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Presented by Eretz Hakodesh – Slate 11

The IDF’s Discipline and Order Branch has released a comprehensive update to its guidelines regarding appearance and dress for all personnel, reflecting current trends and societal shifts. These guidelines apply to everyone in the military, from active-duty soldiers to reservists, with specific new instructions regarding facial hair.

The revised facial hair policy permits any soldier to grow facial hair, including a beard or mustache, provided it is kept neat and appropriate for the military’s standards. A full beard can be grown from the jawbone to the chin, alongside a mustache, or alternatively, a goatee may be chosen. However, a faded or scraggly style will not be accepted. A soldier whose beard does not maintain the proper military look will lose the right to grow facial hair.

This change regarding facial hair is the most significant update in the new directives. Previously, only religious soldiers and a few others in special circumstances were granted permission to grow beards.

A servicemember who has their facial hair privileges revoked can appeal the decision to an officer with the rank of colonel or to the Discipline and Order Branch. Additionally, soldiers may submit a request to grow facial hair either when they enlist, during basic training, or at any point during their service.

Other updates include changes to the combat uniform guidelines. Combat soldiers now have the option to wear their tactical uniforms even outside their designated units and can also wear fleece or softshell jackets during the colder months. Career soldiers are now allowed to leave their base wearing their work uniforms, including coats that feature their unit insignia and the Israeli flag. Female soldiers can now wear two pairs of earrings, while unmarried men are permitted one ring. The regulations for nail polish will now allow a broader range of colors, excluding designs and sparkles.

Religious female soldiers are now permitted to wear black stockings and have a wider selection of approved headcovering colors. Reservists are restricted to wearing only work clothes, though they can wear dress uniforms with explicit permission.

Career soldiers are now allowed to wear boots with their service dress, even if they are not engaged in combat roles.

“We started this administrative work for two main reasons,” stated Lieutenant Colonel Yitzhak Hai, the head of the Discipline and Order Branch. “Strengthening the uniformity of the IDF servicemembers’ appearance, and at the same time, aligning the appearance guidelines with the current zeitgeist. All while the main goal before us is strengthening discipline in the ID.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

The Israeli Ministry of Aliyah and Integration released its annual report on immigration Wednesday, summarizing the movement of new arrivals to Israel from Pesach 2024 through Pesach 2025.

Even in the face of a year marked by war and serious security threats, aliyah continued uninterrupted. Over the course of this challenging year, 27,281 individuals made the bold decision to move to Israel and begin a new life.

Russia once again topped the list of countries sending the most olim, contributing 15,188 immigrants. The next largest groups came from the United States, which sent 3,209 new residents, followed by 2,265 from France and 878 from Ukraine. Notably, several immigrants came from places rarely associated with aliyah, including one each from South Korea, Kenya, Zambia, and Afghanistan.

The report highlights the diverse age distribution among this year’s immigrants. The youngest group included 5,700 children under 18, while the oldest consisted of 212 individuals aged 85 and above. The most prominent age bracket was 25 to 34, which accounted for 4,519 people—about 16% of the total—and is expected to significantly contribute to Israel’s economy and workforce.

A broad spectrum of expertise came with the immigrants as well. The report notes that 1,345 of them are healthcare professionals, 3,236 are engineers, 297 are either athletes or artists, and 13 are involved in agriculture.

These new citizens chose to make homes in 286 different localities throughout Israel. Tel Aviv–Jaffa took in the highest number, with 4,215 newcomers—roughly 15.5% of the year’s total. Netanya and Haifa also absorbed large numbers, welcoming 4,066 and 3,032 immigrants, respectively.

Beyond the major urban centers, many chose quieter, less central locations. Among them were towns like Mitzpe Ramon, Ma’ale Gilboa, and Rechalim—highlighting not only the wide geographical spread of aliyah but also the immigrants’ commitment to integrating into all parts of Israeli society.

{Matzav.com}

On Wednesday, Israel’s Minister of Defense, Yisroel Katz, traveled to the Morag Corridor in the Gaza Strip, accompanied by Major General Yaniv Asor, the Commander of the Southern Command, Brigadier General Moran Omer, the Commander of the 36th Division, and various other military leaders.

While at the site, the military commanders provided Katz with an update on the ongoing IDF operations in the area and the progress made in securing the region.

Katz remarked: “I came here today to support the commanders and soldiers of the IDF who are fighting with determination to free the hostages and hurt Hamas’s strength. The IDF is eliminating terrorists, locating and eliminating terrorist infrastructure, and dividing the Gaza Strip, even in places like the Morag Corridor where we haven’t operated in the past.”

He continued: “The Gazan population is leaving the combat zones and many territories are being seized and added to the State of Israel’s security zones and Gaza is being left smaller and isolated. If Hamas continues in its refusal and will not release the hostages soon, the IDF will move to intense combat in all of Gaza until the hostages are released and Hamas is defeated.”

Katz also emphasized, “At the same time, we are working to advance a voluntary emigration program for the residents of Gaza in line with the US President’s vision, which we are working to implement. I turn to the residents of Gaza: Get rid of Hamas and return the hostages – that is the only way to stop the war.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

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To All Friends and Admirers of Shas Yiden,

Pesach – חג הישועות

As we approach Pesach, we recall so many miracles in Mitzrayim during the departure from slavery – the beginning of Klal Yisroel’s journey to receive the Torah and to fully become and live as עם ה’. 

For so many centuries, departure from one place in the golus inevitably led to going to another golus and establishing new yeshivos and kollelim, all of which had positive influences in their new locales. 

However, over the last 16 years, a new approach and acclaimed method of limud Hashas has been developed and fostered in Eretz Yisroel at Reshet Kollelei Shas Yiden. This phenomenon has captured the imagination and electrified lomdei Hatorah throughout the world, and has earned the avid support of Gedolim across the Torah spectrum. 

Shas Yiden in UK & USA

Shas Yiden not only grew from 6 avreichim metzuyonim to 129 avreichim geonim in five kollelim across Eretz Yisroel but, in response to repeated requests from abroad, a Shas Yiden kollel was first established in the UK, in Stamford Hill, London. The Shas Yiden reputation soared in this location.

This development has been followed by a long-awaited opening of the first US Shas Yiden kollel in Flatbush, NY. The Eretz Yisroeldike bren of learning the entire Shas has already had a significant local impact and is a source of inspiration to the local Flatbush kollelim. The incredible devotion to limud gantz Shas and its completion within a year by each avreich at Shas Yiden has encouraged many others to try and emulate this emmesdike derech halimud of Shas as declared by Maran Hagaon Hagadol, Harav Gershon Edelstein, זצ”ל.

This elevated level of Torah study at Shas Yiden and the ability of the avreichim geonim to face public oral farheren by world recognized Gedolei Torah, together with monthly tests on 225 blatt, is nothing short of remarkable. Shas Yiden has truly raised the bar in the study of Shas. Our unique system of learning, the tight demanding regimen and the motivation emanating from Eretz Yisroel has truly placed Shas Yiden in a Torah league of its own. 

In the Words of Maranan Hageonim…

Sar Hatorah, רשכבה”ג Maran Hagadol Harav Chaim Kanievsky, זצ”ל – Nasi, Shas Yiden — I tested them annually and zei kennen Shas – a Yissachar-Zevulun pact with Shas Yiden is the most mehudar partnership 

Rosh Hayeshiva, רשכבה”ג Maran Hagadol Harav Gershon Edelstein, זצ”ל —Shas Yiden has raised the bar of Torah learning in both depth and clarity, and its unique method of ameilus in Torah

Rosh Hayeshiva, רשכבה”ג Maran Hagadol Harav Dov Lando, שליט”א —Blessed are those who enter a Yissachar-Zevulun pact with Shas Yiden

The Sanzer Rebbe, שליט”א — A first in 2000 years of Jewish history – never before a Torah institution where ALL the avreichim know kol Hashas kulo, Rashi and Tosfos b’al peh

Over 1.7 Million Blatt at Shas Yiden

With each of the 129 avreichim geonim at Shas Yiden required to complete a minimum of 13,555 blatt per year, you are helping support some 1,748,595 blatt! 

At the most recent farheren, the reaction of the Gedolei Torah conducting the testing of the prowess of the Shas Yiden was simply one of amazement at the breadth and detailed knowledge and all-encompassing mastery of Shas – remarking: “They know it like others know Ashrei Yoshvei!” 

The joy of the avreichim geonim and their clear love of Torah electrifies each farher. (To see the different farheren in action, please click on our website: www.shasyiden.com.) It is no wonder that the overall reaction to the Shas Yiden Network is that in the 16 years of its existence it has certainly revolutionized and raised the bar in the learning and mastery of Shas. 

Caring for the Avreichim Families

Despite the difficulties of these last few years, including Covid, Shas Yiden has made sure to keep our commitment to each of the Shas Yiden families to ensure their menuchas hanefesh and to be free to focus on Shas.  Each month their salaries have been paid on time. Further, in Tishrei and, now again, for Nissan, they are all paid full extra salary checks to help them meet the extra Yom Tov expenses. 

Thank you, thank you, thank you. That we have been able to do so, is due to you all. You have an eternal stake in the incredible learning of Shas Yiden. Your on-going interest and support of this unique ‘Entire-Shas’ Torah-learning venture is most sincerely appreciated. Collectively and individually, you are singular partners in changing the way the Torah world views the ability to both learn and master the entire Shas. Whatever you can do to help in defraying their extra Yom Tov expenses will be a great chesed to these Bnei Torah who are true bnei aliyah.

With best wishes to you and your families for a חג כשר ושמח, 

Avrohom Eisen, Pozna Rov

U.S. stock markets surged today after President Trump declared a 90-day suspension on most of his “reciprocal” tariffs, with the exception of China, which he hit with a steep 125% levy, citing their “lack of respect.”

The Dow Jones Industrial Average soared by 2,962.86 points, or 7.9%, marking its biggest single-day points gain ever, closing at 40,608.45. This came after Trump shared on Truth Social that he would pause the significant tariffs, responding to requests from over 75 countries who sought to engage in negotiations.

“I have authorized a 90 day PAUSE, and a substantially lowered Reciprocal Tariff during this period, of 10%, also effective immediately,” Trump posted on Truth Social, sending Wall Street into a rally.

The S&P 500 surged close to 10%, and the Nasdaq 100 rose more than 12%, as the major stock indices rebounded from early-morning declines, which had been triggered by fears of China imposing an 84% retaliatory tariff on the U.S.

“I think the hope from the outset — for most of the business community — was that Trump’s tariffs were a negotiating tactic, and that he would be willing to negotiate them down,” Alan Sykes, senior fellow at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research, shared with The NY Post.

“He’s reversing course to a certain extent, while at the same time still listening to the China hawks,” Sykes remarked.

Trump’s move comes after a dramatic week in which the Dow lost around 5,000 points due to fears that his “reciprocal” tariffs could spark inflation and potentially lead to a recession.

The announcement of China’s massive retaliatory tariff unsettled investors earlier on Wednesday, as the proposed tax threatened to hurt U.S. companies that rely on “Made in the USA” branding and drive up costs across domestic supply chains.

“Based on the lack of respect that China has shown to the World’s Markets, I am hereby raising the Tariff charged to China by the United States of America to 125%, effective immediately,” Trump wrote on his post Wednesday afternoon.

“At some point, hopefully in the near future, China will realize that the days of ripping off the U.S.A., and other Countries, is no longer sustainable or acceptable.”

Carol Schleif, chief market strategist at BMO Private Wealth, commented that investors were eagerly awaiting any positive signs about the tariffs. As a result, the 90-day pause was a welcome relief for the markets.

On Tuesday, the Dow briefly surged by over 1,400 points after reports emerged that negotiations were underway with countries like South Korea, Japan, Indonesia, and Vietnam. However, those gains vanished by the afternoon after the White House announced plans to impose another round of tariffs on China, resulting in a 320-point drop in the Dow by the end of the day.

{Matzav.com}

Agudath Israel of America’s New Jersey office has launched the Initiative for Parnasah Connection, a groundbreaking effort aimed at addressing the growing job crisis within the Lakewood community. The initiative is designed to help job seekers find meaningful employment that aligns with their skills and needs, while also offering hands-on mentorship throughout the job search and application process.

Under the leadership of Program Director Mordechai Pressburger, the initiative boasts a team of over 25 committed businessmen spanning a wide range of industries. These professionals volunteer their time to guide candidates through every stage of the job hunt—including resume building, interview preparation, direct job placement, and follow-ups with potential employers.

“We have a group of dedicated business owners who are giving up their time to help people find jobs,” said Mr. Yossi Schuck, a founding board member of the initiative. “It’s such an incredible zechus to be a part of this.”

“I am thrilled to join this incredible initiative of Agudas Yisroel of America, launching a new program to help people find the right job through a new creative way. With Hashems help, I am grateful for the opportunity to make a meaningful impact and connect individuals with careers that truly fit their needs” says Mordechai Pressburger, the program director.

The Initiative for Parnasah Connection reflects Agudath Israel’s ongoing commitment to community empowerment and economic stability, offering a lifeline to those navigating an increasingly challenging job market.

For more information or to get involved, please call 732-930-8772 or email mpressburger@agudah.org.

{Matzav.com}

Bill Gates recently shared with Indian podcaster Raj Shamani that when he passes, his three children — Jennifer Gates, 28, Rory Gates, 25, and Phoebe Gates, 22 — will inherit “less than 1 percent” of his vast fortune.

With a net worth of $101.2 billion, according to Forbes, that still means the children will receive a sum of over $1 billion, even at less than 1 percent.

The subject arose when Shamani discussed the common belief among many Indian parents that they should “save everything for their kids” rather than donate their wealth to charity or the less fortunate.

Gates, 69, is well-known for founding the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the largest private charitable foundation in the world, with his former wife, Melinda Gates, in 2000.

(After their divorce in 2021, the foundation was renamed the Gates Foundation, and Bill took over as its sole chair.)

During their conversation, Shamani asked Gates what he believes is the “right mindset” for parents regarding inheritance.

“I think everybody gets to decide on that,” the tech mogul replied.

“In my case, my kids got a great upbringing and education but [will get] less than 1 percent of the total wealth because I decided it wouldn’t be a favor to them. It’s not a dynasty. I’m not asking them to run Microsoft.”

“I wanna give them a chance to have their own earnings and success, be significant and not overshadowed by the incredible luck and good fortune I had.”

While Gates believes that people who have earned their wealth in the tech industry tend to be the most aggressive in giving it away, he emphasized that “different families see [the situation] differently.”

Shamani then asked if Bill’s children had ever expressed disappointment over not receiving the bulk of his wealth.

“You don’t want your kids to ever be confused about your support for them and your love for them,” Bill explained. “And so I do think explaining early on your philosophy that you’re gonna treat them all equally and that you’re gonna give them incredible opportunities but that the highest calling for these resources is to go back to the neediest through the foundation.”

He added that his children have “seen the success of the foundation,” and he hopes “they’re very proud” of it.

{Matzav.com}

The White House issued a strong rebuke on Tuesday to a New York Times article covering Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s review of current fluoride policies and his new initiative urging states to eliminate fluoride from drinking water.

The Times had published a story on Monday detailing Kennedy’s kickoff of a cross-country campaign advocating for the elimination of fluoridation in public water systems. The publication described the move as “a move that would reverse what some medical experts consider one of the most important public health practices in the country’s history.”

In its piece, the Times drew connections to Cold War-era fears, referencing past “conspiracy theories” that framed water fluoridation as a Communist plot intended to damage cognitive function. It also noted that “some studies suggest that excess exposure to fluoride — at levels twice the amount recommended by the federal government — could harm infants.” Furthermore, the article criticized Kennedy for seemingly contradicting the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s stance on fluoridation, as the CDC considers it “one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century.”

Calling the article misleading and politically motivated, the White House responded in a sharply worded statement: “The New York Times’s story on Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s review of fluoride recommendations is another thinly veiled attempt to falsely portray the Trump Administration as anti-science and anti-health — a characterization that couldn’t be farther from the truth.”

The White House also pointed out an inconsistency in the newspaper’s approach to the subject. “In January, The New York Times itself reported that ‘fluoride may be linked to lower IQ scores in children.’ Why did the Times not note its own prior reporting in its article on Secretary Kennedy?”

The administration’s statement went on to highlight several points it said the Times failed to mention:

• Fluoride is not added to drinking water to purify it; rather, it is introduced strictly for medical purposes. “Most industrialized nations, including much of Europe, do not add fluoride to their water — and it has had no discernible detriment on their dental health.”

• Even the CDC now acknowledges that fluoride’s primary benefit to dental health is through surface contact with teeth — not by consuming it — which undermines the need for its presence in drinking water.

• In August 2024, the Department of Health and Human Services’ National Toxicology Program stated it had “moderate confidence” in findings that fluoride in water at a level of 1.5 mg/L is “consistently associated with lower IQ in children.”

• Additional data from the CDC’s National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys has uncovered notable correlations between even small fluoride exposures and various health concerns, including diminished testosterone in adolescent boys, heightened inflammation, compromised kidney and liver function, and more sleep disturbances.

Kennedy began his “Make America Healthy Again” tour on Monday in Utah — the first state to officially ban fluoride in its public water system, a decision made just last month. He plans to travel next to Arizona and New Mexico, where he will speak about other health-related policies, including the prohibition of certain artificial ingredients in school meals and limits on the use of food stamps to purchase junk food.

In New Mexico, Kennedy is also scheduled to meet with leaders from the Navajo Nation. Their discussions will center on initiatives like promoting local control over food sources, supporting wellness programs, implementing the first junk food tax by a Native American tribe, and spotlighting a charter school that weaves healthy nutrition and exercise into everyday student routines.

{Matzav.com}

In a largely partisan decision, the U.S. Senate has confirmed former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee as the Trump administration’s new ambassador to Israel.

Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, known for his strong backing of Israel and his rare status as one of the few Democrats aligned with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, broke ranks with his party to support Huckabee, joining Republicans in the vote.

The Senate approved Huckabee’s nomination with a 53 to 46 vote. Huckabee, a devout evangelical, has long been a vocal advocate for Israel and its settlement expansion.

Though he holds firm right-wing positions on Israel — including favoring the annexation of the West Bank — Huckabee emphasized during his confirmation hearing that his role would be to represent and implement the Trump administration’s policies, not to promote his own views.

Huckabee mentioned last month that he plans to be in Israel by Pesach.

{Matzav.com}

According to security sources, the IDF has only managed to destroy about 25% of Hamas’s tunnels in Gaza, N12 reports today.

The sources also revealed that a large portion of the smuggling tunnels from Egypt to Gaza remains undestroyed. The Egypt-Gaza border continues to be a contentious issue, with ongoing concerns about weapons smuggling, which is one reason Israel has refused to withdraw from the Philadelphia Corridor.

“I saw with my own eyes quite a few tunnels crossing into Egypt; some were closed, and several were open,” Defense Minister Israel Katz stated at a February conference, as reported by N12. “We had information that Hamas was planning to attack soldiers and settlements during the ceasefire.”

Despite efforts to control the corridor as a buffer zone, many experts believe that maintaining control over the border may not be sufficient to prevent weapons from flowing into Gaza.

This information comes after the resumption of military operations in Gaza and a military order issued in late March instructing residents of Rafah, located in southern Gaza, to evacuate. The IDF had previously pulled troops from Rafah following a ceasefire agreement in January, though that ceasefire has since ended.

Just under two weeks ago, the IDF announced that its Yahalom Unit had dismantled a Hamas tunnel that stretched over one kilometer. The 143rd, 252nd, and 36th IDF divisions are currently active in the area.

The IDF also informed N12 that it has identified a significant number of Hamas terrorists fleeing combat zones. These terrorists are reportedly hiding among civilians and in tunnels, likely trying to evade direct confrontation with soldiers.

The military has indicated that its operations in Gaza have become increasingly decentralized, with limited face-to-face combat. However, the IDF anticipates that this will be a temporary phase, believing that Hamas will eventually be forced to engage in direct confrontation again.

“IDF troops, under the leadership of the Southern Command, are deepening the operation, and this will continue at a deliberate and determined pace,” stated Chief of the General Staff, Lt.-Gen Eyal Zamir.

“The only thing that can halt our advance is the release of our hostages. Their return would allow our forces to reposition and enable the continuation of negotiation.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump stated that the U.S. is collecting $2 billion every day through tariffs.

“We’re taking in almost $2 billion a day in tariffs,” Trump remarked during a signing event at the White House in Washington, D.C., where he also announced changes to coal regulations. “And we’re doing very well in making I call them tailored deals; not off the rack. These are tailored, highly tailored deals.”

Trump continued, “Right now, Japan is flying here to make a deal. South Korea is flying here to make a deal. … We have a lot of countries coming in. They want to make deals. If I told them about making those deals two years ago or three years ago or five years ago, they’d be laughing at us. Now, they’re all signing up.”

Earlier in the day, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent mentioned that nearly 70 nations have approached the U.S. administration to renegotiate trade agreements.

Trump’s statement was made without elaborating on specifics. Since he took office in January, the president has enforced a wide range of tariffs on various countries.

According to the U.S. Treasury Department’s daily report on deposits and withdrawals from its general account, which handles the federal government’s finances, deposits under “Customs and Certain Excise Taxes” have averaged around $200 million daily for the month.

For the full month of February, the Treasury collected approximately $7.25 billion in customs duties. The Treasury’s budget statement for March, which will be released Thursday, will provide the latest monthly figures.

{Matzav.com}

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Today, President Trump declared that his aggressive “reciprocal” tariff policy would be put on hold for 90 days in response to offers from multiple nations. However, tariffs on goods from China would increase to 125% due to what he called a “lack of respect” from Beijing.

“Based on the fact that more than 75 Countries have called Representatives of the United States, including the Departments of Commerce, Treasury, and the [US Trade Representative], to negotiate a solution to the subjects being discussed relative to Trade, Trade Barriers, Tariffs, Currency Manipulation, and Non Monetary Tariffs, and that these Countries have not, at my strong suggestion, retaliated in any way, shape, or form against the United States, I have authorized a 90 day PAUSE, and a substantially lowered Reciprocal Tariff during this period, of 10%, also effective immediately,” Trump stated on Truth Social, causing a surge in Wall Street’s performance.

“Based on the lack of respect that China has shown to the World’s Markets, I am hereby raising the Tariff charged to China by the United States of America to 125%, effective immediately,” Trump continued in his post. “At some point, hopefully in the near future, China will realize that the days of ripping off the U.S.A., and other Countries, is no longer sustainable or acceptable.”

{Matzav.com}

During an appearance on CNBC’s Squawk Box on Tuesday, Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) strongly challenged the idea that America is being taken advantage of in international trade deals simply because it runs a trade deficit. He argued that the entire premise is flawed and reflects a misunderstanding of how trade works.

“I mean, the whole debate is so fundamentally backwards and upside down. It’s based on a fallacy, and the fallacy is this, that somehow, in a trade, someone must lose. That somehow, when you trade with someone, there’s a loser and someone’s taking advantage of you, and China is ripping you off, or Japan is ripping you off. It’s absolutely a fallacy. Every trade that occurs in the marketplace is mutually beneficial,” Paul said.

Explaining his position further, Paul offered a simple analogy to illustrate how voluntary exchange is inherently beneficial to both parties involved.
“If you have a free society and I trade with you, if you want to sell me your coat and I give you $200 for it, we both agree to it and we’re both happy with the trade. No American consumer trades with China. They trade with Wal-Mart or they may buy something from China, but they individually buy something they want and they make a decision. The trade is always a win-win. Now you can artificially do this accounting between countries and say, ‘Oh, trade deficit, look at this trade deficit,’ but I have a trade deficit with my grocery store.”

He continued by pointing out that the concept of a “trade deficit” often distorts the actual value of the transactions taking place, especially when applied to individuals or businesses.
“The people who employ me, if I work for Corvette and they employ me, they have a trade deficit with my labor. They buy my labor and I never buy their cars. So you can have this artificial accounting and it makes it look like a bad thing, but you have to ask yourself, is trade good or bad? And if you look at the trade deficit, in times of a recession the trade deficit goes down. So if the tariffs push us into a recession, we could reduce the trade deficit because we’re all buying less stuff. We have to get back to the fundamentals of, is trade good or is trade bad?”

{Matzav.com}

By John Nolte, Breitbart

A troubling new study backs up what has become obvious since the November presidential election: the political left is seeking to normalize and use violence to achieve its fascist political goals.

This is also known as terrorism.

The Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI) recently issued a new report which “found that a growing number of people are willing to justify and even applaud killing in the name of politics and a warped sense of social justice,” per Fox News. “The chilling change appears to have accelerated in recent months.”

Joel Finkelstein, one of the lead authors of the report, told Fox: “What was formerly taboo culturally has become acceptable [on the left]. We are seeing a clear shift – glorification, increased attempts and changing norms – all converging into what we define as ‘assassination culture.’”

That is the study’s term for it: “assassination culture.”

According to the study, the left’s embrace of violence to achieve a political end began with the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last December. After Luigi Mangione was arrested and charged with the assassination, the left immediately turned him into a folk hero. There is even a ballot measure in California called the Luigi Mangione Access to Health Care Act.

Finkelstein explained that the Luigi fanboying merely opened the door to this frightening acceptability. The left’s assassination culture has spread ever since.

“It’s not just Luigi anymore,” Finkelstein told Fox. “We’re seeing an expansion: Trump, Musk and others are now being openly discussed as legitimate targets, often cloaked in meme culture and gamified online dialogue.”

This culture can be found primarily in Democrat safe spaces like the X alternative BlueSky.

The most chilling information is found in the NCRI poll of 1,200 adults. A disturbing 48.6 percent of those who self-identify as “left of center” said the murder of Elon Musk is justifiable. That number increased to 55.2 percent for President Trump. When asked if “destroying Tesla dealerships is partially acceptable,” 57.6 percent of leftists said yes.

“BlueSky was modeled as a safe alternative to Twitter for the left, but what it’s become is an extremist platform,” Finkelstein explained.

He clarified: “We are not an anti-free speech organization, but we know what a threat is. And what’s happening online on platforms like BlueSky represents a significant threat to American democratic values.”

Rather than censor this assassination culture, Finkelstein said: “If leaders on the left explicitly condemn these trends and reassert moral norms, they can dismantle this culture quickly.”

And therein lies the problem.

Leading Democrats will never condemn political violence because they approve of political violence that furthers their cause. The corporate media will never pressure Democrats to condemn this violence because the corporate media approve of (and encourage) political violence that furthers the leftist cause.

Between public schooling, a celebrity culture that promotes narcissism as a virtue, not to mention the everybody-gets-a-trophy mindset of entitlement, what we have among us are millions of leftists who cannot psychologically deal with not getting their way.

Donald Trump’s triumphant reelection sent them spinning. To begin with, after railing against anyone who questioned the 2020 presidential election results, the left could not purge their anger by questioning Trump’s victory—something they’ve done to cope with Republican presidential victories for 25 years. There was no Russia Collusion Hoax this time, either.

Add to Trump’s victory how he hit the ground running with executive orders dismantling the corrupt Deep State infrastructure, like USAID, combined with DOGE, and the left now sees (correctly — tee hee) an existential threat to their national power. They also see in Trump someone who has assembled a loyal and capable team immune to the corporate media’s tired emotional blackmail and other tricks.

The result is a leftist meltdown driven by fear and helplessness. But rather than use next year’s midterm elections as a release valve by organizing and making a case for why the public should trust them again with power, the left is seething with rationalizations for violence against their political enemies.

Get out of the blue cities.

Buy guns.

Have nothing to do with affluent white women who vote Democrat.

That’s the only advice you need.

{Matzav.com}

During Tuesday night’s episode of CNN’s The Source, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) addressed growing concerns over President Donald Trump’s sweeping new tariffs. When asked whether Democrats missed their chance to reassert congressional control over tariff authority while they held the majority under President Biden, Schumer argued that Congress has always possessed that power and should now act to reclaim it.

“Congress has always had the power to deal with tariffs, and we’ve always had these fights in the past on some of the tariff issues as well. But now that Trump is going so overboard, Congress can, has every legal authority to take those powers back, and that’s what we aim to do,” Schumer said.

Host Brianna Keilar pressed the senator, pointing out how long Congress has historically deferred tariff-setting power to the executive branch. “On the tariff issue, you’ve been in the Senate for more than a quarter-century, and, in that time, Congress has been really willing to delegate tariff power to the president. Should Democrats have reclaimed that power when they had last — the majority? You saw what Trump did in his first term with tariffs,” she asked.

Schumer pushed back, suggesting that although Trump took bold actions during his first term, Democrats were able to limit the impact of those moves. He argued that what’s happening now under Trump’s new plan is far more extreme.

“Well, yeah, but we were able to beat back a lot of what Trump did on tariffs. And nothing is as extensive as this is, over 180 countries affected. Hey, this has been so carelessly done that they’re even taxing — they’re putting tariffs on penguins. There are two islands near Australia –.”

Before he could continue, Keilar interrupted with a follow-up: “I hear what you’re saying, the tariffs are extraordinary now compared to what they were in his first term. But what he did in his first term was also pretty extraordinary. Should Democrats have protected against this?”

Schumer reiterated that legislative authority over tariffs has always rested with Congress and insisted that now is the time to reassert it. He also called on Republicans to break their silence and join Democrats in taking action.

“Congress has always had the power to deal with tariffs, and we’ve always had these fights in the past on some of the tariff issues as well. But now that Trump is going so overboard, Congress can, has every legal authority to take those powers back, and that’s what we aim to do. And we hope our colleagues in the Republican Party, knowing how bad this is, instead of just trembling in their boots because they’re afraid of Trump, join with us and side with the American people.”

{Matzav.com}

The Trump administration is floating a new policy that would impose a $998 daily fine on migrants residing in the U.S. illegally who decline to voluntarily leave the country.

Under the proposed rule, migrants who fail to pay the fines could also have their property seized. The initiative mirrors a similar effort from 2018, during President Trump’s first term, and is reportedly grounded in a 1996 immigration statute, according to a Reuters report.

Back in 2018, the enforcement of the law was far more targeted. That year, the Trump administration issued fines to nine undocumented migrants who had taken refuge in churches. In those cases, each individual faced penalties amounting to $60,000.

When Joe Biden entered the White House in 2021, his administration quickly scrapped the policy.

Reuters reports that Trump adviser Stephen Miller has advocated for reviving the measure, suggesting that fines and property seizures could be used as leverage to encourage illegal migrants to leave the country on their own.

However, the memo cited by Reuters from Customs and Border Protection indicates that a mechanism for managing, processing, and collecting the fines doesn’t currently exist. Implementing the plan would likely require the hiring of hundreds of additional paralegals to handle the administrative burden.

So far, there has been no official timeline announced for when the proposal might be put into action, signaling that the plan is still in the development stage.

If enacted, the policy could accelerate a trend that’s already underway: voluntary departures by undocumented migrants. Some are reportedly seeking the assistance of the same smugglers who originally brought them into the country to now guide them out.

Texas-based reporter Alfredo Corchado shared during a recent event at the Council on Foreign Relations that smugglers, or “coyotes,” have started marketing “return trips” for migrants. He said, “They’re offering these packages where you can just go back home. Not all of them are taking it; I mean, many [are].”

This development is happening alongside the broader national enforcement efforts led by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which has already detained and deported more than 100,000 individuals in recent months. In tandem, the president has dismantled Joe Biden’s controversial CHNV program, which allowed nationals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to enter the U.S. with minimal screening.

Communities across America are beginning to see signs of shrinking undocumented populations. Charleroi, Pennsylvania — once overwhelmed by a large influx of Haitian migrants — is reportedly seeing a gradual reduction in its illegal immigrant population, WESA radio reported.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration has started notifying migrants who were granted temporary protections under Biden’s CHNV program that their status has expired and they are now expected to return to their home countries.

Those who cannot adjust their status to lawful residency are being informed they face swift deportation. According to a letter obtained by the Louisville Courier Journal, the notice reads, “Any decision to revoke your employment authorization is final and no appeal should lie from the decision to revoke your employment authorization.”

{Matzav.com}

In an interview broadcast by Sky News Arabia, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar placed full responsibility for the ongoing conflict in Gaza on Hamas, emphasizing that the group’s actions have directly led to the continuation of hostilities.

“It’s Hamas’s fault that the war is going on. Who opened the war? Hamas. Who attacked on October 7? Hamas. Who is pushing now for war? Hamas,” said Sa’ar.

The Foreign Minister went on to say that Hamas’s refusal to release hostages and give up its weapons is what’s fueling the conflict.

“Hamas is pushing the war because it refused to release 59 of our hostages. Hamas is pushing for war because it’s not ready to disarm.”

Sa’ar also pointed to sentiment from within Palestinian communities as evidence that people in the region are turning against Hamas.

“And this is not what I say. It’s the people in Gaza, in Jabalia, and in Deir al Balah, and in Bais Lechem, who say ‘Hamas out, stop the war’. They totally understand the connection between Hamas and the war,” the Foreign Minister stated.

{Matzav.com Israel}

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed firm opposition on Tuesday to a newly introduced Israeli plan for overseeing humanitarian aid to Gaza, warning that it could drastically reduce the flow of life-saving supplies to civilians.

“This proposal risks further controlling and callously limiting aid down to the last calorie and grain of flour,” Guterres said during a press conference, according to Reuters. “Let me be clear: We will not participate in any arrangement that does not fully respect the humanitarian principles: humanity, impartiality, independence and neutrality.”

Humanitarian assistance into Gaza has been halted since March 2. Israel has made it clear that full aid access will not resume until Hamas releases the remaining hostages captured during its October 7, 2023, attack.

The IDF’s unit responsible for coordinating activities in the territories, known as COGAT, stated that it had shared a new aid oversight plan with international partners, including the United Nations. According to COGAT, the proposal is meant to improve transparency and ensure aid reaches the intended recipients.

“The mechanism is designed to support aid organizations, enhance oversight and accountability, and ensure that assistance reaches the civilian population in need, rather than being diverted and stolen by Hamas,” COGAT posted on X.

Despite this assertion, Jonathan Whittall, a senior United Nations humanitarian official in the region, publicly said there is no verifiable proof that humanitarian supplies have been misused or diverted to militant groups.

The Israeli military resumed its offensive against Hamas in Gaza last month after a temporary ceasefire collapsed when Hamas refused to release additional captives.

Guterres painted a bleak picture of the crisis, stating, “Gaza is a killing field – and civilians are in an endless death loop.”

He reiterated his demands for the “immediate and unconditional release of all hostages,” a sustainable truce, and open access for humanitarian operations.

Speaking forcefully against Israeli policy, Guterres denounced the continued sealing of Gaza’s border crossings and the blockade on humanitarian goods. “With crossing points into Gaza shut and aid blockaded, security is in shambles and our capacity to deliver has been strangled,” he said.

The Secretary-General also emphasized what he called Israel’s obligations under international law.

“As the occupying power, Israel has unequivocal obligations under international law – including international humanitarian law and international human rights law,” he said, asserting that Israel must ensure the population’s access to essential services like food and healthcare. “None of that is happening today,” he asserted.

Since the Hamas-led massacre on October 7, Guterres has been repeatedly critical of Israel’s military actions and policy decisions.

In the weeks following the attack, he stirred controversy by stating that Hamas’ brutal assault “did not happen in a vacuum,” which many perceived as shifting blame toward Israel.

After facing sharp backlash, Guterres insisted his comments had been misunderstood and reaffirmed his condemnation of Hamas’s actions.

Later, he mentioned Hamas’s use of sexual violence during the October 7 massacre in the same statement as reports of abuse against Palestinian detainees — a comparison that sparked additional outrage.

He would go on to imply an equivalency between the October 7 terror attack and the humanitarian situation unfolding in Gaza.

More recently, Guterres condemned Israel’s renewed military campaign in the Strip, saying he was “outraged” by the continuation of airstrikes.

That remark triggered a harsh response from Israeli officials. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein fired back, writing, “We are outraged that you, Antonio Guterres, are the Secretary-General of the UN.”

“Not a word about the fact that Hamas rejected two American proposals to extend the ceasefire and release more hostages—two proposals that Israel accepted,” Marmorstein continued.

He also slammed the Secretary-General for failing to address how Hamas has used aid shipments to rebuild its military infrastructure.
“Not a word about the fact that Hamas exploits the transfer of goods to Gaza to rebuild its war machine in order to further attack Israel.”

Marmorstein concluded with a scathing indictment of the UN’s own agencies, saying, “Not a word about UNRWA, which, under your leadership, employs Hamas terrorists, and its facilities were used by Hamas to hold hostages. Indeed, we are outraged by your moral bankruptcy.”

{Matzav.com}