Matzav

There is so much currently happening on the political scene in Eretz Yisroel. Aside from the burning issue of the hostages and the ongoing war in Gaza, there is an entire ruckus over the dismissal of the head of the Shin Bet among other issues.  

The Gedolei Yisroel and the Charedi community, as a whole, are very worried and disturbed over the ongoing efforts to try drafting bnei yeshivos.  

Much effort has been expended both publicly and through quiet diplomacy to try dissuading the powers that be and those in the legal system from their attempt to curb the koach of today’s “Shevet Levi”. After all, in this fraught period, Klal Yisroel, more than ever, needs the zechusim of limud haTorah to enable us to overcome our enemies. 

The Gedolei Yisroel have been focusing on explaining the Charedi position, hoping to impress upon influential figures in the government and the legal community a better understanding of the the role that Torah learning plays in ensuring the future of the country.  

Recently, the Nasi of Dirshu, Rav Dovid Hofstedter was in Eretz Yisroel. As a prominent resident of chutz la’aretz who leads the largest Torah organization in the world, Rav Hofstedter has been involved in the hishtadlus effort. Rav Hofstedter held numerous meetings at the homes of several senior Gedolei Yisroel. The Gedolei Yisroel all urged him to use his influence to try finding common ground with decision- makers in Eretz Yisroel regarding this difficult, critically important issue. 

As a prominent figure in the diaspora, Rav Hofstedter also conversed with Mr. Yitzchak Herzog, the President of Israel. Rav Hofstedter discussed the underpinnings of the Charedi outlook regarding limud haTorah and the fact that the avreichim who devote their days and nights to learning do so most altruistically, forgoing many of life’s comforts and living extremely frugally so that they can continue to learn Torah. Rav Hofstedter spoke about the value of Torah learning and its exalted role in shielding and preserving those living in Israel, and Judaism as a whole.  

President Herzog was very receptive to Rav Hofstedter’s words and commented that despite the incitement that we are witnessing in some quarters, he had, in general, noticed that the secular and traditional Jews in Eretz Yisroel have strengthened themselves in observance and recognizing the integral role that Torah has in the lives of the Jewish People. 

“Without a doubt, the secret of the survival of the Jewish people throughout the ages has been the role played by the Torah. I feel that the Torah is what unifies us as a people and serves as our spiritual backbone.” Herzog told Rav Hofstedter that in a telephone conversation with Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, Rosh Yeshivas Slabodka, he had expressed similar sentiments. President Herzog concluded, “I join together with you in calling on all parties to lower the temperature, cease with the incitement, and coalesce around what unites us, not what divides us.” 

During a Wednesday segment on Morning Joe, veteran MSNBC commentator Chris Matthews delivered sharp criticism of the Republican Party, accusing it of being “almost brain dead” for failing to push back against former President Donald Trump’s tariff policies.

Matthews remarked, “This whole thing with Trump right now — and I take the view that he’s going for real here — you know, when he said last night in a black tie that he won the election in 2020, he’s still lying about that. When he went out there and sold Trump University and the Trump Shuttle — remember, you could go to Washington, to New York, and back again on the Trump Shuttle? — All those things were disasters, the casinos in New Jersey, disaster in Atlantic City. All those times, Trump said, I really believe this, this is really true when he was lying. He was wrong.”

Continuing his critique, Matthews said, “I think this time in the Republicans, what’s different is this time the Republican Party is still almost brain dead in its inability to say, no, you’re wrong, we believe in free trade. As you said a minute ago, the Republicans have long believed in free trade. They believe this is the answer. Interlocking economies around the world.”

{Matzav.com}

Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has made a stunning discovery: millions of dollars in unemployment payouts have been issued to individuals who don’t even exist—some of whom haven’t technically been born yet.

According to DOGE, a preliminary audit of unemployment disbursements dating back to 2020 uncovered that 9,700 supposed recipients listed birthdays that are still 15 years away. These nonexistent individuals managed to collect a staggering $69 million in benefits.

Among the most ridiculous examples cited was one case where someone born in the year 2154 was able to fraudulently obtain $41,000, the department reported in a post on X.

In addition to these futuristic fraudsters, DOGE found that 24,500 people who would be more than 115 years old—well beyond the human lifespan—had received $59 million. Another 28,000 supposed claimants aged between 1 and 5 years old were found to have drawn $254 million in unemployment benefits.

“Your tax dollars were going to pay fraudulent unemployment claims for fake people born in the future!” Musk wrote furiously on X.

“This is so crazy that I had to read it several times before it sank in,” he continued.

President Trump appointed Musk, the wealthiest man in the world, to lead DOGE in an effort to root out fraud and eliminate unnecessary expenditures throughout the federal system.

“The oldest living American is 114 years old, so it is safe to say that anyone 115 or older is collecting ‘unemployment’ due to being dead,” Musk commented in another post regarding the investigation’s findings.

“There was no sanity check for impossibly young or impossibly old people for unemployment insurance.”

{Matzav.com}

President Trump has decided to hold off on enacting retaliatory tariffs on many of the United States’ key trading allies, but duties targeting Chinese imports will still skyrocket — reaching a combined 145% on certain goods, a White House official told The New York Post.

On Wednesday, Trump revealed that his broader tariff plan would be temporarily suspended for a period of 90 days, explaining that multiple countries had approached the U.S. with the intent of striking trade deals. In the interim, the default tariff on most imported goods will be dropped to 10%.

However, China won’t benefit from this temporary suspension. Trump hit Beijing with a steep 125% tariff, citing “a lack of respect” from the Chinese government. When paired with the already established 20% penalty dubbed the “fentanyl tariff,” some Chinese products will now face a combined duty of 145%, according to a report by CNBC.

China remains one of America’s largest sources of imports, second only to Mexico. In 2024, the U.S. imported close to $440 billion in goods from China, including a wide array of consumer products such as clothing, toys, footwear, and electronics like the iPhone.

In response, China fired back with its own hefty tariff — an 84% duty on American exports — which went into effect on Thursday.

Last year, the U.S. shipped more than $143 billion worth of goods to China. Key American exports to the Chinese market included soybeans, airplanes and their components, pharmaceuticals, chips, and automobiles.

Chinese export activity has surged recently, growing 13% in 2023 and jumping another 17% in 2024. The export sector now accounts for roughly one-fifth of China’s total economic output.

In contrast, U.S. exports — once at record highs a decade ago — have been on a downward trend.

Currently, exports make up just 11% of America’s GDP, a notable dip from 13.6% in 2012.

Trade figures from the Office of the United States Trade Representative show that American exports to China dropped by nearly 3% last year, landing at $144 billion.

The trade imbalance between the U.S. and China has also grown, with the deficit expanding to $295 billion.

Trump said his decision to grant the 90-day delay — excluding China — was influenced by recent instability in the bond market and falling U.S. stock indices.

“I thought people were jumping a little bit out of line, they were getting yippy, you know, they were getting a little bit yippy, a little bit afraid, unlike these champions,” he told reporters Wednesday from the White House South Lawn at an event featuring NASCAR Cup Series champions Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney.

Following the announcement, U.S. markets saw their strongest rally since 2001 — but much of that momentum faded when trading reopened on Thursday.

{Matzav.com}

A helicopter went down in the Hudson River on Thursday afternoon, officials have confirmed.

The New York City Fire Department reported that the aircraft crashed into the water close to Pier 40, near the intersection of West Houston Street and West Street, at approximately 3:15 p.m. Emergency crews rushed to the site and launched rescue efforts.

People who saw the crash and shared their experiences online mentioned hearing a “loud thumping noise” at the moment of impact, and said the helicopter seemed to have a damaged propeller.

According to officials, FDNY’s Land and Marine units quickly arrived and began conducting rescue operations at the location.

At this time, authorities have not released information regarding any injuries or fatalities.

{Matzav.com}

The IDF declared on Thursday that it plans to dismiss several hundred reservists from the Air Force who had signed a public letter urging a halt to the ongoing military campaign.

This marks a shift in approach from former military leaders like ex-IDF chief Herzi Halevi and former defense minister Yoav Gallant, who, despite disapproving of such actions, were willing to tolerate reservists’ protests as long as they reported for duty. In contrast, current IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir is adopting a stricter stance, aligning with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s views on the judicial reform issue.

Zamir maintains that regardless of the debate surrounding Netanyahu’s judicial policies, these are decisions made by Israel’s democratically elected government, and the military—including its reservists—must not engage in public opposition to them.

While Halevi and Gallant strongly objected to attempts to leverage reservist service to sway government decisions, they also feared that alienating reservists could damage the military’s readiness. This concern led them to tolerate some degree of public dissent, as long as service obligations were met.

Under their leadership, only a few reservists were discharged—and even then, only after repeatedly refusing to respond to call-up orders, not merely for making public threats to avoid service.

Those leaders believed that this balanced approach prevented the military from unraveling during the political upheaval of 2023. They also laid blame on Netanyahu’s judicial overhaul for weakening military preparedness in the months leading up to the October 7 Hamas attack.

On Thursday, the IDF noted that most of the reservists being dismissed are not currently on active duty. Officials downplayed the impact of the move, insisting that the Air Force remains robust, supported by tens of thousands of personnel.

However, the IDF did not disclose how many of those being removed are serving in an active capacity.

The military also avoided questions about how this move compares to the previous administration’s policies, nor did it comment on Netanyahu’s recent clash with Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar—a confrontation many within the defense community view as undue political interference. The IDF also sidestepped addressing pilots’ growing fears that the judicial changes are exposing them to increased legal risks, especially in relation to potential prosecution by the International Criminal Court.

Meanwhile, a group of current and former Israel Air Force pilots took out paid newspaper ads on Thursday to issue a public call for the immediate rescue of hostages held in Gaza—even if that means halting combat operations.

“The war serves political and personal interests; only an agreement will ensure the safe return of the kidnapped,” they stated.

Reacting to the statement, Defense Minister Yisroel Katz said, “I completely reject the letter of air force reservists and the attempt to harm the legitimacy of this just war which the IDF is leading in Gaza in order to free the hostages and to defeat the murderous terror organization Hamas.”

“I trust the discretion of the IDF chief and the air force chief and am sure they will deal with this improper phenomenon in the right way.”

Though the IDF continues to make strides in its battle against Hamas across multiple areas, military officials admitted to The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday that fully dismantling the terror group could take a year—or possibly several.

The conversation began with mention of the IDF’s recent achievement in eliminating 300 Hamas operatives, and a cumulative total of between 18,000 and 20,000 killed before the January 19 ceasefire. However, those numbers must be considered alongside estimates that Hamas still has over 25,000 fighters, and that the IDF’s current main effort is centered on clearing out the group’s remaining forces in Rafah.

In essence, although the IDF has wiped out a significant portion of Hamas’s fighters and few remain from the estimated 4,000 to 8,000 that were originally based in Rafah, the largest remaining concentrations consist of only several hundred. Going up against a network that might still have 25,000 members scattered across Gaza makes the goal of total elimination a daunting and time-intensive task.

While there are hopes among some in Israel that Hamas might collapse soon and that its leadership might agree to go into exile, if that does not occur—and if no permanent ceasefire is brokered involving moderate Sunni allies to reconstruct Gaza—then the conflict risks dragging into a prolonged, grinding campaign.

Some military leaders accept this possibility and predict that the war effort could extend over several years, involving the meticulous unearthing and destruction of isolated terror cells that have taken refuge in civilian sites like schools.

Elements of the IDF’s recent briefings about its gains in Rafah have also raised eyebrows.

During Jerusalem Post visits to Rafah in June, August, and September 2024, and based on multiple briefings and official statements at the time, it was asserted that Hamas’s Rafah-based units had been decisively beaten.

Officials were particularly confident that forces stationed in the Shaboura sector had been entirely dismantled.

Yet IDF representatives now reveal that key Hamas battalions remained embedded in Shaboura, contradicting the earlier narrative. They explained this by noting that the IDF had not yet conducted a full-scale incursion into that area.

Pressed on this inconsistency, IDF spokespeople suggested that prior comments may have referred solely to the Shaboura refugee camp—a smaller subsection—while the broader Shaboura zone had not been fully penetrated.

This kind of caveat was missing from previous statements by the IDF and other senior officials. The more recent clarifications, however, may offer a more honest and precise account, implying that the earlier descriptions of victory were overstated.

Another noticeable shift has been the tone adopted by current IDF commanders.

Whereas under former Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and ex-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, some IDF figures occasionally expressed views diverging from Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s positions, the military leadership now appears more aligned with the political leadership’s messaging.

Previously, officials under Halevi and Gallant acknowledged that applying military pressure might help secure the release of hostages, but they also warned that such pressure could backfire—potentially endangering hostages if they were mistakenly targeted during an assault on what was believed to be a safe zone.

At present, there appears to be near-unanimity among IDF officials that increasing military pressure will yield only positive results in terms of rescuing captives.

Defense Minister Yisroel Katz, speaking to The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday, strongly emphasized the necessity of retaining control over the Philadelphi Corridor.

Katz revealed that newly discovered smuggling tunnels running between Gaza and Egypt had come to light, warning that without an IDF presence in the corridor, Hamas could initiate a large-scale effort to restock its weapons.

This statement marks a stark contrast to what top IDF officials said during a September 2024 tour of the corridor. At that time, they claimed there were no more than ten tunnels, all of which had been sealed. They also asserted that Hamas had not been using them to bring in fresh weapons during the war, but only for moving existing munitions within Gaza.

Instead, senior officers stated that most of Hamas’s arsenal had been brought into the Strip long ago, primarily through the Rafah crossing when Egypt’s inspections were lax and failed to prevent smuggling above ground.

{Matzav.com Israel}

New Jersey’s Democrat governor has instructed law enforcement across the state to cease cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

The directive was issued jointly by Governor Phil Murphy and Attorney General Matt Platkin and aligns with the state’s Immigrant Trust Directive, Shore News Network reported.

Murphy’s decision came shortly after the Trump administration added 27,000 “Outstanding Administrative Warrants for Removal from the United States” to the FBI’s National Crime Information Center (NCIC), in line with the former president’s immigration enforcement agenda.

“These Administrative Warrant messages appear in NCIC in a method that ALL members are to note they are NOT to be broadcast as ‘NCIC Hits,’” wrote Colonel Patrick Callahan of the New Jersey State Police in a department-wide internal memo. “NJDSP members are NOT permitted to contact ICE via the phone numbers provided.”

However, U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, Alina Habba, pushed back, voicing her disapproval on X and issuing a stern reminder to state officials. “Let me be clear: Executive Orders will be followed and enforced in the State of New Jersey.”

Callahan’s directive reinforces the stipulations of New Jersey’s 2018 Immigrant Trust Directive, which restricts state police from assisting federal immigration enforcement bodies.

He further clarified that even when officers encounter individuals flagged on the list during routine policing, they are still barred from alerting ICE, as compliance with NCIC warrants in these situations violates state policy.

Callahan wrote in the memo: “A sample of how these Administrative Warrant messages appear in NCIC is attached. ALL members must be aware they are NOT to be broadcast as ‘NCIC Hits,’ which would lead our members to believe they are required to arrest the subject. As the Attorney General’s Immigrant Trust Directive outlines, we are NOT to arrest subjects on the ‘Outstanding Administrative Warrant’ entries, even if no other entries are provided. Also, upon receiving notification of an ‘Outstanding Administrative Warrant,’ NJSP members are NOT permitted to contact ICE via the phone numbers provided.”

He added: “Members of PSTS must pay particular attention to the wording of ‘Outstanding Administrative Warrant’ in the NCIC message so they adhere to the Attorney General’s Directive 2018-6.”

The memo concluded with a final warning: “Taking law enforcement action by arresting a subject based solely on an ‘Outstanding Administrative Warrant’ would violate the Attorney General’s Immigration Trust Directive referenced above.”

{Matzav.com}

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in Washington on Wednesday.

According to State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce, they discussed diplomatic efforts in Gaza aimed at releasing hostages and establishing a durable ceasefire, emphasizing the necessity for Hamas to be completely disarmed and disempowered. ​

Rubio expressed gratitude for Saudi Arabia’s efforts to facilitate peace between Russia and Ukraine, enhance economic and defense cooperation, eliminate the Houthi threat to the region and restore freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. ​

Both officials agreed on the importance of the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces returning to peace talks, protecting civilians, opening humanitarian corridors and returning to civilian governance. ​

They also reaffirmed the significance of the U.S.-Saudi relationship and committed to exploring ways to further strengthen their partnership. JNS

{Matzav.com}

The Israel Defense Forces is finalizing plans to evacuate Rafah city and establish a strategic buffer zone along Gaza’s southern border, in what Israeli officials describe as a critical step in the dismantling of Hamas’s military presence in the area.

The plan centers on the construction of the Morag Corridor—a new security strip extending from the Mediterranean coast in the west through the former settlement of Morag, and connecting to the Philadelphi Corridor along the Egyptian border, according to Hebrew media reports. The corridor is expected to stretch up to 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) into Gaza, effectively encircling Rafah.

Israeli Defense Minister Yisroel Katz stated earlier this week, “Rafah will be evacuated. This area will become a buffer zone to eliminate Hamas’s ability to regroup or smuggle weapons through the southern border.”

The corridor’s establishment comes amid increasing IDF activity in southern Gaza, with updated evacuation maps showing expanded clearance zones near the border. Israeli officials emphasize that this buffer is necessary to prevent the reconstitution of Hamas forces and the use of smuggling tunnels that run between Gaza and Egypt.

“This operation is not only tactical but strategic. Control of Rafah and the Philadelphi Corridor will close off Hamas’s last remaining external supply routes,” said an IDF source cited by Ynet.

While the IDF has yet to officially launch a full ground operation in Rafah, preparations are underway, and officials have reiterated that the offensive will move forward once civilian evacuation is complete. JNS

{Matzav.com Israel}

A flood of Chinese investment—totaling a staggering $1.9 trillion—is rapidly transforming global manufacturing, posing a serious threat to industries across the world, especially in the United States, the NY Post reports.

The Chinese government has funneled enormous sums into boosting factory output over the last four years, launching a massive expansion effort aimed at saturating international markets with low-cost products.

In response, former President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced a sweeping 125% tariff on all Chinese goods entering the U.S.—while suspending similar duties on most other nations—marking his latest move to shield American industries from the impact of China’s aggressive export strategy.

Governments around the world are taking similar steps. In recent months, countries like the European Union, Mexico, Brazil, and Thailand have either introduced new trade barriers or are actively considering tariffs to guard against a surge of Chinese goods flooding their markets.

“The tsunami is coming for everyone,” said Katherine Tai, trade representative for former President Joe Biden, told The New York Times.

In a strategic pivot, China has redirected financial resources previously allocated to housing development toward expanding its industrial base. State-run banks have extended nearly $2 trillion in additional loans to manufacturers since 2020, according to new figures obtained by The New York Times from China’s central bank.

Factories are popping up across the country at a breakneck pace, while existing plants are being upgraded with advanced machinery to churn out massive quantities of everything from consumer electronics to automobiles and agricultural chemicals—primed for export.

Among China’s most ambitious projects is the construction of two enormous auto manufacturing plants by carmaker BYD, each of which is on track to surpass the size of the Volkswagen facility in Wolfsburg, Germany—the largest car factory in the world.

China’s exports surged by double digits in the past two years, with a 13% increase in 2023 followed by 17% growth in 2024. Exports now make up about one-fifth of China’s entire economy.

By contrast, the U.S. has seen its export figures shrink. Once at record highs a decade ago, American exports now represent just 11% of the GDP, down from 13.6% in 2012.

Trade with China has been especially hard-hit. U.S. exports to the country dropped nearly 3% last year, falling to $144 billion, according to data from the U.S. Trade Representative’s office. At the same time, the trade deficit with China ballooned to $295 billion.

Despite some previous declines, Chinese imports into the U.S. bounced back last year, climbing almost 3% to reach nearly $440 billion.

Faced with China’s growing dominance in manufacturing, nations are racing to fortify their own markets. Brazil enacted higher tariffs on metal and fiber optic products from China in 2023. The EU slapped Chinese electric vehicles with tariffs exceeding 45% to help safeguard European carmakers.

Mexico has considered aligning its trade policies with U.S. measures by adopting matching tariffs, while Thailand is exploring changes to its free trade agreements that would introduce a 7% tax on inexpensive Chinese imports.

Trump’s dramatic new tariff is aimed at creating a strong protective barrier around U.S. industries in anticipation of the economic pressure heading America’s way.

In some sectors, steep tariffs have already proven effective—particularly on Chinese electric vehicles, which might otherwise have overwhelmed American automakers.

However, for some global competitors, China’s momentum has already had devastating effects. According to ASEAN Briefing, Chinese imports caused manufacturing output in Thailand to plummet by half last year.

{Matzav.com}

Immigration rights groups have launched a legal challenge to stop former President Donald Trump from deporting Venezuelans suspected of gang involvement by relying on a rarely used wartime law.

The Trump team turned to the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, an old statute originally created for national security in wartime, to remove undocumented individuals — particularly those it links to criminal organizations like Tren de Aragua and MS-13.

The Supreme Court upheld the administration’s ability to use the Alien Enemies Act to deport undocumented Venezuelans accused of gang ties. However, the justices made clear that before any deportations proceed, those targeted must be granted a chance to legally contest the action under the provisions of the Act.

A spokesperson for Trump’s Justice Department emphasized, “The department has vigorously defended President Trump’s policies and will continue to do so whenever challenged in federal court by rogue judges who think they can control the President’s foreign policy and national security agenda. The Supreme Court’s recent decisions have validated the DOJ’s ongoing arguments to this end in court.”

Lee Gelernt of the American Civil Liberties Union pushed back, saying, “Contrary to the administration’s wishful characterization, the Supreme Court emphatically rejected the government’s position that they could whisk people away without giving them an opportunity to challenge their removal to a foreign prison.”

Gelernt continued, “The Court simply issued a technical ruling that the challenges should be by habeas corpus, but in no way remotely suggested the Trump administration would win these challenges.”

In response, the ACLU and allied groups have filed additional motions aiming to prevent the federal government from invoking the Alien Enemies Act at all.

Should that legal maneuver not succeed, the organizations point out that the Supreme Court’s decision still mandates that detainees be officially informed they’re being classified as “enemies” under the law — and be given the opportunity to fight that label in court. The Court did not address whether Trump’s use of the act was legally sound.

This could force immigration officials to present their rationale for designating certain individuals as gang-affiliated and eligible for expedited deportation. Until now, the administration has declined to provide names or evidence, though it claims some of those deported committed serious offenses.

According to one analyst from the Migration Policy Institute, the ruling ensures that due process protections must be extended to these individuals.

“ICE’s position so far has been, ‘We decide that these people are aliens, and we can just remove them. We get to decide who is an enemy and who is not,’ and that, I think, has been set aside by the Supreme Court. That’s the good part. The bad part is that, to use the due process that the Supreme Court said they’re entitled to, is now a much more tedious and difficult hurdle to cross,” said Muzaffar Chishti, a senior fellow at the institute.

{Matzav.com}

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated on Wednesday that his country has no intention of building a nuclear weapon and even opened the door to potential U.S. economic involvement, should a nuclear agreement be reached.

His remarks came ahead of anticipated negotiations in Oman this past weekend concerning Iran’s controversial nuclear ambitions. The talks follow U.S. President Donald Trump’s return to office and his ongoing warnings that he would take military action against Iran to stop it from acquiring nuclear arms if needed.

“We are not after a nuclear bomb,” Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a speech in Tehran. “You [in the West] have verified it 100 times. Do it 1,000 times again.”

Despite its denials, Iran — which has openly vowed to eliminate Israel — has significantly increased its uranium enrichment, reaching 60 percent purity, a level that has no civilian use and is widely seen as a step toward weapons-grade material. The regime has also restricted access to its nuclear sites by international inspectors.

Pezeshkian added that “his excellency has no opposition to investment by American investors in Iran,” referring to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. “American investors: Come and invest.”

This proposal marks a notable shift from Tehran’s previous posture following the 2015 nuclear accord, when Iran attempted to purchase U.S.-made aircraft but did not allow broader American commercial entry into its markets.

Such an offer could be appealing to President Trump, who pulled out of the 2015 agreement during his first administration and has made clear he is pursuing a new deal with Tehran.

Pezeshkian, elected last year on a promise to strengthen ties with Western countries, also said that the discussions scheduled for Saturday in Oman between Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff would be “indirectly” conducted.

The upcoming negotiations were first disclosed by Trump on Monday. He has repeatedly said he’s willing to order strikes against Iran if it refuses to come to terms and has described the discussions as direct — a possibility Iran has not entirely dismissed following initial engagement.

Still, Iranian officials told Reuters on Tuesday that Tehran is approaching the Oman talks with caution, expressing deep distrust of U.S. motives and minimal hope that the negotiations will lead to real progress.

House Republicans narrowly passed a long-awaited budget framework on Thursday, finally paving the way for them to begin crafting President Trump’s ambitious legislative proposal, often referred to as his “big, beautiful” agenda.

The budget plan was approved in a tight 216–214 vote, with Republican Representatives Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Victoria Spartz of Indiana breaking ranks and voting against the resolution.

Although this represents a crucial procedural step forward, internal party divisions over federal spending levels continue to pose major challenges for advancing Trump’s signature policies.

“We want to make sure we’re delivering on our shared goals in the budget resolution process,” House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said to reporters before the vote. “Our two chambers are directly aligned also on a very important principle: And that is the principle of fiscal responsibility.”

“We’re going to protect the essential programs for everybody that’s eligible to receive those.”

In order to begin the reconciliation process—which allows for legislation to pass the Senate with a simple majority and sidestep a Democratic filibuster—both chambers of Congress had to approve the same budget resolution.

With Republicans holding 53 seats in the Senate, the reconciliation path is crucial to enacting Trump’s legislative priorities on tax reform, energy expansion, military funding, and securing the border.

The Senate had already signed off on the compromise resolution the week before.

For weeks, House and Senate Republicans had been locked in a standoff over how aggressively to slash government spending in the budget blueprint that would support Trump’s key initiatives.

Unable to reach a unified stance quickly, the Senate moved ahead with its own version last week, which included dual sets of reconciliation instructions: one aligned with the House’s earlier February plan calling for at least $1.5 trillion in reductions, and another far less aggressive option that proposed just $4 billion in cuts tailored specifically for the Senate.

{Matzav.com}

The European Union’s top governing body announced Thursday that it would freeze its planned retaliation against new U.S. tariffs for a period of 90 days, aligning its response with President Donald Trump’s decision to temporarily suspend the tariffs. The pause is aimed at allowing space for talks that could lead to a diplomatic resolution.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed that the Commission, which oversees trade for all 27 EU nations, “took note of the announcement by President Trump.”

She stated that the EU would delay the imposition of tariffs on $23 billion worth of American goods for 90 days, explaining that the decision was made because “we want to give negotiations a chance.”

However, she cautioned that this delay is not indefinite: “If negotiations are not satisfactory, our countermeasures will kick in.”

Trump recently instituted a 20% tariff on European imports, part of a wider campaign of trade restrictions aimed at addressing U.S. trade imbalances. He announced, however, that these would be paused for three months to enable discussions with affected countries.

While von der Leyen expressed appreciation for Trump’s move to suspend most of the new tariffs, she refrained from confirming whether the EU would follow through with its planned retaliatory tariffs. “I have authorized a 90 day PAUSE,” Trump said, referencing over 75 nations that had entered trade negotiations with the U.S. without retaliating against his latest tariff hikes. During this pause, countries covered by the suspension will face a 10% tariff. The EU’s initial tariff rate was 20%, though it’s unclear exactly how the 27-member bloc will be affected.

Notably, China was excluded from the pause, and Trump raised tariffs on Chinese imports to a staggering 125%.

Von der Leyen referred to the suspension of retaliatory tariffs as “an important step towards stabilizing the global economy. Clear, predictable conditions are essential for trade and supply chains to function.”

Prior to Trump’s announcement on Wednesday, EU nations had voted to enact their own tariffs targeting $23 billion worth of U.S. goods, in response to his 25% duties on imported steel and aluminum. The EU had criticized those measures as “unjustified and damaging.”

The EU’s tariffs were designed to roll out in phases, with certain levies taking effect on April 15, others on May 15, and the final batch on December 1. The European Commission has yet to disclose the full list of impacted products. In recent weeks, the bloc’s lead trade negotiator has been making frequent trips between Brussels and Washington in an attempt to prevent a major trade fallout.

Despite Trump’s pause, von der Leyen has not indicated any change in the EU’s timeline. Commission spokesperson Olof Gill said that the EU “will now take the necessary time to assess this latest development, in close consultation with our member states and industry, before deciding on next steps.”

EU countries reiterated their preference for a negotiated solution to the growing trade dispute. Von der Leyen reaffirmed that goal, stating the EU seeks a resolution “with the goal of achieving frictionless and mutually beneficial trade.”

Nevertheless, von der Leyen emphasized that the EU remains committed to broadening its trade relationships globally.

She affirmed that the EU will continue “engaging with countries that account for 87% of global trade and share our commitment to a free and open exchange of goods, services, and ideas,” while also working to eliminate barriers to trade within its own internal market.

“Together, Europeans will emerge stronger from this crisis,” von der Leyen said.

{Matzav.com}

U.S. markets tumbled sharply Thursday morning, reversing the dramatic upswing sparked by President Trump’s declaration of a three-month halt on most import tariffs.

By 10 a.m. Eastern Time, the Dow Jones Industrial Average had shed 836 points, a 2.1% drop, after an extraordinary leap of 2,962.86 points the day before — the biggest single-day point increase on record.

Meanwhile, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 also turned negative, retreating 2.7% and 3.3% respectively in the wake of Wednesday’s monumental rally.

The previous day saw Wall Street reach new heights, with the S&P 500 surging more than 9%, marking its third-largest daily percentage rise since World War II, and the Nasdaq Composite experiencing its second-strongest session in history.

{Matzav.com}

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan confirmed on Wednesday that Turkey is working with Israel at an operational level in Syria to ensure that military activities do not clash, according to Reuters.

His statement came after a spike in Israeli air raids within Syria, which Israeli authorities said were aimed at stopping a Turkish military operation in the area.

As reported by Reuters last week, Turkey had conducted reconnaissance missions over several airbases in Syria as part of early-stage plans for a possible joint defense strategy. Those same locations were later struck by Israel.

“While we are conducting certain operations in Syria, there needs to be a deconfliction mechanism with Israel, which flies aircraft in that region, similar to mechanisms we have with the U.S. and Russia,” Fidan said during an interview with CNN Turk on Wednesday.

He clarified that the communication between the two nations is purely logistical. “There are technical contacts to prevent combat elements from misunderstanding each other,” he explained, adding that such coordination occurs “when needed.”

Fidan was quick to point out that this coordination should not be seen as a step toward broader political engagement. “These talks are limited to deconfliction in Syria,” he stated.

Ankara has become increasingly vocal in condemning Israel’s military actions. Just last week, Turkey’s Foreign Ministry slammed Israel for its strikes on Hezbollah sites in Lebanon.

“These attacks have once again exposed Israel’s flagrant disregard for international law and its ongoing threat to the region’s security and stability. The international community must stand united against Israel’s efforts to create a perpetual state of conflict in the region,” the ministry said.

In a strongly worded rebuttal, Israel’s Foreign Ministry responded, “While violently suppressing his own citizens and carrying out mass arrests of political opponents, [President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan presumes to preach lofty values to the international community.”

“In Erdogan’s Turkey, there is no justice, no law, and no freedom. Israel does not need Erdogan’s ridiculous moral sermons. Israel acts to defend itself and its citizens against real threats and actual attacks — and it will continue to do so,” the statement added.

Since the war in Gaza began on October 7, 2023, Turkish President Erdogan has ramped up his rhetoric against Israel. Prior to that date, both countries were in the process of mending their long-frayed relationship.

Most recently, Erdogan labeled Israel a “terror state” after it carried out a surprise assault on terrorist infrastructure in Gaza.

{Matzav.com}

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Hamas, the group responsible for the deadly October 7, 2023, attack in southern Israel, has begun a legal push to overturn its classification as a terrorist organization in the United Kingdom, The Guardian reported on Wednesday.

The challenge was submitted to the UK Home Office and includes a formal witness statement from senior Hamas figure Mousa Abu Marzouq, who is disputing the group’s current banned status, the report said.

In his statement, which was published by Drop Site News, Abu Marzouq declared, “The British government’s decision to proscribe Hamas is an unjust one that is symptomatic of its unwavering support for Zionism, apartheid, occupation and ethnic cleansing in Palestine for over a century. Hamas does not and never has posed a threat to Britain, despite the latter’s ongoing complicity in the genocide of our people.”

Hamas contends that it is not a terrorist entity but rather a “Palestinian Islamic liberation and resistance movement whose goal is to liberate Palestine and confront the Zionist project.”

The Home Office declined to issue a comment on the matter, citing its policy of not speaking on ongoing legal proceedings.

The UK first added Hamas’s armed wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, to its list of proscribed terror groups in 2001. That designation was expanded in 2021 to include Hamas’s political division, with then-Home Secretary Priti Patel stating that the distinction between the two was meaningless and that Hamas functions as one unified terrorist body.

Under British law, any organization labeled as a terrorist group is banned entirely, making it a crime to belong to it, support it, or publicly display its insignia.

Hamas’s legal filing further argues that the UK’s stance has chilled free expression and stifled open conversation.

“Rather than allow freedom of speech, police have embarked on a campaign of political intimidation and persecution of journalists, academics, peace activists and students over their perceived support for Hamas,” their lawyers wrote. “People in Britain must be free to speak about Hamas and its struggle to restore to the Palestinian people the right to self-determination.”

The legal documents also claim that the proscription violates international legal commitments, including Britain’s responsibilities to prevent genocide and challenge what Hamas describes as Israel’s “illegal occupation” of Palestinian land. Hamas is described in the brief as “the only effective military force resisting” such actions.

Responding to the challenge, Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel stood by her original position, saying, “Hamas is an evil Iranian-backed terrorist organisation, which kidnaps, tortures and murders people, including British nationals. They pose an ongoing threat to our security and to the peace and stability of the Middle East… They show no respect for human rights, life and dignity and have oppressed people living in Gaza for too long.”

{Matzav.com}

Canadian Liberal leader Mark Carney is stepping back from comments made during a recent campaign rally in Calgary, where he appeared to affirm a crowd member’s allegation that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, according to a report from CBC.

As Carney was preparing to address attendees at the event, someone from the audience shouted, “Mr. Carney, there’s a genocide in Palestine!” Though the speaker wasn’t shown on camera, the outburst was clearly audible.

Carney responded, “I’m aware. That’s why we have an arms embargo,” which prompted the crowd to erupt in chants of his name, effectively cutting off any further discussion at that moment.

Speaking to the press the next day, Carney attempted to clarify his response, explaining that he hadn’t heard the specific accusation involving the word “genocide” and had only meant to acknowledge the existing Canadian arms policy.

“I didn’t hear that word,” Carney said while campaigning in Calgary, according to CBC. “It’s noisy. If you’re up there you hear snippets of what people say and I heard Gaza, and my point was I’m aware of the situation in Gaza.”

He elaborated further, saying, “Canada does … have restrictions, probably from January 2024, on arms exports, or permits for arms exports to Israel with the sole exception of the Iron Dome which protects them more broadly.”

Since being chosen last month to succeed former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as head of the Liberal Party, Carney has spoken out about conditions in Gaza. He criticized the decision to halt electricity to the territory, though he avoided naming Israel specifically in his remarks.

“It has been more than two days that the supply of electricity to Gaza has been shut off,” Carney said. “It must resume. Essentials including food, electricity and medical supplies should never be used as political tools.”

He also urged international cooperation to support legal and humanitarian principles in the region, saying, “Canada must work with our allies to stand up for international law to promote sustainable peace and security in the Middle East and to support full access to humanitarian aid for Palestinian families.”

Carney called on both sides to make progress, stating that efforts should focus on “the return of all hostages and the completion of the ceasefire agreement.”

During the initial stages of the Israel-Hamas war following the October 7, 2023 attack, then-Prime Minister Trudeau supported Israel’s right to defend itself and endorsed a joint international statement emphasizing both that right and the importance of civilian protection.

However, Trudeau later condemned Israel’s conduct in Gaza, saying the “killing of women, of children, of babies” had to stop.

Canadians will head to the polls for a federal election on April 28.

{Matzav.com}