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IDF Strikes Syrian Military Targets Near Druze City of Sweida
Dozens Attempt Infiltration from Syria as Israeli Druze Breach Border
IDF Reinforces Syrian Border Amid Sweida Clashes, Druze Unrest
IAF Hits 120 Terror Targets in Gaza as Ground Offensive Continues
IDF Establishes ‘Magen Oz’ Corridor in Southern Gaza to Combat Terror Threats
FM Sa’ar Decries Hypocrisy Of International Community’s Silence On Massacre In Syria
NYC Mayor Says Jewish Comptroller’s Move to Divest from Israel Bonds Was Politically Driven
A dispute over New York City’s pension fund investments has escalated into a political standoff centered on Israel, with Mayor Eric Adams accusing Comptroller Brad Lander of quietly eliminating the city’s holdings in Israel bonds—suggesting the move mirrors the objectives of the anti-Israel BDS movement.
In a letter sent Sunday by First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro, Adams charged that Lander had effectively pulled city pension money out of Israel bonds and demanded full disclosure. The mayor gave Lander a one-week deadline to produce all internal records and communications related to the divestment decision.
Lander, who is Jewish and calls himself a progressive Zionist, fired back in a statement released Monday through The Forward. He acknowledged that the city allowed its Israel bonds to mature without reinvesting, but insisted the move followed standard financial protocols and was not politically motivated.
“The BDS Movement asks investors to treat Israel worse than other countries; I oppose this effort,” Lander wrote. “You appear to be asking that the city’s pension funds treat Israel better than all other countries. That would also be politically motivated, and inconsistent with fiduciary duty.”
The disagreement adds another layer to the already rocky relationship between Adams and Lander, who have repeatedly locked horns over fiscal matters. It also comes as Israel becomes a defining issue in the city’s upcoming mayoral contest.
Lander aligned himself with Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist and staunch opponent of Israel, during the recent ranked-choice Democratic primary. Mamdani, who has long endorsed the BDS campaign, emerged victorious in the nomination race. Adams, a strong pro-Israel voice, is now running as an independent in the general election.
For years, the city’s pension funds maintained tens of millions of dollars in Israel bonds. When Lander assumed office in January 2022, the portfolio included approximately $39 million in such bonds. Since then, he allowed them to expire without purchasing new ones, effectively reducing the investment to nothing.
“This policy appears to target only Israel bonds,” Mastro’s letter stated. “This divestment, occurring amid a global Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign against Israel, appears to be in furtherance of that BDS campaign.”
The letter argued that Israel bonds have historically offered solid financial returns and that exiting those investments meant forfeiting valuable gains for the pension system.
Lander responded by saying the funds still maintain over $315 million in other Israeli-linked assets, mostly common stocks. He added that the original decision to buy Israel bonds lacked proper financial scrutiny and had been driven more by politics than by fiduciary responsibility. He called it “a political decision, not a fiduciary one.”
While New York City is scaling back its involvement in Israel bonds, other governments nationwide are heading in the opposite direction. Several states and municipalities have dramatically increased their investments in Israeli sovereign debt, often citing both strong performance and acceptable risk levels—even when led by officials with clear pro-Israel leanings.
Speculation about Lander’s intent first surfaced in March, when The New York Post ran a story raising concerns about whether his actions were a quiet boycott of Israel, well before this year’s political landscape took shape.
Now, with November’s election drawing closer, the issue is back in the spotlight. Lander’s support for Mamdani is particularly controversial due to the latter’s inflammatory remarks about Israel, including his refusal to denounce the slogan “globalize the intifada,” and his public vow to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visits New York.
Adams has used those statements to paint Mamdani as far outside the mainstream. “I don’t know his fixation with Israel,” Adams said during a recent appearance on the Mo News podcast. “He said, ‘I don’t dislike Jewish people, I just dislike Israel.’ Duh, Jewish people live in Israel.”
As part of his own campaign strategy, Adams has taken multiple steps to reinforce his ties with the city’s Jewish community. These include launching a citywide antisemitism task force and signing an executive order adopting a widely supported definition of antisemitism.
The general election field is growing increasingly crowded. Alongside Adams and Mamdani, candidates include former Governor Andrew Cuomo running as an independent, Republican Curtis Sliwa, and another independent, Jim Walden. With moderates splitting the vote, Mamdani now appears to be the frontrunner in the heavily Democratic electorate.
{Matzav.com}
‘Deeply Shocking’: British Soldiers Dismissed After Sharing Graphic Videos of Hamas On Oct 7
Two members of the British Army have been discharged after they shared disturbing videos showing acts of violence committed by Hamas on October 7, 2023. According to a court transcript from a July 4 hearing at the Bulford Military Court Martial, obtained by the Jerusalem Post, the soldiers were found guilty of violating section 127 of the Communications Act 2003.
Signaller Zakariya Munir, 22, and Signaller Mohammed Salah, 34—both from the 10th Signal Regiment—were sentenced for distributing graphic and violent content. While mitigating factors were considered, the court ultimately concluded that their actions warranted dismissal.
The judge noted that the offenses occurred either on or in the weeks following October 8, 2023. While their online messages on October 7—the day of the Hamas assault—did not raise red flags, the nature of their interactions shifted dramatically the following day.
On October 8, Signaller Munir contacted Signaller Salah and said he had footage from the attack that “they won’t show in the news.”
He then sent a video recorded with a head-mounted camera, showing the faces and bodies of dead soldiers being searched for weapons and their corpses being kicked.
According to the court transcript, Salah forwarded that footage later in the month to others, including fellow military personnel, via WhatsApp.
That same night, Munir messaged Salah again, asking if he wanted to see another clip, which he described as “a bit graphic.” Salah responded, “Yes.”
The second video showed what appeared to be a large number of civilians or unarmed individuals, recently killed, lying in pools of blood.
Sometime later that month, Salah once again forwarded this content to others.
Then, on October 16, Munir sent Salah a third video. This one depicted a group of young men urinating on, stomping on, and kicking the bodies of what appeared to be elderly men whose heads were covered and hands bound. Salah proceeded to share this video as well.
Finally, on October 31, Munir sent Salah another video showing men kneeling in front of armed individuals, who then executed them by shooting them in the back of the head.
The judge described this particular clip as a “deeply shocking video.”
Unlike the previous cases, Salah chose not to circulate this last video. Instead, he reported it.
Reviewing the full sequence of events, the judge emphasized that the videos Munir sent were, in the court’s view, “grossly offensive.”
“They showed offences where people had been killed and their bodies were being violated. It is highly likely that those who were responsible for the killings had committed the offence of murder or related war crimes. The last video sent by Signaller Munir to Signaller Salah, but not forwarded, showed people being murdered and people committing the offence of murder.”
The judge reminded both soldiers that their military oath included a commitment to uphold “the set of values and standards which service personnel adhere to.”
“Although you were private soldiers, there was every opportunity for you to seek advice from your chain of command about what to do with this material once you had received it,” the judge said. “Yet you, Signaller Munir, chose to distribute it further to Signaller Salah, and he distributed it further within the British Army community and outside the Army.”
Drawing a parallel to similar cases of servicemen sharing child abuse content, the judge stated that offenses of this level of severity result in immediate dismissal.
While this particular incident was different, the judge added that it would be “inconceivable to conclude that the distribution of material in this case is not serious enough to warrant dismissal.”
Both soldiers pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The judge noted that had Munir admitted guilt, the outcome might have been different. “If you had pled guilty, Signaller Munir may ‘have a productive military career ahead of you, as suggested by your CO [commanding officer], we have to punish you for what you did.’”
As for Salah, the court acknowledged that the ruling would significantly impact his household. But ultimately, the judge concluded, “the mitigation which your personal circumstances provide, in the absence of any credit for a guilty plea, I am afraid, does not prevent us from dismissing you.”
{Matzav.com Israel}
Russia Pounds Ukrainian Cities as Trump’s 50-Day Ultimatum for Peace Begins Ticking
WHAT’S THE DEAL? Alarming Bruise On Trump’s Hand, Swollen Ankles
President Trump’s recent public appearances have sparked renewed attention to his health, as observers noted both a bruised right hand—appearing to be concealed with makeup—and swollen ankles, adding to growing questions over his physical condition.
The bruise, most recently visible as the president departed the White House en route to an engagement, was captured clearly by photographers. It marks at least the third time in recent months that discoloration has been seen on Trump’s right hand. Close-up images show a thick layer of cosmetic makeup covering the area.
In response, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed concerns, stating: “It’s from shaking hands with thousands of people.” She emphasized that the president, known for high-energy personal interaction, engages in non-stop handshaking during rallies, meetings, and events. “From rallies to meetings to official events, the president greets countless individuals each day. It’s nothing more than the wear and tear of being a hands-on leader,” she said.
President Trump echoed the same explanation in an interview, saying simply, “It’s from shaking hands with thousands of people.”
However, public attention has now shifted to another detail. Photos taken during a recent appearance at the FIFA Club World Cup final in New Jersey show Trump’s ankles appearing visibly swollen, with his shoelaces seemingly loosened to accommodate the puffiness. The images quickly circulated online, prompting widespread speculation.
Social media erupted with reactions, with one user posting, “Trump’s ankles are definitely the craziest thing I’ve seen today.” Another commenter wrote, “That can be a sign of cardiac or BP… sometimes chemo treatments, some medication too.”
Medical experts note that peripheral edema—swelling in the lower extremities—can be caused by numerous factors, especially in older people. These include vascular insufficiency, extended periods of standing, side effects from medications, or more serious conditions like congestive heart failure or kidney issues. The appearance of swelling in combination with the hand bruising has led some commentators to suggest there may be more to the story than the White House is sharing.
Unlike the hand bruise, which was addressed directly by the administration, no official comment has been issued regarding the president’s swollen ankles.
{Matzav.com}
Trump: I’m in No Rush to Talk to Iran
President Donald Trump made it clear on Tuesday that he’s not feeling pressured to initiate talks with Iran, even as the regime signals its interest in renewed discussions with Washington.
“They would like to talk. I’m in no rush to talk because we obliterated their site,” Trump said in Washington, referencing U.S. airstrikes that targeted Iranian nuclear facilities last month.
Trump’s remarks followed a statement from Iran’s foreign ministry the previous day, which clarified that no meeting with the U.S. has been scheduled concerning its nuclear program.
Esmaeil Baqaei, a spokesperson for Iran’s foreign ministry, stated that “no specific date, time, or location” had been arranged for a potential encounter between American and Iranian representatives.
Baqaei also accused Israel and the United States of collaborating in what he termed “military aggression against Iran.” He claimed that Iran has acted “serious in diplomacy and the negotiation process” and had “entered with good faith.”
The possibility of talks between the two countries had been facilitated through Oman, but those efforts stalled following Israel’s June 13 strike on Iranian nuclear sites, which caught Iran by surprise.
Just a week earlier, Trump had appeared alongside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House and suggested that diplomacy with Tehran might be on the horizon.
“We have scheduled Iran talks, and they want to talk,” Trump said. “They’ve requested a meeting and I’m going to go to a meeting, and if we can put something down on paper, that would be fine.”
Baqaei quickly disputed that account, firmly denying that Iran had reached out to request a sit-down with the American government.
Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, also played down any immediate prospects for diplomacy, suggesting that there were still significant concerns to be resolved before any meeting could take place.
“In order for us to decide to reengage, we will have to first ensure that America will not revert back to targeting us in a military attack during the negotiations. And I think with all these considerations, we still need more time,” Araghchi said. Still, he emphasized, “The doors of diplomacy will never slam shut.”
{Matzav.com}
US Sends Third-Country Deportees Under Secrecy To The Small African Kingdom Of Eswatini
House Republicans Confront Georgetown, CUNY, UC Berkeley Over Campus Antisemitism
Wave of Online Attacks Against Rabbi Elchanan Danino Following His Criticism of Government Handling of Hostage Crisis
Rabbi Elchanan Danino, father of hostage Ori Danino Hy”d—who was kidnapped and murdered while in Hamas captivity—has become the target of a storm of online abuse following public remarks he made criticizing the Israeli government’s handling of the hostage crisis.
In a series of harsh posts on social media, Danino was called a “leftist with a yarmulka,” accused of “drawing a salary from Kaplan,” and was even ridiculed as “a rude friend of that lapdog Guetta.” The comments erupted shortly after Rabbi Danino spoke out about his frustration with what he described as cold indifference from senior government figures.
In response, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum released a strong statement defending Rabbi Danino and condemning the attacks. “In recent hours, we have witnessed a disgraceful and revolting barrage of verbal abuse against Rabbi Elchanan Danino, the father of Ori Danino z”l, who was kidnapped on October 7 and murdered in captivity,” the statement read.
The forum continued: “The families of the hostages stand firmly with Rabbi Danino, who—despite his deep pain and loss—continues to exemplify mutual responsibility and the spirit of the Jewish people. He remains committed to the most just of causes: the return of every single hostage. We will not be deterred by orchestrated attempts to incite and spread toxicity. Am Yisrael stands with Rabbi Danino. Am Yisrael stands with the hostages.”
Rabbi Danino’s comments came during a recent interview in which he revealed a chilling exchange that took place in the Prime Minister’s Office, known informally as “the Aquarium.” According to Danino, a senior government official told him, “We can handle another 200 bereaved families.” Rabbi Danino called the comment “bone-chilling” and said that while security agency officials were doing everything they could to bring the hostages home, the attitude inside the cabinet was different: “Once the matter reaches the cabinet and then the Aquarium, it begins to fade.”
He also addressed the recent decision by Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara to indict advisers in the Prime Minister’s Office for allegedly leaking classified materials, which prosecutors claim was intended to manipulate public discourse following the announcement of his son’s murder along with five other hostages.
“That’s one of the most horrifying things I’ve ever heard,” Rabbi Danino said.
{Matzav.com Israel}
EasyJet Delays Return To Israel Until 2026, Citing Regional Tensions
British budget airline EasyJet announced Tuesday that it will not be resuming flights to Israel before March 29, 2026, extending its service halt for what will be more than a year and a half.
According to a report in Globes, this represents the lengthiest suspension period by a foreign airline since the outbreak of hostilities between Israel and Iran.
easyJet had previously aimed to restart flights in June, but repeated flare-ups in the region forced the airline to delay its plans. The decision to stay grounded throughout the winter follows its earlier suspension in the wake of a Houthi missile attack on May 4. The situation further deteriorated with the start of Operation Rising Lion on June 13, a 12-day confrontation with Iran, ultimately eliminating any chance of a summer resumption.
As reported by JNS, customers impacted by the extended suspension are entitled to either a full refund or can rebook on an alternate flight at no additional charge. In the absence of easyJet’s services, Israeli carriers El Al, Arkia, and Israir have taken over popular routes previously served by the airline, including London Luton, Amsterdam, Berlin, Basel, Geneva, and Milan.
Unlike easyJet, several other European carriers have chosen to return to the Israeli market. Air Europa of Spain, Aegean Airlines from Greece, and Poland’s LOT resumed flights to Tel Aviv on Monday. They joined Air France, which had already restarted its route last week.
At the same time, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines opted to prolong its own suspension of service to Israel, citing what it described as the “ongoing security situation.” KLM had briefly resumed operations earlier this year before pausing again.
United Airlines, meanwhile, plans to resume flights from Newark to Tel Aviv next week, a move expected to bring down ticket prices on the popular route. Delta Air Lines is eyeing a September return, while American Airlines remains absent from the Israeli market, having not flown to Tel Aviv since October 2023.
Just last week, the European Aviation Agency officially removed all flight restrictions to Israel. And on Monday, nearly 60,000 travelers passed through Ben-Gurion Airport on 370 international flights—a passenger volume that matches levels seen before the war, according to the Israel Airports Authority.
{Matzav.com}
Yemen Fighters Allied To Exiled Government Claim Seizure Of Tons Of Iranian-Supplied Houthi Weapons
Israel Strikes In Damascus As Clashes Between Government Forces And Druze Groups In Syria Rage On
US, European Countries To Restore UN Sanctions On Iran Next Month Without Progress On A Deal
Watch: 7-Minute Iyun Shiur on Daf Yomi – Avodah Zarah 28
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