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A former mayor of Arcadia is expected to admit guilt in federal court after being charged with acting as an unregistered agent for the People’s Republic of China, the U.S. Department of Justice announced.

Eileen Wang, who was elected to the Arcadia City Council in November 2022, has reached an agreement with federal prosecutors following allegations that she carried out assignments on behalf of the Chinese government through a website presented as a news outlet.

According to authorities, Wang, 58, and her associate Yaoning “Mike” Sun of Chino Hills operated a platform called “U.S. News Center” between late 2020 and 2022. The site was described as serving the local Chinese American community but allegedly functioned under the direction of officials from the People’s Republic of China.

Federal prosecutors said both Wang and Sun received instructions from Chinese authorities to publish content that portrayed the Chinese government in a favorable light and to circulate messaging aligned with Beijing’s positions.

“It is deeply concerning that someone who previously received and executed directives from PRC government officials is now in a position of public trust at all, but particularly so because that relationship with that foreign government had never been disclosed,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg.

One example cited by investigators involved a draft essay sent through the WeChat messaging platform in June 2021. The directive instructed them to counter a Los Angeles Times report on Xinjiang, a region associated with the Uyghur population. Within minutes of receiving the material, Wang and Sun posted an article on their site denying the existence of forced labor, including in the cotton industry, in the region.

In response to the rapid publication, the Chinese official reportedly replied, “So fast, thank you everyone.”

Prosecutors also said Wang later published another article in November 2021 at the request of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Wang stepped down from her City Council role and relinquished her position as mayor on Monday, according to information posted by the city.

As part of her plea deal, Wang acknowledged that she acted on behalf of the Chinese government within the United States without informing federal authorities, as required by law.

Her attorney issued a statement addressing the situation, saying:

“Events in Ms. Wang’s personal life – including her trust and love for apparently the wrong person who ultimately led her astray – require her to step away from public service… She apologizes and is sorry for the mistakes she has made in her personal life. Her love and devotion for the Arcadia community have not changed and did not waver.”

Sun, identified by prosecutors as a co-conspirator, is currently serving a four-year federal prison sentence after pleading guilty in October 2025 to acting as an unregistered foreign agent.

Wang made her initial court appearance Monday in downtown Los Angeles and is expected to formally enter her guilty plea in the coming weeks. She faces a potential maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.

Arcadia has a significant Chinese American population, with residents of Asian descent making up approximately 60% of the city’s total population.

{Matzav.com}

Israel transferred Iron Dome missile defense systems along with personnel to the United Arab Emirates during the recent conflict with Iran, according to U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee, highlighting the deepening security cooperation between the two countries.

The disclosure points to expanding military coordination between Israel and the UAE, both of which view Iran as a major threat, as a fragile ceasefire in the conflict continues to hold.

Despite the pause in fighting, tensions remain high. The Strait of Hormuz continues to be under significant Iranian influence, and talks between the United States and Iran have stalled, raising concerns that hostilities could resume.

Huckabee made the remarks during a public appearance at a conference in Tel Aviv, noting the growing benefits of regional partnerships.

“I’d like to say a word of appreciation for United Arab Emirates, the first Abraham accord member,” Huckabee said at the Tel Aviv Conference. “Just look at the benefits. Israel just sent them Iron Dome batteries and personnel to help operate them.”

The United Arab Emirates, a federation of seven emirates in the Arabian Peninsula, formally established diplomatic relations with Israel in 2020 under the Abraham Accords.

UAE officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding Huckabee’s remarks.

Huckabee also expressed confidence that more countries in the region may soon join the Abraham Accords, the normalization framework that also included Bahrain when it was signed in 2020.

Still, opposition to Israel remains strong across parts of the Arab world, particularly following its extensive military operations after the Hamas-led attack in 2023. Those operations have resulted in widespread destruction in Gaza and strikes against Iranian-aligned groups across the Middle East, while Israel has also taken control of areas in Lebanon and Syria.

“The Gulf states now understood they will have to make a choice — is it more likely they will be attacked by Iran or Israel?” Huckabee asked. “They see that Israel helped us and Iran attacked us. Israel is not trying to take over your land, and is not sending missiles to you.”

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s political crisis escalated sharply as Degel HaTorah announced it will move swiftly to dissolve the Knesset, following a decisive directive from Rav Dov Landau. The move comes amid the ongoing deadlock over the draft law and marks a significant break within the right-wing bloc led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The decision followed a series of last-minute efforts by Netanyahu to halt the chareidi push for new elections, along with outreach by Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Chairman Boaz Bismuth, who held discussions with chareidi lawmakers in an attempt to reach a compromise. Despite those efforts, a firm ruling was issued at Rav Landau’s home instructing Degel HaTorah representatives to act immediately to dissolve the Knesset.

Degel HaTorah MKs presented Rav Landau with a detailed overview of the current political stalemate, focusing on the impasse surrounding the draft law and claims that the coalition lacks the votes needed to pass it. Sources close to Rav Landau emphasized that, contrary to some reports, there is full unity and coordination between Degel HaTorah and Shas regarding how to proceed on matters affecting the status of yeshiva students.

At the conclusion of the consultation, Rav Landau instructed the party’s representatives to take a hard line toward the prime minister. “We no longer have trust in Netanyahu.” He added that from this point forward, the party would act only based on what is best for the chareidi public and the yeshiva world, calling for immediate steps to dissolve the Knesset and declaring that the concept of a political “bloc” no longer exists from their perspective.

Rav Landau also issued a written letter to Degel HaTorah lawmakers stating: “To the honorable chareidi members of Knesset of Degel HaTorah, may they live long. You have gone above and beyond in faithfully carrying out your mission. We have no trust in the prime minister; we no longer feel that we are his partners. We are not bound to him. From here on, we will do only what we believe is good for chareidi Jewry, and in our view, elections should be held as soon as possible. All talk of a bloc no longer exists.”

The directive from Rav Landau significantly reshapes the political landscape. In recent hours, Netanyahu had been working to persuade chareidi leaders not to rush toward dissolving the Knesset, even sending a message from the courtroom where he was attending proceedings.

“Do not rush to dissolve the Knesset. It is possible to pass the draft law if we act to reduce the rebels within the coalition.”

Alongside Netanyahu’s efforts, Bismuth also attempted to reach understandings with chareidi MKs in an effort to prevent the collapse of the government. However, the message emerging from Rav Landau’s home sharply limits Likud’s ability to maneuver and moves the crisis into a more decisive phase.

Since earlier in the day, Degel HaTorah has adopted an especially firm tone. Party officials said that “the time for talk is over” and made clear that without passage of the draft law, they see no reason to remain in the coalition. They indicated plans to disrupt legislative proceedings in order to accelerate the dissolution of the Knesset and bring about new elections.

At the same time, it was reported that Netanyahu and his advisers attempted to arrange a meeting with Degel HaTorah chairman Moshe Gafni to discuss the draft law, but Gafni declined to meet throughout the day. Later, Uri Maklev was summoned for talks with the prime minister, during which Netanyahu reportedly clarified that advancing the draft law at this stage is not appropriate and that it would be better addressed only after elections.

Last week, Netanyahu had already asked senior chareidi party officials to remove the draft law from the immediate agenda and delay it until after elections. According to his position, there is no majority in the Knesset to pass the law before elections, and given the current security situation, it should not be prioritized.

Netanyahu’s view is that the law would be more effectively advanced after elections, during coalition negotiations, when agreements could be reached as part of forming a government. However, Degel HaTorah’s stance—now reinforced by Rav Landau’s directive—is the opposite: no more delays and no more reliance on promises.

As a result, a vote on dissolving the Knesset is expected to take place next week. A bill submitted by the Yesh Atid faction has already been placed on the Knesset table and is likely to be scheduled for discussion. According to Amit Segal, the preliminary vote is expected on May 20.

If the proposal passes its initial reading, it will move to the Knesset Committee, which will determine the next steps in the legislative process and set a date for elections. At this point, the likelihood of elections being held in September has increased significantly, although Netanyahu still retains the ability to delay the process if he chooses.

However, the issue is no longer merely technical. After Rav Landau made clear that the concept of a unified bloc is no longer relevant, Netanyahu now faces a critical decision: attempt to buy time even at the cost of escalating tensions with the chareidi parties, or enter into urgent negotiations in a final effort to prevent the dissolution of the Knesset.

Political analyst Yaron Avraham assessed that each side will now try to shape its narrative. Netanyahu is expected to argue that he did not abandon efforts to pass a meaningful draft law, while the chareidi parties will insist that they have not and will not compromise on the Torah world. In practice, following Rav Landau’s directive, the crisis has moved beyond a dispute over the wording of the law and has become a deep crisis of trust between Degel HaTorah and Netanyahu, with a clear objective: dissolving the Knesset as soon as possible.

{Matzav.com}

The Knesset overnight approved a new law placing significant limitations on the use of police water cannons for crowd dispersal during hafganos, marking a major victory for protest groups and civil rights advocates.

The legislation, introduced by MK Moshe Gafni together with several other members of Knesset, passed its second and third readings with 11 votes in favor and no opposition.

Under the new law, police will only be permitted to use clean water when operating water cannon trucks against demonstrators. The legislation explicitly bans the addition of dye, foul-smelling substances, pepper-based compounds, or any other chemical additives to the water sprayed at participants in hafganos.

The move effectively outlaws the use of materials such as colored liquids, pepper mist, pepper solution, and the foul-smelling liquid commonly referred to as “Skunk Spray,” which has become one of the most controversial crowd-control tools used by Israeli police in recent years.

In addition, the law requires police to visually document every use of water cannons with both video and audio recordings of sufficient quality. Authorities will be obligated to preserve the footage for at least one year in order to allow oversight and review of incidents involving claims of injury or property damage.

The legislation further grants individuals who claim they were harmed by water cannon operations the right to request access to the relevant recordings from police. Procedures governing such requests will be determined through regulations issued by the National Security Minister and approved by the Knesset’s National Security Committee.

The sections of the law dealing with mandatory documentation and public access to footage are scheduled to take effect on February 15, 2027.

According to the explanatory notes attached to the legislation, although police procedures already regulate the use of water cannons in an effort to prevent unnecessary harm, numerous complaints have accumulated over the years from demonstrators and bystanders who claimed they suffered injuries or damage during such operations.

The proposal specifically highlighted criticism over the use of non-water additives, including dyes, pepper compounds, and the strong-smelling “Skunk” liquid, noting that such substances are reportedly not used by police forces in other countries.

{Matzav.com}

Thousands gathered Monday night in Bnei Brak and Yerushalayim for the levayah of Rav Dovid Shmidl zt”l, longtime head of Kollel Komemiyus and chairman of Asra Kadisha, who passed away at the age of 92.

The levayah procession began from the plaza outside Kollel Chazon Ish in Bnei Brak, where massive crowds assembled alongside gedolim and elder rabbonim of the city.

Among those participating in the levayah were Rav Dov Landau, Rav Meir Tzvi Bergman, Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, Rav Chaim Feinstein, and other prominent gedolim who came to pay their final respects to a man who spent decades fighting for the honor of the deceased and safeguarding ancient Jewish burial sites throughout Eretz Yisroel.

In his tzavaah, Rav Shmidl specifically requested that all hespedim delivered after his passing be spoken exclusively in Yiddish, reflecting the atmosphere he cherished throughout his life.

During the levayah, emotional hespedim were delivered by Rav Meir Greineman, Rav Chaim Feinstein, Rav Sariel Rosenberg, Rav Moshe Menachem Lubin, and Rav Moshe Boyer, who also recited chapters of Tehillim with tremendous emotion and awakening.

Rav Shmidl’s son-in-law, Reb Chizkiyahu Yeshaya Turchin, who is currently overseas, participated in the hespedim via telephone.

Following the procession in Bnei Brak, the levayah continued to Yerushalayim, where additional thousands accompanied Rav Shmidl from Kikar HaShabbos to his final resting place on Har Hazeisim.

Rav Shmidl was widely recognized as one of the foremost activists on behalf of kevuras Yisroel and spent decades leading efforts through Asra Kadisha to protect Jewish graves and ancient cemeteries from desecration. Alongside his public activism, he was known as a devoted talmid chochom who headed Kollel Komemiyus and maintained close relationships with many of the leading gedolim of several generations.

PHOTOS BY SHUKI LERER:

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הלווית רבי דוד שמידל זצ”לצילום: שוקי לרר הלווית רבי דוד שמידל זצ”לצילום: שוקי לרר הלווית רבי דוד שמידל זצ”לצילום: שוקי לרר הלווית רבי דוד שמידל זצ”לצילום: שוקי לרר הלווית רבי דוד שמידל זצ”לצילום: שוקי לרר הלווית רבי דוד שמידל זצ”לצילום: שוקי לרר

{Matzav.com}

[Video below.] Sen. Cory Booker sharply criticized President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu during an appearance Monday night on MSNBC’s “The Weeknight,” accusing both leaders of misleading the public about Iran and worsening the nuclear threat posed by the Islamic Republic.

Speaking during the program, the New Jersey Democrat argued that the current crisis involving Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile stems directly from the decision by Trump and Netanyahu to oppose and ultimately dismantle the Obama-era nuclear agreement.

“I want every American to know that Bibi and Donald Trump are liars, and this is why they are lying with the most insidious aims. The reason why there is still in country highly enriched nuclear material is because Bibi and Donald Trump, who were against the Obama nuclear deal, ripped it up. There was no highly enriched, these hundreds of pounds of highly enriched uranium before Donald Trump and Bibi decided to take us down this disastrous road. So yeah, there is still highly enriched material that’s because of them is in that country, because before that, we had to deal not just with them, with our European allies, China and Russia, to not allow them to get that nuclear material.”

Booker contended that Trump’s current approach to Iran has only intensified instability and left both the United States and Israel in a weaker position internationally and strategically.

“So he caused this problem. He’s like an arsonist that caused the problem and then says, well, trust me to actually get us out of it, which he has. It not only is a nuclear material there, but we as Americans are far worse off. These are two of the most disastrous leaders on the world stage that have made Israel the whole region and the United States less safe, not more.”

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

Sen. John Fetterman reacted Monday to the announcement that Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice David Wecht is leaving the Democratic Party over concerns about antisemitism, saying Democrats must directly address what he described as a growing problem within the party.

In a post on X, Fetterman referenced a Politico report detailing Wecht’s decision to change his voter registration to independent status. While making clear that he himself is remaining a Democrat, Fetterman said he understands why Wecht chose to leave the party.

“I know David and his legendary father, Cyril,” Fetterman said. “As I’ve affirmed, I’m not changing my party—but I fully understand David’s personal choice. The Democratic Party must confront its own rising antisemitism problem.”

Wecht explained in a public statement that he no longer identifies with any political party and sharply criticized what he sees as increasing tolerance of anti-Jewish hatred among Democratic activists and officials.

“From 1998 to 2001, years that preceded my judicial career, I served as Vice-Chair of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party. In the quarter century that has passed since then, the Democratic Party has changed,” Wecht shared. “Nazi tattoos, jihadist chants, intimidation and attacks at synagogues, and other hateful anti-Jewish invective and actions are minimized, ignored, and even coddled. Acquiescence to Jew-hatred is now disturbingly common among activists, leaders and even many elected officials in the Democratic Party.”

Wecht also reflected on the connection his family has to Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life synagogue, the site of the deadliest antisemitic attack in American history.

“Wecht also shared that he and his wife had been ‘married at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life Congregation,’ and added that ‘twenty years later, in the very same sanctuary’ where they were married, ‘the worst massacre of Jews in American history’ took place.”

He noted that while the Tree of Life massacre was carried out by a right-wing extremist, antisemitism has increasingly spread on the political left as well.

“That terror came from the right,” Wecht continued. “Jew-hatred has always festered on the fringe of that sector. In the years that have followed, that same hatred has grown on the left. Increasingly, it has moved from the fringe to the mainstream.”

According to Politico, Wecht’s switch to independent registration is not expected to significantly alter the ideological makeup or balance of power on Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court.

Fetterman has repeatedly spoken publicly in recent months about antisemitism and Democratic attitudes toward Israel. During an appearance on CNN in April, he said that support for Israel has eroded significantly among Democrats.

“while he is ‘proud to stand with Israel,’ roughly 80 percent of Democrats ‘view Israel in a negative way.’”

In the same interview, Fetterman also criticized anti-Israel activist behavior and referenced reports concerning an individual he identified as Platner.

“You know, you have, like, Platner has a Nazi tattoo on his chest,” Fetterman said. “And now, it’s just released that he was praising and celebrating a video online where Hamas was beating and torturing Israeli soldiers to death.”

{Matzav.com}

Iran has executed a 29-year-old aerospace engineering graduate who was convicted of allegedly passing classified information to the CIA and Israel’s Mossad, according to reports from Iranian state media.

Iran’s judiciary-affiliated Mizan news agency identified the man as Erfan Shakourzadeh and claimed he had been employed at a scientific institution connected to the country’s satellite and aerospace programs. Authorities accused him of transferring sensitive intelligence to foreign spy agencies.

Shakourzadeh, who studied at the Iran University of Science and Technology in Tehran, was arrested in February 2025 on charges of espionage and alleged collaboration with hostile foreign governments.

Human rights organizations strongly challenged the legitimacy of the case and accused Iranian authorities of extracting a confession through abuse and coercion. The Iran Human Rights Society stated that Shakourzadeh’s admissions were forced, while the Norway-based rights group Hengaw alleged that he spent nine months in solitary confinement undergoing severe physical and psychological torture.

According to Hengaw, Shakourzadeh maintained his innocence before his execution and wrote that he had been “arrested on fabricated espionage charges.”

The execution took place amid escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington over the ongoing conflict and stalled diplomatic negotiations.

On Sunday, Iran formally rejected an American proposal intended to end the war, with Iranian media portraying the offer as “Tehran’s submission to Trump’s excessive demands.”

Iranian leaders have continued refusing demands to relinquish enriched uranium stockpiles, while President Donald Trump dismissed Tehran’s latest response as “totally unacceptable.”

The collapse in negotiations contributed to rising oil prices and renewed declines in stock markets as fears of further regional escalation intensified.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu sharply criticized the European Union on Monday night after EU foreign ministers approved sanctions targeting Israeli individuals and organizations accused of involvement in violence against Palestinian Arabs, while simultaneously sanctioning senior Hamas operatives.

In a forceful statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, Netanyahu accused European leaders of creating an immoral comparison between Israeli civilians and Hamas terrorists at a time when Israel and the United States are battling radical Islamist forces.

“As Israel and the US are ‘doing Europe’s dirty work’ by fighting for civilization against Jihadist lunatics in Iran and elsewhere, the European Union exposed its moral bankruptcy by drawing a false symmetry between Israeli citizens and Hamas terrorists,” said a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.

The statement further defended Jewish communities in Yehuda and Shomron and rejected any attempt to punish Israelis living there.

“European politicians are coerced by their radical constituencies but sanctioning Jews for living in Judea and Samaria is unacceptable. Judea is where Jews come from and Israel will always protect the rights of Jews to live in the heart of our ancestral homeland,” the statement added.

“The European Union’s attempts to sanction Israeli civilians is a further sign of weakness and will not succeed,” it concluded.

The European Union’s decision was announced following a meeting of EU foreign ministers by Kaja Kallas, the bloc’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

Kallas said the European Union had approved penalties against what she described as violent Israeli settlers, alongside measures targeting Hamas leadership.

“gave the go-ahead to sanction Israeli settlers over violence against Palestinians.”

“They also agreed on new sanctions on leading Hamas figures,” Kallas stated.

“It was high time we moved from deadlock to delivery. Extremism and violence carry consequences,” she added.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar also denounced the EU action, arguing that the sanctions were politically motivated and lacked justification.

“Israel firmly rejects the decision to impose sanctions on Israeli citizens and organizations,” Sa’ar stated, adding, “The European Union has chosen, in an arbitrary and political manner, to impose sanctions on Israeli citizens and entities because of their political views and without any basis.”

Sa’ar also objected strongly to what he called an outrageous comparison between Israeli citizens and Hamas terrorists.

“Equally outrageous is the unacceptable comparison the European Union has chosen to make between Israeli citizens and Hamas terrorists. This is a completely distorted moral equivalence,” he stated.

He reaffirmed Israel’s longstanding position regarding Jewish communities in Yehuda and Shomron.

“Israel has stood, stands, and will continue to stand for the right of Jews to settle in the heart of our homeland.”

{Matzav.com}

The Knesset on Monday night overwhelmingly approved final passage of legislation establishing a legal framework to prosecute Hamas terrorists and collaborators involved in the October 7 massacre, including the possibility of capital punishment for those convicted.

The bill passed its second and third readings with broad support across the political spectrum, receiving 93 votes in favor. The legislation is designed to enable Israeli courts to try perpetrators of the October 7 atrocities for crimes committed during the Hamas-led assault.

Under the new law, the harshest sentence available to the courts will be the death penalty.

Lawmakers also approved a significant amendment introduced by MK Simcha Rothman of the Religious Zionist Party and MK Yulia Malinovsky of Yisrael Beytenu. The provision states that terrorists convicted under the law will never be eligible for release, including במסגרת future hostage or prisoner exchange agreements.

Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Yariv Levin praised the legislation following its passage, saying it fulfills Israel’s obligation to pursue justice for the victims of the massacre.

“This law ensures that the terrorists and their accomplices will stand trial and face justice, including the imposition of death sentences. From the depths of the horrific massacre we have risen – for the memory of the murdered, for their families, for those wounded in body and soul, for those who were taken hostage, and for the entire nation – to fulfill our supreme moral obligation: to bring the perpetrators of this ghastly slaughter to justice. I thank Constitution Committee chairman MK Simcha Rothman, MK Yulia Malinovsky, and all those involved in the vital work of advancing this legislation.”

Rothman described the vote as a historic moment for the State of Israel and said the law sends a direct message to Israel’s enemies.

“Tonight, the State of Israel took a historic step toward justice and national remembrance. The law to prosecute Nukhba terrorists has passed, sending a sharp and clear message to our enemies: anyone who slaughtered, murdered, raped, and kidnapped Israeli citizens will be tried and will pay the ultimate price. The State of Israel will neither forget nor forgive. This is a moral debt to the victims, the bereaved families, the hostages, and the entire people of Israel. The whole world will see, hear, and know exactly what cruel evil the State of Israel faced on October 7, and how it is holding that evil accountable.”

MK Yulia Malinovsky said the legislation marks a turning point nearly three years after the massacre and compared the future proceedings to the historic trials of Nazi war criminals.

“Nearly three years later, the path to justice has finally been paved. The law to prosecute the October 7 terrorists passed its final readings in the plenum with an unprecedented level of consensus. The clock is ticking for those who harmed the State of Israel, and these modern-day Eichmann trials will take place in Israel’s capital, Jerusalem. This law is a matter of history and national legacy. I dedicate this legislation to the victims, the hostages, their families, and every citizen living in this land. Am Yisrael Chai!”

{Matzav.com}

Authorities are investigating a series of antisemitic vandalism incidents in Queens after nearly a dozen swastikas were discovered spray-painted in two public parks on Sunday, continuing a troubling pattern of anti-Jewish hate crimes in New York City.

Officers from the NYPD’s 104th Precinct responded to a bias complaint near Highland Boulevard and Vermont Place in Ridgewood, according to amNewYork. Police arriving at Highland Park and the Ridgewood Reservoir located five swastikas painted on signs, pavement, and other public property throughout the area.

The discovery came just hours after a separate incident was reported within the confines of the 102nd Precinct in Richmond Hill. Around midday, officers were called to the area near 72nd Road and Union Turnpike, where six more swastikas had been painted along the walls of an underpass adjacent to the Forest Park Playground.

Police said the incidents remain under active investigation, though no suspects have yet been taken into custody. The latest acts of vandalism come one week after antisemitic graffiti was found on two shuls and two private homes elsewhere in Queens.

New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin sharply denounced the incidents and posted photos of the graffiti online, calling the acts an attempt to frighten Jewish residents.

“Highland Park and Forest Park in Queens were vandalized with at least 11 swastikas. Just a week ago today, similar antisemitic graffiti was found at two synagogues and two private homes in the borough. This is yet another hateful incident meant to intimidate Jewish New Yorkers and divide our city. And we want to be clear: We cannot and will not accept this as normal,” she wrote.

Menin pointed to the City Council’s ongoing efforts to combat antisemitism, referencing the body’s Five-Point Action Plan aimed at addressing hate and increasing accountability and education throughout the city.

The city’s Parks Department has been alerted and is expected to remove the graffiti while detectives continue searching for those responsible.

The incidents come amid continued concern over the high number of antisemitic hate crimes in New York City. NYPD statistics released last week showed that Jews were targeted in 30 of the city’s 50 confirmed hate crimes in April — approximately 60% of all reported incidents — despite Jews making up roughly one-tenth of the city’s population.

Police data showed that nine hate crimes targeted Black individuals, three targeted Hispanics, five involved sexual orientation, two were religion-based, and one was tied to gender. No incidents were reported against Muslims, Asians, or white individuals during that period.

Although antisemitic incidents declined from 43 reported cases during the same month last year, officials still recorded 21 such incidents in February and 32 in March.

Between February and April, authorities documented 83 confirmed antisemitic hate crimes out of 143 total hate crime incidents citywide, meaning anti-Jewish attacks accounted for roughly 58% of all cases during that stretch. The incidents ranged from graffiti and threats to physical assaults and harassment.

{Matzav.com}

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The historic Keren Olam HaTorah mission to South America officially began Monday morning with the arrival of a delegation of leading gedolei Yisroel in Sao Paulo, Brazil, ahead of a series of major dinner events and maamadei chizuk on behalf of lomdei Torah in Eretz Yisroel.

Participating in the delegation are Rav Yaakov Hillel, Rav Avrohom Salim, Rav Shimon Galei, Rav Chaim Peretz Berman, Rav Malkiel Kotler, and Rav Yosef Chevroni, rosh yeshiva of Chevron.

On their way from Eretz Yisroel, the rabbonim made a stopover in Paris, where they were hosted at the home of philanthropist Reb Johaquim Cohen. During the visit, the delegation davened Shacharis and was served breakfast before continuing on to Brazil.

Upon arriving in Sao Paulo, the gedolim immediately began a packed schedule of visits and fundraising events within the local Jewish community. The central gathering was held at the home of philanthropist Reb Yaakov Stern and was attended by prominent supporters of Torah, local roshei mosdos, and guests who traveled specially from Deal, New Jersey.

During the dinner, Rav Yaakov Hillel spoke passionately about the urgent need to strengthen support for the olam haTorah during this difficult period. “If we make efforts and push ourselves beyond our natural abilities, Hakadosh Boruch Hu will repay us many times over,” he said.

Rav Shimon Galei followed with emotional remarks describing the amal haTorah and mesirus nefesh displayed by bnei Torah in Eretz Yisroel. He called upon the assembled nedivim to answer the call of “Mi LaHashem Eilai” and partner in sustaining the world of Torah.

Philanthropist Reb Ezra Irani also addressed the gathering and outlined the background and purpose behind the establishment of Keren Olam HaTorah. He emphasized that the gedolei Yisroel view the work of the fund as a matter of literal hatzolas nefashos.

Later, the delegation paid a special visit to the Talmud Torah Hamaor in Sao Paulo, where the gedolim were welcomed enthusiastically by the children with singing and dancing in honor of the rare visit.

Rav Chaim Peretz Berman addressed the students and expressed amazement at the flourishing growth of Torah around the globe. “One can clearly see how Hakadosh Boruch Hu ensures that in every corner of the world, Torah continues to thrive and blossom,” he said.

At the conclusion of the event, the gedolei Yisroel signed special certificates of recognition for students who completed Maseches Kiddushin and successfully passed examinations on the masechta.

The Keren Olam HaTorah mission is expected to continue in the coming days as the delegation travels onward to Argentina for additional dinners and meetings aimed at strengthening support for the olam haTorah in Eretz Yisroel.

Video, Photos: At a Dinner for Keren Olam Hatorah at the Home of Alberto Safra In Brazil https://matzav.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/VIDEO-2026-05-11-23-02-18.mp4

[Videos below.] Heavy police presence and street closures surrounded the area outside the Young Israel of Midwood in Flatbush, Brooklyn, tonight, as demonstrators and police clashed outside a real estate event promoting property purchases in Israel.

Hundreds of people arrived on both sides of the issue, with pro-Palestinian activists protesting the sale of properties they claim are located on land taken from Palestinians, including homes in communities in Yehuda and Shomron.

Organizers of the protest said the gathering was intended to pressure city officials and challenge the legitimacy of such events taking place in New York.

“We’re here today to send a message to the city and to send a message to the organizers that these kinds of events cannot and will not stand in New York City,” Taher Dahleh, the organizer with the Palestinian Youth movement, said.

The event itself featured Israeli real estate listings and agents offering assistance to prospective buyers interested in purchasing homes and navigating the buying process in Israel.

Some protesters waved Hezbollah flags overhead and chanted, “Globalize the intifada.”

The anti-Semites chanted, “Brick by brick, wall by wall, Israel will fall,” “Baby killers,” and, “Death to the IDF.” They held orange banners that read, “Israel is killing children.

Handful of protesters leaving scene of rally in Midwood pic.twitter.com/T41FtelfUp

— Luke Tress (@luketress) May 11, 2026

Those who came to support the event or oppose the protests argued that the pro-Hamas demonstrators were unfairly targeting a Jewish neighborhood and disrupting a community trying to go about daily life.

“There’s a synagogue here. This is clearly a [predominantly] Jewish neighborhood, and they deserve the right to worship in peace,” counterprotester Kasondra Watkins said.

The demonstrations unfolded as the New York City Council continues debating legislation related to protest “buffer zones.” Council members are currently considering whether to override Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s veto of a bill involving educational institutions.

Another measure creating buffer zones around houses of worship, however, was allowed to stand and was not vetoed by the mayor.

Local residents expressed concern that bringing the conflict into the center of Midwood has heightened anxiety and created tension in the neighborhood.

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{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump is increasingly losing confidence in diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the conflict with Iran and is now weighing a renewed military response, according to officials familiar with internal White House discussions.

Sources within the administration told CNN on Monday that frustration has mounted sharply in recent days as Iranian negotiators continue rejecting key American demands and offering what Trump views as unserious counteroffers. As a result, military planning has reportedly once again become a major focus inside the administration.

The latest escalation comes amid continued instability surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, which remains effectively closed despite a fragile ceasefire that has held for more than a month. The ongoing disruption to global shipping lanes, combined with divisions inside Iran’s leadership, has contributed to growing skepticism in Washington that a diplomatic breakthrough is possible.

Officials quoted in the report said Trump sees Tehran’s current posture not as strength, but as hesitation and internal confusion.

“They think I’ll get tired, or get bored, or I’ll have some pressure,” Trump told reporters on Monday. “There’s no pressure at all. We’re going to have a complete victory.”

According to the report, senior advisers remain divided over how aggressively to proceed. Some administration officials are pushing for a renewed wave of airstrikes under “Operation Epic Fury,” arguing that hitting the remaining strategic Iranian targets could force Tehran into accepting American terms.

Others inside the administration continue urging restraint and want additional time given to diplomacy. Still, doubts are reportedly growing over the effectiveness of Pakistani intermediaries involved in the negotiations. Some Trump advisers believe the Pakistanis may not be fully communicating the President’s anger and dissatisfaction to Iranian officials, instead softening the American position in discussions with the State Department.

CNN reported that Trump convened a high-level national security meeting on Monday to examine possible next steps if diplomacy collapses entirely. Among the options reportedly discussed were restarting “Project Freedom,” the naval operation designed to escort commercial vessels through the Persian Gulf, as well as potential special operations missions targeting Iran’s enriched uranium reserves.

Despite the increasingly hawkish tone, administration officials indicated that no final decision is expected before Trump departs Tuesday afternoon for his trip to China.

The CNN report followed an earlier report by Israel’s Channel 12 News stating that Trump is leaning toward authorizing some form of renewed military action because of mounting dissatisfaction with Iran’s conduct during negotiations.

Trump further escalated his rhetoric Monday after reviewing Tehran’s latest response to the American proposal aimed at ending the war.

“Iran’s proposal is stupid. I didn’t even finish reading it. I had an amazing plan after Iran was defeated. They must understand that they will not have nuclear weapons. They are dangerous,” Trump declared during an event at the White House.

He added that “the ceasefire is very weak after the piece of garbage they sent us.”

Iranian officials responded forcefully. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned Monday that Tehran stands prepared for any escalation.

“Mistaken strategy and mistaken decisions will always lead to mistaken results. The whole world has already figured this out,” he wrote in a post on social media.

“We are prepared for all options; they will be surprised,” added Ghalibaf.

In a subsequent statement, Ghalibaf insisted that Tehran’s proposal remains the only realistic framework for ending the conflict.

“There is no alternative but to accept the rights of the Iranian people as laid out in the 14-point proposal. Any other approach will be completely inconclusive; nothing but one failure after another,” he wrote.

“The longer they drag their feet, the more American taxpayers will pay for it,” stated Ghalibaf.

{Matzav.com}

Rav Avrohom Yosef, son of Rav Ovadia Yosef, delivered sharp words regarding the growing trend of haircuts that remove the peyos entirely, warning that such practices are a serious breach of halacha.

Speaking on Kol Chai radio, Rav Yosef described the pain he feels witnessing what has become common practice in many barber shops. “I look to the right and to the left at all the barbers of various kinds and my heart aches,” Rav Yosef said.

At the same time, he made clear that the blame cannot be placed solely on the barbers themselves, stressing that those getting the haircuts bear responsibility as well. “They put everything on the barber, and that’s not correct,” he said.

Rav Yosef went on to stress the severity of the matter, comparing it to eating maachalos assuros, forbidden foods. “A person who goes this way transgressed two prohibitions, as if he ate two portions of pork.” He explained that failing to leave kedei achiza—enough hair to grasp—in the peyos constitutes a serious violation of a lav in Vayikra 19:27: “Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard.”

He further clarified the distinction between the prohibition of removing the beard and that of cutting the peyos. In the case of the beard, the issur is dependent on an act of “hashchasa,” destruction, which is why “misparayim k’ein taar – scissors like a razor” may be permitted. By contrast, the prohibition regarding the hair on the head relates to “hakafah,” rounding the corners. “If there is not hair left to grasp, he has transgressed ‘do not round off the corners of your heads.’”

Concluding his remarks, Rav Yosef called on parents and the broader tzibbur to take a more active role in addressing the issue and ensuring that standards are upheld. “Parents should insist that their children present a Jewish appearance. Every God-fearing person should try to admonish, not to be silent, not to tolerate. Wake up, pay attention and urge people to walk in the way of the Torah.”

{Matzav.com}

[Video below.] Rabbi Liraz Zeira, a Chabad shliach working with college students in Yerushalayim, celebrated the birth of his sixth child on Monday, less than a year after he was critically injured by a landmine explosion during reserve duty in southern Syria.

As a result of those injuries, Rabbi Zeira lost both of his legs. On Monday morning, however, he stood upright on prosthetic limbs and held his newborn son, his arms trembling with emotion as he embraced the child.

In a video he shared on Instagram, Rabbi Zeira is seen cradling the baby while reciting a brachah of thanks.

“In good time, we had a son, a little brother for our five sweet sons,” he wrote.

“There is no better rehabilitation and no better healing than this. May we merit to raise him to Torah, chupah, and maasim tovim with happiness and good-heartedness. May he bring healing to all people of Israel and our heroic soldiers.”

Shaare Zedek Medical Center also marked the occasion with a message posted on Facebook: “Great excitement in our delivery room: Mazel tov to Rabbi Liraz and Anat Zeira on the birth of their sixth son at Shaare Zedek. Rabbi Maj. Liraz Zeira, a reservist fighter and military rabbi, was seriously wounded and lost both his legs in a grenade explosion in October 2025. Rabbi Liraz underwent a long rehabilitation process and continues to encourage students and spread joy. Yesterday, Rabbi Liraz had the privilege of embracing a wonderful baby boy born weighing 3.600 kilograms. The sweet baby joins four other children whom Rabbi Liraz and his wife, Anat, chose to deliver with us.”

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{Matzav.com}

Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) sharply criticized members of his own party on Monday after polling data showed that a significant share of Democrats believe the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner was staged.

“Assassinations + political violence are real. My party can’t be the tin foil hat brigade,” Fetterman wrote in a post on X.

“I was there a table away and I promise you, this was not staged,” he added.

The comments followed the release of a survey conducted by NewsGuard, which found that 34 percent of Democrats and 13 percent of Republicans said they believe the WHCA dinner shooting was staged.

The same poll indicated that 56 percent of respondents overall believe the Washington Hilton shooting was staged, while 45 percent said they do not.

In total, 30 percent of those surveyed said they believe at least one of the assassination attempts targeting President Trump was staged.

NewsGuard commissioned the poll in partnership with YouGov, surveying 1,000 Americans aged 18 and older between April 28 and May 4.

According to NewsGuard, the findings were so unexpected that the firm asked YouGov to review the data again, after which the results were reaffirmed.

The WHCA dinner shooting last month came amid a string of politically motivated violent incidents, including the public killing of Charlie Kirk, the fatal shooting of Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortmann (D), and an attempted arson attack at the Pennsylvania governor’s residence where Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) lives.

In response to the rise in such incidents, lawmakers have urged a reduction in heated political rhetoric, even as both parties have continued to fault one another for the escalation in violence.

President Trump has said that repeated attempts on his life are tied to the major policy decisions being carried out during his time in office.

Meanwhile, Cole Allen, who is accused of carrying out the WHCA dinner shooting, entered a not guilty plea on Tuesday to four federal charges, including attempting to assassinate Trump.

{Matzav.com}