Mr. Sol Werdiger, CEO of Outerstuff and Chairman of Agudath Israel of America, speaks to Lara Trump on Fox News in honor of the USA’s 250th anniversary.
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Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu on Sunday expressed profound sorrow over the sudden death of U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, hailing him as one of Israel’s strongest allies and describing his passing as a tremendous loss for both Israel and the United States.
In a statement, Netanyahu said he and his wife, Sara, were mourning alongside the American people.
“Sara and I grieve with the American people over the loss of our dear friend, Senator Lindsey Graham,” Netanyahu said.
Recalling their most recent meeting, Netanyahu reflected on the close bond they shared and the senator’s unwavering commitment to Israel.
“In our recent meeting, I said, ‘Lindsey is a great friend of Israel and a cherished friend of mine. We have no better friend than Lindsey.'”
The prime minister praised Graham for recognizing the close strategic partnership between the two nations and for dedicating his public life to strengthening that alliance.
“Lindsey understood that the security of Israel and America are inseparable. He devoted his life to defending America, strengthening our alliance and standing up for the free world.”
Netanyahu concluded by emphasizing the magnitude of the loss on both a national and personal level.
“Israel has lost one of its greatest friends. America has lost a great patriot. I have lost a beloved friend.”
Offering condolences to Graham’s loved ones and to the American people, Netanyahu added, “Our hearts are with Lindsey’s family and with the American people at this difficult time. May his values and initiatives continue to guide us toward victory and peace, and may his memory forever be a blessing. “
{Matzav.com}
Israeli President Isaac Herzog paid tribute Sunday to the late U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, remembering him as one of Israel’s most loyal allies and a lifelong friend whose unwavering support for the Jewish state never faltered.
In a video message delivered from the President’s Residence in Yerushalayim, Herzog expressed deep sorrow over Graham’s sudden passing.
“I was deeply shocked and heartbroken to learn of the sudden passing of a great American patriot, a true friend of Israel, and a dear friend of mine, US Senator Lindsey Graham,” Herzog said.
Herzog praised the longtime South Carolina senator as “a beacon of moral clarity” who brought “an exceptional sense of justice, truth, and loyalty to his decades of public service.”
Reflecting on Graham’s role in international affairs, Herzog said the senator stood out as “a maverick in world affairs, and one of Israel’s greatest friends and allies in the United States of America, who maintained his steadfast and unwavering support for the people of Israel, especially at our most difficult and painful moments.”
The president said Graham possessed a deep appreciation for the unique relationship between the United States and Israel, noting that he understood “the profound importance of the US-Israel partnership” and “tirelessly advocated for our shared values and shared interests.”
Herzog also spoke of his personal relationship with Graham, emphasizing the senator’s lasting impact on both Israel and those who knew him.
“The people of Israel will always remember, and always cherish, his exceptional friendship,” Herzog continued. “On a personal note, Lindsey was a dear friend, whom I met with many times, and I will miss him dearly.”
Concluding his remarks, Herzog extended condolences on behalf of the State of Israel to Graham’s loved ones.
“On behalf of the State of Israel, I send my deepest condolences to Senator Graham’s family and friends at this devastating moment. May he rest in peace, and may his memory be a blessing.”
{Matzav.com}
A Beis Din in Beit Shemesh has issued a unique compromise ruling to resolve a prolonged dispute between residents of an eight-story apartment building over the operation of a Shabbos elevator, balancing the needs of elderly and upper-floor residents with concerns about preserving the building’s Shabbos atmosphere.
The ruling follows lengthy deliberations over a dispute that erupted in a residential building in the city’s Ramat Beit Shemesh Daled neighborhood, highlighting an issue that has become increasingly common as high-rise construction expands within the chareidi community.
According to sources, the building was originally equipped by the developer with a Shabbos elevator control system, which was included as part of the apartments’ specifications when the units were sold. However, after residents moved in, disagreements emerged over whether the system should actually be operated on Shabbos and Yom Tov.
Residents supporting the elevator’s operation argued that the feature was purchased as part of their homes and that they were entitled to use it. They noted that an elderly resident living on the seventh floor, as well as a family residing on the top floor, face significant hardship without a functioning Shabbos elevator, at times making it difficult even to attend tefillos on Shabbos.
Opponents countered that operating a Shabbos elevator would undermine the atmosphere and sanctity of Shabbos within the building. They also argued that it could negatively affect the chinuch of children and alter the building’s unique character, which is home primarily to bnei Torah families.
Both sides ultimately agreed to submit the matter to a Beis Din composed of Rav Naftali Tzvi Hirsch Rotenberg, one of Beit Shemesh’s rabbanim, together with Rav Yitzchak Lezenovsky, a dayan at the Nesivos Chaim Beis Din in Yerushalayim and the Ashkenazi Beis Din in Beitar Illit.
During the proceedings, the dayanim heard extensive arguments from both sides. In their written ruling, they discussed at length the sanctity of Shabbos, the unique religious character of Beit Shemesh, and the sensitivity within the chareidi community regarding the operation of electrical systems on Shabbos. At the same time, they also took into account the residents’ property rights and the fact that the Shabbos elevator system had been installed by the developer as part of the original building plans.
Rather than adopting either side’s position in full, the Beis Din fashioned a detailed compromise. Under the ruling, the Shabbos elevator will operate only during designated hours, its operation will be limited in scope, and additional measures will be implemented to minimize any perceived impact on the building’s Shabbos atmosphere while still accommodating residents who require its use.
{Matzav.com}
Four Israeli settlers were arrested on Shabbos morning on suspicion of involvement in an incident with a foreign television news crew near the Arab village of Sinjil in the Binyamin region, after reports that the journalists’ vehicle was blocked and damaged.
According to Israel Police, several foreign journalists were traveling near Sinjil when a group of suspects allegedly blocked their vehicle and caused damage to it. Following the report, IDF troops from the Shomron Brigade were dispatched to the scene, secured the area, enabled the journalists to continue on their way, and detained four individuals suspected of involvement in the incident.
Officers from the Binyamin Police Station later arrived at the scene, arrested the suspects, took statements from members of the media crew, and located the suspects’ vehicle, which was seized as part of the investigation.
During a search of the vehicle, police said they recovered several clubs and a knife. The four suspects were taken to the Binyamin Police Station for questioning, and the investigation remains ongoing.
According to a report by military correspondent Doron Kadosh, the journalists involved were members of a CNN news crew. One member of the team was reportedly involved in a previous incident with an IDF reserve unit in the Arab village of Tayasir. The report added that the suspects allegedly blocked the crew’s vehicle and punctured one of its tires.
Police and the IDF said they view acts of violence and property damage with great seriousness, particularly when directed at journalists carrying out their work. Authorities emphasized, however, that the investigation is still in its early stages and that the allegations against the suspects have not yet been proven.
{Matzav.com}
A new public opinion poll released over the weekend indicates that a majority of Israelis would prefer the next government be formed without the participation of the chareidi parties. The survey also found that former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot is viewed as the country’s most credible political leader, while Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu received significantly lower marks for trustworthiness.
The survey, conducted by Mano Geva in cooperation with the Midgam Institute and iPanel for Channel 12 News, measured public perceptions of Israel’s leading political figures as well as voter preferences regarding the composition of the next governing coalition.
According to the findings, 54% of respondents rated Eisenkot’s credibility as good overall, while only 29% gave him a negative rating. The results place the former IDF chief at the top of the political field in terms of perceived reliability, a potentially significant advantage as Israel moves closer to elections.
Netanyahu, by contrast, received considerably weaker ratings. Sixty percent of those surveyed said the prime minister’s credibility is poor, while only 38% gave him a positive rating. The findings reflect continuing public skepticism amid Israel’s prolonged political and legal battles.
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett also received mixed reviews. Fifty-three percent of respondents rated his credibility negatively, compared to 41% who viewed him favorably. The poll comes as Bennett recently attended the prestigious Allen & Company conference in Sun Valley, Idaho, while his political party, Beyachad, continues to decline in public opinion surveys.
The survey also examined potential coalition scenarios following the next election.
A majority of respondents—53%—said they oppose the formation of a government that depends on the support or outside backing of the Ra’am party, led by Mansour Abbas. Only 31% expressed support for such an arrangement, suggesting continued public resistance to relying on the Arab party in a governing coalition.
Perhaps the most striking finding concerned the role of the chareidi parties. According to the poll, 61% of Israelis said they would prefer that the next government not include chareidi parties, while only 27% favored including them in the governing coalition.
The results reflect heightened public tensions surrounding the chareidi parties in the wake of ongoing disputes over military conscription, government funding, and legislation affecting the chareidi community.
{Matzav.com}