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President Donald Trump has personally urged Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to take decisive steps toward normalizing relations with Israel, according to a report published Thursday by Axios. The conversation, which took place last month but had not been publicly disclosed, followed the Gaza peace summit in Egypt and marked one of the most direct appeals yet from the White House to the Saudi leader.

A senior U.S. official familiar with the call told Axios that Trump informed MBS he had successfully brought the Gaza war to an end and now expected Riyadh to advance toward formal relations with Jerusalem. In response, MBS reportedly expressed readiness to engage with the Trump administration on the issue. The Saudi embassy in Washington declined to comment on the report.

The White House views the upcoming Trump-MBS meeting as an opportunity to move closer to a normalization deal, though officials admit the two sides remain divided on several key points. U.S. diplomats hope the visit will generate enough goodwill to restart the process, which has been stalled since the Gaza war erupted.

For years, Saudi officials have maintained that recognition of Israel would depend on progress toward a Palestinian state. “We did all the things you asked for. Now, there are things President Trump wants, like normalization with Israel. So how are you guys going to move now in this direction?” a senior U.S. official summarized Washington’s stance.

Before Hamas’ October 7, 2023, massacre in Israel, normalization between Jerusalem and Riyadh seemed within reach. But after the attack and subsequent war in Gaza, the Saudis froze discussions, arguing that conditions were no longer suitable for rapprochement.

Trump, however, remains optimistic. In an interview last month, he reiterated his confidence that the Abraham Accords would soon expand to include additional Arab nations. “I hope to see Saudi Arabia go in, and I hope to see others go in. I think when Saudi Arabia goes in, everybody goes in,” the President said.

Sources told Axios that some of Saudi Arabia’s earlier demands have now been addressed and that Trump intends to present MBS with a U.S. security pledge during his Washington visit. While short of a formal defense treaty, the commitment could serve as a stepping stone toward one.

Trump administration officials also highlight that the final provisions of their Gaza peace framework include language suggesting a route to eventual Palestinian statehood. The plan notes that if the Palestinian Authority “faithfully” carries out reforms during Gaza’s rebuilding, there may arise “a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood,” along with a U.S.-led initiative to create “a political horizon for peaceful and prosperous co-existence.”

A former U.S. official with close ties to the Saudi leadership told Axios that MBS is likely to demand firm, visible commitments from Israel to justify any deal to his domestic audience, where public anger over the Gaza conflict remains high.

Despite active negotiations, U.S. officials caution that it is too early to know whether MBS’ upcoming White House visit will produce a breakthrough. For now, Washington’s message is clear: the administration has met many Saudi conditions — and it is looking for Riyadh to take the next step.

{Matzav.com}

Indonesia has trained as many as 20,000 troops for potential deployment to Gaza as part of a U.S.-backed international peacekeeping force, Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin said Friday, highlighting both Jakarta’s growing engagement in postwar planning and the persistent uncertainty surrounding the mission. Speaking to reporters during a visit by Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Sjamsoeddin said […]

Canada’s top intelligence official said Thursday that the country’s domestic spy agency has disrupted multiple potentially deadly threats orchestrated by Iran and thwarted attempts by Russia to illegally obtain Canadian technology, offering one of the most explicit public warnings yet about foreign interference on Canadian soil. Dan Rogers, the recently appointed director of the Canadian […]

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In a powerful psak issued Thursday evening, leading poskim and rabbonim from the Chug Chazon Ish circle — led by Rav Moshe Sternbuch — declared unequivocal opposition to the government’s emerging draft legislation, which includes enlistment targets for the chareidi community.

The poskim ruled that it is forbidden to agree to any law that would mandate the enlistment of yeshiva students, even those who are not learning diligently, stating, “Even if, through this, many of the yeshiva students who are indeed learning would be saved from the draft, one may not push off one soul for another.”

Their statement continued: “There must be a firm demand for a ‘Torah Student Status Law’ that exempts anyone whose Torah is his occupation, as was the case in earlier generations. But there must not appear, Heaven forbid, any clause in the law that obligates any chareidi individual to enlist in the army.”

The letter, signed by leading poskim of the Chug Chazon Ish school of thought, stated: “They are preparing to legislate a draft law for yeshiva students — to compel those ‘not learning enough’ to join the army, with the condition that this will be done with chareidi approval. It is absolutely clear that agreeing to such legislation is forbidden.”

The ruling cites the Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De’ah 157:13) and the Pischei Teshuvah quoting the Noda BiYehudah: “Even if there are certain wayward and frivolous youths, we are not authorized to render a judgment of life and death, and Heaven forbid to hand them over to be completely driven away from the congregation of Israel.”

The psak concludes with a reiteration of its call: “It is imperative to insist upon a law establishing the status of yeshiva students, exempting all those whose Torah is their occupation — as was done in previous generations. Yet no provision whatsoever should exist that would compel any chareidi Jew to enlist in the army.”

{Matzav.com}

Dr. Sherman Silber, the world-renowned fertility expert and director of the Infertility Center of St. Louis in Missouri, visited Eretz Yisroel this week for an in-depth halachic consultation with senior posek Rav Moshe Shternbuch.

Dr. Silber, celebrated internationally for his pioneering surgical techniques and groundbreaking treatments for infertility, sought rabbinic guidance on new medical methods he has recently developed. During the meeting, which lasted over an hour, the professor outlined in detail the complex medical processes and raised numerous halachic questions related to their implementation.

Rav Shternbuch listened attentively, probing each aspect of the procedures to gain full clarity before issuing his halachic opinion. The posek then shared his rulings and clear guidance on the matters presented.

Deeply impressed, Dr. Silber expressed admiration for the rov’s sharpness and clarity, and the meeting concluded with warm blessings and a mutual commitment to continue collaboration for the benefit of Klal Yisroel.

Later, Dr. Silber held a comprehensive discussion at Beis Horaah Yad HaRamah, addressing additional halachic issues regarding innovative fertility treatments. He met with Rav Mattisyahu Deutsch, Gaavad of Ramat Shlomo and president of the Yad HaRamah Center for Medicine in the Light of Halacha. Their longstanding connection dates back to the days of Rav Deutsch’s father-in-law, Rav Moshe Halberstam zt”l, leading posek and member of the Eida HaChareidis. Together they reviewed the topics at length, emphasizing that only strict adherence to halacha and the traditions passed down from the ziknei hahoraah ensures true siyata diShmaya and success in healing.

During his stay in Israel, Dr. Silber also conducted private consultations at Yad HaRamah, offering medical advice and direction to numerous individuals with warmth and compassion.

{Matzav.com}

In a moving ceremony at Yeshivas Ateres Shlomo, habochur Ariel Shamai — who recently completed a prison term for refusing to report to the IDF — received an extraordinary letter of chizuk from gedolei Torah.

The event, attended by hundreds of bnei hayeshiva, was marked by deep emotion as Shamai was presented with the letter written by the Gedolei Yisroel to strengthen and bless him for his steadfast devotion to Torah. The letter was encased in a beautifully carved parchment scroll, adorned and mounted on wooden Atzei Chaim, displayed inside an elegant glass box.

The letter bore the signatures of many of the generation’s foremost gedolei Torah: Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, Rav Moshe Sternbuch, Rav Meir Tzvi Bergman, Rav Berel Povarsky, Rav Don Segal, Rav Yitzchok Yosef, Rav Avraham Salim, Rav Reuven Elbaz, and the roshei yeshiva of Ateres Shlomo, Rav Chaim Feinstein and Rav Chaim Mordechai Ausband.

The gedolim wrote to Shamai: “Rak chazak ve’ematz me’od lishmor la’asos kechol haTorah, lema’an taskil bechol asher teilech. We bless you with heartfelt sincerity and words of admiration and encouragement, to the precious and distinguished ben aliyah, a true warrior of Hashem and His Torah, the esteemed bochur Ariel Shamai, may he be blessed.”

The letter continued: “Fortunate are you for having merited to demonstrate your love for the holy Torah publicly. Fortunate are you, for all who see and hear of you declare, ‘Fortunate is he who toils in Torah; fortunate is his father, his mother, and his teachers.’ Fortunate are you for having sanctified the Name of Heaven through your sacrifice and joyful choice of the holy Torah.”

The gedolim further wrote: “Your pain is our pain, and it is preserved in the treasure house of the Holy One, blessed be He, Who says to His Heavenly retinue: ‘See My beloved sons whose anguish comes from their joyous devotion to Me.’ Surely, you will merit to grow in Torah all your life and become a true talmid chacham, fulfilling your pure aspiration to know all of Torah and to learn it always, undisturbed and with joy. May you soon merit a fitting match and build a faithful home in Israel, blessed with Hashem’s abundance, and see generations of upright, blessed descendants. Chazak chazak v’nischazek.”

{Matzav.com}

Elon Musk has unveiled yet another eyebrow-raising vision for the future — replacing prisons with robot chaperones. The Tesla CEO suggested that the company’s Optimus humanoid robots could one day be used to shadow and control the actions of ex-convicts, effectively eliminating the need for traditional incarceration.

At a recent Tesla shareholder meeting, Musk shared his latest concept, calling it a “more humane form of containment of future crime.” He described a world where convicted individuals are not confined in prisons but instead monitored by personal robotic guardians programmed to prevent any repeat offenses.

“You don’t have to put people in prisons and stuff,” Musk said. “If somebody’s committed crime, you now get a free Optimus and it’s just gonna follow you around and stop you from doing crime. But other than that you get to do anything. It’s just gonna stop you from committing crime, that’s really it.”

The announcement instantly ignited heated debate, with critics questioning both the practicality and morality of such an idea. Skeptics pointed out that Tesla’s Optimus prototypes have thus far demonstrated only rudimentary functions — such as simple movements and carrying light objects — far from the complex ethical decision-making required to handle human behavior.

“This shows a complete lack of understanding of criminology, the justice system, and frankly, basic human rights,” said Michael Johnson, a legal expert at the Brookings Institution. “The idea that a robot can somehow rehabilitate offenders better than comprehensive support programs is absurd. It comes across as a dystopian surveillance scheme more than anything else.”

Robotics specialists also expressed alarm at the potential for errors and misuse. “These robots simply do not have anywhere near the intelligence or physical capabilities to monitor, let alone restrain, human behavior,” said robotics engineer Sarah Chen. “The risks of false positives, bias, and misuse are immense. What happens when a robot misinterprets a benign situation as a crime? Who is liable?”

Beyond ethical concerns, investors raised doubts about Musk’s focus. Some shareholders questioned why the billionaire continues to float extravagant, sci-fi-like ideas instead of addressing production challenges and delivery targets at Tesla. The same meeting where Musk made his remarks also granted him a staggering $1 trillion compensation package.

Musk’s history of ambitious — and at times bizarre — concepts includes brain-computer interfaces, underground transport tunnels, and dreams of Martian colonies. Still, even longtime followers found this particular proposal startling, seeing it as a leap beyond even his usual boundary-pushing ideas. Whether the “robot parole officer” vision ever materializes remains to be seen, but for now, it’s another entry in Musk’s long list of futuristic provocations.

{Matzav.com}

Dear YWN, As a member of the Syrian Sephardic community, I am deeply troubled by the upcoming event where former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett will be hosted this Sunday at a large venue attended by many in our community. Bennett’s agenda is clear and singular: to undermine Prime Minister Netanyahu, who led Israel through its […]

President Donald Trump’s directive to formally rename the Department of Defense as the “Department of War” could carry a price tag approaching $2 billion, a staggering cost that is already raising eyebrows on Capitol Hill as lawmakers weigh whether to approve the change. The proposal, which requires congressional authorization, would trigger a sweeping overhaul of […]

New York lawmakers are advancing a proposal that would require repeat speeding offenders to install new “intelligent speed assistance” devices in their vehicles, a move supporters say could prevent some of the city’s most dangerous drivers from reaching deadly speeds. The devices, which use GPS technology to cap a car’s maximum speed based on the […]

Iranian authorities have arrested two men seen in a viral video wearing military uniforms and carrying the flag of the former monarchy — a rare public display of dissent that quickly spread across social media and triggered a quick response from the regime. The footage, recorded inside a Tehran metro station, shows the pair holding […]

With Israel’s state budget discussions for 2026 expected to begin soon, former chareidi ministers have made an unusual request to the Finance Ministry and other senior government officials, urging them not to overlook their ministries in the upcoming allocations.

According to a report in Ynet, members of Knesset from Shas who only recently left their ministerial posts reached out to the Prime Minister’s Office and the Finance Ministry, asking that their former ministries not suffer from budget cuts now that they are no longer in the coalition. The plea comes amid concerns over the sweeping reductions that often accompany state budget negotiations, as the lawmakers seek not only to prevent cuts but even to secure expanded funding.

Earlier this week, MK Yaakov Margi announced that Shas supports the draft law proposal put forward by Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Chairman MK Boaz Bismuth, revealing that the latest version of the bill was drafted in consultation with former minister Ariel Attias.

Margi’s comments stirred internal tension within the party, as Shas’s official stance until now had been that the party was waiting for the Moetzes Chachmei HaTorah to decide on the issue. In an interview with Channel 99, Margi defended Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s decision not to advance the bill until there is full agreement among the chareidi factions.

“He’s waiting for us,” said Margi. “There’s the plan called the Bismuth outline, which we in Shas agree with. Some cynically say Ariel Attias wrote it—but it was a joint effort. It’s a complex proposal for anyone familiar with previous versions of the draft law.”

Margi added, “We expect the rabbonim of Degel HaTorah to express their views as well. I know that one rav (Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch) has already agreed, and the other (Rav Dov Landau) is expected to give his answer within a day or two. This process will help move the bill forward in committee.”

Following the stir caused by his remarks, Margi issued a clarification, saying: “The law regarding the status of bnei yeshivos is currently under discussion among the gedolei hador and no final decision has yet been made.”

{Matzav.com}

Harsh criticism expressed by HaGaon HaRav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, z’tl, many years ago about the Israeli judicial system was recently published in the series “Devar Torah al HaParsha—Bereishis,” by HaRav Dov Eliach. HaRav Elyahshiv made the statements to his brother-in-law, HaRav Simcha Shlomo Levin, z’tl, (the son of HaGaon HaRav Simcha Levin, z’tl). In the […]

A plume of toxic gas blanketed a small Oklahoma city after a tanker truck sprang a leak in a hotel parking lot, forcing hundreds of nearby residents to evacuate and hospitalizing several dozen people, authorities said Thursday. The anhydrous ammonia gas release happened shortly before 10 p.m. Wednesday. People in the immediate area were in […]

For three unforgettable days, the streets of France were filled with emotion, reverence, and song as Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, rosh yeshivas Slabodka, visited the country on a rare and historic mission of chizuk. From Paris to Rancy, thousands came out to greet him, lining the streets with flags, music, and tears of awe and joy.

The visit, which took place this week, was joined by Rav Simcha Shmuel Zaks, one of the senior roshei yeshiva of Slabodka.

Everywhere Rav Hirsch went, he was received with honor and enthusiasm. Children waved specially designed banners, bnei Torah filled the streets, and community leaders expressed profound excitement at welcoming a figure of such stature.

Organizers of the visit noted that preparations had been underway for weeks. “In the Talmudei Torah and schools, children were taught about the meaning of honoring Torah and how to greet a gadol b’Yisrael,” one committee member said. “Many of the rabbanim arranged private meetings with the Rosh Yeshiva to seek his daas Torah and guidance on communal issues.”

French police provided extensive security arrangements to ensure the smooth and safe conduct of the events. At one point, during national celebrations marking the end of World War I on November 11, major Parisian arteries—including the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Élysées—were closed to traffic. Yet, in a remarkable gesture of respect, French authorities opened the closed roads exclusively for Rav Hirsch’s motorcade.

Upon landing in France, the Rosh Yeshiva was greeted at the airport by prominent rabbanim, community leaders, and his talmidim. He then traveled under heavy police escort to his host, philanthropist R’ Joachim Cohen.

That evening, Rav Hirsch delivered the keynote address at a massive event marking the 80th anniversary of Yeshivas Aix-les-Bains. He spoke passionately about the obligation to raise boys to attend yeshivos kodesh and warned of the dangers of introducing secular studies. His words reverberated across the French Jewish community and became the central topic of discussion in batei midrash throughout the country. Later that night, a private dinner benefitting Yeshivas Slabodka was hosted by R’ Joachim Cohen.

The next morning, Rav Hirsch traveled to the Torah Center of Rancy, led by Rav Yitzchak Toledano. He was received in a moving kabbalas panim procession with Sifrei Torah and accompanied by hundreds of community members. He addressed parents about instilling Torah values in their children and later spoke to yeshiva ketana students about the love of Torah and how to attain it. During a special session with the melamdim, the Rosh Yeshiva fielded questions on chinuch and hashkafah, offering hour-long insights shaped by decades of leadership. A touching moment came when a young child presented him with a sealed envelope filled with personal kabbalos tovos—commitments to growth—from the local children in honor of his visit.

Rav Hirsch then attended a private dinner at the home of R’ Dov Kuriel in Rancy before heading to the main event of the day at the Yad Mordechai community in Paris, led by Rav Yitzchak Katz. Hundreds of children greeted him with song, and the Rosh Yeshiva blessed them warmly before addressing the avreichim and bochurim in the packed beis midrash, speaking about achieving closeness to Hashem. As he departed, hundreds followed him in joyous singing and dancing through the streets of Paris in a display of kavod haTorah that France had rarely seen.

Later that evening, he delivered a shmuess at Yeshivas Emes L’Yaakov, led by Rav Moshe Rotenberg, where he again inspired the bochurim to deepen their dedication to learning and avodas Hashem.

On Tuesday morning, Rav Hirsch davened Shacharis at the Baba Sali beis haknesses in Paris and offered brief words of chizuk after tefillah. His final stop was at the Union des Orthodoxes community, under the leadership of Rav Frankfurter and Rav Fedida, where once again the crowds filled the streets, singing and dancing in joy and reverence. From there, the Rosh Yeshiva departed for the airport, concluding a journey that left an indelible mark on the hearts of French Jewry, a visit they will indeed never forget.

{Matzav.com}

A young Chareidi man, 18, a resident of Meron, was unlawfully detained on Friday by the Military Police for many hours, was transferred to the Israel Police on Shabbos, and remained in custody for about 30 hours without being brought before a judge. When he was finally brought to court, the judge ruled that his […]

A co-pilot is under investigation after allegedly forging documents to secure a captain position with Lithuanian carrier Avion Express and flying commercial routes across Europe without the required qualifications, according to German aviation outlet Aero Telegraph. The pilot, whose identity has not been disclosed, previously worked only as a co-pilot for Garuda Indonesia. Despite lacking […]