Yeshiva World News

President Trump blasts soft-on-crime Democrats pushing no-cash bail that puts violent criminals back on the streets.  

President Trump details the plan to Make D.C. Beautiful Again: “We’re going to redo roads. We’re going to redo the medians, the pavers… We’re going to take all the graffiti off. We’re gonna have to remove the tents and the people that are living in our parks. We’re going to be redoing the parks—the grasses and all.”  

WILD FOOTAGE! Bike4Chai biker had a surprise today. Apparently, black bears want to join the action!

ZELENSKY: “I told President Trump and all our European allies that Putin is bluffing….”

The already bitter mayoral race exploded into open warfare as Democratic Socialist front-runner Zohran Mamdani released a blistering new attack ad attempting to link rival Andrew Cuomo to the late disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. In a 90-second, rapid-fire video tailored for social media, Mamdani looks directly into the camera and demands Cuomo release the full list of clients from his post-gubernatorial consulting firm, Innovative Strategies LLC. The assemblyman points to a New York Times report tying Cuomo to a luxury marina project in Puerto Rico alongside longtime friend Andrew Farkas — whose previous business partner was Epstein. “In June, the New York Times found out that Cuomo worked with his longtime friend Andrew Farkas on a luxury marina project in Puerto Rico. Farkas’ previous partner on Caribbean luxury marinas was none other than Jeffrey Epstein,” Mamdani says in the ad, which splices his narration with headlines about Cuomo’s past controversies. The video opens with Mamdani reminding viewers that Cuomo “resigned in disgrace” — a reference to the misconduct allegations that forced the former governor from office — and then hammers him over the COVID-19 nursing home scandal, undisclosed stock options in a nuclear company, and consulting work for a Seychelles-based cryptocurrency exchange that later pleaded guilty to operating illegally in the U.S. “Once you think you’ve learned all the scandals,” Mamdani says, “you find out there’s another. And another. And another.” The attack comes just days after Cuomo accused Mamdani of hypocrisy for holding a rent-stabilized apartment in Astoria despite his family’s wealth, and proposed “Zohran’s Law” to bar affluent residents from securing such units. Cuomo’s campaign dismissed the Epstein connection as “conspiracy peddling,” insisting the Puerto Rico marina project never moved forward and that Cuomo “didn’t know Epstein.” “You can smell the desperation from conspiracy-peddling Zohran seeping through your screen,” said spokesman Richard Azzopardi, who blasted Mamdani as “a total fraud” and accused him of hiding behind “privilege” while failing to show up for his Assembly job. Azzopardi also defended Cuomo’s handling of his stock disclosures, saying the matter was clarified with New York City’s Conflict of Interest Board the same day it was raised, and emphasized that none of Cuomo’s private clients had business before state or city agencies. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency reported over the weekend that the Jewish community of Isfahan has assembled food and supply packages for residents of the Gaza Strip. According to the report, the aid — consisting of non-perishable food and other essentials — was prepared under the direction of Zion Mahgerefteh, head of the Isfahan Jewish Association. Mahgerefteh said the effort was meant to demonstrate “solidarity with the people of Gaza” and noted that community members gathered earlier in the week at the city’s David Synagogue to show public support. “The spiritual side of this action matters more to us than its material value, as it symbolizes the solidarity of Iran’s Jewish community, and Jews worldwide, with the oppressed people of Palestine,” Mahgerefteh was quoted as saying. In remarks eerily similar official Iranian talking points, Mahgerefteh also criticized Israel, saying that “Jews worldwide oppose Zionist agendas and view Zionists as separate from the Jewish faith,” and accused such groups of “violence and oppression, which no divine religion can justify.” The Isfahan Jewish Association issued its own statement condemning what it described as Israel’s “inhumane crimes” in Gaza, saying the community viewed events there “with heavy hearts and concerned eyes” and asserting that “no honorable person can tolerate” the situation. The statement expressed hope that, under the leadership of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s government and Jewish citizens could contribute to aiding Gaza, calling the food package a “modest effort” toward that goal. While the association acknowledged logistical challenges in delivering supplies due to the war and distance, it maintained that non-perishable items were the most practical form of assistance at present. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Fewer Americans are reporting that they drink alcohol amid a growing belief that even moderate alcohol consumption is a health risk, according to a Gallup poll released Wednesday. A record high percentage of U.S. adults, 53%, now say moderate drinking is bad for their health, up from 28% in 2015. The uptick in doubt about alcohol’s benefits is largely driven by young adults — the age group that is most likely to believe drinking “one or two drinks a day” can cause health hazards — but older adults are also now increasingly likely to think moderate drinking carries risks. As concerns about health impacts rise, fewer Americans are reporting that they drink. The survey finds that 54% of U.S. adults say they drink alcoholic beverages such as liquor, wine or beer. That’s lower than at any other point in the past three decades. The findings of the poll, which was conducted in July, indicate that after years of many believing that moderate drinking was harmless — or even beneficial — worries about alcohol consumption are taking hold. According to Gallup’s data, even those who consume alcohol are drinking less. The federal government is updating new dietary guidelines, including those around alcohol. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, government data showed U.S. alcohol consumption was trending up. But other government surveys have shown a decline in certain types of drinking, particularly among teenagers and young adults. This comes alongside a new drumbeat of information about alcohol’s risks. While moderate drinking was once thought to have benefits for heart health, health professionals in recent years have pointed to overwhelming evidence that alcohol consumption leads to negative health outcomes and is a leading cause of cancer. Growing skepticism about alcohol’s benefits Younger adults have been quicker than older Americans to accept that drinking is harmful, but older adults are coming around to the same view. About two-thirds of 18- to 34-year-olds believe moderate drinking is unhealthy, according to the poll, up from about 4 in 10 in 2015. Older adults are less likely to see alcohol as harmful — about half of Americans age 55 or older believe this — but that’s a substantial increase, too. In 2015, only about 2 in 10 adults age 55 or older thought alcohol was bad for their health. In the past, moderate drinking was thought to have some benefits. That idea came from imperfect studies that largely didn’t include younger people and couldn’t prove cause and effect. Now the scientific consensus has shifted, and several countries recently lowered their alcohol consumption recommendations. Earlier this year, the outgoing U.S. surgeon general, Vivek Murthy, recommended a label on bottles of beer, wine and liquor that would clearly outline the link between alcohol consumption and cancer. The federal government’s current dietary guidelines recommend Americans not drink or, if they do consume alcohol, men should limit themselves to two drinks a day or fewer while women should stick to one or fewer. Gallup’s director of U.S. social research, Lydia Saad, said shifting health advice throughout older Americans’ lives may be a reason they have been more gradual than young adults to recognize alcohol as harmful. “Older folks may be a little more hardened in terms of the whiplash that they get with recommendations,” Saad said. “It may take them a little longer to absorb or accept the information. Whereas, for young folks, this […]

Israel is in discussions with South Sudan about the possibility of resettling Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to the war-torn East African country, part of a wider effort by Israel to facilitate mass emigration from the territory left in ruins by its 22-month offensive against Hamas. Six people familiar with the matter confirmed the talks to The Associated Press. It’s unclear how far the talks have advanced. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he wants to realize U.S. President Donald Trump’s vision of relocating much of Gaza’s population through what Netanyahu refers to as “voluntary migration.” Israel has floated similar resettlement proposals with other African nations. “I think that the right thing to do, even according to the laws of war as I know them, is to allow the population to leave, and then you go in with all your might against the enemy who remains there,” Netanyahu said Tuesday in an interview with i24, and Israeli TV station. He did not make reference to South Sudan. Palestinians, rights groups, and much of the international community have rejected the proposals as a blueprint for forcible expulsion in violation of international law. For South Sudan, such a deal could help it build closer ties to Israel, now the almost unchallenged military power in the Middle East. It is also a potential inroad to Trump, who broached the idea of resettling Gaza’s population in February but appears to have backed away in recent months. Israel’s Foreign Ministry declined to comment and South Sudan’s foreign minister did not respond to questions about the talks. A U.S. State Department spokesperson said it doesn’t comment on private diplomatic conversations. Egypt opposes proposals to resettle Palestinians out of Gaza Joe Szlavik, the founder of a U.S. lobbying firm working with South Sudan, said he was briefed by South Sudanese officials on the talks. He said an Israeli delegation plans to visit the country to look into the possibility of setting up camps for Palestinians there. No known date has been set for the visit. Israel did not immediately respond to a request for confirmation of the visit. Szlavik said Israel would likely pay for makeshift camps. Edmund Yakani, who heads a South Sudanese civil society group, said he had also spoken to South Sudanese officials about the talks. Four additional officials with knowledge of the discussions confirmed talks were taking place on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss them publicly. Two of the officials, both from Egypt, told AP they’ve known for months about Israel’s efforts to find a country to accept Palestinians, including its contact with South Sudan. They said they’ve been lobbying South Sudan against taking the Palestinians. Egypt is deeply opposed to plans to transfer Palestinians out of Gaza, with which it shares a border, fearing an influx of refugees into its own territory. The AP previously reported on similar talks initiated by Israel and the U.S. with Sudan and Somalia, countries that are also grappling with war and hunger, and the breakaway region of Somalia known as Somaliland. The status of those discussions is not known. ‘Cash-strapped South Sudan needs any ally’ Szlavik, who’s been hired by South Sudan to improve its relations with the United States, said the U.S. is aware of the discussions with Israel but is not directly involved. South Sudan wants the Trump administration to lift a […]

Over the last 16 years, a new approach and method of limud Hashas has been nurtured and developed in Eretz Yisroel at Reshet Kollelei Shas Yiden. This phenomenon has captured the imagination and electrified lomdei Hatorah throughout the world, and has earned the avid support of Gedolim across the Torah spectrum.  Shas Yiden in UK & USA Shas Yiden not only grew from 6 avreichim metzuyonim to 126 avreichim geonim in five kollelim across Eretz Yisroel but, in response to repeated requests from abroad, a Shas Yiden kollel was first established in the UK, in Stamford Hill, London. The Shas Yiden reputation soared in this location and their first Annual Siyum Hashas with Gedolei Torah in attendance reflected the grandeur of those in Yerushalayim. This foray into Chutz La’aretz has been followed by a long-awaited opening of a Shas Yiden kollel in Flatbush, NY. The Eretz Yisroeldike bren of learning the entire Shas has already had a significant local impact and is a source of inspiration to the local Flatbush kollelim. The incredible devotion to limud gantz Shas and its completion within a year by each avreich at Shas Yiden has encouraged many others to try and emulate this broader study of Shas. This elevated level of Torah study at Shas Yiden and the ability of the avreichim geonim to face public oral farheren by world recognized Gedolei Torah, together with monthly tests on 225 blatt, is nothing short of remarkable. Shas Yiden has truly raised the bar in the study of Shas. Our unique system of learning, the tight demanding regimen and the motivation emanating from Eretz Yisroel has truly placed Shas Yiden in a Torah league of its own.  In the Words of Maranan Hageonim Sar Hatorah, רשכבה”ג Maran Hagadol Harav Chaim Kanievsky, זצ”ל – Nasi, Shas YidenI tested them, I know them throughout Shas – a Yissachar-Zevulun pact with Shas Yiden is the most mehudar partnership  Rosh Hayeshiva, רשכבה”ג Maran Hagadol Harav Gershon Edelstein, זצ”לShas Yiden has raised the bar of Torah learning in both depth and clarity, and its unique method of ameilus in Torah The Sanzer Rebbe, שליט”אA first in 2000 years of Jewish history – never before a Torah institution where ALL the avreichim know kol Hashas kulo, Rashi and Tosfos b’al peh Over 1.6 Million Blatt at Shas YidenThis Year Alone! With each of the 122 avreichim geonim at Shas Yiden required to complete a minimum of 13,555 blatt per year, you are helping support some 1,654,000 blatt!  At the most recent farheren, the reaction of the Gedolei Torah conducting the testing to the prowess of the Shas Yiden was simply one of amazement at the breadth and detailed knowledge and all-encompassing mastery of Shas – remarking: “They know it like others know Ashrei Yoshvei!” The joy of the avreichim geonim and their clear love of Torah electrifies each farher. (To see the different farheren in action, please click on our website: www.shasyiden.com.) It is no wonder that the overall reaction to the Shas Yiden Network is that in its 15 years it has certainly revolutionized and raised the bar in the learning and mastery of Shas.  Caring for the Avreichim Families Despite the difficulties of these last few years, Covid etc., Shas Yiden has made sure to keep our commitment to each of […]

French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot announced on Tuesday evening that the air traffic controller who told an El Al pilot over the radio to “Free Palestine” after takeoff has been suspended from duty. Tabarot wrote on X that after the recordings were examined, which confirmed the complaint, the air traffic controller “has been stripped of all ability to practice until further notice.”  

AGAIN: Military police officers arrived in the early hours of Wednesday morning at the home of a yeshiva bochur, 23, in Bat Yam and arrested him for draft-dodging. He was the fourth yeshivah bochur to be arrested at his home in central Israel in recent weeks. Several Chareidi media outlets reported that the bochur received army deferments over the years and only recently stopped responding to draft notices, in accordance with the instructions of Gedolei HaDor.

BIKE4CHAI 2025 KICK-OFF! Bike4Chai launched this morning, with riders pedaling through scenic New Jersey and Pocono routes, supported by rest stops, supplies, and full SAG, mechanical, and medical assistance. On Thursday, the final 10 miles will pass through downtown Monticello, riding past camps and bungalow colonies as spectators line the streets to cheer them on. The ride will conclude at The World’s Greatest Finish Line at Monticello Motor Club, with riders taking a lap together on the famous racetrack alongside Camp Simcha campers. (Photo credits: Lenny Groysman)

NJ Republican gubernatorial nominee Jack Ciattatelli visited the Kosel today.

After a summer of vacations and late nights, it’s time to set those back-to-school alarms. A good night’s sleep helps students stay focused and attentive in class. Experts say it’s worth easing kids back into a routine with the start of a new school year. “We don’t say ‘get good sleep’ just because,” said pediatrician Dr. Gabrina Dixon with Children’s National Hospital. “It really helps kids learn and it helps them function throughout the day.” The amount of sleep kids need changes as they age. Preschoolers should get up to 13 hours of sleep. Tweens need between nine and 12 hours. Teenagers do best with eight to 10 hours of shut-eye. Set an earlier bedtime Early bedtimes can slip through the cracks over the summer as kids stay up for sleepovers, movie marathons and long plane flights. To get back on track, experts recommend setting earlier bedtimes a week or two before the first day of school or gradually going to bed 15 to 30 minutes earlier each night. Don’t eat a heavy meal before bed and avoid TV or screen time two hours before sleep. Instead, work in relaxing activities to slow down like showering and reading a story. “You’re trying to take the cognitive load off your mind,” said Dr. Nitun Verma, a spokesperson for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. “It would be like if you’re driving, you’re slowly letting go of the gas pedal.” Parents can adjust their back-to-school plans based on what works best for their child. Nikkya Hargrove moves her twin daughters’ bedtimes up by 30 minutes the week before school starts. Sometimes, her 10-year-olds will negotiate for a few extra minutes to stay up and read. Hargrove said those conversations are important as her children get older and advocate for themselves. If they stay up too late and don’t have the best morning, Hargrove said that can be a learning experience too. “If they’re groggy and they don’t like how they feel, then they know, ‘OK, I have to go to bed earlier,’” said Hargrove, an author and independent bookstore owner from Connecticut. In the morning, soaking in some daylight by sitting at a window or going outside can help train the brain to power up, Verma said. Squash back-to-school sleep anxiety Sleep quality matters just as much as duration. First-day jitters can make it hard to fall asleep no matter how early the bedtime. Dixon says parents can talk to their kids to find out what is making them anxious. Is it the first day at a new school? Is it a fear of making new friends? Then they might try a test run of stressful activities before school starts to make those tasks feel less scary — for example, by visiting the school or meeting classmates at an open house. The weeks leading up can be jam-packed and it’s not always possible to prep a routine in advance. But kids will adjust eventually so sleep experts say parents should do what they can. After all, their kids aren’t the only ones adjusting to a new routine. “I always say, ‘Take a deep breath, it’ll be OK,'” Dixon said. “And just start that schedule.” (AP)

Terrorists threw stones at an off-duty IDF soldier and an Israeli civilian during civilian engineering work near the village of Duma in the Shomron area. The soldier initially fired into the air, but when the terrorists continued throwing stones, he fired to remove the threat, killing one of the terrorists. Later, the terrorists tried to snatch the soldier’s weapon. Footage from the incident shows dozens of terrorists standing close to the soldier, with one of them approaching and throwing a stone at him with force. The soldier then fired at the terrorist. Additional IDF forces were called to the scene and dispersed the crowd. The soldier and the civilian were lightly injured by the stones hurled at them, received medical treatment at the scene, and were evacuated in mild condition to Beilinson Hospital. (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

Defense Minister Yisrael Katz on Wednesday morning responded to the media storm that erupted on Wednesday night following a publicized clash between him and IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir regarding a series of senior IDF appointments. Zamir had announced a series of appointments, which Katz quickly nipped in the bud and made clear that “in accordance with the law, he will be the only one who approves senior promotions.” Kan News then published a report on Tuesday evening, which may explain Zamir’s reluctance to carry out many of the government’s plans, including its most recent plan to conquer Gaza City. According to the report, Zamir, who has been in constant clashes with the government since entering his position, regularly consults with a number of left-wing ex-IDF officers, including ex-chief of staff Gabi Ashkenazi, Maj.-Gen. (ret.) Yisrael Ziv, ex-IDF spokesperson Avi Benayahu, and former Netanyahu spokesperson Liran Dan. The report added that in a breach of IDF regulations, Zamir’s assistant, Col. Alon Laniado, is in close contact with media outlets and regularly provides briefings to journalists. IDF regulations permit only the IDF spokesperson’s unit to brief journalists. Katz stated on Wednesday morning that “after the events of October 7th, there is no longer an army that is not under supervision.” “As the Defense Minister who is responsible for the IDF and accountable to the citizens of the State of Israel—and to them alone—I will continue to closely monitor and guide the IDF and the defense establishment…including the use of force in various arenas and force building, and strict supervision of appointments.” “According to the law, I am responsible for approving appointments from the rank of colonel and above, and the chief of staff only recommends the various options. Therefore, a procedure of early consultation between the Defense Minister and the Chief of Staff was formulated, a procedure that must be carried out in an orderly manner and in early discussions, as it has been since I took office as Defense Minister.” Katz also referred to the Kan News report, stating, “The attempt to now change procedures, perhaps on the advice of anti-government advisors stirring the pot, and to replace them with an attempt to establish facts on the ground in improvised meetings—will not succeed.” “And to all the former critics and moralizers—a little humility wouldn’t hurt. Read the investigations published by the IDF on what happened in the IDF during your terms in senior command positions—on the misguided decision-making regarding force building, on the arrogance, blindness, and condescension, on the lack of supervision, and on the depth of the enormous failure—read and bow your heads.” (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

President Trump says the “very unfair media” is twisting the narrative around his upcoming summit with Vladimir Putin, and that they’d be negative no matter how successful his efforts are.

The top diplomats of Britain, France, and Germany threatened to reimpose sanctions on Iran as an end-of-the-month deadline nears for the country to resume negotiations with the West over its nuclear program and cooperation with the United Nations nuclear watchdog. The three countries, known as the E3, wrote in a letter to the United Nations dated Friday that they were willing to trigger a process known as the “snapback” mechanism, which allows one of the Western parties to reimpose U.N. sanctions, if Tehran doesn’t comply with its requirements. French Foreign Minister Jean-Nöel Barrot posted the letter Wednesday to X. He co-signed it along with top diplomats from Germany and the United Kingdom. “E3 have always committed to use all diplomatic tools at our disposal to ensure Iran does not develop a nuclear weapon,” the letter said. “We have made clear that if Iran is not willing to reach a diplomatic solution before the end of August 2025, or does not seize the opportunity of an extension, E3 are prepared to trigger the snapback mechanism.” The letter comes following a period of apparent diplomatic deadlock after a 12-day war between Iran and Israel in June, where Israeli and American jets struck some key nuclear-related facilities in the Islamic Republic. The countries met with Iranian officials last month in Turkey at Iran’s consulate building in Istanbul on the possibility of reimposing international sanctions, lifted in 2015 in exchange for Tehran accepting restrictions and monitoring of its nuclear program. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, said at the time that he hoped that the meeting would see the E3 nations reassess their “previous unconstructive attitude.” The Iranian government didn’t immediately comment Wednesday on the development. Since the war, talks with Washington for a new nuclear deal haven’t resumed, and Iran has since suspended ties with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N. nuclear watchdog, following the attacks. The IAEA’s first visit to Iran since the war didn’t entail any visits to nuclear facilities Monday, and cooperation wasn’t officially restored. One of the three countries opting to trigger the snapback mechanism would renew sanctions on Iran, but Tehran renewing cooperation with the Vienna-based IAEA and addressing concerns about its highly-enriched uranium stockpile would delay it, according to a diplomat who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity following July’s meeting in Istanbul. Iran has had limited IAEA inspections in the past as a pressure tactic in negotiating with the West and it is unclear how soon talks between Tehran and Washington for a deal over its nuclear program will resume. German Foreign Ministry spokesperson Josef Hinterseher on Wednesday said that the letter “once again underlines that the legal preconditions for snapback have long existed.” “Our position and our appeal is, very clearly, that Iran still has the choice of deciding to return to diplomacy … and full cooperation with the IAEA,” he told reporters at a regular news conference in Berlin. U.S. intelligence agencies and the IAEA had assessed Iran last had an organized nuclear weapons program in 2003, though Tehran had been enriching uranium up to 60% — a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%. The IAEA didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday. (AP)

This morning, over 700 cyclists from around the world united for Bike4Chai, a two-day, 180-mile journey that raises critical funds for Chai Lifeline, the international support network for children and families facing serious illness, crisis, and loss. Now in its 16th year, Bike4Chai has become the most powerful charity cycling event in the country, raising millions annually to fund vital year-round services for more than 10,000 families. The ride is taking place August 12–14, with cyclists traversing scenic routes through the Pocono Mountains and Catskills. For the first time ever, the event will culminate at Monticello Motor Club, where the public is encouraged to come celebrate at “the world’s greatest finish line.” On Wednesday, cyclists set out on fully supported routes through New Jersey and the Poconos, returning to the resort for the annual “pasta party.” Thursday’s route continues through the Catskills, ending with a dramatic victory lap around the Monticello Motor Club racetrack, cheered on by Camp Simcha campers and families, volunteers, and — for the first time — the general public. Families, camps, and community members are encouraged to join the celebration and witness the final stretch of the journey. The day will also feature a full-scale spectator carnival with activities for kids of all ages, along with complimentary refreshments like hot cholent from Boosur and refreshing ice cream from Rita’s. With lively music, delicious food, and nonstop entertainment, it promises to be a memorable day for the entire community. “Bike4Chai has always been more than a ride. It’s a movement of chesed, resilience, and community,” said Rabbi Sruli Fried, Executive Director of Bike4Chai. “This year, we are proud to invite the public to witness the passion and purpose that drives our riders. It’s a moment of triumph, and now everyone can be part of it.” “Chai Lifeline is built on community,” added Zevi Bamberger, Director of Bike4Chai. “This new finish line experience gives people the chance to see and feel that mission in action and to celebrate the riders, support the children, and be part of something bigger.” Proceeds from the event benefit Chai Lifeline’s extensive year-round services, including case management, hospital visits, transportation to medical treatment, crisis intervention, and flagship programs like Camp Simcha, i-Shine afterschool programming, and more. For more information or to join the Finish Line event, visit www.bike4chai.com/25. Photo credits: Lenny Groysman

Senior IDF officials recently met with HaRav Chaim Aharon Kaufman, the head of the Va’ad Hayeshivos, in an attempt to calm tensions, Makor Rishon reported on Wednesday. The report quoted a source familiar with the details as saying that “both sides are trying to lead to a calming of tensions and understand that no one is interested in reaching a breaking point between the army and the Chareidi community.” Meanwhile, preparations have begun for a “million-man march” in the homes of Gedolei Yisrael in the wake of the arrests of bnei yeshivos. At this stage, no decision has been made regarding the date of the demonstration, and the Rabbanim are currently waiting to see if the arrest operation will continue. A source close to one of the Rabbanim told Makor Rishon, “Currently, they are trying to reach an agreement with the army—that’s why the million-man march has not been announced. If the arrests continue and there is no dialogue with the army, the likely date for the demonstration is next Thursday, Erev Rosh Chodesh Elul.” “A large logistical operation is necessary to carry out a massive demonstration, and therefore preparations have already begun, but they are awaiting final approval from the Gedolei Yisrael.” A senior official in Degel HaTorah told Walla that the IDF is considering soon releasing the bnei yeshivos currently sitting in military prison. He said that no official announcement has been made, but briefings have been issued stating that the release of the detainees is expected within about a week. “The goal of the Rabbanim is that bnei yeshivos can resume learning without the threat of arrest—not to wage war for the sake of war,” he clarified. “We have no definitive statement that we can be calm yet. That is, the IDF has not issued an official announcement, but it has issued briefings on the matter. The expectation is that the detainees will be released within a week.” He emphasized that if the government announces in any way that it does not intend to carry out proactive arrests against Chareidi “deserters,” there will be no need to escalate the conflict. “As far as the Rabbanim are concerned, we will not go to war over this.” Another yeshivah bochur was arrested overnight Tuesday in Bat Yam. However, according to reports, the IDF has frozen the large-scale arrest operation against bnei yeshivos that was scheduled to begin at the start of Bein Hazemanim. According to the IDF, the bochur’s arrest in Bat Yam was part of a routine enforcement operation and not one focused on Chareidi deserters, and there is no intention to carry out such enforcement. It should be noted that the recent arrests of yeshivah bochurim were carried out only in mixed cities, with no arrests taking place in Chareidi cities. A young avreich from Ashkeon was arrested at Ben Gurion Airport on Tuesday on his way to a vacation abroad but was later released to his home after a disciplinary hearing. (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)