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Thousands of Gerer chassidim are expected to gather tonight outside the gates of Military Prison 10 for a massive atzeres tefillah and protest following the arrest of a bochur from Yeshivas Sefas Emes. The demonstration will be led by the Gerer Rebbe, while organizers have issued repeated appeals for participants to conduct themselves peacefully and avoid any confrontation.

The rally is being held in response to the imprisonment of Yisroel Reuven Fine, a bochur from Yeshivas Sefas Emes, who was incarcerated after appearing at the military draft office on three consecutive occasions in an effort to regularize his status.

The gathering is scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m. with Maariv. The tefillah will be led by longtime Gerer askan Motty Babchik, who is currently observing the year of aveilus following the passing of his father, Rav Ben Zion Babchik zt”l. Following Maariv, the rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Chiddushei HaRim, Rav Meir Flakser, will deliver divrei hisorerus to the assembled crowd.

Ahead of the rally, Reb Itche Meir Tauman, the administrator of the Gerer bais medrash, sent a recorded message to thousands of chassidim, urging them to participate.

“With the help of Siyata DiShmaya, the tzibbur of those who fear the word of Hashem are called to an atzeres tefillah and outcry tomorrow, Monday, Parshas Va’eschanan, at 9:30 p.m. near Prison 10, to protest the humiliation of the Torah and the desecration of Kavod Shomayim,” he said.

He also stressed the importance of maintaining order throughout the event.

“It is חובה to obey the instructions of the marshals and under no circumstances to resort to violence. The adults should keep watch over the younger participants. We have promised that we will not enter the courtyards of private homes or damage city property. After the rally, everyone should disperse quietly. Please bring Tehillim and water.”

The organizing committee likewise called on the public to attend, saying the gathering represents “the cry of an entire community” over the imprisonment of bnei yeshiva whose only desire is to devote themselves to Torah learning.

According to organizers, “The rally expresses the outcry of an entire tzibbur over the reality that in Eretz Yisroel, bnei yeshiva whose sole desire is to sit and learn Torah are being imprisoned. We call upon the entire public to participate in this atzeres tefillah and outcry.”

The arrest that prompted the demonstration stems from an unusual series of events involving the young bochur. According to sources within Ger, his original draft appointment was scheduled for last Monday. He reported as instructed but mistakenly went to the draft office in Yerushalayim rather than the office in Haifa where he had been assigned.

Officials in Yerushalayim directed him to Haifa, but by the time he arrived, the office had closed for the day. He was instructed to return the following day.

He returned to the Haifa draft office on Tuesday, but according to those close to him, his processing was not completed and he was once again sent home with instructions to return on Wednesday.

When he appeared for the third consecutive day, military officials informed him that because two days had passed since his original reporting date, he had already been classified as a draft evader. He was immediately arrested and sentenced to 20 days in military prison.

At the same time, Ger is preparing to broaden its campaign against the arrests of bnei yeshiva. During an unusual meeting Sunday between the Gerer Rebbe and Eidah HaChareidis askan Shimon Shisha, the two discussed additional steps that could be taken and the possibility of expanding the protests to other locations.

During that meeting, the Rebbe reportedly instructed that a forceful message be conveyed to military officials.

“We are going to war without gloves.”

According to information obtained by Matzav.com, one of the primary targets being considered for future demonstrations is the Meitav induction unit and military draft offices throughout the country. For now, however, organizers have decided to focus on tonight’s atzeres tefillah outside Prison 10.

Tonight’s gathering will be the second major Ger protest outside Military Prison 10 in approximately one month. The previous rally, also led by the Gerer Rebbe, drew thousands of chassidim, who recited Minchah, said chapters of Tehillim, and cried out over the continued imprisonment of bnei yeshiva.

The demonstration follows last week’s massive protest organized by Sanzer chassidim outside the same military prison after two members of the kehilla were arrested. That rally was likewise led by the Sanzer Rebbe and attended by thousands of chassidim who gathered for tefillah and protest. Following that demonstration, one of the detainees, avreich Avrohom Tzvi Shemerler, was released, while the second detainee remains incarcerated.

{Matzav.com}

Border Czar Tom Homan said Sunday that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s support for sanctuary city policies will not prevent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from carrying out federal immigration laws, insisting that the Trump administration will continue its deportation efforts regardless of local opposition.

Appearing on Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends Weekend,” Homan dismissed Mamdani’s criticism and argued that sanctuary policies have made communities less safe.

Homan said, “Well he has his opinion but he’s not gonna stop ICE from doing their job. What he should do is go talk to the parents of Laken Riley. That alien that killed her was arrested in New York City. If it wasn’t sanctuary city would have been handed over us, he be locked up probably deported. So go talk to her family. And he talked about that he doesn’t want to assists in civil immigration enforcement, okay, so why you like wide you lock us out of Rikers Island? That’s all criminals. He just doesn’t want immigration law enforced.”

Homan also defended the administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement strategy, saying every illegal immigrant who entered the country unlawfully is subject to removal under existing law.

He added, “And he’s damn right, every illegal alien in this nation that is here ilegally, that’s cross, the border illegally, which is a crime, will be deported. That’s called the rule of law if he doesn’t like it and call your members of Congress to change law. But he’s right. President Trump is sitting in an Oval Office today, because his promise to secure the border, you the most secure border in history of this nation now and because he promised mass deportations which we are doing.”

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{Matzav.com}

A nationwide recall of iceberg lettuce distributed across 27 states has been announced after federal health officials traced a cyclospora outbreak—an intestinal parasite that causes severe diarrhea—to lettuce supplied from central Mexico. The recall has also sparked political debate, with several Democrats blaming President Donald Trump even though investigators identified the contamination source outside the United States.

California-based Taylor Farms issued the voluntary recall after the contaminated lettuce was linked to a growing number of illnesses and multiple lawsuits filed against Taco Bell, which allegedly served shredded lettuce containing the parasite.

No deaths have been reported in connection with the outbreak.

Despite federal investigators tracing the contamination to a supplier in Mexico, some Democratic lawmakers have argued that the Trump administration bears responsibility for the public health crisis.

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., posted a video on social media Saturday claiming the outbreak—the largest of its kind in U.S. history—was the result of the president dismantling the nation’s public health system.

She said the “worst outbreak in U.S. history” was caused by the president “taking a wrecking ball” to “our public health infrastructure,” even though the actual source of the outbreak has been traced to Mexico.

We can thank Trump for making the outbreak of a parasite causing explosive diarrhea MUCH WORSE—seriously!
 
CDC used to track Cyclospora, but Trump gutted our public health infrastructure & made monitoring the parasite optional. Now, we're in the worst outbreak in U.S. history. pic.twitter.com/ZsYXdqrMwG

— Senator Patty Murray (@PattyMurray) July 18, 2026

Abdul El-Sayed, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in Michigan, also criticized the administration, linking the parasite outbreak and poor air quality from Canadian wildfire smoke to what he described as an “abnormally shitty couple of months” for residents of his state.

El-Sayed blamed both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and President Trump’s Food and Drug Administration for the cyclospora outbreak, while also faulting oil companies for the wildfire-related air pollution, attributing it to global warming.

Earlier this week, the CDC announced that the outbreak had been traced to lettuce supplied by a single grower in Mexico. According to reports, at least 1,600 people have become ill this year after being infected with cyclospora.

Taylor Farms de Mexico, based in Guanajuato, announced Friday that it was recalling 25 shredded lettuce and salad products made with lettuce from the affected growing area and said it has halted all purchases from that supplier.

“We are actively removing the implicated products,” Taylor Farms said in a statement. “The company has stopped receiving product from the implicated lot, suspended distribution of the iceberg lettuce from Central Mexico, notified our customers, and we are continuing to work with the FDA, CDC, and state authorities.”

The company also advised consumers to throw away any recalled products immediately and seek refunds if they had already purchased them.

“Consumers who have purchased the recalled iceberg lettuce should discard it immediately and not consume it. Full refunds are also available at the location of purchase. Consumers experiencing health issues should contact their physician. Consumers with any questions may contact our customer care team at 855-455-0098 Monday through Friday, 8am-5pm PST.”

The recalled products were distributed in Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Taylor Farms said the recall includes products sold under eight different brand labels that were shipped as recently as Thursday and have “best by” dates through August 3. A complete list of affected products has been published in the company’s online recall notice.

According to federal health officials, the outbreak has sickened at least 1,645 people and resulted in 141 hospitalizations. Cases have been confirmed in 34 states, with Michigan recording the highest number of infections.

Cyclospora is a parasite typically spread through food or water contaminated with human feces. Outbreaks often occur when fresh produce is washed or irrigated with contaminated water before reaching consumers.

{Matzav.com}

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As the bein hazemanim season begins and tens of thousands are expected to travel throughout northern Eretz Yisroel, Rav Elazar Stern, Mara D’Asra of Meron, has issued a heartfelt public appeal urging visitors to enter the tziyun of Rashbi with the dignity and respect befitting such a holy place.

In his annual message, released ahead of the vacation period, Rav Stern expressed deep pain over the growing phenomenon of travelers stopping at the kever of Rashbi while dressed in attire that is inappropriate for a makom kadosh.

“People go on outings in the Galil, hiking through the mountains and streams, and then stop to daven at the kever of Rebbi Shimon bar Yochai,” Rav Stern said. “Some arrive wearing short and revealing clothing, and even bathing suits. It is profoundly inappropriate to enter such a holy place—the resting place of Rebbi Shimon bar Yochai—in that manner.”

Rav Stern then recalled the well-known account of the Ohr HaChaim HaKadosh, who trembled upon approaching the tziyun of Rashbi.

“Everyone knows the story of the Ohr HaChaim HaKadosh. When he reached the mountain and ascended toward the kever of Rashbi, he fell to the ground and exclaimed: ‘How can I, so lowly, enter a place of fire, a blazing flame? Hakadosh Baruch Hu and the entire Heavenly entourage are here!'”

While acknowledging that people today cannot fully perceive the holiness that the Ohr HaChaim experienced, Rav Stern stressed that the obligation to show proper respect remains.

“It is true that we do not have the eyes to see the tremendous kedushah, nor do we possess the awe and fear of the Ohr HaChaim HaKadosh. But we do have the intelligence and the heart to understand that when entering such a holy place, one should do so in respectable clothing appropriate to its sanctity. Bnei Torah should certainly enter wearing proper upper garments befitting the holiness of the site.”

Concluding his appeal, Rav Stern cited the pasuk, “Mechabdai achabed u’bozai yeikalu—Those who honor Me I will honor, and those who disgrace Me shall be held in contempt.”

“When a person honors the sanctity of this holy place,” he said, “then from Heaven he is honored in return, and his tefillos are received with mercy and favor.”

{Matzav.com}

Dr. Mehmet Oz, the Trump administration official overseeing the federal Medicaid program, is accusing New York of allowing rampant fraud within its sprawling $110 billion Medicaid system, alleging that Chinese organized crime groups are exploiting the program through billions of dollars in fraudulent medical claims.

Speaking Sunday on 77 WABC’s “Cats Roundtable,” the administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services argued that abuse of taxpayer-funded safety net programs has become widespread and, in some cases, is being orchestrated by overseas criminal organizations.

“Social safety net programs are being defrauded. They’re being hurt oftentimes by foreign governments or foreign-run criminal syndicate organizations,” Oz, administrator of the US Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, said Sunday on 77 WABC ‘s the “Cats Roundtable” program.

Oz recently visited Flushing, Queens, where he toured an area containing 64 adult social care centers that primarily serve elderly Chinese and Korean residents. Authorities have alleged that the facilities, together with nearby pharmacies, have generated enormous volumes of questionable Medicaid claims.

According to Oz, these taxpayer-funded social programs would not ordinarily receive government financing, noting that New York created a structure allowing them to qualify for Medicaid reimbursement. While Washington pays more than half of Medicaid’s costs, the remainder is funded by state and local governments.

“Normally, the government doesn’t pay for it. In New York, they’ve created a mechanism to pay for these programs,” Oz told host John Catsimatidis.

Oz went on to allege that organized Chinese criminal enterprises are behind many of the operations.

“These are run, we believe, under the auspices of the Chinese organized criminal groups that are also doing human trafficking in the East Coast.”

He did not identify any specific organizations or provide additional evidence supporting the allegation.

Accompanied during the tour by independent journalist Nick Shirley, Oz said he was struck by the unusually high concentration of pharmacies in Flushing, which he believes are exploiting Medicaid through fraudulent billing.

According to Oz, the alleged operation involves paying senior citizens for access to their Medicaid or Medicare identification cards, which are then used to submit false reimbursement claims.

“There are a dozen pharmacies on one block. Why? They’re all fake. They’re taking these Medicare beneficiary numbers and manufacturing huge businesses to fund illegal activities,” Oz said.

He claimed the fraudulent billing encompasses expensive medical equipment, unnecessary medications, and medical services that never occurred.

“They pretend they’re sending this really expensive wheelchair [to a patient],” he railed. “They pretend that they’re sending expensive random medications. They’re doing appointments they [patients] never go to. Tests they never get. Treatments they don’t receive or don’t need.

“And they begin to bankrupt all the legitimate people, because they make so much money … These programs have generated $2.1 billion against New York Medicaid.”

Oz argued that New York’s Medicaid structure not only permits such abuse but effectively encourages it, describing programs such as adult social day care and personal care services as a “feature” rather than merely a “flaw.”

Earlier this year, Oz launched a federal review of New York’s Medicaid program, which has the nation’s highest per-capita spending, alleging widespread waste, fraud, and abuse.

He also criticized New York’s Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program, which allows family members to be compensated for caring for loved ones at home, saying the program has expanded beyond reasonable limits.

Oz further alleged that the state has allowed SEIU Local 1199 to organize personal care attendants, creating what he described as an improper financial and political arrangement.

“It’s a jobs program,” Oz claimed. “We learned that the unions are now unionizing these people, which means the federal government is paying salaries that go to union dues, and then the union dues fund the campaigns of the Democrats in the state. So now, you have political patronage on top of a jobs program,,

Taking a swipe at Gov. Kathy Hochul, Oz added:

“Is that a really smart thing to do if you lead the State of New York?”

He further accused state officials of relying on federal funding to sustain the system.

“They’re using the federal government as a piggy bank,” he added.

According to a recent analysis by the office of State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, New York’s roughly $40 billion share of Medicaid spending has now exceeded the amount the state allocates to K-12 education.

Oz argued that government officials have failed to stop fraudulent activity.

“Fraud is rising because government wants it to exist,” he said.

He maintained that the Trump administration is moving aggressively to crack down on abuse and warned that states and those committing fraud have been put on notice.

Oz said the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is working alongside the Department of Health and Human Services under Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as well as Vice President JD Vance, the IRS, and other federal agencies through the White House Task Force on Fraud to identify and eliminate Medicaid waste.

Gov. Hochul rejected Oz’s criticism, saying New York had already taken substantial action to combat fraud before the Trump administration took office.

“Well before the Trump administration even took office, Governor Hochul was leading efforts to root out waste, fraud and abuse – including sweeping CDPAP [Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program], reforms that shut down hundreds of wasteful Medicaid middlemen and saved over $2 billion for state and federal taxpayers while protecting home care for those who need it,” a Hochul spokesperson said.

The governor’s office also accused the Trump administration of using fraud concerns as a pretext to reduce healthcare funding.

“New York will continue to work with the federal government to identify bad actors — but let’s be clear about the real goal for Donald Trump and Washington Republicans: eliminating programs that support our most vulnerable and ripping away healthcare from everyday New Yorkers.”

Hochul’s office also noted that New York’s Social Adult Day Care program was established in coordination with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services through a federally approved waiver, adding that comparable programs operate in other states.

{Matzav.com}

Following his return from a fundraising trip to the United States on behalf of Keren Olam HaTorah, Rav Dov Landau, Rosh Yeshiva of Slabodka, received a visit at his home from the leadership of Yeshivas Mir. The delegation included Mir Rosh Yeshiva Rav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel and the mashgiach, Rav Binyomin Finkel, who came to express their appreciation for Rav Landau’s extraordinary efforts on behalf of the olam haTorah.

During the conversation, Rav Landau also spoke forcefully about members of the Religious Zionist community whom he said advocate military service and place the interests of the state above Torah values.

The following is a transcript of the exchange:

Rav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel: “We came simply to thank the Rosh Yeshiva for his tremendous mesirus nefesh on behalf of the olam haTorah and for our yeshiva.”

Rav Landau: “Yasher koach.”

Rav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel: “Yasher koach to you.”

Rav Binyomin Finkel: “It strengthens all of us. It obligates us…”

Rav Landau: “I didn’t come to strengthen you. I came so that you would have money to pay.”

Rav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel: “That is our responsibility, and it obligates everyone.”

Rav Landau: “Hashem should help that we won’t have to travel again.”

Rav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel: “Amen. May Hashem grant the Rosh Yeshiva strength for many years.”

Rav Landau: “I’m not becoming any younger…”

Rav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel: “It’s incredible—the level of mesirus nefesh.”

Rav Landau: “It’s true that it is very difficult, but there is no other choice.”

Rav Binyomin Finkel: “But even amid all these gezeiros, we see rachamim. We see Yidden opening their hearts. That gives us some encouragement.”

Rav Landau: “From America?”

Rav Binyomin Finkel: “Yes.”

Rav Landau: “Why shouldn’t it be that way? The gezeiros come from someone else. The wicked people are here. What can be done? There are wicked people… and among those who wear kippot serugot, no less.

“I’m referring to those with kippot serugot who insist that people must go [to the army]. If the state… I would ask them, according to their own approach—although they don’t really have any consistent approach, according to their foolishness—if the state sends soldiers to fight merely for the honor of the state, and people are killed, is that also permitted? That is actual murder.

“So they are inciting murder. That is what they are doing. They wage wars not only for the sake of saving lives, but also for the honor of the state.”

Rav Binyomin Finkel: “It’s frightening.”

Rav Landau: “Certainly. This is nothing new. So is that permitted?”

Rav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel: “Hashem yishmor.”

Rav Landau: “They act for the honor of the state, making it into a supreme value—or something of that sort.”

Rav Binyomin Finkel: “But what should we daven for? That they should do teshuvah?”

Rav Landau: “I only mentioned that as a side point, but…”

Rav Binyomin Finkel: “Yes, yes. So should we daven that they do teshuvah? Regarding those who inform on others, what should we have in mind?”

Rav Landau: “I don’t know. It will be good—I don’t know. We should ask Hashem that things should be good. We are not going to give Him advice. It will be good.

“This is a difficult and very serious situation. Hashem should help through our tefillos. There are all kinds of ideas, all kinds of suggestions, all kinds of implications, as people say—but I don’t know. The situation… We should daven to the Ribbono Shel Olam that everything should pass like a dream, be blown away like the wind, and disappear like a vanishing cloud.”

The Roshei Yeshiva: “Amen, Amen.”

Rav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel: “The yeshiva accepted the strengthening of a taanis dibbur. Boruch Hashem, it has had a tremendous impact.”

Rav Landau: “Really?”

Rav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel: “Yes.”

Rav Landau: “Wonderful, wonderful. Ashreichem. That is something truly great.”

{Matzav.com}

A tish led by the Ashlag Rebbe, author of Bnei Heichala, was violently disrupted on Friday night after a group of youths allegedly hurled stones at the bais medrash, shattering windows while the building was filled with mispallelim.

The incident occurred at the Ashlag–Bnei Heichala bais medrash in Bnei Brak, where chassidim had gathered around the Rebbe for the Friday night tish. As the chassidim sang zemiros and words of hisorerus were being shared, loud crashing sounds were suddenly heard from outside.

According to eyewitnesses, a group of youths began throwing stones at the building. Several of the rocks smashed through the windows, sending shards of glass flying and forcing those inside to move away from the affected area out of concern for their safety.

Although no injuries were reported, mispallelim said the incident could easily have ended in tragedy, given that the stones were thrown while the bais medrash was occupied.

For residents of the neighborhood, the troubling question was not merely how the incident ended without injuries, but how such an attack was able to occur in the first place.

The latest incident has once again highlighted what many Bnei Brak residents describe as a growing problem involving groups of at-risk youths who roam the city’s streets, allegedly engaging in harassment, threats, vandalism, fights, and at times physical violence.

Several months ago, Bnei Brak Mayor Chanoch Zeibert convened a special meeting following a series of violent Shabbos incidents that were attributed to fringe youth. The meeting included representatives from the municipality, welfare services, municipal enforcement, police, and public security agencies. Following the meeting, the city announced plans to increase police visibility, expand security patrols, and strengthen operations at the municipal emergency center.

City officials also said that additional patrols would operate on Shabbos through non-Jewish personnel in accordance with the guidance of the city’s rabbanim. Police, for their part, pledged a policy of “zero tolerance” toward violence and threats to public safety.

{Matzav.com}

Following a series of fatal shootings involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, the agency will soon require officers conducting vehicle stops to wear at least one body camera, Trump administration border czar Tom Homan announced Sunday as ICE moves to increase transparency during enforcement operations.

“They exonerate more law enforcement than they convict, and I want officers to wear body cameras because I want the American people to see what the officers saw when ⁠they took that action,” Homan said during an appearance on Fox News’ “Fox & Friends Weekend.”

The announcement follows two deadly traffic-stop incidents earlier this month involving ICE agents. Federal officers fatally shot two men in separate encounters just six days apart—one in Texas and the other in Maine. Neither incident was captured by ICE body cameras because the agents involved were not equipped with them.

Speaking separately on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” Homan explained that the nationwide rollout of body cameras had been delayed after funding became tied up during the partial federal government shutdown earlier this year.

“The cameras have been purchased right now,” Homan said. “They’re training the trainer in deploying the cameras nationwide.”

The issue has drawn renewed attention after an ICE officer fatally shot a Colombian driver on July 13 during a traffic stop in Biddeford, Maine, roughly 15 miles south of Portland. Less than a week earlier, another ICE officer fatally shot a Mexican national during a vehicle stop in Houston.

In response to those incidents, Homan announced last week that ICE would temporarily halt most vehicle stops nationwide while the agency reviewed its procedures. However, within 24 hours of that announcement, President Donald Trump directed federal immigration officers to resume conducting the stops.

The two fatal shootings prompted demonstrations in Maine, Houston, and Boston, with critics questioning why ICE officers involved in such encounters were not equipped with body cameras.

ICE first introduced a pilot body-camera program in 2024, distributing cameras to officers in Baltimore, Buffalo, Detroit, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. Last year, however, the Trump administration sought to slow the program’s expansion by asking Congress to reduce its funding by 75%, according to a Reuters report published in January.

In February, following the deaths of two U.S. citizens during an immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota, then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced that ICE body cameras would eventually be deployed nationwide “as funding is available.”

Since January 2025, when President Trump launched his mass deportation initiative after returning to the White House on promises of tougher immigration enforcement, at least seven people have been killed during federal immigration enforcement operations.

{Matzav.com}

Israelis planning vacations or business trips to Europe in 2026 will not have to worry—at least for now—about obtaining a new pre-travel authorization before departure.

The European Union has once again postponed the launch of its European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), which was expected to require travelers from visa-exempt countries, including Israel, to obtain paid online approval before entering much of Europe. According to current reports, the system is now expected to begin operating sometime in 2027.

Although multiple reports have indicated another delay, the European Commission has not yet announced an official new launch date. References to a late-2026 rollout have already been removed from some EU information pages, while others still display the previous timeline, leaving the official implementation date uncertain.

Once ETIAS becomes operational, travelers from visa-exempt countries—including Israel—will be required to obtain online travel authorization before boarding flights to 30 European countries.

The requirement will apply to travel to countries including France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Greece, Portugal, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Bulgaria, Romania, and Cyprus. It will also cover Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. Ireland will remain outside the ETIAS system.

The latest postponement is reportedly tied to ongoing problems with the European Union’s Entry/Exit System (EES), the new biometric border management platform on which ETIAS depends.

Although the EES entered full operation in April 2026, reports indicate that it has experienced technological issues, congestion at border crossings, staffing shortages, and infrastructure challenges, forcing officials to delay the launch of ETIAS once again.

When the system eventually takes effect, travelers will be required to complete an online application providing personal information, passport details, and answers to security-related questions.

The authorization will cost €20 and will remain valid for three years or until the traveler’s passport expires, whichever comes first. Travelers under the age of 18 and those 70 and older will be exempt from the fee but will still be required to obtain travel authorization before entering participating countries.

For now, however, nothing changes for travelers.

The ETIAS system is not yet operational, applications cannot be submitted, and no fee is currently required. European Union officials have emphasized that the public will receive an official announcement several months before the system is activated. They also warned that any website currently claiming to issue valid ETIAS authorizations is not providing legitimate travel approval.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump declared Sunday that American forces struck Iran “very hard” once again, as U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed it carried out military operations against the Islamic Republic for a ninth consecutive night.

Speaking to reporters after attending the FIFA World Cup final, Trump said Iran’s military capabilities have been devastated by the sustained U.S. campaign.

“Iran has been very, very badly damaged. They’ve lost everything, almost, militarily. They’ve got very little left. They’ve got some missiles. They’ve got some drones. They’ve got some manufacturing ability, not much.”

.@POTUS Trump on Iran: "We hit them very hard again tonight, and we did that in honor of the probably three great patriots."

"Those great patriots were out there fighting [so] that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon."

"Iran has been very, very badly damaged. They've lost… pic.twitter.com/2nRlpujF0V

— Israel War Room (@IsraelWarRoom) July 20, 2026

Trump also asserted that the United States now controls one of the world’s most strategically important waterways.

“We control the strait. They don’t control anything. So, we’ll see what happens.”

The president added that Sunday’s strikes were carried out in honor of the American service members who were killed over the weekend.

“But we hit them very hard again tonight. And we did that in honor of the probably three – it’s probably three, as opposed to two – great patriots”, referring to US troops who were killed over the weekend.

{Matzav.com}

Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, have welcomed their fourth child, a baby boy, in what is believed to be the first birth to a sitting U.S. vice president in more than 150 years.

Vance shared the news today on social media, announcing that the couple’s son, Alec Neel Vance, was born this morning.

“Usha and the baby are happy and healthy, and our kids are overjoyed to meet their little brother,” he wrote, while also expressing gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and staff at Walter Reed Medical Center for the care they provided.

According to the Associated Press, no sitting vice president has welcomed a child while in office in more than a century and a half.

The newest addition joins the couple’s three older children: Ewan, 9, Vivek, 6, and Mirabel, 4.

Usha Vance, whose maiden name is Chilukuri, grew up in the working-class suburbs of San Diego, California. Her father is a mechanical engineer, and her mother is a molecular biologist. Both immigrated to the United States from Andhra Pradesh, India.

She met JD Vance in 2010 while the two were students at Yale Law School. Their relationship began after they participated together in a discussion group focused on “social decline in white America.”

The couple has frequently appeared together at official White House events, including a reception honoring military mothers earlier this year.

Throughout his time in national politics, Vance has been among the Trump administration’s strongest advocates for encouraging larger families and increasing the nation’s birth rate.

In his recently released book, Vance revealed that Usha had initially been hesitant about having a fourth child. He wrote that her outlook changed following the death of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk last year.

“Not long after we buried my friend, she became pregnant with our fourth child, a boy,” he wrote. “One life was stolen from us, but another was given.”

{Matzav.com}

A Northern California county grappling with a projected $91 million budget deficit has become the first in the state to formally adopt a far-reaching reparations blueprint for Black residents, approving a package of recommendations focused on housing, education, healthcare, economic opportunity, and criminal justice reforms while leaving open the possibility of future direct cash payments.

The Alameda County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the plan in a 5-0 vote on June 30, concluding more than two years of research, public meetings, and community input.

Although the proposal emphasizes institutional reforms and policy changes over immediate financial compensation, county leaders stressed that direct payments remain an option that could still be pursued.

The vote comes even as Alameda County wrestles with significant financial pressures. During this year’s budget discussions, officials warned of a projected $91 million shortfall for the 2026-27 fiscal year.

Despite those challenges, supervisors approved a balanced $6.7 billion budget in June, describing the county’s fiscal outlook as difficult.

Supervisor Nate Miley, who represents District Four and has been a driving force behind the reparations effort, said monetary payments have not been eliminated from consideration.

“We haven’t ruled it out. It’s one of the items in the action plan. It’s not the only item.”

Miley suggested that pursuing cash payments could prove more difficult than implementing other portions of the proposal.

“I think if it were the only item, or if it was a priority item, it might be more challenging,” Miley said. “But I do think there’s some low-hanging fruit — some immediate things we can do, and some things we’re already doing.

“And then there might be the more challenging things. A cash payment might be one of those more challenging things.”

The county’s reparations framework calls for expanding affordable housing, promoting Black-owned businesses and economic development, increasing investments in education and healthcare, and advancing reforms within the criminal justice system.

Supervisors also voted to establish a permanent committee charged with overseeing implementation of the recommendations.

“The committee now has an action plan. It’s in our ballpark,” Miley said. “We need to take it up and deal with it.”

According to Miley, the county’s highest priorities should include criminal justice reform, housing, education, and expanding economic opportunities.

“Clearly, economic opportunity is another important factor,” explained Miley. “It’s hard to balance those four and say which is more prominent, but I do think all four of those are significant.

“I see reparations as a path, an opportunity,” he added. “I wouldn’t say it’s a panacea, but I do believe it’s definitely a part of the equation that could help African Americans.”

Separately, Alameda County has partnered with the City of Hayward on a compensation initiative tied to Russell City, a once-thriving multiracial unincorporated community that was acquired through eminent domain and demolished during the 1950s and 1960s to make way for industrial development.

That effort, known as the Russell City Redress Fund, began with $900,000 and has since grown to approximately $1.3 million.

The fund is intended to provide direct payments to surviving former residents and their descendants.

The broader debate over reparations payments is also unfolding elsewhere in the country. In Evanston, Illinois, the nation’s first city to distribute reparations through $25,000 housing grants is now defending the program in federal court.

The U.S. Department of Justice entered the lawsuit in June, arguing that the race-based eligibility requirements violate the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

Miley argued that simply distributing checks would not necessarily achieve the long-term goals county leaders hope to accomplish.

“And once again, that’s why a cash payment isn’t necessarily always the objective,” he said.

“The objective is: How do we get people to have housing? How do we get people to be economically stable? How do you deal with criminal justice reform?

“A cash payment doesn’t always mean that those things will occur. We have to change policies, and we have to change programs. I think that’s where we need to invest our resources.”

Steve Hilton, the Republican nominee for California governor, sharply criticized the reparations effort and instead blamed Democratic leadership for the state’s economic disparities.

“Thanks to 16 years of Democrat one party rule we have a massive and unacceptable racial wealth and opportunity gap in California, and I am determined to fix it.

“The best way to increase opportunity is not more of the same welfare state bureaucracy but my plan to make our state ‘Califordable.’ That’s the way to fight the racial wealth gap, not the Democrats’ divisive and unfair reparations scheme.”

Meanwhile, Santa Monica is moving ahead with its own initiative aimed at addressing historical injustices.

On Tuesday, the Santa Monica City Council approved the creation of a citywide Restorative Justice Program.

City officials said the initiative will be built around three components: a dedicated Restorative Justice Fund, a City Council-appointed Restorative Justice Commission, and an independent administrative structure designed to ensure transparency and fairness.

Santa Monica plans to launch the fund with $3.5 million, money the city expects to receive after approving a Second Amendment to its development agreement with the RAND Corporation in mid-2025. Officials said the funding will not affect the city’s operating budget.

{Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rav Yosef Tzvi Geffen zt”l, one of Bnei Brak’s distinguished marbitzei Torah, who was niftar Sunday at the age of 82.

Rav Geffen, the son of Rav Yissachar Berish Geffen zt”l, was renowned for his exceptional refinement of character, tireless hasmadah, and devotion to Torah. From his youth, he immersed himself in limud haTorah with extraordinary diligence and was beloved by all who knew him. Those close to him recall his warm smile, genuine concern for every individual, and his constant practice of greeting everyone warmly, reflecting his deep ahavas Yisroel.

As a young man, Rav Geffen had the privilege of becoming a close talmid of his rebbi, Rav Shmuel Rozovsky zt”l, Rosh Yeshiva of Ponovezh. He faithfully transmitted his rebbi’s teachings and distinctive approach to learning, passing them on with remarkable clarity and dedication to thousands of talmidim over more than half a century.

For approximately 60 years, Rav Geffen served as a R”M at Yeshivas Heichal Avrohom Elimelech of Karlin and at Yeshivas Ahavas Aharon. Talmidim remember him not only as an outstanding maggid shiur, but as a compassionate father figure who carried each talmid in his heart, caring deeply for their spiritual, personal, and material well-being while inspiring them to grow in both Torah and middos tovos.

His petirah leaves a profound void for his distinguished family and for the thousands of talmidim who mourn the loss of the beloved rebbi who shaped their lives.

Among those he leaves behind is his son-in-law, Rav Shemaryahu Yosef Finkel, one of the rabbeim of Yeshivas Mir in Modi’in Illit.

The levayah took place at his home at 8 Rechov Breslov in Bnei Brak, proceeding to the Segulah Cemetery in Petach Tikvah for kevurah.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rabbi Dovid Berger zt”l, a distinguished sofer stam whose name became synonymous not only with excellence in safrus, but with exceptional yiras Shomayim, ehrlichkeit, and tzidkus. He was a beloved figure whose aidelkeit and ehrlichkeit left an indelible impression on all who had the privilege of meeting him.

A longtime resident of Georgian Terrace, Reb Dovid lived in Lakewood, NJ for decades, earning the admiration and affection of the entire community. His reputation as a master sofer extended far beyond the city, but those who knew him understood that his extraordinary skill was only one aspect of who he was. His true distinction lay in the purity of his character and the profound yiras Shomayim that permeated every facet of his life.

The greatest talmidei chachomim entrusted Reb Dovid with their Sifrei Torah, tefillin, and mezuzos, not merely because of his technical expertise, but because they recognized that his yiras Shomayim was on an altogether different plane. Reb Dovid’s name stood as a symbol of complete ne’emanus. His ehrlichkeit was beyond question, and his standards of precision and integrity never wavered.

Anyone who encountered Reb Dovid immediately sensed that they were in the presence of an exceptional individual. His refined demeanor, gentle nature, and unmistakable feinkeit reflected a life lived with constant awareness of the Ribbono Shel Olam. He carried himself with remarkable anavah, never seeking recognition or acclaim.

Those who interacted with him were struck by his warmth, sincerity, and dignity. Every conversation, every interaction, and every aspect of his conduct reflected a man whose life was defined by Torah and avodas Hashem.

His sudden passing leaves a profound void.

Reb Dovid is survived by his devoted wife, Mrs. Rivky Berger, along with a wonderful family of children and grandchildren who continue his legacy of Torah and yiras Shomayim.

Levayah details will be posted once they are finalized.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

A sweeping new law regulating electric bicycles is now in force across New Jersey, imposing new rules on riders that include licensing, registration, insurance requirements for certain models, and mandatory helmet use.

Effective July 19, 2026, the legislation establishes a minimum operating age of 15 for anyone riding an e-bike. Riders who are 17 or older may use a valid New Jersey driver’s license, while 15- and 16-year-olds—as well as adults who do not hold a valid New Jersey driver’s license—must obtain a dedicated e-bike or moped license through the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC).

The new law also requires every e-bike, including low-speed models, to be registered with the MVC. Insurance coverage is mandatory for motorized bicycles, including throttle-powered e-bikes and pedal-assist models capable of speeds between 21 and 28 mph. However, low-speed pedal-assist e-bikes with a top speed of 20 mph are exempt from the insurance requirement.

Another significant change is that every rider, regardless of age, must now wear a helmet while operating an e-bike. In addition, motorized bicycles are prohibited from traveling on interstate highways, divided highways, and any roadway with a posted speed limit above 50 mph.

State officials are encouraging riders to familiarize themselves with the new requirements before using their e-bikes. Registration forms, licensing information, and additional guidance are available through the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.

{Matzav.com}

The Gerer chassidus will hold a large tefillah and protest rally Monday night outside Israel’s Military Prison No. 10 following the arrest of a Gerer yeshiva bochur over military draft-related issues. The gathering will be led by the Gerer Rebbe after receiving approval from Israeli police.

The rally is scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m. and will include Maariv, the recitation of Tehillim, and inspirational addresses on behalf of Yisrael Yehuda Fein, a talmid of Yeshivas Sefas Emes in Yerushalayim, who is currently serving a military prison sentence.

The demonstration comes in response to Fein’s arrest after he appeared at a military induction office on his scheduled reporting date in an effort to regularize his draft status and obtain a medical exemption.

According to sources within the Gerer community, Fein initially reported to the military draft office in Yerushalayim but was informed that his file was registered in Haifa and that he needed to report there immediately.

Family members and associates say Fein asked officials whether traveling to Haifa that same day could result in his arrest. He was allegedly told that because it was his official induction date, he had nothing to worry about.

However, after arriving at the Haifa draft office, Fein was informed that he had arrived too late and was transferred to the military induction base at Tel Hashomer.

He was subsequently brought before a military officer, convicted in a disciplinary proceeding, and sentenced to 20 days in Military Prison No. 10.

Gerer officials contend that the decision failed to take into account Fein’s medical condition or the fact that he had voluntarily appeared in an effort to complete the process of obtaining a medical exemption.

Members of the chassidus also pointed to the student’s difficult family circumstances, noting that his father is currently under house arrest in the United States following extradition, leaving the family to cope with an especially painful situation.

In recent days, Gerer community leaders, together with veteran prison advocate Rabbi Shimon Shisha, have been working with the relevant authorities in an effort to secure Fein’s early release.

{Matzav.com}

Israel is preparing for the possibility of a significant escalation with Iran after the United States informed the Israeli government that it intends to broaden its military campaign against Iranian targets in the coming days, according to Israeli and American security officials.

Despite the planned expansion of the U.S. operation, Washington has made clear that it prefers to keep Israel out of the current phase of the conflict and avoid drawing it directly into the fighting.

During recent strategic discussions between Israeli and American officials, the possibility was raised that Iran could decide to “break the rules” by launching missile attacks against Israel, a move that would almost certainly trigger an Israeli military response. U.S. officials have indicated that they are seeking to prevent such a scenario and keep the conflict centered in the Gulf region.

Over the past 24 hours, the United States has transferred additional equipment and munitions to support American fighter aircraft operating in the region. At the same time, 10 more U.S. aerial refueling aircraft arrived in Israel from Europe and from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar as part of preparations for potential Iranian attacks on American military installations throughout the Gulf.

According to senior Israeli officials, Turkey also warned that it could provide air support to Iran if Kurdish forces entered the country as part of a reported Mossad-backed ground operation. The officials said this was the scenario President Donald Trump was referring to when he recently stated that Turkey had come close to becoming directly involved in the conflict. Under the alleged Mossad plan, Kurdish fighters would have received aerial protection from the Israeli Air Force during the operation.

Meanwhile, Channel 13 News reported that Qatar has presented a new proposal aimed at easing tensions between Washington and Tehran.

Under the Qatari initiative, the United States would suspend its airstrikes, while Iran would commit to reopening two shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz for a period of 10 days.

Israeli officials are also evaluating several scenarios that could pull Israel into a broader war, including a direct Iranian missile attack, intelligence indicating preparations for an imminent strike that would require a preemptive Israeli attack, or a request from President Trump for Israeli military participation. One senior Israeli official said the likelihood of escalation “has increased significantly over the past 24 hours.”

The heightened concerns come after Iran fired four missiles Sunday toward Jordan and other areas in the Gulf following overnight U.S. strikes inside Iranian territory.

According to reports, President Trump has informed mediators that unless a ceasefire is reached this week, they should prepare for a further escalation of military operations.

A senior Israeli military officer told Channel 13 News that had any of the Iranian missiles struck Eilat, Israel would have been obligated to respond militarily.

In the meantime, Israel is increasing its preparedness for the possibility of Iranian missile attacks while sending a clear warning to Tehran.

“Our strike plans are ready,” Israeli officials said.

Senior Israeli officials also told Channel 14 News that the confrontation with Iran appears to be on a course toward an almost unavoidable collision. They believe key decisions could be made within days, raising the possibility of renewed high-intensity fighting with Iran as early as this week.

Even as Iran’s confrontation with the United States intensifies, Tehran has not yet decided whether to expand the conflict by attacking Israel directly. Israeli assessments indicate that Iranian leaders have not reached a final decision but could do so in the near future.

Israel’s political and security leadership has already determined that if Iran launches attacks against Israeli territory, the country will respond aggressively to eliminate the threat.

Another possibility under discussion is that the United States could decide to broaden its military campaign and ask Israel to join the operation. Israeli officials indicated that Jerusalem would welcome such a request and view it as an opportunity to conduct coordinated military action against Iran.

Israeli officials continue to monitor U.S. decisions closely, acknowledging that uncertainty currently outweighs certainty and warning that the growing number of unanswered questions may itself point to an increasing risk of escalation.

A senior Israeli official told Channel 12 News that while coordination with Washington remains constant, President Trump remains difficult to predict.

“We are in continuous dialogue with the Americans, but one thing is clear: Trump is unpredictable. Right now it appears that the decision to increase the intensity of the strikes against Iran will indeed be carried out,” the official said.

At the same time, Israeli intelligence believes Trump’s envoys—particularly Steve Witkoff—are still attempting to halt the cycle of escalation and revive negotiations aimed at reaching a diplomatic agreement.

Israeli leaders were also informed in recent hours that Iran does not currently appear interested in launching missiles at Israel, recognizing the consequences such an attack would bring. However, officials cautioned that the situation could change quickly as Iranian military activity continues moving closer to Israel.

“We are preparing for every possible scenario and developing both immediate operational options and long-term strategic plans,” one senior Israeli official said. “If the Americans decide to escalate or involve Israel, or if the Iranians take an unexpected and reckless step against us, we will be ready.”

{Matzav.com}

Qatar is working to secure the release of members of Iran’s Jewish community who have been detained by Iranian authorities, serving as an intermediary between the United States and Tehran, according to officials familiar with the matter.

Several members of Iran’s Jewish community were recently arrested after criticizing the Iranian regime during the country’s confrontation with the United States and Israel. Sources familiar with the negotiations told Kan News correspondent Roi Kais that Qatar has been engaging with senior Iranian officials in an effort to obtain their release.

The mediation comes just days after Iran released an American citizen who had been detained in the country since 2024. President Donald Trump publicly thanked the Iranian government following her release.

According to the report, Qatar’s involvement extends beyond efforts to free American citizens and also includes negotiations on behalf of the detained members of Iran’s Jewish community.

Officials noted that Qatar’s motivation is not purely humanitarian. Rather, the Gulf state is seeking to demonstrate to Washington that it is the most effective and reliable mediator in the region, outperforming rival countries in facilitating sensitive negotiations.

A total of five members of Iran’s Jewish community are currently being held on various charges, according to the report.

Despite coming under attack from Iran in recent months, Qatar continues to push for renewed diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran, hoping to bring the two sides back to the negotiating table.

{Matzav.com}