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There is so much currently happening on the political scene in Eretz Yisroel. Aside from the burning issue of the hostages and the ongoing war in Gaza, there is an entire ruckus over the dismissal of the head of the Shin Bet among other issues.   The Gedolei Yisroel and the Charedi community, as a whole, are very worried and disturbed over the ongoing efforts to try drafting bnei yeshivos.   Much effort has been expended both publicly and through quiet diplomacy to try dissuading the powers that be and those in the legal system from their attempt to curb the koach of today’s “Shevet Levi”. After all, in this fraught period, Klal Yisroel, more than ever, needs the zechusim of limud haTorah to enable us to overcome our enemies.  The Gedolei Yisroel have been focusing on explaining the Charedi position, hoping to impress upon influential figures in the government and the legal community a better understanding of the the role that Torah learning plays in ensuring the future of the country.   Recently, the Nasi of Dirshu, Rav Dovid Hofstedter was in Eretz Yisroel. As a prominent resident of chutz la’aretz who leads the largest Torah organization in the world, Rav Hofstedter has been involved in the hishtadlus effort. Rav Hofstedter held numerous meetings at the homes of several senior Gedolei Yisroel. The Gedolei Yisroel all urged him to use his influence to try finding common ground with decision- makers in Eretz Yisroel regarding this difficult, critically important issue.  As a prominent figure in the diaspora, Rav Hofstedter also conversed with Mr. Yitzchak Herzog, the President of Israel. Rav Hofstedter discussed the underpinnings of the Charedi outlook regarding limud haTorah and the fact that the avreichim who devote their days and nights to learning do so most altruistically, forgoing many of life’s comforts and living extremely frugally so that they can continue to learn Torah. Rav Hofstedter spoke about the value of Torah learning and its exalted role in shielding and preserving those living in Israel, and Judaism as a whole.   President Herzog was very receptive to Rav Hofstedter’s words and commented that despite the incitement that we are witnessing in some quarters, he had, in general, noticed that the secular and traditional Jews in Eretz Yisroel have strengthened themselves in observance and recognizing the integral role that Torah has in the lives of the Jewish People.  “Without a doubt, the secret of the survival of the Jewish people throughout the ages has been the role played by the Torah. I feel that the Torah is what unifies us as a people and serves as our spiritual backbone.” Herzog told Rav Hofstedter that in a telephone conversation with Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, Rosh Yeshivas Slabodka, he had expressed similar sentiments. President Herzog concluded, “I join together with you in calling on all parties to lower the temperature, cease with the incitement, and coalesce around what unites us, not what divides us.” 

[COMMUNICATED]

The widespread distribution of kimcha depischa to hundreds of kollel students studying through the Migdal Oz Torah network, headed by the distinguished Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Yechezkel Etrog Shlita.

The Kollel network distributed generous food baskets and checks to allow the students to celebrate Pesach in comfort.

The investigation into the events that unfolded in Kibbutz Re’im on October 7 has shed light on the extraordinary courage shown by the local civilian defense team, who fought off a massive terrorist assault with no outside assistance for hours.

At the time of the attack early that morning, eight members of the kibbutz’s ten-man emergency response unit were on duty. When the initial sirens went off, the squad’s security coordinator instructed them to report to a designated meeting location. By 7:20 a.m., they had assembled and split into three groups, each assigned to a different area to observe and defend.

Roughly ten minutes later, survivors fleeing the massacre at the Nova music festival began reaching Kibbutz Re’im. At 7:51 a.m., between five and ten terrorists breached the kibbutz’s southern gate. A firefight broke out between the attackers and the security team, resulting in one terrorist being neutralized while the others pulled back.

By 8:01 a.m., a much larger wave of roughly 40 armed terrorists stormed in through the northern entrance, some of them riding in vehicles as they made their way toward the HaTza’irim neighborhood. It was during this stage that the kibbutz was subjected to widespread violence, including murders, kidnappings, looting, and fires. At 8:14 a.m., five residents were abducted, and five others were killed.

The local squad continued to resist with immense bravery, repositioning themselves constantly to counter infiltrating terrorists. They set up makeshift barriers at the northern and western gates in an attempt to stop further incursions. At 9:00 a.m., another group of 20 terrorists entered the western part of the kibbutz and set homes ablaze.

Soon after, specialized units from the Israel Police’s Special Patrol Unit arrived and joined forces with the defenders. IDF troops also began to reach the area via Route 234. By 9:30 a.m., security personnel had killed at least six more terrorists at the kibbutz gate and the nearby Re’im junction.

As the morning wore on, the battle intensified. At 9:47 a.m., local defenders and police regrouped at the southern entrance to confront yet another round of attacks. They heroically pulled residents from burning buildings in HaTza’irim, repelled new infiltrations, and intercepted terrorists attempting to move toward the center of the community.

Even after these clashes, and until the IDF arrived around 11:40 a.m., the kibbutz’s defenders continued to operate with courage and resolve. They helped survivors of the Nova festival reach shelter, aided residents trapped in their homes, and fired on terrorists from within residential buildings.

All told, 80 terrorists infiltrated Kibbutz Re’im. When the dust settled, 49 terrorist bodies were found in the area. It is believed that those who were not killed managed to retreat to Gaza.

The attack resulted in the deaths of seven kibbutz residents and 15 members of Israeli security forces. Five civilians were abducted and taken to Gaza, but all have since been returned.

The investigating team concluded that the IDF did not succeed in protecting Kibbutz Re’im in the initial critical hours. The civilian response team stood alone at first, and their actions were crucial in preventing a far worse tragedy. Reinforcements from the IDF and police arrived later, some unprepared or lacking proper coordination, but still acted to contain the threat and stop it from spreading further.

The battle at Re’im stands as both one of the most brutal encounters during the Hamas-led invasion and one of the most remarkable examples of heroism shown by ordinary civilians and security forces alike.

{Matzav.com Israel}

President Donald Trump stated that efforts are underway to secure the release of the remaining hostages being held in Gaza and mentioned that he is engaged in discussions involving both Israel and Hamas, though he refrained from offering further specifics about the negotiations.

“We’re getting close to getting them back,” Trump told reporters during a cabinet meeting.

He explained that many hostages had already returned and acknowledged the deep gratitude of those affected. “A lot came back. A lot of people are very grateful. Some came back in pretty bad shape. They’re okay. I think they’re going to be scarred mentally for a long time because if you sit down and talk to them, as I have, what they went through is incredible,” he said.

Despite the difficult circumstances, he emphasized that progress was being achieved. “But we’re making progress,” he added. “We’re dealing with Israel, we’re dealing with Hamas, and it’s a nasty group.”

{Matzav.com}

A group of at least six congressional representatives from New York and New Jersey were on a plane Thursday afternoon that was hit by another aircraft while taxiing at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport — the same airport where a deadly mid-air crash claimed 67 lives on January 29.

“Serving in Congress has come with some once in a lifetime experiences … like just now while stationary on the runway at DCA, another plane just bumped into our wing,” Suffolk County Rep. Nick LaLota (R-NY) wrote on X Thursday. “Heading back to the gate, but thankfully everyone is ok!”

“(And ⁦@RepGraceMeng is handing out grapes!)” he added, giving a shout-out to his colleague, Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY) from Queens.

Joining them on the flight were four other Democratic lawmakers from the region — Reps. Adriano Espaillat, Ritchie Torres, and Gregory Meeks from New York, as well as Rep. Josh Gottheimer from New Jersey. The trip coincided with the beginning of a two-week congressional recess for Passover and Easter.

Meng, speaking to The New York Post, said she was “still hoping” to attend a memorial later that day honoring former Hudson Valley Rep. Nita Lowey, who passed away on March 15 at the age of 87.

The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed it has launched an inquiry into the incident, which occurred at 12:45 p.m. on a taxiway. The American Airlines plane carrying the legislators, en route to JFK, was clipped by another American Airlines-operated aircraft — a Bombardier CRJ900 headed to Charleston, SC.

“American Eagle flight 5490, operated by PSA Airlines, made contact on a DCA taxiway with American Eagle flight 4522, operated by Republic Airways. Safety is our top priority, and we apologize to our customers for their experience,” said a spokesperson for American Airlines.

Following the incident, both planes were removed from service due to winglet damage. They underwent inspections and maintenance before being cleared for future flights, according to the airline.

No passengers were hurt, and airport operations continued without further disruption, a DCA official confirmed.

There were at least 143 people on board the two aircraft involved.

Meng later recounted her experience over Zoom, saying, “I’ve been flying for over ten years to Washington. This has never happened to me.”

“We suddenly felt some shaking. The staff and the crew were very professional and kept everything orderly, calm and safe,” she said. “Some of the passengers said that they literally saw it clip the plane. And a little piece fell off, as you can see in the back. They’re fixing it right now. And they’re providing a different, new plane for us to fly back to New York.”

Gottheimer used the event to criticize what he described as dangerous budget reductions at the FAA. “Recent cuts to the FAA weaken our skies and public safety,” he posted on X after the accident.

“While waiting to take off on the runway at DCA just now, another plane struck our wing. Thankfully, everyone is safe,” he wrote.

Meng also weighed in on the broader implications of the event, referring to growing concerns about air safety and the FAA’s staffing levels following the January tragedy at the same airport.

“Glad my colleagues and I are okay! We are safely waiting on the tarmac, but we may need more snacks,” she joked in a post on X. “I’m grateful no one was hurt today, but this incident underscores this urgent need [to] restore all FAA jobs that keep our runways safe.”

A spokesperson for LaLota said the congressman “intends to bring this firsthand experience to his work in Congress, advocating for stronger aviation oversight and enhanced public safety to help prevent similar incidents in the future.”

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is considered one of the busiest and most intricate airspaces in the country. Experts say this complexity contributed to January’s devastating crash between a commercial jet and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter — the deadliest American aviation disaster since 2001.

In the aftermath of that tragedy, officials implemented some changes, including altering a helicopter route that previously crossed the airport’s landing approach. Yet since then, DCA has continued to see a number of troubling close calls.

On March 29, a Delta flight carrying 136 people nearly collided during its departure with four Northrop T38 Talons — a military aircraft group scheduled to perform a ceremonial flyover at Arlington National Cemetery.

Just one day later, a United Airlines jet struck a kite upon landing. Aviation experts warned that if the kite had been sucked into the engine, the consequences could have been severe.

{Matzav.com}

There is so much currently happening on the political scene in Eretz Yisroel. Aside from the burning issue of the hostages and the ongoing war in Gaza, there is an entire ruckus over the dismissal of the head of the Shin Bet among other issues.  

The Gedolei Yisroel and the Charedi community, as a whole, are very worried and disturbed over the ongoing efforts to try drafting bnei yeshivos.  

Much effort has been expended both publicly and through quiet diplomacy to try dissuading the powers that be and those in the legal system from their attempt to curb the koach of today’s “Shevet Levi”. After all, in this fraught period, Klal Yisroel, more than ever, needs the zechusim of limud haTorah to enable us to overcome our enemies. 

The Gedolei Yisroel have been focusing on explaining the Charedi position, hoping to impress upon influential figures in the government and the legal community a better understanding of the the role that Torah learning plays in ensuring the future of the country.  

Recently, the Nasi of Dirshu, Rav Dovid Hofstedter was in Eretz Yisroel. As a prominent resident of chutz la’aretz who leads the largest Torah organization in the world, Rav Hofstedter has been involved in the hishtadlus effort. Rav Hofstedter held numerous meetings at the homes of several senior Gedolei Yisroel. The Gedolei Yisroel all urged him to use his influence to try finding common ground with decision- makers in Eretz Yisroel regarding this difficult, critically important issue. 

As a prominent figure in the diaspora, Rav Hofstedter also conversed with Mr. Yitzchak Herzog, the President of Israel. Rav Hofstedter discussed the underpinnings of the Charedi outlook regarding limud haTorah and the fact that the avreichim who devote their days and nights to learning do so most altruistically, forgoing many of life’s comforts and living extremely frugally so that they can continue to learn Torah. Rav Hofstedter spoke about the value of Torah learning and its exalted role in shielding and preserving those living in Israel, and Judaism as a whole.  

President Herzog was very receptive to Rav Hofstedter’s words and commented that despite the incitement that we are witnessing in some quarters, he had, in general, noticed that the secular and traditional Jews in Eretz Yisroel have strengthened themselves in observance and recognizing the integral role that Torah has in the lives of the Jewish People. 

“Without a doubt, the secret of the survival of the Jewish people throughout the ages has been the role played by the Torah. I feel that the Torah is what unifies us as a people and serves as our spiritual backbone.” Herzog told Rav Hofstedter that in a telephone conversation with Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, Rosh Yeshivas Slabodka, he had expressed similar sentiments. President Herzog concluded, “I join together with you in calling on all parties to lower the temperature, cease with the incitement, and coalesce around what unites us, not what divides us.” 

During a Wednesday segment on Morning Joe, veteran MSNBC commentator Chris Matthews delivered sharp criticism of the Republican Party, accusing it of being “almost brain dead” for failing to push back against former President Donald Trump’s tariff policies.

Matthews remarked, “This whole thing with Trump right now — and I take the view that he’s going for real here — you know, when he said last night in a black tie that he won the election in 2020, he’s still lying about that. When he went out there and sold Trump University and the Trump Shuttle — remember, you could go to Washington, to New York, and back again on the Trump Shuttle? — All those things were disasters, the casinos in New Jersey, disaster in Atlantic City. All those times, Trump said, I really believe this, this is really true when he was lying. He was wrong.”

Continuing his critique, Matthews said, “I think this time in the Republicans, what’s different is this time the Republican Party is still almost brain dead in its inability to say, no, you’re wrong, we believe in free trade. As you said a minute ago, the Republicans have long believed in free trade. They believe this is the answer. Interlocking economies around the world.”

{Matzav.com}

Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has made a stunning discovery: millions of dollars in unemployment payouts have been issued to individuals who don’t even exist—some of whom haven’t technically been born yet.

According to DOGE, a preliminary audit of unemployment disbursements dating back to 2020 uncovered that 9,700 supposed recipients listed birthdays that are still 15 years away. These nonexistent individuals managed to collect a staggering $69 million in benefits.

Among the most ridiculous examples cited was one case where someone born in the year 2154 was able to fraudulently obtain $41,000, the department reported in a post on X.

In addition to these futuristic fraudsters, DOGE found that 24,500 people who would be more than 115 years old—well beyond the human lifespan—had received $59 million. Another 28,000 supposed claimants aged between 1 and 5 years old were found to have drawn $254 million in unemployment benefits.

“Your tax dollars were going to pay fraudulent unemployment claims for fake people born in the future!” Musk wrote furiously on X.

“This is so crazy that I had to read it several times before it sank in,” he continued.

President Trump appointed Musk, the wealthiest man in the world, to lead DOGE in an effort to root out fraud and eliminate unnecessary expenditures throughout the federal system.

“The oldest living American is 114 years old, so it is safe to say that anyone 115 or older is collecting ‘unemployment’ due to being dead,” Musk commented in another post regarding the investigation’s findings.

“There was no sanity check for impossibly young or impossibly old people for unemployment insurance.”

{Matzav.com}

As the Passover holiday approaches, community leaders from Jersey City’s Orthodox community gathered at the Hudson County Sheriff’s Headquarters today to meet with Sheriff Frank X. Schillari and Commissioner Bill O’Dea. During the meeting, community leaders expressed their gratitude to Sheriff Schillari and Commissioner O’Dea for their decades of service to the community, particularly in ensuring the safety and security of houses of worship during the holiday season. “We are grateful for the dedication and commitment of Sheriff Schillari and Commissioner O’Dea in protecting our community and our places of worship,” said Moshe Eidlis, a school administrator. “We know that they will be extra vigilant during the holiday season to ensure that our community has a wonderful and safe Passover celebration.” Sheriff Schillari reassured the community leaders that the Sheriff’s Office would be taking additional measures to ensure the safety of all residents during the holiday period. “The safety and security of our community are our top priorities,” said Sheriff Schillari. “We are committed to working closely with the Orthodox community to make sure that everyone can celebrate the Passover holiday in peace and safety.” “We have seen a significant increase in the Jewish population here in Jersey City,” said Berl Honig, Hatzolah Coordinator. “Many families have chosen to make Jersey City their home due to the affordability of housing compared to Brooklyn. The community has flourished, and we are grateful for the warm welcome we have received.” Among those in attendance were Berl Honig, the Hatzolah Coordinator of Jersey City; Moshe Eidlis, a school administrator; Moshe Jacobowitz; and Law Enforcement Chaplain Rabbi Abe Friedman. The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from both community leaders and law enforcement officials to continue working together to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents in Jersey City. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

President Trump has decided to hold off on enacting retaliatory tariffs on many of the United States’ key trading allies, but duties targeting Chinese imports will still skyrocket — reaching a combined 145% on certain goods, a White House official told The New York Post.

On Wednesday, Trump revealed that his broader tariff plan would be temporarily suspended for a period of 90 days, explaining that multiple countries had approached the U.S. with the intent of striking trade deals. In the interim, the default tariff on most imported goods will be dropped to 10%.

However, China won’t benefit from this temporary suspension. Trump hit Beijing with a steep 125% tariff, citing “a lack of respect” from the Chinese government. When paired with the already established 20% penalty dubbed the “fentanyl tariff,” some Chinese products will now face a combined duty of 145%, according to a report by CNBC.

China remains one of America’s largest sources of imports, second only to Mexico. In 2024, the U.S. imported close to $440 billion in goods from China, including a wide array of consumer products such as clothing, toys, footwear, and electronics like the iPhone.

In response, China fired back with its own hefty tariff — an 84% duty on American exports — which went into effect on Thursday.

Last year, the U.S. shipped more than $143 billion worth of goods to China. Key American exports to the Chinese market included soybeans, airplanes and their components, pharmaceuticals, chips, and automobiles.

Chinese export activity has surged recently, growing 13% in 2023 and jumping another 17% in 2024. The export sector now accounts for roughly one-fifth of China’s total economic output.

In contrast, U.S. exports — once at record highs a decade ago — have been on a downward trend.

Currently, exports make up just 11% of America’s GDP, a notable dip from 13.6% in 2012.

Trade figures from the Office of the United States Trade Representative show that American exports to China dropped by nearly 3% last year, landing at $144 billion.

The trade imbalance between the U.S. and China has also grown, with the deficit expanding to $295 billion.

Trump said his decision to grant the 90-day delay — excluding China — was influenced by recent instability in the bond market and falling U.S. stock indices.

“I thought people were jumping a little bit out of line, they were getting yippy, you know, they were getting a little bit yippy, a little bit afraid, unlike these champions,” he told reporters Wednesday from the White House South Lawn at an event featuring NASCAR Cup Series champions Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney.

Following the announcement, U.S. markets saw their strongest rally since 2001 — but much of that momentum faded when trading reopened on Thursday.

{Matzav.com}

A New York City sightseeing helicopter broke apart in midair Thursday and crashed upside-down into the Hudson River, killing the pilot and a family of five Spanish tourists in the latest U.S. aviation disaster, officials said. The victims included Siemens executive Agustin Escobar, his wife, Mercè Camprubí Montal, a global manager at an energy technology company, and three children, in addition to the pilot, a person briefed on the investigation told The Associated Press. The person could not discuss details of the investigation publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. Photos posted on the helicopter company’s website showed the couple and their children smiling as they boarded just before the flight took off. The flight departed a downtown heliport around 3 p.m. and lasted less than 18 minutes. Radar data showed it flew north along the Manhattan skyline and then back south toward the Statue of Liberty. Video of the crash showed parts of the aircraft tumbling through the air into the water near the shoreline of Jersey City, New Jersey. Witnesses describe the helicopter’s plunge into the Hudson A witness there, Bruce Wall, said he saw it “falling apart” in midair, with the tail and main rotor coming off. The main rotor was still spinning without the helicopter as it fell. Dani Horbiak was at her Jersey City home when she heard what sounded like “several gunshots in a row, almost, in the air.” She looked out her window and saw the chopper “splash in several pieces into the river.” The helicopter was spinning uncontrollably with “a bunch of smoke coming out” before it slammed into the water, said Lesly Camacho, a hostess at a restaurant along the river in Hoboken, New Jersey. On air traffic control radio, an NYPD helicopter pilot can be heard saying, “Be advised, you do have an aircraft down. Holland Tunnel. Please keep your eyes open for anybody in the water.” About five minutes after that, someone asks, “Hey Finest,” a reference to the NYPD’s call sign, “what’s going on over there by the Holland Tunnel?” “The ship went down,” someone else responds. Rescue boats circled the submerged aircraft within minutes of impact near the end of a long maintenance pier for a ventilation tower serving the Holland Tunnel. Recovery crews hoisted the mangled helicopter out of the water just after 8 p.m. using a floating crane. The bodies were also recovered from the river, Mayor Eric Adams said. The flight was operated by New York Helicopters, officials said. No one answered the phones at the company’s offices in New York and New Jersey. A person who answered the phone at the home of the company’s owner, Michael Roth, said he declined to comment. Roth told the New York Post he was devastated and had “no clue” why the crash happened. “The only thing I know by watching a video of the helicopter falling down, that the main rotor blades weren’t on the helicopter,” the Post quoted him as saying. He added that he had not seen such a thing happen during his 30 years in the helicopter business, but noted: “These are machines, and they break.” Emails seeking comment were sent to attorneys who have represented Roth in the past. The Federal Aviation Administration identified the helicopter as a Bell 206, a model […]

The IDF is finalizing plans to evacuate civilians from the city of Rafah and establish a strategic buffer zone along Gaza’s southern border, with Israeli officials saying the move is critical to dismantling Hamas’s military capabilities in the area. At the heart of the plan is the construction of the Morag Corridor, a new security strip that will stretch from the Mediterranean coast through the site of the former Israeli settlement of Morag and connect with the Philadelphi Corridor along the Egyptian border, according to multiple Hebrew media reports. The corridor is expected to reach up to five kilometers (about 3.1 miles) into Gaza, effectively encircling Rafah. “Rafah will be evacuated. This area will become a buffer zone to eliminate Hamas’s ability to regroup or smuggle weapons through the southern border,” Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz said earlier this week. The buffer zone is being created amid escalating IDF operations in southern Gaza. Updated evacuation maps released by the military show widened clearance zones near the Egypt-Gaza border, signaling a coming expansion of Israel’s presence in the area. Israeli officials say the zone is aimed at preventing the reconstitution of Hamas forces and cutting off smuggling routes between Gaza and Egypt, which have historically been used to import weapons and other supplies. “This operation is not only tactical but strategic. Control of Rafah and the Philadelphi Corridor will close off Hamas’s last remaining external supply routes,” an IDF official told Ynet. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

A helicopter went down in the Hudson River on Thursday afternoon, officials have confirmed.

The New York City Fire Department reported that the aircraft crashed into the water close to Pier 40, near the intersection of West Houston Street and West Street, at approximately 3:15 p.m. Emergency crews rushed to the site and launched rescue efforts.

People who saw the crash and shared their experiences online mentioned hearing a “loud thumping noise” at the moment of impact, and said the helicopter seemed to have a damaged propeller.

According to officials, FDNY’s Land and Marine units quickly arrived and began conducting rescue operations at the location.

At this time, authorities have not released information regarding any injuries or fatalities.

{Matzav.com}

The IDF declared on Thursday that it plans to dismiss several hundred reservists from the Air Force who had signed a public letter urging a halt to the ongoing military campaign.

This marks a shift in approach from former military leaders like ex-IDF chief Herzi Halevi and former defense minister Yoav Gallant, who, despite disapproving of such actions, were willing to tolerate reservists’ protests as long as they reported for duty. In contrast, current IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir is adopting a stricter stance, aligning with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s views on the judicial reform issue.

Zamir maintains that regardless of the debate surrounding Netanyahu’s judicial policies, these are decisions made by Israel’s democratically elected government, and the military—including its reservists—must not engage in public opposition to them.

While Halevi and Gallant strongly objected to attempts to leverage reservist service to sway government decisions, they also feared that alienating reservists could damage the military’s readiness. This concern led them to tolerate some degree of public dissent, as long as service obligations were met.

Under their leadership, only a few reservists were discharged—and even then, only after repeatedly refusing to respond to call-up orders, not merely for making public threats to avoid service.

Those leaders believed that this balanced approach prevented the military from unraveling during the political upheaval of 2023. They also laid blame on Netanyahu’s judicial overhaul for weakening military preparedness in the months leading up to the October 7 Hamas attack.

On Thursday, the IDF noted that most of the reservists being dismissed are not currently on active duty. Officials downplayed the impact of the move, insisting that the Air Force remains robust, supported by tens of thousands of personnel.

However, the IDF did not disclose how many of those being removed are serving in an active capacity.

The military also avoided questions about how this move compares to the previous administration’s policies, nor did it comment on Netanyahu’s recent clash with Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar—a confrontation many within the defense community view as undue political interference. The IDF also sidestepped addressing pilots’ growing fears that the judicial changes are exposing them to increased legal risks, especially in relation to potential prosecution by the International Criminal Court.

Meanwhile, a group of current and former Israel Air Force pilots took out paid newspaper ads on Thursday to issue a public call for the immediate rescue of hostages held in Gaza—even if that means halting combat operations.

“The war serves political and personal interests; only an agreement will ensure the safe return of the kidnapped,” they stated.

Reacting to the statement, Defense Minister Yisroel Katz said, “I completely reject the letter of air force reservists and the attempt to harm the legitimacy of this just war which the IDF is leading in Gaza in order to free the hostages and to defeat the murderous terror organization Hamas.”

“I trust the discretion of the IDF chief and the air force chief and am sure they will deal with this improper phenomenon in the right way.”

{Matzav.com}

A helicopter has crashed into the Hudson River near Pier 40. Reports the aircraft is upside down in the water. One individual has been confirmed dead on a nearby boat, with reports that up to four others may still be trapped. YWN will provide updates as more information becomes available.

Though the IDF continues to make strides in its battle against Hamas across multiple areas, military officials admitted to The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday that fully dismantling the terror group could take a year—or possibly several.

The conversation began with mention of the IDF’s recent achievement in eliminating 300 Hamas operatives, and a cumulative total of between 18,000 and 20,000 killed before the January 19 ceasefire. However, those numbers must be considered alongside estimates that Hamas still has over 25,000 fighters, and that the IDF’s current main effort is centered on clearing out the group’s remaining forces in Rafah.

In essence, although the IDF has wiped out a significant portion of Hamas’s fighters and few remain from the estimated 4,000 to 8,000 that were originally based in Rafah, the largest remaining concentrations consist of only several hundred. Going up against a network that might still have 25,000 members scattered across Gaza makes the goal of total elimination a daunting and time-intensive task.

While there are hopes among some in Israel that Hamas might collapse soon and that its leadership might agree to go into exile, if that does not occur—and if no permanent ceasefire is brokered involving moderate Sunni allies to reconstruct Gaza—then the conflict risks dragging into a prolonged, grinding campaign.

Some military leaders accept this possibility and predict that the war effort could extend over several years, involving the meticulous unearthing and destruction of isolated terror cells that have taken refuge in civilian sites like schools.

Elements of the IDF’s recent briefings about its gains in Rafah have also raised eyebrows.

During Jerusalem Post visits to Rafah in June, August, and September 2024, and based on multiple briefings and official statements at the time, it was asserted that Hamas’s Rafah-based units had been decisively beaten.

Officials were particularly confident that forces stationed in the Shaboura sector had been entirely dismantled.

Yet IDF representatives now reveal that key Hamas battalions remained embedded in Shaboura, contradicting the earlier narrative. They explained this by noting that the IDF had not yet conducted a full-scale incursion into that area.

Pressed on this inconsistency, IDF spokespeople suggested that prior comments may have referred solely to the Shaboura refugee camp—a smaller subsection—while the broader Shaboura zone had not been fully penetrated.

This kind of caveat was missing from previous statements by the IDF and other senior officials. The more recent clarifications, however, may offer a more honest and precise account, implying that the earlier descriptions of victory were overstated.

Another noticeable shift has been the tone adopted by current IDF commanders.

Whereas under former Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and ex-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, some IDF figures occasionally expressed views diverging from Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s positions, the military leadership now appears more aligned with the political leadership’s messaging.

Previously, officials under Halevi and Gallant acknowledged that applying military pressure might help secure the release of hostages, but they also warned that such pressure could backfire—potentially endangering hostages if they were mistakenly targeted during an assault on what was believed to be a safe zone.

At present, there appears to be near-unanimity among IDF officials that increasing military pressure will yield only positive results in terms of rescuing captives.

Defense Minister Yisroel Katz, speaking to The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday, strongly emphasized the necessity of retaining control over the Philadelphi Corridor.

Katz revealed that newly discovered smuggling tunnels running between Gaza and Egypt had come to light, warning that without an IDF presence in the corridor, Hamas could initiate a large-scale effort to restock its weapons.

This statement marks a stark contrast to what top IDF officials said during a September 2024 tour of the corridor. At that time, they claimed there were no more than ten tunnels, all of which had been sealed. They also asserted that Hamas had not been using them to bring in fresh weapons during the war, but only for moving existing munitions within Gaza.

Instead, senior officers stated that most of Hamas’s arsenal had been brought into the Strip long ago, primarily through the Rafah crossing when Egypt’s inspections were lax and failed to prevent smuggling above ground.

{Matzav.com Israel}

The Prada Group announced a deal Thursday to buy Italy’s Versace from the U.S. luxury group Capri Holdings under terms that value the fashion house at 1.25 billion euros ($1.4 billion). Prada said the addition of Versace’s “highly recognizable aesthetic … constitutes a strongly complementary addition” to its portfolio, which includes the Prada and Miu Miu fashion brands. It said Milan-based Versace offered “significant untapped growth potential.’’ The final value of the deal will be adjusted at closing, expected in the second half of the year. It will be funded by 1.5 billion euros in new debt and has been approved by the Prada and Capri Holdings board of directors. “Versace will maintain its creative DNA and cultural authenticity, while benefitting from the full strength of the Group’s considerable consolidated platform, including industrial capabilities, retail execution and operational expertise,’’ Prada said in a statement. Versace, founded in 1978 by the late Gianni Versace, has been owned since 2018 by Capri Holdings, which includes Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo. Capri Holdings paid $2 billion for Versace, but had been struggling in the recent era of “quiet luxury’’ to position the stalwart of Italian fashion with its sexy silhouettes and loud patterns. Last month, Capri Holdings named Dario Vitale as creative director to replace Donatella Versace, who assumed the role after her brother’s 1997 murder. Vitale came from Miu Miu, the stunningly successful youth-driven brand in the Prada Group. Versace was given the new role of chief brand ambassador in the shakeup, which was widely viewed as setting the scene for the long-rumored Prada sale. Miuccia Prada acknowledged the group’s interest on the sidelines of Milan Fashion Week in February. (ap)

New Jersey’s Democrat governor has instructed law enforcement across the state to cease cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

The directive was issued jointly by Governor Phil Murphy and Attorney General Matt Platkin and aligns with the state’s Immigrant Trust Directive, Shore News Network reported.

Murphy’s decision came shortly after the Trump administration added 27,000 “Outstanding Administrative Warrants for Removal from the United States” to the FBI’s National Crime Information Center (NCIC), in line with the former president’s immigration enforcement agenda.

“These Administrative Warrant messages appear in NCIC in a method that ALL members are to note they are NOT to be broadcast as ‘NCIC Hits,’” wrote Colonel Patrick Callahan of the New Jersey State Police in a department-wide internal memo. “NJDSP members are NOT permitted to contact ICE via the phone numbers provided.”

However, U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, Alina Habba, pushed back, voicing her disapproval on X and issuing a stern reminder to state officials. “Let me be clear: Executive Orders will be followed and enforced in the State of New Jersey.”

Callahan’s directive reinforces the stipulations of New Jersey’s 2018 Immigrant Trust Directive, which restricts state police from assisting federal immigration enforcement bodies.

He further clarified that even when officers encounter individuals flagged on the list during routine policing, they are still barred from alerting ICE, as compliance with NCIC warrants in these situations violates state policy.

Callahan wrote in the memo: “A sample of how these Administrative Warrant messages appear in NCIC is attached. ALL members must be aware they are NOT to be broadcast as ‘NCIC Hits,’ which would lead our members to believe they are required to arrest the subject. As the Attorney General’s Immigrant Trust Directive outlines, we are NOT to arrest subjects on the ‘Outstanding Administrative Warrant’ entries, even if no other entries are provided. Also, upon receiving notification of an ‘Outstanding Administrative Warrant,’ NJSP members are NOT permitted to contact ICE via the phone numbers provided.”

He added: “Members of PSTS must pay particular attention to the wording of ‘Outstanding Administrative Warrant’ in the NCIC message so they adhere to the Attorney General’s Directive 2018-6.”

The memo concluded with a final warning: “Taking law enforcement action by arresting a subject based solely on an ‘Outstanding Administrative Warrant’ would violate the Attorney General’s Immigration Trust Directive referenced above.”

{Matzav.com}

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in Washington on Wednesday.

According to State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce, they discussed diplomatic efforts in Gaza aimed at releasing hostages and establishing a durable ceasefire, emphasizing the necessity for Hamas to be completely disarmed and disempowered. ​

Rubio expressed gratitude for Saudi Arabia’s efforts to facilitate peace between Russia and Ukraine, enhance economic and defense cooperation, eliminate the Houthi threat to the region and restore freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. ​

Both officials agreed on the importance of the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces returning to peace talks, protecting civilians, opening humanitarian corridors and returning to civilian governance. ​

They also reaffirmed the significance of the U.S.-Saudi relationship and committed to exploring ways to further strengthen their partnership. JNS

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump intensified his efforts to punish his critics by signing a pair of memoranda directing the Justice Department to investigate two officials from his first administration and stripping them of any security clearances they may have. Trump’s targeting of Miles Taylor, a former Department of Homeland Security official in Trump’s first term, and Chris Krebs, a former top cybersecurity official, came as the Republican president has sought to use the powers of the presidency to retaliate against his adversaries, including law firms. Trump also on Wednesday retaliated against another law firm, Susman Godfrey, as he seeks to punish firms that have links to prosecutors who have investigated him or employed attorneys he sees as opponents. Although Trump has ordered security clearances to be stripped from a number of his opponents, including former President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris, the president’s order Wednesday directing the Justice Department to broadly investigate the actions of Taylor and Krebs marks an escalation of Trump’s campaign of retribution since he returned to power. Taylor, who left the Trump administration in 2019, was later revealed to be the author of an anonymous New York Times op-ed in 2018 that was sharply critical of Trump. The person writing the essay described themselves as part of a secret “resistance” to counter Trump’s “misguided impulses,” and its publication touched off a leak investigation in Trump’s first White House. Taylor later published a book under the pen name “Anonymous” and publicly revealed his identity days before the 2020 election. Trump said Wednesday that Taylor was “like a traitor” and that his writings about “confidential” meetings were “like spying.” “I think he’s guilty of treason,” he said. Taylor responded by saying Trump had proved his point. “Dissent isn’t unlawful. It certainly isn’t treasonous. America is headed down a dark path,” he wrote on X. Trump named Krebs the director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency but became angered with him after he declared the 2020 election that Trump lost to be secure and the ballot counts to be accurate. Krebs did not respond to a message seeking comment, but late Wednesday he shared on X a message he originally posted when he left government in 2020: “Honored to serve. We did it right.” Trump has falsely claimed he was cheated out of reelection in 2020 by widespread fraud, despite a mountain of evidence to the contrary. Recounts, reviews and audits in the battleground states where he disputed his loss all affirmed Biden’s victory. Judges, including some he appointed, rejected dozens of his legal challenges. “It’s bizarre to see a president investigate his own administration and his own appointee,” said David Becker, a former Justice Department lawyer and coauthor of “The Big Truth,” a book about Trump’s 2020 election lies. Becker noted that Krebs issued his reassurances about the security of the upcoming election for months during 2020 without pushback from the then-president, with Trump only souring on him after the votes were counted. “The reason he can sit in the White House today and govern from that position is because our election system is secure and has accurately determined who has won the presidency,” Becker said. Susman Godfrey, the firm Trump targeted in an order Wednesday, represented Dominion Voting Systems in a lawsuit that accused […]