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As Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu prepares to meet with President Donald Trump later this week, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir voiced strong confidence in Netanyahu’s handling of the Iran file and sharply criticized American thinking on Gaza.

Speaking in an interview this morning with Kan Reshet Bet, Ben Gvir said Netanyahu has demonstrated skill and clarity in his dealings with Washington on Iran. “The prime minister is doing an excellent job on the Iran issue. I think his demands are very clear. He has proven that he knows how to talk to Trump. This time too, he will bring achievements,” Ben Gvir said.

Turning to the situation in Gaza, Ben Gvir took aim at U.S. officials advising Trump, accusing them of misunderstanding realities on the ground. “The Americans are very naive, especially Kushner and Witkoff. They are feeding Trump incorrect ideas. I am not prepared for the fact that there will be tens of thousands of armed men in Gaza with pickup trucks walking around with crutches,” he said.

{Matzav.com}

Threats against the Jewish community in Munich and Upper Bavaria, which has already faced a surge in antisemitic incidents in recent months, have escalated further after the community received a letter containing a bullet and violent threats late last week. German police confirmed that the envelope, delivered on Thursday, included “threatening content and a bullet.” […]

Iran’s foreign minister said that Tehran expects negotiations with the United States to restart in the near future, while making clear that certain issues remain off-limits and warning that any American strike on Iranian soil would trigger a military response.

In remarks shared from an interview with Al Jazeera and posted to his official Telegram channel, Abbas Araghchi said Iran’s missile program was “never negotiable” during the most recent round of discussions held Friday in Oman. He emphasized that the program is a “defense issue” and therefore not subject to talks.

Araghchi also cautioned that if the United States were to attack Iran, Tehran would respond by striking American military bases in the region. At the same time, he characterized the Muscat talks as a constructive opening, even though they were conducted indirectly.

“An opportunity arose to shake hands with the American delegation,” he said, describing the meeting as “a good start,” while noting that rebuilding trust would require time. He added that negotiations would resume “soon.”

President Donald Trump said Friday that the discussions had gone “very good” and said another round of talks was planned for next week. Despite those comments, Trump also signed an executive order taking effect Saturday that calls for the “imposition of tariffs” on countries that continue commercial ties with Iran.

In parallel, Washington announced additional sanctions aimed at Iran’s oil trade, targeting a wide network of shipping companies and vessels involved in transporting Iranian crude.

Addressing the nuclear issue, Araghchi told Al Jazeera that uranium enrichment remains Iran’s “inalienable right and must continue.”

“We are ready to reach a reassuring agreement on enrichment,” he said. “The Iranian nuclear case will only be resolved through negotiations.”

His statements echoed reporting by The Wall Street Journal following the Oman talks, which said Iran rejected U.S. demands to stop uranium enrichment, though both sides agreed to keep negotiating in an effort to avoid further escalation.

Earlier this week, Vice President JD Vance said that Trump would “keep his options open” regarding Iran and could turn to military action if diplomatic efforts fail.

In an interview with Megyn Kelly, Vance underscored the administration’s position, saying, “Iran can’t have a nuclear weapon. That is the stated policy goal of the president of the United States. It’s so funny. Sometimes you have people who are saying, ‘Well, the president’s too belligerent.’ And then sometimes you have people who say, ‘Well, the president, he’s talking about diplomacy and he’s talking about negotiating with the Iranians. We shouldn’t negotiate. We should just bomb them.’”

{Matzav.com}

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s governing party is almost certain to win a single-party majority in a key parliamentary election Sunday, NHK public television and other major networks say, citing their exit polls. NHK says Takaichi’s governing coalition led by her Liberal Democratic Party could also win more than two-thirds of the 465-seat lower house, the […]

Foreign Minister Gideon Saar met Sunday morning at the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem with Paraguay’s Foreign Minister Rubén Ramírez Lezcano. The two discussed President Trump’s Gaza plan and other regional issues and later held a press conference. In his remarks, Saar first spoke about Trump’s plan for Gaza, stressing that Hamas and Gaza must first […]

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An avreich, Avraham Ben Dayan, who got married two months ago, was arrested by traffic police on Motzei Shabbos and transferred to the military police for “draft dodging.” The avreich, a resident of Netivot who attended Maor HaTalmud Yeshiva as a bochur, had spent Shabbos on the moshav of Tifrach. As he left the moshav, […]

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A nationwide outburst of rage is sweeping Iran, as people outraged by last month’s mass killings express their hatred of the regime despite the risks of arrest or retaliation, the Wall Street Journal reported. According to the report, Iranians are carrying out acts of defiance as they struggle to comprehend the scale of the January […]

A yungerman who was handed over to the military police last night is expected to appear Sunday before a military judge, who will decide his sentence and determine how many additional days he will remain behind bars in a military prison.

The arrest has sparked preparations for renewed protests by the Peleg Yerushalmi faction, as tensions continue to rise.

The detainee, Reb Avraham Ben Dayan, a talmid of the Maor HaTalmud yeshiva who was married only about two months ago, is scheduled to be brought before the military court today. The judge will rule on the length of his continued incarceration following his transfer to military custody.

According to the report, Ben Dayan had been spending Shabbos in the southern city of Ofakim when he was stopped by a traffic officer in the community of Yifrach on suspicion of a traffic violation. During the stop, the officer discovered that Ben Dayan had not reported to the enlistment office and was therefore classified as a deserter. He was taken to a police station and later transferred to the military police.

In response to the arrest, activists affiliated with the Peleg Yerushalmi said they are preparing to resume protests across the country, describing the detention as an attack on Torah study. “Ben Dayan was arrested for the crime of studying Torah, and we will take to the streets throughout the country. We will not remain silent while Torah scholars are arrested,” a source in the faction said.

Following the arrest, hundreds of demonstrators gathered near the Ofakim police station, blocking the entrance to the facility as well as Route 241 at the city’s entrance. Police were called in to disperse the crowd and restore order.

During the disturbances, police arrested three protesters and used crowd-control measures, including stun grenades, authorities said.

In a statement issued overnight, police said: “Officers from the Southern District operated at the entrance to the city of Ofakim on Route 241 to restore public order, after disorderly individuals arrived at the scene, blocked traffic routes, acted violently, and disrupted normal life in the area. Police forces arrested three individuals involved in the disturbances.

“The Israel Police emphasize that violent riots by lawbreakers and the blocking of traffic routes are criminal offenses, endanger human life, and could end in a serious disaster.”

As Ben Dayan awaits the military court’s decision, further demonstrations are expected, with the situation likely to remain volatile in the coming days.

{Matzav.com}

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Did you ever realize that most of the good in your life slips by unnoticed? Small wins. Big saves. Tiny moments that show He’s with you. And then what happens? We forget. Like… • The bus that waited. • The appointment that suddenly opened. • The friend who texted at the perfect second. • The […]

A volatile protest broke out late Motzoei Shabbos at the entrance to the southern city of Ofakim following the arrest of a young avreich, leading to road closures, clashes with police, and multiple arrests.

The demonstration erupted after the detention of Reb Avraham Ben Dayan, a recently married avreich who wed approximately two months ago. Reb Avraham, a talmid of Yeshivas Me’or HaTalmud and a resident of Netivot, was arrested during Shabbos in the community of Tifrach and was later transferred to the custody of military police.

According to available details, Reb Avraham had been in Tifrach over Shabbos when he was initially stopped by traffic police. He was subsequently handed over to the Ofakim police, who transferred him to military police at the Bahadim base. He is expected to be moved to Prison 10.

In response to the arrest, hundreds of demonstrators converged on the intersection at the entrance to Ofakim along Route 241. Protesters blocked the roadway, causing major traffic disruptions in the area. Tensions escalated as confrontations developed between demonstrators and police forces, who used stun grenades in an effort to disperse the crowd. Reports from the scene indicated that three protesters were arrested during the disturbances.

In a statement, police said officers from the Southern District were operating at the entrance to Ofakim to restore public order after individuals blocked traffic, acted violently, and disrupted daily life in the area.

Police further said that three people were taken into custody.

{Matzav.com}

In an effort to restore order and ensure safety during encounters with the Sanzer Rebbe, the Sanzer Chassidus has announced the creation of a new committee charged with regulating the flow of chassidim as they approach the Rebbe for a brachah.

The announcement was made on Friday evening in the main beis medrash of the Sanzer Rebbe in Kiryat Sanz, Netanya. The newly formed group is made up of selected avreichim whose role will be to guide participants during the traditional passage before the Rebbe.

The gabbai’im of the chassidus, Rav Avraham Dovid Shechter and Rav Dov Berish Shtemer, explained that in recent times the established order has deteriorated during gatherings in the Sanzer court, at times reaching the level of an actual danger to life.

They wrote that with the blessing and authorization of the Sanzer Rebbe, the decision was made to establish a dedicated group of avreichim who will stand watch and clearly direct chassidim how to proceed during each occasion of passing before the Rebbe. The new system will operate in an organized and appropriate manner, with separate routes designated for avreichim and for bochurim.

According to the announcement, beginning this week—starting with the Shabbos night tish, as will be publicized—every individual has both the obligation and the merit to follow the instructions of the committee.

The gabbai’im emphasized that adherence to the new guidelines will help be mekadeish Sheim Shomayim, uphold the dignity of the Sanzer court, and show proper respect for others.

In their message, the gabbai’im cited Rashi’s commentary on the approach of Klal Yisroel at the time of Matan Torah. Rashi explains that the earlier approach was fitting and respectful, with the younger honoring the elders and allowing them to go first, and the elders honoring the leaders. In contrast, the Torah later describes a disorderly approach, in which the young pushed the elders and the elders pushed the leaders, a model the chassidus seeks to avoid.

{Matzav.com}

Rav Aryeh Aharon Yarom zt”l, a distinguished longtime talmid of Yeshivas Mir Yerushalayim and a resident of the Har Nof neighborhood, passed away on Shabbos morning at Maayanei Hayeshua Medical Center in Bnei Brak. He was 78.

Rav Yarom was born on 27 Elul 5707 to his father, Rav Yosef Yarom, and his mother, Tzipora. From a young age, he was devoted to Torah learning. In his youth, he studied at Yeshivas HaNegev in Netivot, where he was a talmid of the rosh yeshiva, Rav Yissachar Meir zt”l, from whom he absorbed his derech halimud.

Upon reaching marriage age, he married the daughter of Rav Yom Tov Chaim HaKohen Friedman. Together they established their home in Yerushalayim’s Har Nof neighborhood.

Following his marriage, Rav Yarom entered the beis medrash of Yeshivas Mir in Yerushalayim, where he remained immersed in Torah learning for more than five decades. He was counted among the senior avreichim of the yeshiva, known for his consistency and dedication to Torah and avodah.

For decades, Rav Yarom was meticulous to be among the first ten men at every tefillah in his shul, a practice he maintained with remarkable persistence.

He is survived by a large and distinguished family. His sons are Rav Avraham Yitzchak Yarom; Rav Nosson Tzvi Yarom, chairman of Machon Mishnas HaChafetz Chaim; Rav Yehoshua Chananel Yarom; and Rav Moshe Yarom. His sons-in-law include Rav Aharon Malach of Beit Vagan, Rav Betzalel Mendelson of Modiin Illit, and Rav Yitzchak Aryeh Deutsch of Yesodos. He also leaves behind many grandchildren.

The levayah took place on Motzoei Shabbos at the Shamgar funeral home in Yerushalayim, with kevurah on Har HaMenuchos.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

SpaceX has decided to put its longer-term plans for Mars on hold and concentrate instead on returning to the moon, telling investors on Friday that lunar missions will take priority, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal.

Under the revised timeline, the company is aiming for March 2027 to carry out a moon landing mission that will not include astronauts, the report said.

Executives told investors that the company’s immediate emphasis is on advancing its Starship rocket and coordinating closely with NASA’s Artemis program. As part of that effort, SpaceX is developing a Human Landing System designed to transport astronauts to the lunar surface, marking humanity’s first return there since the Apollo era.

The shift underscores a mix of progress and pressure, reflecting advances made with Starship as well as the need to demonstrate concrete achievements in lunar exploration before pursuing more ambitious destinations such as Mars.

The update comes shortly after SpaceX agreed to acquire xAI in a transaction valuing the space company at $1 trillion and the artificial intelligence firm at $250 billion.

Elon Musk said last year that his goal was to launch an uncrewed mission to Mars by the end of 2026.

At the center of the company’s strategy is Starship, a massive stainless-steel rocket designed to be fully reusable and capable of supporting a wide range of missions, from lunar flights to eventual journeys to Mars.

The United States is also racing against growing competition from China to put astronauts back on the moon this decade, a destination that has not seen human visitors since the last Apollo mission in 1972.

Musk previously downplayed the importance of lunar missions, calling the moon a “distraction” and saying SpaceX was heading “straight to Mars.”

{Matzav.com}

Presidential adviser Dick Morris said today that a social media video portraying former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama as monkeys was a serious error, describing it as both foolish and unintended, while pressing the Trump administration to take responsibility and quickly redirect attention to its record with minority voters.

Speaking on Saturday Report on Newsmax, Morris was blunt in his assessment of the video, saying, “It was obviously stupid. It was obviously a mistake. And the guy should be fired.”

The remarks came amid backlash over a clip that circulated on social media showing the Obamas depicted as monkeys, imagery that drew widespread condemnation as racist and offensive.

The episode sparked criticism and fueled debate over whether the Trump campaign and its allies are doing enough to prevent messaging that risks alienating minority communities.

When asked whether President Donald Trump’s team needs to respond more forcefully to such incidents and sharpen its overall messaging, Morris cautioned against allowing the controversy to overshadow what he characterized as Trump’s economic record.

“But let’s remember that Donald Trump has been incredible in the progress that’s gone on with both Black and Latino people,” Morris said.

He argued that the administration should use moments such as Black History Month to spotlight policy outcomes rather than allowing negative stories to dominate coverage.

“Their incomes have gone up,” Morris said. “The gap between the Black and white wages has closed. The minimum wage is increasing.”

Morris went on to add, “Clearly there has never been a president who has been as effective as Donald Trump is in ironing out the economic discrimination that had been holding Blacks and Latinos back.”

He concluded by urging the administration to keep the focus on those achievements, saying Trump “should celebrate that with Black History Month and not let the distraction attract the media’s attention.”

{Matzav.com}

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The U.S. State Department has removed all content posted before President Donald Trump began his second term on January 20, 2025, from its official X accounts, according to a report published Friday by NPR.

The department said the removed posts have been archived but are no longer visible to the public on X, formerly known as Twitter.

In a statement provided to NPR, a State Department spokesperson explained that the move “is to limit confusion on U.S. government policy and to speak with one voice to advance the President, Secretary, and Administration’s goals and messaging.

“It will preserve history while promoting the present,” the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson further said that the department’s X accounts “are one of our most powerful tools for advancing the America First goals and messaging of the President, Secretary, and Administration, both to our fellow Americans and audiences around the world.”

The decision comes amid broader actions by the Trump administration across federal agencies to remove, alter, or update online material that does not reflect its MAGA-aligned messaging priorities. Critics have argued that such changes to government websites and digital platforms limit public access to previously available information.

The State Department emphasized that although the posts have been taken down from public view, they are being retained in accordance with federal records preservation requirements.

{Matzav.com}

Greenland’s foreign minister said Saturday that while dialogue with the United States is continuing, the discussions have not yet reached a point that meets Greenland’s expectations, and it remains premature to assess their eventual outcome.

Vivian Motzfeldt made the remarks during a joint press conference in Nuuk alongside her counterparts from Denmark and Canada, emphasizing that the process is still at an early stage.

“We are not there where we want to be yet. There is going to be a long track, so where we are going to land at the end, it’s too early to say,” Motzfeldt said.

{Matzav.com}