Matzav

Amid mounting pressure over the contentious draft law, Rav Nechemia Alter, son of the Gerrer Rebbe, met today with the Slabodka rosh yeshiva, Rav Dov Landau, at his home on Rechov Harav Sher in Bnei Brak. The meeting comes just days before the government’s self-imposed deadline of Shavuos to finalize legislation on the draft deferment for yeshiva students.

The visit follows a previous meeting held months ago between the Gerrer Rebbe himself and Rav Landau, accompanied by Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, during which the gedolim agreed to push for the law’s passage before Shavuos.

Acting on behalf of his father, Rav Nechemia Alter arrived with a mission: to coordinate with Degel HaTorah and form a united front in demanding that Prime Minister Netanyahu present a finalized version of the bill ahead of the Yom Tov.

During today’s meeting, Rav Landau expressed deep concern over the political and logistical roadblocks the law is facing. “There are many obstacles regarding the draft law,” he said pointedly. “If we see that these obstacles are not being overcome, there’s no reason to remain in this government.”

Sources within Agudas Yisrael noted that the Gerrer Rebbe is seriously considering withdrawing from the coalition due to the stagnation on the draft law, but recognizes that such a step would be difficult to execute without the backing of Rav Landau. As a result, efforts are now being made to coordinate a joint position between Agudas Yisrael and Degel HaTorah.

The outcome of these negotiations could have far-reaching consequences for the stability of the coalition government.

Two months ago, the Gerrer Rebbe and Rav Landau convened at Rav Landau’s home, joined by Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, for a critical strategy session. Also present at that time were Rabbi Dovid Shapira and Motty Babchik. Before the broader meeting began, the Gerrer Rebbe and Rav Landau held a private discussion lasting over 15 minutes.

During that meeting, Rav Hirsch relayed details of his recent conversation with Prime Minister Netanyahu, emphasizing how difficult it would be for the government to commit to a Shavuos deadline for the law’s passage. Both sides acknowledged that any timeline would likely be met with excuses from Netanyahu as to why the law could not be passed on time.

In light of this, Rav Landau reportedly made it clear that if there is no significant progress by Shavuos, it would serve as valid grounds for exiting the government coalition.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Welcome to the party, Fake Jake.

During a recent interview with Piers Morgan, CNN anchor Jake Tapper admitted, when pressed, that the Biden Admin’s cover-up of Joe’s decline may be worse than Watergate.

“‘Joe Biden is not Richard Nixon, and the hiding and cover-up of his deterioration is not Watergate.’ I am not entirely sure I agree, Jake with that conclusion,” Morgan said, quoting the book, during his show, “Piers Morgan Uncensored.

“The next line is, ‘It is an entirely separate scandal’. It is a scandal. It is without question, and maybe even worse than Watergate in some ways. Because Richard Nixon was in control of his faculties when he wasn’t drinking, so the idea that, we don’t mean to exonerate,” Tapper said.

“The only reason that we have the Watergate thing in there is because we quote Archibald Cox, who was a Watergate investigator, talking about how powerful the presidency is and how presidents get surrounded by people who have a vested interest in keeping that president propped up,” the CNN host added. “So that’s the only reason we invoke Watergate is just to make clear like, it’s not Watergate this is an entirely separate scandal, maybe even worse.”

From Fox News:

Morgan agreed that the cover-up of Biden’s decline was worse than the Watergate scandal, before pressing Tapper on his coverage of the former president.

Morgan asked Tapper if he felt he owed the American people an apology “for slightly dropping the ball with this.” Morgan also played a clip of Tapper’s 2020 interview with Lara Trump, who worked for President Donald Trump‘s campaign at the time, spotlighting some of his past coverage of the former president’s decline.

“I feel like I owe the American people an acknowledgment that I wish I had covered the story better,” Tapper responded. “Knowing what we know now, and looking back on that interview, which I feel tremendous humility about, she [Lara Trump] was right, and I was wrong. I did not see, in the moments he was having, I did not see that as cognitive decline.”

Tapper said he would try to do better with regard to his coverage during the discussion.

The CNN host acknowledged feeling “humility” when confronted about his past coverage, but has still been criticized for the book about Biden.

Watch the clip below:

More over at Fox News:

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s top-level security cabinet reportedly held a confidential vote last week, approving the creation of 22 new communities in the West Bank, as first revealed by various Hebrew-language outlets.

According to the reports, the proposal was jointly introduced by Defense Minister Israel Katz and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, both of whom have been vocal supporters of expanding Israeli infrastructure and presence in the region.

Yisroel Hayom reported that the primary objective behind the move is to reinforce Israeli control along Route 443—a critical thoroughfare linking Yerushalayim with Tel Aviv via Modiin. Parts of the highway cut through territory within the West Bank.

Reacting to the development, Yesha Council head Israel Ganz praised the quiet cabinet approval, calling it “the most important decision since 1967,” referring to the year Israel took over significant portions of the West Bank during the Six Day War.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Kingsley Wilson, a Defense Department official who has come under scrutiny for sharing antisemitic content on social media, has been appointed as the Pentagon’s new press secretary, according to a formal announcement.

“Kingsley’s leadership has been integral to the DoD’s success & we look forward to her continued service to President Trump!” wrote Sean Parnell, the Pentagon’s chief spokesperson and a senior aide to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, in a post on X Friday.

Wilson shared the news on her own X account, stating that she was “Honored to serve President Trump and our warfighters.”

{Matzav.com}

President Trump made waves Tuesday with a bold claim that Canada might soon join the United States as its 51st state in return for inclusion in the American “Golden Dome” missile defense initiative.

The announcement came not long after King Charles III made subtle remarks during a speech to Canada’s parliament that appeared to push back against Trump’s ambitions to absorb the country into the U.S.

“I told Canada, which very much wants to be part of our fabulous Golden Dome System, that it will cost $61 Billion Dollars if they remain a separate, but unequal, Nation, but will cost ZERO DOLLARS if they become our cherished 51st State,” Trump, 78, wrote on Truth Social.

“They are considering the offer!”

Earlier that day, King Charles, who serves as sovereign over Canada along with more than a dozen other nations, alluded to the political tension, warning that “Canada is facing challenges that, in our lifetimes, are unprecedented” and noted that “many Canadians are feeling anxious and worried about the drastically changing world around them.”

Trump began jokingly labeling Canada the 51st state last year and mockingly called Prime Minister Justin Trudeau a “governor.” He also introduced a 25% duty on Canadian steel, aluminum, vehicles, and other goods that fall outside of USMCA trade guidelines.

While his relationship with Trudeau was often tense, Trump has found more common ground with Trudeau’s successor, Mark Carney. Yet, even during their May 3 meeting at the White House, Trump made clear that the idea of Canada joining the Union was still alive in his mind.

“I say, ‘Never say never,’” Trump told Carney. “I’ve had many, many things that were not doable and ended up being doable.”

{Matzav.com}

The Trump administration has decided to temporarily freeze the issuance of student visas to foreign nationals and is weighing new guidelines that would include evaluating applicants’ social media history.

An internal cable obtained by Politico revealed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio instructed all American embassies and consulates around the world to halt scheduling any further interviews for student or exchange visitor visas, pending new directives.

“Effective immediately, in preparation for an expansion of required social media screening and vetting, consular sections should not add any additional student or exchange visitor … visa appointment capacity until further guidance is issued [separate telegram], which we anticipate in the coming days,” the cable read.

In the past several weeks, both the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security have attempted to cancel thousands of visas issued to international students. These efforts have seen varying levels of success.

When questioned, State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce declined to comment on specific visa decisions, maintaining the agency’s stance of privacy on individual cases.

“We don’t speak about individual visa cases,” she said to reporters.

Bruce stressed the administration’s commitment to thoroughly screening all entrants into the country, whether they are tourists or students.

“We take very seriously the process of vetting who it is that comes into the country. And we’re going to continue to do that … and again, whether they be student[s] or if you’re a tourist who needs a visa, or whoever you are, we’re going to be looking at you,” she added.

She went on to explain, “It seems to be such a controversial thing that’s going on, but it shouldn’t be, and every nation should take seriously, and does, who’s coming in. So if you’re going to be applying for a visa, follow the normal process, the normal steps, expect to be looked at and and we go on from there.”

Just last week, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem made an aggressive move to expel nearly 7,000 international students enrolled at Harvard University. However, her efforts were blocked in court.

Judge Jeffrey S. White of the U.S. District Court in Oakland, California, issued a national injunction that prohibits federal authorities from stripping legal status from those students or detaining them for deportation.

Despite the ruling, a senior official at the State Department recently told The Post that approximately 4,000 student visas have already been rescinded. The students in question had criminal records, with offenses ranging from arson and trafficking to drunk driving, abuse, and theft.

To bolster enforcement, the department previously launched a test program utilizing artificial intelligence. This system scanned social media for signs of support for terrorist organizations, including Hamas, and was used to revoke visas accordingly, Axios reported.

“Those who support designated terrorist organizations, including Hamas, threaten our national security,” Rubio said. “The United States has zero tolerance for foreign visitors who support terrorists.”

In addition to the State Department’s initiatives, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services confirmed in early April that it would now consider whether an applicant has endorsed what it labeled “antisemitic terrorism” when evaluating eligibility for student visas or permanent residency.

One of the most prominent individuals affected was Mahmoud Khalil, who had been active in anti-Israel protests at Columbia University. His student visa and green card were rescinded in March due to his involvement.

Legal challenges against the administration followed, as advocates for Khalil argued that his expulsion was unjustified. He had previously served as a spokesperson for Columbia University Apartheid Divest, a group known for its anti-Israel stance.

Attorney Devin Connolly, whose firm is representing some of the foreign students impacted by these policy shifts, said this type of surveillance is not entirely new. He explained that immigration authorities have often used social media to assess the legitimacy of spousal relationships in the past.

“The administration, and especially Secretary Rubio, has been very clear that nobody is entitled to a visa and that they will not be issuing visas to foreign nationals whose beliefs and activities are contrary to the United States’ national interests,” Connolly said.

But Connolly raised concerns about how broadly the government might interpret such policies.

“However, to what extent will social media postings that are critical of the Trump administration and its policies be considered to be in conflict with our national interests?” he asked.

He continued, “It is easy to foresee denials for certain postings about Israel and Hamas, but what about postings about Afrikaners being granted refugee status? We will have to see if a subject like that is controversial enough to warrant a denial.”

{Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the passing of Rav Yitzchok Meir Brim z”l, one of the elder and most respected members of the Boyan-Ruzhin chassidus in the Ramat Shlomo neighborhood of Yerushalayim. He was 84 years old.

Born in Eretz Yisroel, Rav Yitzchok Meir was the son of Rav Yehoshua Heschel Brim, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Tiferes Yisroel—Ruzhin-Boyan, and Rebbetzin Rivkah.

Rav Yitzchok Meir was a staunch chossid of Boyan, deeply connected with the Rebbe as well as his brothers-in-law, the Rebbes of Bohush and Vasloi, with whom he shared a close kesher.

After marrying a daughter of Rav Chaim Uri Rosenberg, he built a home firmly rooted in Torah and chassidus.

A true osek baTorah, Rav Yitzchok Meir would leave his home in Ramat Shlomo daily to learn at the Drohobitch beis medrash on Rechov Malchei Yisroel, where he immersed himself in limud haTorah.

He leaves behind a beautiful legacy of Torah and chesed, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren continuing on his path.

Rav Yitzchok Meir’s brothers predeceased him: Rav Elazar Aharon Brim, who composed the well-known niggun “Yeiraeh El Avadecha,” sung annually on Lag Ba’omer at the Boyan hadlakah, and Rav Yisroel Brim, a distinguished member of the Boyan kehillah in Beitar Illit.

Just six months ago, Rav Yitzchok Meir performed the rare mitzvah of chalitzah on his sister-in-law, the widow of his brother Rav Elazar Aharon, who passed away without children.

The levayah is being held tonight at the Shamgar Funeral Home in Yerushalayim, followed by kevurah of Har Hamenuchos.

The family will be sitting shivah at his home, located at 75 Rechov Rav Druk in Ramat Shlomo, Yerushalayim.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu took the stage at the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Conference, hosted at Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to deliver a sobering address about the persistence and intensification of antisemitism. His remarks emphasized that this age-old hatred endangers not only Jews but all of humanity.

Opening his remarks, Netanyahu expressed gratitude to Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar for convening the event. “The key issue that I want to address is the consequence of antisemitism, not only for the Jewish people but for human society,” Netanyahu stated. He likened antisemitism to a longstanding, malignant illness that has plagued history, noting that although Jews have borne the brunt of it, many other societies have suffered due to its consequences.

Drawing from a painful chapter of history, Netanyahu compared the consequences of antisemitism to the global devastation of World War II. “Six million Jews died… but 60 million died during the war that it inspired,” he said. Recalling the foresight of his father, a historian, Netanyahu cited a warning from 1933: “What starts with the Jews will not end with the Jews.” He lamented that had such warnings been taken seriously, history might have unfolded differently.

Turning to current events, Netanyahu addressed the global backlash that followed the October 7 attacks. “We have now a surge of antisemitism as we speak,” he said, describing the shock among those who assumed the brutality of the assault would result in global empathy for Jews. Instead, he noted with alarm the widespread support for those responsible for the violence: “demonstrations, protests, in the capitals of the West and other countries that celebrate, celebrate these murderers, these rapists, these baby burners, these hostage takers. Celebrate.”

He warned that these protests go beyond anti-Israel sentiment. They symbolize something deeper, he argued: a fundamental rejection of democratic and Western ideals. He pointed to the imagery seen at these rallies: not only Israeli flags, but “the burning of American flags, British flags, Canadian flags, French flags. That’s not an accident. Because the people who are leading this charge are basically challenging Western civilization or free societies as we understand them.”

Netanyahu spoke of Israel’s ongoing conflict, characterizing it as a fight across multiple fronts. He framed it as not just Israel’s struggle, but a global clash of values: “the war, ultimately, of civilization against barbarism.”

He delved into the methods used to dehumanize Jews throughout history, pointing out the consistent use of grotesque lies to justify violence. From medieval accusations of well-poisoning and blood libels to Nazi propaganda, he traced a line of rhetoric meant to condition societies for persecution. “We poisoned the wells in medieval times, we take Christian children, the blood of Christian children and bake matzahs for Passover with them, we spread vermin,” he recited. Nazi Germany, he said, relied on “exactly the same thing” to “prepare them for the kill, for the butcher.”

Referring to the atrocities of October 7, Netanyahu compared them to the Holocaust in their brutality. He quoted German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who visited the aftermath and commented, “They’re just like the Nazis.” But there was a chilling twist. “The Nazis tried to hide their crimes. These people went with GoPro cameras and they publicized it for the whole world to see. They were very proud of what they were doing.” He underscored that Hamas had made its genocidal goals clear, and that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had likewise made no secret of his intent to destroy Israel.

Addressing misinformation surrounding Israel’s conduct in the war, Netanyahu firmly pushed back on the narrative that the IDF intentionally targets civilians. “The first thing they say is you’re slaughtering people deliberately. That’s a complete destruction, a complete annihilation of the laws of war.” He argued that Hamas’s tactics of embedding itself within civilian areas amount to a “double war crime.”

He illustrated the difference between deliberate targeting and unavoidable collateral damage by referencing a WWII incident: the RAF’s accidental bombing of a children’s hospital while targeting Gestapo headquarters in Copenhagen. The implication was clear — even the most disciplined armies in the most justified wars face tragic consequences when fighting in populated areas.

Netanyahu described the unique battlefield of Gaza, where Hamas, he said, deliberately traps civilians to increase casualties and international outrage. “That’s what they do. How do they lock them in? They shoot them if they want to leave.” The confined nature of the territory, he explained, presents exceptional operational difficulties for Israeli forces.

He specifically addressed the operation in Rafah, where global voices warned against entering. “By the time we got to Rafah, 1.4 million of Gaza’s 2.2 million people were in Rafah,” he explained. Despite warnings that an invasion would result in massive civilian deaths — “20,000 civilian casualties” — Netanyahu said there was a clear evacuation route: “That place is on the beach. It’s two kilometers away. On the beach.” He continued, “within six days… the number of civilian casualties we had in Rafah was practically zero. Practically zero. Because they all left.”

The Prime Minister highlighted the unprecedented lengths to which the IDF goes to protect civilians. “We are texting civilians by the millions. Millions of text messages, millions of phone calls, cellphone calls, millions of pamphlets, ‘Please get out.’ Because we are going to come in.” He said these measures, coupled with precision tactics, have produced a remarkably low non-combatant casualty rate given the intense urban warfare. He credited experts such as John Spencer from West Point for validating this assessment.

He also confronted the widely circulated claim that Israel is starving the population of Gaza. “That’s the current fad, the current lie. Well, that’s false too.” From the outset of hostilities, he explained, Israel facilitated the delivery of “essential requirements: food, water, medicine,” amounting to “1.8 million tons of food and aid.” As proof, he pointed to the condition of Palestinian prisoners. “Thousands and thousands of prisoners taking their shirt off and you don’t see one, not one emaciated from the beginning of the war to the present.”

In closing, Netanyahu urged Jewish leaders across the globe to remain resolute. “The last thing I want to do is to address the leaders of Jewish communities who came to us from around the world. The most important thing you have to do in fighting antisemitism is to stand up and not be cowered. People value and respect people who stand up for their own rights. Do not be afraid to speak up. Speak up, stand up for the truth, stand up for the Jewish people, stand up for civilization. And I ask that all of you do the same. Thank you,” he concluded.

{Matzav.com}

Fifteen members of Israel’s Knesset have formally appealed to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, urging her to pursue capital punishment for the man accused of carrying out last week’s antisemitic double homicide at the Jewish Museum located near Washington, D.C., where two Israeli Embassy staffers were killed, according to a report from the Jewish News Syndicate.

The appeal was made in a letter sent to Bondi on May 22, just one day after the attack took place. In the message, the lawmakers wrote, “In light of the gravity of the crime—its premeditated nature, the likely ideological motivation, and the victims’ diplomatic status—we believe it would be appropriate for you to seek the death penalty for its perpetrator.”

The alleged shooter, Elias Rodriguez, was apprehended and charged in the case. Before being taken into custody, he reportedly stated that the attack had been carried out “on behalf of Palestine.”

Fox News cited court documents detailing the charges against Rodriguez, which include two counts of first-degree murder, murder of foreign officials, the use of a firearm resulting in death, and firing a weapon in the course of a violent crime. Interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro noted that if found guilty, Rodriguez may be eligible for the death penalty.

The victims who lost their lives in the shooting have been identified as Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, both of whom were working for the Israeli Embassy at the time of the attack.

Sky News reported on Thursday that Rodriguez had ties to a far-left extremist group and was known for routinely spreading anti-Israel rhetoric.

{Matzav.com}

It’s a topic of controversy when it comes to air travel: When your plane reaches its gate, when is the right time to stand up and begin the deplaning process?

In Turkey, passengers who get out of their seat before the plane has stopped taxiing or crowd the aisle before it’s their row’s turn to deplane will now face fines, according to a circular approved by the Turkish Directorate General of Civil Aviation.

Director General Kemal Yüksek instructed cabin crews for planes landing in Turkey to issue warnings that passengers who do not “respect the disembarkation priority of the passengers in front of or around you” will be reported to the authority and “an administrative fine will be imposed in accordance with the applicable legal regulations.”

This includes unfastening seat belts, standing up, opening the overhead compartments or crowding the aisle while the plane is still taxiing to the gate, but also standing up or proceeding into the aisle before the row’s turn to exit, the directive states. Yüksek noted in the circular that there has been a significant increase in reports of such behavior, which risks “passenger and baggage safety and security” and disregards “the satisfaction and exit priority” of other passengers.

The notice does not say how much passengers will be fined, but Turkish broadcaster Halk TV reported that it could be about 2,603 ​​Turkish lira, or $67.

Impatient passengers can actually delay the process of deplaning. Under Federal Aviation Administration regulations, the cabin crew has to alert the pilot if a passenger stands up while the plane is still moving toward a gate. “It is a safety issue,” Jennifer “Jaki” Johnson, a flight attendant for a major carrier as well as the CEO and founder of Jetsetter Chic, told The Post in 2019.

Etiquette experts say that passengers should wait for the rows in front of them to exit before stepping into the aisle, with the exception of allowing passengers through who have tight connections. They note, however, that when it comes to standing and stretching your legs after the fasten seat belt sign is turned off, there’s no harm in doing so at your seat, as long as you stay out of the aisle and remain mindful of the passengers around you.

The International Air Transport Association called disruptive passengers “a significant problem” in 2019, with one incident for every 1,053 flights reported in 2017. The U.S. had a spike in incidents in 2021, as travelers clashed with flight crews over mask mandates and other issues.

Numbers have dropped in the years since, but the FAA reported nearly 900 reports of unruly behavior for the first nine months of 2024 – more than were reported in all of 2018.

(c) 2025, The Washington Post 

Melania Trump firmly denied a widely circulated online claim on Tuesday that her son, Barron, had sought admission to Harvard University and been turned down. A representative for the first lady dismissed the story as entirely fabricated.

“Barron did not apply to Harvard, and any assertion that he, or that anyone on his behalf, applied is completely false,” said Nicholas Clemens, the communications director for the first lady.

The 19-year-old’s college application journey has been a hot topic on various social media platforms, particularly as his father has continued to criticize the Ivy League university and has cut off significant streams of federal funding to the institution.

President Trump took further action against Harvard on Tuesday, rescinding another $100 million in funding. This move brings the total amount of grants and federal contracts stripped from the university since the beginning of his administration to around $3 billion.

The administration’s financial crackdown—alongside efforts to expel international students from the Cambridge, Massachusetts campus—has triggered several lawsuits challenging these decisions.

As for Barron Trump, he just wrapped up his freshman year at New York University, having enrolled there after graduating from Oxbridge Academy in West Palm Beach, Florida, in the spring of 2024.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump reportedly urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a recent phone call to avoid taking steps that might undermine sensitive negotiations with Iran, according to a report from Axios that cites both a White House official and a source with knowledge of the conversation.

The article suggests that Trump and other senior American officials are growing increasingly wary that Israel might carry out a military strike against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure if the diplomatic talks break down. One insider noted that Israeli leaders believe the timeline to carry out such an operation effectively is closing quickly.

Trump is said to have made it clear during the call that he wants the diplomatic channel with Iran to remain unobstructed. “He doesn’t want anything to impede the potential for a deal with Iran,” the White House official said. The President acknowledged that there are other paths available but reiterated his desire to pursue diplomacy first.

In the aftermath of the phone call, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem traveled to Jerusalem to personally reinforce Trump’s message to Netanyahu. In an interview with Fox News, Noem said the conversation was “candid and direct,” and she stressed the importance of solidarity and patience while negotiations move forward. She noted that Trump intends to make a decision in a matter of days.

When asked for a response, the office of the Israeli Prime Minister chose not to issue a statement.

Meanwhile, several top Israeli officials, including Netanyahu’s close adviser Ron Dermer and Mossad Director David Barnea, flew to Washington for strategic meetings related to Iran. Their itinerary included discussions with Vice President Vance and CIA Director John Ratcliffe.

In parallel diplomatic efforts, White House envoy Steve Witkoff met with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Rome on Friday. Trump later commented that the discussions reflected “real progress” and hinted that significant updates could follow soon.

Brigadier General Barak Hiram, who leads the IDF’s Gaza Division, conveyed that Hamas is on the verge of disintegration, with its control mechanisms failing and its authority in Gaza steadily deteriorating.

According to Kan News, Hiram indicated that the situation in Gaza could eventually lead to Hamas being ousted by its own population. He pointed out that Hamas is facing serious financial difficulties, especially in paying its members, which is contributing to the breakdown of its administrative and military functions.

“We see that the pressure we’re applying—both directly on Hamas’ military arm and on its governing structures, as well as the indirect pressure on the population—is having a significant effect,” Hiram said during a meeting with residents of Kibbutz Nirim, located near the Gaza frontier.

He continued, “It’s pushing them into positions they previously wouldn’t even consider, both in terms of returning the hostages and in their grip on Gaza. I believe we’ll see their release through a negotiated agreement made possible by pressure. It’s not only the heroic operations—it’s both those and the pressure.”

Hiram pointed out that “Hamas has been having a very hard time paying salaries to its entire apparatus in recent months. Now, as soon as the apparatus ceases to exist, and people stop reporting for Hamas work, Hamas loses its power and Hamas ceases to exist.”

Describing the nature of Hamas rule, he said, “Hamas is a dictatorial regime, and more than it fears an outside enemy, it fears an internal one,” and warned that despotic Arab regimes fear uprisings more than foreign threats. “For Arab rulers, their worst nightmare is the people dragging them into the streets. I believe that the last Hamas leader—if we don’t manage to kill him—will be taken out by the people, who will treat him as Libyans treated Gadhafi. When that happens, we’ll know the time is right to form a new model of governance in that area—one that isn’t Hamas.”

He underscored that the elimination of Hamas’s infrastructure and the interruption of its capabilities are essential to achieving Israel’s military objectives. He also confirmed that the army has neutralized all underground tunnels connecting Gaza to Egypt, stating that such tunnels no longer exist.

On the topic of humanitarian assistance, Hiram stressed the need for close oversight to block the trafficking of contraband and the creation of weapons. He noted that freeing the hostages is more likely to happen through persistent pressure rather than relying solely on battlefield achievements.

Though he acknowledged that major hurdles remain, Hiram voiced optimism about the IDF’s continued efforts to neutralize Hamas and bring back a sense of safety.

{Matzav.com}

Renowned Israeli chef and television food personality Meir Adoni has made a public commitment to only operate kosher establishments moving forward, citing a deepened connection to his Jewish faith since the events of October 7.

In a candid interview with Hadass Tzuri for Channel 14 Magazine, Adoni announced, “I will never open a restaurant that isn’t kosher again—because in Israel, I cook for the Jewish people.”

Adoni, a well-known figure in Israel’s culinary world, shared that the tragic events of Simchas Torah have sparked a spiritual transformation not only in his life, but in the lives of many across the country. “I’ve always felt connected to tradition—I put on tefillin, I make kiddush, I go to shul on yomim tovim,” he said. “But I think for many people, faith has sharpened and grown stronger since October 7.”

He described how countless Israelis have taken on new religious commitments, from donning tefillin and reciting brachos to observing Shabbos more carefully and reinforcing the Jewish spirit in their homes.

“For me personally, my connection with the Creator has become stronger,” Adoni added. “I have a direct connection with Hashem—I speak to Him a lot. It’s a real dialogue of tefillah and gratitude.”

Adoni’s statement reflects a growing trend among public figures in Israel who, in the wake of national trauma, are turning inward and embracing Yiddishkeit and Torah living with new intensity.

{Matzav.com Israel}

There are books you read. And then there are books that read you.

Moments of Greatness by Rabbi Yitzchok Hisiger is nothing short of a revelation. In a Jewish world blessed with countless story collections, this one stands in a league of its own — a towering masterpiece that doesn’t just inspire, it awakens.

From the very first page, you’re ushered into a world where the impossible becomes reality, where a handwritten letter to Avinu shebashamayim triggers a shidduch no human could’ve orchestrated… where a quiet housewife dares to confront the most powerful man on earth… and where a single pasuk whispered during Elul transforms the course of a young man’s life long after the Yomim Nora’im have passed.

These aren’t just stories. They are seismic moments — flashes of spiritual brilliance that pierce through the routine and reveal the infinite greatness pulsing just beneath the surface of everyday life.

Rabbi Hisiger, already beloved for his clarity, warmth, and insight, has outdone himself here. With his signature narrative precision and impeccable taste for the extraordinary, he has curated a collection so moving, so electrifying, that you’ll find yourself pausing after each story — not to catch your breath, but to let your soul catch up.

This isn’t feel-good fluff. It’s soul food. The kind that nourishes the deepest parts of you.

What makes Moments of Greatness different?

• The stories stay with you. Long after the book is closed, the people in its pages linger. The emunah. The courage. The quiet acts of greatness no one noticed… except Hashem.

• The message is clear: Greatness isn’t reserved for gedolim and giants. It’s found in the quiet heroism of regular people — people like you and me — who rise to the moment and choose to make it eternal.

• The writing is addictive. Crisp, flowing, and deeply sincere. There’s no fluff, no filler — just raw, real, riveting inspiration.

With breathtaking hashkafah and stories that will make you laugh, cry, and sometimes both at once, this book belongs in every Jewish home, on every Shabbos table, and in the hands of anyone who believes in the power of a single moment to change everything.

Moments of Greatness isn’t just the best story collection in years. It may be the best book in years.

Read it. Gift it. Live it.

Because when greatness flashes before your eyes — even for a moment — you’re never quite the same again.

Moments of Greatness is available at your local better Judaica store or HERE.

A newly emerging, highly contagious strain of COVID-19 that has been driving up hospital admissions in China has now made its way to the United States, with infections confirmed in multiple locations including New York City, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Known as NB.1.81, the variant was initially identified in the U.S. between late March and early April, discovered in travelers arriving through airports in California, Virginia, Washington, and New York City. Further cases have since been documented in states such as Rhode Island, Ohio, and Hawaii.

The CDC reported that the number of U.S. cases remains too limited to include in its regular variant tracking reports. However, medical professionals caution that the strain’s aggressive spread in China indicates it may transmit more rapidly than other dominant COVID-19 variants.

Public health experts began monitoring NB.1.8.1 closely once it overtook other strains as the most common variant in China, resulting in widespread infections throughout Asia.

Health officials in Hong Kong have observed a sharp rise in COVID-related hospital visits and ER cases over the past month, saying the current surge is the most severe in at least a year.

Reports from Hong Kong noted 81 serious cases and 30 deaths within four weeks, with elderly individuals — especially those 65 and older — comprising the bulk of those affected.

Mainland Chinese data show that the percentage of emergency room patients testing positive for COVID has more than doubled recently, climbing from 7.5% to over 16%. Hospitalization rates have also risen to above 6%, according to the state-affiliated China Daily newspaper.

Despite these alarming figures, Hong Kong authorities, under the influence of Beijing, attempted to minimize concerns, insisting that NB.1.81 does not appear to cause more severe illness compared to earlier variants.

“What they’re seeing in China, Hong Kong and some other areas where this variant has really surged, is an increase in hospitalization,” Dr. Amy Edwards, a pediatrics professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, told CBS News.

CDC testing of international travelers has provided insight into the variant’s international spread, with infections linked to visits in countries like China, France, South Korea, Thailand, the Netherlands, Japan, Spain, Taiwan, and Vietnam.

As with earlier strains of the virus, NB.1.81 can lead to symptoms such as fever, sore throat, fatigue, and coughing.

Subhash Verma, a professor at the University of Nevada specializing in microbiology and immunology, commented on the variant’s potential: “It appears to have a growth advantage, suggesting it may spread more easily.”

“In other words, it is more transmissible,” she told CBS News.

Both Verma and Edwards stressed that, at this stage, there is no evidence suggesting the variant causes more severe illness than previous strains.

Dr. Edwin Tsui, who heads Hong Kong’s Centre for Health Protection, cautioned against complacency, stating the new strain “should not be taken lightly.” He emphasized concerns that the virus might have adapted further to escape current vaccine protections.

“The CHP will continue to closely monitor the situation of the variant strains in accordance with the World Health Organization’s recommendation, and be cautious of the possible emergence of more virulent or vaccine-mismatched strains of the virus in the future,” he stated.

This development coincides with a new policy shift announced by the Trump administration, which will now limit annual COVID-19 booster recommendations to elderly individuals and those deemed medically vulnerable.

On Tuesday, the CDC confirmed it will stop advising healthy children and pregnant women to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

{Matzav.com}

Dozens of Yidden gathered to demonstrate at a building site in Yehud, a city in central Israel, asserting that the land under development may be the location of an ancient bais hakevaros.

Video footage from the scene captured several chareidi men sprawled on the ground within the work zone, symbolically pouring dirt into sections of the site that had already been dug up as a show of opposition.

On Tuesday, Border Police forces responded by forcibly removing the demonstrators from the premises.

The protesters insist that the site is the resting place of hundreds of Jews from the era of the Second Beis Hamikdash. In response to the unrest, the local municipality issued a message to Yehud residents stating that it was “aware of the incident” and described those involved as “a fringe chareidi group that objects to the construction at the site.”

The developers behind the project, Aura Israel, found themselves at the center of the storm as members of the group reportedly threatened a boycott of the company. On Monday morning, protestors appeared outside what was said to be the home of Yaacov Atrakchi, founder and owner of Aura Israel, to intensify their campaign.

Although no definitive proof has been presented yet regarding the presence of a bais hakevaros, the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) told The Jerusalem Post that “preliminary inspections indicated the presence of archaeological remains.”

In its official statement, the IAA confirmed that a limited excavation had begun at the request of Aura Israel. “The excavation is revealing tombs dating to the Roman period and the Bronze Age. At this stage, it is not possible to attribute the finds to any specific ethnic group. Such conclusions may emerge in more advanced stages of the research,” the statement noted.

The project in question aims to create 300 residential units spread across six apartment buildings, ranging in height from four to twelve floors.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has revised its guidelines, announcing that it will no longer advise healthy children or pregnant women to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The decision was made public by the Trump administration on Tuesday.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. criticized the prior administration’s approach, stating in a video message, “Last year, the Biden administration urged healthy children to get yet another COVID shot despite the lack of any critical data to support the repeat booster strategy in children.”

Echoing that sentiment, FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary remarked, “There’s no evidence that healthy kids need it today and most countries have stopped recommending it for children.”

The policy update follows signals made last week by leading health authorities indicating a move toward limiting access to the yearly COVID booster. While the shot will remain available for older adults and individuals with underlying health risks, it will no longer be broadly advised for the general population, especially children and expectant mothers.

The earlier recommendation covered everyone aged six months and older. Now, under the revised policy, those 65 and above, along with others deemed vulnerable, will continue to be eligible for the booster, while broader distribution will be subject to further data and review.

Kennedy, along with other prominent figures in the health field like Makary and National Institutes of Health Director Jay Bhattacharya, have consistently expressed reservations about administering the vaccine to individuals not considered at high risk.

“Bottom line: It’s common sense and it’s good science. We are now one step closer to realizing [President Trump]’s promise to Make America Healthy Again,” Kennedy posted on X.

This shift in U.S. policy brings it in closer alignment with international standards, where many nations have already narrowed their vaccination recommendations.

Many countries now maintain similar protocols around COVID-19 vaccine access.

For instance, nations such as Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, and Switzerland encourage the annual shot for individuals aged 65 and older or for those classified as high-risk.

Germany and the Netherlands have set their age threshold at 60, while the UK has focused its guidance on those aged 75 and above. Sweden, meanwhile, reserves its recommendation for those 80 and older.

In related news, the FDA earlier this month authorized Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine for seniors 65 and up, and for those between 12 and 64 who have at least one serious medical condition that raises their risk from COVID-19.

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Israel’s establishment of humanitarian aid hubs is being seen as a pivotal moment in the unraveling of Hamas’s dominance in Gaza, according to an Israeli official who spoke with The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday. The IDF has unveiled two major food distribution centers, which are intended to provide sustenance for as many as 600,000 Palestinians within a week.

These aid centers are positioned at Tel Sultan, located deep in the southern Gaza area of Rafah, and at the Morag Corridor, slightly to the north of Rafah.

Plans are underway to launch a third site near Khan Yunis in the mid-southern region and a fourth one in central Gaza. However, it remains uncertain whether these additional locations will open in the coming days or if it will take several weeks.

Officials told The Post that while the aid centers are expected to quickly scale up their distribution capabilities, no firm timetable has been established for when they will hit peak operational capacity.

For now, no similar aid facility is planned for northern Gaza. As a result, approximately one million Palestinians in that region will continue receiving assistance from United Nations agencies, as has been the case in recent days and for much of the ongoing conflict.

According to the sources, while Israel is instituting new protocols to prevent Hamas from hijacking food supplies in northern Gaza, the central goal of the four new centers in the south and center is to loosen Hamas’s grip on humanitarian aid—something Israel believes international groups, including the UN, have failed to address meaningfully.

Management of the food aid initiative will be overseen by American firms UG Solutions and Safe Reach Solutions under a newly organized humanitarian body for Gaza.

Still, the project has not been without internal turmoil. Several high-ranking members of this new authority have stepped down recently, citing outside pressure from global organizations that view these efforts as a means for Israel to exert control over food distribution and to potentially exclude civilians affiliated with Hamas.

The handling of northern Gaza may also be partially shaped by diplomatic considerations. Israel’s decision to avoid setting up centers there could appease critics who argue it’s unlawful to withhold food from certain sectors of the population—even those with ties to terrorist groups like Hamas.

International agencies and human rights groups denounce Hamas’s actions but have consistently refused to implement restrictions on who is eligible to receive humanitarian aid.

In contrast, the newly established centers will integrate security screening processes from both Israel and the U.S., which could lead to the apprehension of armed individuals or those suspected of being linked to Hamas.

Another strategic element of placing these centers outside the northern region is to fragment Gaza territorially—creating zones that are increasingly free of Hamas’s influence, even if other parts remain under its control.

These developments coincide with the deepening military offensive, as five IDF divisions have recently advanced further into the Strip.

The IDF has stated that this current phase, which includes securing up to 75% of Gaza and embedding the new aid framework into the area’s fabric, could unfold over roughly two months. The ultimate aim is to significantly erode Hamas’s dominance over the civilian population.

{Matzav.com}

Freed Israeli hostage Omer Wenkert recounted the horrific abuse he endured while imprisoned in Hamas’s underground tunnels, describing a brutal deterioration in his treatment that coincided with Israel’s military operation in Rafah during May 2024.

“They deliberately deprived me of food,” Wenkert said while speaking at the Bar Association conference, recalling a period of two to three weeks during which he survived on just half a pita a day.

He described the conditions as especially cruel around the time the IDF advanced toward Rafah. “There was purposeful starvation, and calculated torment,” he said. “They put me in situations that seriously threatened my life — and did it just for amusement.”

Wenkert shared one disturbing incident in which a captor brought insect spray, stood him at the end of a narrow hallway, and sprayed directly into his open eyes. “He made sure to spray everything I might touch as well,” Wenkert said. “And then he started hitting me with an iron rod.”

He explained that during the first six and a half months of his ordeal, he was kept in solitary confinement, with minimal interaction from his captors. “They would approach me only occasionally,” he said.

Around his 80th day in captivity, Wenkert was transferred to a different tunnel corridor. He described this new area as “a pitch-black room with a dim light.” According to him, his captors attempted to destroy his sense of time and sanity. “They tried to unhinge me mentally,” he said. “Even when giving me food, they insisted I turn away while they placed it down. I was allowed to wash once every 50 days, and only with a small bottle of water. I didn’t have a proper bath until nine and a half months had passed.”

The tunnel where he spent most of his captivity was a narrow space measuring just 90 centimeters (about 35 inches) in width and 9 to 10 meters (roughly 29 to 32 feet) in length. He said there was a small hole designated as a toilet.

“I lay on a thin mattress, my back pressed to the wall,” he recalled. “I was trapped there for what I estimate was 420 days.”

On June 13, 2024, two other hostages, Evyatar David and Guy Gilboa-Dalal, were placed in the same tunnel section with him. Both men are still in Hamas captivity, more than 590 days after they were kidnapped on October 7, 2023.

“The arrival of others brought some mental relief,” Wenkert said. “But it got tighter. We had to share food and water, and the physical conditions became even more difficult. On the other hand, the physical abuse came to a stop.”

Now 23 years old, Wenkert had been among at least 40 individuals abducted by Hamas terrorists during the October 7 attack on the Supernova music festival in the Negev, where around 360 people were slaughtered.

His release came on February 22, 2025, after 505 days in captivity. He was freed as part of a temporary truce agreement between Israel and Hamas that later unraveled after its first stage.

At present, terror organizations in Gaza continue to hold 58 hostages. This includes 57 people taken on October 7 by Hamas-led attackers. Of these, the Israel Defense Forces have verified that at least 35 are deceased. Twenty hostages are believed to still be alive, while Israeli authorities have voiced serious concerns over the health and status of three others.

Between January and March 2025, Hamas released 30 captives — 20 Israeli civilians, five IDF soldiers, and five Thai nationals — in addition to the bodies of eight Israeli hostages who had been murdered. In May, the terror group handed over one more hostage, an Israeli-American citizen, calling it a “gesture” toward the United States.

Previously, during a one-week truce in late November 2023, Hamas freed 105 civilians, and four hostages were released in the initial weeks following the October 7 massacre. In total, Israel has released approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including convicted terrorists and others detained during the ongoing conflict.

Israeli forces have managed to rescue eight hostages alive through military operations. In addition, the bodies of 41 hostages have been recovered. This includes three mistakenly shot by Israeli troops during an escape attempt, as well as the remains of a soldier killed in 2014. Hamas continues to hold the body of another IDF soldier killed that same year, and he is included in the current list of 58 hostages still in Gaza.

{Matzav.com Israel}