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Senior rabbis from the Religious Zionist community issued a public warning on Monday against what they described as deliberate attempts to inflame tensions and sow division between Religious Zionists and the chareidi public, particularly surrounding the ongoing debate over military conscription.

In a letter signed by dozens of rabbis along with bereaved families, the authors cautioned that outside interests are exploiting the sensitive issue of the draft to pit one sector against another. “In recent times, parties with vested interests are trying to stir conflict between different groups in Israeli society, including between the chareidi public and the national camp,” the letter states.

The rabbis acknowledged that disagreements exist, including within the Religious Zionist camp itself, but stressed that these differences must not become a source of internal fracture. “It is no secret that there are ideological gaps and disagreements on the issue of conscription between different streams within the national camp,” they wrote, adding, “We will continue to discuss and argue, but we will do so as loving brothers.”

They further warned that political maneuvering around the draft issue could have broader consequences, cautioning that “the attempt to dismantle the national camp and the right-wing government under the pretext of the ‘draft law’ is falling into a trap.”

Alongside the warning, the rabbis voiced support for the proposed draft legislation, saying that in its current form it has the potential to significantly increase enlistment from the chareidi sector. They wrote that the bill could result in “triple the number of chareidim being drafted into the IDF in a way that will ease the burden on reserve soldiers and strengthen the IDF.”

The letter described chareidi backing for the legislation as a rare opportunity, stating, “The chareidi agreement to the law is a historic opportunity that must not be missed.” The rabbis concluded by expressing support for political leadership on the right, saying, “We strengthen the hands of the leaders of the camp to continue leading the right-wing government for many more years.”

{Matzav.com}

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Indonesia is expected to become the first country to deploy troops to the International Stabilization Force (ISF), a multinational mission tasked with overseeing aspects of security and stabilization in Gaza during the second phase of the ceasefire, according to Kan News. The report said Indonesia will be the first nation to move beyond general pledges […]

Iran could agree to dilute its stockpile of uranium enriched to 60 percent in exchange for the lifting of sanctions related to its nuclear program, according to comments made Monday by Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran. Speaking to reporters, Eslami said Tehran is open to reducing its highly enriched uranium […]

Israel Police are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Amitai Gonen, an 11-year-old boy from Shilo–Shvut Rachel, who has been missing since Monday afternoon.

According to police, Amitai left school in Ofra at approximately 1:30 p.m. and was last seen in the area of the Ofra hitchhiking point. Since then, contact with him has been lost and his whereabouts remain unknown. Searches are currently ongoing in the Binyamin region.

Amitai is described as approximately 1.35 meters (4 feet 5 inches) tall, with a slim build, light complexion with freckles, light brown hair, and blue eyes. At the time he was last seen, he was reportedly wearing a light brown hoodie and matching light brown pants.

Anyone with information regarding Amitai’s location, or who may have seen him, is urged to contact the Israel Police emergency center by dialing 100, or to call the Binyamin police station at 02-970-6444.

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s state-owned defense firm Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) marked a major milestone Monday with the delivery of its 350th set of fighter jet wings to Lockheed Martin for use in the production of F-35 aircraft. The announcement highlights Israel’s expanding role in the global supply chain for the advanced stealth fighter, which has become a […]

CIA moves to speed up access to new technology amid China race •⁠ ⁠The CIA announced a new acquisition framework designed to cut red tape and speed up access to breakthrough technologies. •⁠ ⁠The agency says the move will help it deploy innovative tools faster as it competes with China. •⁠ ⁠CIA Deputy Director Michael […]

House passes bipartisan housing bill as Trump targets affordability concerns The House passed bipartisan legislation aimed at expanding affordable housing supply, as President Trump focuses on lowering housing costs nationwide. •⁠ ⁠The bill streamlines federal housing programs and reduces regulatory barriers to encourage new home construction. •⁠ ⁠Lawmakers said the measure is designed to increase […]

All New York DMV offices are temporarily closing this week for a ‘much-needed’ upgrade. The closure will take place from February 13 to February 18.

Earlier today, the U.S. Southern Command struck a vessel involved in drug trafficking in the Eastern Pacific. Two suspects were killed in the operation, and one survivor was rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard.

On the hills of Givat Ze’ev, Givat Hashalvah is being developed around a goal many frum families feel strongly about. Life in Eretz Yisroel should come with dignity, pride, and a standard that reflects who we are and what we value. That mindset guides the project from the quality of construction to the shared spaces designed to support […]

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has advanced his scheduled meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump to this week in order to deliver a detailed, in-person briefing on Israel’s latest intelligence regarding Iran, according to a report by Channel 12. The Israeli outlet reported that Netanyahu intends to personally present Trump with the same intelligence assessment […]

Federal judge blocks California law forcing ICE agents to remove masks •⁠ ⁠A federal judge blocked California laws that would require federal ICE agents to remove face coverings during enforcement operations. •⁠ ⁠The laws, signed by Gavin Newsom, were set to take effect January 1, 2026, but enforcement was paused while the court reviewed a […]

Sec. of War Pete Hegseth visited the General Dynamics Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine, where America’s warships are built.

Six waterfowl hunters were rescued from an ice-choked Maryland river after their disabled boat left them stranded.

Trump on Fed Chair nominee Kevin Warsh: “If our new head of the Fed — who I think is going to be great, and he’s a really high-quality person — but if he does the job that he’s capable, we can grow at 15%. I think more than that.”

Israel’s Chief Rabbi, Rav Kalman Meir Bar, took part Monday in the 15th Conference of Religious Leaders in Israel, held in Nazareth, where senior figures from multiple faiths gathered to discuss shared challenges, promote unity, and coordinate efforts to combat extremism and violence.

The conference, organized by the Interior Ministry and its Department for Religious Communities, was held at the Golden Crown Hotel in Nazareth and focused this year on the theme “From Polarization to Unity,” with an emphasis on strengthening social cohesion, advancing peace, and confronting evil.

During the proceedings, Rav Bar played a central role in interfaith discussions with religious leaders, focusing on the responsibility of spiritual leadership to reduce polarization in Israeli society and to foster coexistence and peace. He also participated in a dedicated working group that examined the impact of polarization on public life and explored practical ways to address it.

Addressing the gathering, Rav Bar said: “This gathering of religious leaders is important both practically and symbolically. We must use the power we have as religious leaders to promote peace and goodness in the world — not only in matters that directly affect us.”

He continued by pointing to global conflicts and humanitarian crises. “If a war in Ukraine has claimed the lives of nearly a million people, we have an obligation to speak out clearly. And if there are other places of suffering, hunger, and evil, it is our duty to raise a clear and unambiguous voice. Not only to issue statements, but also to advance initiatives, partnerships, and concrete actions to increase goodness and eradicate evil in the world.”

Rav Bar stressed that the very act of convening carried an important message. “Judaism is not an enemy of Christianity or Islam. On the contrary. Judaism is a religion of peace, especially when it comes to other faiths that believe in one God. We are all children of one Father. And precisely when there are those who try to ignite a religious war by distorting religion and using it to justify terror and the harming of innocents, we declare loudly: there is no religious war between Judaism and Islam. On the contrary. There is brotherhood and peace — and above all, a shared mission to eradicate evil, fight it, and promote goodness and peace for all who live in this land.”

Interior Ministry Director-General Israel Uzan also addressed the conference, emphasizing the influence of religious leadership. “The heads of religions and communities in Israel have a central role and significant ability to promote values of unity, tolerance, peace, and shared living. Meetings between religious leaders, based on open and respectful dialogue, are an important pillar in strengthening social cohesion and building a more united and healthy society. We will continue to reinforce this area in the Interior Ministry by advancing meetings, dialogue, and cooperation, viewing religious leaders as key partners in shared responsibility and in preserving the fabric of life in Israel.”

The conference concluded with a formal signing ceremony of a joint declaration by the religious leaders, read aloud in Hebrew, Arabic, and English, expressing a shared commitment to social unity, interfaith dialogue, and the advancement of peace.

Among the participants were Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III, Latin Patriarch Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the head of the Greek Catholic Church, Druze spiritual leader and chairman of the Supreme Druze Council Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif, Muslim Sharia Court of Appeals judge Dr. Iyad Zahalka, Interior Ministry Director-General Israel Uzan, Emir Mohammed Sharif, and representatives of Israel’s various religious communities.

{Matzav.com}

Sec. of War Pete Hegseth: “We’ve gone nine months with zero crossings at our Southern Border.”

Hakeem Jeffries avoids question when asked if he will allow the Dems to vote for a short-term CR and avoid another Democrat Shutdown.

Secretary Burgum: “President Trump’s economic policies are working, whether it’s energy dominance… or whether it’s his tariffs. Everything that [critics] were concerned about—that they thought was going to be an issue—has turned out to not be.”