Matzav

The father of New York City mayoral contender Zohran Mamdani is affiliated with a radical anti-Israel group that has accused the Jewish state of “genocide” and has even shown understanding toward suicide bombers.

Mahmood Mamdani, 79, holds a position on the policy advisory council of the Gaza Tribunal, a London-based organization known for its hostility toward Israel.

According to the group, which was established in 2023, its mission is “to awaken civil society to its responsibility and opportunity to stop Israel’s genocide in Gaza.”

The Gaza Tribunal champions a number of controversial stances shared by Zohran Mamdani, the Queens assemblyman currently leading the mayoral race. Among them is support for the BDS movement, which advocates for the boycott, divestment, and sanctioning of Israel as a tactic to promote Palestinian goals.

Fox News was the first to report on Saturday that Mahmood Mamdani, a tenured professor of African history and colonial studies at Columbia University, is officially tied to the Gaza Tribunal.

Adding to the controversy, Mamdani is facing renewed backlash online over a resurfaced passage from one of his books in which he discusses suicide bombers in terms that many have found disturbing.

“Suicide bombing needs to be understood as a feature of modern political violence rather than stigmatized as a mark of barbarism,” he wrote in his 2004 work, Good Muslim, Bad Muslim: America, the Cold War, and the Roots of Terror.

In another section of the book, he argued, “We need to recognize the suicide bomber, first and foremost, as a category of soldier.”

On Thursday, billionaire investor Bill Ackman took to X to react to the revelations, commenting, “The apple @ZohranKMamdani doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump breaks down how the four years of a Biden White House between his first and second terms impacted Americans on ‘My View with Lara Trump.’

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Senior members of United Torah Judaism (UTJ) have issued a sharp warning: if there is no significant progress on the long-delayed draft law, the party is preparing to immediately withdraw from the coalition — possibly as early as this week.

Amid the continued deadlock surrounding the legislation that would officially regulate the status of yeshiva students and their military exemptions, UTJ officials related, “If there is no significant progress on the draft law issue, we are preparing for an immediate withdrawal from the government this week.”

Tension has been building for weeks among chareidi lawmakers due to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s unfulfilled pledge that a finalized draft of the law would be submitted by early this week. The legislation was expected to be presented to former minister Ariel Attias, who would then bring it to the heads of the chareidi parties for review and approval by the Gedolei Yisroel, with the goal of beginning formal discussions in the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.

However, that process has been stalled. Committee chairman Yoel “Yuli” Edelstein delayed the submission, and another week has passed without a bill being filed. This delay means the legislation will almost certainly not pass during the current summer session, pushing it off until after the Knesset recess.

Compounding the crisis, the IDF announced this past Wednesday — via the military’s legal advisor — that in roughly two weeks, Military Police will launch a sweeping enforcement campaign. This will include arrests nationwide to enforce tens of thousands of draft notices recently sent to chareidi young men.

Chareidi party officials emphasized once again that if even a single yeshiva student is arrested, they will walk out of the coalition without hesitation.

Deep anger is also being directed toward Edelstein. A senior coalition source told Kikar: “Edelstein is acting purely out of revenge and hatred for Bibi. Let’s not forget — on October 7, he made a serious attempt to topple Bibi via a no-confidence vote and tried to rally the chareidi parties to support him. When they refused, he now seeks revenge.”

Frustration is also mounting toward Netanyahu himself. One senior UTJ figure remarked, “The draft issue doesn’t really interest him. He drags his feet and doesn’t keep his word. We followed his lead, and now we’re left without a law.”

Meanwhile, the legal advisory team is continuing to oversee the IDF’s enforcement plans. An additional oversight hearing has been scheduled, in which military representatives will be required to provide updates on the implementation of the campaign — including actions at border crossings, new detention policies, and the extent of enforcement activity.

A parallel discussion is being coordinated between the Justice Ministry and Defense Ministry to address outstanding gaps in the data transfer process between the Education Ministry and the IDF regarding eligible conscripts. Solutions to those gaps are expected to be presented at the next oversight session.

As part of the state’s legal response, all relevant authorities have been instructed to provide detailed enforcement plans, including the principles guiding the treatment of draft evaders at border crossings, the nature and frequency of enforcement operations, and the current capacity of military detention facilities.

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rav Gedaliah Schulman zt”l, one of the senior roshei yeshiva of Yeshivas Bais Shemaya in Bnei Brak, who was marbitz Torah for decades. Rav Schulman was niftar on Shabbos at the age of 79. His levayah was held earlier tonight from his home in Bnei Brak.

Rav Schulman suffered a sudden cardiac arrest on Shabbos following a recent period of illness. He was rushed to Maayanei HaYeshua Hospital, where he was niftar despite resuscitation efforts.

Born on the 27th of Kislev in 1945, Rav Gedaliah was the son of Rav Mordechai Schulman zt”l and Rebbetzin Bas Sheva a”h. As a bochur, he learned in Yeshivas Slabodka in Bnei Brak, where he developed into a true ben Torah under the guidance of its roshei yeshiva.

He later married Rebbetzin Rivka, a renowned educator and the youngest daughter of Rav Yoel Kloft, Av Beis Din of Haifa and author of Daas Yoel. Rebbetzin Rivkah Schulman, a beloved mechaneches at the Hildesheimer Seminary in Petach Tikvah, dedicated her life to inspiring and guiding the daughters of Klal Yisroel. She was niftar in Iyar 5782.

For many years, Rav Schulman taught in Yeshivas Bais Shemaya, molding generations of talmidim with humility and depth. Known for his simplicity and tznius, he was revered as a tremendous talmid chochom who shied away from recognition.

He authored a series of concise notes and marei mekomos on various masechtos, based on his shiurim in Bais Shemaya. These writings gained wide popularity and became valuable resources among bnei Torah.

Rav Schulman is survived by an illustrious family who follow in his path: his only son, Rav Shmuel Yosef Schulman, and his daughters, the wives of Rav Elchanan Blum, Rav Avrohom Yeshaya Rubinsky, Rav Raphael Kokis, Rav Yehuda Groner, and Rav Menachem Friedman.

His brothers-in-law include Rav Shmuel Kloft, Rav Shneur Kloft, who succeeded his father as rosh kollel of Daas Yoel and Av Beis Din of Eidah Yisroel in Haifa for over fifty years, Rav Chaim Kloft, rosh yeshiva of Kehillos Yaakov in Kiryat Sefer, Rav Shmuel Avigdor Faivelson, rosh yeshiva of Nachalas Naftali in Tzfas, and Rav Menachem Tzvi Berlin, rosh yeshiva of Rabbeinu Chaim Ozer in Bnei Brak.

The levayah was held on Motzoei Shabbos from his home at 10 Rechov Rav Ami in Bnei Brak, proceeding to the beis hachaim in Kfar Samir, Haifa.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

Speaking at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv tonight, Eli Sharabi — who endured captivity under Hamas — made a heartfelt appeal to President Donald Trump, urging him to act swiftly to secure the return of the remaining hostages. “The window of opportunity to bring home all 50 hostages – living and dead – is open NOW and it won’t be for long,” Sharabi declared.

He thanked Trump for his prior efforts and pleaded for continued action, saying, “President Trump, being in those tunnels is h—. Thank you for bringing me – and so many others – back home. We need your help now to bring back my brother Yossi, and 49 other hostages. Your vision for a new Middle East is possible only when ALL hostages are back home.”

Sharabi reflected on the tragedy that befell his own family during the October 7 massacre, speaking with deep sorrow about the loss of his wife and daughters. “Lianne, may her memory be a blessing, my dear wife. A British citizen who fell in love with me. She fell in love with this land. Her only desire was to raise our daughters in peace, quietly. Noya and Yahel, may their memories be a blessing, my beloved daughters. Children whose smile, sensitivity, and willingness to help others were their way of life. A whole family that was murdered. Erased. A whole life cut short. A home that was shattered in an instant.”

Turning his attention to those still missing, Sharabi made clear that his plea was on behalf of the living as much as the dead. “I stand here not only for those who are no longer with us. I am also here for those still waiting,” he said. “For those who can and should be saved! Yossi, may his memory be a blessing, my dear brother, who walked with me in the same path within the Be’eri community. A brother with a pure heart. His wife Nira, his daughters Yuval, Ophir, and Oren, his mother, his siblings — everyone is waiting for his return for a proper burial. Every day since the moment of his abduction, the pain, mourning, and loss only deepen.”

He also spoke of his close friend, Alon Ohel, who remains in Hamas custody. “Alon, my dear friend, beloved, handsome, an artist with a noble and delicate soul, is waiting there in the darkness of the tunnel. I promised you I wouldn’t rest until you are freed and returned to your family’s embrace.”

Sharabi described the trauma that began on October 7 and has yet to lift. “Since October 7, our lives have ceased to be life,” he said. “Hundreds of families have lost their dearest loved ones. Others are still living in an awful and agonizing wait. To those who claim there are ‘fifty hostages’ still not returned, I would suggest rephrasing, to be accurate — fifty hostage families remain in Gaza. The families are asking themselves every moment: Will our loved ones survive this hell? Are they in life-threatening danger at this very moment? Are they hungry? Humiliated? Beaten? Could they disappear forever in the soil of Gaza? Do you understand the depth of this fracture?”

Sharabi stressed that the issue transcends politics and cuts to the core of the nation’s values. “To be a moral, responsible, and just state means not abandoning anyone,” he declared. “Not civilians. Not soldiers. No matter where they are held. No matter the price. Because the moment our hearts stop beating for them, we cease to be a state. This is not a political issue. It’s not a question of right or left. It’s a question of morality. A question of humanity. A question of heart!”

With raw emotion, Sharabi spoke of the personal burden he carries every day. “I live with the grief,” he said. “I carry it with me everywhere — alongside life — not in its place!”

He closed his remarks by addressing the other families still awaiting answers. “And to you, the families of the hostages, families who have no moment of peace,” he said, “You are the pillar of fire leading the camp. My brothers and sisters in pain and hope — I see you, I feel you, I stand beside you. Your strength, your faith, your tears — they are the testimony for us of what truly matters.”

{Matzav.com}

At a Turning Points USA event on Friday, political commentator Tucker Carlson floated the theory that Jeffrey Epstein may have been linked to Israeli intelligence. “It’s extremely obvious to anyone who watches that this guy had direct connections to a foreign government. Now, no one’s allowed to say that foreign government is Israel, because we’ve been somehow cowed into thinking that that’s naughty,” he told the audience, which responded with loud applause.

Carlson was quick to clarify that his statement wasn’t meant as a slur against Israel, emphasizing that he could criticize his own country’s intelligence agency without being unpatriotic. He drew a comparison to the CIA, suggesting one can condemn its actions and still be loyal to America. “As long as we’re sending you money,” he said about Israel, “if you were committing crimes on our soil, we have the absolute right to know.”

In another clip from the same conference, Carlson argued that Americans who enlist in foreign militaries — including the Israel Defense Forces and the Ukrainian army — should no longer be considered U.S. citizens. Responding to a question that had been asked before the start of the recorded segment, which he suggested was about Israel, Carlson said, “I quote the New Testament, but I also refer to common sense when I say that no man can serve two masters, it’s not possible. I only have one wife for that reason.”

He continued, “You can only really pledge your loyalty to one person or one country, that’s just a fact.” Carlson insisted that those who join the military of a foreign nation must forfeit their American citizenship. “There are a lot of Americans who’ve served in the IDF and they should lose their citizenship. There are a lot of Americans who serve in Ukraine, and they should lose their citizenship,” he said. “You can’t fight for another country and remain an American — period. Obviously!”

Carlson went on to say that Americans have been manipulated into viewing such positions as hateful. “You don’t hear hate in my voice, because there isn’t any,” he said.

Carlson has previously taken aim at Rep. Brian Mast of Florida for wearing his IDF uniform in the halls of Congress as a gesture of support for Israel following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack. Mast, a decorated U.S. Army veteran who lost both legs while serving in Afghanistan, volunteered for a brief stint with the IDF in January 2025, assisting with the assembly of medical supplies at a military base near Tel Aviv.

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{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu appeared on Fox News in a pre-recorded segment of Life, Liberty & Levin, hosted by Mark Levin. During the wide-ranging discussion, Netanyahu spoke about the conflict with Iran and the broader threats facing Israel.

Touching on Iran’s actions in the wake of Hezbollah’s downfall, Netanyahu stated that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps made a rapid push toward nuclear capability. “We saw it. We said, within a year they will have a nuclear bomb, and they will use it,” he warned. “Unlike other nuclear powers, they will actually use it, and they will wipe us out.”

When Levin turned to the ongoing hostage crisis in Gaza, he asked Netanyahu for an update on efforts to rescue those still held by Hamas.

“We are doing everything we can not to cause them harm,” Netanyahu replied, underscoring the delicate balance Israel is trying to maintain in its military operations.

Netanyahu contrasted Israel’s approach to warfare with that of its enemies. “Israel does everything in it’s power to avoid civilian casualties, Hamas does everything in it’s power to do the opposite,” he said.

The conversation then shifted to a more personal note. Levin asked the Prime Minister if he could meet anyone from history, who would it be?

Netanyahu didn’t hesitate: “Theodor Herzl.”

Levin followed up by asking whether there was a historical figure Netanyahu kept in mind when making important decisions. Again, Netanyahu named the father of modern Zionism.

“Theodor Herzl,” he said once more.

Netanyahu elaborated on why Herzl continues to inspire him. “[He was] 36 years old when he said that the Jewish people would be annihilated by the forces of antisemitism in Europe,” Netanyahu explained. “The only solution would be to resuscitate a Jewish state in our ancestral homeland, which we never gave up on.”

Reflecting on Herzl’s brief but impactful life, Netanyahu added, “He died at 44 and in eight years he launched this incredible…he lit a fire in the Jewish people. 50 years later, there was a Jewish state.”

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{Matzav.com}

Tonight, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu fired back at a New York Times Magazine report titled “How Netanyahu Prolonged the War in Gaza to Stay in Power,” calling it baseless and a smear campaign against Israel and its leadership.

“The NYT article of July 11, 2025 rehashes long discredited claims of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s political opponents,” Netanyahu’s office stated. “It defames Israel, its brave people and soldiers, and its Prime Minister.”

The statement went on to credit Netanyahu’s wartime decisions with orchestrating one of Israel’s most dramatic military turnarounds.

“Prime Minister Netanyahu’s leadership brought about the covert detonation of Hezbollah pagers, the destruction of its missile stockpiles, the destruction of Assad’s armaments, the elimination of Hamas and Hezbollah terrorist chiefs and above all the decisive action against the Iranian nuclear and ballistic missile programs aimed at annihilating Israel,” the statement said.

Directly challenging the narrative of the article, Netanyahu’s office argued that he was far from a passive player in the war.

“Contrary to the article’s claims, Prime Minister Netanyahu was not a passive bystander in these achievements but led them forcefully, often against strong reservations from senior security officials who urged him to capitulate to Hamas’s dictates and prematurely end the war. Had he done so, Hamas, Hezbollah, the Assad regime and Iran’s nuclear and missile programs would all still be intact today.”

The Prime Minister’s office also took aim at the sources cited in the article, asserting that their motivations were political and their judgment flawed.

“Those senior officials, whose anonymous politically motivated supporters are widely quoted throughout the article, have since been replaced. The most senior among them said at the beginning of the war that Israel is unlikely to see any of the hostages alive.”

The statement then highlighted Netanyahu’s efforts to rescue hostages, pointing to significant progress made under his strategy.

“Prime Minister Netanyahu disagreed. His policy of applying military and diplomatic pressure on Hamas has so far secured the return of 205 hostages out of a total of 255. Prime Minister Netanyahu is committed to return them all.”

The Prime Minister’s office also disputed the article’s assertion that Netanyahu turned down a serious ceasefire agreement.

“Contrary to the article’s claims, there was no viable deal last year that Prime Minister Netanyahu turned down. Hamas continued to insist that Israel leave Gaza, enabling Hamas to regroup, rearm and threaten Israel’s security again and again.”

It added that Netanyahu’s rejection of such terms had nothing to do with political preservation and everything to do with national security.

“Prime Minister Netanyahu’s refusal to accept these impossible conditions, against the advice of senior officials, was based on a disagreement on policy and not on coalition considerations. When the Prime Minister achieved hostage release deals he deemed acceptable, he pushed them through even when his coalition partners voted against them and bolted the government.”

The statement concluded with a strong defense of Netanyahu’s motivations and legacy.

“Prime Minister Netanyahu was never concerned with his political survival, but with his country’s survival. He is carrying out his life’s mission: securing the future of the one and only Jewish state.”

The New York Times Magazine report, which was released earlier in the day, accused Netanyahu of deliberately extending the Gaza conflict to remain in power. Citing more than 110 interviews with senior Israeli and international officials, the article alleged that in April 2024, a six-week truce proposal was available but was ultimately shelved. According to the article, Netanyahu allegedly told his team to keep the plan quiet during a key security cabinet meeting, suggesting that political calculus outweighed peace prospects.

{Matzav.com Israel}

A wave of controversy swept through Kfar Chabad on Friday after Rav Meir Ashkenazi, the community’s rov, announced that all local wedding halls would be shut down indefinitely.

The decision came in response to what Rav Ashkenazi described as “events bordering on immodesty” that reportedly took place at a recent wedding held in Beit Zlata hall.

In a strongly worded letter sent to the town’s residents, Rav Ashkenazi stated: “Following events bordering on immodesty on the part of the groom and bride that occurred this week at the hall, and after unsuccessful attempts to resolve the issue, I hereby announce the closure of Beit Zlata hall for weddings until further notice.”

In light of Rav Ashkenazi’s directive, the administration of Beit Rivka decided to suspend operations at both Beit Zlata and the main wedding hall in Kfar Chabad B. At this time, only the event tent in Kfar Chabad remains open and functioning.

{Matzav.com}

Israel is preparing to unveil updated territorial maps during the next round of negotiations set to take place in Qatar on Sunday, according to a report by Channel 12 News. These new maps will outline the Israeli military’s proposed pullback from parts of the Gaza Strip, including sensitive areas like the Morag corridor and surrounding zones.

However, Qatari officials have warned Israel that “the maps presented by Israel will not pass Hamas and may collapse the talks,” indicating that the proposed withdrawals may fall short of Hamas’s expectations and potentially derail the fragile negotiations.

Two Palestinian officials told AFP that a major obstacle in the discussions is Israel’s continued refusal to provide a definitive withdrawal blueprint. “What was presented yesterday seemed like a redeployment of forces, with more than 40% of the Gaza Strip still under Israeli control,” they said, pointing to ongoing dissatisfaction with Israel’s stance.

Meanwhile, Al-Hadath reported that the mediators are awaiting a new version of Israel’s withdrawal plan, which is expected to be delivered by Saturday night in the hope of moving the process forward.

Despite optimistic forecasts from some Israeli and American officials, the negotiations around a potential hostage release deal remain stalled. Over the weekend, there was minimal diplomatic activity, and a resolution on the issue of Israeli forces withdrawing from Gaza remains elusive.

A political official noted earlier in the evening that an agreement could have been finalized had Hamas accepted Qatar’s most recent proposal. Such a development would have paved the way for a 60-day negotiation window to establish a long-term ceasefire aligned with Israeli goals.

This source said the Israeli delegation has been engaged in continuous discussions in Doha — including throughout Shabbos — working closely with mediators from both Egypt and Qatar. They have also been providing consistent briefings to Prime Minister Netanyahu and Minister Dermer.

Israel’s representatives arrived in Doha following their acceptance of the Qatari initiative. However, Hamas rejected the framework, taking a harder line in both its demands and public rhetoric. The terror group has escalated its media campaign to undermine the talks, spread disinformation to Gazans, and exert pressure on the Israeli public. According to the political source, while Israel has shown willingness to compromise, Hamas’s refusal to budge has left the mediators unable to move the negotiations forward.

{Matzav.com}

A harrowing incident occurred during Israel’s Operation Rising Lion, when one of the F-15 fighter jets flying toward a target in the Tehran area encountered a critical failure mid-flight, according to a report by Channel 12. The malfunction involved the aircraft’s secondary fuel tank, which suddenly stopped supplying fuel just as the jet was operating in the heart of enemy airspace.

This unexpected failure created a life-threatening situation, leaving the pilot without access to enough fuel to safely return or complete the mission. At such a deep range, the risk of losing the aircraft or being forced into a hostile emergency landing loomed large.

Although in-air refueling had not been included in the original flight plan for this mission, the Israeli Air Force reacted immediately. In a rare and risky maneuver, commanders ordered a refueling plane to launch on short notice. That tanker then intercepted the compromised fighter jet somewhere over Iranian airspace. The tense mid-air refueling was carried out with extraordinary precision under immense pressure.

Thanks to that successful operation, the F-15 was able to resume its mission exactly as planned. At the same time, Israeli defense officials activated backup protocols in case the jet had to divert and land in a neutral third country — a move designed to avoid the possibility of the pilot or aircraft being captured.

Meanwhile, it came to light that Israeli Air Force Commander Major General Tomer Bar had cautioned top defense leaders about the high risks involved in the opening stages of Operation Rising Lion. His internal assessments warned that up to ten aircraft might be lost in the mission’s first three days. In the end, however, those grim projections did not come true.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Democratic political veteran James Carville didn’t hold back this week, taking sharp aim at New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani over his refusal to denounce the controversial slogan “globalize the intifada,” a phrase widely interpreted as advocating violence against Israel.

Mamdani, a Queens-based assemblyman in the New York State legislature, made history by becoming the Democratic nominee for mayor. A Ugandan-born Muslim of Indian descent and an outspoken democratic socialist, Mamdani has sparked criticism from across the political spectrum — with Republicans and even some Democrats arguing his positions veer too far left.

Carville addressed the controversy during a Tuesday episode of “The People’s Cabinet” podcast, hosted by Daniel Koh. Koh mentioned that some of Mamdani’s economic ideas have gained traction among New Yorkers.

Carville acknowledged the resonance of affordability-focused policies but noted that a major generational shift is underway in American politics, especially concerning views on Israel.

“One of the big changes is Israel just doesn’t hold much sway with younger Jewish voters,” Carville said.

Yet even with that shift, Carville expressed exasperation over Mamdani’s refusal to distance himself from the phrase “globalize the intifada.”

“Yeah, I mean, come on, man, just, …..get it out your mouth,” Carville said, clearly frustrated.

Koh pressed further, asking, “Why do you think he won’t do that? I mean, that seems to be a pretty non-controversial thing to condemn, right?”

Carville speculated that Mamdani’s background might influence his perspective on the term. “His father is an academic, and I think ‘intifada’ has different meanings to different people, alright?” Carville said. “To some it means kind of ‘opposition.’ To most people, myself, it means, you know, ‘violence.’”

According to the American Jewish Committee, the slogan is a rallying cry for global resistance against Israel. The Second Intifada, which erupted in the early 2000s, involved widespread Palestinian terror attacks, including suicide bombings targeting Israeli civilians.

“Look, I’m as befuddled as you are,” Carville admitted. “And he’s been given every opportunity to walk it back, okay, so I am quite befuddled by it. And people that I have an enormous respect for, Jonathan Chait and Hakeem Jeffries, are like, ‘Come on, man.’ …this ain’t this hard. I mean, you could just see the angst in their voice.”

“It is troubling,” Carville concluded.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who also represents a New York district, took Mamdani to task following his primary victory. “‘Globalizing the intifada,’ by way of example, is not an acceptable phrase. He’s going to have to clarify his position on that as he moves forward,” Jeffries said.

“With respect to the Jewish communities that I represent, I think our nominee is going to have to convince folks that he is prepared to aggressively address the rise in antisemitism in the city of New York, which has been an unacceptable development,” Jeffries added.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump spoke out on today in strong support of Attorney General Pam Bondi, pushing back against criticism she has received from within the MAGA movement over how the Department of Justice is dealing with documents related to Jeffrey Epstein.

“What’s going on with my ‘boys’ and, in some cases, ‘gals?’ They’re all going after Attorney General Pam Bondi, who is doing a FANTASTIC JOB,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “We’re on one Team, MAGA, and I don’t like what’s happening.”

Trump referred to Epstein in his post as “the guy who never dies,” expressing his frustration at the media’s relentless focus on the disgraced financier. “For years, it’s Epstein, over and over again,” he wrote.

He challenged the motives of those promoting the recently publicized documents, pointing fingers at several political figures. “They created the Epstein Files, just like they created the FAKE Hillary Clinton/Christopher Steele Dossier that they used on me, and now my so-called ‘friends’ are playing right into their hands,” Trump wrote. “Why didn’t these Radical Left Lunatics release the Epstein Files? If there was ANYTHING in there that could have hurt the MAGA Movement, why didn’t they use it?”

Trump argued that the Justice Department should shift its attention to what he sees as more pressing issues. “The FBI must be focused on investigating Voter Fraud, Political Corruption, ActBlue, The Rigged and Stolen Election of 2020, and arresting Thugs and Criminals, instead of spending month after month looking at nothing but the same old, Radical Left inspired Documents on Jeffrey Epstein.”

He urged the public and his supporters to stand behind Bondi. “LET PAM BONDI DO HER JOB — SHE’S GREAT! The 2020 Election was Rigged and Stolen, and they tried to do the same thing in 2024 — That’s what she is looking into as AG, and much more,” he continued. “One year ago our Country was DEAD, now it’s the ‘HOTTEST’ Country anywhere in the World. Let’s keep it that way, and not waste Time and Energy on Jeffrey Epstein, somebody that nobody cares about.”

Trump’s remarks aligned with his comments at a recent Cabinet meeting, where he cut off a reporter who brought up Epstein. He referred to Epstein as a “creep” and expressed disbelief that people were still focused on him.

“Can I just interrupt for one second?” Trump said when a question was directed toward Bondi. “Are you still talking about Jeffrey Epstein?”

“This guy’s been talked about for years. You’re asking.… We have Texas, we have this, we have all of the things. And are people are still talking about this guy, this creep?” Trump asked. “That is unbelievable.”

The wave of criticism against Bondi among some within the MAGA ranks began after the Department of Justice and FBI issued a report last Sunday that dismissed conspiracy theories about a supposed Epstein “client list.” The agencies stated that there was no credible evidence of a list containing names of influential people involved in Epstein’s illicit activities.

Additionally, the DOJ reaffirmed that Epstein took his own life in a Manhattan jail in 2019 while awaiting trial.

Reports have emerged of tensions within the FBI, with Deputy Director Dan Bongino allegedly clashing with Bondi over how she has handled the Epstein case. Bongino has reportedly told those close to him that he might step down if Bondi continues to serve in her current position.

{Matzav.com}

Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson drew ridicule this week after expressing concern during a casual Q&A that she loses sleep over “the state of our democracy.”

The liberal justice, who has become known for her frequent dissents on the high court, participated in a light-hearted closing segment of a Thursday event hosted by the Indianapolis Bar Association. The session included questions about her favorite songs, books, and more.

When asked what keeps her up at night, Jackson took a more serious tone and replied, “I would say the state of our democracy.”

“I’m really very interested in getting people to focus and to invest and to pay attention to what is happening in our country and in our government,” she added, drawing applause from the audience.

At the event, the 54-year-old justice didn’t elaborate further or point to any particular issue that causes her concern.

Still, her comments quickly became a target for criticism, especially among conservatives who have repeatedly questioned her qualifications and judicial philosophy since her appointment by President Biden.

“What keeps me up [at] night is knowing that we have unqualified Justices like Jackson on the SCOTUS,” one user posted on X.

Another chimed in sarcastically, “Having someone like her on the Supreme Court is what keeps me up at night.”

Several critics accused Jackson of letting emotion, not legal reasoning, guide her rulings — especially in light of her own comments describing her perspective as “a slightly different perspective, or a different take on something” from the rest of the court.

“Her unprofessionalism is an embarrassment to the bench,” one user remarked.

“She’s functionally an activist, not a judge,” wrote another. “Impartial judges committed to faithful application of the law don’t make incendiary comments like this in public.”

Other posts poked fun at the tone of her dissents, with one suggesting that “some of her dissents this term have been pretty embarrassing,” and adding they “sound like a substack post” more than a legal opinion.

Just days ago, Jackson was the lone dissent in an 8-1 Supreme Court decision that allowed President Trump to continue efforts to trim the size of the federal bureaucracy.

In a separate case late last month, Jackson came under fire for her dissent in a significant ruling on birthright citizenship. In her opinion, she warned that without such protections, “our beloved constitutional Republic will be no more.”

Justice Amy Coney Barrett dismissed Jackson’s position with sharp language in her majority opinion.

“We will not dwell on Justice Jackson’s argument, which is at odds with more than two centuries’ worth of precedent, not to mention the Constitution itself,” Barrett wrote.

“We observe only this: Justice Jackson decries an imperial Executive while embracing an imperial Judiciary.”

{Matzav.com}

Zohran Mamdani, the socialist candidate currently leading the New York City mayoral race, is facing accusations of trying to rebrand his anti-police record by entertaining the idea of keeping current NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch — a law-and-order figure with starkly opposing views — if he wins office.

The unusual move to publicly and privately consider retaining Tisch appears to be part of a broader effort to calm establishment figures unnerved by Mamdani’s radical past, particularly as he now heads into the general election with momentum after defeating Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary.

Despite their polar opposite views on key policing issues such as bail reform and discovery laws, Mamdani has not ruled out the possibility of retaining Tisch, even as his earlier rhetoric was saturated with anti-police sentiment.

“He’s laundering his radical stances, that’s what he’s doing,” said political consultant Ken Frydman.

“But he needs his defund-the-police voters to turn out again and cop-hating Tiffany Cabán is lurking,” Frydman added, referencing another outspoken socialist on the City Council who has been floated as a possible police commissioner pick under Mamdani.

Jessica Tisch, the current commissioner and a billionaire heiress with a reputation for competence, has largely remained above the political drama even as her name becomes a political lightning rod.

She was tapped by Mayor Eric Adams last November in an effort to restore public confidence in the NYPD — and in Adams himself — after three previous commissioners left amid controversy and dysfunction.

The choice proved so effective that Brad Lander, another progressive mayoral hopeful who had previously supported defunding the police, announced he would also keep Tisch in place if he won.

That endorsement arguably paved the way for Mamdani’s own strategic positioning, as he began signaling openness to Tisch’s continued leadership while offering her reserved praise.

Kathy Wylde, who leads the influential Partnership for New York City, confirmed she advised Mamdani to consider keeping Tisch on board.

“I believe that it’s premature to make any personnel commitments at this time, but it’s a consideration that is real — and it’s in keeping with the city that we’re fighting for,” Mamdani said recently when asked about his intentions regarding Tisch.

Still, pairing Mamdani and Tisch would mark an unlikely alliance, given their stark differences in both ideology and personal backgrounds.

Before launching his mayoral campaign, Mamdani frequently posted harsh condemnations of the NYPD, accusing the department of systemic abuse and corruption.

“There is no negotiating with an institution this wicked & corrupt,” he tweeted about the NYPD in 2020.

“Defund it. Dismantle it. End the cycle of violence.”

Since entering the race for mayor, Mamdani has attempted to moderate those positions, acknowledging that police do play a role in maintaining public safety.

Nonetheless, Mamdani — who currently represents Queens in the state assembly — remains a staunch advocate of sweeping criminal justice reforms like bail reform, changes to discovery requirements, and the Raise the Age law, all of which Tisch has said are contributing to spikes in crime and recidivism.

“I will not vote for any budget that rolls back bail reform, discovery reform, or Raise the Age,” Mamdani tweeted in 2022.

While some believe Tisch could help temper Mamdani’s most controversial instincts, Democratic strategist Hank Sheinkopf warned that her influence would be limited under a mayor who ultimately controls her position.

Her greatest value at the moment, Sheinkopf argued, might be as a symbol of stability for officers anxious about the future.

“Here you have the opponent of [Adams] saying he wouldn’t change the department, but his rhetoric says otherwise,” Sheinkopf noted. “Police officers are in panic and they will leave in droves — Tisch is the only way to stop that.”

Still, others argue that keeping Tisch could backfire politically for Mamdani.

“Mamdani will get clobbered by his cop-hating groupies if he retains Tisch as police commissioner,” said Frydman. “If he doesn’t retain her, Mamdani risks serious crime increasing and getting blamed for the spike.

“Checkmate.”

Mayor Adams, meanwhile, is continuing to promote Tisch’s leadership as proof that his administration has delivered results.

His latest campaign ad features Tisch speaking at a public event last week where she credited Adams for the city’s drop in major crimes.

“Not only did we ignore the noise from the Mamdanis of the world who recklessly called to defund the police, but we doubled down on our support,” Adams posted on X.

When The Post reached out to Tisch for a comment, the NYPD press office responded with the exact quote used in the mayor’s campaign ad.

“When the critics called to cut funding — he chose to cut crime,” Tisch said about Adams last week. “When the pressure came to back down — he chose to double down. And when others tried to make headlines — he chose to make a difference.”

{Matzav.com}

[COMMUNICATED]

The glosses were written across different periods, as evidenced by the variation in ink color.

The Rabbanim of Tzfas, led by Rabbi Shmuel Heller, wrote regarding these glosses: “And here [in Tzfas] were the four volumes of Shulchan Aruch through which the aforementioned author learned, and on their margins he inscribed in his holy handwriting insightful notes to clarify the plain meaning and halacha, with great sharpness.”

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rav Chizkiyahu Moshe Salomon zt”l, mashgiach ruchani of the Sunderland Yeshiva in Gateshead, England. He was just 59 years old.

A beloved mechanech and mashpiah, Rav Salomon was known for his warmth, depth, and the unwavering emunah and bitachon that carried him through even the most trying times.

After succeeding Rav Yaakov Abenson as mashgiach, Rav Salomon dedicated himself fully to the talmidim, guiding them with chochmah, sensitivity, and an open heart.

In 2023, Rav Salomon was diagnosed with cancer, a nisayon he faced with remarkable strength and acceptance of Hashem’s will. Even as he battled illness, his thoughts remained with his talmidim, and he continued to inspire those around him with his steadfast emunah.

Rav Salomon leaves behind a grieving family and countless talmidim whose lives were uplifted by his guidance and care.

The levayah will take place on Motzoei Shabbos at 11:00 p.m. at the Bendheim (Yoshon) Bais Medrash of Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, New Jersey. The aron will then be flown to Gateshead for kevurah there.

Rav Salomon is survived by his devoted wife and their family.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino found himself in a tense confrontation earlier this week with Attorney General Pam Bondi regarding the Trump administration’s approach to the Jeffrey Epstein case — especially over the so-called “client list,” which officials now insist never actually existed.

Sources told The NY Post that the clash was so intense that Bongino opted to take Friday off and is seriously weighing whether to step down from his position, which he’s held for under four months. The working relationship between him and Bondi appears to have broken down entirely.

“I don’t think Dan comes back if Pam stays,” one insider remarked. This, despite both Bongino and Bondi having publicly acknowledged that their review of Epstein-related documents revealed no groundbreaking information about his death, his inner circle, or his criminal activity.

The conflict intensified after the Justice Department wrapped up its investigation into Epstein’s death at the Metropolitan Correctional Center on August 10, 2019 — just weeks after he faced charges.

That probe involved a collection of materials that Bondi, during a February appearance on Fox News, claimed were physically on her desk awaiting inspection, implying they might include Epstein’s infamous “client list.”

“In February, I did an interview on Fox, and it’s been getting a lot of attention because I said — I was asked a question about the client list, and my response was, ‘it’s sitting on my desk to be reviewed,’ meaning the [Epstein] file along with the JFK and MLK files as well,” Bondi said Tuesday at a Cabinet meeting.

Over the years, Epstein was connected to numerous high-profile figures, including Bill Gates, Bill Clinton, and Prince Andrew.

Trump, too, had socialized with Epstein in the 1990s before entering politics. However, he reportedly kicked Epstein out of Mar-a-Lago in 2007 over an incident.

Earlier this year, the Justice Department released several records from its review, including Epstein’s contact list and flight logs from before his 2019 arrest. Most of the contents had already come out during the 2021 prosecution of Ghislaine Maxwell, his longtime associate.

In a gesture that was intended to demonstrate openness but ended up being widely mocked, conservative social media personalities were invited to the White House and given binders labeled “The Epstein Files: Phase 1,” though no new revelations emerged.

During his 2024 campaign, Trump pledged transparency if elected, saying he’d be fine with releasing the full trove of Epstein documents, including the supposed “client list.” He added, “not involved” and emphasized that he “never went to his island” — a reference to Epstein’s infamous Little St. James.

Bondi had also alluded to the existence of extensive materials held by the FBI’s New York office, suggesting earlier this year that thousands of documents tied to Epstein’s indictment and broader investigation were in their possession.

However, her office issued a brief two-page statement on Monday, summarizing that a thorough review had concluded Epstein hanged himself and that he had abused “over one thousand victims,” but no concrete “client list” had ever been found.

“There was also no credible evidence found that Epstein blackmailed prominent individuals as part of his actions,” the memo noted.

“We did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties.”

When asked on Tuesday whether Epstein may have operated as an intelligence operative — a theory floated due to the leniency of his 2008 plea deal — Bondi replied, “To him being an [intelligence] agent, I have no knowledge about that. We can get back to you on that.”

That plea deal had been brokered by Alex Acosta, the then-U.S. Attorney in Miami. Acosta had reportedly said while being vetted for a position in Trump’s first administration: “I was told Epstein ‘belonged to intelligence’ and to leave it alone.”

Bondi also addressed questions about the missing 60 seconds in the 10-hour surveillance video released by DOJ, which was meant to show that no one entered Epstein’s cell the night he died. She attributed the gap to outdated video systems in federal prisons.

“What we learned from the Bureau of Prisons was, every year, every night, they redo that video. It’s old, from like 1999, so every night the video is reset, and every night should have the same minute missing,” she said.

“So we’re looking for that video to release that as well, showing that a minute is missing every night.”

Back in June, Bongino had gone on Fox News to reiterate that nothing in the Epstein files pointed to foul play.

“The evidence we have in our files clearly indicates that it was, in fact, a suicide. We do have video,” the former Fox News personality stated. “It’s not the greatest video in the world.”

{Matzav.com}

Efforts to broker a ceasefire and arrange the release of hostages in Gaza have stalled over the past 24 hours, according to a Friday evening report by Kan 11. Negotiations underway in Doha have failed to produce movement on several central points, putting the process at an impasse.

While the discussions haven’t broken down entirely, they have hit a deadlock over crucial matters, including where the IDF would withdraw to within Gaza, which hostages and terrorists would be exchanged, and what kind of assurances could be given to end the conflict altogether. Despite the gridlock, there have been no major setbacks or breakdowns either.

One area showing slight improvement involves the coordination of humanitarian assistance entering Gaza. However, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff has not yet traveled to Doha to take part in the talks. Reports say he is holding off until the negotiations reach a more mature stage.

Meanwhile, Al Jazeera released what it said was a proposed map from the Israeli delegation outlining the IDF’s deployment during a possible ceasefire. According to the report, Israel wants to maintain control over the Morag Axis, a move that would place the entire Rafah region under Israeli military presence.

Unnamed sources quoted by the network alleged that this strategy is part of a larger Israeli plan to push Gaza’s residents into the Rafah area in preparation for a potential mass transfer to Egypt or relocation by sea.

These same sources also claimed that Israel intends to remain in control of roughly 40% of Gaza, thereby blocking an estimated 700,000 Palestinians from going back to their homes and instead forcing them into Israeli-controlled territory in Rafah.

Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu returned to Israel on Friday afternoon after spending four days in Washington. Before his departure, in an interview with Newsmax, Netanyahu shared guarded optimism about the possibility of securing the release of ten more Israeli hostages currently being held by Hamas.

“We have 50 left; 20 definitely alive, and some 30 that are not alive, and I want to take them all out,” he told Newsmax. “We now have a deal that supposedly we’ll get half of the living and half of the dead out, and so we’ll have 10 living left and about 12 deceased hostages. But I’ll get them out, too. I hope we can complete in a few days.”

The framework reportedly includes a proposed 60-day halt in fighting, during which hostages would be released in phases, followed by renewed negotiations aimed at achieving a permanent cessation of hostilities. Netanyahu reiterated that the war could end immediately “if Hamas lays down its arms.”

During his visit to Washington, Netanyahu met on Wednesday with relatives of the hostages. In that meeting, he made it clear that a deal to secure the release of every hostage is currently not in reach.

“We can’t get a comprehensive deal. There was no such option on the table,” Netanyahu told the families.

When asked to clarify which hostages would be released under the proposed deal, he responded: “Hamas is the one that decides this.”

The Prime Minister’s Office later stated that Netanyahu emphasized the hostage situation in his discussions with President Trump and his team and that “great efforts are made continuously to bring about the release of all of our hostages, both the living and the deceased.”

{Matzav.com}

A heartbreaking tragedy came to a close last night with the passing of a two-year-old girl who had been left for an extended period inside a closed vehicle in Chadeira last week.

The toddler was initially found in critical condition on July 3 after spending a prolonged time in the car. Emergency medical responders from United Hatzalah administered lifesaving care at the scene before she was transported in serious condition to Hillel Yaffe Medical Center. She was later transferred to the pediatric intensive care unit at Rambam Health Care Campus in Haifa.

Despite the efforts of medical teams, doctors at Rambam pronounced her death overnight. A hospital spokesperson stated: “The toddler was brought to us in critical condition, and tragically, she passed away.”

United Hatzalah volunteer medic Shmuel Mori, who responded to the scene, recounted, “We were told at the scene that the child had been in the car for a long time. We performed initial resuscitation and emergency care, and she was then transported to the hospital in critical condition.”

Following the incident, United Hatzalah once again urged the public to remain vigilant and never leave children unattended in vehicles—even for a moment. They also advised the public to routinely check parked cars, especially during the hot summer months, to ensure that no children or toddlers have been accidentally left behind.

{Matzav.com}