At Sunday’s meeting of the Ministerial Committee for Legislation, ministers debated a controversial bill that would require all senior public officials to step down at the end of a government’s term. The bill, proposed by MK Tzvika Fogel of the Otzma Yehudit party, has sparked intense political discussion, particularly among ministers seeking greater alignment between elected leadership and high-level government appointees.
Minister Amichai Shikli described the proposal as “a very serious bill,” noting that it mirrors a model used in the United States—“only there, it involves thousands of positions, not just a few.” He drew a comparison to military planning: “In the IDF, there’s a concept called ‘mission planner identity.’ You can’t execute a mission unless you’re the one who planned it.”
Expanding on this idea, Shikli argued that certain top officials—including the IDF Chief of Staff and legal advisors—often hold views opposed to the policies of the elected government. “This creates a built-in partnership with people who resist the direction the government wants to take,” he said. “We saw this during the war, with a number of key figures. Let’s not name names now, but their behavior influenced decisions both in military operations and in the legal arena.”
Minister of Diaspora Affairs Shikli continued, “What we’re witnessing is paralysis across many areas of government—whether in defense or in legal proceedings. This bill, especially with the two-thirds override clause, is one of the most important I’ve seen. We must push it forward to ensure the elected government can implement its policies, not be blocked by unelected officials.”
Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi echoed this stance. “In my view, this is an extremely important bill. I’d even expand it beyond the eight positions currently included. And honestly, I think the two-thirds clause is unnecessary.”
Karhi gave an example: “Take the Attorney General. When this government took office, she wasn’t part of that two-thirds. So sometimes the bill would succeed, and sometimes someone opposing the government would stay in place. These are people the government doesn’t trust, who work to undermine its policies.”
He added, “This is about democracy. If the people elect their leaders at the ballot box, why should unelected bureaucrats—appointed by the previous administration—stay in place for an entire term? The public needs to know that when we say we’ll replace those officials, we mean it—and they’ll get to decide at the polls.”
Karhi then directly addressed Deputy Attorney General Gil Limon, who attended the closed-door discussion. “What’s undemocratic about this? What’s unconstitutional? The reality is that bureaucrats appointed by past governments want to hold on to power indefinitely. And when we try to remove them, it turns into chaos, with High Court petitions and legal wrangling. This system protects itself. It’s time to change that.”
“We’re demanding that the people regain the power to elect their representatives and empower them to carry out their policies,” Karhi declared. “This bill is just one more step toward restoring Israel as both a Jewish and democratic state.”
Shikli closed the discussion with a sharp example: “Let’s say the prime minister decides—based on strategic defense concerns—to initiate a strike on Iran. As we’ve seen in past governments, if the Chief of Staff and senior defense officials are opposed, they can effectively sabotage the plan. That’s not acceptable in a democracy.”
{Matzav.com}Israeli journalist and activist Yisroel Frey, known for his radical left-wing views, will be transferred to house arrest on Sunday after spending the weekend in custody as a security detainee.
Frey came under investigation for allegedly endorsing terrorism and inciting violence following a social media post in which he applauded the deaths of five IDF soldiers during combat operations in Gaza.
Authorities requested that Frey remain under house arrest for two weeks. As part of his release conditions, he was also required to post bail and will be prohibited from leaving Israel for the next 180 days.
Last Thursday, Judge Ravit Peleg of the Tel Aviv Magistrates’ Court ordered an extension of Frey’s detention. Acting on instructions from Israel Prisons Service Commissioner Kobi Yaakobi, officials classified Frey as a security risk, holding him in a high-security detention center.
During the court proceedings, Judge Peleg strongly condemned Frey’s comments, saying: “These things hurt the public’s feelings and are outrageous. How can the death of young men, soldiers, who were killed in the line of duty defending the country, be a good thing?”
Later in the session, she also questioned whether the circumstances truly met the legal standard for the charges he faced, noting: “If the published details align with the legislator’s intent regarding the offense attributed to the suspect, this, in light of the prosecution’s remarks, as indicated by the prosecutor’s statement that this is a borderline case.”
The controversial post at the heart of the case read: “The world is better this morning, without the five young men who participated in one of the most brutal crimes against humanity. Unfortunately, for the child in Gaza who is now being operated on without anesthetics, for the girl starving to death, and the family crammed into a tent under the bombs, it is not enough. This is a call to every Israeli mother: don’t be the next to receive your son in a coffin as a war criminal. Refuse this.”
His words drew fierce backlash from across Israel’s political landscape. Public figures from both the right and the left denounced his statement, and multiple complaints were filed with law enforcement, accusing Frey of incitement and encouraging draft refusal.
{Matzav.com Israel}
The world of kashrus and the Yemenite community mourns the passing of the noted shochet and talmid chochom, Rabbi Menachem Shuker zt”l, who was niftar today at the age of 80.
Rabbi Shuker was one of the distinguished rabbanim of the Yoreh Deah kashrus organization, under the leadership of the Gaavad, Rav Shlomo Machpud. For decades, he served with unwavering dedication, ensuring the kashrus of Jewish homes. He led teams of shochtim with both strength and humility, teaching the laws of shechitah with exceptional clarity and known widely for his refined character and personal nobility.
Born in Yemen on the 16th of Teves 5705, Rabbi Shuker was the son of Rabbi Suliman and Mrs. Zakiya Shuker. Upon reaching marriageable age, he wed his wife Penina and together they built a home founded on Torah and yiras Shomayim.
For over fifty years, he served as a shochet u’bodek, impacting generations with his halachic precision, yiras Shomayim, and deep sense of responsibility. Even as his health declined in recent months, he accepted his suffering with bitachon.
He leaves behind a proud legacy of dor yesharim mevorach. Among his surviving family is his brother, Rabbi Asher Shuker, chairman of the Religious Council in Rosh HaAyin and a member of the Petach Tikvah city council.
The levayah was held tonight at his home at 21 Rimon Street in Bnei Brak, proceeding to the Segulah Cemetery in Petach Tikvah for kevurah.
Yehi zichro boruch.
{Matzav.com Israel}
An Egyptian source involved in brokering talks between Israel and Hamas, with Qatar and Egypt serving as mediators, voiced strong objections to Israel’s proposed changes to its military operations in Gaza.
Speaking to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, the Egyptian official expressed sharp opposition to Israel’s continued military deployment throughout the Rafah region and criticized Israel’s idea of setting up a massive encampment there for displaced Palestinians.
“This would create a human bomb at the Egyptian border, which would pose a clear threat to Egypt’s national security,” he warned.
The official further pointed out that Cairo has repeatedly cautioned Israel in the past about breaching the Camp David Accords. In light of what Egypt considers to be one-sided violations by Israel, Cairo has bolstered its forces and deployed additional weaponry in Zone C of the Sinai—actions that run counter to the peace treaty’s terms but which Egypt views as a justified response to Israeli conduct.
He underscored that this military activity was intended to deliver a clear signal, adding that Egypt might reevaluate its commitment to the peace treaty if it sees Israeli actions that it perceives as endangering Egyptian national security.
{Matzav.com Israel}
Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk joins ‘Fox & Friends’ to sound the alarm over Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani’s run for New York City mayor, and what it signals about the future of the left.
WATCH:
Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu pushed back Sunday against reports accusing his government of refusing to advance a deal for the release of hostages held in Gaza.
Addressing the allegations, Netanyahu took aim at Israeli media outlets, accusing them of spreading false narratives. “They always echo Hamas propaganda, but they are always wrong. We accepted the deal, the Witkoff deal, and then the version proposed by the mediators. We accepted it, Hamas rejected it,” he said.
Netanyahu explained that Hamas’s intentions are clear—they aim to remain in Gaza and see Israel retreat, which would allow them to rearm and strike again. “They want us to leave, so they can rearm and attack us again and again. I will not accept this; I will do everything to bring our hostages home. I meet with the families; I know their pain, I know their suffering. I am determined to bring the hostages home and eliminate Hamas.”
When asked to respond to surveys indicating broad public support for a deal, Netanyahu questioned the integrity of the polling data. “Sure, I am in favor of a deal too, but they don’t tell you the other side. The polls are manipulated, they always mislead the public. They don’t ask, ‘Do you want a hostage deal that leaves Hamas in place? That allows them to repeat the rapes, the murders, the kidnappings, the invasions?’ No, that’s not it. Suddenly, the numbers turn completely, it’s all manipulated.”
In his closing remarks, Netanyahu reaffirmed his commitment to the twin goals of freeing the hostages and removing Hamas from power. “We must do the right things, insist on releasing the hostages, and insist on the other goal of the war in Gaza, the elimination of Hamas, and ensuring that Gaza will no longer be a threat to Israel. That’s what I’m doing, I will not give up on any of these missions.”
{Matzav.com Israel}
A senior Iranian source told Al-Jazeera, the Qatari-based news outlet, that Tehran holds Israel responsible for the recent attempt on the life of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, warning that there will be consequences. The official emphasized that Iran will not allow the attack to go unanswered.
He stated that authorities have launched a comprehensive probe into the incident, which occurred during Operation Rising Lion. Investigators are reportedly exploring the possibility that local collaborators assisted in carrying out the attempted assassination.
The Iranian official went on to claim that this attempt on Pezeshkian’s life is not an isolated event, but rather a component of what he described as a coordinated Israeli effort to destabilize and ultimately topple the Iranian government.
Earlier today, Fars News Agency, which is closely tied to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, released details on the incident. According to their report, Pezeshkian sustained a minor leg injury during what was described as an Israeli strike that took place amid Operation Rising Lion.
Fars reported that the strike occurred on June 16 and targeted a structure in the western part of Tehran. At the time, a session of the Supreme National Security Council was underway on a lower level of the building. The attack involved six explosives aimed at entrances and exits to the facility.
The outlet also noted similarities between this operation and the killing of Hezbollah leader Nasrallah. Following the explosions, power to the floor where the council was meeting was cut, but officials present were able to evacuate through an emergency route.
{Matzav.com}
In recent days, the IDF, working in coordination with the ISA and relying on intelligence operations, has carried out targeted strikes eliminating a number of key figures within Hamas’ military structure and the Islamic Jihad terror group. These individuals were central to efforts aimed at restoring and enhancing the military capabilities of both organizations, including those involved in weapons development and intelligence gathering.
Hamas’ Weapons Production Headquarters has been focused on replenishing and expanding its stockpile of arms, while the group’s Military Intelligence Unit has used various methods to collect intelligence, maintain command and control over operations in Gaza, and advance attacks against Israel.
Among the senior operatives taken out by the IDF was Muhammad Abu Awwad, a top figure in the Projects and Development Department of Hamas’ Weapons Production Headquarters. He played a pivotal role in the terror group’s precision missile initiative and served as Head of Production and Technical Control in the department.
Also eliminated were Bilal Abu Shikha and Tayseer Shareem, both section commanders within the same Hamas weapons division. Mundhir Salami, a commander overseeing one of Hamas’ production sites, was also killed; he had been heavily involved in the manufacture of weapons and played a key role in bolstering the group’s firepower in Gaza.
Bilal Musallam, another casualty, served as a section commander in Hamas’ Military Intelligence Unit. Additionally, Rabi‘ Mustafa Rabi‘ Sukhweil, who was active in handling Hamas’ finances, was eliminated. He facilitated the transfer of millions of dollars in funding that helped sustain and revive the organization’s terrorist infrastructure.
Other high-level operatives killed include Ahmad Abu Shamala, a squad commander in the Military Intelligence Unit; Mustafa Dababesh, the deputy head of a department within the Weapons Production Headquarters; and Muhammad Al-Bayouk, a prominent figure in Islamic Jihad’s weapons production branch.
The IDF emphasized that these operations are part of an ongoing mission to thwart the rebuilding efforts of these terror organizations. Targeting the individuals responsible for regenerating Hamas’ and Islamic Jihad’s military capacity remains a top priority, and the IDF has vowed to persist in its efforts to neutralize them.
{Matzav.com Israel}
Democrat mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani, who recently clinched the party’s nomination in New York City, is promoting a far-left agenda that Rudy Giuliani says mirrors the ideology of Karl Marx — and it’s raising serious alarm bells.
“Government retail-owned stores — I mean, that’s worse than some of the communist countries; price controls on everything. The list goes on and on,” Giuliani said during an appearance on Newsmax’s Saturday Report.
Giuliani also expressed outrage over Mamdani’s radical foreign policy stances. “He wants to erase [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu. That’d be secession. He tried to arrest a world leader. You can’t let him interfere with the foreign policy of the United States.”
Mamdani stunned the political world by defeating former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary, securing his place on the ballot for November’s general election.
The 33-year-old, a self-proclaimed democratic socialist who has served in the New York State Assembly since 2021, began his campaign as a political unknown, but gained traction with an ambitious platform aimed at reshaping city policy.
In the fall, Mamdani will compete against sitting Mayor Eric Adams, independent challenger Jim Walden, and Republican contender Curtis Sliwa.
“My inclination would be” that Curtis could beat Mamdani, said Giuliani.
“Those three men, whatever you think their failings are, they’re like Abraham Lincoln against” Mamdani, he told Newsmax.
{Matzav.com}
Congresswoman Elise Stefanik of New York spoke out on Sunday to mark the one-year anniversary of the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The incident, which occurred while Trump was addressing supporters, resulted in him being grazed by a bullet on his ear.
“Today marks one year since the horrific assassination attempt on President Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania,” Stefanik posted. “Americans will never forget that God was looking down on President Trump that fateful day and miraculously spared his life by a quarter of an inch.”
Reflecting on the time that has passed since Trump returned to office, Stefanik emphasized the impact of his leadership. “We are so proud and blessed that President Trump is saving America in just six months after he was sworn into office,” she stated. She also pressed for additional details to be released regarding the events surrounding the shooting, stressing the need for accountability and transparency. “The American people deserve real answers and much greater transparency on what transpired that day and Congress must work harder to uncover it and release it to the public.”
As a member of the House Intelligence Committee, Stefanik pledged to continue seeking clarity and pushing for investigations into the circumstances of the attack. “There are still more questions than answers, and I am going to continue to ask the tough, important questions on the House Intelligence Committee.”
She concluded her remarks with a rallying cry: “FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT!”
The assassination attempt took place on July 13, 2024, when a shooter opened fire on Trump from a rooftop overlooking the rally. The attack left Trump and several others wounded, one spectator dead, and the gunman was also killed during the incident.
In a development reported last Thursday by Reuters, six members of the Secret Service have been suspended in relation to their roles during the Butler rally.
{Matzav.com}
