Matzav

The Trump administration delivered a sharp warning to Governor Kathy Hochul on Monday, granting her an extended deadline to end congestion pricing toll collection and cautioning that failure to comply could bring “serious consequences.”

A letter issued by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy threatened that if New York continues collecting the controversial tolls beyond the new May 21 cutoff, the federal government could pull its funding and halt approvals for infrastructure projects in Manhattan.

Duffy further warned that the repercussions may not stop at the city’s borders. “The corrective measures noted above may be expanded to other geographic areas within the State of New York, if any noncompliance continues,” the letter stated.

The warning came just one day after Hochul and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority blew past an earlier April 20 deadline to suspend the $9 congestion charge, showing no signs of backing down.

The federal government had initially ordered the MTA to shut down the nation’s first congestion pricing plan by March 21, prompting the agency to sue in response.

Monday’s letter followed a broader fallout between the administration and state officials, including President Trump and Duffy removing the MTA from a major redevelopment plan for Penn Station.

Hochul had been personally negotiating with Trump over the future of Penn Station, even as tensions with Duffy escalated over the tolling issue.

In the letter, Duffy demanded that state authorities either end the $9 fee for driving south of 60th Street or demonstrate that the policy doesn’t violate federal statutes guaranteeing “freedom from tolls.”

He argued that the plan imposes double costs on drivers, who are being charged to use federal roadways that have already been paid for through their taxes.

“Anyone needing to drive into the area is either forced to pay a cost-prohibitive toll or required to use the substandard transit system run by the Metropolitan Transit Authority,” Duffy wrote.

{Matzav.com}

NYC Mayor Eric Adams has been temporarily barred from moving forward with plans to bring federal immigration authorities back to Rikers Island.

The decision came from Manhattan Judge Mary Rosado, who granted a temporary restraining order following a lawsuit filed by the City Council aimed at halting any involvement of ICE or other federal agencies at the jail facility.

“City Hall and all other New York City government officials, officers, personnel, and agencies are prohibited from taking any steps toward negotiating, signing, or implementing any Memorandum of Understanding with the federal government regarding federal law enforcement presence on Department of Correction property,” Rosado wrote in her ruling.

The restraining order will remain in effect until at least Friday morning, when a court hearing is scheduled for both parties to present their arguments.

Mayor Adams’ team has insisted that the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement at Rikers would be limited strictly to criminal investigations, not civil immigration enforcement.

The City Council disagreed, warning that a renewed ICE presence at the jail could lead to widespread deportations and would contradict New York City’s status as a sanctuary city.

ICE previously operated from an office on Rikers Island but was ousted in 2014 after the city, under then-Mayor Bill de Blasio, enacted legislation barring such cooperation.

President Donald Trump stated that any potential downturn in the U.S. economy would fall squarely on the shoulders of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, blaming him for resisting calls to cut interest rates.

Trump has repeatedly pushed Powell to lower rates and has even floated the idea of replacing him altogether.

Powell, however, has indicated that a rate cut is unlikely in the short term, warning that the administration’s tariff policies may contribute to both rising inflation and a spike in unemployment.

“‘Preemptive Cuts’ in Interest Rates are being called for by many. With Energy Costs way down, food prices (including Biden’s egg disaster!) substantially lower, and most other ‘things’ trending down, there is virtually No Inflation,” Trump posted on Truth Social.

“With these costs trending so nicely downward, just what I predicted they would do, there can almost be no inflation, but there can be a SLOWING of the economy unless Mr. Too Late, a major loser, lowers interest rates, NOW. Europe has already ‘lowered’ seven times.

“Powell has always been ‘To Late,’ except when it came to the Election period when he lowered in order to help Sleepy Joe Biden, later Kamala [Harris], get elected. How did that work out?”

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Friday, Trump said Powell needs to act on falling inflation by slashing interest rates.

“If we had a Fed chairman that understood what he was doing, interest rates would be coming down. He should bring them down,” Trump said.

On Thursday, Trump escalated the pressure, saying that if he were to request Powell’s removal, “he’ll be out of there.”

“I don’t think he’s doing the job,” Trump said during the Oval Office briefing. “He’s too late. Always too late. A little slow. And I’m not happy with him. I let him know it.”

Despite the criticism, Powell has made it clear that he will not step down, stating that his position is secure and that he plans to serve his full term regardless of Trump’s wishes.

Powell’s current four-year term as head of the Federal Reserve runs through May 2026.

{Matzav.com}

[COMMUNICATED]

Benny was born 18 months ago, bringing with him great joy to his parents. A healthy, thriving baby, he was their sunshine. But six weeks ago, he suddenly became sick. Very, very sick.

The diagnosis was shattering: colon cancer, advanced. Benny declined quickly, turning from a happy toddler to a child unable to eat, crawl or even sit up. He had to be admitted to PICU, in total quarantine due to his fragile state, his parents can only see him in pictures taken by kind nurses.

Desperate and broken hearted, they got a small ray of hope: there is a surgical protocol that might save his life. But it is an innovative procedure, and due to his young age, it will require a series of supportive tests and medical care.

Estimated cost: $300,000

The parents do not have this sum. They have tried fervently to accumulate as much as they can, but they have no financial backing, and currently they are not even able work steadily, and need help with day-to-day expenses.

But they have no choice but to do everything to save their child. So, reluctantly, they are turning to you to plead for help heal Benny.

Who can imagine pain such as this? Enduring seeing their precious baby struggle for every breath, knowing they do not have the means to save him? Begging for pictures of him, and not even being able to hug and comfort him?

Please, let’s give them the support they are so desperate for!

Let them know they are not alone, that we all care, that we will give them their only wish:

Give them the chance to save Benny.

Click here to save little Benny

Two Boeing jets sent to China less than a month ago are returning to the U.S. in the latest apparent turbulence from Trump’s trade war. The 737 MAX 8 planes were ferried from Boeing’s U.S. production in Seattle to the Zhoushan completion center in China, where they were scheduled to undergo final work before being delivered to Chinese carriers. But on Sunday and Monday, two planes painted with China’s Xiamen Airlines livery flew back to Seattle.

A spokesperson for the airline confirmed the planes had gone back to the U.S. but didn’t provide a reason.

Beijing had previously ordered Chinese airlines not to accept delivery of Boeing jets after Trump announced a 145 percent tariff for Chinese products entering the U.S. China retaliated with 125 percent tariffs on U.S. goods and counter-measures aimed at certain industries and manufacturers, including Boeing.

Malaysia has said it might buy American jets rejected by Chinese airlines. The world’s second-largest economy, however, warned third-party countries not to make deals with the U.S. that would undercut China’s economic interests. Read more. 

{Matzav.com}

A Southern California mayor said he wants to give his city’s homeless population “all the fentanyl they want” and later called for a federal “purge.” In a city council meeting, Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris responded to a resident’s concern about the city’s handling of its homeless population by saying: “What I want to do is give them free fentanyl… I mean, that’s what I want to do. I want to give them all the fentanyl they want.”

He doubled down on those comments in an interview with FOX LA on Friday where he said he was referring specifically to unhoused “criminals” who “refuse” to get help and that it’s “so easy” to get fentanyl on the streets that it wouldn’t make a difference if the city gave it away for free.

“Quite frankly, I wish that the president would give us a purge. Because we do need to purge these people,” Parris continued. “Now, is it harsh? Of course it’s harsh. But it’s my obligation as the mayor of the city of Lancaster to protect the hardworking families that live there, and I am no longer able to do it.” Read more.

{Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of the Faltishaner Rebbe Rav Mordechai Stein zt”l of Boro Park, who was niftar on Shveii Shel Pesach at the age of 84. His levayah was held on Acharon Shel Pesach.

The Rebbe was born on 13 Adar in 1941 in Faltishan, Romania, to his father, the Faltishaner Rebbe, Rav Yisroel Avrohom zt”l, and his mother, Rebbetzin Sarah a”h, daughter of the Faltishaner Rebbe, Rav Elazar Twersky zt”l. At his bris, he was named Mordechai after his ancestor, the Rebbe Rav Mordechai of Chernobyl zt”l.

He lateultimatelyr immigrated to the United States with his family. He began studying in the Nitra Yeshiva under the leadership of Rav Michoel Ber Weissmandl zt”l in the Catskills. When the Imrei Chaim of Vizhnitz zt”l visited America, the young Rav Mordechai returned with him to Eretz Yisroel and continued his learning at Yeshivas Vizhnitz in Bnei Brak.

He married his wife, Rebbetzin Rivkah Leah a”h, daughter of the Spinka Rebbe of Yerushalayim, Rav Yosef Meir Kahana zt”l. After his marriage, he lived in Kiryas Vizhnitz and received semichah from Rav Pinchas Epstein zt”l, Raavad of the Eidah Hachareidis.

He moved to Yerushalayim, where he became closely connected to the Dzikover Rebbe, Rav Yehuda Leibush Horowitz zt”l, and drew inspiration from the Toras Mordechai of Vizhnitz zt”l.

During the tense prelude to the Six Day War in 5727, he returned to America at his father’s request. Though he intended to go back to Eretz Yisroel after the war, he ultimately settled permanently in the United States. He served as a mashgiach and mashpia in the Satmar Yeshiva on Sanz Street and later at the Yeshiva Gedolah in Kiryas Yoel.

The Rebbe was a devoted follower of the Satmar Rebbe, Rav Yoel zt”l.

He later moved to Boro Park, where he established his beis medrash, Kehillas Tiferes Mordechai, on 49th Street. He also founded a beis din and served as its av beis din. At the same time, he was Rosh Yeshiva of the Monsey-based Yeshivas Munkatch and had a close relationship with the Munkatcher Rebbe.

After the passing of his father, he assumed the position of the Faltishaner Rebbe. From his beis medrash in Boro Park, he led his kehilla with warmth, dignity, and profound yiras Shamayim, and many flocked to him for guidance and brachos.

He is survived by sons, daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren who are talmidei chachamim and yirei Shamayim, continuing his legacy.

In recent months, the Rebbe’s health deteriorated after a collapse. On the seventh day of Pesach, he was niftar. His levayah took place on the the next day, beginning at his beis medrash in Boro Park, continuing through the Munkatcher beis medrash, and from there to Williamsburg. He was laid to rest in Long Island.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

On Monday, Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa’ar welcomed US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee for their first official working session at the Foreign Ministry headquarters in Yerushalayim. The meeting came shortly after Huckabee formally submitted his diplomatic credentials to President Herzog.

The two began with a private conversation before being joined by their respective delegations for a broader discussion.

Minister Sa’ar extended warm congratulations to Ambassador Huckabee on taking up his new position and expressed appreciation for his steadfast support of Israel throughout the years. He remarked that Huckabee’s deep-rooted friendship and dedication to the US-Israel alliance made him an ideal choice for the role. “Israel could not have hoped for a better ambassador,” Sa’ar said.

A primary topic of the talks was the strategic threat posed by Iran’s nuclear ambitions, which both sides agreed remains a central concern.

In addition, the two explored opportunities to further deepen and strengthen the partnership between Israel and the United States.

{Matzav.com Israel}

The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office delivered a scathing response to the affidavit submitted by Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar to the Supreme Court, accusing him of dishonesty and attributing blame for the events of October 7, 2023.

In its statement, the PMO asserted that Bar failed to alert the Prime Minister and the Defense Minister on the morning of the attack, despite allegedly having intelligence for over three hours suggesting an imminent threat. “Had he done so – the massacre could have been avoided,” the statement read.

The PMO disputed Bar’s claim that he ordered the military secretary to be contacted at 05:15, pointing instead to evidence showing the Shin Bet only placed the call at 06:13 — just moments before the assault began.

The statement also highlighted comments made by Bar two days before the attack, when he reportedly said: “The renewal of understandings with Hamas shows potential for preserving stability in the Gaza Strip.” The Prime Minister’s Office labeled Bar “the father of the failure” and declared that he “must go home.”

Regarding Bar’s dismissal, the PMO said the decision to remove him had already been announced in November 2024, contradicting the attorney general’s assertion that the move was tied to the investigation of the ‘Qatar Gate’ affair. “The investigation was intended to prevent the dismissals – not the other way around,” the PMO claimed.

The statement also took issue with Bar’s allegation that the Prime Minister tried to delay his legal proceedings: “The prime minister insisted on holding it without a postponement.”

The PMO further criticized Bar for allegedly mishandling cases of incitement targeting elected officials. “He failed to prevent the firing of flares at the prime minister’s house in Caesarea, which started a fire and injured a security guard,” the office said.

It also charged that Bar ignored repeated pleas from the Prime Minister and cabinet members to address serious incitement. “No illegal action was required – only equitable enforcement that has not yet been implemented,” the statement concluded.

A dramatic and highly unusual scene at a Pesach fair held at the Haifa Port Terminal has sparked attention online: A young chareidi man arrived with his family and purchased every item of chametz—including all the beer and pizzas being sold at the event—and then demanded that they be publicly destroyed.

According to a report published by Walla, the man paid a staggering 83,200 shekels to the bar operators, insisted they sign a declaration pledging not to sell chametz during the Yom Tov, and personally supervised as dozens of beer kegs were emptied and the pizzas were thrown away and incinerated.

Many secular Jews who were at the fair expressed anger over what happened. Assaf Danieli, 43, of Ramat Meir, was attending the event with his family and said he was caught off guard: “When we returned from sailing, the bartender refused to sell me wine because they were busy spilling out the beer. He told me that something crazy happened, pointed at a chareidi guy, and said that he bought all the beer, some 30 kegs, and demanded that they spill it out.”

Clearly frustrated, Danieli continued, “In principle, I think it’s stunning that someone is investing nearly a hundred thousand shekels to save me from my own free will, when that money could actually save people for real. After all, anyone who wanted to drink beer and eat pizza did so a short distance away.”

The organizers behind the event declined to offer a detailed explanation. “This is a totally private event,” said event organizer Asaf Ben-David. Both the Haifa Municipality and Haifa Port emphasized that they were not affiliated with the fair.

Tempo Beer Industries, the company behind Goldstar Beer—which appeared to be a sponsor of the fair—also distanced itself. “Goldstar Beer provides an annual sponsorship to the Haifa Terminal, which hosted the spring fair this year. We have no control over the Terminal’s events, and this was not a sponsorship for the aforementioned event. If we had been aware of the event ahead of time, we would have worked for the removal of Goldstar from the invitation as a sponsor.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Relatives of the hostages erupted in fury after Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich stated in an Army Radio interview on Monday that the top priority in the war was eliminating Hamas—not securing the captives’ release.

“The only truth is that for your messianic and psychopathic delusions, you are willing to sacrifice my Matan and an entire country,” wrote Einav Zangauker, the mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, on X.

“This morning, the families have only one word: shame,” read a statement issued by the Hostage Families Forum.

“Minister Smotrich—history will remember how you hardened your heart to your brothers and sisters in captivity and chose not to save them—some from death, others from disappearance.”

MK Moshe Gafni of United Torah Judaism condemned the remarks, invoking a dark historical comparison. “The return of the hostages is the most important issue. These kinds of statements are reminiscent of the Sicarii in the time of Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai, who believed that national interests were more important than human lives,” he said.

“The United Torah Judaism faction will convene this week to present the matter before the Torah sages and formulate its position on this issue as well.”

In response, Smotrich accused Gafni of drawing dangerous parallels. “Anyone who still lives with an exile mentality and feels that the State of Israel is not the realization of the ingathering of exiles and the return to Zion is capable of imagining a comparison between the current reality and the period of the destruction of the Second Temple,” he said, arguing that Gafni represents a “shrinking minority within the Haredi community.”

Smotrich went on to defend his position. “As for the substance of the matter, the victory over Hamas is meant to save human lives, and nothing endangers lives more—or encourages further kidnappings, terrorism, and bloodshed—than surrendering to a murderous terrorist organization and allowing it to remain a governing power holding weapons in Gaza, tormenting the lives of southern residents, and preparing for the next October 7 massacre.

And regarding the Torah sages—it is time for Gafni to begin respecting the Torah leaders of the religious Zionist community, who are in no way inferior to the great rabbis of the Haredi world and who also fulfill additional commandments, such as high-quality military service to help Israel in times of need and to save lives through action,” Smotrich concluded.

Yair Golan, head of the Democrats party, joined the criticism, accusing the minister of moral abandonment. “Smotrich presents the kidnapped as human sacrifices on the altar of messianic delusions,” he wrote, claiming Smotrich would be willing to let the remaining 59 hostages perish for his “annexation delusions.”

“This is not Zionism. This is neglect. Smotrich is the true face of the Netanyahu government – a government in which neglect and the sacrifice of lives is not a failure, but a policy.”

Avigdor Liberman, who leads the Yisrael Beytenu party, also slammed Smotrich, pointing to past misjudgments. “Before October 7, Smotrich didn’t know what the Nukhba forces were and claimed that Hamas was an asset,” Liberman recalled.

“Whoever was wrong then, it’s better to keep quiet now.”

In his original remarks, Smotrich emphasized that while retrieving the hostages is deeply important, the larger objective must remain the eradication of Hamas. “It is, of course, a very, very, very important goal, whoever wants to destroy Hamas and prevent the possibility of another October 7 needs to understand that there can be no situation where Hamas remains present and intact in Gaza.”

“Let’s make a decision to end Gaza once and for all, let’s build trust with the people, and prove that we are achieving the goal and destroying Hamas,” he urged.

“The excuses are over. There is no Biden, no Blinken, no Gallant, no chief of staff standing in the way of halting humanitarian aid – there are no excuses, and I say to the prime minister, there is no time for this talk. The alternative to surrendering is to take territory in the strip and destroy Hamas,” Smotrich concluded.

{Matzav.com Israel}

During an appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press Sunday, Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) firmly stated that transferring American citizens to prisons overseas is both unlawful and unacceptable.

Host Kristen Welker began by asking, “Do you believe that President Trump is following the orders of the courts right now?”

Kennedy responded, “Yes. And I don’t believe that President Trump will defy a federal judge; if he does, I’ll call him out on it. I believe what I said in the clip. I love the rule of law. I love it like the devil loves sin. I think if we start not following a federal judicial order, we undermine the system entirely. That doesn’t mean you can’t criticize, you can criticize them, you can appeal them, but you cannot choose to not follow them. I haven’t seen President Trump do that. If he does, I’ll say very loudly and clearly that I think he’s wrong.”

Welker then shifted the conversation to another recent remark from President Trump. “Let me ask you about something else. President Trump said this week he’d like to send what he called homegrown criminals, meaning U.S. citizens, to foreign prisons like the one in El Salvador. Senator, do you think the law allows the President of the United States to send U.S. citizens to a foreign prison?”

Kennedy replied without hesitation, “No, ma’am. Nor does it — nor should it be considered appropriate or moral. We have our own laws. We have the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution. We shouldn’t send prisoners to foreign countries, in my judgment.”

WATCH:

China issued a stern warning on Monday to nations considering aligning with the United States in hopes of securing exemptions from President Trump’s tariffs, cautioning that Beijing would retaliate against any country that compromises China’s economic position.

In a sharply worded announcement, China’s Ministry of Commerce pledged to respond forcefully to any government that signs trade agreements with the US that would disadvantage China, signaling an escalation in the ongoing trade confrontation between the two global powers.

“China firmly opposes any party reaching a deal at the expense of China’s interests,” the Chinese government said in a statement.

“If this happens, China will never accept it and will resolutely take countermeasures in a reciprocal manner. China is determined and capable of safeguarding its own rights and interests.”

The warning was issued following reports that the Trump administration may use tariff relief as leverage to persuade other nations to reduce economic ties with China, a tactic Beijing strongly condemned.

“Appeasement cannot bring peace, and compromise cannot win respect,” China warned.

“For one’s own temporary selfish interests, sacrificing the interests of others in exchange for so-called exemptions is like seeking the skin from a tiger. It will ultimately only fail on both ends and harm others without benefiting themselves.”

The diplomatic clash intensified after Trump increased tariffs on Chinese goods to a steep 145%, prompting China to impose retaliatory tariffs of 125% on American exports.

“The United States has abused tariffs on all trading partners under the banner of so-called ‘equivalence,’ while also forcing all parties to start so-called ‘reciprocal tariffs’ negotiations with them,” the Chinese ministry statement said.

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The White House issued a strong rebuttal following a New York Times report that revealed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had created a second Signal messaging group that included his wife and brother, where he allegedly discussed a U.S. airstrike in Yemen targeting Houthi militants. The administration emphasized that no classified details were ever disclosed in the chat.

White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly dismissed the claims, saying, “no matter how many times the legacy media tries to resurrect the same non-story, they can’t change the fact that no classified information was shared.”

She further stated, “recently fired ‘leakers’ are continuing to misrepresent the truth to soothe their shattered egos and undermine the president’s agenda, but the administration will continue to hold them accountable.”

According to the New York Times, the secondary Signal thread—hosted on a publicly available app that is not cleared for sharing sensitive defense content—had 13 members. Among them were Hegseth’s wife, Jennifer, a former Fox News producer, and his brother Phil Hegseth, a senior adviser and liaison from the Department of Homeland Security. Both individuals have accompanied Secretary Hegseth on official trips and attended top-level briefings.

Sean Parnell, who serves as Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, criticized the article in a statement to Newsmax, likening the report’s timing to a media stunt.

“Another day, another old story—back from the dead,” Parnell wrote. “The Trump-hating media continues to be obsessed with destroying anyone committed to President Trump’s agenda.”

Parnell accused the New York Times and other media outlets of leaning on biased sources to manufacture controversy. “This time, The New York Times — and all other Fake News that repeat their garbage — are enthusiastically taking the grievances of disgruntled former employees as the sole sources for their article. They relied only on the words of people who were fired this week and appear to have a motive to sabotage the secretary and the President’s agenda.”

He made clear that the Signal chat in question never contained sensitive material. “There was no classified information in any Signal chat, no matter how many ways they try to write the story. What is true is that the Office of the Secretary of Defense is continuing to become stronger and more efficient in executing President Trump’s agenda.”

Parnell concluded by emphasizing the administration’s commitment to military readiness and national defense. “We’ve already achieved so much for the American warfighter, and will never back down.”

{Matzav.com}

President Trump is reportedly planning to strip Harvard University of another $1 billion in federal funding, building on his administration’s move last week to freeze $2.2 billion in grants over the school’s unwillingness to reform its policies on antisemitism and admissions practices.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the decision to escalate came after Harvard released a detailed letter outlining demands from the Trump administration—contents that White House officials had expected would remain confidential.

Originally, the administration had intended to show more flexibility toward Harvard compared to Columbia University. But after Harvard’s leadership disclosed the letter—which included stipulations such as federal supervision over admissions decisions, staff hiring, and ideological leanings among students and faculty—the White House reconsidered its approach.

Harvard president Alan Garber commented on the letter from Trump’s newly established Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism, saying the administration’s conditions “make clear that the intention is not to work with us to address antisemitism in a cooperative and constructive manner,” according to the Journal.

Garber went on to say, “We have informed the administration through our legal counsel that we will not accept their proposed agreement.”

The Trump team had initially expected Harvard to comply in the same way Columbia did, when it quickly accepted federal conditions in an effort to reclaim $400 million in frozen aid. But Harvard’s public opposition and release of the letter significantly heightened tensions, resulting in the $2.26 billion freeze.

In addition to halting funding, the administration is reportedly considering targeting Harvard’s tax-exempt status and its capacity to admit foreign students—moves that could financially cripple the university.

Sources said Harvard originally approached the Trump administration in March, attempting to resolve the issue quietly. But as negotiations dragged on and the administration’s demands became more sweeping, university officials concluded the terms were far too invasive.

The April 11 letter was seen by the White House as a final ultimatum, sources said. Harvard officials noted the letter had no confidentiality markings, but members of the task force claimed they had conveyed their desire to keep the talks behind closed doors.

The public disclosure of the letter left many in the administration convinced that Harvard had no real intention of cooperating, the Journal reported.

Although the demands were made public one day earlier than originally scheduled, a spokesperson for the White House emphasized that the release was deliberate.

“Instead of grandstanding, Harvard should focus on rebuilding confidence among all students, particularly Jewish students,” the spokesman said. “The White House remains open to dialogue, but serious changes are needed at Harvard.”

Garber, in his statement, acknowledged that while a portion of the administration’s demands related to combating antisemitism, the bulk of the proposals amounted to “direct governmental regulation.”

{Matzav.com}

Pope Francis, the first pontiff from South America, has passed away at the age of 88.

The Vatican’s camerlengo, Cardinal Kevin Farrell — who assumes temporary authority during the transition between popes — announced the pontiff’s death on Monday after an extended illness brought on by double pneumonia.

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires in 1936, Francis was the oldest of five siblings. His father, Mario Bergoglio, was an accountant from Italy who emigrated to Argentina to escape Mussolini’s fascist rule, according to Vatican records. His mother, Regina Maria Sivori, descended from a Catholic family also originally from Italy.

As a young man, Bergoglio worked various odd jobs, including as a custodian, nightclub bouncer, and lab technician, before pursuing religious life and becoming a priest in 1969. In 1998, he was named archbishop of Buenos Aires, and in 2001, he was elevated to cardinal by Pope John Paul II. Within the Curia, he held important responsibilities and developed a strong reputation. At the 2001 Synod, he took over a leading role from Cardinal Edward Michael Egan, who remained in New York following the 9/11 attacks. His performance during the synod left a strong impression on his fellow cardinals.

During the 2005 conclave that led to the election of Pope Benedict XVI, Bergoglio reportedly finished second in every round of voting, coming close to ascending the papacy at 68.

When Benedict XVI stepped down in 2013 — the first resignation of its kind since 1415 — Bergoglio emerged as a favored choice to usher in reform and transparency within the scandal-hit Church.

On February 28, 2013, the conclave selected him to lead the Catholic world. He chose the name Francis to pay tribute to St. Francis of Assisi.

Elected at 76, Francis dealt with multiple health challenges throughout his leadership, leading to speculation at times that he might voluntarily step down — something he never did, although he acknowledged the possibility.

{Matzav.com}

On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu held a phone call with Labor Minister Yoav Ben Tzur, who is currently sitting shiva for his mother.

During the conversation, Ben Tzur offered words of support and encouragement to the Prime Minister. “You continue to succeed, we are all behind you, I know how difficult this is, but you have real divine assistance; otherwise, you wouldn’t be able to cope with anything,” he told Netanyahu.

In response, Netanyahu replied, “God is the most important party in the coalition.”

Mazal Ben Tzur, of blessed memory, passed away last week at the age of 91. She and her husband, Rabbi Shalom Ben Tzur—who died 17 years ago—made aliyah from Yemen in the late 1940s.

They first settled in Kfar Saba and later moved to Netanya, where they raised their family.

Mazal Ben Tzur was deeply proud of her son’s public service. When the current government was sworn in, she made a special trip to the Knesset to give Netanyahu her personal blessing.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Israel is considering the option of detaining terrorists who were previously freed as part of earlier prisoner exchange agreements and returned to areas including Judea, Samaria, and Yerushalayim, according to a report by Channel 12 News.

Although this idea has been raised more than once in Cabinet discussions, it has consistently been shot down by senior defense officials, who argue that such a move would be unwise.

Still, with another Cabinet meeting scheduled for Tuesday, the issue is gaining renewed attention. A number of ministers are urging the government to impose a firm deadline for Hamas to accept the Witkoff proposal, which would involve freeing 10 hostages and initiating talks toward ending the war.

Under the terms of the Witkoff initiative, Israel would receive half of the hostages—whether alive or deceased—on the first day the agreement is enacted. If a long-term ceasefire is finalized during the temporary pause in fighting, the remainder of the hostages, both living and dead, would be returned as well. Israel gave the green light to this proposal last month, but Hamas turned it down.

Channel 12 reports that if a deadline is indeed set and the deal remains unaccepted by that point, Israel is expected to escalate military operations and shift its focus. Instead of prioritizing negotiations for the hostages’ release, the objective will revert to a full-scale campaign aimed at dismantling Hamas—returning to the strategy in place before the temporary truce.

{Matzav.com Israel}

The White House rolled out a redesigned COVID-19 webpage on Friday, shifting focus entirely toward what it calls the “true origins” of the virus. The previous version of the site, COVID.gov, had featured resources related to vaccines, testing, and treatment, but now forwards users to a new page headlined “Lab Leak: True Origins of COVID-19.”

This updated site comes down hard on how both the Biden administration and ex-New York Governor Andrew Cuomo handled the pandemic. It also strongly embraces the belief that the coronavirus escaped from a research facility in Wuhan, China—a theory endorsed by key figures in the Trump administration.

The homepage outlines five primary points supporting the lab-leak hypothesis:

• “The virus possesses a biological characteristic that is not found in nature.”

• “Data shows that all COVID-19 cases stem from a single introduction into humans. This runs contrary to previous pandemics where there were multiple spillover events.”

• “Wuhan is home to China’s foremost SARS research lab, which has a history of conducting gain-of-function research (gene altering and organism supercharging) at inadequate biosafety levels.”

• “Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) researchers were sick with COVID-like symptoms in the fall of 2019, months before COVID-19 was discovered at the wet market.”

• “By nearly all measures of science, if there was evidence of a natural origin it would have already surfaced. But it hasn’t.”

All five assertions draw from a lengthy, 557-page report published by the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic in December 2024.

According to that report, the most probable explanation is that COVID-19 escaped from the Wuhan Institute of Virology, where EcoHealth Alliance—an American group—was conducting government-funded coronavirus experiments.

The same conclusion has been echoed by the FBI, experts from the Energy Department’s national labs, and former intelligence officials, including CIA Director John Ratcliffe.

“A lab-related incident involving gain-of-function research is the most likely the origin of COVID-19,” reads a section on the revamped White House website. “Current government mechanisms for overseeing this dangerous gain-of-function research are incomplete, severely convoluted, and lack global applicability.”

The site also levels harsh accusations against the Department of Health and Human Services under Biden, EcoHealth Alliance, Fauci’s top aide David Morens, and New York’s executive leadership under Gov. Kathy Hochul. It claims these parties “obstructed” the House’s investigation into the pandemic’s origins and the federal government’s overall response, which the virus left more than 1.2 million Americans dead.

In another section, the site calls out President Joe Biden’s “full and unconditional” pardon of Dr. Anthony Fauci before leaving office. The pardon shields Fauci from any legal consequences for actions dating back to 2014, during his time overseeing the U.S. response to infectious disease threats.

The webpage further criticizes decisions made by Andrew Cuomo, particularly his March 25, 2020, directive requiring nursing homes to admit patients who had tested positive for COVID-19.

“Evidence shows that Mr. Cuomo and his Administration worked to cover up the tragic aftermath of their policy decisions in an apparent effort to shield themselves from accountability,” the site says, claiming the former governor made “knowingly and willfully” false statements to the House committee examining the pandemic.

A spokesperson for Cuomo pushed back strongly against the allegations, referencing a report from the Biden-era Department of Justice’s inspector general and a 2022 decision by the Manhattan District Attorney not to file charges.

“More than 1 million Americans died as a result of the COVID pandemic, and our hearts break for the families of every person who lost a loved one – but unfortunately, as the DOJ IG confirmed, that pain has been weaponized and politicized for purely electoral purposes for years,” Rich Azzopardi said in a statement.

“According to the the DOJ IG, the State Attorney General and New York State’s COVID-19 After Action Report, the state’s nursing home admission guidance was consistent with federal guidance, was similar to guidance issued in a dozen Republican and Democratic-led states, and there has been no credible empirical evidence that concludes it caused additional deaths,” he added. “This matter was investigated by the Department of Justice three times and the Manhattan DA who closed their investigations as a result of no finding of wrongdoing, while two civil cases brought in connection with this issue have also been dismissed.”

{Matzav.com}