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Amid ongoing security tensions and major disruptions to international air travel, a dramatic logistical operation was launched to bring dozens of kosher slaughter teams back to Israel from South America in time for Pesach, following a directive from a leading rabbinic authority.

The decision was made by Rav Shlomo Machpud, a member of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah and head of the Badatz Yoreh De’ah kashrus organization, who ordered the creation of a special airlift to ensure that no member of the shechitah teams would be left stranded abroad for the Yom Tov.

Under normal circumstances, the weeks leading up to Nissan represent the busiest period in the kosher meat industry, with large quantities of meat prepared for distribution to hundreds of thousands of families in Israel. Shechitah operations typically run around the clock in South America to meet the demand.

This year, however, the war and widespread flight disruptions turned routine operations into a complex logistical challenge. Dozens of kashrus personnel working across Uruguay, Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil, and Chile faced growing uncertainty about how they would return home as Pesach approached, with flights being canceled and air travel systems under heavy strain.

Faced with this dilemma, Badatz leadership considered two difficult options: either halt shechitah operations early and attempt to return the teams via indirect routes—risking shortages in meat supply—or continue working and risk leaving dozens of staff members overseas for Pesach, separated from their families.

The matter was brought before Rav Machpud, who, after reviewing the situation, rejected both options and instead charted a third course. He instructed that a dedicated aircraft be chartered to collect all team members and transport them safely back to Israel.

The initiative, which carries a cost estimated in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, was accompanied by a clear directive that the expense should not be passed on to the public and that the Yom Tov of the workers must not be compromised. “The responsibility is to bring each person home,” the rav emphasized.

Once the decision was made, the Badatz headquarters effectively became a command center coordinating the operation. A plane was secured and positioned in Madrid, chosen as a central hub for connecting flights from South America. Teams began making their way there via complex travel routes, with careful coordination to ensure timing and logistics aligned. Accommodations were arranged in nearby hotels to allow the workers to rest while awaiting departure.

In a further step reflecting responsibility toward the broader kashrus world, instructions were given that if space remained on the flight, priority would be extended to kashrus personnel from other organizations who were also stranded abroad. In addition, contingency plans were put in place for those unable to reach Madrid in time, arranging for them to spend Pesach within the Jewish community of Gibraltar under proper conditions.

Overseeing the operation on the ground is Dayan Rav Binayahu Machpud, son of the Gaavad and head of overseas shechitah operations, who is personally managing the coordination to ensure that each team member’s needs are addressed swiftly and efficiently.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) filed three joint resolutions of disapproval on Thursday targeting U.S. arms sales to Israel.

The resolutions set up another test of Democratic support for Israel, after a record 27 senators tied to the Democratic caucus voted in favor of a similar Sanders resolution last summer to halt the sale of tens of thousands of automatic assault rifles to Israel amid the Jewish state’s war against the Hamas terror organization.

The Thursday filings address the $658 million in munitions sales the Trump administration approved for Israel during the countries’ joint war against Iran.

Sens. Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Jeff Merkley (Ore.) co-sponsored the resolutions.

“Given the horrific destruction that Israel’s extremist government has wrought on Gaza, Iran and Lebanon, the last thing in the world that American taxpayers need to do right now is to provide 22,000 new bombs to the Netanyahu government,” Sanders stated. “No more weapons to support an illegal war.”

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has five calendar days to consider the resolutions. Following that period, the cosponsors can force a full floor vote to discharge the resolutions from committee and bring them to a final up-or-down vote.

Republicans are expected to oppose the resolutions, with the possibility of Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) as an exception.

Earlier this month, the Trump administration notified Congress of an emergency sale of large bombs to Israel, bypassing congressional review and authorization. JNS

{Matzav.com}

Gasoline prices across the United States continued climbing this month, even as the Trump administration introduced a series of measures aimed at easing the burden on consumers. Analysts caution, however, that these steps are unlikely to bring immediate relief.

By Wednesday, the national average price for a gallon of regular gas had climbed past $3.84, marking the highest level since September 2023. AAA data showed that overnight prices rose another four cents, reaching $3.884. Diesel prices have remained elevated as well, holding above the $5 mark per gallon.

According to Patrick De Haan, GasBuddy’s head of petroleum analysis, the country has just experienced the sharpest four-week increase in gasoline prices ever recorded, with costs jumping by approximately 97 cents.

State-by-state data from AAA indicates that since Sunday alone, average prices for regular gasoline have risen by as much as 38 cents in some areas. Since the beginning of the month, several states have seen increases exceeding $1 per gallon.

As of Thursday, eight states reported average gas prices above $4 per gallon, an increase from six states just one week earlier.

Another group of states — Idaho, Florida, and Michigan — along with Washington, D.C., are now within ten cents of crossing the $4 threshold.

California, Washington, and Hawaii remain the only states where average gas prices have already surpassed $5 per gallon. Oregon is approaching that level, sitting roughly 30 cents below it.

Oklahoma continues to have the lowest average price in the country, with a gallon of regular gas costing $3.243 as of Thursday. Even there, prices have risen by nearly 20 cents compared to last week.

While current prices are high, they have not yet reached the historic peaks seen in 2022. During that summer, every state recorded averages above $4.49 per gallon, with California topping out at $6.438, according to AAA.

Washington state is currently closest to matching its 2022 record of $5.555 per gallon. As of Thursday, its statewide average stands at $5.145. In the remaining 44 states, prices would need to climb by at least another dollar to approach their previous highs.

{Matzav.com}

A senior official with the Transportation Security Administration cautioned on Thursday that the growing congestion at airport security lines across the country is expected to intensify, as the ongoing Department of Homeland Security shutdown continues to strain staffing levels.

Speaking with NewsNation’s Blake Burman, Acting Deputy TSA Administrator Adam Stahl said smaller airports in particular may soon face temporary shutdowns of security operations due to increasing employee absences.

“As this goes on without any sort of resolution from Congress, particularly from Senate Democrats, our folks will continue to call out,” Stahl said during an appearance on “The Hill.”

He explained that limited staffing at smaller airports leaves little margin for disruption, raising the likelihood of partial closures.

“And so again, small airports may be particularly impacted because they have fewer lanes and they have fewer people, and so, if a certain three or four out of 10 employees call out, we may, to ensure we’re not degrading security, we may have to temporarily suspend operations at those airports,” he continued.

Stahl declined to specify how widespread such disruptions could become, noting that conditions differ from one airport to another.

“It will vary very much airport to airport,” he said. “Callout rates are one of many factors that help to inform our security footprint at every single airport, but again I can tell you, this is going to get worse before it gets better, particularly if we don’t have a resolution within the coming days and weeks.”

Travelers nationwide are already encountering extended wait times at checkpoints, as a growing number of TSA agents either call out or leave their positions amid the prolonged shutdown.

Since the shutdown began in mid-February, more than 360 TSA employees have resigned, according to DHS figures. Absentee rates have also surged, surpassing 50 percent in Houston and reaching 30 percent in both New Orleans and Atlanta earlier this week.

The staffing crunch has already forced the closure of several security checkpoints, including at major hubs such as Philadelphia International Airport.

Stahl urged passengers to plan accordingly, advising them to “show up early” and stay informed through updates from their airlines and local airports.

The DHS shutdown has now entered its fifth week, with no apparent breakthrough between Democrats and Republicans on restoring funding to the agency.

{Matzav.com}

In the days leading up to the war with Iran, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was reportedly briefed on an assessment indicating that the Iranian regime might be vulnerable to collapse, according to a report aired Thursday night on Keshet 12’s “Uvda.”

The report stated that during confidential discussions before the launch of the military campaign, Mossad director David 20 presented senior officials with the view that successfully carrying out Israel’s operational plans could ultimately pave the way for regime change in Iran.

According to sources familiar with the discussions, Barnea argued that striking key pillars of the regime—including its leadership, governing structures, and enforcement apparatus—could significantly weaken its grip on power and open the door to a broader internal shift.

He further maintained that once the regime is shaken militarily, intelligence coordination between Israel and the United States could help bring about a decisive outcome. This, he suggested, would involve encouraging widespread public demonstrations inside Iran and supporting the emergence of an alternative leadership to take control.

Speaking publicly Thursday evening, Netanyahu laid out the central aims of the ongoing campaign against Iran. “Our goals are three. One, removing the nuclear threat. Second, removing the ballistic missile threat and removing both of these threats before they’re buried deep underground and become immune from aerial attack. And third, this means creating the conditions for the Iranian people to grasp their freedom, to control their destiny.”

He also described what he characterized as significant progress on the battlefield. “Iran today has no capability to enrich uranium, and it has no ability to produce ballistic missiles. We continue to dismantle these capabilities. We will crush them completely, to dust.”

At the same time, Netanyahu cautioned that the internal outcome within Iran remains uncertain and depends on the actions of its citizens. “It is too early to say whether the Iranian people will seize the conditions we are creating for them to take to the streets… It will depend entirely on them.”

{Matzav.com}

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At a special tefillah gathering held Thursday night in Bnei Brak in response to the ongoing situation, Maran Rav Dov Landau delivered a message of chizuk, calling on the public to strengthen their commitment to Torah learning and prayer, while also emphasizing the importance of maintaining a calm, supportive, and even uplifting atmosphere at home.

Opening his remarks, Rav Landau described the current moment as one of danger, while also pointing to the clear Divine protection being witnessed. He said, “It is a time of distress for Yaakov, but from it we will be saved. The Jewish people are in a מצב of war, and the dangers are great—Hashem should protect us. Baruch Hashem, we are seeing great miracles, and the Ribbono Shel Olam is saving us from their hands.”

He explained that the gathering, held in a community known for its strong dedication to learning and prayer—especially during bein hazmanim—was meant to serve as a moment of collective tefillah and reflection. He added, “According to the natural order, there is no logic to being saved from so many cruel and dangerous enemies. There is no doubt that Torah protects and saves, along with prayer to the Creator, and faith that everything Hashem does is for the good.”

Turning to the challenges of this time of year, Rav Landau spoke about the pressures of bein hazmanim and the busy days leading up to Pesach, noting that this period can lead to a weakening in consistent learning, particularly for avreichim with young children at home. He said, “These are the days of bein hazmanim, and a time of pre-Pesach pressures, and it can bring a certain weakening in Torah learning—especially when young children are home, making it difficult for many to find uninterrupted time to learn.”

Despite these challenges, he stressed that each individual must take responsibility to ensure that learning continues. “Every avreich must reflect and find a time when he can sit and learn, and according to the effort is the reward. It is extremely important that not even a single day passes without Torah learning.”

He emphasized that the need for Torah is even greater during such times, while also reminding listeners to remain attentive to their families. “The Jewish people need our Torah now more than ever. But at the same time, one must be attentive to the needs of the home and the difficulties family members are experiencing, helping as needed and caring for the children, who are also going through an unusual and stressful time and may have fears.”

Rav Landau placed particular focus on the home environment, encouraging warmth and positivity. “Each person must create a pleasant and positive atmosphere at home. One can share light, sharp thoughts—even a bit of humor—and even sing at home. The main thing is to act with patience and create a calm environment.”

He also urged parents to set aside time to learn with their children. “It is very important to establish a set time to learn with the children, so that they remain connected to Torah, and the Torah of young children has great value.”

Addressing yeshiva bochurim, he noted that their responsibility is even greater, while also reminding them of their obligation to honor their parents. “Yeshiva students are not burdened in the same way, and therefore their obligation to be immersed in Torah is even greater—each one according to what his heart desires to learn. At the same time, they have the mitzvah of honoring their parents, and these days provide an opportunity to fulfill that mitzvah properly, with respect and with a good spirit.”

He concluded by calling for serious and heartfelt prayer, stressing that it must be said with focus and sincerity. “We need a great deal of prayer from the depths of the heart, that the Ribbono Shel Olam should have mercy on us and save us from all decrees and enemies. One must pray seriously, with proper intent, and not treat it as a burden. Even the additional Tehillim being said now must be recited with sincerity and heartfelt pleading for mercy.”

He also warned against treating the situation lightly. “There is an obligation to be careful and to protect oneself from danger, and not to treat the situation with dismissal or lightheadedness.”

Rav Landau concluded with a heartfelt tefillah that Klal Yisroel should soon see salvation, return to calm, and merit celebrating the upcoming Yom Tov with peace and joy.