Matzav

Under the newly enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act, introduced by President Donald Trump, international travelers to the U.S. who require a nonimmigrant visa will soon face a mandatory “visa integrity fee” — an additional charge that cannot be waived.

Though the law states that travelers may be eligible for reimbursement, the process remains vague and implementation details are still being sorted out.

With little clarity available, many in the travel industry are expressing concern. “Significant challenges and unanswered questions regarding implementation,” is how a spokesperson from the U.S. Travel Association described the situation in comments to CNBC Travel.

So far, here’s what we know.

The fee will be no less than $250 for fiscal year 2025 (Oct. 1, 2024 through Sept. 30, 2025). However, the Secretary of Homeland Security has the authority to set the cost even higher.

In future years, the amount will be adjusted according to inflation.

The new charge applies broadly to all individuals applying for nonimmigrant visas — covering tourists, business visitors, and students.

According to the law’s language, the fee is due upon the successful issuance of a visa. This means applicants whose visas are denied won’t be required to pay.

Importantly, the law specifies that this new fee is not a replacement, but rather is “in addition to” standard application fees already in place.

“As an example, an H-1B worker already paying a $205 application fee may now expect to pay a total of $455 once this fee is in place,” immigration attorney Steven A. Brown wrote on his law firm’s website.

In addition, travelers will still be required to pay the “Form I-94 fee,” which was raised from $6 to $24 under the same legislation. The I-94 is required for most nonimmigrant travelers entering the U.S.

To qualify for a refund of the new visa integrity fee, travelers must fully comply with the terms of their visa, including not overstaying by more than five days and not working without authorization. Refunds would only be issued after the visa has expired.

As of now, the fee hasn’t been implemented, Brown confirmed.

There is no confirmed start date.

“I believe it would need a regulation, or at least a notice in the Federal Register, regarding implementation on collection,” Brown added.

There’s also confusion over logistics. The U.S. Travel Association raised a critical question: since the Department of Homeland Security was tasked with collecting the fee, how will this be handled when DHS isn’t the agency that processes or issues visas?

“The bill directs the DHS Secretary to charge the fee, but DHS does not own the visa application, issuance or renewal process — so where and when would DHS collect the fee?” the spokesperson asked.

In response to CNBC, DHS said: “The visa integrity fee requires cross-agency coordination before implementation.”

And then there’s the matter of how the refund process would actually work.

With many visas valid for several years, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) expects only a small percentage of travelers to actually seek refunds.

According to the CBO, “the Department of State would need several years to implement a process for providing reimbursements. On that basis, CBO estimates that enacting the provision would increase revenues and decrease the deficit by $28.9 billion over the 2025‑2034 period.”

Because of this uncertainty, Brown said he is telling his clients to think of the fee as lost money. “If you get it back, great. But it is usually difficult to get money back from the government,” he explained. “I would rather them view it as a ‘bonus’ if they get the refund.”

A DHS spokesperson defended the policy to CNBC, saying: “President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill provides the necessary policies and resources to restore integrity in our nation’s immigration system.”

While the government says the new measure is about enforcement, most travelers on nonimmigrant visas follow the rules. From 2016 to 2022, only about 1% to 2% of such visitors overstayed their authorized time in the U.S., according to the Congressional Research Service.

However, about 42% of the estimated 11 million undocumented people currently living in the U.S. originally entered legally but then overstayed, the data shows.

Brown warned that the new fee would hit B visa holders — those traveling for leisure or short business trips — and international students particularly hard. “For B visa holders, they may not want to add an additional $250 per person to their trip costs,” he said.

The changes come as the U.S. prepares for a surge in international travel tied to high-profile events in 2026, including the country’s 250th birthday celebration and several FIFA World Cup matches.

At the same time, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act sharply reduced funding for Brand USA, the national tourism promotion agency, slashing its budget from $100 million to $20 million. This follows the Commerce Department’s decision earlier this year to dismiss nearly half of Brand USA’s board members.

In a statement, Brand USA President and CEO Fred Dixon said the organization is “disappointed” by the funding cut but remains optimistic about funding levels for fiscal 2026. “We remain focused on growing legitimate international inbound travel and the vital boost it provides to the U.S. economy,” he said.

Prior to the bill’s passage, U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman praised the measure for its investment in infrastructure and border security. But he added a strong note of criticism: “The smart investments in the travel process make foolish new fees on foreign visitors and reductions to Brand USA, America’s promotion arm, that much harder to swallow.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump has officially filed a lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal and media mogul Rupert Murdoch after the newspaper published a story alleging he once sent Jeffrey Epstein a lewd birthday letter. Trump followed through on his threat to take legal action, seeking billions in damages for what he calls a false and defamatory report.

As reported by CNBC Friday afternoon, court records confirm that Trump’s legal team filed a libel suit in the Southern District of Florida targeting Murdoch, Dow Jones (the Journal’s publisher), and the reporters responsible for the story.

According to Reuters, Trump is demanding at least $10 billion in damages, stemming from the Journal’s claim that he sent Epstein a birthday note in 2003 containing an explicit sketch and cryptic references to shared secrets.

The article describes the alleged letter as one of several birthday notes compiled for Epstein’s 50th birthday.

“I told Rupert Murdoch it was a Scam, that he shouldn’t print this Fake Story,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “But he did, and now I’m going to sue his … off, and that of his third rate newspaper.”

In a longer statement posted to his social media platform, Trump said: “The Wall Street Journal printed a FAKE letter, supposedly to Epstein. These are not my words, not the way I talk. Also, I don’t draw pictures. I told Rupert Murdoch it was a Scam, that he shouldn’t print this Fake Story. But he did, and now I’m going to sue his … off, and that of his third rate newspaper. Thank you for your attention to this matter! DJT”

Murdoch, an Australian-born billionaire who also owns Fox News, has long been accused by Trump supporters of harboring anti-Trump bias despite running conservative-leaning outlets.

Trump followed up with another message: “The Wall Street Journal, and Rupert Murdoch, personally, were warned directly by President Donald J. Trump that the supposed letter they printed by President Trump to Epstein was a FAKE and, if they print it, they will be sued. Mr. Murdoch stated that he would take care of it but, obviously, did not have the power to do so. The Editor of The Wall Street Journal, Emma Tucker, was told directly by Karoline Leavitt, and by President Trump, that the letter was a FAKE, but Emma Tucker didn’t want to hear that. Instead, they are going with a false, malicious, and defamatory story anyway. President Trump will be suing The Wall Street Journal, NewsCorp, and Mr. Murdoch, shortly. The Press has to learn to be truthful, and not rely on sources that probably don’t even exist. President Trump has already beaten George Stephanopoulos/ABC, 60 Minutes/CBS, and others, and looks forward to suing and holding accountable the once great Wall Street Journal. It has truly turned out to be a ‘Disgusting and Filthy Rag’ and, writing defamatory lies like this, shows their desperation to remain relevant. If there were any truth at all on the Epstein Hoax, as it pertains to President Trump, this information would have been revealed by Comey, Brennan, Crooked Hillary, and other Radical Left Lunatics years ago. It certainly would not have sat in a file waiting for ‘TRUMP’ to have won three Elections. This is yet another example of FAKE NEWS!”

Later, Trump added: “I look forward to getting Rupert Murdoch to testify in my lawsuit against him and his ‘pile of garbage’ newspaper, the WSJ. That will be an interesting experience!!!”

This legal battle comes amid renewed focus on Trump’s past ties to Epstein, as critics continue to accuse his administration of concealing key details surrounding the disgraced financier’s crimes to shield wealthy elites.

On Thursday, Trump asked Attorney General Pam Bondi to release grand jury transcripts related to the Epstein case, pending court approval.

{Matzav.com}

NYC Mayor Eric Adams didn’t mince words in a recent sit-down with The NY Post, warning that New York City would plunge into lawlessness if socialist Zohran Mamdani wins the mayoral race. He argued that the progressive candidate’s agenda would erase the strides made under his administration and leave both citizens and police in danger.

Speaking from the back porch of Gracie Mansion, Adams expressed grave concern about Mamdani’s proposal to drastically reduce the population of Rikers Island. “Look at [Mamdani’s] policies: once you empty out Rikers Island, that’s a major impact,” Adams said. “It’s going to go back to the communities that crime came from.”

Adams, a former NYPD captain, took aim at Mamdani’s stance on policing, particularly his call to have social workers — not officers — respond to domestic violence incidents. He pointed to the tragic deaths of NYPD Officers Wilbert Mora and Jason Rivera, who were fatally shot while responding to such a call in 2022. “Mora and Rivera, the two cops who were shot in the beginning of my [mayoral] career, they died and were assassinated responding to a domestic violence call,” Adams said, his voice cracking with emotion.

“If Mamdani wins, I think we’re going to see some real errors,” Adams warned. “His policies are harmful to the city.”

In the wide-ranging interview, Adams said much of his first term has been spent correcting what he described as disasters left behind by state lawmakers and previous leaders. Dressed in a gray pinstripe suit and black loafers, Adams blamed bail reform and other progressive laws passed under Andrew Cuomo for the challenges he’s faced. Cuomo, now running as an independent, is also in the mayoral race.

Adams also addressed the explosive lawsuit filed earlier this week by Tom Donlon, a former top NYPD official, who accused the mayor of running the department like a criminal outfit. Adams dismissed the allegations outright, saying the lawsuit is “baseless” and driven by political motives. He said he fully supports Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch and wants her to continue in the role if he secures another term. “She’s the commissioner as long as she wants to [be],” he said. “I’m excited about the work that she’s doing.”

He credited Tisch with coming up with impactful law enforcement strategies, including the “Q-Teams” focused on low-level crimes and the increased police presence in high-crime areas. Asked whether Tisch would play a public role in his reelection bid, Adams noted her popularity but added, “You can’t cross the line.” Still, he praised her public support. “She’s driving down crime, and whenever she has an opportunity, she makes it clear that this mayor has supported the law enforcement community and police,” he said.

As the race for mayor heats up, Mamdani, Cuomo, Adams, and Republican Curtis Sliwa are all vying for control of City Hall. With Mamdani drawing strong support from progressive voters and the others battling for the center and right, the 33-year-old socialist could benefit from a divided moderate base.

While all the contenders—except Mamdani—have made public safety a central part of their campaigns, Adams emphasized that he’s the only candidate who has already proven he can get results. “First of all, Curtis doesn’t have a record,” Adams said. “Andrew Cuomo is running from his record. Bail reform. I had to fix that. Cannabis Law. I had to fix that. Raise the Age — I had to fix that.

“You look at my record, and then you compare it to his record. I had to fix his mess. He created a mess for our city, and I got to fix it.”

Despite being viewed as the underdog going into the final months of the race, Adams said he’s not worried about others having a head start. He pointed to what he called “lawfare” — legal attacks — that kept him sidelined for over a year. “When you look at the lawfare that I experienced for 15 months, you’re being pounded for 15 months, you know,” he said, referencing federal corruption charges that were ultimately dropped and which kept him out of the Democratic primary.

“It’s amazing that people still at all say, ‘Hey, we want to be with this mayor,’” Adams added. “And they never knew my story. Now I have the opportunity to use my campaign dollars to speak to the [voters]. I’m now able to tell my story that has not been told for three years and seven months.”

Mamdani did not respond to media requests. Meanwhile, both Sliwa and Cuomo’s team pointed to the Donlon lawsuit as proof that Adams should be replaced. “Ask anyone in this city, and they’ll tell you they don’t feel safe because they aren’t,” said Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels.

“No one is buying what [Adams] is selling,” echoed Rich Azzopardi, spokesman for Cuomo.

Still, despite his criticism of Mamdani, Adams said he has no plans to leave the city, no matter who wins. “I’m a New Yorker,” he declared. “I’m going to continue to stay here and fight for the city. The city’s worth fighting for.”

{Matzav.com}

After weeks of mounting tension and political wrangling, Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Chairman Yoel (Yuli) Edelstein has reportedly decided to shelve the controversial draft law that became a flashpoint between him and the chareidi parties, Matzav.com has learned tonight.

Edelstein, who has been blamed for the collapse of negotiations surrounding the proposed legislation, stunned the chareidi leadership earlier this week when he submitted a version of the bill that diverged significantly from what had been previously agreed upon. The unexpected changes triggered an immediate backlash and led to the chareidi factions’ withdrawal from the coalition, following the guidance of leading rabbinic authorities.

According to sources, Edelstein has now concluded that without the support of the chareidi parties, the legislation has no chance of passing, and therefore he has opted not to bring it before the full Knesset for a vote.

The bill, which Edelstein had been working on for over a year in cooperation with chareidi representatives, was meant to establish a legal framework for yeshiva students’ deferments from military service. But after modifying key elements of the law, the partnership collapsed, and the bill was deemed unacceptable by the chareidi leadership.

In a fiery speech before Shabbos, Rav Yitzchok Yosef launched a scathing attack on Edelstein, referencing his family background: “There is one whose father converted and became a priest. This person grew up in the home of a priest and is now causing all the trouble for yeshiva bochurim. He wears a knitted kippah and causes all the trouble. You—your father converted and became a priest! And you come to harm those who learn Torah? What business do you have with lomdei Torah? Remove your shoes from this sacred place!”

Rav Yosef continued, condemning the proposed measures: “They’re imposing all kinds of decrees. Every yeshiva student would have to give fingerprints morning and night. No driver’s license until age 30, no travel abroad—not even to Uman—until 30. No property tax discounts, no daycare subsidies, no eligibility for housing lotteries. Fines and sanctions—absolute contempt for talmidei chachamim, outright disgrace of the Torah.

“Who knows what punishment awaits? Who knows what plague might come because of what they’re doing? Hashem does not overlook such things. This is a bizayon haTorah, a disgrace to talmidei chachamim. You must be strong. Our guiding line is Torah—not the army, not anything else.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

In a new set of guidelines published by the Karlin-Stolin Chassidus committee on technology and communications, bochurim and girls are explicitly prohibited from independently using artificial intelligence platforms for questions or advice, even in the presence of their parents.

The directives, released by the “Va’ad Bechol Derachecha Daeihu” (the Karlin committee for guidance in communication matters), address the growing influence of artificial intelligence in daily life. In the introduction, the committee explains that AI systems are based on vast global databases comprising billions of documents from across the internet, and that these systems have recently become widely accessible for private use in the form of chat interfaces that respond with seemingly human-like sophistication.

The committee warns that these technologies are developing at a rapid pace and will only become more advanced. They stress the responsibility each individual bears to use them in accordance with the values taught by the Stoliner Rebbe, who has provided clear guidance regarding the use of modern digital tools. These principles include:
A. Strict content filtering
B. Controlled and appropriate use
C. Special caution when it comes to youth.

The document outlines the only permitted method of using AI: through filtered devices approved by the Chassidus, and only for legitimate, focused information needs—not for entertainment or passing time, which they say could lead to uncontrolled overuse.

Usage should be limited and scheduled so that it does not interfere with one’s spiritual, personal, or familial obligations. Answers from AI should never be relied upon without thoughtful judgment and verification. In matters of life decisions or halachah, consultation must be reserved for qualified experts only.

The committee further warns: “It is strictly forbidden to rely on halachic responses produced by AI systems, even when they cite sources and precise references, or seem to quote directly. Too often, these citations are entirely fabricated. Therefore, one must never act upon these answers.”

Regarding young married men and their families, the guidelines urge anyone under age 25—and even beyond, where possible—to avoid owning a smartphone altogether, even if it includes high-level filtering, unless there is a truly essential need. Even minor conveniences in communication or access to information, they say, do not justify potential spiritual harm.

The rules for teenagers are unambiguous. “Boys and girls may not, under any circumstances, ask questions or seek advice through AI chat platforms—whether via text or voice,” the committee states. “This applies to all ages of boys and girls, including seminary students, even if parents are present.”

If necessary, parents may do the research or ask the question themselves, and then show their children the answer—only after reviewing it and confirming it aligns with Torah values.

For seminary graduates who must use AI tools in their professional training or jobs, the committee allows limited use under parental supervision, with the parents fully aware of how the tools are being used and ensuring that it remains strictly for work or study purposes.

The document concludes with a message from the Rebbe: “All these fences and guidelines are not meant to stifle but to help us avoid being swept away by empty distractions. The main thing is the personal responsibility each person has to guard himself, which is a matter between man and his Creator, of which it is said, ‘And you shall fear your G-d.’ This duty extends equally to one’s children and household—to watch over them with the care and dignity befitting members of the King’s legion.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the tragic passing of habochur Bezalel Mamo z”l, a bright and beloved 14-year-old boy who was killed in a horrific car accident on Friday afternoon, just hours before Shabbos.

Bezalel had traveled from his home in Yerushalauyim to the beach in Ashdod. According to eyewitnesses, while crossing the street, he was struck and fatally injured by a bus that was overtaking another vehicle. Onlookers reported that it took several minutes until a passerby noticed him and called emergency services. Sadly, nothing could be done to save him.

The heartbreaking incident occurred just one day after Bezalel had taken an entrance exam and been accepted to Yeshiva Nesivos Yehoshua in Yerushalayim. He was scheduled to begin learning there this coming Elul.

Bezalel was a talmid at Talmud Torah Avnei Shlomo in Givat Shaul. He was known for his refinement and good nature, and was considered one of the most distinguished and cherished talmidim in the cheder.

He was the beloved son of Rav Liel Yaakov Mamo, one of the prominent figures in the Givat Shaul neighborhood and a founding member of the daily shiur led by Rav Eliyahu Pinkus. His grandfather is the well-known attorney and baal chessed Reb Netanel Mamo, a respected elder in the neighborhood. His father is also among the group that transformed the Radlich Shul into a vibrant center of Torah and tefillah.

The levayah took place tonight, Motzoei Shabbos, at midnight, departing from Beis Knesses Radlich at 34 Yisrael Najara Street in Givat Shaul, proceeding to Har Hamenuchos for kevurah.

Umacha Hashem simah me’al kol ponim.

{Matzav.com Israel}

According to a report by Kan News, around 2,000 Druze citizens of Israel have put their names to a declaration expressing their willingness to take up arms in Syria should the violence against their Druze brethren by Bedouin militias and pro-regime forces continue.

“We are preparing to volunteer to fight alongside our brothers in Sweida. It is our time to be ready to defend our brothers, our land, and our religion,” the document reportedly states.

Kan notes that among those who signed the declaration are individuals currently serving in the IDF reserves. The announcement has triggered deep unease within Israel’s defense apparatus, which is working urgently to persuade Druze community leaders not to take matters into their own hands and to allow the Israeli military to manage any fallout.

Although a series of ceasefire agreements have been announced in the Sweida region over the past few days, each has collapsed shortly after being put in place.

Most recently, reports suggest that the situation in Sweida has quieted down and that Syrian government troops have succeeded in forcing Bedouin fighters out of the area as part of efforts to restore the ceasefire.

{Matzav.com Israel}

New York City Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani remained silent when approached by Fox News Digital on Friday morning with pointed questions regarding accusations that he is a communist and whether he intends to walk back any of his more extreme political statements.

The exchange occurred outside Mamdani’s apartment in Queens. Despite increasing attention surrounding the heated mayoral race—featuring candidates Mayor Eric Adams, Andrew Cuomo, and Republican Curtis Sliwa—Mamdani simply laughed when asked for comment and did not provide any response.

“Do you have any response to those who label you a communist?” Fox News Digital asked Mamdani. “Do you plan on walking back any statements when you meet with [House] leader Jeffries like seizing the means of production?”

Mamdani answered none of the questions and responded only with repeated laughter.

Among those voicing strong criticism of Mamdani are President Donald Trump and his son, Donald Trump Jr., both of whom have taken aim at him using the term “communist,” while others have described him as a socialist.

“It’s finally happened, the Democrats have crossed the line. Zohran Mamdani, a 100% Communist Lunatic, has just won the Dem Primary, and is on his way to becoming Mayor. We’ve had Radical Lefties before, but this is getting a little ridiculous,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“He looks TERRIBLE, his voice is grating, he’s not very smart, he’s got AOC+3, Dummies ALL, backing him, and even our Great Palestinian Senator, Cryin’ Chuck Schumer, is groveling over him. Yes, this is a big moment in the History of our Country!”

Speaking to Fox News Digital, Trump Jr. expressed his concern about Mamdani’s rise, while suggesting it may inadvertently boost migration to Republican-led states like Florida.

“But what happens to New York then? And as a lifelong New Yorker, as someone who grew up here, someone who changed the skyline here with my father for many years before he got into politics, that’s a scary notion, but perhaps it’s exactly what America needs. Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom, and I think if this communist mayor gets elected, rock bottom is what New York’s going to see,” Trump Jr. said.

Mayor Eric Adams also weighed in, highlighting Mamdani’s controversial public statements, such as a tweet from May 2020 quoting the Marxist phrase, “Each according to their need, each according to their ability.”

Another video that has gained traction online features Mamdani discussing his stance on housing, prompting backlash over his radical positions.

“My platform is that every single person should have housing, and I think faced with these two options, the system has hundreds of thousands of people unhoused, right? For what?” Mamdani questioned in a resurfaced video that has circulated on social media.

“If there was any system that could guarantee each person housing, whether you call it the abolition of private property or you call it, you know, just a statewide housing guarantee, it is preferable to what is going on right now,” Mamdani added.

Representative Nicole Malliotakis of New York slammed Mamdani’s political outlook, characterizing his rhetoric as aligned with Marxist ideology.

“He claims to be a socialist, whether it’s wanting to abolish private property or wanting to seize the means of production, these are communist ideas right out of the playbook of Karl Marx,” Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-NY, said.

Later Friday, Mamdani is expected to sit down with House Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries in New York City.

{Matzav.com}

It is with greatness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rav Avraham Yitzchak HaLevi Kilav zt”l, av beis din, posek, and noted author of the acclaimed Avnei Barekes series. He was 86 years old.

Rav Kilav was born in 1939 in Yerushalayim. His father, Rav Yaakov HaLevi Kilav zt”l, was one of the founding roshei yeshiva of Merkaz HaRav after merging his own yeshiva, Mishkan Yisrael, with it. He also served as the rav of the Tel Arza neighborhood. His mother, Rebbetzin Basya a”h, was the daughter of Rav Dov Ber HaKohein Kook zt”l, the first rav of Afula and brother of Rav Avraham Yitzchak HaKohein Kook zt”l.

His mother once related that during a difficult labor, she had a vivid vision in which her late uncle, Rav Kook, appeared and touched her. Shortly thereafter, the baby was born easily, and he was named Avraham Yitzchak in the Ra’ayah’s memory.

Rav Kilav learned in his youth at Yeshivas Kol Torah and later at Yeshivas Ponovezh. After the sudden passing of his father in 1959, he moved to Yeshivas Merkaz HaRav to live close to his widowed mother.

He married Rebbetzin Sima a”h (née Weinberg), who passed away in 2020.

In Elul of 1966, at age 27, he was appointed as a R”M at Yeshivas Merkaz HaRav by Rav Tzvi Yehuda Kook zt”l. At the same time, he studied at the Harry Fischel Institute under the leadership of his grandfather, Rav Dov Ber Kook, where he received semicha in both yoreh yoreh and yadin yadin.

Following Shavuos in 1984, he began serving as a dayan at the Be’er Sheva Rabbinical Court and left his teaching position at Merkaz HaRav. In 1988, he was appointed dayan in the Yerushalayim Rabbinical Court and later promoted to av beis din. In that capacity, he became a key figure in halachic rulings regarding giyur, marriage, fertility, and more.

He was instrumental in founding a monetary beis din operating under Torah law within the Rabbinical Court in Yerushalayim. However, following a 2006 High Court ruling revoking rabbinical jurisdiction in financial cases—even as arbitration—he was forced to shut it down.

Upon retiring in 2012 after 28 years of service, he reestablished the monetary beis din in the Yeshurun shul in Yerushalayim.

Rav Kilav also served for many years as the rav of the P’er Yisrael shul in the Katamon neighborhood, where he davened on Shabbos and Yom Tov. He headed the Bnei David Psagot Institute’s kollel for rabbanus and dayanus in the yishuv of Psagot.

A widely respected posek, Rav Kilav responded to thousands of halachic inquiries. His seforim include Avnei Barekes on the Torah and moadim, a haggadah shel Pesach, and Adas Ma’uzo on kiddushin and kesubah. He also published siddurim, Nezer Tiferes and Ateres Tiferes, in both Ashkenaz and Sefard versions.

His first sefer bore an enthusiastic endorsement from Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l, who wrote, “From the little I have seen, I am confident that all who learn from this sefer will derive great benefit.”

He also published the works of his father, Rav Yaakov Kilav zt”l, including Eikev Anavah on the Rambam’s Hilchos Teshuvah and Eikev Mishpat on Choshen Mishpat. In 2001, Rav Kilav was awarded the Rav Kook Prize for Torah Literature in recognition of his contributions.

Countless rabbanim, dayanim, and morim hora’ah were privileged to learn Torah under his guidance, whether in formal settings or through his numerous shiurim.

Rav Kilav leaves behind a distinguished family: his sons, Rav Yaakov Kilav, Rav Chanan Kilav, and Rav Mordechai Kilav; and his sons-in-law, Dr. Hillel Applebaum and Rav Chananel Patchino. He merited to see generations of descendants following the path of Torah and mitzvos.

The levayah took place Friday at the Sanhedria Cemetery in Yerushalayim, where he was laid to rest near his father’s kever.

The family is sitting shivah at his home at 41 Rechov Charlap in Kiryat Shmuel, Yerushalayim.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

The chairmen of the House Foreign Affairs and Judiciary Committees issued a trio of letters demanding answers about U.S. funding that may have gone to anti-Netanyahu protest groups.

Reps. Brian Mast (R-Fla.) and Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) warned Blue and White Future, the Abraham Initiatives and the Tides Network that they failed to properly disclose information about U.S. government funding that they may have received.

“On March 26, 2025, the committees requested documents relating to funds that Blue and White Future reportedly received from non-governmental organizations that were originally disbursed by the U.S. Agency for International Development and State Department during the Biden-Harris administration,” the congressmen wrote.

“These reports are deeply troubling, particularly in light of the Biden-Harris administration’s prior efforts to weaken the relationship between the United States and Israel,” they stated.

“As noted in our initial letter, public media reporting revealed that Blue and White Future received approximately $4 million from the Middle East Peace Dialogue Network in 2023,” they stated. “Blue and White future also received approximately $18 million from PEF Israel Endowment funds in the same year.”

The committees “requested that Blue and White Future provide records concerning its relationship with both of those entities, which Blue and White Future did not produce,” they added.

Jordan and Mast demanded that the groups turn over the relevant documentation by the end of the day on July 14.

Blue and White Future and the Abraham Initiatives are charities that were at the forefront of organizing weekly demonstrations against the Netanyahu government’s proposed judicial reforms in 2023.

The Tides Network is a U.S.-based donor-advised fund that distributes money to left-wing causes and groups, including Code Pink, IfNotNow and Jewish Voice for Peace.

In April, Jordan and Mast wrote to Blue and White Future and five other NGOs about whether they had received U.S. government funding directed at “attempting to undermine Israel’s democratically elected government” during the Biden administration.

“Media reports later revealed that these protests were funded in part by U.S. grant money that had been funneled through various American and Israeli non-governmental organizations to groups directing the protests,” according to the lawmakers. “The use of federal grants in this manner not only jeopardizes America’s relationship with one of its closest allies but also undermines core civil liberties protected within the United States and Israel.”

The Trump administration has moved to shut down USAID, arguing that it had become a slush fund for left-wing causes overseas. Jordan and Mast repeated those accusations in their letters to the groups.

“These reports reflect the poor track record of USAID and the State Department in funding entities in the region,” they wrote. “USAID and the State Department have even provided direct support to Hamas and other terrorist groups.”

“From 2007 through 2024, USAID and the State Department sent at least $122 million to NGOs aligned with designated terrorist organizations,” they added. “Many of those NGOs have openly espoused antisemitic rhetoric and encouraged violence against Jewish individuals.” JNS

{Matzav.com}

The official website of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has published a disturbing antisemitic image generated using artificial intelligence, depicting Jews and IDF soldiers as terrified rats scurrying away from Iranian missile strikes while aboard a ship flying an American flag.

The AI-created cartoon appeared alongside a quote from a recent speech by Khamenei, in which he claimed that Iran’s missile attacks had forced Israel to seek U.S. intervention. “Israel needs the Americans and was not able to defend itself,” the caption reads. “If it could handle things on its own, it would not have turned to the United States. Turning to the U.S. means it understands it cannot stand up to the Islamic Republic.”

The speech, delivered a day before the image was posted, included even harsher rhetoric. Khamenei described the State of Israel as a “cancerous regime” and labeled it “America’s deadly dog.”

Iranian officials have repeatedly claimed victory following last month’s 12-day war with Israel, during which Israel reportedly struck military installations and nuclear facilities, killing hundreds of personnel, nuclear scientists, and members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Iran’s state-controlled media has a long history of promoting antisemitic content through films, festivals, and official addresses, but this latest use of AI to portray Jews in such a dehumanizing way has sparked renewed condemnation.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Supreme Court Deputy President Justice Noam Solberg ruled on Friday that if the Israeli government moves forward with the dismissal of Israeli Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, the decision will not take immediate effect. The court must first be given time to review the legality of such a move before any irreversible action is taken.

“In order to allow for judicial oversight before an irreversible act is carried out,” Solberg wrote, “a government decision to remove the attorney general, should it be made, will not come into force right away.” He also hinted that the petition challenging the dismissal may have strong legal standing, stating that the case presents “a likelihood of success.”

The ruling came in response to a petition from the Movement for Quality Government, which requested an injunction to block the potential firing of Baharav-Miara, following a recommendation made by a ministerial committee. Although Solberg declined to issue an injunction immediately—since the government has not yet officially decided to dismiss her—he made it clear that the court would not allow the decision to go into effect without time for proper judicial review.

The court also noted that, legally, the authority to dismiss the attorney general lies with the full government, not the ministerial committee that issued the recommendation. The committee’s proposal had suggested that the matter be placed on the cabinet agenda for discussion and decision.

The Movement for Quality Government welcomed Solberg’s decision, calling it “an important step to ensure that any move to dismiss the attorney general does not become effective before the court can evaluate its legality.” The organization added that the ruling recognizes “the gravity of the situation” and helps “prevent irreversible harm to the institution of legal counsel and the rule of law.”

Communications Minister Dr. Shlomo Karhi harshly criticized the decision, saying: “I call on the Justice Minister to bring the dismissal of this political advisor to the government on Sunday and immediately appoint a new attorney general. We must uphold the law, not baseless judicial decisions. We will not allow the deep state to steal power from the people.”

Earlier in the day, the Movement for Quality Government had urgently petitioned the High Court to freeze Government Resolution 3125 and prevent any cabinet deliberations on the ministerial committee’s recommendation to fire Baharav-Miara. That recommendation followed her refusal to attend two hearings (on July 14 and 17), citing the process as “illegal and predetermined.” In response, the committee unanimously voted to advise the government to remove her.

According to the official government resolution, the cabinet must hold a discussion on the attorney general’s dismissal “at its first meeting following the placement of the issue on the agenda.”

{Matzav.com}

A top Israeli diplomatic official said Friday that notable headway has been made over the past two weeks in the push for a deal with Hamas to free the hostages.

Nevertheless, the source cautioned that major obstacles remain in the discussions. “Hamas is behaving as though time is on its side, but it will find the battlefield tells a different story,” the source warned.

Despite the ongoing difficulties, Israeli negotiators are still stationed in Qatar. “The situation cannot be described as either pessimistic or optimistic,” the source said. “But we must be realistic about Hamas’s conduct.”

The official expressed concern about Hamas’s stalling tactics. “We are approaching a critical juncture. Hamas’s foot-dragging, even if it believes it serves its interests, may ultimately work against it.”

Among the major sticking points in the talks is Hamas’s insistence on freeing a large number of prisoners held in Israel, with disputes persisting over who those prisoners are. There’s also been no agreement on the placement of military forces inside Gaza. The official stressed that Israel won’t return to its positions from earlier this year. “There is no basis for such an arrangement at any stage of the negotiations.”

According to the source, both Minister Ron Dermer and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have maintained consistent communication with the Israeli delegation. “Israel’s flexibility and approach to the negotiations are sound. We have advanced on several issues, though not on all. Once Hamas clears the way on this core matter, we will be able to advance further – on humanitarian concerns, IDF redeployment, and more.”

Meanwhile, Abu Obeida, the spokesman for Hamas’s armed wing, claimed Friday that Netanyahu had rejected a Hamas offer to release all hostages. In his first recorded statement since March 6, he warned that without a ceasefire agreement in this phase of the talks, Hamas might not be open to agreeing to smaller, incremental deals going forward.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Rav Gershon Ribner, rosh kollel of Kollel Nesivos Hatorah and son-in-law of Rav Shneur Kotler, has succeeded in applying classical Talmudical analysis and methodology to understanding all areas of Yiddishkeit, bringing out its profundity and sense.

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President Donald Trump took to Truth Social on Friday to mock the declining viewership of liberal media and late-night hosts, celebrating the cancellation of a prominent show. He used the moment to jab at those he’s long accused of pushing partisan narratives disguised as humor.

“I absolutely love that Colbert got fired,” Trump wrote in his post. “His talent was even less than his ratings. I hear Jimmy Kimmel is next. Has even less talent than Colbert!
Greg Gutfeld is better than all of them combined, including the moron on NBC who ruined the once great Tonight Show.”

CBS has announced the end of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, citing budgetary concerns as the primary reason. The show is set to conclude in May, ending a run that featured Colbert as one of Trump’s most vocal critics in late-night television.

The timing of the network’s decision came shortly after Colbert ridiculed a recent agreement reached between Trump and Paramount Global, which owns CBS. The settlement stemmed from a 60 Minutes segment that was accused of manipulating footage of Kamala Harris during a critical point in the 2024 election cycle.

During his Monday night monologue, Colbert reacted to the news, saying he felt “offended” and quipped that the agreement was nothing more than “a big fat bribe.”

Paramount and CBS addressed the situation in a joint statement, saying the decision to end the show was “purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night. It is not related in any way to the show’s performance, content, or other matters happening at Paramount.”

{Matzav.com}

Annie Tomasini, who served as deputy chief of staff under President Joe Biden, invoked the Fifth Amendment during a congressional deposition on Friday, becoming the third former White House official to do so amid a growing probe into the president’s mental acuity. Republican lawmakers allege that her silence is part of a larger effort to obscure the truth.

“There is now a pattern of key Biden confidants seeking to shield themselves from criminal liability for this potential conspiracy,” said House Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.), following Tomasini’s refusal to answer whether she was “instructed to lie” by the White House about Biden’s condition.

Comer further stated, “She also pleaded the Fifth when asked if she ever advised President Biden on the handling of classified documents found in his garage, if President Biden or anyone in the White House instructed her to conceal or destroy classified material found at President Biden’s home or office, and if she ever conspired with anyone in the White House to hide information regarding the Biden family’s ‘business’ dealings.”

“It’s apparent they would rather hide key information to protect themselves and Joe Biden than be truthful with the American people about this historic scandal,” Comer added, pointing to what he described as a troubling pattern of evasion.

Tomasini has longstanding ties to Biden, having started her political career nearly 30 years ago as his press secretary when he led the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Although she initially agreed to testify voluntarily, she changed course earlier in the week. Her legal team ultimately requested that she be formally subpoenaed to appear before the Oversight Committee.

On Thursday, Republicans on the panel announced plans to expand their inquiry into concerns over Biden’s cognitive state and the use of autopen signatures. They plan to hold additional hearings in the coming months.

The next round of testimony is expected to include four more Biden associates, including former press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, all of whom have been asked to participate in voluntary, recorded interviews starting this fall.

Ian Sams, who previously worked as a spokesman for the White House counsel’s office, is scheduled to meet with the committee on August 21.

He will be followed by Andrew Bates, Biden’s former senior deputy press secretary.

Karine Jean-Pierre, whose recent public break with the administration and new book project have drawn attention, is slated to appear on September 12 to respond to questions from committee members.

Other individuals close to the president will also be brought in for questioning, including Ron Klain, who is expected to testify next week before the Oversight Committee.

{Matzav.com}

A top member of Hamas who has been actively participating in the behind-the-scenes ceasefire talks with Israel in Doha, Qatar, said that practical proposals have been put forward to help move the process forward. However, he emphasized that whether any deal materializes will largely hinge on how the United States chooses to act, noting that Washington holds significant sway over Israel.

In a conversation with Asharq Al-Awsat, the Hamas representative expressed cautious optimism about a potential breakthrough, citing Israel’s new IDF troop movement maps as a constructive gesture. He remarked that this shift could help foster a political environment more amenable to compromise.

He explained that the negotiations have reached a pivotal and delicate juncture, with both parties working through complex terms and conditions that could shape the outcome of any eventual agreement.

The official said Hamas is focused on ending what he described as ongoing “aggression” and efforts at “annihilation,” while pushing for a broad accord that would involve the release of ten hostages in return for freeing Palestinian security detainees.

He underscored Hamas’s core demand by stating, “Any real progress must be based on a clear Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, as this is a non-negotiable condition.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Rabbi Tamir Granot, head of Yeshivat Orot Shaul and father of the fallen IDF officer Captain Amatai Hy”d, released a heartfelt video in response to recent harsh rhetoric by chareidi politicians against the Religious Zionist community, particularly regarding the contentious draft law.

His comments come in the wake of remarks by MK Moshe Gafni, who called for a complete political separation from the Religious Zionists, stating that “a get [divorce] must be given to the partnership with Religious Zionism.”

Rabbi Granot, addressing the pain exposed by the war, said, “This war has cracked something delicate in the heart of the home—when one brother is fighting, and the other continues life as usual. But especially now, we must not sever the bond.”

He described the growing divide within Israeli society, even within families, where some serve nearly a full year in reserve duty, risking their lives, while others remain unaffected. “This gap isn’t new,” he said, “but the war has deepened it. Anger, disappointment, alienation—these emotions surface, and sometimes they evolve into disconnection.”

Many are asking, he noted, “Should we break the connection? Is there still something that binds us together?” His answer: “Especially now—we must not disconnect.”

“We don’t give a get,” Rabbi Granot stressed. “Our relationship with the chareidim must remain the bridge. The answer is not distancing, but listening. The connection is the bridge—even if it’s hard, even if there’s silence. Because the moment we let go of that connection, there’s no more chance of building a bridge.”

He urged empathy, asking his audience to see the other side not as indifferent or harmful, but as people living in a different reality. “Maybe they’re afraid. Maybe they’re trapped. Maybe it’s not by choice.”

“Change won’t come through estrangement—it will come through love,” he continued. “And it’s precisely when the pain is strongest, when the gap is most deeply felt, that we must speak.”

Rabbi Granot emphasized that real transformation can only occur when dialogue remains possible. “Our brother who lives differently is not a bad person. He sees the world differently, follows different leadership, worries about his place, his shidduch. And we, too, have our weaknesses—not just our chareidi brothers. They’re different weaknesses, but we also have to learn and grow. Change happens through love. There’s so much good in the chareidi world, and we can and should talk about it. And when we do, we can also speak honestly about our pain—not to suppress it, not to hide it. Because where there is love and respect, there is room for rebuke.”

“Speak truth,” Rabbi Granot concluded. “Don’t hold back your pain—but don’t give up on your brother. You don’t break a family. And you don’t break a nation.”

{Matzav.com}

As negotiations intensify over a potential agreement with Hamas to release some of the Israeli hostages held in Gaza, senior rabbinic figures from the Religious Zionist community issued a forceful public statement Thursday warning that a partial deal would compromise the objectives of the war, put Israel’s security at risk, and endanger the lives of hostages who would remain in captivity.

The rabbis stressed their deep solidarity with the families of the hostages and victims of terror, as well as with the soldiers and their families. “We stand with the families of the hostages, the bereaved families, and the brave families of our fighters who carry the true spirit of the nation,” the statement read. “We call for the return of the hostages through the defeat of the enemy.”

In their strongly worded letter, the rabbis described the proposed deal as both “dangerous” and detrimental to national unity. “A partial agreement currently being formulated is a dangerous deal. It harms, first and foremost, the goal of the war—victory—and it damages the people of Israel and their unity,” they wrote. “A partial deal also puts the remaining hostages at greater risk, potentially condemning them to many more months, if not years, of captivity.”

They further cautioned that a ceasefire would allow Hamas to regroup and regain strength. “The deal endangers Israel’s security. Hamas terrorists will exploit the lull to rebuild their military capabilities and morale and strike at our soldiers again. They will view the agreement as a capitulation by Israel. Halting the war and withdrawing from the field could, Heaven forbid, lead to significant losses among our forces.”

The rabbis urged the Israeli government to continue the war effort until Hamas is decisively defeated. “We have a duty to defeat the enemy completely—to destroy their settlements and expel all of their leadership from our land. When Hamas is preoccupied with its survival, it will surrender. Only then can life in our country return to a healthy and secure path,” the statement concluded.

The letter was signed by a wide array of Religious Zionist rabbonim: Rav Dov Lior, Rav Yaakov Ariel, Rav Shmuel Eliyahu, Rav Eitan Eiseman, Rav Yosef Artziel, Rav Moshe Gantz, Rav David Chai HaCohen, Rav Uri Cohen, Rav Michael Hershkowitz, Rav Elyakim Levanon, Rav David Dudkevitz, Rav David Fendel, Rav Uriel Spaz, Rav Nataniel Yosifun, and Rav Baruch Wieder.

{Matzav.com}

In a swift response to public criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Housing and Construction Minister Chaim Katz on Thursday dismissed his chief of staff, Moti Babchik, a senior figure in Agudas Yisroel and close associate of MK Yitzchak Goldknopf.

The dismissal came just hours after Babchik launched a scathing verbal attack on Netanyahu over the handling of the coalition agreements with the chareidi parties. In an interview published Thursday morning in Mishpacha magazine, Babchik accused the prime minister of breaching promises to his chareidi coalition partners and shirking responsibility for the growing political crisis.

“We stood with him all the way and in this term we gave him a fully right-wing government,” Babchik said. “We were loyal to him… He keeps saying, ‘Yes, yes, I’ll take care of it,’ and every time there’s a different excuse. First it was the reform [judicial overhaul], now it’s the war… I signed with you—תתאבד [literally, ‘kill yourself’ over this].”

Babchik blamed Netanyahu personally for failing to uphold the agreements made with the chareidi parties, particularly on issues of budget and yeshiva funding. “There’s no funding for the yeshivos, no new outlook… Even equating chareidi youth groups with those of the general public is written in the coalition agreement, and the Education Ministry still hasn’t done it,” he said.

He rejected any attempts to shift the blame away from the prime minister. “You can’t say ‘we fulfilled everything except the draft clause.’ He didn’t give us that. You can’t point fingers at others. The person responsible is the prime minister. He is the head of Likud, he is the prime minister, he signed the coalition agreement, and he must carry it out.”

Following his dismissal, Babchik issued a statement of defiance, standing by his comments. “No one can silence the truth,” he said. “Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu should look no further than the modern-day Achithofels who advised him on how to deceive the gedolei Yisroel and lie to his loyal coalition partners who stood with Likud through thick and thin—and were repaid with betrayal.”

He added, “The support of the chareidi parties has always been and will continue to be given only to those who act in genuine partnership to protect the Torah world and the values of Judaism and tradition in Israel.”

According to Babchik’s office, despite his firing by Minister Katz, he will continue in his role as chief of staff to MK Yitzchak Goldknopf, chairman of United Torah Judaism, and will remain active in efforts to ensure that Torah learners are not treated as criminals. “He will continue his work to guarantee that in the State of Israel, Torah learners are not turned into offenders and their basic rights are not violated,” the statement said.

{Matzav.com Israel}