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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tuesday that Tehran is still committed to diplomatic efforts, noting that just before the outbreak of last month’s war between Iran and Israel, discussions with President Trump’s envoy were nearing a landmark agreement.

In a piece published in the Financial Times, Araghchi spoke positively of Trump’s diplomatic approach, hinting that talks over Iran’s nuclear program might soon resume. “In only five meetings over nine weeks, US special envoy Steve Witkoff and I achieved more than I did in four years of nuclear negotiations with the failed Biden administration. We were on the cusp of a historic breakthrough,” Araghchi wrote.

According to Araghchi, the sixth meeting between him and Witkoff was just two days away when Israel launched a military offensive targeting Iranian ballistic missile stockpiles and nuclear infrastructure on June 13.

Israeli leaders justified the strikes as a necessary measure to confront what they labeled an existential danger from Iran, whose leaders have publicly called for the destruction of Israel. The two-week conflict between Israel and Iran was marked by intense aerial bombardments, including American strikes ordered by Trump on deeply buried Iranian nuclear sites.

Araghchi mentioned that there are signs the United States may now be willing to reengage in talks. He reminded readers that the U.S. was initially part of the six-nation nuclear deal signed with Iran in 2015, a pact which Trump later exited during his first term.

“Iran remains interested in diplomacy but we have good reason to have doubts about further dialogue. If there is a desire to resolve this amicably, the US should show genuine readiness for an equitable accord,” Araghchi wrote.

Later that day, Araghchi held discussions in Mecca with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud. The meeting focused on regional affairs and efforts to restore ties between the two long-standing rivals, according to Saudi media outlet SPA.

This marked Araghchi’s initial trip to Saudi Arabia since the conclusion of the recent 12-day conflict with Israel.

According to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei, Araghchi also engaged in productive discussions with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman. Baghaei did not reveal the specific location of those meetings but noted them in a post on X.

At the White House on Monday evening, Trump told the press, “We have scheduled Iran talks, and they… want to talk.” His envoy Witkoff confirmed that the dialogue would begin within the next several days.

Prime Minister Netanyahu, speaking Tuesday after meeting with U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, signaled that he was open to the possibility of renewed talks between the U.S. and Iran. “There are opportunities for peace that we intend to realize… We’re working together on this,” he said.

An Israeli senior official, briefing reporters in Washington, revealed that Trump’s move to initiate direct negotiations with Iran in April had not come as a shock to the Israeli leadership. “We talked to him before,” said the official as Netanyahu sat nearby.

During his remarks on Monday, Trump also expressed openness to easing sanctions on Tehran. “I would love to be able to, at the right time, take those sanctions off,” he said. Just before Netanyahu’s visit, Trump hinted at deeper collaboration with Israel, stating the two nations were “working on a lot of things,” including what he described as “probably a permanent deal with Iran.”

In a separate interview aired Monday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian voiced optimism that disputes between Tehran and Washington could be resolved through renewed dialogue.

{Matzav.com}

Russia fired more than 700 attack and decoy drones at Ukraine overnight, topping previous nightly barrages for the third time in two weeks, part of Moscow’s intensifying aerial and ground assault in the three-year war, Ukrainian officials said Wednesday. Russia has recently sought to overwhelm Ukraine’s air defenses by launching major attacks that include increasing numbers of decoy drones. The most recent one appeared aimed at disrupting Ukraine’s vital supply of Western weapons. The city of Lutsk, home to airfields used by the Ukrainian army, was the hardest hit, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. It lies in western Ukraine near the border with Poland, a region that is a crucial hub for receiving foreign military aid. The attack comes at a time of increased uncertainty over the supply of crucial American weapons and as U.S.-led peace efforts have stalled. Zelenskyy said that the Kremlin was “making a point” with it. The Russian Defense Ministry said that its forces took aim at Ukrainian air bases and that “all the designated targets have been hit.” Meanwhile, Ukraine fired drones into Russia overnight, killing three people, officials said. The Russian attack, which included 728 drones and 13 missiles, had the largest number of drones fired in a single night in the war. On Friday, Russia fired 550 drones, less than a week after it launched 477, both the largest at the time, officials said. Beyond Lutsk, 10 regions were struck. One person was killed in the Khmelnytskyi region, and two wounded in the Kyiv region, officials said. Poland scrambled its fighter jets and put its armed forces on the highest level of alert in response to the attack, the Polish Armed Forces Operational Command wrote in an X post. Russia’s bigger army has also launched a new drive to punch through parts of the 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line, where short-handed Ukrainian forces are under heavy strain. Trump says US must send more weapons to Ukraine U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he was “not happy” with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who hasn’t budged from his ceasefire and peace demands since Trump took office in January and began to push for a settlement. Trump said Monday that the U.S. would have to send more weapons to Ukraine, just days after Washington paused critical weapons deliveries to Kyiv. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Trump “has quite a tough style in terms of the phrasing he uses,” adding that Moscow hopes to “continue our dialogue with Washington and our course aimed at repairing the badly damaged bilateral ties.” Zelenskyy, meanwhile, urged Ukraine’s partners to impose stricter sanctions on Russian oil and those who help finance the Kremlin’s war by buying it. “Everyone who wants peace must act,” Zelenskyy said. The Ukrainian leader met Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday during a visit to Italy ahead of an international conference on rebuilding Ukraine. Both Russia and Ukraine look to build more drones Ukraine’s air defenses shot down 296 drones and seven missiles during the overnight attack, while 415 more drones were lost from radars or jammed, an air force statement said. Ukrainian interceptor drones, developed to counter the Shahed ones fired by Russia, are increasingly effective, Zelenskyy said, adding that domestic production of anti-aircraft drones is being scaled up in partnership with some Western countries. Western military analysts say Russia is also boosting its drone manufacturing and could soon be capable of […]

In an interview with Lebanon’s Al-Mayadeen channel, Hezbollah’s Secretary-General Naim Qassem unveiled fresh details about how the group reacted immediately following the October 7, 2023, Hamas assault on Israel.

According to Qassem, Hamas reached out to Hezbollah just half an hour after initiating the attack, informing then-leader Hassan Nasrallah of their operation and urging Hezbollah to fully join the battle. “Hamas contacted then-Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, informed him of the operation, and asked the group to join the fighting in full force.”

Qassem insisted that Hezbollah was not aware in advance of Hamas’s intentions. After receiving the message, Nasrallah relayed it to the group’s leadership for internal discussion. At first, there was consideration of launching strikes in the Har Dov region, anticipating that Israeli counterattacks would escalate gradually. Ultimately, however, Hezbollah’s top decision-making body, the Shura Council, resolved to offer limited support rather than launching a full-fledged military campaign.

He cited three key reasons for this restrained approach: the lack of coordination prior to the attack, concern that widespread fighting could draw in the United States, and the belief that partial involvement would still align with Hezbollah’s larger strategic objectives.

During the conversation, Qassem also touched on the repercussions of a major intelligence breach referred to as the “beeper attack.” He noted that Hezbollah established both a central investigative committee and multiple sub-teams to probe what went wrong and how the breach occurred.

He further disclosed that Israel had succeeded in exposing Hezbollah’s clandestine procurement operation—a sophisticated global network designed to mask the identities of those acquiring resources. This exposure, Qassem admitted, allowed Israel to dismantle the organization’s internal communications system. He called the setback “a very severe blow.”

When speaking about Hezbollah’s preparedness today, Qassem issued a clear warning: “We are upgrading, recovering, and now we are ready. If Israel attacks, we will not stand by and watch. We will fight them.”

The interview took an emotional turn when Qassem began to weep while mentioning the late Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah. He explained that his tears were not merely over Nasrallah’s death but over the void left by his absence.

{Matzav.com}

Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company said Wednesday that it’s taking down “inappropriate posts” made by its Grok chatbot, which appeared to include antisemitic comments that praised Adolf Hitler. Grok was developed by Musk’s xAI and pitched as alternative to “woke AI” interactions from rival chatbots like Google’s Gemini, or OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Musk said Friday that Grok has been improved significantly, and users “should notice a difference.” Since then, Grok has shared several antisemitic posts, including the trope that Jews run Hollywood, and denied that such a stance could be described as Nazism. “Labeling truths as hate speech stifles discussion,” Grok said. It also appeared to praise Hitler, according to screenshots of a post that has now apparently been deleted. “We are aware of recent posts made by Grok and are actively working to remove the inappropriate posts,” the Grok account posted early Wednesday, without being more specific. “Since being made aware of the content, xAI has taken action to ban hate speech before Grok posts on X. xAI is training only truth-seeking and thanks to the millions of users on X, we are able to quickly identify and update the model where training could be improved. Also Wednesday, a court in Turkey ordered a ban on Grok after it spread content insulting to Turkey’s President and others. The pro-government A Haber news channel reported that Grok posted vulgarities against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, his late mother and well-known personalities. Offensive responses were also directed toward modern Turkey’s founder, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, other media outlets said. That prompted the Ankara public prosecutor to file for the imposition of restrictions under Turkey’s internet law, citing a threat to public order. A criminal court approved the request early on Wednesday, ordering the country’s telecommunications authority to enforce the ban. It’s not the first time Grok’s behavior has raised questions. Earlier this year the chatbot kept talking about South African racial politics and the subject of “white genocide” despite being asked a variety of questions, most of which had nothing to do with the country. An “unauthorized modification” was behind the problem, xAI said. (AP)

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the passing of Mrs. Devorah Ackerman a”h, a woman whose life was defined by chessed, hospitality, and unwavering dedication to Torah and Klal Yisroel.

Mrs. Ackerman passed away in New York. A longtime resident of Boro Park, she later moved to Bnei Brak with her esteemed husband, the legendary Stoliner Chossid and baal chessed, R’ Yudel Ackerman zt”l. Together, they played a pivotal role in founding key mosdos of the Stoliner kehillah. In New York, they helped establish the Stoliner Yeshiva, and in Eretz Yisroel, they were instrumental in founding the Stoliner Cheder in Bnei Brak.

For many years, their home in Eretz Yisroel served as an open haven for hundreds of bochurim, seminary girls, and families. Whether for Shabbos or Yom Tov, the Ackerman household was a place of warmth, encouragement, and genuine hachnosas orchim. Mrs. Ackerman, with her trademark grace and generosity, ensured that every guest felt like family.

Following the passing of her husband, R’ Yudel, Mrs. Ackerman returned to Boro Park, where she continued to be a source of strength and inspiration to those around her.

The levaya took place in Boro Park and will continue in Eretz Yisroel, with stops in Givat Zev and Bnei Brak. Kevurah will take place in Teveria.

Yehi zichro baruch.

{Matzav.com}

A union representing thousands of city workers in Philadelphia and the city have reached a deal to end a more than weeklong strike that halted residential curbside trash pickup and affected other services, officials said Wednesday. Nearly 10,000 blue-collar employees from District Council 33 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees had walked off the job July 1, seeking better pay and benefits after failing to agree with the city on a new contract. The tentative agreement was announced on what would have been the ninth day of the strike. That period, which included the Fourth of July holiday weekend, created a backlog of trash. Some drop-off centers were overflowing. Mayor Cherelle Parker announced the end of the strike and the agreement with the union on social media. “The work stoppage involving the District Council 33 and the City of Philadelphia is OVER,” she posted. “We have reached a tentative agreement with District Council 33, which must be ratified by its membership on a new three-year contract that, coupled with the one-year contract extension we agreed to last fall, will increase DC 33 members’ pay by 14 percent over my four years in office.” Parker said, “we’ll have much more to say about this historic deal” at City Hall. District Council 33 is the largest of four major unions representing city workers. Its membership includes 911 dispatchers, trash collectors, water department workers and many others. Police and firefighters weren’t part of the strike. Last week, judges had sided with the city in ordering some critical employees back to work at the city’s 911 centers, water department and airport. “The strike is over! Details forthcoming,” the union posted on Facebook Wednesday morning. Union President Greg Boulware briefly spoke with reporters after the deal was reached. “We did the best we could with the circumstances we had in front of us,” he said. The city had designated about 60 sites as drop-off centers for residential trash, but some were overflowing, while striking workers on hand asked residents not to cross the picket line. Most libraries across the city are were closed, with support workers and security guards off the job. (AP)

A resurfaced image of Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani making an obscene gesture toward a statue of Christopher Columbus is stirring controversy across New York City — particularly among members of the Italian-American community. The photo, originally posted in June 2020, shows what appears to be Mamdani’s making the gesture toward a Columbus statue in Astoria. The caption: “Take it down.” Around the same time, Mamdani posted a poll asking followers who should replace Columbus. The options included legendary crooner Tony Bennett, Italian communist Walter Audisio — known for killing Benito Mussolini — and Sacco and Vanzetti, two anarcho-communists executed in 1927. The winners: Sacco and Vanzetti. The posts have since resurfaced following Mamdani’s surprise victory in last month’s Democratic primary, prompting criticism from community leaders and political opponents alike. “He is being disrespectful to the Italian-American community,” said Angelo Vivolo, president of the Columbus Heritage Coalition. “If you offend one community, you offend all communities.” Joseph Scelsa, founder of the Italian American Museum, also condemned the gesture, warning it could alienate a substantial portion of the city’s electorate. “Columbus is our hero,” Scelsa said. “To eliminate such a large population of people would be a travesty.” Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist born in Uganda to Indian parents, has become a polarizing figure in city politics. He’s drawn fire from moderates and conservatives for his progressive platform, past support for defunding the police, and, more recently, for listing himself as both Asian and African American on college applications, despite being of Indian descent. He is set to face several opponents in the November general election, including incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, now running as an independent, Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa, and former Governor Andrew Cuomo. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

As talks on a ceasefire/hostage deal continue to take place in Doha, Israel’s insistence on maintaining control over the Morag Corridor in southern Gaza has emerged as the main obstacle to an agreement. IDF forces seized the area of the Morag Corridor—a 12-kilometer route between Rafah and Khan Younis—about three months ago. The corridor serves as an internal border that divides the Gaza Strip in two while isolating Hamas—above and below ground—in the Rafah area. Channel 12 News noted that Israel considers the corridor to be “Philadelphia II,” similar to the Philadelphi Corridor on the Egyptian border, whose function is to prevent smuggling and limit terrorist movement. However, unlike the Philadelphi Corridor, which the IDF considered less critical, the Morag Corridor is defined as essential for a rapid response, for locating terrorist infrastructure, and for maintaining constant military pressure, even in the event of a ceasefire. Control of the Morag Axis allows Israel to maintain operational continuity, sever connections between different parts of the Strip, and block Hamas from reestablishing itself in the south. Politically, it is viewed as a strategic tool to secure long-term freedom of action, while the IDF emphasizes its importance for security and operations—facilitating rapid troop deployment and hindering any resurgence of Hamas forces. On the other hand, Hamas sees the Israeli demand as a dangerous political achievement that will undermine its status. According to reports, Hamas strongly refuses to allow an Israeli presence on the Morag Corridor, which could make it difficult to achieve the emerging agreement. In practice, the demand to maintain the Morag Corridor as a kind of security buffer means that Israel may prefer a delay in the agreement over ceding an operational asset, as long as international oversight arrangements are not guaranteed to replace the IDF presence on the ground. “The corridor is critical to our security,” Netanyahu said in a televised statement earlier this year. “It enables us to put greater pressure on Hamas and secure the release of our hostages.” (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)  

WATCH:

Europe’s top human rights court ruled that Russia was responsible for widespread violations of international law in Ukraine, including the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 in 2014, marking the first time an international court has held Moscow accountable for human rights abuses related to the conflict there. Judges at the European Court of Human Rights on Wednesday delivered decisions on four cases brought by Ukraine and the Netherlands against Russia since the start of the conflict in 2014. The allegations include murder, torture, rape, destroying civilian infrastructure, kidnapping Ukrainian children and shooting down the Malaysian Airlines passenger jet, Flight MH17, by Ukrainian separatists who side with Russia. Reading the decisions before a packed courtroom in Strasbourg, Court President Mattias Guyomar said Russian forces breached international humanitarian law in Ukraine by carrying out attacks that “killed and wounded thousands of civilians and created fear and terror.” The judges found the human rights abuses went beyond any military objective and Russia used sexual violence as part of a strategy to break Ukrainian morale, the French judge said. “The use of rape as a weapon of war was an act of extreme atrocity that amounted to torture,” Guyomar said. The complaints were brought before the court’s governing body expelled Moscow in 2022, following the full-scale invasion. The decisions are largely symbolic since Moscow says it plans to ignore them. “We won’t abide by it, we consider it void,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said in a call with reporters Wednesday. Families of the victims of the MH17 disaster see the decision as an important milestone in their 11-year quest for justice. “It’s a real step in understanding who was really responsible,” Thomas Schansman, who lost his 18-year-old son Quinn in the tragedy, told The Associated Press. The Boeing 777 flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur was shot down on July 17, 2014, using a Russian-made Buk missile fired from territory in eastern Ukraine controlled by separatist rebels. All 298 passengers and crew were killed, including 196 Dutch citizens. In May, the U.N.’s aviation agency found Russia responsible for the disaster. The ECHR is an important part of the Council of Europe, which is the continent’s foremost human rights institution. Russia was expelled from the council over Moscow’s invasion and war in Ukraine. However, the court can still deal with cases against Russia dating from before its expulsion. In 2023, the judges sided with Ukraine and the Netherlands in a challenge over jurisdiction, finding there was sufficient evidence to show areas in eastern Ukraine controlled by separatist rebels were “under the jurisdiction of the Russian Federation,” including providing weapons, and giving political and economic support. Wednesday’s rulings won’t be the last from the EHCR dealing with the war. Kyiv has other cases pending against Russia and there are nearly 10,000 cases brought by individuals against the Kremlin. The decisions in Strasbourg are separate from a criminal prosecution in the Netherlands in which two Russians and a Ukrainian rebel were convicted in absentia of multiple murders for their roles in the downing of Flight MH17. In 2022, the United Nations’ top court ordered Russia to stop military operations in Ukraine while a case is heard, a process that takes years. Russia has flouted the order by the International Court of Justice. Last month, Ukrainian President […]

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In an unusual legal move, a chareidi family from Kiryat Shemonah petitioned Israel’s Family Court for special permission allowing their 17-year-old daughter to marry before reaching the legal age of 18. The request was rooted in halachic concerns regarding modesty and the prohibition of close contact before marriage.

The girl’s intended husband is 21 years old. The two met when the girl’s family was evacuated from their home during the recent war and temporarily took refuge with his family. Although her parents initially opposed the relationship due to religious concerns, they later warmed to the idea and ultimately gave their blessing for the shidduch.

During the legal proceedings, the girl’s father suffered a severe stroke, a factor which was raised in court as part of the reasoning behind the urgency of the request.

The couple had scheduled a wedding for the following month, at which point the girl would be 17 years and five months old. A court-ordered report by a social worker described the girl as mature and responsible and noted the couple’s strong and stable relationship. The report emphasized that the primary motivation for expediting the wedding was based on halachic values relating to tznius, not external pressure or immaturity.

When asked what would happen if the request was denied, the girl responded that “it won’t be easy, and they’ll have to meet less, but she doesn’t believe they’ll break up.”

Despite the professional opinion and the girl’s testimony, the legal representative of the Attorney General strongly objected to the petition, noting that “even in more extreme cases—such as one involving a minor just five days shy of turning 18—the court has refused to approve a marriage.”

Judge Ran Arnon ultimately ruled against the request, stating: “I am not convinced that there are special circumstances related to the minor’s best interest that would justify granting permission for her to marry before the age of 18.” The request was officially denied.

{Matzav.com Israel}

In what witnesses are calling an open miracle, a bris milah was performed last night just moments before sunset under extraordinary circumstances after a sudden and drastic drop in the infant’s hemoglobin levels made the bris halachically permissible. The event unfolded exactly as foretold earlier in the day by the baby’s great-grandfather, the renowned posek, Rav Moshe Sternbuch.

The father, who performed the bris himself, also served as the sandek, reciting all the brachos and filling all the kibbudim traditionally distributed among close family. The rushed ceremony took place in the final minutes before sunset, with no time to gather relatives, due to the urgent need to fulfill the mitzvah of bris milah bizmanah, on the eighth day.

Earlier that morning, bloodwork showed the baby had an unusually high hemoglobin level of 14.5, rendering a bris halachically prohibited. But when Rav Sternbuch heard the test results, he calmly told the family, “You’ll see—the bris will be today.” His words stunned those around him, as such a sharp drop in hemoglobin within hours seemed medically unlikely.

Yet, toward evening, in what many are calling a revealed mofes, a follow-up test showed that the baby’s hemoglobin had plummeted dramatically—just minutes before shkiah. The father acted immediately, performing the bris in the narrow window of halachic opportunity.

After the bris, the father brought his newborn son to Rav Sternbuch’s home, where the posek bentched the child at his table. Also present at the post-bris seudah was the baby’s other grandfather, Rav Chaim Uri Freund, member of the Badatz of the Eidah HaChareidis.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu paid a visit to the White House on Tuesday for a follow-up discussion with President Donald Trump, marking their second meeting within a 24-hour span.

The meeting, which lasted approximately ninety minutes, took place against the backdrop of high-stakes negotiations between Israel and Hamas. These talks, facilitated by Qatari officials in Doha, aim to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza.

Neither Netanyahu nor Trump addressed the press following their closed-door discussion.

According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu concluded his second meeting with US President Donald Trump a short time ago.”

“The meeting, held in the Oval Office at the White House, was also attended by Vice President JD Vance,” the statement continued.

At the same time, journalist Barak Ravid reported that a delegation from Qatar had also arrived in Washington earlier that day to participate in discussions related to the hostage situation and efforts toward a ceasefire in Gaza.

Earlier Tuesday, Netanyahu delivered remarks to reporters on Capitol Hill after his session with House Speaker Mike Johnson.

“The President and I believe in a doctrine called peace through strength. First comes strength, then comes the peace. Our resolute action, the resolute decision of President Trump to act with us against those who seek to destroy Israel and threaten the peace of the world has made a remarkable change in the Middle East,” said Netanyahu.

Speaking about the recent 12-day confrontation involving Iran, the prime minister praised American military efforts alongside Israel’s own. “The remarkable American B2 pilots showed remarkable perseverance, persistence and power. The soldiers of Israel fought like lions, our pilots struck like lightning and our common alliance roared like thunder. And this is having a great change in our region. There are opportunities for peace that we intend to realize. We’re working together on this.”

Touching on the ongoing war in Gaza, Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s objectives. “We have still to finish the job in Gaza, release all our hostages, eliminate and destroy Hamas’s military and governance capabilities because Gaza must have a different future, for our sake, for everyone’s sake. And no country will settle for less. We certainly will not,” he said.

He concluded by highlighting the strength of the relationship between Washington and Israel. “These are all things that I discussed with President Trump. I may discuss further with him later in this visit. But I have to say that the coordination between our two countries, the coordination between an American president and an Israeli prime minister has been unmatched. It offers great promise for Israel, for America, for our region and for the world,” Netanyahu concluded.

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

During a speech delivered yesterday, the Satmar Rebbe responded strongly to reports of increased efforts by Israeli authorities to crack down on individuals evading military service, including yeshiva and kollel students. He urged unwavering commitment to derech haTorah, the path of Torah.

Opening his address, the Rebbe condemned what he described as oppressive tactics by the Israeli leadership. “There is very troubling news coming from the Holy Land – the wicked government has announced that they are sending over fifty thousand draft orders to yeshiva students, and they are going to set up roadblocks around all the haredi cities, to stop those coming in and out and check who is not reporting to the recruitment office,” he said.

Referring to a recent report highlighting a lack of prison capacity, the Rebbe warned that the state would be overwhelmed by resistance from Torah learners. “We want to inform the wicked government that hundreds of cells in the prisons will not be enough for them, they will need thousands of cells for the thousands of yeshiva students who will not show up.”

Standing in solidarity with the chareidi community in Eretz Yisroel, the Rebbe declared that support from the diaspora must remain firm. “We, from here – from New York – can only strengthen the hands of the people in Tzion. A terrible decree seems to await a great trouble for the yeshiva students and kollel members.”

Despite the dire tone, the Rebbe questioned whether the state truly intends to carry out the sweeping draft orders or if the announcements are simply a manipulative tactic. “We don’t know at the moment if this is really their intention to do this, or if it is just a way to threaten the haredi Knesset members so they will agree to the new law.”

Casting doubt on the credibility of Israeli politicians, he concluded with sharp criticism. “Everyone there are liars, and it could be just another political spin to get the rabbis’ approval for the new law,” he added.

{Matzav.com}

[Video below.] A disturbing video has emerged showing a former intern for Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani verbally harassing a Muslim NYPD officer during a pro-Palestinian rally.

The footage, taken at a demonstration on the City College campus, captures student activist Hadeeqa Arzoo Malik berating officers lined up near the protest. Malik, who once interned in Mamdani’s Assembly district office, can be heard shouting, “Let’s read the badges of the pigs,” as she begins calling out names that are common among Muslims.

Malik continues, directing her comments toward specific officers with names like Rahman, Muhammad, Ali, and Abdullah. “So to the Rahmans and the Muhammads, to the Alis and the Abdullahs,” she proclaims, eventually zeroing in on one officer in particular. “To the Rafids!” she yells, pointing out the visibly uncomfortable officer.

Her tirade crescendos as she accuses the officers of tarnishing their faith. “To the pigs who can call themselves by the name of Islam — put some respect on their names!” she screams. The clip concludes as another officer steps in to replace the one Malik had been addressing.

According to her LinkedIn profile, Malik interned for Mamdani during the summer of 2024, handling responsibilities in communications, outreach, policy, and constituent services. She was also active as president of the City College chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine.

Mamdani himself helped establish the SJP chapter at Bowdoin College, where he studied.

The video, initially shared on X in late February, was posted by an anonymous student account known as “Documenting Jew Hatred on Campus at Columbia U.” The account claimed that Malik has a “extensive profile” on Canary Mission, a database that tracks antisemitic activity online.

“NYers take note! You’ll be getting a lot more very empowered Maliks if Mamdani wins the election. Don’t let this happen,” read the caption from the post.

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com mourns the petirah of Reb Aharon Dovid Yitzchok Rubinstein z”l, a devoted longtime volunteer with Hatzolah of Kiryas Yoel and the Catskills. He was 51 years old.

Reb Aharon Dovid, a resident of Kiryas Yoel, was known for his boundless dedication to helping others. As a veteran Hatzolah member, he responded to hundreds of emergency calls over the years, often being the first on the scene and the last to leave. His tireless devotion earned him deep respect and admiration from all who knew him.

He was born in the United States. His father was Reb Avrohom Yosef Rubinstein. He was a son-in-law of Reb Yosef Weiss.

Every aspect of Reb Aharon Dovid’s life revolved around acts of kindness and chesed. Whether saving lives or assisting those in need, he could always be counted on. In Kiryas Yoel, he was instrumental in organizing community events, including the annual dinners and melaveh malka gatherings on behalf of local mosdos.

A friend recalled, “I remember when I was arranging a bulk shoe purchase for talmidim, Reb Aharon Dovid approached me and asked if he could sponsor shoes for yesomim before Yom Tov. That’s just who he was—a true baal chesed.”

In recent years, Reb Aharon Dovid battled a serious illness. Over the past several weeks, his condition deteriorated significantly, and earlier today, he was niftar.

The levayah is taking place now at the central beis medrash in Kiryas Yoel, proceeding to the local beis hachaim, where he will be laid to rest.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

A powerful moment unfolded at Ben Gurion Airport this week as volunteers from Naava Kodesh warmly welcomed a group of Yeshivishe families making Aliyah to Eretz Yisroel. Among the arrivals was a family from Lakewood, New Jersey — a sign of the growing trend among Bnei Torah families to establish permanent homes in Eretz Yisroel

What was once considered rare is becoming increasingly familiar: Yeshivishe families, grounded in Torah values and chinuch, are arriving with a sense of clarity and purpose, fulfilling a generations-old yearning to settle in Eretz Yisroel.

As the families emerged from customs, they were greeted with singing and heartfelt dancing, including a moving outpour of “Veshavu Banim Ligvulam.” The scene reflected the joy of return and the depth of what this moment represents: the culmination of centuries of tefillos, longing, and mesirus nefesh to settle in Eretz Yisroel.

“This wasn’t just another flight — it was the fulfillment of 2,000 years of yearning,” said Yosef Elyah Steinberg, a member of the Naava Kodesh Welcoming Committee.

“Watching choshuveh Yeshiva families arrive with that spark in their eyes, realizing that people like them were waiting to welcome them — it was deeply moving. It felt like a glimpse of Hashem’s light after years of galus, and a reminder that this is just the beginning. Their courage inspires others to consider their own journey home.”

Shmuel Shifrin, a fellow committee member and former Lakewood resident who made Aliyah two years ago, echoed the sentiment:

“Standing at the airport today, I had the incredible zechus to welcome Yidden finally coming home. I didn’t know most of their names — but it felt like greeting close family returning after years apart.

The energy was emotional, powerful, and unforgettable. Moments like this remind me that the geulah is unfolding before our eyes — one beautiful family at a time.”

“Welcoming these choshuveh families from Lakewood to Eretz Yisroel is nothing short of a historic moment,” said Tzvi Arnstein, Founder of Naava Kodesh.

“Seeing Bnei Torah settling in the Holy Land is a tremendous chizuk — not only for them, but for all of Klal Yisroel. At Naava Kodesh, we consider it a zechus to assist these families as they begin this next stage in their avodas Hashem, rooted in the kedusha of Eretz Hakodesh. We’re here to help make that transition smooth and uplifting — both b’gashmiyus and b’ruchniyus.”

{Matzav.com}