Matzav

WATCH:

By Rabbi Moshe Dov Heber

It was a quiet Sunday afternoon when I received a phone call from a mother who had just returned from the Waterbury Sunday Baseball League.

“Rabbi Heber,” she said, her voice full of emotion, “I have to share something with you.”

She described a middle school boys’ baseball game she had just watched. Ezzy, a strong hitter known for his power, was up at bat. On the mound stood Yehuda, pitching one impressive throw after another. Ezzy struck out—a rare sight.

But what happened next is what stayed with her.

Instead of reacting with frustration—no bat throwing, no helmet slamming—Ezzy turned to Yehuda and said two simple words:

“Great pitch.”

That was it.

But those two words carried something bigger than baseball. In that short moment, he showed humility, sportsmanship, and awareness. He acknowledged his opponent’s skill with sincerity, even while dealing with his own disappointment. That’s not easy to do at any age.

I recorded the story and shared it. I’ve shared many anecdotes before, but this one resonated. People told me how it sparked real conversations with their children. The simplicity of the moment made the message land: there’s a right way to behave, even—and maybe especially—in competitive moments.

Stories like these remind us what kids are capable of. Not just talent or knowledge, but real depth. When children fall short, it’s often not from a lack of caring—but sometimes, because they haven’t yet been clearly shown what’s expected. That’s where our role as parents and mechanchim becomes so powerful. In a fast-paced world, fundamentals like derech eretz, hakaras hatov, and kavod habrios can easily slip away.

The famous first line of Pirkei Avos is: “Moshe received the Torah from Har Sinai.” It seems almost out of place. Pirkei Avos isn’t about halachah. It’s about middos, values, and interpersonal behavior. So why start with a line about Matan Torah and the handing down of Torah from generation to generation?

Says the Rav on the Mishna: These aren’t just nice ideas. Middos aren’t suggestions. They’re Torah, received at Sinai like everything else. And without them, Torah can’t truly take root.

It’s like placing a perfect diamond in a broken setting. No matter how flawless the gem, it won’t shine the way it’s supposed to. Torah is the diamond. Middos are the setting. Both have to be strong.

This idea of modeling behavior I saw firsthand during our nightly Mishmar program in Waterbury, where nearly a hundred boys and fathers come to learn from Monday through Thursday.

Each night during the learning, I walk around handing out snacks. But I started noticing something. Many boys weren’t saying thank you.

At first, it bothered me. But then I paid closer attention. The boys sitting near their fathers? Most of them were saying thank you. Not because they were better kids—but because their fathers quietly reminded them. “Say thank you.” One soft word. One small prompt. And it worked.

So I tried something. I started pausing after handing out each snack. No instructions, no speeches. Just a short pause to  remind them to say thank you.

And the boys started responding. One by one. Thank you. Thank you. The tone shifted. All it took was a little space. A tiny pause turned into a culture change. For the weeks following, the boys on their own said “thank you”.

As we go through the summer, these are the moments to watch for. Camp. Family time. Sports. These aren’t distractions from chinuch—they are chinuch. These are the places where lessons sink in.

Let’s use this as an opportunity to teach our children, patiently and clearly, what it means to respect others, to show gratitude, and to acknowledge effort. These things take time. They take repetition. But they work.

And the next time a boy strikes out and turns to the pitcher and says, “Nice pitch,” we’ll know it was all worth it.

Rabbi Moshe Dov Heber is a rebbi at Yeshiva K’tana of Waterbury and a division head in Camp Romimu. He can be reached via email mdheber@ykwaterbury.org

 {Matzav.com}

LISTEN:

​​For more info, email bitachon4life@gmail.com.

LISTEN:

In this episode, Rabbi Reinman describes how Achav’s daughter Assaliah killed her grandchildren and took the crown of Yehudah for herself.

WATCH:

Chapter Thirty-three: One Kingdom Survives

The previous chapter traced the decline and fall of Malchus Yisrael until the deportation of the people to distant places in the Assyrian Empire. This chapter traces the parallel fate of Malchus Yehudah. The paths of the two kingdoms diverged after the death of Shlomo and the division of his kingdom. The respective paths of the two kingdoms converged again when Asa, its king, gave his support to Omri’s claims to the throne of Israel and sealed it by taking Omri’s daughter as a wife for his son Yehoshaphat.

After Omri died and his son Achav ascended to the throne of Israel, Yehoshaphat and Achav, the two brothers-in-law, entered into a military alliance. The bond of blood was made even stronger when Yehoshaphat’s son Yehoram married Achav’s daughter Assaliah, his first cousin.

In 711 b.c.e., Yehoshaphat died, and Yehoram ascended to the throne of Yehudah. Four years earlier, Achav’s grandson Yehoram, through his son and successor Achaziah, had ascended to the throne of Israel. Two first cousins named Yehoram, both grandsons of Achav and Ezevel, sat on the thrones of Yisrael and Yehudah. Yehoram of Yehudah was by far a truer grandson than was Yehoram of Yisrael.

As soon as he ascended to the throne, he slaughtered all his male siblings ensuring that no one else would lay claim to his crown. Then with his bloodstained hands, he erected a temple of the Baal in Yerushalayim. For all its problems, Yehudah had not suffered widespread idolatry among the general population, but under Yehoram, the Baal cult of the northern kingdom spread to the southern kingdom as well.

Yehoram of Yehudah reigned for eight years and was succeeded by his son Achaziah, who followed in the exact footsteps of his father. After the death of Achaziah, his mother Assaliah, the daughter of Achav and Ezevel, followed the example of Yehoram, her husband. Just as he had exterminated all his siblings, she now exterminated all her grandchildren and placed the crown on her own head. Had she succeeded, the royal patrilineal bloodline of the Davidic dynasty would have come to an end, but she did not succeed.

One grandchild eluded her, a one-year-old boy named Yoash. The boy’s aunt Yehosheva, Achaziah’s sister, and her husband, Yehoiadah the Kohein Gadol, secreted him in a bedchamber in the Temple, where he remained for six years.

During those years, this evil daughter of Achav sat on the throne of the Davidic kings and ruled the Kingdom of Yehudah. In the seventh year, the seven-year-old Yoash was brought out of hiding and crowned, triggering a popular uprising. Assaliah was executed, and the temple of the Baal was destroyed …

Read full chapter and earlier chapters at www.rabbireinman.com.

President Donald Trump intensified his criticism of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Wednesday, once again demanding his resignation. Trump made the statement in a late-day post on Truth Social, declaring, “Too Late” should resign immediately!!! He attached a link to a Bloomberg article titled, “Fed Chair Should Be Investigated by Congress, FHSA Head Says.”

Although Powell was originally selected by Trump to lead the central bank during his presidency, he was reappointed to a second term by President Joe Biden. Powell’s current term is expected to conclude in May 2026.

Trump has recently stepped up his attacks on Powell, repeatedly blaming the Fed for keeping interest rates too high and claiming the central bank’s policies have harmed the U.S. economy. He’s been demanding rate cuts, despite Powell’s hesitation to shift policy.

Earlier this week, Trump criticized Powell and the Federal Reserve board more broadly, writing on Truth Social: “Jerome ‘Too Late’ Powell, and his entire Board, should be ashamed of themselves for allowing this to happen to the United States.”

He continued, “They have one of the easiest, yet most prestigious, jobs in America, and they have failed — and continue to do so.” Trump argued that if the Fed were properly managing monetary policy, the U.S. would be saving enormous sums. “If they were doing their job properly, our country would be saving trillions of dollars in interest cost. The board just sits there and watches, so they are equally to blame. We should be paying 1% interest, or better!”

That post came just before Trump signed a formal letter urging Powell to bring down interest rates, according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, who confirmed the move on Monday.

In response to growing political pressure, Powell has indicated that the Fed’s reluctance to cut rates stems largely from inflationary concerns—particularly those related to trade policy. According to CBS News, Powell has expressed caution about lowering rates until the effects of Trump’s proposed tariffs on the economy become clearer. He is reportedly waiting to determine the long-term impact on consumer prices before making any major adjustments.

{Matzav.com}

Jack Lew, who led the Treasury Department under President Obama, sharply criticized Zohran Mamdani’s platform, calling the mayoral candidate’s ideas for New York City misguided and damaging. Mamdani, who emerged victorious in the Democratic primary, has pledged to implement a slew of progressive reforms, including fare-free public transit, no-cost childcare, and a halt on rent increases.

“The policies that he’s outlined are not policies that are good for New York. He’s running for mayor of New York, and I worry deeply having spent most of my life in New York about a city that I call home,” Lew said during a segment on CNBC on Wednesday.

“You know, I see a similarity between the kind of policy solutions to the left and the right, and — you know, that satisfy populist sentiment don’t always go through the filter of do they work. I don’t think they work, and I think that’s a problem,” he continued, warning that populist platforms—whether right-wing or leftist—often lack practical effectiveness.

President Trump has also expressed vehement opposition to Mamdani, targeting him repeatedly in recent days.

“As President of the United States, I’m not going to let this Communist Lunatic destroy New York,” President Trump posted Wednesday on his Truth Social account, referring directly to Mamdani.

“Rest assured, I hold all the levers, and have all the cards. I’ll save New York City, and make it ‘Hot’ and ‘Great’ again, just like I did with the Good Ol’ USA!”

Mamdani has also been accused by some of harboring antisemitic views, largely due to his stance advocating for American recognition of Palestinian statehood. However, the harshest backlash centers around his far-left economic agenda.

“You might have a democratic socialist sprinkled here and there, but that ain’t what America is. America’s about capitalism! America’s about dollars and cents,” television personality Stephen A. Smith said on his Tuesday broadcast, cautioning Democrats against elevating candidates like Mamdani.

Even though criticism has poured in from both ends of the political spectrum, Mamdani secured a decisive victory over Andrew Cuomo in the primary contest, winning support across a diverse range of neighborhoods including Crown Heights, Astoria, Williamsburg, Washington Heights, Park Slope, Flatbush, and Bedford-Stuyvesant.

In response to President Trump’s remarks, Mamdani fired back during an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday, defending his background and the cause he champions.

“I’ve already had to start to get used to the fact that the president will talk about how I look, how I sound, where I’m from, who I am,” Mamdani said.

“He wants to distract from what I’m fighting for. I’m fighting for the very working people he ran a campaign to empower that he has since then betrayed.”

One key battleground between the two has been Mamdani’s vow to keep New York City a sanctuary city—a policy stance that has already fueled tensions with President Trump.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu is planning to urge President Donald Trump, during his upcoming trip to Washington, to take a tougher stance on Qatar by pressuring its leadership—potentially even by threatening to expel top Hamas officials—if progress on a hostage deal continues to stall, according to a report by Channel 12 News on Wednesday.

The planned request comes in the wake of multiple high-level meetings within Israel’s security and political circles, where renewed frustration was voiced over Hamas’s overseas leadership. These operatives are believed to benefit from favorable conditions and hold significant sway over the negotiation process.

Top Israeli defense authorities believe that Hamas’s rigidity at the bargaining table can only be broken through specific and direct actions aimed at its senior figures—especially those residing in Qatar, which serves as the main broker, and in Turkey, a country with which Israel maintains a delicate diplomatic balance.

“Hamas leaders roam the world feeling no pressure, which is why they are in no rush to reach a deal,” said one official.

Following the recent ceasefire between Israel and Iran, Israeli representatives have initiated high-level discussions in Moscow with senior Russian diplomats, focusing on Russia’s potential role in regional diplomacy involving both Iran and Syria.

Kan News reported that Israel has agreed to a Russian-brokered plan, under which Moscow would act as a go-between for Israel and Iran. The aim of the initiative is to use Russian influence to steer both the Iranian and Syrian situations toward a negotiated resolution.

Simultaneously, Israel is pushing to establish a separate enforcement mechanism in cooperation with the United States on the Iranian front. This matter is expected to be a central topic when Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu meets with President Donald Trump next week.

In anticipation of that meeting, Israeli officials are working on drafting a set of foundational agreements with the U.S. administration, drawing inspiration from the framework previously reached with Lebanon. The effort comes amid Trump’s warning that Washington could consider renewed military action if Iran escalates its nuclear activities.

{Matzav.com}

Fresh details have surfaced regarding a potential ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas, shedding light on the current stage of the ongoing discussions.

As reported by The New York Times, citing both an Israeli defense figure and an individual familiar with Hamas’s stance, the terms under consideration would include the release of 10 surviving hostages along with the return of the remains of 18 individuals. Both sources, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the talks, confirmed their knowledge of the proposed agreement.

In contrast to a prior U.S. framework introduced in May, which called for the release of all hostages by the end of the first week of a ceasefire, this latest draft sets out a slower timeline. Hostage releases and body transfers would take place in five separate phases stretched out over two months.

The revised plan also introduces a new element barring Hamas from broadcasting the handover of hostages on television. This shift comes after the widely criticized media spectacles that accompanied previous transfers during the temporary truce that began in January.

Three Israeli officials, who also spoke anonymously due to the sensitive diplomatic environment, shared that this renewed proposal seeks to offer Hamas firmer guarantees that a temporary pause in fighting could develop into a full and lasting end to the war.

Reports indicate that Hamas is expected to relay its decision to the international mediators by Friday night.

Should both parties sign off on the proposal, President Donald Trump is expected to formally present the agreement and will also act as “the sponsor and guarantor of the agreement’s implementation.”

Still, a separate individual with knowledge of Hamas’s perspective argued that this plan doesn’t present any major revisions—just a few minor tweaks from the proposal recently put forward by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff.

{Matzav.com Israel}

A wave of concern has swept across the klal chassidishe yeshiva world following the closure of several yeshivos, leaving hundreds of bochurim without a place to learn. While some mosdos are reopening or merging, the broader landscape is facing unprecedented instability.

Among the causes cited for the closures are deepening financial struggles, exacerbated by the ongoing draft crisis in Israel, as well as a growing number of older bochurim who are resistant to traditional yeshiva structure and authority.

Despite the turmoil, several established and financially secure klal chassidishe yeshivos remain steady. These include Kiryas Melech (Tchebin), Meor Einayim of Rachmastrivka, Bobov, Amalah Shel Torah, Iyun HaTorah, Biala in Bnei Brak, and the major kibbutz yeshivos Chayei Torah in Beitar Illit and Oryasa in Yerushalayim. As previously reported, Chayei Torah recently received a parcel of land in Beitar for permanent construction of its new campus.

Amalah Shel Torah in Beitar, despite the recent passing of its rosh yeshiva, Rav Zev Feinstein zt”l, has managed to secure significant financial support to maintain operations. The youngest son of Rav Feinstein has taken over leadership.

One of the most shocking developments was the closure of the historic Zvhill Yeshiva in the Beis Yisroel neighborhood of Yerushalayim. The yeshiva administration had announced the closure a month ago.

Sources confirmed that Zvhill Yeshiva will reopen but with a selective admissions policy, under the leadership and oversight of Rav Yaakov Betelman, a noted mechanech affiliated with Nadvorna in Yerushalayim. The yeshiva aims to restructure and operate as a conventional yeshiva gedolah with full shiurim—Alef, Beis, and Gimmel—rather than just a kibbutz-style setting.

Another casualty is the kibbutz yeshiva Orah Shel Torah–Nezer HaTalmud, led by Rav Chanoch Ged Tyrnauer, which had opened just two years ago. The yeshiva had over 100 talmidim, many of whom had transferred from the now-defunct Toras Chaim Yeshiva.

About 20 top talmidim from Orah Shel Torah will reportedly merge with Yeshivas Tchechnov in Yerushalayim, where they will join Rav Tyrnauer. Tchechnov had been facing its own financial challenges in recent years, leading to the departure of many key staff members, including Rav Yosef Shereshevsky and Rav Yechezkel Teitelbaum.

Other talmidim from Orah Shel Torah will join a newly forming yeshiva kibbutz under the leadership of a prominent mechanech whose identity has not yet been made public.

Another klal chassidishe yeshiva closing its doors is Kosov-Vizhnitz in Beit Shemesh.

One veteran community askan pointed to the broader structural issue: While major Chassidishe courts such as Gur, Belz, Vizhnitz, Sanz, Boyan, Slonim, Karlin and others have well-established yeshivos backed by strong institutional funding, smaller independent klal chassidishe yeshivos—especially those still in rented facilities—struggle to survive. “Rent is what kills you,” he said bluntly.

Compounding the crisis is the growing number of so-called “older bochurim” in the Chassidishe yeshiva system who struggle with discipline and often reject the authority of mashgichim, making it difficult for many yeshivos to absorb them. As a result, hundreds of such bochurim currently have no framework and are, in the words of one source, “literally in the streets.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

In a significant development, Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Chairman Yoel “Yuli” Edelstein is set to submit the finalized draft of the proposed military conscription law on Thursday. The legislation has been coordinated and agreed upon with the leaders of the chareidi factions and is expected to be passed within the next few weeks.

Matzav.com has learned that Edelstein has already informed senior members of the chareidi parties of his intention to present them with the draft version tomorrow. The draft is based on the principles agreed upon roughly three weeks ago during a series of high-stakes negotiations that preceded the preliminary vote on dissolving the Knesset.

Following its delivery to the chareidi representatives, the draft law will then be distributed to the rest of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee members.

Sources indicate that the coalition, responding to pressure from the chareidi factions and in coordination with Edelstein, intends to fast-track deliberations on the bill over the next two weeks. The goal is to conclude committee discussions and bring the legislation for its second and third readings in the full Knesset before the end of the summer session, which wraps up in less than a month.

However, it is important to note that once the draft is publicized, chareidi leaders will still need to submit it for review and approval by the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah and the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah.

Meanwhile, growing pressure is being exerted by prominent rabbanim who oppose the bill’s current stipulations, including a clause mandating 50% enlistment from each draft cohort within four years and the implementation of both personal and institutional financial sanctions.

If the bill does indeed pass in the coming weeks, United Torah Judaism MK Yitzchok Goldknopf is expected to return to his former role as Minister of Housing, meaning Meir Porush would vacate the post—just weeks after stepping into it.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has decided to appoint MK Yisrael Eichler of United Torah Judaism as Minister of Housing and Construction, replacing MK Yitzchok Goldknopf, who resigned from the post several weeks ago.

Goldknopf stepped down amid frustration over the stalled progress on the proposed draft law—a key issue that has caused ongoing tensions between the chareidi parties and Likud.

According to the coalition agreements, the appointment is temporary: should Goldknopf choose to return to the cabinet, the Housing Ministry portfolio will revert to him.

The Knesset is expected to vote on Eichler’s appointment next week. Political observers note that the votes of Goldknopf and fellow Agudas Yisroel MK Yaakov Tesler will be closely watched, as internal tensions within the faction over ministerial roles continue to simmer.

The Prime Minister’s Office released a statement explaining that under the coalition agreement, the Housing Ministry was designated for United Torah Judaism and, within the party, allocated to the Agudas Yisroel faction.

Following Goldknopf’s resignation, several Agudas Yisroel MKs appealed to the prime minister to appoint Eichler to the role. However, due to the sensitive security situation at the time, Netanyahu temporarily assigned the position to Minister Chaim Katz as acting minister.

Now, with the situation more stable, Netanyahu has announced that he will fulfill the coalition agreement by officially appointing Eichler. The appointment will take effect on Monday, following the Knesset vote.

The Prime Minister thanked Goldknopf for his service in the ministry and emphasized that he is welcome to return to the post at any time. Should Goldknopf resume his ministerial role, Eichler will step down and return to his current position as chairman of the Knesset Labor and Welfare Committee.

{Matzav.com Israel}

In an unimaginable continuation of tragedy for the Goldstein family, five-year-old Yisrael Ben Tzion Goldstein z”l was tragically killed this evening in a horrific accident on Rechov Petach Tikvah in the Romema neighborhood of Yerushalayim.

The levayah was held at the Shamgar funeral home, with kevurah on Har HaMenuchos.

This latest heartbreak comes on the heels of a devastating series of losses for the Goldstein family. In Elul of last year, the mother, Shoshana Goldstein a”h, passed away at the age of 34 following the birth of her twin daughters, Rivkah a”h and Bracha a”h, both of whom also tragically died.

As previously reported, Shoshana collapsed during what was expected to be a routine labor and was rushed to the hospital after being without oxygen for several minutes. Though doctors managed to restart her breathing, the prolonged lack of oxygen caused irreversible brain damage.

A rushed emergency C-section brought the twins into the world, but Rivkah passed away less than two days later. Shoshana succumbed two weeks later, and Bracha passed away five months after birth.

Now, the family is again plunged into mourning with the loss of young Yisrael Ben Tzion, described by those who knew him as a pure, gentle soul.

The bereaved father, Rav Moshe Goldstein, a distinguished talmid chacham, is one of the prominent talmidim of Rav Moshe Sternbuch.

Following the mother’s passing, the family relocated from Beit Shemesh to Yerushalayim, where they moved in with the maternal grandfather, Rav Dovid Neuwirth, a dedicated gabbai at the Chanechei HaYeshivos shul in Yerushalayim and a talmid chacham who learns in the Mir Yeshiva.

Yehi zichro baruch.

{Matzav.com Israel}

It is with greatness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rav Shimon Menachem Frankel zt”l, rov of Central Tel Aviv and a revered spiritual guide to many. He was 89 years old and had been in declining health in recent years.

Rav Frankel was born on 12 Sivan 5696 (1936) to his father, the gaon Rav Yitzchak Yedidya Frankel zt”l, Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv and head of the city’s batei din, and to his mother, Rebbetzin Chana Leah a”h, daughter of Rav Chaim Elazar Brand z”l.

He married Rebbetzin Bas Tzion Esther, daughter of the rebbe Rav Yaakov Yosef Shlomo Halperin of Vaslui, the third admor in the Vaslui dynasty and father of the current rebbe. Together, they built a warm and welcoming home in Tel Aviv, where they lived for decades until her passing in Shevat 5776.

Their home was renowned as a beacon of hospitality in the heart of the bustling city, always open to those in need. Whether travelers, the lonely, or the downtrodden, many found shelter and comfort between their walls.

rav Frankel was appointed the rav of the Antopol community in central Tel Aviv, where he served faithfully for many years. For his livelihood, he had previously served as the public complaints commissioner at Bank Leumi.

A man of many talents and great breadth of knowledge, Rav Frankel was a talmid chochom, writer, and maggid shiur. He was known for his tireless pursuit of tzedakah and chesed, and he was cherished by all.

In his later years, Rav Frankel moved to Bnei Brak, where he continued his avodas Hashem despite his frailty, davening with dedication at the Mohilever shul.

He is survived by an illustrious family of children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, all following in his path. His brother-in-law is Rav Yisrael Meir Lau, former Chief Rabbi of Israel.

The levayah was held today at his home at 2 Ovadia in Bnei Brak, with kevurah at the Nachalas Yitzchak Cemetery in Tel Aviv.

Yehi zichro baruch.

{Matzav.com Israel}

On the eve of Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s scheduled visit to the United States to meet with President Donald Trump, all Likud government ministers along with the Knesset Speaker have issued a unified declaration demanding the immediate extension of Israeli sovereignty over Judea and Samaria before the current Knesset session concludes this summer.

The declaration states: “We, ministers and members of Knesset, call for the immediate application of Israeli sovereignty and law over Judea and Samaria. Now is the time to pass a government decision on applying sovereignty—by the end of the Knesset’s summer session.”

The statement continues: “Following the historic achievements of the State of Israel under the leadership of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in confronting the axis of evil led by Iran and its proxies, it is time to complete the task, remove the existential threat from within, and prevent another massacre in the heart of the land.”

It also highlights the role of the Yesha Council in spearheading the campaign, noting:
“The initiative was organized by the Yesha Council, which is working with political and public leadership to advance this historic move. The strategic partnership, support, and backing of the United States and President Donald Trump create a window of opportunity to lead this move now and to ensure Israel’s security for generations to come.”

They further pointed to recent tragic events as evidence of the urgency:
“The October 7 massacre proved that the doctrine of Community blocs in Judea and Samaria and the establishment of a Palestinian state in the rest of the territory is an existential threat to Israel. The time for sovereignty has come!”

Those who endorsed the statement from Likud include:

• Amir Ohana, Knesset Speaker

• Yariv Levin, Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister

• Yisroel Katz, Defense Minister

• Yoav Kisch, Minister of Education

• Miri Regev, Minister of Transportation and Road Safety

• Eli Cohen, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure

• Miki Zohar, Minister of Culture and Sports

• Nir Barkat, Minister of Economy and Industry

• Avi Dichter, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security

• Shlomo Karhi, Minister of Communications

• Haim Katz, Minister of Tourism and Acting Minister of Construction and Housing

• Gila Gamliel, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology

• Amichai Chikli, Minister of Diaspora Affairs and the Fight Against Antisemitism

• Idit Silman, Minister of Environmental Protection

• May Golan, Minister for Social Equality and Minister for Women’s Empowerment

• Dudi Amsalem, Minister in the Ministry of Justice, Minister for Regional Cooperation, and Minister Liaison to the Knesset

Religious Zionist Party leader and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich voiced his endorsement as well. He declared: “The real answer to those who wish harm upon the State of Israel is sovereignty. I commend the Likud ministers and commit to the Prime Minister, on the day you give the order – the Settlement Administration under my leadership is standing by to implement the application of sovereignty immediately. Honorable Prime Minister – the people of Israel are ready.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

U.S. defense officials now believe that their recent strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure have caused a substantial delay in the country’s atomic development, potentially pushing it back by up to two years, according to Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell.

“We have degraded their program by one to two years. At least, intel assessments inside the department assess that,” said Parnell in a press briefing. “We’re thinking probably closer to two years, like degraded their program by two years.”

Parnell emphasized that evaluations of the impact on three of Iran’s most critical nuclear facilities have not shifted, saying that the installations hit were “completely obliterated.”

“We believe that Iran’s nuclear capability has been severely degraded, perhaps even their ambition to build a bomb,” he continued, though he acknowledged that intelligence analysts are still examining the full consequences.

The operation involved the deployment of six bunker-busting bombs targeting the highly secured Fordow enrichment site. Additional attacks included the launch of multiple submarine-based cruise missiles directed at Iranian facilities in Natanz and Isfahan.

This wave of U.S. airstrikes came after Israeli forces conducted their own operation on June 13, hitting military, nuclear, and civilian targets inside Iran.

Despite the dual offensives by the U.S. and Israel, Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), commented earlier this week that Iran could potentially restart its uranium enrichment activities “in a matter of months.”

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi acknowledged the toll the attacks have taken, describing the damage to Iran’s nuclear program as “serious” during comments made last week amid the ongoing 12-day conflict with Israel.

“A detailed assessment of the damage is being carried out by experts from the Atomic Energy Organization (of Iran),” Araghchi said in a statement broadcast on state TV.

He also noted that Tehran is now exploring compensation over the losses. “Now, the discussion of demanding damages and the necessity of providing them has been placed as one of the important issues on the country’s diplomatic agenda,” he stated.

Republican leaders in the House have pushed back a crucial vote on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act as they continue working to line up enough GOP support to overcome internal resistance and absences.

One of the final procedural votes scheduled for Wednesday afternoon remained open for over an hour, as House leaders made efforts behind the scenes to persuade reluctant Republicans, according to The Hill. Eventually, lawmakers were instructed to head back to their offices.

The revised version of the legislation, amended in the Senate, has sparked considerable controversy within the GOP ranks. The bill narrowly advanced there on Tuesday only after Vice President JD Vance cast the tie-breaking vote. President Donald Trump has made it clear he expects the bill—widely viewed as the hallmark of his second term—on his desk by Independence Day. “I want the bill on my desk by the Fourth of July,” he said.

Members of the House Freedom Caucus and other conservatives were seen moving in and out of a room near the House floor during the procedural votes, as reported by The Hill. Many had indicated they would oppose the rule that governs how the bill would be debated. Had that vote failed, it would have halted all progress on the House floor.

Lawmakers such as Rep. Andy Harris of Maryland, who chairs the House Freedom Caucus, as well as Reps. Chip Roy of Texas, Ralph Norman of South Carolina, Scott Perry of Pennsylvania, Eli Crane of Arizona, Lloyd Smucker of Pennsylvania, and Andy Biggs of Arizona, were spotted entering the meeting room at various intervals.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana explained to reporters that several Republicans were still en route to the Capitol due to widespread flight delays caused by inclement weather, according to The Hill. He noted that once those lawmakers arrived, the vote would continue.

Edan Alexander, who was held hostage by Hamas for 584 days before being freed in May, is scheduled to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday, according to a report by Channel 12 News.

The meeting will also be attended by First Lady Melania Trump. During the visit, Alexander is expected to express his appreciation to the president for securing his freedom and to advocate for the release of the hostages who are still in Hamas captivity.

This encounter is set to occur just a few days ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s arrival in Washington for his own set of meetings with President Trump.

Alexander regained his freedom roughly six weeks ago, around the time President Trump was visiting the Middle East. Although a meeting between them had been considered then, Alexander remained in Israel to undergo necessary medical care and recovery, delaying the opportunity.

His family later coordinated with Trump’s team to arrange the meeting once Alexander would be able to travel to the United States.

The success in obtaining his release was attributed to the diplomatic pressure and behind-the-scenes efforts led by the Trump Administration.

{Matzav.com}

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said on Wednesday that he had contacted Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to request an urgent meeting aimed at coordinating their opposition to a developing agreement involving the release of hostages.

But individuals close to Smotrich pushed back, asserting, “We did not receive a request from Ben-Gvir, and no meeting was arranged with him today. Victory in Gaza is too significant and the lives of the hostages too dear for media spin.”

In response to the denial, Ben-Gvir’s office released a screenshot showing a message sent earlier in the day to Smotrich’s staff, attempting to arrange the meeting. The timestamp indicated that the message was sent after reports of Ben-Gvir’s initiative had already been made public.

As the debate over the proposed deal intensified, Opposition Leader Yair Lapid assured Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that his Yesh Atid faction would back the government if Otzma Yehudit and the Religious Zionist Party decide to withdraw from the coalition in protest of the agreement.

Lapid wrote: “Netanyahu, to counter Ben-Gvir and Smotrich’s 13 fingers (votes), you have my 23 fingers as a safety net for a hostage deal. We need to bring them all home now.”

Minister Gideon Sa’ar weighed in, stating: “There is a large majority in the government, and also among the public, in favor of a framework to release hostages. If such an opportunity arises, we must not miss it.”

Adding his voice, Yisrael Beytenu Chairman MK Avigdor Liberman said: “‘There is no greater mitzva (commandment) than redeeming captives.’ We must bring all the hostages home now.”

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump revealed on Tuesday that Israel had accepted terms that would enable a temporary halt to fighting in Gaza and the release of hostages.

“My Representatives had a long and productive meeting with the Israelis today on Gaza. Israel has agreed to the necessary conditions to finalize the 60-Day CEASEFIRE, during which time we will work with all parties to end the War,” the President wrote on Truth Social.

“The Qataris and Egyptians, who have worked very hard to help bring Peace, will deliver this final proposal. I hope, for the good of the Middle East, that Hamas takes this Deal, because it will not get better — IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” he added.

{Matzav.com Israel}