Matzav

New Jersey continues to hold the distinction of having the steepest property tax bills in America—and a significant number of residents may be paying more than necessary without even knowing it.

Property taxes are increasing throughout much of the United States, largely driven by soaring home prices and changes in local tax frameworks. A new report from Realtor.com shows that the average property tax bill grew by 2.8% between 2023 and 2024, impacting nearly 75% of properties nationwide. The typical tax bill this year climbed to $3,500.

That figure, however, pales in comparison to what New Jersey homeowners are facing.

Realtor.com’s latest figures reveal that the median property tax bill in New Jersey is $9,413—the highest in the country. That amount far exceeds the national average and surpasses other tax-heavy states such as New Hampshire, Connecticut, and New York. For many New Jersey residents, this comes as no shock. They’ve watched their bills creep up year after year, often without clear justification.

Property taxes are calculated based on two factors: the assessed value of a home and the tax rate set by local authorities. Both can shift over time. In towns where assessments are updated annually, an increase in home value—even if no upgrades were made—can mean a significantly higher tax bill.

What’s often overlooked, though, is that homeowners aren’t stuck with their assessed values. Realtor.com senior economist Joel Berner pointed out that “more than 40 percent of homeowners could potentially save at least $100 a year by appealing their property assessments—with average savings closer to $500.”

With property taxes stirring debate across the political spectrum, some leaders are even suggesting a full repeal of the system. For now, though, residents of the Garden State continue to shoulder the heaviest burden when it comes to annual property levies.

Here’s the breakdown of the states with the highest median property tax bills in 2024:

1. New Jersey – $9,413

2. New Hampshire – $7,715

3. Connecticut – $6,944

4. Washington – $6,338

5. New York – $6,096

6. Texas – $5,860

7. California – $5,248

8. Massachusetts – $5,142

9. Rhode Island – $5,111

10. Washington, D.C. – $5,087

As property values in New Jersey keep rising, homeowners grappling with growing bills may want to take a closer look at their property assessments. Filing an appeal could result in substantial savings.

{Matzav.com}

In the wake of Degel HaTorah’s resignation from ministerial positions following instructions from Rav Dov Landau due to the government’s failure to advance the draft law, internal political tensions within United Torah Judaism have now come to a head.

With Degel HaTorah no longer holding government roles, MKs Yitzchok Pindrus and Eliyahu Baruchi, along with Agudas Yisroel’s Shimon Roit, effectively lost their Knesset seats under the Norwegian Law.

Now, in a letter sent Wednesday morning to Agudas Yisroel, MK Moshe Gafni, chairman of Degel HaTorah, is demanding that the longstanding rotation agreement between the factions be honored. Specifically, he is calling for MK Yisroel Eichler of the Belz faction—currently the last remaining Agudah MK under the UTJ list—to step down and allow Pindrus, next in line on the Degel slate, to return to the Knesset.

Eichler, who only two weeks ago was appointed Minister of Housing in place of fellow Agudah MK Yitzchok Goldknopf, is now being asked to relinquish his seat due to the earlier agreement signed between the parties.

In his letter, Gafni cites Clause 3 of the rotation agreement, which covers the arrangement for the joint UTJ list for the 21st and 25th Knesset elections. According to the agreement, in the event that the joint list receives an odd number of mandates, the last MK from the faction holding the odd-numbered spots is required to resign after two years in order to allow for rotation.

“This clause,” Gafni continues, “does not apply if the Norwegian Law is in effect or if, at the designated time, there are more sitting MKs from the faction holding the even-numbered spots. However, if a minister or deputy minister returns to the Knesset after resigning under the Norwegian Law, the rotation must still be carried out—either at the original deadline or upon their return, whichever comes later.”

Gafni adds that “any candidate holding an odd-numbered slot up to the tenth spot is obligated to fulfill the rotation as signed. It is known that the rotation did not take place at the time specified due to the Norwegian Law. However, now, with the coalition exit and the resignation of ministers and deputy ministers, the time has come to implement the agreement.”

It remains to be seen whether Agudas Yisroel and MK Eichler will comply with Degel’s demand.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Rabbi Yehuda Leib (Leibel) Posner, a trailblazing figure in the world of Chabad and one of the earliest Chabad emissaries, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 97.

Born in 1928 in Mandatory Palestine, Leibel was the second child of Rabbi Sholom and Chaya Posner, who had recently fled the Soviet regime. At the behest of the Frierdiker Rebbe, the family soon moved to the United States, settling in New Jersey. The Rebbe reassured the concerned parents that their children would continue to grow within the traditions of Chassidus.

Even as a child, Leibel’s commitment to Torah education was evident. By the time he was seven or eight, he and his brother were living with a Chassidic family in Brooklyn so they could attend a proper yeshiva. Eventually, the Posners relocated to Chicago, where the boys enrolled in the local Jewish school.

When the Frierdiker Rebbe arrived in the U.S. from war-ravaged Europe, he established a yeshivah and a mesivta. Young Leibel was sent from Chicago to join the program and became the first out-of-town student in his age group.

Shortly before his bar mitzvah, which took place in Chicago during Pesach, Leibel and his brother Zalman had a private audience with the Frierdiker Rebbe. The Rebbe inquired about their travel arrangements, ensuring they would be warm and able to pray and don tefillin on the road. He praised their spiritual progress and said with great affection, “You are my children. You are physical children of your parents and you are my spiritual children.”

At just 19 years old, Leibel was tapped for a groundbreaking mission. In 1948, he traveled across New Jersey, Delaware, and Pennsylvania on a route dubbed the “milk train,” stopping at every station to meet Jews, offer Torah books, and promote Jewish publications.

This innovative outreach was paralleled by his brother Zalman’s mission to post-war Europe, where he and Mendel Baumgarten ministered to Holocaust survivors and refugees in displaced persons camps.

Before Leibel’s journey, the ailing Frierdiker Rebbe granted him a private audience and gave him heartfelt advice: “When you meet another person, make sure that you look for his strong points. At the same time, do not overlook his weak points… We need to see a person’s fine qualities in big letters, and take note of their shortcomings with small letters,”—so they might be gently corrected. The Rebbe gave him a blessing and sent him off.

On that trip, Leibel once encountered a skeptical rabbi who demanded, “Who is Lubavitch to conduct a census?” Reflecting on the moment years later, Rabbi Posner would chuckle and say, “Today, no one would ask such a question.”

As a young bochur, Leibel stood out for his diligence and his learning under great rabbonim such as Rav Yisroel Zev Gustman.

After the histalkus of the Frierdiker Rebbe, Rabbi Posner was sent to California to strengthen Jewish life and practice there.

In 1950, he became engaged to Thirza. Their wedding, on 30 Shevat, was profoundly meaningful—it was the first wedding at which the Rebbe officiated and the first celebration he participated in following the loss of his father-in-law.

After the wedding, the newlyweds headed west to Los Angeles, where Leibel had been sent months prior. There, they launched a new model of shlichus. Unlike earlier emissaries who typically took on formal rabbinic posts or educational roles, the Posners were tasked with taking a broader view—responding to the needs of the entire Jewish community.

In 1953, they moved to Marinette, Wisconsin, where Rabbi Posner wore many hats: he served as rabbi, shochet, and Torah educator, ministering to a vast region that included the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Former students would later remember him as a bridge between worlds: a bearded, observant rabbi who could throw a baseball and make Yiddishkeit approachable.

“He taught us always to do what’s right, it does not matter what conventional wisdom is,” remembered Charles Lavine, a former student and now a New York State Assemblyman. “I loved him.”

Rabbi Posner’s educational journey brought him next to southern New Jersey, then to the famed Yeshiva Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch in New York. There, the Chassidic rabbi taught with a deep appreciation for the teachings of German-Jewish luminaries, a synthesis welcomed by the school’s leader, Rabbi Dr. Joseph Breuer.

Other roles included serving as teacher and principal in the Bronx Chabad school, dean at Beth Rivkah in Brooklyn, and fulfilling critical kashrus roles as a shochet and mashgiach.

In his later years, his greatest joy came from learning and teaching Torah. He would frequently share insights on the parshah or the upcoming Yom Tov, delighting in the chance to offer a fresh perspective.

After many years in Boro Park, he spent his final decades in Crown Heights, where he was surrounded by children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, who visited regularly from around the globe.

He is survived by his children: Chana Sonnenfeld of Nachlas Har Chabad, Israel; Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Posner of Skokie, IL; Rabbi Uri Posner and Rabbi Yechezkel Posner of Crown Heights; Rabbi Shmuel Posner of Boston, MA; Mrs. Brocha Sapochkinsky of Westlake, CA; and Mrs. Elisheva Mishulovin of Beitar, Israel. He is also survived by numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

His surviving siblings are Bassie Garelik of Milan, Italy, and Sara Rivka Sasonkin of Taanach, Israel.

His beloved wife Thirza predeceased him in 2016.

{Matzav.com}

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In a dramatic exchange during a high-level Shas rabbinic meeting, party chairman Aryeh Deri revealed that Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu had promised to resolve the issue of the chareidi draft law within the next three months. However, Rav Yitzchok Yosef appeared unconvinced.

During the gathering of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah, Deri shared details of Netanyahu’s assurance, saying, “The prime minister promised there will be a law within the next three months. We need to give him another chance.”

At that point, Rav Yosef interrupted, asking pointedly, “Where has he been until now? Do you believe him?”

Deri responded firmly: “Yes. He didn’t think it would come to this point of us leaving the government. Now he’ll do everything he can. We must give him this opportunity.”

Despite the discussion, the council ultimately ruled that Shas must exit the government due to the failure to pass a law formalizing the status of bnei yeshivos. As previously reported by Matzav.com, Shas ministers are expected to begin submitting their resignations.

However, the party clarified that it does not currently plan to oppose the coalition in a no-confidence vote, at least until after the Knesset’s summer recess. This leaves the door open for future legislative efforts to protect yeshiva students from conscription. Shas MKs will remain active in Knesset committees and have expressed willingness to support any potential hostage deal.

The formal statement from the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah declared: “We instruct all representatives of Shas to immediately resign from their positions in the government. Sadly, under the current circumstances, it is no longer possible to sit in a government that allows bnei Torah to be trampled. At the same time, there must be no cooperation with leftist or opposition parties to install one of their own as prime minister—not even on an interim basis—as they were leaders in the vicious incitement against bnei Torah, and no sinner should be rewarded.”

The council further directed Aryeh Deri and all party representatives to persist in their efforts to advance legislation protecting yeshiva students: “The Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah calls upon the prime minister and all members of the coalition to uphold their agreements and pass the necessary law no later than the start of the winter session of the Knesset, so that the current government and coalition partnership can be sustained.”

Meanwhile, Shas MK Avraham Betzalel formally submitted his resignation from the Knesset in accordance with the party’s new direction.

{Matzav.com Israel}

In a new poll released Wednesday evening by Channel 12 News, Likud continues to gain strength, primarily at the expense of Shas, while Gantz’s Blue and White party fails to pass the electoral threshold. The survey also shows Naftali Bennett losing ground to Gadi Eizenkot. The current Netanyahu-led coalition would earn only 49 seats—far from a governing majority.

The poll paints a complex political picture with shifting dynamics between the right and center blocs, though no definitive winner emerges. Gadi Eizenkot appears to be a potential game-changer, with his possible alliances affecting the overall balance—yet still falling short of delivering a clear victory to either side.

If Eizenkot runs independently, the projected seat distribution is as follows:

• Likud, led by Binyamin Netanyahu, tops the list with 27 seats.

• Bennett follows with 19 seats.

• The Democrats, under Yair Golan, secure 12 seats.

• Eizenkot’s new party would take 11 seats.

Other results in this scenario show:

• Avigdor Lieberman’s Yisrael Beytenu with 10 seats.

• Yesh Atid receiving 9 seats.

• Shas, headed by Aryeh Deri, drops to 8 seats.

• United Torah Judaism, led by Yitzchok Goldknopf, holds 7 seats.

• Itamar Ben Gvir’s Otzma Yehudit earns 6 seats.

• Both Hadash-Ta’al and the United Arab List (Ra’am), headed by Mansour Abbas, win 5 seats each.

Three parties—Religious Zionism (2.9%), Gantz’s Blue and White (2.6%), and Balad (1.7%)—fail to meet the electoral threshold in all three scenarios tested in the poll.

Overall, the current coalition, made up of Netanyahu’s right-wing and religious allies, would secure just 49 seats—well below the 61 required for a majority—pointing to an increasingly fragmented and uncertain political landscape.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Israir has been granted official approval to launch direct flights between Israel and New York, according to an announcement made Wednesday by Transportation Minister Miri Regev. This move makes Israir the third Israeli airline with direct service to the United States.

“This is an important step to strengthen competition, lower prices, improve service, and expand the public’s options,” Regev said in a statement welcoming the decision.

Regev highlighted that the Israel-U.S. route is gaining momentum, particularly in the wake of United Airlines restarting flights to Israel. She noted that there are now five airlines flying between the two nations—three based in Israel and two from the U.S.

In related developments, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) recently revoked its ban on flights to Israel, which had been in place since April due to security concerns stemming from Iranian missile attacks and a Houthi missile striking Ben Gurion Airport.

The Lufthansa Group has announced plans to resume flights to Israel starting August 1. Additionally, British Airways and Italian carrier ITA Airways are expected to return to Israeli skies soon, following a long period of suspended service.

{Matzav.com}

Opposition leader Yair Lapid weighed in on Shas’s announcement that it would be leaving the government, declaring that the current administration no longer holds a parliamentary majority. “In the State of Israel, as of today, there is a minority government,” he stated.

Lapid warned that such a political reality undermines the government’s capacity to make critical national decisions. “A minority government cannot send soldiers into battle. A minority government cannot decide who will live and who will die. A minority government cannot decide the fate of Gaza, close deals with Syria, and Saudi Arabia,” he said.

He argued that with its weakened standing, the government no longer had the moral or legal mandate to continue its fiscal and policy decisions. “It cannot continue to transfer billions to the corrupt and the shirkers at the expense of taxpayers. Certainly, a minority government cannot exempt haredim from military service,” he continued.

Lapid firmly concluded his condemnation by saying, “It has no authority, no right. It is an illegitimate government.”

Highlighting the stakes Israel is facing, he pushed for a national reset. “The State of Israel faces great challenges and must make big decisions. It is time for elections. Now!” he concluded.

Meanwhile, Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Liberman, who also once served as defense minister, criticized any efforts to prevent the advancement of legislation that would enforce army conscription for the chareidi population. “Zionism will triumph over draft-dodging,” he wrote on X/Twitter on Wednesday.

Liberman added a pointed warning for the future, vowing to eliminate government benefits for those who avoid military service. “In the next government, everyone enlists. Those who do not serve will not receive a single shekel from the state.”

{Matzav.com}

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir conducted a high-level review and operational tour on Wednesday within the Gaza Strip. He was joined by Southern Command head Maj. Gen. Yaniv Asor, 162nd Division commander Brig. Gen. Sagiv Dahan, brigade leaders, and other senior IDF officials.

As part of his visit, Zamir met with commanders from the Givati Brigade, expressing gratitude for their efforts on the battlefield. He also surveyed military activity around the Beit Hanoun region, observing live combat operations underway.

Addressing soldiers during the visit, Zamir declared: “We will ensure that Gaza no longer poses a threat to the State of Israel for generations to come. Sadly, this war comes with a heavy cost; two days ago, we lost three soldiers from the 401st Brigade. It is a painful and heavy price we have to pay in order to defend ourselves. We continue to strike and eliminate Hamas terrorists. In recent weeks alone, we have struck over 1,300 terrorists, some of whom were Nukhba terrorists from October 7th. We will continue striking terrorists relentlessly until the defeat and dismantlement of Hamas. Your achievements are significant. We already have operational control of 75% of the Gaza Strip.”

He went on to underscore the critical moment ahead: “we are approaching a very crucial crossroads. In the coming days, we will know whether or not we have an agreement. I want to say to you: if there is a deal and the hostages return, it will be thanks to your combat, first and foremost, because of your combat. If an agreement is reached, we will pause and reposition along lines defined by the political echelon. If no deal is reached, my directive to Southern Command is to intensify and expand combat operations as much as possible, beyond what we are currently doing. We will operate in additional areas and continue activities just as we have until now.”

Zamir also invoked the memory of Lt. Hadar Goldin, a Givati Brigade officer whose body remains held in Gaza since the 2014 war, emphasizing the ongoing commitment to bring him and other captives home. “In his actions, Hadar is a symbol of bravery, modesty, and humility. We have a great obligation to bring him home. This week marks 4,000 days since Operation Protective Edge. We are making tremendous efforts to bring Hadar back to his family, and we will not rest or stop until we bring him and all the other hostages home.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

On a quiet street in Bnei Brak, inside a simple stone building once home to one of the greatest Torah giants of the past century, a hidden treasure is drawing visitors into a living, breathing encounter with greatness. The “Beis Maran HaChazon Ish” Visitor Center—Chazon Ledoros—is a revolutionary initiative using cutting-edge technology to bring the legacy of the Chazon Ish zt”l to life for a new generation.

Behind a modest door bearing the name “Talmud Torah Tashbar,” where the voices of learning children still echo, visitors are welcomed into an underground, multi-sensory experience that defies expectations. What begins as a simple descent into the basement unfolds into a full-scale historical journey, showcasing the life and impact of the man who reshaped the Torah world in Eretz Yisroel.

A Spark in a Modest Room

The dream began with a room. For decades, the original room in which the Chazon Ish lived and learned was preserved in its humble state. When Rabbi Stanietzky assumed leadership of Talmud Torah Tashbar, located in the very building where the Chazon Ish had resided, he began noticing something extraordinary.

“People would come and ask to see the room,” he recalled. “One day, a prominent rosh yeshiva visited, stood inside, and began to daven with deep emotion. I asked what he was davening for, and he answered, ‘That my talmidim should understand my shiur.’ That’s when I realized that this isn’t just a historic site. There’s real spiritual energy here.”

That spark ignited a vision: to transform this hidden gem into a beacon for Klal Yisroel. What began as a modest idea to create a separate entrance quickly evolved into a full-scale center. “We started digging, and Hashem helped,” said Rabbi Stanietzky. “From a single doorway, we expanded into a 400-square-meter subterranean center.”

Engineering the Vision

In a carefully planned architectural feat, the courtyard above—used as a playground by the cheder children—was elevated to preserve every inch of their space. Beneath it, two expansive underground levels now house a state-of-the-art museum-style center dedicated to the life and influence of the Chazon Ish.

Through interactive screens, multimedia displays, and immersive virtual experiences, visitors are drawn into the world of the Chazon Ish. The goal? To connect the younger generation to the towering figure whose quiet greatness continues to shape dorei doros.

“This is not just a museum. It’s a family experience,” said one staff member. “Children are moved. Parents learn. Grandparents are brought to tears. It’s where generations meet around the legacy that built our world.”

From a Small Shtetl to the Heart of a Nation

The journey begins in Kosova, Moldova, the town where the Chazon Ish was born. An 8-minute multimedia film—shot on location—sets the tone, transporting viewers back in time with original scenery and a compelling soundtrack. From there, the path winds through Vilna, the “Yerushalayim of Lita,” and then to the port of Yaffo, capturing the emotional return to Eretz Yisroel.

The highlight of the exhibit is a meticulously reconstructed replica of the Chazon Ish’s room. Everything has been faithfully restored: the simple bed, the printing machine on which he produced his sefarim, and the now-famous table—upon which sits a single pitcher and cup, recalling his legendary meeting with David Ben Gurion.

Adjacent is the recreated room of his revered brother-in-law, the Steipler Gaon zt”l. But perhaps most moving are the sacks of handwritten kvitlach discovered in the home—requests for yeshuos sent by Jews from across the spectrum.

“People think kvitlach are a chassidic thing,” Rabbi Stanietzky said with a smile. “But here, in the Chazon Ish’s house, we found entire bags filled with notes. He was a spiritual address for everyone.”

A Torah Legacy That Still Shapes Klal Yisroel

In another room, visitors encounter “Otzar HaSoferim,” a striking display illustrating the halachic legacy of the Chazon Ish. From shmittah to the International Date Line, his rulings continue to guide religious life in Israel and beyond.

More than anything, the center seeks to present the Chazon Ish as a unifier of the Jewish people. “The mosaic of visitors says it all,” a staff member noted. “You’ll see a Litvishe avreich, a Sephardi father, a chassid, and a dati leumi family—all inspired together. That unity? That’s not us. That’s from Above.”

The Chazon Ish wasn’t merely a posek. He was the architect of the contemporary ben Torah, his vision built the framework of Torah life in Eretz Yisroel: the seriousness, the dignity, the commitment. Today, seventy years after his passing, his presence still reverberates in the walls of his home—and in the hearts of all who pass through it.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Rav Shmuel Eliyahu, Chief Rabbi of Tzefas and a leading voice in the religious Zionist movement, voiced strong backing on Wednesday for the embattled Druze community in southern Syria, urging the Israeli government to step in and help protect them.

“The Torah teaches us that all humans are created in the image of God,” Rav Eliyahu said. “Disrespecting people and humiliating them contradicts the values of the Torah. Disrespecting their blood goes against the most basic values that God has instilled in us and the entire world.”

He highlighted the deep connection between the Jewish and Druze communities, stressing the sacrifices the Druze have made to help safeguard the Jewish state. “The Druze community has been defending Israel since the founding of the state, at great personal risk. The Torah tells us of the special bonds between the people of Israel and Yisro over three thousand years ago, and also of Yael, who defended the people of Israel in times of trouble.”

Rav Eliyahu called for solidarity during the current crisis, in which the Druze in Syria are being brutally targeted. “In this difficult time, when forces of darkness and evil are abusing the Druze community in Syria,” he added, “we must stand by their side and assist them. We support the Israeli government, which has warned the Syrian governor not to allow his forces to abuse the Druze. We also support the IDF, which is striking Syrian forces who are oppressing the Druze.”

Reaffirming the moral obligation to intervene, Rav Eliyahu declared: “It is our duty to stand firm against those attacking the Druze community, which has forged a blood alliance with us.”

The rabbi’s remarks come amid escalating violence in Syria, where ongoing clashes have reportedly left hundreds dead. The chaos intensified when fighters loyal to Ahmad al-Sharaa, better known as al-Julani, took control of As-Suwayda — a city that had not seen their presence since Assad’s authority in the region collapsed.

Shocking footage has emerged over the last day showing members of al-Julani’s faction degrading Druze religious leaders and civilians. One widely circulated video shows fighters mocking and forcibly shaving the mustaches of respected Druze sheikhs in a clear attempt to humiliate them publicly.

Meanwhile, reports from inside Syria describe a grim situation as Assad-aligned forces stormed back into As-Suwayda. Eyewitnesses say the military has been firing on civilians, conducting home invasions, and positioning tanks in the heart of the city.

In reaction to these developments, the Israeli Air Force launched a series of strikes targeting the Syrian regime. The IDF reportedly hit a convoy of armored and heavily armed vehicles heading toward As-Suwayda, as well as multiple launch sites, weapons storage facilities, and other regime positions located in Syria’s south — all believed to be linked to the oppression of the Druze.

{Matzav.com}

A Biden administration initiative to electrify the postal fleet has come under fire after only 250 electric mail trucks have been rolled out in over two years — despite billions in taxpayer money being allocated for the production of tens of thousands of vehicles. Furious Republican lawmakers are now branding the effort a costly failure.

The nearly $10 billion plan was intended to provide the U.S. Postal Service with more than 35,000 battery-powered trucks by September 2028. A portion of the funding — $3 billion — was pulled from President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. However, the project’s slow pace has prompted lawmakers to seek a rollback of almost $1.3 billion that has yet to be spent.

“Biden’s multi-billion-dollar EV fleet for the USPS is lost in the mail and more than $1 billion is postmarked to order more,” Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) told The Post. “I am working to cancel the order and return the money to the sender, the American people. The rescissions package is a great start, but Congress must keep its foot on the pedal and make DOGE a lifestyle by stamping out waste like this on a regular basis.”

The troubled program changed hands earlier this year following the departure of Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. His successor, David Steiner, officially took over on Monday and now faces the uphill challenge of salvaging the faltering initiative.

Defense contractor Oshkosh, headquartered in Wisconsin, secured a $2.6 billion contract to build the fleet. Yet by November 2024, only 93 electric vehicles had been produced — far below the 3,000 originally expected by that point, according to a Washington Post report.

Production has been hindered by technical complications, including faulty airbag systems and problems uncovered during waterproofing tests. Engineers reportedly observed water gushing from the vehicles “as if [the vehicles’] oversize windows had been left open in a storm.”

In 2022, a senior Oshkosh manager tried to raise alarms with USPS about the ongoing issues but was prevented from doing so by company leadership.

“This is the bottom line: We don’t know how to make a damn truck,” a source involved in the process told The Washington Post.

Previously, Michigan-based Morgan Olson had attempted to win the USPS contract but lost the bid in early 2024. Sources say that in meetings with DeJoy and postal brass, the former postmaster general expressed concern over “a production plant in South Carolina,” widely believed to be the Oshkosh facility.

DeJoy was quoted as saying he was “in the parcel delivery business, not the vehicle manufacturing business,” according to someone present at the meeting.

At that time, Oshkosh’s Spartanburg plant was producing just one truck per day, though internal company projections had envisioned daily output reaching 80 units.

Each truck was estimated to cost roughly $77,692, based on Oshkosh’s figures for 28,195 EVs, the Washington Post reported.

In December 2023, USPS issued a request for suppliers capable of delivering at least 12,000 electric trucks by October 2025, and a minimum of 1,500 gas-powered vehicles beginning in October 2024.

An Oshkosh representative confirmed the company remains under contract with USPS but referred all detailed inquiries back to the postal agency.

“Modernization of the Postal Service’s delivery fleet is part of the organization’s $40 billion investment strategy to upgrade and improve the USPS processing, transportation, and delivery networks,” a USPS spokesperson said.

“The Postal Service has placed orders for 51,500 next generation delivery vehicles (NGDVs), of which 35,000 are Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV). More than 1,000 NGDVs have been received to date, of which more than 250 are BEV,” the spokesperson added.

“Additionally, the Postal Service has ordered 9,250 Ford E-Transit electric vehicles, of which nearly 8,000 have been received. Deployment continues to expand to sites across the country in accordance with the rollout of our new delivery network.”

The Biden administration’s stated goal was for USPS to exclusively purchase electric vehicles beginning in 2026. Whether that timeline remains feasible may depend on whether Republicans succeed in pulling back the remaining funds.

From the start, the switch to EVs — a centerpiece of Biden’s green energy platform — has been plagued with delays. Analysts warn the broader environmental incentives baked into the Inflation Reduction Act could end up costing taxpayers over $1 trillion over the next ten years.

The current initiative is supposed to replace a fleet of Grumman Long Life Vehicles dating back to 1987, which are noisy, fuel-inefficient, costly to maintain, and occasionally prone to catching fire.

Yet the handful of vehicles Oshkosh has managed to produce so far accounts for just a sliver of the planned 60,000 “Next Generation Delivery Vehicles,” which are to be a mix of electric and non-electric models.

A February 2025 review by the Government Accountability Office labeled USPS a “high risk” entity in terms of financial sustainability, noting the agency remains unable to fully meet its service obligations or financial commitments.

In recent months, President Trump has floated the idea of merging USPS with the Department of Commerce in light of the agency’s $9.5 billion loss for the 2024 fiscal year.

“[USPS has] been just a tremendous loser for this country, tremendous amounts of money they’ve lost,” the president told reporters in February.

“We want to have a post office that works well and doesn’t lose massive amounts of money, and we’re thinking about doing that, and will be a form of a merger, but it’ll remain the Postal Service, and I think it’ll operate a lot better than it has been over the years.”

With the 250th anniversary of the Postal Service approaching on July 26, David Steiner inherits a mammoth task — leading the agency into the future while its flagship electric vehicle program struggles to get into gear.

{Matzav.com}

In a dramatic move, the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah guiding the Shas party has ruled that Shas will withdraw from the Israeli government, but will not exit the governing coalition. The decision was made during an emergency meeting held earlier today at Shas headquarters in Har Chotzvim, Yerushalayim, and marks a turning point in the political standoff over the long-delayed draft law governing bnei yeshiva.

The decision follows the collapse of negotiations with Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Chair Yuli Edelstein over legislation to secure draft exemptions for yeshiva students. With no agreement in place, the Moetzet instructed Shas’ ministers to resign from their cabinet posts in protest. However, the party’s Knesset members will retain their parliamentary roles and remain in the coalition—at least for now.

Today’s meeting was led by the nosi of the Moetzet, Rav Yitzchak Yosef. Also in attendance were Rav Moshe Maya, the senior member of the Moetzet; Rav Reuven Elbaz, rosh yeshiva of Ohr HaChaim; Rav Avraham Salim of Yeshivat Maor HaTorah; Rav Shmuel Betzalel of Yeshivat Porat Yosef; Rav Shlomo Machpud, head of the Yemenite community and Gaavad of Yoreh Deah; and Rav Yehuda Cohen, rosh yeshiva of Yakirei Yerushalayim and Be’er HaTalmud.

In a strongly worded statement released after the meeting, the Moetzet declared: “The Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah instructs the party’s representatives and its chairman, Rabbi Aryeh Deri, not to relent in their efforts and to continue fighting with full force for the passage of the law that will safeguard the status of bnei yeshiva. We call upon the prime minister and all coalition members to honor their agreements and ensure the passage of the law by the opening of the Knesset’s winter session, so that the government and coalition partnership can be preserved.”

The development comes just two days after United Torah Judaism also withdrew from the government over the same issue. With Shas now following suit, the ruling coalition—already reduced to a fragile 61-seat majority—will be left with just 49 MKs actively supporting the government. The symbolic resignation of MK Avi Maoz further weakens the bloc’s effective strength.

Despite the shrinking numbers, most coalition members are not expected to support a dispersal of the Knesset in the near future. Political insiders suggest that the coalition will attempt to hold on through the remainder of the summer session, hoping to regain momentum or broker new deals by the time the Knesset reconvenes in the fall.

{Matzav.com Israel}

President Donald Trump is calling the latest wave of accusations surrounding Jeffrey Epstein a “hoax,” asserting that Democrats have scored another political win by duping even some of his previous supporters into believing what he considers to be baseless allegations.

“The Radical Left Democrats have hit pay dirt, again!” Trump wrote Wednesday on Truth Social. “Just like with the FAKE and fully discredited Steele Dossier, the lying 51 ‘Intelligence’ Agents, the Laptop from H—, which the Dems swore had come from Russia (No, it came from Hunter Biden’s bathroom!), and even the Russia, Russia, Russia Scam itself, a totally fake and made up story used in order to hide Crooked Hillary Clinton’s big loss in the 2016 Presidential Election, these Scams and Hoaxes are all the Democrats are good at.”

Trump expressed disbelief that his opponents continue to gain traction with narratives he sees as orchestrated lies, noting the pattern of previous attempts to damage his reputation.

“It’s all they have,” he continued. “They are no good at governing, no good at policy, and no good at picking winning candidates. Also, unlike Republicans, they stick together like glue.”

Labeling this latest controversy as just another chapter in the same playbook, Trump gave the unfolding scandal a name of his own: “the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax.” He criticized those who had once supported him for now turning against him over what he described as more fabricated noise from the left.

“Their new SCAM is what we will forever call the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax, and my PAST supporters have bought into this ‘[garbage],’ hook, line, and sinker. They haven’t learned their lesson, and probably never will, even after being conned by the Lunatic Left for 8 long years.”

Trump suggested that the real goal behind the media focus and renewed interest in Epstein is to fracture his support and overshadow the victories of his administration and the Republican Party, echoing the way Democrats framed the Russian collusion narrative after Hillary Clinton’s 2016 loss.

“I have had more success in 6 months than perhaps any President in our country’s history, and all these people want to talk about, with strong prodding by the Fake News and the success starved Dems, is the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax,” he said.

Trump wrapped up his post with a final message for those who have turned against him in recent weeks, making it clear he no longer wants their backing.

“Let these weaklings continue forward and do the Democrats work, don’t even think about talking of our incredible and unprecedented success, because I don’t want their support anymore!” he wrote. “Thank you for your attention to this matter. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

{Matzav.com}

Iran is “ready” to respond to any renewed military action against it and has the capabilities to deal “even bigger blows” to the United States and other militaries, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei warned on Wednesday.

The Islamic Republic “not only does not fear America—it instills fear in it,” Khamenei declared, speaking to the country’s judiciary officials in his second public appearance since the June 13-24 war with Israel.

“Although we consider the Zionist regime [Israel] a cancer and the U.S. a criminal due to its support of that regime, we did not seek war,” he said. “Yet whenever the enemy attacked, our response was forceful and firm.”

Israel was “brought to its knees” by Iran and “desperately turned to the U.S.” to strike the regime’s key nuclear facilities on June 22, Khamenei claimed, adding that Jerusalem “realized it cannot handle” Tehran.

The Iranian supreme leader described Tehran’s counterattack to the U.S. airstrikes as “significant,” adding that “once media censorship is lifted, it will become clear how great a blow Iran delivered.” He added: “Of course, even bigger blows could be dealt to the U.S. and others.”

Tehran “possesses all necessary tools, from logic to military power—and whether on the battlefield of diplomacy or in military conflict, we will enter, Allah willing, from a position of strength,” Khamenei stated.

Jerusalem’s June 13 opening strikes in the Islamic Republic wiped out Tehran’s top military command, including the chief of staff of its army, with more officials killed during the subsequent 12 days of fighting.

After the United States joined the war, striking the Natanz, Isfahan and Fordow nuclear sites on June 22, Iran launched 14 missiles at the U.S. military’s Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. Doha said it downed 13 of the projectiles and that the Iranian attack resulted in no casualties.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the foreign ministers of France, Germany and Britain agreed in a phone call on Monday that they would give Tehran until the end of August to reach a new nuclear deal, Israel’s Channel 12 News outlet reported on Wednesday, citing three sources.

The report came a day after French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot told Reuters that Paris, Berlin and London would activate the snapback mechanism by the end of August if no concrete progress has been made.

Reimposition of the U.N. sanctions on Tehran over its nuclear program will lead to an “appropriate and proportionate response,” the Iranian regime warned earlier this week.

“The threat to use the snapback mechanism lacks legal and political basis and will be met with an appropriate and proportionate response from the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Reuters quoted Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei as saying at a press conference. (JNS)

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump will reportedly host the Qatari prime minister for dinner at the White House on Wednesday.

Axios first reported on the planned meeting with Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Washington, where the two leaders are expected to discuss ongoing indirect negotiations in Doha between Israel and Hamas over a partial ceasefire deal that includes the release of hostages.

The Arab Gulf country, considered a key ally and patron of the Hamas terrorist organization, has played a leading role in the talks. On Monday, Trump held a phone call with Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar.

According to Axios reporter Barak Ravid, citing a source familiar with the matter, Trump and the Qatari prime minister are also expected to discuss efforts to restart American negotiations with the Iranian regime in an attempt to reach an agreement on its nuclear program.

Earlier on Wednesday, Trump will reportedly meet with Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Trump on Sunday voiced optimism that ongoing negotiations in Doha could soon yield a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, expressing hope that a breakthrough could be reached in the coming week.

The United States is promoting a plan centered on a 60-day ceasefire, phased hostage releases, Israeli troop withdrawals from parts of Gaza and renewed diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.

“Gaza, we are talking, and hopefully we’re going to get that straightened out over the next week. Let’s see what happens,” the president told reporters at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.

Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, echoed the president’s optimism. Speaking in Teterboro, New Jersey, Witkoff revealed plans to meet with senior Qatari officials on the sidelines of the FIFA Club World Cup final, held on Sunday at MetLife Stadium. “I’ll be meeting them,” Witkoff said, describing the status of ceasefire negotiations as “hopeful.”

The meeting with Qatari representatives is part of a broader U.S. effort to engage regional mediators. In addition to Qatar, Egypt has also been facilitating indirect talks between Israel and Hamas.

According to Israeli estimates, 50 hostages remain in terrorist captivity in Gaza, with 20 believed to be alive. Of the 50, 49 were kidnapped during the Hamas-led attack in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. In addition, Hamas is holding the body of a soldier taken in 2014. The partial deal under discussion would reportedly see the release of 10 living and 18 deceased Israeli hostages. JNS

{Matzav.com}

Top Democratic lawmakers in Washington are trying to contain the political fallout caused by sicko socialist Zohran Mamdani, the controversial New York City mayoral nominee, by urging him to distance himself from the inflammatory slogan “globalize the intifada”—a chant widely denounced as antisemitic. While Mamdani has agreed in private settings to discourage its use, he has refused to explicitly condemn it, according to a report in The New York Times.

This slight retreat came following vocal concerns from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, both representing New York and both of whom are Jewish. At a closed-door session with key figures from the New York business world, Mamdani reportedly promised not to personally promote the phrase and said he would “discourage” its use by others.

Mamdani’s refusal to outright denounce the phrase has dealt a serious blow to his standing among Jewish voters and has led to hesitation among some congressional Democrats. His campaign has struggled to build momentum among centrist and pro-Israel constituencies, putting Democratic leaders in an awkward position ahead of a competitive election.

So far, Schumer and Jeffries have withheld their endorsements of Mamdani, a move that insiders say reflects deep unease about alienating Jewish constituents across New York.

Ahead of a scheduled meeting with Mamdani, Schumer commented on the controversy. “What ‘globalize the intifada’ means is really wrong and should be condemned, and I look forward to my discussions with Mr. Mamdani,” Schumer said.

President Donald Trump and many conservatives have slammed Mamdani’s evasive stance, noting that forcefully rejecting antisemitic rhetoric should be a basic and obvious move for any political figure. Yet Mamdani has consistently stopped short of doing so.

In a recent interview on NBC’s Meet the Press, Mamdani maintained, “globalize the intifada” was “not language that I use,” but he pointedly refused to say that others should refrain from it.

“I don’t believe that the role of the mayor is to police speech,” Mamdani told the network, triggering a wave of backlash from Jewish organizations, Republican officials, and moderate Democrats alike.

Mamdani’s surprise victory over Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary forced the former governor to mount an independent campaign for the general election, where he will face off against Mamdani and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who is also running as an independent.

With three major candidates vying for votes on the left, Democrats fear a splintered electorate could allow a Republican upset in a city historically dominated by Democrats in low-turnout races.

That fear appears more grounded in reality now, as Republican contender Curtis Sliwa is celebrating a HarrisX poll showing him neck-and-neck with both Mamdani and Cuomo, making the race a true toss-up.

Tuesday’s gathering between Mamdani and 150 influential business leaders didn’t reassure everyone in the room. Some came away deeply concerned about his qualifications and worldview.

“Today’s meeting made it clear to me that I need to do everything in my power to make sure Zohran Mamdani does not become mayor of New York City,” said Jon Henes of the C Street Advisory Group, speaking to The New York Times. “His complete lack of executive experience, his naïve understanding of how the world works and his rigidly ideological views, including socialism, would be dangerous for the city’s future.”

{Matzav.com}

[COMMUNICATED]

This lengthy letter includes two leaves and was written by the Admor Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson – the seventh Rebbe in the Lubavitch dynasty, whose influence extended to the entire world.

The letter was sent immediately after Tisha B’Av, and the Rebbe began his letter with a blessing “that the fast should soon be transformed (as well as all the fasts, ) into joy, gladness and festive occasions.”

Elon Musk abruptly stopped responding to House Speaker Mike Johnson’s messages and even changed his phone number, following a heated fallout over the GOP’s massive tax-and-spending package. Johnson shared the details in the newest episode of “Pod Force One,” released Wednesday.

“I sent him a long text message, and then his phone number changed, because after the blow-up, something happened with his,” Johnson explained to The NY Post’s Miranda Devine, describing the billionaire’s sudden exit from their conversation — a departure that came on the heels of a breakdown in Musk’s relationship with President Trump.

“[Later I] realized I was sending it out into the ether somewhere and he never read it, so I look forward to meeting with him in person,” the speaker said of his attempts to reconnect. “We got to make that right.”

Despite being completely cut off without notice, Johnson said he didn’t give up on trying to reconnect and used an intermediary to continue reaching out. He also expressed optimism about the possibility of Musk and Trump patching things up.

“Frankly, I think the president was of that mind as well, but there’s some tension there,” Johnson said, acknowledging that there are unresolved issues between the two.

Musk severed his connection to the Trump administration at the end of May. Not long after, he lashed out publicly at the GOP’s sweeping fiscal legislation, the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act, taking particular aim at its effect on the deficit. Reducing the deficit had been a central pillar of Musk’s work with the Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE.

Despite Musk’s very public campaign against the measure, Republicans managed to shepherd the bill through Congress, and Trump signed it into law on July 4.

The following day, Musk announced plans to start a new political movement — the “America Party” — aiming to break away from the traditional two-party system. This came after he slammed the bill as “pork-filled” and a “disgusting abomination.”

Trump quickly dismissed Musk’s new party idea, saying it was “ridiculous.”

“I am saddened to watch Elon Musk go completely ‘off the rails,’ essentially becoming a TRAIN WRECK over the past five weeks,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Johnson told Devine that there were probably “a multitude of factors” behind the growing distance between Trump and Musk. “But clearly, [Musk] got unhappy in a very short period of time,” he added. “I mean, he generally knew what we were doing, and we talked about it. I mean, he knew for months, many months we worked on this, and I was keeping him apprised of it.”

Johnson went on to say that while Musk was informed about the legislative effort, the final bill may not have met all of his expectations — especially regarding provisions on electric vehicles and climate-related regulations. “The final product maybe didn’t meet all of his expectations in terms of what we’re doing, for example, with electric vehicles and the Biden mandates and all of that,” he said. “But there are other things as well.”

Still, Johnson made clear he’s not dwelling on the fallout. “But look, I let other people judge that. I’ve got to keep my eyes on the prize and keep going forward, and I’m trying to be a peacemaker in all of it.”

While he sympathized with Musk’s frustration over the national debt, Johnson emphasized that meaningful change would take time. He pointed out that Republicans are preparing rescission bills to undo prior spending allocations. “We can’t solve the problem overnight,” he said.

“Look, Elon is a genius,” Johnson acknowledged. “He does things that I can’t even fathom, but one of his fields of expertise was not necessarily crafting legislation, right?”

Asked about his current view of Musk, Johnson said he held no hard feelings. “I’ve got nothing against Elon, obviously.”

“I have great respect for what he’s done, and I just want him to fully understand what we’re doing and remind him of the strategy. This is a long-term play,” Johnson explained. “We can’t fix this stuff overnight, but we have a plan to do it, and I think that’s going to be pleasing to everybody who’s worried about our deficit and our debt.”

On last week’s episode of “Pod Force One,” White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles offered her own reflections on Trump’s previous partnership with Musk.

“The president was very, very kind to him, and Elon had so much to offer us,” Wiles said. “He knew things we didn’t know. He knew people and technologies that we didn’t know.”

“It was a great thing when it was a great thing,” she added, “and had a very, I think, a very troublesome ending.”

{Matzav.com}

In an interview with Newsmax on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that President Donald Trump has come to realize that Vladimir Putin has not been truthful with him.

Trump, who has repeatedly promised to bring the war in Ukraine to a halt soon after returning to office, has reportedly grown increasingly annoyed by Putin’s refusal to cooperate on reaching a peace agreement or even establishing a temporary truce. On Monday, Trump unveiled a proposal to significantly boost military support for Ukraine, including the delivery of Patriot missile systems, and issued a warning that Russia would face “very severe tariffs” if it failed to end the conflict within 50 days.

Russian officials responded the following day by rejecting the ultimatum outright. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov called the terms unacceptable, saying, “any attempts to make demands, especially ultimatums, are unacceptable to us.”

“President Trump realizes that Putin is lying to him,” Zelenskyy told Newsmax correspondent Shelby Wilder during their exclusive sit-down in Kyiv. “And it is important that President Trump sees this for himself — not what he learns from someone else, but what he sees for himself.”

Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine has backed American efforts to secure ceasefires throughout the war and that he personally supported President Trump’s efforts. “We have supported all the U.S. initiatives on the ceasefires. I supported all of President Trump’s initiatives. And he saw the reality: Putin just says one thing and then bombs. And he does not want the war to end.”

Zelenskyy pointed out that there is now a renewed commitment to ensuring Ukraine receives further American military backing. “There is a decision to continue to help Ukraine. There is an understanding that it is important for the United States of America that Ukraine does not lose this war. And Putin is losing a large number of his military, sending them to their deaths,” he said.

He also highlighted new developments this month that signal a turning point for Ukraine’s defensive capabilities. “All these understandings are important. This month, we have achieved a breakthrough in terms of defense systems. For Ukraine, the priority is the Patriot system. I am grateful for the positive signal from the White House, personally from the president, to support this. And regarding the sanctions package, you can see for yourself that everyone is moving forward.”

Meanwhile, lawmakers in the U.S. Senate from both parties are pushing forward legislation that would give Trump broad power to apply tariffs as high as 500% on nations backing Russia — with China, Brazil, and India explicitly called out for their role in helping sustain Moscow’s economy during wartime.

Zelenskyy explained the significance of the sanctions and how they could impact the future of the conflict. “Analysts, financiers in the United States and Ukraine, as well as intelligence agencies that exchange information understand that the sanctions package that America is preparing will affect Putin’s income and, therefore, … the potential for peace on the part of Ukraine, the United States, and Europe because [Putin] will no longer be able to earn huge amounts of money for the war from energy, oil, gas, and other resources,” he said.

“And in the end, he spends all this money on the military machine.”

{Matzav.com}