not only recite the ikkarim, but understand the meaning of each word.

{Matzav.com Israel}

The United Torah Judaism faction announced on Monday that it has unanimously decided to suspend all coalition support in the Knesset until the government finalizes deliberations on the long-disputed draft law and brings it to a vote.

The faction, which includes both Degel HaTorah and Agudas Yisrael, issued a clear message: it will not participate in any coalition votes this week as a protest against the continued delay in resolving the issue.

In recent months—prior to the outbreak of war with Iran—UTJ had already launched a similar boycott, refusing to vote with the coalition unless a concrete solution to the draft law was advanced.

The crisis peaked two weeks ago when UTJ threatened to support a bill to dissolve the Knesset, following the directive of Slabodka Rosh Yeshiva Rav Dov Landau. After hours of overnight discussions, MKs from Degel HaTorah and some members of Agudas Yisrael ultimately voted against the dissolution bill, swayed by direct assurances from Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and coalition leadership that real progress on the draft law would be made.

Now, UTJ is once again drawing a line in the sand. The party is demanding that negotiations over the draft law conclude immediately and that the bill be brought to a full Knesset vote. Until that happens, UTJ has declared that it will maintain its freeze on cooperation with coalition voting.

{Matzav.com Israel}

[Video below.] In an unusual and moving gesture, the Slabodka rosh yeshiva, Rav Dov Landau, personally phoned Rav Don Segal late Sunday night to express his deep appreciation for the mashgiach’s unwavering commitment to the recent fundraising mission on behalf of the Keren Olam HaTorah in the United States.

Rav Segal, who had been resting in Switzerland, agreed—at the personal request of Rav Landau—to join the intense campaign, despite the physical toll and demands involved.

During their phone conversation, Rav Landau said, “I heard about the many efforts the mashgiach invested, turning to each donor with heartfelt pleas. Baruch Hashem, there is reward for this toil. The mashgiach was a faithful emissary on behalf of the entire Torah world.”

It has now been revealed that at every dinner and event held by the fund across the U.S., Rav Segal arrived early and spent hours behind closed doors with major philanthropists. In warm, emotional, and direct conversations, he opened his heart and painted a vivid picture of the dire needs of the Olam HaTorah. It was in those intimate meetings that the largest commitments were secured—massive donations that significantly advanced the fund’s mission.

The presence of Rav Segal, along with Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch and Rav Dovid Cohen, left a lasting impression on donors and community members alike.

Officials from the fund emphasized that while the campaign is still ongoing, much of the current success—tens of millions of shekels raised—is directly attributable to Rav Segal’s relentless and personal involvement.

Sources also confirmed that fund organizers are actively working on the next stage of the campaign, with the goal of reaching $150 million. So far, approximately $78 million has been pledged.

WATCH:

{Matzav.com Israel}

In light of renewed public focus on efforts to secure a hostage release deal following the ceasefire with Iran, opposition leaders voiced strong positions on Monday, signaling readiness to support dramatic moves—even if it means halting the war in Gaza.

Chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu MK Avigdor Lieberman opened his party’s weekly meeting with pointed remarks on the stalled hostage negotiations. He called for a full prisoner exchange deal, even if it requires the IDF to withdraw from Gaza and end its military campaign against Hamas.

“I get daily calls from soldiers in Gaza who are guarding humanitarian convoys. It’s chaos, it’s complete anarchy,” Lieberman said. “Worse still, the rules of engagement allow only deterrent fire. They feel their lives are in danger. The government is sending reservists to demolish buildings with their bare hands—no bulldozers, no equipment. They say there’s no budget for modern APCs, yet hundreds of millions are being spent on humanitarian aid paid for by Israeli taxpayers.”

He continued, drawing a historical comparison: “Could anyone imagine the Allies in World War II sending medicine, water, fuel, and food to the Nazis? Only in Israel does such insanity happen, while our hostages rot in Hamas captivity. This week, David Cunio’s daughters will turn five. He last saw them when they were three. Does that sound reasonable to anyone? If military pressure has exhausted its usefulness—what are we still doing there? I call on the government: make a deal. Bring all the hostages home.”

Lieberman concluded with a call for a new strategy. “After that, we need a Lebanon-style deterrence model. Since the ceasefire, we’ve eliminated 200 Hezbollah operatives. We’ll hunt down every terrorist involved in the October 7th massacre—until their last day.”

Meanwhile, Chairman of the National Unity party, MK Benny Gantz, also addressed the issue during his party’s meeting. He emphasized that securing the release of hostages remains a national priority, pledging that his faction would back the government in any bold steps taken to secure their freedom.

“We stated early on that the intensified phase of the campaign would last three months, followed by at least a year—possibly more—of continued fighting to dismantle Hamas’s military infrastructure,” said Gantz. “That timeline has long passed. From the beginning, I said the process of reshaping Gaza will take a decade. It’s time to be honest with the public and begin shaping that reality, rather than letting others decide it for us.”

Commenting on reports of a potential 60-day ceasefire tied to a partial hostage deal, Gantz warned: “This is a strategic error. Our goal must be to bring all hostages back as soon as possible—not to stretch this out with another phased deal that leaves people behind as bargaining chips. Now is the time to close the wound, not preserve the coalition.”

He concluded, “Even if the price is a long-term ceasefire, it’s clear—to the world and to us—that we cannot coexist with a terror group arming itself on our border. I don’t believe Hamas will become a peace movement. This deal must be used to change the regime in Gaza and demilitarize it. We cannot fall for Hamas’s stall tactics.”

Opposition leader MK Yair Lapid echoed these sentiments, also calling for an end to the war in Gaza. “IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi told the cabinet yesterday that the political leadership must decide what the next objective is,” Lapid said. “Every day, more soldiers are being killed. This month alone, we’ve had 20 fatalities—the highest monthly toll in the past year.”

{Matzav.com}

Several members of the Jewish community arrested in Iran have been released on bail, while others remain in custody, Matzav.com has learned. Jewish leaders are urging the public to continue davening for the safe release of those still imprisoned.

Sources within the community confirmed that while the release of some detainees offers hope, others are still behind bars. “We can see that the tefillos are making a difference,” said a community representative. “Please continue to pray.”

According to reports aired on Kan 11, the release process was delayed in some cases due to damage sustained at Evin Prison during an Israeli strike. The attack reportedly disrupted the transfer of detainees to other facilities. Alongside the Jews held in custody, Iranian authorities are also detaining individuals from other minority groups, including Azeris, Kurds, and members of the Baháʼí faith.

In light of the situation, members of Iran’s Jewish community have been advised to keep a low profile. They were instructed not to publish or share political content, refrain from responding to posts related to the war or foreign affairs, and avoid any contact with foreign nations.

Iran has acknowledged arresting over 1,000 people since the outbreak of the conflict, accusing them of maintaining ties with Israel. Additionally, six people have been executed on charges of collaborating with Mossad. Since the beginning of 2025, nine individuals have reportedly been put to death in Iran for alleged espionage.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Elon Musk delivered a new, blistering rebuke Monday of President Donald Trump’s signature spending bill, as the Senate raced through a marathon amendment session in hopes of getting the measure to Trump’s desk by the July 4 deadline. Musk, once a close White House ally and a power player at the Department of Government Efficiency, took a flamethrower to Trump’s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill,” slamming it as a historic betrayal of taxpayers. “It is obvious with the insane spending of this bill, which increases the debt ceiling by a record FIVE TRILLION DOLLARS, that we live in a one-party country – the PORKY PIG PARTY!!” Musk wrote on X, the social media platform he owns. He added: “Time for a new political party that actually cares about the people.” In a follow-up post, Musk escalated his attack, declaring that every member of Congress who votes for the bill should “hang their head in shame” and vowing political revenge. “[T]hey will lose their primary next year if it is the last thing I do on this Earth,” Musk thundered. The White House, seeking to cool tensions, pointed to Trump’s remarks on Fox News over the weekend, where he shrugged off Musk’s fury as sour grapes over the bill’s plan to slash electric vehicle subsidies. “I think Elon is a wonderful guy, and I know he’s going to do well, always. He’s a smart guy,” Trump told Fox. Musk, however, has made clear his outrage goes beyond green energy carve-outs, repeatedly blasting the bill’s expected $3 trillion-plus addition to the national debt. Their already strained relationship collapsed into a public feud earlier this month after Musk lashed out in a string of posts he later partially walked back. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

President Donald Trump’s administration filed suit Monday against Los Angeles, claiming the city is obstructing the enforcement of immigration laws and creating a lawless environment with its sanctuary policies that bar local police from sharing information on people without legal status. The lawsuit in U.S. District Court says Los Angeles’ “ sanctuary city” ordinance hinders White House efforts to crack down on what it calls a “crisis of illegal immigration.” It is the latest in a string of lawsuits against so-called sanctuary jurisdictions — including New York,New Jersey and Colorado — that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The Los Angeles policy bars city resources from being used for immigration enforcement. The court filing calls the city ordinance “illegal” and asks that it be blocked from being enforced. Chad Mizelle, chief of staff for U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, said in announcing the latest lawsuit that the administration will not tolerate any interference with the federal government’s crackdown. “We will keep enforcing federal immigration law in Los Angeles, whether or not the city’s government or residents agree with it,” Mizelle said in a social media post on the platform X. Messages seeking comment on the lawsuit were sent to the offices of Mayor Karen Bass and City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto. The Los Angeles lawsuit claims Trump “won the presidential election on a platform of deporting the millions of illegal immigrants.” Over the past three weeks, immigration agents have swarmed Southern California, arresting hundreds of people and prompting protests. Tens of thousands of people participated in rallies over immigration raids and the subsequent deployment of the National Guard and Marines. Los Angeles police have arrested over 100 people on various charges from throwing rocks at federal officers to setting fire to Waymo cars equipped with self-driving technology. “The practical upshot of Los Angeles’ refusal to cooperate with federal immigration authorities has, since June 6, 2025, been lawlessness, rioting, looting, and vandalism,” the court filing says. On June 18, the mayor lifted a curfew she had imposed a week earlier to prevent vandalism and break-ins during nighttime protests. The demonstrations had been largely concentrated in a few downtown blocks that are home to several federal and local government buildings. (AP)

Donald Trump released a handwritten message on Monday addressed to Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, calling on him to make significant interest rate cuts — a continuation of Trump’s criticism of the Fed’s current monetary policy.

Taking to Truth Social, Trump blasted Powell and the rest of the Federal Reserve’s leadership, writing, “They should be ashamed of themselves” for not bringing down interest rates.

“They have one of the easiest, yet most prestigious, jobs in America, and they have FAILED — And continue to do so,” Trump stated in his post.

Accompanying his remarks was a photo showing interest rates from central banks across various countries. Trump had marked up the image with a Sharpie, directing a pointed message at Powell.

“Jerome – You are, as usual, ‘too late.’ You have cost the USA A fortune – and continue to do so – you should lower the rate – by a lot!” Trump wrote.

He went on to add: “Hundreds of billions of dollars being lost! No inflation,” and concluded with his signature.

Trump also scrawled a note contending that the U.S. should be listed among nations with interest rates at or below 1.75 percent.

Earlier this year, Federal Reserve officials had signaled an expectation of rate cuts as inflation showed signs of aligning with their 2 percent annual target. However, the central bank has refrained from reducing rates during the first half of 2025, in part due to economic unpredictability stemming from Trump’s proposed tariffs.

On Wednesday, Powell once again emphasized a cautious approach, after the Fed opted to leave interest rates unchanged.

Trump has repeatedly targeted Powell in recent months, dubbing him “Too Late,” and lambasting the Fed’s reluctance to lower borrowing costs. Although Trump appointed Powell to the position back in 2017, he has publicly entertained the idea of removing him. Powell is currently set to remain in the role until 2026.

{Matzav.com}

A political firestorm is brewing within United Torah Judaism, with serious implications for the faction’s internal balance and particularly for Degel HaTorah. Minister Meir Porush of Agudas Yisroel is threatening to resign from the government if MK Yisrael Eichler is not appointed housing minister in the wake of Minister Yitzchak Goldknopf’s departure.

Porush is demanding that the Housing Ministry be handed over to Eichler, the representative of the Belzer chassidus, and has issued an ultimatum to Prime Minister Netanyahu. Should Porush follow through on his threat, MK Yaakov Bruchi—Degel HaTorah’s representative who only returned to the Knesset this morning under the Norwegian Law—would be forced out once again.

The fallout for Degel HaTorah could be severe: it would lose another parliamentary seat, and Deputy Minister Uri Maklev, a key member of the party’s Litvishe contingent in the government, might also resign. That, in turn, could force MK Moshe Shimon Roth out of the Knesset.

The crisis is also escalating internal tensions within Agudas Yisroel. Eichler, backed by Porush, is seeking control of the Housing Ministry, but Motty Babchik—representing the Gerer chassidus and a close adviser to Netanyahu—is working hard behind the scenes to block the appointment.

Responding to the controversy in a radio interview Monday evening, MK Moshe Shimon Roth of Agudas Yisroel said regarding the Eichler appointment saga: “Let them ask the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah. The current leadership under Goldknopf has done good work and should remain in place for the benefit of the community.”

A source in the Prime Minister’s Office said that Babchik delivered a clear warning to Netanyahu: “If the ministry goes to Eichler, it will be a divorce between Ger and Likud.”

Meanwhile, insiders within UTJ are dismissing Porush’s motives, recalling that he previously told Degel HaTorah MKs that his support for Eichler’s appointment was merely for the sake of unity and in order to facilitate Bruchi’s return to the Knesset. Now, many believe that his true objective was to secure the ministerial position for Eichler, not to help Bruchi.

A Degel HaTorah official, reacting to the proposal, noted that according to procedure, a Norwegian Law minister who resigns and wishes to return to the Knesset must face a Knesset vote. If Porush acts against Bruchi’s interests, Degel HaTorah would no longer feel bound by any commitments to him.

In recent days, Degel HaTorah had made efforts to reinstate MK Bruchi via the Norwegian Law—a plan that succeeded this morning following Deputy Minister Tzvi Tesler’s resignation. But now, with Porush threatening to make good on his ultimatum, the entire strategy may collapse.

{Matzav.com Israel}

IV therapy clinics are springing up around the country, touting quick ways to recover from a hangover or a hard workout. But doctors and regulators preach caution. The services have been on a growth spurt since the COVID-19 pandemic, offering drips that promise to boost energy, gird immune systems or relieve joint pain. This is done from bags of intravenous fluids normally seen hanging next to hospital beds. Customers must be willing to fork over as much as couple hundred dollars for each session — in some cases for a mixture of vitamins and supplements that would be considerably cheaper in pill form. Proponents say this approach helps customers hydrate faster and absorb more of a vitamin or supplement than they would by swallowing pills. But Dr. Sam Torbati, co-chair of emergency medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, says the therapy mostly helps people create “expensive urine,” with the body clearing what it doesn’t use. How many IV clinics are there? They’re hard to count, partly because some businesses just provide IV therapy while others offer it as part of a medical spa. The practice grew popular during COVID-19, when access to doctors became limited and people grew more concerned about their immune system health, according to the American IV Association, an industry group. Regulators in Ohio are following the trend closely in their state, which now has around 200 clinics. These businesses were largely unheard of there before the pandemic, said Cameron McNamee, a spokesman for the Ohio Board of Pharmacy. What should customers know about IV therapy clinics? Doctors say there are some good questions to pose before any treatment starts. Customers should ask the person starting the IV how long they have been doing their job and what sort of training they have, said Torbati. They also should know what’s in the IV drip. For instance, “Wonder Juice” treatment offered by the Restore Hyper Wellness franchise combines six vitamins and supplements that are available, in oral form, on the pharmacy store shelves. Knowing all the ingredients comes in handy if someone has an allergic reaction. Also ask where the company gets its drugs, if any are used. The answer should be a licensed pharmaceutical wholesaler, according to McNamee. Otherwise, the drug could be counterfeit or substandard. Ohio regulators have suspended the licenses of businesses that purchased drugs on Facebook. Customers also should make sure the clinic is in decent shape when they visit. “If the office isn’t clean, then the IV room’s probably not clean either,” McNamee said. Why are regulators concerned? They don’t like that a nurse or a paramedic often helps a customer decide on an IV therapy and then delivers the treatment. Rules can vary, but many state regulators say a doctor, physician assistant or nurse practitioner should be involved. The clinics often run on standing orders, which are issued by a doctor with the idea that they give the nurse or paramedic permission to treat patients according to certain protocols. Hospital emergency rooms regularly operate on the same kind of orders, according to Dr. Chris Seitz, an emergency physician and chairman of the American IV Association’s scientific advisory board. “Many nurses saw patients before I ever could get to them in the emergency department and initiated care like IV fluids,” he […]

In a significant shakeup within Israeli politics, the National Unity party revealed on Sunday that MK Gadi Eisenkot, its second-ranking member and a former IDF chief of staff, would be stepping down from both the party and the Knesset.

“Member of Knesset Lt. Gen. (res.) Gadi Eisenkot informed National Unity Party chairman Benny Gantz of his intention to leave the party and return his mandate to it,” the official party statement read. “The two emphasized their long-standing friendship and mutual respect, and stated that they will continue to collaborate toward shared goals and for the benefit of the people of Israel in the future as well,” the statement added.

Eisenkot had joined Gantz for the 2022 election campaign under the condition that the party would move toward greater internal democracy, including leadership primaries. However, Gantz did not follow through on that commitment.

Although the party declared on June 1 that it would introduce reforms aimed at democratizing its internal structure, those changes still gave Gantz full authority to appoint the 150-person committee responsible for selecting the party leader. This arrangement effectively blocked Eisenkot from mounting a legitimate leadership challenge.

In light of his departure, Eisenkot has reportedly held talks with both Yair Lapid, who heads the opposition, and former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. He is said to be weighing the possibility of aligning with one or both of them in advance of the next national election.

Eisenkot’s exit will open a seat for the next candidate on the National Unity list—former Ra’anana mayor and current MK Eytan Ginzburg—who will now enter the Knesset.

This development delivers a blow to Gantz, who has tried to present a solid alliance with Eisenkot in the face of persistent rumors that Eisenkot was planning to leave. He becomes the fifth lawmaker to depart the party, following the March 2024 exit of Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, who split from Gantz over disagreements on Gaza policy while the party was still part of the ruling coalition.

Shortly after the news was made public, Gantz issued a personal statement: “Following a deep and lengthy process of conversations between us, my friend Gadi Eisenkot informed me today that he has decided to leave the National Unity party and resign from the Knesset. In recent weeks, significant ideological differences have emerged between us regarding the right way to serve the State of Israel,” Gantz said.

“Gadi is, first and foremost, a personal friend. He is a worthy individual who has served the country for decades, and I am confident he will continue to serve it in his own way. Even if our political partnership has come to an end at this time — our friendship and mutual respect will remain,” Gantz concluded.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu is scheduled to travel to Washington next Monday, and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer will also be in the U.S. capital on the same day.

The Israeli cabinet convened recently but chose to hold off on any major decisions related to Gaza until they receive an update on Dermer’s meetings in Washington.

On Sunday, President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social calling for a resolution in Gaza, writing, “get the hostages back!!!”

Trump previously stated that Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu is working on a deal with Hamas aimed at securing the release of the remaining hostages.

In recent remarks, Trump expressed sharp criticism of the legal proceedings against Netanyahu, arguing that the trial is obstructing efforts to negotiate with Hamas and Iran.

“The travesty of ‘Justice’ will interfere with both Iran and Hamas negotiations,” Trump wrote. “In other words, it is INSANITY doing what the out-of-control prosecutors are doing to Bibi Netanyahu.”

In response, Netanyahu posted his appreciation for Trump on Sunday, writing, “Together, we will make the Middle East Great Again!”

Netanyahu was last in Washington this past April. During that visit, he and Trump addressed key issues including the hostages held in Gaza, the endgame of the conflict there, and new tariffs that had recently been placed on Israeli goods by the Trump administration. Netanyahu was the first foreign leader to speak with Trump about the tariffs.

{Matzav.com}

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said Monday it is delaying by one month the planned cutoff of satellite data that helps forecasters track hurricanes. Meteorologists and scientists warned of severe consequences last week when NOAA said, in the midst of this year’s hurricane season, that it would almost immediately discontinue key data collected by three weather satellites that the agency jointly runs with the Defense Department. The Defense Meteorological Satellite Program’s microwave data gives key information that can’t be gleaned from conventional satellites. That includes three-dimensional details of a storm, what’s going on inside of it and what it is doing in the overnight hours, experts say. The data was initially planned to be cut off on June 30 “to mitigate a significant cybersecurity risk,” NOAA’s announcement said. The agency now says it’s postponing that until July 31. Peak hurricane season is usually from mid-August to mid-October. Spokespeople from NOAA and the Navy did not immediately respond to a request for more details about the update. NOAA — which has been the subject of hefty Department of Government Efficiency cuts this year — said Friday the satellite program accounts for a “single dataset in a robust suite of hurricane forecasting and modeling tools” in the National Weather Service’s portfolio. The agency’s “data sources are fully capable of providing a complete suite of cutting-edge data and models that ensure the gold-standard weather forecasting the American people deserve,” a spokesperson said. But Union of Concerned Scientists science fellow Marc Alessi told The Associated Press on Friday that detecting the rapid intensification, and more accurately predicting the likely path, of storms is critical as climate change worsens the extreme weather experienced across the globe. “Not only are we losing the ability to make better intensification forecasts, we are also losing the ability to predict accurately where a tropical cyclone could be going, if it’s in its development stages,” Alessi said. “This data is essential. “On the seasonal forecasting front, we would see the effects,” he added, “but also on the long-term climate change front, we now are losing an essential piece to monitoring global warming.” (AP)

The United Nations strongly criticized Israel’s recent directive ordering evacuations across both the northern and central regions of Gaza, cautioning that Palestinians are being corralled into increasingly smaller areas that are ill-equipped to handle the sheer volume of displaced civilians. The UN emphasized that many of these areas already lack the infrastructure to sustain basic human needs.

UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric reported during a press conference that the evacuation orders issued by the IDF on the previous day directly affect around 150,000 individuals. Many of those impacted are currently staying in shelters intended for people already displaced earlier in the conflict.

“People are being pushed into overcrowded areas where thousands of others are already staying. These spaces lack shelter, they lack water and they lack sewage systems, not to mention medical facilities,” he says.

Dujarric pointed to an alarming update from the World Food Program, which noted that 20% of Gaza’s population is now facing extreme hunger, and that more than 90,000 women and children are in urgent need of nutritional treatment.

He also shared that some 143,300 tons of food aid are sitting at Gaza’s border, awaiting clearance from Israel before it can be brought into the territory. While the UN insists the aid is ready for distribution, Israel has argued that the delay is caused by the UN’s inability to handle the logistics on the ground.

Dujarric added that the shortage of fuel and proper shelter remains critical, pointing out that Israel has not permitted fuel deliveries into Gaza for more than four months.

{Matzav.com Israel}

As a trauma therapist and social worker, I’ve dedicated my career to understanding the complexities of human behavior, communication, and the devastating impact of trauma, especially in cases of child abuse. I also frequently write about cognitive biases and how they shape our perceptions. Today, I want to delve into a particularly insidious phenomenon known as the “Liar’s Dividend” and explore how it inadvertently, and dangerously, contributes to a culture where perpetrators of child abuse can evade accountability. The Liar’s Dividend is a concept that describes the benefit a liar receives from the general skepticism that exists about the truth. In simpler terms, it’s the idea that because we know false accusations can happen, genuine accusations are often met with a degree of doubt, suspicion, or even outright disbelief. This skepticism, while sometimes well-intentioned or born from a desire for fairness, can be weaponized by individuals and groups who seek to manipulate and exploit. Now, let’s connect this directly to the horrific reality of child abuse. When allegations of child abuse surface, a critical and often heartbreaking hurdle is the pervasive belief that “people get falsely accused all the time.” While it is true that false accusations, in any context, are a grave injustice and can have devastating consequences for the falsely accused, the existence of these rare occurrences is often amplified and distorted. This overemphasis on false accusations then creates a fertile ground for the Liar’s Dividend to flourish. Consider this: when a survivor bravely comes forward with an accusation, they are often met not with immediate empathy and support, but with a series of questions designed to ascertain the “truth” of their claim. These questions, while appearing to seek clarity, can quickly become an overwhelming cross-examination, forcing the survivor to defend their account rather than having the alleged perpetrator face scrutiny. This often happens because the specter of ‘false accusations’ heavily influences many people’s perceptions. This is where the Liar’s Dividend becomes a dangerous accomplice to injustice. The insidious nature of the Liar’s Dividend in these cases is that it allows individuals to give perpetrators a “pass” simply because they believe, or have heard of, instances where someone else was falsely accused. It creates a perverse equation where: Awareness of False Accusations (rare but real) + Liar’s Dividend = Discounting of Genuine Accusations. This isn’t to say we shouldn’t be concerned about false accusations or that due process isn’t essential. However, the pendulum has swung so far for some that the very possibility of a false accusation overshadows the much more prevalent reality of genuine abuse. This skewed perspective creates a shield for abusers, allowing them to hide behind the specter of “false claims” and deflect legitimate accusations. The consequences are devastating: Victim Blaming: Survivors are subjected to intense scrutiny, their credibility questioned, and their trauma re-lived and invalidated. Impunity for Abusers: Perpetrators can escape accountability, free to continue their destructive patterns, knowing that the “false accusation” narrative provides them with a convenient shield. Chilling Effect: Other potential survivors are deterred from coming forward, fearing they will not be believed and will face further trauma in the process. Erosion of Trust: The public’s trust in the justice system and in the ability to protect vulnerable populations is eroded. As a society, we must challenge this dangerous narrative. While […]

The BBC expressed regret over its decision not to cut the live broadcast of punk-rap act Bob Vylan during their Glastonbury set, after the duo’s performance included anti-Israel chants that drew harsh criticism, including from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

The controversy erupted when a member of Bob Vylan led the festival crowd in shouting “Death, death to the IDF,” shortly after the chant “Free, free Palestine.” The Israel Defense Forces were directly targeted in the performance, which was aired live on Saturday, leading to immediate backlash.

Although the BBC displayed a warning during the stream, acknowledging the sensitivity of the content, it admitted on Monday that it had not gone far enough in managing the broadcast.

“The comments were ‘utterly unacceptable and have no place on our airwaves,’” the BBC said in a formal statement.

“The team were dealing with a live situation, but with hindsight, we should have pulled the stream during the performance,” the statement continued. “We regret this did not happen.”

The broadcaster said it plans to review its internal policies regarding live programming to ensure future coverage avoids similar incidents. The Bob Vylan set was also withheld from being posted on the BBC’s on-demand platforms.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer weighed in on the incident, condemning the broadcast. “There is no excuse for this kind of appalling hate speech,” he stated.

“I said that Kneecap should not be given a platform and that goes for any other performers making threats or inciting violence,” Starmer added. “The BBC needs to explain how these scenes came to be broadcast.”

Law enforcement also began examining the incident. Avon and Somerset Police confirmed on Saturday that officers would review available footage “to determine whether any offenses may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation.”

The investigation also includes scrutiny of remarks by the Irish rap group Kneecap, one of whose members performed in a shirt bearing support for the Palestine Action Group, an organization that is reportedly on the verge of being banned under UK terrorism legislation.

Festival organizers condemned Bob Vylan’s remarks and distanced themselves from the rhetoric. “The Glastonbury Festival was ‘appalled’ by the anti-Israel chants in Bob Vylan’s set,” they said in a public statement.

“Their chants very much crossed a line, and we are urgently reminding everyone involved in the production of the festival that there is no place at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech, or incitement to violence,” the organizers added.

Despite some performers expressing anti-Israel views, certain festivalgoers chose to counter that narrative. Amid a sea of flags, a staple of Glastonbury tradition, several attendees raised banners calling attention to the Israeli hostages captured by Hamas during the brutal assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which marked the beginning of the current conflict in Gaza.

{Matzav.com}

State and federal prosecutors have charged more than 320 people and uncovered nearly $15 million in false claims in what they described Monday as the largest coordinated takedown of health care fraud schemes in Justice Department history. Law enforcement seized more than $245 million in cash, luxury vehicles, cryptocurrency, and other assets as prosecutors warned of a growing push by transnational criminal networks to exploit the U.S. health care system. As part of the sweeping crackdown, officials identified perpetrators based in Russia, Eastern Europe, Pakistan, and other countries. “These criminals didn’t just steal someone else’s money. They stole from you,” Matthew Galeotti, who leads the Justice Department’s criminal division, told reporters Monday. “Every fraudulent claim, every fake billing, every kickback scheme represents money taken directly from the pockets of American taxpayers who fund these essential programs through their hard work and sacrifice.” The alleged $14.6 billion in fraud is more than twice the previous record in the Justice Department’s annual health care fraud crackdown. It includes nearly 190 federal cases and more than 90 state cases that have been charged or unsealed since June 9. Nearly 100 licensed medical professionals were charged, including 25 doctors, and the government reported $2.9 billion in actual losses. Among the cases is a $10 billion urinary catheter scheme that authorities say highlights the increasingly sophisticated methods used by transnational criminal organizations. Authorities say the group behind the scheme used foreign straw owners to secretly buy up dozens of medical supply companies and then used stolen identities and confidential health data to file fake Medicare claims. Nineteen defendants have been charged as part of that investigation — which authorities dubbed Operation Gold Rush — including four people arrested in Estonia and seven people arrested at U.S. airports and at the border with Mexico, prosecutors said. The scheme involved the stolen identities and personal information of more one million Americans, according to the Justice Department. “It’s not done by small time operators,” said Dr. Mehmet Oz, who leads the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. “These are organized syndicates who are designing to hurt America.” (AP)

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu issued a strong rebuke on Monday following violent acts by Jewish extremists, including the torching of a military post and a riot outside an army base in the West Bank. The statement came hours after dozens of radical settlers clashed with security forces.

“No civilized country can tolerate violent and anarchic acts such as the burning of a military installation, damage to IDF property, and assaults on security personnel by citizens of the state,” Netanyahu stated in remarks distributed by his office.

He also urged authorities to investigate thoroughly and bring charges against those responsible, referring to them as “rioters.”

Netanyahu made clear that these violent individuals are not reflective of the broader settler population. Instead, he emphasized the positive role that settlers play in Israeli society.

“The settler community is a model and an example of developing the land, meaningful service in the IDF, and contributing to the cultivation of Torah scholars. We will not allow a violent and fanatic few to tarnish an entire community,” the prime minister said.

Defense Minister Israel Katz announced plans to convene an emergency meeting to address the situation and plot a strategy to contain future outbreaks of settler violence.

“This phenomenon must be put to an immediate end. We will take all necessary measures and completely uproot this violence. No one will dare raise a hand against IDF soldiers and members of the security forces,” Katz declared.

However, opposition lawmakers leveled fierce criticism at the government, accusing it of enabling extremism by coddling radical elements within the settler population.

Opposition Leader Yair Lapid bluntly labeled the perpetrators.

“These are Jewish terrorists, a gang of criminals, who feel they have the support of the coalition. Anyone who uses force against IDF soldiers should be dealt with to the fullest extent of the law,” Lapid said in an interview with Army Radio.

National Unity leader Benny Gantz pointed to what he described as the government’s role in undermining Israel’s law enforcement institutions.

“The event we witnessed tonight, which joins a severe wave of additional events, begins with a dangerous tailwind for violence and Jewish terrorism, blowing directly from ministers in the government,” Gantz said.

He added that verbal condemnation is insufficient without concrete measures to reverse the trend.

“From the deliberate weakening of the police, and attacks on the Shin Bet and the IDF instead of on the rioters. Mealymouthed condemnations will not stop the violence — only action will,” Gantz asserted.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar also weighed in, stating unequivocally that violence against the country’s security apparatus is intolerable.

“I strongly condemn the violence against the IDF and security forces. Such incidents are unacceptable and the perpetrators must be punished severely,” he said.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who had criticized IDF troops for their use of live fire against settlers just days earlier, appeared to shift tone, calling the recent actions a serious breach.

“Criminals are criminals are criminals in every place in the country,” he wrote on X.

“Violence against beloved IDF soldiers and the Israel Police and the destruction of property are forbidden and cross a red line,” Smotrich added, urging the police to apprehend those behind the attacks.

He further distanced the broader settler movement from those responsible for the incidents, saying these individuals do not reflect the values of most residents in the West Bank.

Likud lawmaker Avihai Boaron described the violent acts as “apparently illegal behavior,” but attempted to downplay their gravity by characterizing the perpetrators as disaffected youth.

He also pushed back against comparisons between the settlers and Palestinians who engage in stone-throwing attacks.

“A rock is a rock, but the throwing hand is not the same throwing hand — of course the intention is different,” Boaron said, cautioning against labeling extremist settlers as enemies.

The events unfolded overnight between Sunday and Monday, when dozens of Jewish radicals reportedly attacked a security facility and clashed with soldiers near a base in the West Bank. The attack came just days after a settler physically assaulted an IDF officer.

Some participants held signs branding an IDF commander a “traitor,” according to reports.

Military officials said that the rioters attempted to breach the perimeter of the Binyamin Regional Brigade base, hurled rocks, sprayed mace at soldiers, and punctured vehicle tires.

In a separate attack, settlers burned down a high-cost security installation near Ramallah, which the IDF said was key in preventing terror attacks and ensuring safety in the area.

The military warned that destruction of the post “poses a danger to the security of the residents.”

No arrests have yet been reported in connection with the violence. The Shin Bet has launched an investigation into the arson at the security installation.

The group responsible for rioting outside the army base had reportedly been protesting the military’s firing of warning shots at settlers who ambushed a patrol on Friday night — an incident that apparently resulted in a teenage boy being wounded.

Troops and police had been dispatched to an area near Kafr Malik after receiving intelligence that suspects were gathering there. The location had been declared a restricted military zone following an earlier attack by settlers in which three Palestinians were killed by IDF fire. Settlers had repeatedly tried to establish an unauthorized outpost on privately owned Palestinian land.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Iran on Sunday claimed that an Israeli airstrike last week on Tehran’s notorious Evin prison killed at least 71 people, marking what was likely the deadliest single attacks in the recent war between the two countries. The Iranian judiciary spokesperson, Asghar Jahangir, posted the casualty figures on the Mizan news agency’s website, noting that those killed included prison staff, soldiers, inmates, and visiting family members. Iranian authorities did not break down the numbers further or specify how many were wounded. The Washington-based group Human Rights Activists in Iran said its reporting indicated at least 35 staff members and two inmates died, along with others outside the facility, including a woman who had come to speak with a judge about her husband’s case. Jahangir said some of the injured were treated on site while others were taken to local hospitals, but no official count of the wounded was released. The strike on June 23 targeted what Israeli officials described as “regime targets and government repression bodies in the heart of Tehran.” Evin prison has long been notorious for housing political prisoners, journalists, activists, and dissidents. Among those killed in the attack was Iran’s top prosecutor, Ali Ghanaatkar, whose prosecution of prominent dissidents — including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi — had drawn international criticism. The Evin prison strike came as part of a 12-day Israeli military campaign that Israel claims killed around 30 Iranian commanders and 11 nuclear scientists, while hitting eight nuclear facilities and more than 700 other military sites. The status of Iran’s nuclear program remains uncertain. President Donald Trump has insisted that American airstrikes on June 22 “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear capacity, but Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), offered a more cautious assessment on Sunday. Speaking on CBS’s Face the Nation, Grossi acknowledged “severe damage” to Iran’s program but said that its industrial and technological capacities largely remain. “Frankly speaking, one cannot claim that everything has disappeared,” Grossi said, warning that Tehran could restart uranium enrichment “in a matter of months” if it chose to do so. Iran has so far refused to allow IAEA inspectors to assess the full scale of the damage. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday ending U.S. sanctions on Syria, following through on his promise to do so. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the move was designed to “promote and support the country’s path to stability and peace.” Sanctions will remain in place on ousted former President Bashar Assad, his top aides and family. The executive order is meant to “end the country’s isolation from the international financial system, setting the stage for global commerce and galvanizing investments from its neighbors in the region, as well as from the United States,” Treasury’s acting under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, Brad Smith, told reporters on a call Monday morning to preview the administration’s action. The White House posted the text of the order on X after the signing, which was not open to the press. The U.S. granted Syria sweeping exemptions from sanctions in May, which was a first step toward fulfilling the Republican president’s pledge to lift a half-century of penalties on a country shattered by 13 years of civil war. Along with the lifting of economic sanctions, Monday’s executive order lifts the national emergency outlined in an executive order issued by former President George W. Bush in response to Syria’s occupation of Lebanon and pursuit of weapons of mass destruction and missile programs, Treasury officials said. Five other previous executive orders related to Syria were also lifted. Sanctions targeting terrorist groups and manufacturers and sellers of the amphetamine-like stimulant Captagon will remain in place. Trump met with Syria’s interim leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, in Saudi Arabia in May and told him he would lift sanctions and explore normalizing relations in a major policy shift in relations between the U.S. and Syria. “This is another promise made and promise kept,” Leavitt said Monday. The European Union has also followed through with lifting nearly all remaining sanctions on Syria. Still, some restrictions remain in place. The U.S. still designates Syria as a state sponsor of terrorism and the group led by al-Sharaa as a foreign terrorist organization. A State Department official said the department is reviewing those designations. (AP)