An Israeli High Court hearing on Thursday placed a spotlight on the government’s handling of budget transfers to chareidi educational institutions, after the state acknowledged that the overwhelming majority of the funds in question were moved improperly.
During the session, state attorney Neta Oren conceded that about 90 percent of the one billion shekels transferred was not carried out in accordance with legal requirements. She told the court that the transfer followed established procedures, saying that “there is such a practice” of moving funds in this manner. Justice Yael Wilner rejected that explanation, replying, “This is not legal.”
Justice Wilner also questioned the legal basis for the timing of the transfers, noting that most of the money appeared to have been moved before approval by the Knesset Finance Committee. Turning to the state’s representative, she asked pointedly, “By what authority?”
Earlier in the hearing, Justice Wilner sharply criticized the Knesset’s representative for failing to present the Finance Committee protocol, underscoring its importance by stating, “The protocol is the heart of the matter”.
The petition was filed by the Yesh Atid party, which argued that the funds were directed to chareidi institutions that do not teach core curriculum subjects and are not subject to state supervision, in violation of existing law.
Separately, Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara informed the court on Wednesday that she supports lifting the interim order that froze the transfer. She added that if it is ultimately determined that money was allocated to institutions that fail to meet the required criteria, the sums could be offset or deducted at a later stage.
{Matzav.com}
Israel’s Health Ministry renewed its call for vaccinations and caution around outbreaks after reporting another fatality linked to measles, bringing the total number of deaths from the disease to 13. Most of those who have died were infants who had been otherwise healthy but had not received the measles vaccine.
Health officials stressed the importance of early intervention, saying: “Timely medical treatment upon the onset of symptoms or suspicion of infection saves lives.”
The ministry reiterated that measles can be prevented through a safe and effective vaccine, which is routinely recommended for children at ages one and six. In regions experiencing outbreaks, the second dose is advised at 18 months, and vaccination is recommended even for infants between 6 and 11 months old.
The latest case involved an 11-month-old baby who had no prior medical conditions but had not been vaccinated. The infant’s condition deteriorated rapidly after contracting measles-related complications.
Hospital officials said the baby was transferred on Wednesday from another medical facility to Hadassah Medical Center in critical condition. Upon arrival, the infant was placed on an ECMO machine, with the pediatric intensive care unit team working intensively for several hours in an effort to stabilize her.
Despite those efforts, the baby succumbed to the illness on Thursday evening. In a statement released afterward, the medical center said, “We share in the family’s sorrow.”
In light of the ongoing outbreak, the Health Ministry advised unvaccinated individuals, as well as parents of infants who received only a single early dose, to avoid large gatherings in affected areas due to the heightened risk of infection.
{Matzav.com}
Moscow on Thursday issued a sharp rejection of a US- and Europe-backed proposal tied to efforts to end the war in Ukraine, a move that threatens to derail President Trump’s attempt to broker a settlement.
In a statement, Russia’s Foreign Ministry warned that the initiative being advanced by Washington and its allies would deepen confrontation rather than calm it. “The new militarist declarations of the so-called Coalition of the Willing and the Kyiv regime are forming a true axis of war,” the ministry said. “Its participants’ plans are becoming increasingly more dangerous and destructive for the future of the European continent and its residents, who are also forced by Western politicians to pay for such ambitions out of their own pockets.”
Russian officials argued that the plan envisions a sustained Western military footprint in Ukraine after any ceasefire. “Its core element is the deployment of ‘a multinational force’ on Ukrainian territory that the coalition will have to form to contribute to the ‘rebuilding’ of the Ukrainian armed forces and ‘support deterrence’ following the cessation of the hostilities,” the ministry added.
According to Moscow, the broader framework offers little in the way of genuine reconciliation. “The document turned out to be extremely far from a peace settlement. The declaration is not aimed at achieving a lasting peace and security but rather at continuing the militarization, escalation and further conflict aggravation,” the ministry claimed.
The Russian response followed a meeting in Paris earlier this week, where Trump’s peace envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, joined European leaders in endorsing a five-point addendum focused on postwar security guarantees for Ukraine. That package outlines “critical long term military assistance” to Kyiv, the creation of a “European-led” multinational peacekeeping force, continued arms support, and the threat of renewed sanctions “in the case of a future armed attack by Russia,” along with “mutually beneficial defence cooperation with Ukraine.”
The addendum is tied to a broader 20-point peace proposal intended to halt the fighting. Should the security guarantees be turned down — a condition Ukraine has demanded — the entire framework for ending the conflict could collapse.
Russia also rejected the continuation of Trump’s Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List, or PURL, which enables European countries to purchase US-manufactured weapons for delivery to Ukraine as a deterrent against future aggression. “The document also includes clauses on further consolidation of Ukraine’s and NATO’s military industrial sectors,” the Foreign Ministry said.
Officials in Moscow contend that the overall approach would effectively grant Ukraine NATO-style protections without formal membership, locking in Western influence while, in their view, leaving Russia vulnerable.
In a separate section of its statement, the Foreign Ministry criticized the recent US seizure of the Bella 1 oil tanker, later renamed the Marinera while flying a Russian flag. Moscow said the action violated international maritime law and endangered freedom of navigation. “The use of force in international waters against a civilian vessel can only be interpreted as a gross violation of fundamental principles and norms,” the ministry said. “… This constitutes a material infringement of the legitimate rights and interests of the vessel owner.”
Russian officials further alleged that Trump’s directives in the matter could trigger serious international tensions and erode established maritime standards.
Washington, however, maintains that the seizure was lawful, noting that the United States is not a party to the UN maritime convention and asserting that the vessel was taken for breaching a US blockade on Venezuelan oil ports.
{Matzav.com}
Tiveria was roiled this week by a heated public controversy following a sharply worded letter from Rav Dov Kook in which he condemned public Shabbos desecration at the Chof Gai complex.
The letter called on chareidi organizations to immediately cancel vacations and Shabbos programs at the site, triggering widespread reaction across the Torah and chassidic worlds.
The issue came to a head with a prestigious and meticulously planned “Shabbos Negidim” scheduled to take place at the location under the leadership of the well-known mashpia, Rav Elimelech Biderman. The organizers, who had finalized arrangements already the previous winter, suddenly found themselves facing a major crisis.
As soon as Rav Biderman became aware of Rav Kook’s protest, he instructed unequivocally and without hesitation: “Cancel the Shabbos.” The directive was issued despite the enormous financial fallout involved—losses estimated at roughly half a million shekels in sunk costs and guarantees—absorbed entirely for the sake of kavod Shabbos.
In light of the severe losses, the organizers turned to close talmidim of Rav Kook: Rav Moshe Chaim Schneider, head of Machon Sifsei Kohen, and Rav Yaakov Brizel. Together with the rov of Tiberias, Rabbi Yigal Mamlia, they undertook a thorough, on-the-ground investigation to determine the precise facts.
The inquiry revealed a materially different picture from what had initially been assumed. Investigators established that the hotel and the adjacent water park operate as two entirely separate entities, both legally and administratively. While the water park does indeed operate on Shabbos—forming the basis for Rav Kook’s original protest—the hotel itself fully observes Shabbos, operates in accordance with halacha, and is under the stringent kashrus supervision of the city’s rav. It was further confirmed that there is complete physical separation between the two facilities, with no access or functional connection between the hotel and the park.
Armed with these findings, the heads of Machon Sifsei Kohen returned to Rav Kook and presented the clarified facts. After hearing the full account and understanding that the hotel conducts itself with strict Shabbos observance, Rav Kook issued a directive: “Immediately contact Rav Elimelech Biderman and ask him not to cancel the Shabbos.”
Rav Kook explained that he had no desire to cause financial harm—directly or indirectly—to individuals or businesses that are meticulous in Shabbos observance and have no involvement whatsoever in the Shabbos desecration at the water park.
Rav Kook followed up by sending a personal letter to the benefactors and organizers of the Shabbos. In the letter, he expressed regret over the initial misunderstanding, praised their unwavering commitment and self-sacrifice in standing up for the honor of Shabbos, and offered heartfelt brachos for continued success in all their endeavors.
{Matzav.com}
