Matzav

The Sanzer Rebbe, who once again has opted not to take a vacation this year, came close to collapsing on Shabbos, echoing a similar incident from several months ago.

The episode occurred during Shacharis on Shabbos morning, at the conclusion of Shemoneh Esrei. As the Rebbe attempted to step back, he suddenly halted after taking just one step. His gabbai, quickly recognizing the severity of the situation, immediately rushed to bring a chair for the Rebbe.

The Rebbe remained seated through the recital of Kedusha, after which he quietly exited to his adjacent room.

Following a medical evaluation, it was determined that the Rebbe had narrowly avoided a collapse due to physical weakness, similar to the episode he suffered a few months ago.

After resting in his private quarters for about half an hour, the Rebbe was brought back to his home in a wheelchair. Later in the day, he participated in seudah shlishis as usual, delivering his customary hour-long derashah.

Despite his frailty, the Rebbe has once again declined to spend time recuperating at his residence in Caesarea, as he did in previous years immediately following Pesach.

As previously reported, the Rebbe also chose not to take a break last year, out of solidarity with the pain of the hostages, soldiers, and the ongoing war. This year, he has once again refused to take a vacation, continuing to share in the anguish of Klal Yisroel.

{Matzav.com Israel}

A Jewish candidate running against Andrew Cuomo for NYC mayor lashed out at him on Sunday, accusing the former governor of being dishonest about an antisemitism-fighting group he launched that has barely made an impact.

Scott Stringer, speaking at the West Side Institutional Synagogue, took aim at Cuomo’s “Never Again, NOW!” group, saying it was marketed as a force to battle antisemitism but ended up serving as a springboard for Cuomo’s political revival.

“He actually showed up in people’s living rooms and promised to set up an organization that would run commercials, host symposiums and – with money raised from the Jewish donor community – join the fight against rising antisemitism,” said Stringer, who previously served as city comptroller and Manhattan borough president.

“But he never lifted a finger. There were no commercials. Nothing,” Stringer added. “This organization was a vehicle for his mayor’s race – and everybody knows it.”

Cuomo had addressed the same synagogue a few weeks earlier, where he charged that several of his opponents in the Democratic primary either turned a blind eye to antisemitism or were complicit themselves.

“He knew not to call me out. That would have been a mistake,” Stringer said to the audience. “But still, I was appalled by his cynical – and frankly pitiful – attempts to divide the city and this community.”

Stringer further criticized Cuomo for what he considered a glaring silence after Hamas launched its brutal October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.

“He didn’t tell you that he came to this community in our darkest moment, during our hour of need – after more than 1,200 people were murdered by the terrorist organization Hamas, with hundreds of hostages held in Gaza – and he lied to us,” Stringer said.

“This was the worst attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust. Our hearts were broken,” he said. “And he sold us all a bill of goods in our darkest moment, during our hour of need … he thinks he’s getting one over on us. But we know better.”

“This was the worst attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust. Our hearts were broken,” he said. “And he sold us all a bill of goods in our darkest moment, during our hour of need … he thinks he’s getting one over on us. But we know better,” Stringer emphasized.

During his remarks, Stringer also turned to the Talmud to issue a warning about Cuomo’s true intentions.

“‘Be careful about the government, as they approach a man only when they need him. They seem like good friends in good times, but they don’t stay for him in time of his trouble,’” he said.

Despite Stringer’s criticisms, “Never Again, NOW!” did eventually release a video ad condemning Hamas in July 2024, according to a report by The Post.

Cuomo continues to dominate the race, holding a commanding lead in the polls as the June 24 Democratic primary quickly approaches — a fact that has made him the main target for rivals like Stringer, who remains stuck in the low single digits.

The ex-governor has had to weather fierce criticism during his campaign over his 2021 resignation, which came amid the looming threat of impeachment after numerous allegations of sexual harassment — accusations he firmly denies.

In addition, Cuomo has been hammered for his controversial management of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly a March 2020 directive that required nursing homes to accept hospital patients recovering from the virus.

In response to Stringer’s broadside, the Cuomo campaign released a statement from Assemblyman Sam Berger, a supporter of Cuomo within the Jewish community.

“Governor Cuomo has shown his support for the Jewish community with action, not just words. Scott Stringer played footsie with the anti-Israel, anti-democratic DSA [Democratic Socialists of America] and their allies who won’t condemn hate,” Berger said.

“When Queens faced a choice for DA between a Jewish pro-Israel candidate [Melinda Katz] and a card-carrying DSA member [Tiffany Caban], Stringer chose DSA. We need a mayor who’ll fight for us — not one who just panders when convenient.”

The Cuomo team also pointed to his record as governor, highlighting actions such as signing the nation’s first executive order prohibiting state agencies from working with companies that support boycotts against Israel, boosting punishments for hate crimes, securing millions in funding for security improvements at shuls and yeshivas, and leading a solidarity mission to Israel during a 2014 conflict with Hamas.

Separately, at a church service in Brooklyn on Sunday morning, Cuomo defended his pandemic-era decisions.

“We beat COVID and saved lives,” he told the congregation.

{Matzav.com}

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, President Donald Trump voiced confidence that an agreement could soon be reached between the United States and Iran regarding Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.

“On the Iran situation, I think we’re doing very well. I think a deal is going to be made there. That’s going to happen. Pretty soon it’s going to happen,” Trump told the press.

He added, “We’ll have something without having to start dropping bombs all over the place.”

Trump’s remarks came after a third round of negotiations between US and Iranian officials, which took place yesterday in Oman. Both sides agreed to meet again on May 3.

A US official told Axios that the discussions “were positive and productive. There is still much to do, but further progress was made on getting to a deal.”

Additionally, a senior American source confirmed that the talks are scheduled to continue next week, this time in Europe.

Although Trump has consistently emphasized that he would rather reach a diplomatic solution with Iran, he has also made it clear that the option of military force remains on the table if necessary.

Just two weeks ago, President Trump said that should it come to military intervention to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, Israel would take a leading role in the effort.

“With Iran, if it requires military, we’re going to have military. Israel will be the leader of that. But nobody leads us, we do what we want to do,” Trump said during a meeting in the Oval Office.

When asked if he had a specific timeline for reaching a deal with Iran, Trump responded, “I can’t really be specific, but when you start talks, you know if they’re going along well or not, and I would say the conclusion would be when I think they’re not going along well.”

Trump has previously warned the Iranian regime that refusing to negotiate would bring about devastating consequences.

“If they don’t make a deal, there will be bombing — and it will be bombing the likes of which they have never seen before,” he cautioned.

In a separate interview on Friday with Time Magazine, Trump reiterated that it is possible to forge a nuclear agreement without resorting to strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites.

He added that although he remains prepared to authorize military action if required, he is also open to a direct meeting with Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in an effort to avoid conflict.

{Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.comreports the petirah of Rebbetzin Chaya Miriam Weinberger a”h, widow of the Gaavad of Tchaba, author of Birchas Shalom. She was 84.

Rebbetzin Weinberger was born on 2 Teves in 1940, a daughter of Rav Dovid Yosef Ungar.

She married her illustrious husband, the Gaavad of Tchaba, Rav Shalom Meshulam Weinberger, renowned author of Birchas Shalom, who was niftar in Cheshvan 2014.

Rebbetzin Chaya Miriam merited to raise a distinguished family, leaving behind a generation of bnei and bnos Torah. Among them is her only son, Rav Yitzchok Yaakov Weinberger, Gaavad of Tchaba. Her sons-in-law include Rav Chaim Shlomo Horowitz, father of the current Kaliver Rebbe; Rav Nachman Biderman, noted mashpia; Rav Menachem Mendel Zelmanowitz, Av Beis Din of Akko; and Rav Boruch Berezovsky, son of the Slonimer Rebbe.

The levayah was held tonight at Beis Medrash Ateres Shmuel-Tchaba on Eliezerov Street in the Gush Shemonim neighborhood of Yerushalayim. Rebbetzin Weinberger was laid to rest beside her husband in the chelkas harabbonim on Har Hamenuchos.

Yehi zichrah boruch.

{Matzav.com Israel}

During Friday night’s episode of HBO’s “Real Time,” New York Times columnist Bret Stephens reflected on the early months of President Trump’s second term, arguing that although the situation is troubling, it may actually be a positive development for the country.

Stephens told host Bill Maher that “I think that my summary of the first 100 days is that the bad news is, it’s the worst first 100 days in U.S. presidential history. I can’t think of a presidency that had it worse. But the good news, I think, for the country is it’s the worst first 100 days in the U.S. presidential history, for precisely the reason that you suggest, Bill, which is that, a lot of the country that voted for President Trump because they didn’t like the course of the country under his predecessor because they were mad, because they thought stuff needed to be broken up and disrupted are waking up to the reality of just how much worse it can get.”

He went on to say that “a lot of the country that voted for President Trump because they didn’t like the course of the country under his predecessor because they were mad, because they thought stuff needed to be broken up and disrupted are waking up to the reality of just how much worse it can get,” adding that if President Trump’s early days had gone more smoothly, it could have masked serious threats to basic legal and democratic norms. “If it had been a successful first 100 days, if it had been just a little less bad, people would say, well, what’s the problem if we’re not observing due process or what’s the problem if we’re defying the Supreme Court?”

Stephens continued, saying, “And I’m hearing from so many friends who voted for Trump, who remember the first Trump administration as being an era — at least until COVID — of prosperity and saying, hang on a second, 100% tariffs? I’m losing half of my workforce, I can’t afford things, the price of consumer goods is still going up, this is not what I voted for. And that’s a relief, because if it had been a successful first 100 days, if it had been just a little less bad, people would say, well, what’s the problem if we’re not observing due process or what’s the problem if we’re defying the Supreme Court? That would be even more worrisome than what we have now.”

{Matzav.com}

Appearing Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) criticized the Democratic Party for not offering a clear plan for the future.

Host Kristen Welker opened the conversation by saying, “Let’s talk about what you have called your oligarchy, and Alexandria Ocasio Cortez have been criss-crossing the country warning of an oligarchy. Senator you told the New York Times, ‘One of the aspects of this is to get people to get engaged in the political process and run as independents outside of the Democratic Party.’ As someone who twice ran in the Democratic presidential primary are you trying to strengthen the Democratic Party or Senator, are you trying to start a third party?”

Sanders replied, “we’re not trying to strengthen a third party. We are trying to strengthen the American democracy. Right now it’s extremely low. We are living, Kristen, in the richest country in the history of the world and yet you have one person, Mr. Musk, who owns more wealth than the bottom 53% of American households. That is insane. That is oligarchy on steroids. Meanwhile, we have 60% of our workers living paycheck to paycheck. We have the highest rate of childhood poverty of almost any major nation on earth and we have over 20% of seniors in America living on $15,000 a year or less. What the American people are saying is that they want, and what our tour was about is to say that they want an economy that works for all of us, and not just for Musk and other billionaires.”

Continuing, Sanders pointed out, “What Democrats lack right now is a vision for the future. How are we going to provide a decent standard of living for a younger generation where everything being equal will be poorer than their parents? How do we repair a broken heath care system? How do we deal with the corrupt campaign finance system that allows billionaires to control both political parties? Those are some of the issues that need to be discussed and we are going out around the country right now asking people, working people, run for office. You want to run as a Democrat? Great. You want to run as an Independent? That’s great, but you’ve got to get involved in the political process because right now the two-party system is failing the working class of this country.”

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

Appearing on CNN’s “State of the Union” Sunday morning, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) declined to dismiss the idea of pursuing impeachment against President Donald Trump if Democrats succeed in retaking Congress.

During the interview, host Dana Bash asked, “Your colleague from Georgia, Senator Jon Ossoff told voters at a town hall that he strongly agrees that President Trump should be impeached. Do you agree with him? Would that be a priority if Democrats were to take back Congress?”

Schumer responded, “Well, look, right now, President Trump is violating rule of law in every way and we’re fighting him every single day in every way. And our goal is to show the American people over and over again, whether it’s the economy, whether it’s tariffs, whether it’s Russia and overseas and whether it’s rule of law, how bad he is. And you know, it’s two years it’s too far away to predict. Our job is day to day to day to show who Trump is, what he is doing, and it’s having an effect as your polls show.”

Bash followed up by saying, “You’re not ruling out.”

Schumer replied, “The American people are realizing.”

Bash pressed once more, stating, “You’re not saying no.”

Schumer concluded, “Look, it’s too far away to even, it’s too far away to even judge.”

{Matzav.com}

Newly uncovered internal communications show that Hamas’s leadership viewed Operation Guardian of the Walls as a major success, according to a new report from N12.

The report reveals that Yahya Sinwar, who was serving as Hamas’s military commander at the time, took advantage of the 2021 ceasefire to lull Israel into a false sense of security while secretly laying the groundwork for the October 7 attacks.

The documents are described in the report as outlining a “calculated strategy designed to exploit the internal weaknesses of Israeli society and bring about its collapse from within.”

Sinwar is said to have believed that the ceasefire was a clear strategic advantage, offering Hamas benefits at Israel’s expense.

“It is likely that this move, which would be acceptable to most countries in the world, would not be acceptable to the occupation [Israel] and would therefore increase their isolation and disconnection from [the world]. If the occupation decides to go in this direction, it will tear it apart from within and lead to an internal rift and civil war,” Sinwar wrote to then Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh.

During that period, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, defense minister Benny Gantz, and IDF chief of staff Lt.-Gen. (res.) Avi Kochavi had all publicly portrayed the operation as a resounding achievement and a decisive victory. According to the report, this perception of success within Israel helped embolden Hamas’s leaders to move forward with the October 7 assault.

Further documents indicated that even though the IDF had declared major successes in its operations targeting the Gaza tunnel network—referred to as the “metro”—Hamas maintained that the tunnel system had remained mostly intact.

“The ‘metro’ was not damaged at all, and only the network of attack tunnels was slightly damaged and will be repaired soon,” senior Hamas officials relayed to former Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah and IRGC Commander Esmail Qaani.

The N12 report concludes that these “vast conceptual gaps” between what Israeli officials believed and the actual situation on the ground created an environment where Hamas could rebuild and plan in secret while Israel wrongly assumed it had neutralized key threats.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Qatar’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, announced Sunday that discussions aimed at securing a ceasefire in Gaza are ongoing, while stressing that the conflict must come to an end.

During a joint media briefing in Doha with the Turkish prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed revealed that his recent talks with Mossad head David Barnea were part of the ongoing attempts to push negotiations forward, and noted that these efforts had yielded some progress.

He affirmed that Qatar, working in coordination with Egypt, remains committed to advancing efforts to reinstate a ceasefire in Gaza, despite facing significant hurdles, and to moving ahead with the next stage of the agreement.

Sheikh Mohammed firmly stated that he “will not accept the starvation of Palestinians in Gaza or the use of humanitarian aid as a weapon by Israel,” making clear his disapproval of certain Israeli tactics.

He further accused “fringe Israeli politicians of spreading accusations against Qatar and attempting to tarnish its reputation, while forgetting the role Qatar played in securing the release of over 100 Israeli hostages,” criticizing those he believes are undermining Doha’s contributions.

Meanwhile, a report from Asharq Al-Awsat on Saturday revealed that Egypt and Qatar had put forth a new proposal, which includes a six-month ceasefire in Gaza, the full release of all hostages, and an exchange involving convicted terrorists.

Additionally, Hamas informed AFP that it is open to an agreement under which all 59 remaining hostages would be freed at once, coupled with a five-year ceasefire arrangement with Israel.

Just days earlier, Hamas had turned down a proposal from Israel that would have required the terror group to disarm in exchange for a six-week truce.

{Matzav.com}

Likud MK Yuli Edelstein, chairman of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, announced on Sunday that the committee is nearing completion of a draft bill to regulate chareidi enlistment.

Although Edelstein said he would “not accept ultimatums from any side” regarding when the bill would be finalized, he shared that within two weeks, the committee’s “professional legal team” should be able to “formulate a draft” of the highly contentious legislation.

He cautioned, however, that he would not commit to a firm deadline, explaining, “I cannot commit to a date and I am not willing to commit to a date” since rushing the process could result in poorly crafted legislation.

A few days earlier, Edelstein stated that the committee would continue hearing testimony and gathering relevant data over the next few sessions before assembling a final draft. That clarification came after a leaked recording surfaced of an adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said the government would push the bill forward “with or without” Edelstein’s cooperation.

Netanyahu’s chareidi coalition partners have been aggressively lobbying for the passage of legislation to codify exemptions from military service for yeshiva students and other chareidim, following a June High Court ruling that decades of exemption policies were unlawful without a formal legal basis.

Edelstein has long been a key obstacle to the bill’s advancement. He signed a declaration calling for widespread enlistment of chareidi men and advocated for “personal and financial sanctions” against those who ignore their draft summonses.

He has openly maintained that he is under no obligation to align with the government’s position on chareidi enlistment and voiced opposition to Defense Minister Israel Katz’s plan to incrementally increase chareidi recruitment until reaching 50 percent of the eligible draft cohort by 2032.

Speaking before the committee, Yaakov (Kobi) Blitstein, deputy director general of the Defense Ministry, reiterated support for Katz’s framework, advocating a gradual rise in chareidi enlistment over the next seven years. He emphasized that “the goal of this law is to reach a kind of agreement with the rabbis and the chareidi leadership, whose representatives are here in the Knesset.”

The chareidi leadership has staunchly rejected the idea of conscripting yeshiva students, directing them to disregard enlistment notices issued by the IDF.

Blitstein further clarified that while yearly quotas would be based on the number of 18-year-old men eligible for the draft, the military would expand the scope of those receiving summonses to include the broader pool of eligible chareidim.

Regarding the state’s failure to meet enlistment goals for this year, Blitstein noted that “the issue of enforcement is clear in today’s law — that anyone who deserts has disciplinary measures against him.”

“It’s not that there is no sanction for the army today, it’s just that it’s not being used. Why hasn’t it been used in the last 20 years? It is like in many other areas that are not enforced. In 2025, we are seeing a drastic increase in the number of those detained at Ben Gurion Airport,” he said.

Since January, authorities have detained 340 individuals eligible for enlistment at Ben Gurion Airport, with 322 caught attempting to leave the country. Out of that group, 100 people — half of whom are chareidim — were barred from departure.

Last Wednesday, Lt. Col. Avigdor Dickstein, who heads the chareidi recruitment division within the IDF’s Personnel Directorate, told the committee that although the army aimed to enlist 4,800 chareidi men during the 2024–2025 cycle, only 1,721 had enlisted so far.

“We set ourselves a target of 4,800 and we will not reach that. There is an upward trend here, but it is not sufficient and does not correspond to the very large operational need,” he said.

“Currently, the most significant and effective sanction is Ben Gurion Airport; there is currently no other sanction,” Dickstein explained. “There is the ability to make arrests, but it is extremely ineffective. If I grab him and put him in a police car, will he end up enlisting?”

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett weighed in over the weekend, accusing Netanyahu on Saturday of maintaining a policy of “preventing the military enlistment of the ultra-Orthodox,” which he claimed was prolonging the stalemate with Hamas in Gaza.

Meanwhile, on Sunday morning, the High Court of Justice issued a provisional order instructing the government to explain its failure to issue sufficient conscription orders to chareidi yeshiva students to meet the IDF’s needs, and to clarify why it has not enforced the orders it did issue.

{Matzav.com Israel}

On Sunday, the High Court of Justice issued a provisional order requiring the government to explain why it has failed to issue a sufficient number of draft notices to chareidi yeshiva students and why it has not enforced the conscription orders that were already sent.

The government was instructed to submit a written response addressing these failures by June 24.

By issuing a provisional order, the court effectively shifted the burden of proof onto the government — specifically the defense minister and other respondents — suggesting the court sees substance to the petition.

This latest development comes as part of petitions urging the High Court to compel the government to implement its June 2024 decision, which ruled that there was no longer a valid legal framework allowing blanket military service exemptions for chareidi yeshiva students, and that the state must begin drafting them.

Following last year’s ruling, the IDF dispatched 18,915 initial draft notices to eligible chareidi yeshiva students in multiple waves from July 2024 through March 2025.

Despite these efforts, only about two percent of those who received draft notices have enlisted, leaving roughly 70,000 eligible chareidi yeshiva students who remain outside of military service.

The Movement for Quality Government in Israel — the organization behind the petition that led to the June 2024 ruling — filed another petition that July, demanding that the court require the government to fully implement the decision.

Earlier this month, the Movement submitted a further motion, highlighting the extremely low enlistment rate, the failure to issue draft notices to tens of thousands of eligible students, and the lack of meaningful enforcement against those who ignored their conscription orders.

In its latest request, the group asked the court to direct the government to immediately distribute draft notices to all eligible chareidi yeshiva students and to intensify enforcement efforts against those who received notices but failed to report for initial processing.

Currently, the IDF and Defense Ministry have limited enforcement tools available, primarily consisting of travel bans and arrests by military police leading to detention in military facilities.

In its provisional order, the court demanded that the government explain “Why it should not issue, or continue to issue, conscription orders for candidates for security service… in a scope appropriate to the needs of the army, as has been presented… by professional officials in the army.”

Military officials have reported that the IDF is grappling with a significant shortage of personnel, with an immediate need for around 12,000 additional soldiers — including approximately 7,000 combat troops.

The High Court also instructed the state to clarify “why it should not act to enforce the orders that were issued, including by taking effective, personal enforcement measures against those who were issued with orders but did not present themselves [to the army].”

In response, the Movement for Quality Government hailed the court’s action as “a significant step” toward ensuring that chareidi yeshiva students are drafted.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s chareidi coalition partners have been actively advocating for legislation that would formally codify military service exemptions for yeshiva students and other members of the chareidi community in light of the court’s decision.

{Matzav.com Israel}

The devastating explosion that struck Iran’s largest port, Bandar Abbas, has left at least 40 dead and more than 1,000 people wounded, according to reports from Iranian state media on Sunday.

While investigations are still underway to uncover what triggered the blast, one Iranian lawmaker pointed the finger at Israel, alleging that explosives had been hidden inside shipping containers.

“Israel was involved in the explosion,” MP Mohammad Siraj stated to the Rokna news agency on Sunday. “It was not accidental. Clear evidence points to Israeli involvement.”

“There were explosives planted in the container, either in their country of origin or along the transportation route,” Siraj claimed. “We do not rule out the involvement of internal factors in planting the explosives in the containers. The explosion occurred at four different locations.”

Siraj did not offer proof to substantiate his allegations, while an Israeli source told Hebrew-language media that Israel had no involvement in the port explosion.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian visited those injured in the blast and flew over the site in an aircraft on Sunday to survey the damage.

“We have to find out why it happened,” Pezeshkian said during a televised meeting with officials broadcast by Iranian state television.

On Sunday, Provincial Governor Mohammad Ashouri confirmed that the number of fatalities had risen to 40, as reported by Iranian state TV. Pir Hossein Kolivand, who heads Iran’s Red Crescent, said only 190 out of approximately 1,000 injured victims remained hospitalized by Sunday, according to a government statement. Authorities also declared three days of national mourning.

The explosion rocked the Shahid Rajaee terminal at the port — Iran’s main container shipping hub — shattering windows several kilometers away, stripping metal from containers, and destroying much of the cargo, Iranian media reported.

As of Sunday afternoon, fire crews were still battling the flames, and recovery efforts continued as rescuers worked to retrieve bodies from the debris.

Officials said the blaze was largely contained but still smoldering, expressing hope it would be fully extinguished by the end of the day. Throughout the night, helicopters and large aircraft made repeated water drops over the burning area to try to put out the flames.

Initial reports from the port’s customs authority, cited by state television yesterday, suggested the explosion might have been caused by a fire in a warehouse that stored hazardous chemicals. Emergency personnel also noted that multiple containers had exploded.

The New York Times cited an individual connected to Iran’s IRGC, who spoke anonymously due to the sensitivity of the situation, reporting that sodium perchlorate — a crucial component for solid missile fuel — had detonated.

Private security firm Ambrey had already reported that the port had received a shipment of sodium perchlorate in March. The chemical cargo reportedly originated from China, carried by two vessels, according to earlier coverage by the Financial Times.

In response to the growing speculation, Iran’s Defense Ministry dismissed reports suggesting the blast was linked to missile fuel mishandling. A spokesman told Iranian state television that such claims were “aligned with enemy psyops” and insisted the affected area contained no military materials.

Offering Iran’s first official response on Sunday, military spokesman Gen. Reza Talaeinik flatly denied that missile fuel had been brought into the port.

“No sort of imported and exporting consignment for fuel or military application was (or) is in the site of the port,” he told state television over the phone.

Talaeinik labeled the foreign reports about missile fuel as baseless but did not provide any alternative explanation for what caused the catastrophic explosion. He promised further clarification would be given in time.

Footage circulating on social media from yesterday’s explosion showed reddish smoke rising before the detonation at Shahid Rajaei, a visual sign often associated with chemical reactions, similar to what was seen in the deadly Beirut port blast.

Observers questioned why the chemicals had not been promptly removed from the site, especially in light of the devastating Beirut port explosion in 2020, where the ignition of ammonium nitrate killed over 200 and injured thousands more.

Israel has in the past targeted Iranian sites involved in missile production, including facilities where solid fuel is manufactured, notably following Tehran’s large-scale missile barrage aimed at Israel last October.

{Matzav.com}

Speaking at the Jewish News Syndicate policy conference in Yerushalayim, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu emphasized that any agreement with Iran must eliminate its ability to enrich uranium, as the United States continues direct nuclear negotiations with Tehran.

“A real deal that works is one that removes Iran’s capacity to enrich uranium for nuclear weapons,” he stated.

Last week, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio made clear that the United States aims for an agreement that completely bars Iran from enriching uranium. Meanwhile, Iranian negotiator Abbas Araghchi insisted that uranium enrichment remains “non-negotiable.”

“Dismantle all the infrastructure of Iran’s nuclear program,” Netanyahu declared. “That is a deal we can live with.”

Netanyahu warned that if Washington agrees to a watered-down deal, Iran will simply bide its time and wait for the conclusion of Donald Trump’s presidency.

He further stressed that Iran’s development of ballistic missiles must also be addressed during the talks.

However, after the latest round of negotiations on Shabbos, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman insisted, “The question of defense capacities and the country’s missiles is not [on the agenda] and has not been raised in the indirect talks.”

Netanyahu said he had clearly conveyed his concerns to Trump and that he maintains close communication with the United States on these issues.

“A bad deal is worse than no deal,” he argued, repeating his long-standing position that the “only good deal” would resemble the model Libya accepted in 2003.

The prime minister also credited Israel’s intelligence operations with having delayed Iran’s nuclear ambitions by approximately ten years.

Switching to the situation in Gaza, Netanyahu asserted that when the war concludes, “Hamas will not be there. And we’re not going to put the Palestinian Authority there.”

“Why replace one regime that is sworn to our destruction with another regime that is sworn to our destruction?” he challenged.

Expanding on this theme, Netanyahu said, “Hamas says we will destroy Israel by terror and military conquest right away, and the PA says, ‘No, you destroy it politically and driving it through propaganda and lawfare to the ’67 boundaries, and then you can do the military thrust because you’re a few kilometers from the sea.’”

Calling the notion of establishing a Palestinian state to promote peace “folly,” Netanyahu dismissed the idea outright.

The prime minister also expressed mistrust toward the Biden administration when it comes to safeguarding Israeli military secrets.

He noted that he deliberately withheld information from Washington regarding the September 2024 operation targeting Hezbollah’s communication networks, saying, “I don’t read the New York Times that often, but why give them the advance? It would be on the net.”

Netanyahu disclosed that Israel destroyed a scanning device Iran had sent to Lebanon after Hezbollah grew suspicious that its communication devices were compromised. Once three devices had been dispatched to Iran for inspection, he decided to strike.

He also revealed that Israeli forces prevented Iranian paratroopers from arriving in Syria to bolster Bashar al-Assad’s regime as rebels were on the verge of overtaking Damascus.

Besides its military efforts in Gaza, Lebanon, and against Iran, Israel is battling another adversary at home, Netanyahu said — the “deep state.” He charged that entrenched leftist elements within Israel’s bureaucracy are endangering the country’s democracy, echoing similar warnings made by Trump since his return to office. JNS

{Matzav.com Israel}

A remarkable milestone unfolded in Derbent, a historic city in the Islamic Russian republic of Dagestan, as a cornerstone was laid for a brand-new shul.

What set this moment apart was that the funding for the entire project came from a Muslim philanthropist.

Suleyman Kerimov, a billionaire and influential figure in the area, generously contributed a significant donation toward the creation of the Jewish complex, which will bear the name “Yerushalayim of Darbent.”

Kerimov explained that his motivation was to foster peace and mutual understanding between the religious communities in the region.

Russian Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar was among those who took part in the ceremony, which occurred just a few days before Pesach. Numerous Muslim religious leaders and local officials also participated in the special event.

“This is proof that it is possible to live together with mutual respect despite the difference in religion and faith,” Rabbi Lazar declared during his speech. “The new shul will be a symbol of coexistence and peace.”

The significance of Kerimov’s contribution is even greater considering recent history. Less than a year earlier, radicals set fire to a synagogue in Derbent, destroying nine Sifrei Torah. Fortunately, there were no injuries in the attack.

Derbent holds the distinction of being one of Russia’s most ancient cities, and its Jewish community is among the oldest anywhere in the world. During his stay, Rabbi Lazar, together with the city’s rabbi, Rabbi Ovadiah Issakov, and community leader Baruch Eliyashiv, toured the historic shul , which is currently undergoing restoration.

As part of the celebration, letters were placed into a time capsule, intended to be opened a century from now. In his message, Rabbi Lazar wrote of his confidence that the tradition of baking matzos would endure and expressed his hope that by the time the capsule is opened, the third Bais Hamikdash would already stand in Yerushalayim.

Throughout the development of the project, Kerimov maintained close contact with Rabbi Lazar, seeking his guidance on various aspects, both practical and halachic. After the ceremony, the businessman also proudly showed Rabbi Lazar the city’s impressive new multimedia fountain—reportedly the largest in Russia—and a modern tourism center featuring exhibits about Derbent’s rich history.

{Matzav.com}

Chinese manufacturers have been pushing forward in the electric vehicle sector, unveiling innovations like a battery that claims it can deliver a 320-mile charge in just five minutes. This week, KCBS Radio’s Holly Quan interviewed Bloomberg’s David Welch about this breakthrough and whether such technology might eventually reach the United States.

“They have a licensing deal with Ford in Michigan,” Welch said, referring to CATL, the China-based electric vehicle battery maker.

Despite the buzz surrounding the announcement at the Shanghai auto show, Welch pointed out that U.S. drivers shouldn’t expect to see these ultra-rapid charging batteries on American roads anytime soon.

“That technology, they say works, but it’s not being built industrialized and commercialized yet,” Welch explained. “But that’s coming. And when the Chinese want to get stuff out, they don’t have a lot of barriers domestically to getting it done. And they tend to move pretty quickly.”

Welch mentioned that the timing of when Chinese EV technology might arrive in the U.S. is tied closely to the ongoing tariff battles that began under President Donald Trump. He noted that CATL’s collaboration with Ford is drawing plenty of attention.

“All that’s going on with tariffs, trade talks, trade wars… does kind of throw some of this Chinese EV technology up in the air in terms of getting it to U.S. shores,” said Welch.

During his conversation with Quan, Welch also explained that Chinese firms primarily produce lithium iron phosphate batteries, unlike the lithium ion batteries more commonly used in American EVs. While they may not deliver as much mileage per charge, they are significantly cheaper to produce.

“BYD, which is the biggest EV maker in the world, and CATL, which has the biggest battery maker in that world – both Chinese companies – have been working on these technologies,” Welch said, noting that improvements continue to be made, especially in enhancing the batteries’ energy density to allow for faster charging.

At present, the United States lacks the necessary infrastructure to efficiently fast charge vehicles using these Chinese battery types, Welch said. Nonetheless, General Motors plans to introduce a refreshed version of the Chevy Bolt later this year, which will reportedly feature a lithium iron phosphate battery.

“They are keeping the range and charge time a secret,” said Welch. “So we’ll see what that comes with and whether or not it’s CATL’s technology. I suspect it is.”

Another important distinction, Welch added, is that vehicles equipped with lithium iron phosphate batteries tend to be smaller than the typical American car and offer more limited driving ranges.

“I know somebody personally a friend who bought a BYD EV in Mexico… it’s a $29,000 car, slightly smaller than the old Chevy Bolt which means it’s subcompact and he gets I think 220 or 230 miles of range,” he said.

{Matzav.com}

Speaking at the JNS International Policy Summit on Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu shared details surrounding the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, while reiterating that Israel would only back a nuclear agreement that guarantees Iran never obtains nuclear arms.

Describing the current military situation, Netanyahu emphasized that Israel is engaged in a conflict across seven different fronts, though he clarified that it is essentially a single war being waged against Iran and its network of proxies. He made it clear that much work remains ahead. “We have to finish the war in Gaza, get our hostages back and destroy Hamas,” he declared. “Hamas will not be there and we’re not going to put the PA (Palestinian Authority – ed.) there. Why replace one regime that is sworn to our destruction with another regime that is sworn to our destruction?”

Looking beyond the war’s end, Netanyahu was adamant that Israel would maintain security control over Gaza. Israel will “in any case” control Gaza militarily, according to Netanyahu.

Turning to the death of Hassan Nasrallah, Netanyahu explained that his elimination was a critical blow to Iran’s strategic reach. “It was a terrific blow. Some people are irreplaceable. And so far, he’s been irreplaceable. And so having delivered that blow to Hezbollah, we also delivered a blow to [former Syrian dictator Bashar] Assad, because Assad was relying heavily on Nasrallah.”

Netanyahu also took the opportunity to express gratitude toward the United States for its military efforts against Yemen’s Houthi rebels. “We appreciate the fact that the United States is taking action against the Houthis,” he said. “We appreciate the help that we’re getting from the United States. Arms are flowing in. It’s important we share the same goals, but we have to make sure that Iran does not get nuclear weapons.”

While Israel does not seek foreign troops to fight on its behalf, Netanyahu emphasized that international backing remains vital, particularly to prevent hostile moves at the United Nations. Israel must ensure that “the UN Security Council does not make binding resolutions against Israel,” so that “Israel is not sanctioned, is not choked by the international community, and that support is being threatened by the systemic public opinion campaign.”

He also called for a concerted effort to push back against distorted narratives in the media. “So I ask you to continue to fight for the truth.”

Addressing Iran’s nuclear ambitions directly, Netanyahu asserted that the only effective agreement would be one that fully dismantles Tehran’s nuclear capabilities. “All the infrastructure of Iran’s nuclear program. That is the deal.”

He concluded with a stern warning that anything less would be disastrous. “We cannot live with anything short of that—anything short of that could bring you the opposite result, because Iran will say, all right, I won’t enrich, wait, run out the clock, wait for another president, do it again. That’s unacceptable.”

{Matzav.com}

President Trump declared that he plans to revive Columbus Day, promising to restore it to its former prominence in a passionate message shared on social media. In his post, he took direct aim at those who have criticized the holiday and the European explorer it celebrates.

“I’m bringing Columbus Day back from the ashes,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “The Democrats did everything possible to destroy Christopher Columbus, his reputation, and all of the Italians that love him so much. They tore down his Statues, and put up nothing but ‘WOKE,’ or even worse, nothing at all! Well, you’ll be happy to know, Christopher is going to make a major comeback.”

Trump went on to add, “I am hereby reinstating Columbus Day under the same rules, dates, and locations, as it has had for all of the many decades before!”

In recent years, progressive activists have pushed to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day, arguing that it is more appropriate to honor the experiences of native communities who suffered during colonization.

{Matzav.com}

House Republicans are preparing a sweeping budget package that will allocate $68.8 billion toward border security efforts, including funding for new border and immigration agents as well as construction of the border wall.

The package details extensive spending initiatives aimed at strengthening the U.S. border — fulfilling one of President Trump’s major campaign promises — while also focusing on removing millions of illegal migrants who were permitted entry under former President Joe Biden’s administration.

Security funding is particularly critical in advance of major international events that the U.S. will host in the coming years, including the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics. The plan calls for $1 billion in security spending for the Olympics and $625 million for the World Cup.

According to a report first published by Fox News Digital, the $68.8 billion in border-related spending will include:

• $46.5 billion for a comprehensive “border barrier system.”

• $5 billion to bolster facilities and staffing for Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

• $4.1 billion to strengthen frontline personnel, with $2 billion designated for retention and recruitment bonuses.

• $813 million toward upgrading CBP vehicles.

• $2.7 billion for advanced technology such as sensors, drones, radar, and remote surveillance systems.

• $673 million to expand biometric systems for tracking illegal migrants inside the U.S.

• Over $1 billion for enhanced air and maritime surveillance capabilities.

• $500 million to target and dismantle drug-smuggling operations by Mexican cartels.

• $1 million in support for American citizens victimized by crimes committed by illegal migrants.

The Trump team has touted its success in reducing illegal immigration without relying on large border security funding bills, noting that the biggest change needed was “just a new president.”

Nevertheless, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and border czar Tom Homan warned that without new funding, the hard-earned progress could be jeopardized.

“Failure to pass the above spending will undo all the Trump administration’s massive successes,” the DHS stated in a memo circulated to House and Senate Republicans earlier this month.

Thanks to budget reconciliation rules in the Senate, Republicans — despite holding only a slim majority — can pass spending, tax, and debt-related legislation with just 51 votes.

The first major budget bill promised by President Trump will not only focus on border security, but will also aim to make the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent. Originally set to expire during this term, the tax cuts are central to Trump’s economic agenda, along with new measures to eliminate taxes on tips, overtime wages, and Social Security benefits — key promises from his re-election campaign.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu submitted an affidavit to the Supreme Court today in response to petitions surrounding the dismissal of the head of the Shin Bet, claiming that Ronen Bar’s remarks about having issued a war warning were untrue. Netanyahu referred to the intelligence breakdown that preceded the October 7th massacre as “the greatest failure in the history of the State of Israel.”

According to Netanyahu, during a security assessment conducted by Ronen Bar at 5:15 AM on October 7 — roughly an hour and a quarter before Hamas launched its brutal attack — there was no indication of an imminent war. “Bar bears direct and immense responsibility for the failure to prevent the massacre. He did not awaken other security forces, but rather deluded them,” Netanyahu stated in his affidavit.

The affidavit continues, alleging that “Bar’s insecurity in maintaining calm in Gaza at all costs led him to hold on to his misconceptions out of fear that Hamas would interpret these actions as intentions of war on the part of Israel and thus go to war against us. While Ronen Bar talked about ‘miscalculation,’ Hamas had already attacked.”

Netanyahu further asserted that if Bar had ordered the IDF to a state of “high readiness” rather than keeping them at a “medium and secret” alert level, and had instructed immediate broad military action, the tragedy could have been averted. “If Bar had called the IDF to prepare in ‘high readiness’ and not ‘medium and secret,’ and instructed the IDF to initiate broad action immediately, the massacre would have been avoided,” the affidavit stated.

Addressing Bar’s version of events, Netanyahu rejected the claim that Bar successfully activated the security apparatus during the night of the massacre. Netanyahu wrote, “He did not awaken the Minister of Defense. He did not awaken the Prime Minister. He did not awaken the head of the National Security Council and IDF forces. He did not awaken the civilian emergency squads in the Gaza region communities. He did not warn those partying at the Supernova festival. He did not fulfill his main role that night.”

The affidavit also disputes the assertion that Ronen Bar had issued serious warnings about Gaza. Netanyahu argued that throughout 2023, Bar actually advocated for policies that would bolster Gaza’s economy and opposed targeted killings, all to preserve a sense of quiet. “Ronen Bar said that Sinwar is a reasonable leader,” the affidavit notes, adding that Bar also said in cabinet discussions before October 7 that “the Gaza Strip is deterred.”

In connection with the effort to postpone his trial, Netanyahu addressed accusations against him, insisting that “contrary to Bar’s false statement, the Prime Minister never requested to delay his trial or cancel it, but on the contrary. The Prime Minister asked not to postpone the trial even for a day.”

Netanyahu’s affidavit also levels accusations of political bias against Bar, claiming that he engaged in improper political conduct. Netanyahu stated that “while operating agents at right-wing demonstrations, Bar fabricated lies about a demand to activate the ISA at left-wing demonstrations.”

Along with the public affidavit, the court also received classified annexes containing sensitive information.

Click here to read the full affidavit.

{Matzav.com Israel}

As previously reported by Chaim V’Chessed, a significant travel update took effect at the start of 2025: all travelers to Israel are now required to complete an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before departure. Without an approved ETA, airlines will not permit passengers to board flights to Israel—with the exception of Israeli passport holders. Even Israeli citizens need an ETA – if traveling on a foreign passport.

With the conclusion of the busy Pesach travel season, many are now returning to Israel after the holiday, while others are arriving for the first time. Whether you’re a seasoned visitor or a newcomer, it is absolutely vital to confirm that you have a valid ETA in hand before traveling.

Technically, holders of valid student visas are exempt from the ETA requirement. However, Chaim V’Chessed strongly recommends that even student visa holders apply for an ETA to avoid any confusion or mishap at the airport. Additionally, if your student visa has expired, you must obtain an ETA.

Parents, please take note: children of all ages—including infants—must have their own ETA to board a flight to Israel. This detail has caught many families off guard. Another important point to be aware of is the fact that ETAs are only issued to passports which have at least 3 months of remaining validity.

In recent days, Chaim V’Chessed has been inundated with reports from individuals who were denied boarding due to not having an ETA. These unfortunate situations often stem from misunderstanding the rules or assuming exemptions that do not apply.

If you do not have a valid visa, you must apply for an ETA. If you are unsure about your status, the best course of action is to apply for an ETA just in case. It’s a simple step that can prevent significant frustration and delays. In some instances, the travelers boarded flights from the USA without a valid ETA, yet were stopped at a connecting airport, and stranded there, due to their lack of an ETA.

Travelers should be aware that there are several unsavory websites mimicking the official ETA site, often charging exorbitant fees for a service that is inexpensive on the official site. These third-party services may appear legitimate but should be avoided. An ETA on the authentic site costs just 25 NIS, and is valid for two years.

The only correct way to apply is through the official link. Click here to apply for an ETA.

{Matzav.com Israel}