Matzav

The Gerrer kehillah has announced sweeping new measures aimed at curbing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) within its community, joining other groups in Israel and abroad that have spoken out against the rapidly expanding technology. Under the banner “Shabbos Taharenu,” this coming Shabbos, Parshas Terumah, will be dedicated to raising awareness about the perceived spiritual and social dangers of AI. Drashos and public messages in Gerer shuls are expected to focus on confronting what leaders describe as the harmful influence of emerging technologies.

According to information obtained by Matzav.com, the Gerer community is launching a broad educational and regulatory initiative. Central to the effort is a letter from the kehillah’s Committee on Technology Affairs, outlining new rules that sharply limit interaction with AI systems.

The committee’s rabbonim, who say they have studied the issue extensively, formulated guidelines distinguishing between essential professional use and what they call “free dialogue” with AI systems. The latter—defined as conversational engagement with AI in a way that resembles speaking with another person—is described in the letter as a serious spiritual and social threat.

In the letter, dated for Shabbos Taharenu, Parshas Terumah 5786, the committee characterizes modern technological innovation as a powerful contemporary challenge. It states that members of the community have generally complied with previous rabbinic regulations, limiting technology use and relying only on filtered systems when necessary for livelihood.

However, the letter warns that the inclination toward misuse of technology constantly renews itself, citing the rabbinic teaching that “a person’s evil inclination renews itself daily.” The committee describes artificial intelligence as a “new structure” that has entered many professions within just a few years, producing content quickly and efficiently—even for individuals without prior expertise.

At the same time, the letter refers to AI as a “bad companion” or “golem,” warning that users can converse or correspond with it on virtually any subject. It claims that many around the world have adopted AI as a readily available and convenient companion, leading to what it calls shallow and addictive interactions. Beyond that, the letter cautions against exposure to harmful information that could be accessed through such systems.

The committee warns that the perceived danger extends to smartphones—including, it notes, even devices with religious certification—as well as to computers, including those with content filters.

As a result, the new regulations completely prohibit what is termed “Artificial Intelligence – without control,” defined as open-ended question-and-answer interaction that simulates conversation with a human being, whether through speech or writing. Limited use for professional purposes may be permitted when conducted “with control,” meaning the creation of specific outputs—such as images or other products—without any ongoing dialogue component.

The letter further states that the committee has developed methods enabling certain professional uses of AI while technically preventing free conversational interaction. The goal, it explains, is to allow necessary work-related functions without enabling open dialogue that could lead to deeper engagement or dependency.

The authors conclude by emphasizing the broader need to distance oneself from new technological developments in general, and from artificial intelligence in particular. They express hope for divine assistance in navigating what they describe as the challenges of the current era and in avoiding spiritual harm.

An attached appendix, signed by leading Gerer rabbonim, reportedly details the practical guidelines and new safeguards intended to protect households from the influence of advancing technology.

{Matzav.com}

Florida lawmakers have advanced a proposal to rename Palm Beach International Airport in honor of President Donald Trump, with the state Senate voting Thursday to approve the measure. The 25-11 vote followed earlier passage in the Florida House of Representatives, where lawmakers backed the bill by an 81-30 margin.

Support for the change came primarily from Republican legislators, while Democratic members voiced opposition to rebranding the airport.

“It’s misguided and unfair that the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature ignored the voices of Palm Beach County by pushing forward a bill to rename Palm Beach International Airport without giving County residents a real opportunity for input,” said Rep. Lois Frankel, a Democrat who represents West Palm Beach.

The legislation now moves to Gov. Ron DeSantis for consideration. The Republican governor has not publicly indicated whether he intends to sign the bill into law. His office did not immediately respond to inquiries seeking comment.

The White House also declined to comment on the measure. Representatives for Palm Beach County and the Trump Organization likewise did not provide immediate responses to requests for comment.

The airport renaming effort comes after Florida officials last year approved a separate plan to donate a parcel of downtown Miami property for the construction of Trump’s presidential library.

Trump relocated his primary residence to Florida in 2019. After living for years in a penthouse at Trump Tower in New York, he established his main home at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach.

A growing shortage of basic milk products is being felt across Israel, with residents in numerous cities reporting empty dairy shelves and stores restricting purchases to a single carton per customer. What initially appeared to be isolated supply issues has developed into a wider disruption, leaving many consumers struggling to find milk in recent days.

Shoppers have shared images from supermarkets and neighborhood convenience stores showing barren refrigerators and posted notices limiting quantities. Some families say they have been forced to travel from store to store to secure milk, while others report cutting back on usage because of the scarcity.

In an interview with Arutz Sheva, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said he has been inundated with complaints about the problem. He stated that over the past several weeks, he has received dozens of reports each day from frustrated citizens. According to Smotrich, the root of the shortage lies in the centralized framework governing Israel’s dairy industry, which he described as “the distorted way in which the dairy market is managed in Israel.”

Smotrich reiterated his commitment to advancing a comprehensive dairy reform plan designed to introduce greater competition into the sector. He contended that resistance to the reform amounts to protecting entrenched monopolies at the public’s expense.

Posting a photograph from a grocery store in his community of Kedumim that displayed a notice limiting milk purchases per customer, Smotrich characterized the situation as unacceptable for a modern nation. Referring to the image, he wrote, “Now at our grocery store in Kedumim,” and added, “In recent weeks, I have received dozens of such complaints daily. This is an unacceptable reality in an advanced country like Israel, and it stems directly from the distorted way in which the dairy sector operates.”

He concluded by vowing to press ahead with changes to the system. “I am determined to fix this and, with G-d’s help, pass the dairy reform. Anyone who opposes it works for the monopolies and acts against the citizens of Israel, and I do not intend to give in to them. There could be plenty of milk here, it could be cheap here,” he said.

{Matzav.com}

Disagreements between federal and local authorities have deepened in the investigation into the abduction of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of “Today” host Savannah Guthrie, as officials offer sharply different assessments of where she may be. FBI sources this week indicated she could be in Mexico, while the Pima County Sheriff’s Office insists its evidence points to her still being in Tucson. The divide has fueled criticism that turf battles and early investigative errors have slowed progress in the case.

Guthrie was taken from her Tucson home on Feb. 1. Since then, tension between the FBI and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department has drawn scrutiny from law enforcement insiders who say the handling of the case may have hindered efforts to locate her.

“[The FBI] should have taken the case over within the first few days. We have been treating this as a kidnapping and the FBI is the premier agency to deal with kidnappings,” Aaron Cross, president of the Pima County Deputies Association, told The Post earlier this week.

Despite that criticism, Sheriff Chris Nanos has retained control of the investigation. More than a week after doorbell footage surfaced showing a masked man at Guthrie’s front door, authorities remain without a clear lead on her whereabouts.

Questions have mounted about how evidence was preserved and processed in the critical early days. Critics argue the FBI was not brought in quickly enough, even though the high-profile nature of the abduction appeared to demand federal resources.

Concerns were also raised that the crime scene was released prematurely. Reporters and amateur sleuths were reportedly able to approach Guthrie’s home without visible security or crime scene tape in place.

“It looks unprofessional. It doesn’t look good for our department when we’ve had reporters walking up and essentially contaminating the scene,” Cross said.

In addition, investigators initially missed a roof-mounted camera, which was later discovered during a more thorough sweep conducted by the FBI.

“In my professional opinion, I believe they released the crime scene too early. And that was on Sheriff Nanos,” Brantner Smith, a former cop, told The NY Post .

On Wednesday, the Pima Sheriff’s Department said it is “analyzing biological evidence” recovered from Guthrie’s home and may have obtained additional DNA believed to belong to the suspect. So far, however, efforts to develop usable DNA evidence have not produced results.

A wide search in the area surrounding Guthrie’s residence led to the recovery of 17 discarded gloves. Sixteen were later determined to have been left behind by law enforcement personnel during the search.

One glove found along a roadway two miles from the home appeared similar to the black gloves seen on the man captured in Nest doorbell footage, according to authorities.

Instead of sending the glove to the FBI laboratory in Quantico, Virginia, it was submitted to Florida-based DNA Labs International. That decision became another point of friction between local and federal investigators.

“Nanos has insisted instead on using a private lab in Florida,” an anonymous law enforcement source told Fox News Digital.

County officials said the private lab was selected because of its expertise in forensic genealogy, at a reported cost of about $200,000.

Colleen Fitzpatrick, who has worked with the Florida lab, explained it would generate a multitude of leads.

“If the guy’s from Morocco [for example], you’re not going to find out who he is, but you’ll know he’s from Morocco, which is an investigative lead,” Fitzpatrick told The NY Post.

Authorities later revealed that DNA from the glove did not match unknown male DNA recovered inside Guthrie’s home. Neither sample generated a match in CODIS, the FBI’s national database of DNA from convicted offenders and arrestees.

Officials also confirmed this week that all members of Guthrie’s family have been ruled out as suspects.

Meanwhile, several ransom notes have been sent to media outlets. At least two demanded payment in separate cryptocurrencies to different digital wallets.

The notes contained no proof that Guthrie is alive, and the stated deadlines have passed, leading many investigators to question their legitimacy.

Experts told The NY Post that requesting cryptocurrency payments suggests inexperience, since such transactions can often be traced.

Authorities have also indicated that tracing the email accounts used to send the messages may be difficult.

William Odom, a digital forensics expert formerly with the FBI, said sophisticated criminals avoid common platforms like Gmail or Yahoo and instead rely on “burner email” accounts.

“They’re impossible to trace back because there’s no way to tell where the source is coming from,” Odom told The Post. “It would look like different email addresses coming through every time.”

Odom noted that such disposable email services are frequently hosted on servers outside the United States, including in countries such as Montenegro and Germany.

Investigators also faced challenges retrieving video evidence. It took 10 days to obtain key footage from Guthrie’s Google Nest doorbell camera, which showed a masked, armed man—estimated to be 5’9″ to 5’10” tall, of average build, wearing gloves and carrying an Ozark Trail backpack—tampering with the device in the early morning hours of her disappearance.

The Ozark Trail backpack is sold exclusively at Walmart, and the retailer is now working with authorities to help identify potential purchasers.

The video was recovered only after FBI digital forensic specialists worked with Google. Because Guthrie did not subscribe to a cloud storage plan, the footage would have been overwritten if the suspect had not damaged the device.

Other Nest cameras in the home did overwrite their recordings. Experts told The NY Post that additional footage might still be retrievable, but investigators must sift through vast amounts of stored data.

“It’s the equivalent of a digital landfill at that point, so they’ve got to dig through that. It’s not necessarily that they will find where all of this [data] is. It’s going to take time to figure it out,” Odom said.

Operational setbacks have also come under scrutiny. The sheriff’s aviation unit was not immediately deployed because of staffing shortages, leaving large areas unsearched during the crucial first hours.

Authorities are now employing advanced technology in the search. Helicopters are flying low and slow grid patterns over the Tucson desert using a Bluetooth detection device known as a “signal sniffer,” attempting to locate Guthrie’s pacemaker. The device stopped communicating with her iPhone at 2:28 a.m. on Feb. 1.

The FBI technology can potentially detect a signal from the heart device, but the helicopter must be within roughly 800 feet to pick it up. The device’s inventor told CBS News it would continue to function even if she is deceased.

President Trump criticized the approach during remarks to reporters.

“I didn’t like when they talked about going after the pacemaker before they even started going after it,” he told reporters Thursday.

No charges have been filed in connection with the case. On Feb. 13, authorities detained 37-year-old felon Luke Daley and his 77-year-old mother after FBI agents and a SWAT team raided their home two miles from Guthrie’s residence. Daley was later cleared and released.

Carlos Palazuelos was also briefly taken into custody on Feb. 11 after being stopped while driving toward the U.S. border. The delivery driver was released shortly afterward.

Investigators have not publicly identified a clear motive. Officials have ruled out a burglary that went wrong. Sheriff Nanos has suggested Guthrie may have been taken as “revenge for something,” but provided no further detail.

Online speculation has linked the abduction to Mexican drug cartels, pointing to Tucson’s proximity to the border and a potential financial motive.

Unnamed sources told TMZ that the FBI had communicated with Mexican authorities, though Leon Boyer, a Border Patrol officer and expert on Mexican security, cast doubt on cartel involvement.

“[Cartels] are going to target people in Mexico. They’re not targeting people in the US. Why would they bring attention to themselves?” he questioned, adding that cartel kidnapping schemes typically revolve around local extortion or business disputes.

Authorities have withheld certain information, citing investigative concerns. An Arizona gun store owner said the FBI recently approached him with photographs of roughly 18 to 24 individuals, asking whether he had sold any of them firearms. He said he cooperated out of concern for Guthrie’s family.

Sheriff Nanos, however, denied reports that investigators had narrowed the suspect pool.

“We haven’t narrowed it down to anything other than we have pieces of evidence,” he said on Tuesday.

A reward for information leading to Guthrie’s safe return has climbed to $202,000.

{Matzav.com}

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President Donald Trump said Thursday that he is directing senior administration officials to begin identifying and releasing government records related to UFOs, unidentified aerial phenomena, and extraterrestrial life.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the move comes in response to strong public interest in the topic.

“Based on the tremendous interest shown, I will be directing the Secretary of War, and other relevant Departments and Agencies, to begin the process of identifying and releasing Government files related to alien and extraterrestrial life, unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), and unidentified flying objects (UFOs), and any and all other information connected to these highly complex, but extremely interesting and important, matters,” Trump wrote.

“GOD BLESS AMERICA!” he added.

The announcement drew praise from lawmakers who have been pushing for greater transparency on classified matters. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), who chairs the House Oversight Committee’s task force on the declassification of federal secrets, welcomed the decision.

“Looks like we are about to have a ton of hearings on this :)! Thank you @POTUS!!!” Luna wrote on X.

Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), another member of the declassification panel, echoed that sentiment, posting, “It’s time. Thank you ⁦@realDonaldTrump.”

Earlier in the day, Trump criticized Barack Obama over remarks the former president made in a recent interview in which he suggested aliens are “real.”

“He gave classified information, he’s not supposed to be doing that,” the president told reporters aboard Air Force One.

“I don’t know if they’re real or not, but I can tell you he gave classified information.”

“He made a big mistake,” Trump went on. “He took it out of classified information. No, I don’t have an opinion on it. I never talk about it. A lot of people do. A lot of people believe it.”

Obama made his comments during an interview with podcast host Brian Tyler Cohen, stating that while he had not personally “seen” aliens, he was certain that “they’re not being kept in Area 51.”

He later clarified that his response came in “the spirit of the speed round” portion of the interview, explaining that he was referring to the statistical likelihood of life existing somewhere else in the vast universe.

Obama also said he saw “no evidence” of alien life during his time as commander-in-chief.

Following Trump’s announcement about releasing government files, Cohen responded on social media after facing criticism for not pressing Obama further during the interview.

“Yall [complained] at me about a follow up question but now we’re gonna get the truth about aliens and UFOs you’re welcome,” Cohen wrote.

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee on Thursday forcefully rejected Tucker Carlson’s claim that he and his staff were detained and harassed by Israeli airport authorities following an interview, calling the allegations unfounded and contradicted by surveillance footage.

Appearing on Newsmax’s “American Agenda,” Huckabee said new evidence undermines Carlson’s account. “Something has surfaced that totally blows this out of the water,” Huckabee said.

“Tucker Carlson is seen on surveillance video in the lounge, and he’s hugging and taking photos with the very airport employees that supposedly detained him and harassed him,” the ambassador added.

Carlson told The Daily Mail that after conducting an interview with Huckabee, airport personnel approached his team. “men who identified themselves as airport security took our passports, hauled our executive producer into a side room, and then demanded to know what we spoke to Ambassador Huckabee about,” Carlson said.

“It was bizarre,” Carlson said. “We’re now out of the country.”

Huckabee described Carlson’s version of events as exaggerated and inaccurate, saying the episode had been mischaracterized. Calling the claims “really unfortunate,” he then used sarcasm to challenge the portrayal.

“I’ll tell you, they roughed him up with all kinds of special snacks. They took his picture, they hugged him,” Huckabee said.

“For this ridiculously untrue story about how he was detained, he was not,” the ambassador added.

Israeli officials have also denied that Carlson was mistreated. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett went further, sharply criticizing the conservative commentator and dismissing his narrative.

“The guy who’s been spouting lies about Israel for the past two years, landed today at Ben Gurion airport, took a quick picture in the logistics zone, tweeted it to pretend he’s actually IN Israel (so he can later claim that he’s a serious reporter who toured Israel), didn’t even step foot in country, then made up a story that he’s being supposedly harassed by our security (didn’t happen), whined about it, got back into the private jet and flew off,” Bennett wrote on X.

“Next time he talks about Israel as if he’s some expert, just remember this guy is a phony!” he added.

Huckabee emphasized that standard airport screening procedures apply to all travelers entering or leaving Israel, including himself.

“They looked at his passport. They looked at everybody’s passport,” he said.

“They asked him the standard questions they ask everyone coming in or out of the country.”

The ambassador noted that he too is subject to routine checks. Huckabee said he must present his diplomatic visa each time he travels and that authorities “ask me the same questions.”

The controversy comes as Carlson and Huckabee represent two distinct strands within the broader Christian MAGA movement, reflecting wider disagreements within Republican circles over Israel policy, according to The Jewish News.

Carlson, a prominent conservative media figure, has increasingly voiced criticism of Israel on his platform, influencing a growing segment of younger right-leaning activists and political hopefuls.

Huckabee, in contrast, is a well-known evangelical Christian Zionist who has long supported Israeli sovereignty in the West Bank.

The interview itself followed public tension between the two men. Huckabee had sought a sit-down after Carlson accused him on his podcast of failing to challenge what Carlson described as Israeli demonization of Christians.

Carlson eventually agreed to the interview and posted a photograph Wednesday showing his arrival ahead of the discussion.

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) said during a town hall that discussions within the Democratic Party now extend beyond eliminating U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to potentially breaking up the entire Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Addressing constituents, Omar said that the political climate has shifted since she first entered Congress, making such proposals more mainstream within her party.

“What I will say is that there is an easier conversation happening today than six, seven years ago when I got to Congress, about what we need to do with ICE, which is to abolish it,” Omar told her audience during the townhall meeting.

She went on to indicate that broader structural changes are also being debated.

“There is a lot of conversation about what the dismantlement of the Department of Homeland Security should look like,” she added.

Omar’s remarks come amid heightened tensions over federal immigration enforcement actions in recent weeks. She and other Democratic officials, including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, have been outspoken in criticizing ICE operations.

ICE was established in 2003, and enforcement raids have long been part of its mandate. However, critics of the Trump administration have portrayed recent operations as part of a broader crackdown, arguing that resistance to such enforcement is necessary.

According to Breitbart News, Minnesota, led by Democrats, has seen far-left demonstrators confront federal immigration officers. The outlet reported that some elected officials, including Walz and Omar, have used strong rhetoric in response to ICE actions.

Last month, Walz, who lost the 2024 presidential election to President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, warned that he might deploy the Minnesota National Guard in response to federal law enforcement activity. He also issued a broader warning to residents in other parts of the country.

“To Americans who are watching this, if you’re in Portland or you’re in L.A., or you’re in Chicago, or you’re wherever, they’re coming next,” the governor said, before urging people across the U.S. to “stand with us against this.”

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President Donald Trump on Thursday alleged that Barack Obama improperly disclosed classified material while speaking about extraterrestrial life, asserting that the former president committed a serious error by referencing restricted information.

The comments came during a conversation with reporters aboard Air Force One, when a White House correspondent asked Trump about remarks Obama made over the weekend concerning aliens and whether Trump himself had seen any proof of non-human life visiting Earth.

“Well, he gave classified information. He’s not supposed to be doing that,” Trump said.

Pressed to clarify what he meant, the President repeated the accusation.

“I don’t know if they’re real or not,” he said. “I can tell you he gave classified information. He’s not supposed to be doing that. He made a big mistake. He took it out of classified information.”

Trump indicated that he typically avoids discussing the subject.

“I never talk about it. A lot of people do,” the president said, adding, “I may get him out of trouble by declassifying.”

The exchange stemmed from a Saturday appearance by Obama on the “No Lie” podcast, where he was asked in a rapid-fire segment about the existence of aliens.

“They’re real, but I haven’t seen them,” Obama said, before adding they are not being held at Area 51. “There’s no underground facility, unless there’s this enormous conspiracy, and they hid it from the president of the United States,” he added.

After his comments gained widespread attention, Obama sought to clarify his position in a post on Instagram.

“I was trying to stick with the spirit of the speed round, but since it’s gotten attention let me clarify. Statistically, the universe is so vast that the odds are good there’s life out there,” Obama wrote on Instagram.

“But the distances between solar systems are so great that the chances we’ve been visited by aliens is low, and I saw no evidence during my presidency that extraterrestrials have made contact with us. Really!” he added.

President Donald Trump announced Thursday that nine countries have committed $7 billion toward rebuilding Gaza and that five nations have agreed to send troops as part of a new international stabilization force, marking a major step in his administration’s postwar plan for the Palestinian territory.

Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace in Washington, Trump said Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo and Albania will contribute troops to the Gaza stabilization mission. Egypt and Jordan, he added, have agreed to assist by training police forces for the effort.

The initial deployment of forces is expected to focus on Rafah, a key population hub in southern Gaza, where U.S. officials intend to concentrate early reconstruction initiatives.

Trump identified Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan and Kuwait as the countries providing financial pledges for the relief package.

“Every dollar spent is an investment in stability and the hope of new and harmonious (region),” Trump said as he thanked participating nations. He added, “The Board of Peace is showing how a better future can be built right here in this room.”

Although the $7 billion in commitments represents a substantial sum, it falls well short of the roughly $70 billion experts estimate will be required to fully rebuild Gaza after two years of devastating conflict.

The President also revealed that the United States would contribute $10 billion to the Board of Peace, though he did not detail how those funds would be allocated.

Maj. Gen. Jasper Jeffers, who is heading the newly established International Stabilization Force, outlined the scope of the proposed security presence. He said the plan envisions 12,000 police officers and 20,000 troops operating in Gaza.

“With these first steps, we help bring the security that Gaza needs for a future of prosperity and enduring peace,” Jeffers said.

The Board of Peace was originally conceived as part of Trump’s 20-point framework aimed at ending the war in Gaza. Following the October ceasefire, the President broadened the body’s mandate to include wider international conflict-resolution initiatives.

Some observers have questioned whether the expanded mission of the Board could encroach on responsibilities traditionally handled by the United Nations.

Responding to those concerns, Trump argued that the new body would ultimately strengthen the U.N. rather than weaken it.

“Someday I won’t be here. The United Nations will be,” Trump said. “I think it is going to be much stronger, and the Board of Peace is going to almost be looking over the United Nations and making sure it runs properly.”

While most countries dispatched senior representatives to the event, several heads of state attended in person, including Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Argentine President Javier Milei, and Hungarian President Viktor Orbán.

More than 40 nations, along with the European Union, confirmed participation in Thursday’s session. Germany, Italy, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom were among more than a dozen countries that did not formally join the Board but took part as observers.

“Almost everybody’s accepted, and the ones that haven’t, will be,” Trump predicted. “And some are playing a little cute — it doesn’t work. You can’t play cute with me.”

The meeting came one day after the U.N. Security Council convened a high-level session to discuss the Gaza ceasefire agreement and Israel’s moves to expand its presence in the West Bank. That session, originally scheduled for Thursday, was moved up after Trump set the Board’s meeting for the same day, complicating travel arrangements for diplomats seeking to attend both gatherings.

Earlier in the week, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin said that “at the international level it should above all be the U.N. that manages these crisis situations.” The Trump administration responded Wednesday, rejecting concerns raised by the Vatican.

A central focus of the Board’s deliberations was the formation of an armed multinational force tasked with maintaining order in Gaza and ensuring the disarmament of Hamas, a key Israeli demand and a central element of the ceasefire agreement.

Hamas has offered little indication that it is prepared to relinquish its weapons. A U.S. official, speaking anonymously because they were not authorized to comment publicly, said the administration is “under no illusions on the challenges regarding demilitarization” but has drawn some encouragement from reports by mediators.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio underscored the scale of the task ahead in remarks to the assembly.

“We have a long ways to go,” Rubio said. “There’s a lot of work that remains that will require the contribution of every nation state represented here today.”

Iran has formally petitioned the United Nations, accusing the United States of issuing unlawful threats of force, as President Donald Trump considers potential military action if nuclear negotiations fail.

In an urgent letter sent Thursday to the UN Security Council and the UN Secretary-General, the Islamic Republic condemned what it described as the “persistent threat of the use of force” by Washington. The message was submitted by Iran’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, and focused on recent public remarks by President Trump regarding possible strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

Iravani said he wished to draw “urgent attention” to “the continued threats by officials of the United States to resort to the use of force, including the recent public statement by the President of the United States concerning the use of the Diego Garcia base in connection with a potential military attack against the Islamic Republic of Iran.” He argued that such statements “constitute a flagrant violation of the Charter of the United Nations and international law and risk plunging the region into a new cycle of crisis and instability.”

The complaint referenced a February 18, 2026, social media post in which Trump allegedly made an “explicit public threat.” According to the letter, the President wrote, “… Should Iran decide not to make a deal, it may be necessary for the United States to use Diego Garcia, and the Airfield located in Fairford, in order to eradicate a potential attack ….”

Iravani cautioned that the rhetoric, coupled with what he described as the “persistent movement and build-up of military equipment and assets by the United States,” points to a “real risk of military aggression.” He warned that any such move “would be catastrophic for the region and would constitute a grave threat to international peace and security.”

Despite longstanding tensions over its nuclear activities, Iran maintained in the letter that it “remains fully committed to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and to diplomatic solutions.” The ambassador said Tehran has taken part in negotiations “with a view to clearly conveying its concerns and demanding the full and verifiable lifting of the unlawful and inhumane unilateral coercive measures (UCMs) imposed against the Iranian nation.”

The communication further stated that Iran is seeking a “mutually acceptable, results-oriented solution fully consistent with the recognized inalienable rights of all States parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).” Iravani added that “should the United States likewise approach these talks with seriousness and sincerity and demonstrate genuine respect for the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the peremptory norms of international law, the achievement of a durable and balanced solution would be entirely possible.”

Tehran called on the Security Council to “ensure that the United States immediately ceases its unlawful threats of the use of force” and to prevent steps that might “escalate tensions or lead to a military confrontation.” The letter stressed that “the Security Council and the Secretary-General must act without delay, before it is too late.”

While stating that Iran “neither seeks tension nor war,” the ambassador concluded with a warning that the country would respond if attacked.

“However, in the event that it is subjected to military aggression, Iran will respond decisively and proportionately in the exercise of its inherent right of self-defence under Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations. In such circumstances, all bases, facilities, and assets of the hostile force in the region would constitute legitimate targets in the context of Iran’s defensive response. The United States would bear full and direct responsibility for any unpredictable and uncontrolled consequences,” he wrote.

The diplomatic exchange comes as Washington and Tehran continue talks over Iran’s nuclear program, even as Trump keeps military options on the table should negotiations collapse.

The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday that the President is considering a limited initial strike aimed at pressuring Iran to agree to his terms for a nuclear deal. Such an operation, according to the report, would be intended to compel compliance without escalating into a full-scale assault that could trigger major retaliation.

Earlier in the day, Trump cautioned that Iran must finalize an agreement over its nuclear program or “bad things” would follow. He said discussions were progressing positively but insisted Tehran must agree to a “meaningful” deal.

“Now, we may have to take it a step further – or we may not. Maybe we’re going to make a deal. You’re going to be finding out over the next, probably 10 days,” Trump added.

CBS News reported Wednesday that senior national security officials have informed Trump that U.S. forces are ready to carry out potential strikes against Iran as soon as Saturday. However, individuals familiar with the discussions told CBS that any action is more likely to occur after the weekend rather than immediately.

Meanwhile, a U.S. administration source quoted by The Telegraph said there is now a 90 percent likelihood of war in the coming weeks. An Israeli former intelligence chief cited in the same report said he believes a strike could take place within days.

Former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett sharply criticized conservative commentator Tucker Carlson after Carlson’s short trip to Israel, accusing him of spreading falsehoods and branding him “a chicken [garbage]” who has been “spouting lies about Israel.”

In a post on X, Bennett charged that Carlson had misrepresented both his visit and his interactions in the country, claiming the media figure was attempting to create a misleading narrative about what transpired.

Bennett wrote that Carlson, “who’s been spouting lies about Israel for the past two years…took a quick picture” at Ben Gurion Airport’s logistics zone after landing, then posted the image on X and promptly departed the country, so that the personality could “later claim that he’s a serious reporter who toured Israel.”

He went on to assert that Carlson “didn’t even step foot in the country” yet “made up a story that he’s being supposedly harassed by our security.”

Bennett added that Carlson “whined” about his experience before flying out of Israel on his private aircraft.

“Next time he talks about Israel as if he’s some expert, just remember this guy is a phony!” Bennett concluded.

Carlson had reportedly come to Israel to meet with U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee, with plans to discuss the status of Christians in Israel and across the broader Middle East.

The discussion between Carlson and Huckabee took place inside the Ben Gurion Airport complex, and Carlson did not travel beyond airport grounds. He left the country at approximately 3 p.m., concluding a stay that lasted only several hours.

The rapid arrival and departure came after a public exchange between the two former Fox News personalities. Earlier in February, Carlson released an episode filmed at the Jordan River baptism site titled “Christian Persecution.” Carlson has on multiple occasions claimed that Israel discriminates against its Christian community and has argued that American Christians are, through U.S. assistance, unknowingly supporting such treatment.

Hundreds gathered Thursday at the military cemetery in Moshav HaYogev to bid farewell to Staff Sgt. Ofri Yaffe z”l, a 21-year-old fighter in the Paratroopers Reconnaissance Unit who was killed Wednesday in southern Gaza by IDF friendly fire.

The funeral was held in the community where Yaffe was born and raised, drawing large crowds of family members, friends, fellow soldiers, and residents who came to pay their final respects.

During the ceremony, his father, Yiftach, delivered emotional remarks, describing his son as a young man who “always gave of himself to everyone.” He also addressed the members of the reconnaissance unit directly, making clear that he harbored no anger or blame toward them.

The father expressed criticism toward the country’s leadership, saying his anger was directed at those who send “the best of its sons on missions without purpose.”

Yaffe’s mother delivered a tearful eulogy. “I still can’t grasp that you’re not with us. For me, this is a dark dream and any moment you’ll come and laugh at me,” she said, according to Maariv. She spoke about her son’s personality and warmth, saying, “You were everything for everyone, everyone clung to you like a magnet.”

Earlier in the day, Yaffe’s father was interviewed on Kan Reshet Bet, where he spoke with remarkable resolve about the soldier who fired the shot. He said he would give the sniper “a very big hug” if he came to the funeral.

“We want to save his soul,” the father said. “That he should feel that we have no anger toward him, not even the smallest. These are our very best children, they are all our children.”

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, issued a pointed warning to the country’s enemies today, declaring that Israel’s military remains on high alert amid mounting tensions and the possibility that a U.S. strike on Iran could trigger retaliatory fire toward Israel.

Speaking at a graduation ceremony for new officers at the IDF’s Bahad 1 training base, Zamir made clear that Israel is fully prepared for rapid developments. “Anyone who seeks to test our determination will encounter power that will exact an immediate and heavy price,” he said.

His remarks come as the region braces for potential escalation tied to ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran. Israeli defense officials have indicated that any American military action against Tehran would likely increase the risk of attacks on Israeli territory.

Zamir said that more than two years after the failures of October 7, the military has undergone significant change. He emphasized that the IDF is defending the country, striking with force, and removing threats across multiple fronts. The multi-arena campaign, he said, is being led by IDF commanders at the head of their forces. “Our eyes are open in every direction, and our finger is more ready than ever on the trigger in the face of any change in the operational reality. Anyone who seeks to test our determination will encounter power that will exact an immediate and heavy price,” he added.

Addressing the newly commissioned officers, Zamir highlighted the diverse makeup of Israeli society reflected on the parade grounds — soldiers from cities and kibbutzim, secular and religious, alongside members of the chareidi community, representing a range of views and beliefs. He described the IDF as a bridge uniting the nation above internal divisions in pursuit of a shared mission. Internal strife at the expense of the military, he warned, would lead to disaster.

Zamir also referenced the launch of the IDF’s new five-year strategic plan, known as “Hosen,” which aims to strengthen cohesion among all branches of the military and across regular, career, and reserve personnel. He stressed that the country needs every segment of its population and cannot afford to forgo any part of the nation.

Turning directly to the cadets, Zamir urged them to look at the landscape of Mitzpe Ramon, their families, and the commanders who shaped them, and to move forward to lead their soldiers. He invoked biblical imagery, recalling how King David sought divine guidance before pursuing the Amalekites who had burned Ziklag and taken captives. The answer he received, Zamir noted, became an enduring battle cry: pursue, overtake, and rescue.

He concluded by calling on the officers to be leaders of action rather than words, to uphold strong values and professionalism, and to be worthy of the trust placed in them by the people of Israel. Expressing full confidence in their ability to lead in future battlefields, he ended with a declaration of faith, perseverance, and determination, closing with the words: “The people of Israel live.”

Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, who also spoke at the ceremony, delivered a similarly forceful message. He said the Middle East stands at a crossroads, with extremist forces reorganizing to challenge Israel once again. Netanyahu stressed that Israel is working closely with its major ally, the United States, and that he had made clear to President Donald Trump the principles that, in Israel’s view, must guide any negotiations with Iran. Israel, he said, is prepared for every scenario, warning that if the ayatollahs make the mistake of attacking, they will face a response beyond what they can imagine.

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu sent a personal letter of condolence this week to Motti Babchik, senior aide to MK Yitzchak Goldknopf, following the passing of Babchik’s father, Rabbi Ben Zion Babchik, who died earlier this week.

Babchik is considered one of the influential figures within the Gur chassidus and is widely viewed in coalition and Likud circles as a leading force behind opposition to Netanyahu within the chareidi factions. Many believe he has played a central role, under the guidance of the Gerrer Rebbe, in pushing a hardline stance against the government over the failure to pass a draft law for three years, with some in the political system accusing him of working to bring down the coalition and force new elections.

In his letter, Netanyahu opened with words of sympathy: “I grieve with you, and with all your relatives, over the passing of the head of your family — your father, the man of many deeds, Rabbi Ben Zion Babchik, of blessed memory.”

He continued, reflecting on the pain of losing a parent: “Parting from a beloved and devoted parent is always a difficult moment. His arms embraced us. His concerns were devoted to us. He walked beside us along the paths of life, his heart swelling at the sight of our growth.”

“At this time, when you are wrapped in sorrow over the departure of your father from you, I extend to you my fullest condolences,” the prime minister wrote.

Netanyahu went on to praise the elder Babchik’s standing in the Gur community. “Alongside being a family man, Rabbi Babchik earned a name for himself as a Torah scholar faithful to the path of Gur chassidus. As one of the pillars of the Gur community in Kiryat Gat, your father devoted himself to his studies, published Torah insights, issued halachic rulings, engaged in acts of kindness, and gave generously to others.

“His ear was attuned to the needs of the community. The warmth of his personality and the light of his countenance left their mark on wide circles. I am certain that these important values of your late father will remain with you for years and generations. May you find comfort in this, as well as in the continued preservation of family unity. May the Omnipresent comfort you among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem, and may you know no further sorrow.”

At the bottom of the letter, Netanyahu added a handwritten note: “From the depths of my heart.”

{Matzav.com}

Rav Yigal Cohen, a member of the Council of the Chief Rabbinate and chairman of its Legislative Committee, has issued a sharp warning over the continued failure to repeal the kashrus reform enacted by former minister Matan Kahana.

In a formal letter sent to Israel’s Chief Rabbis and to leaders of the chareidi and religious political parties, Rav Cohen expressed concern that nearly three years after the current government was formed, the reform remains in place despite what he describes as clear election promises to overturn it.

The reform, which was passed in opposition to the stance of the Chief Rabbinate, significantly changed the structure of Israel’s kashrus supervision system. Rav Cohen wrote that the reform has weakened the authority of the Chief Rabbinate, disrupted the national kashrus framework, and created confusion among consumers who rely on consistent and reliable supervision.

He noted that at the time the legislation was enacted, the Chief Rabbinate warned that the changes would have damaging consequences. Those warnings, he said, were ultimately ignored.

In his letter, Rav Cohen stressed the urgent need to restore halachic authority and centralized oversight over kashrus to the Chief Rabbinate. He called for immediate legislative action to repeal the reform and reinstate a clear, unified national kashrus system.

Officials within the Rabbinate have also cautioned that the approaching election cycle makes the matter increasingly urgent. Once the political system formally enters campaign mode, advancing substantial legislative changes will become significantly more difficult.

According to these officials, there is real concern that the reform could become entrenched as a permanent reality, with the fragmentation of the kashrus system becoming irreversible. They warned that it may not be possible to reverse course in a future government.

Senior Rabbinate sources stated that anyone who fails to act now will find it much harder to do so later, emphasizing that the Council of the Chief Rabbinate unanimously determined when the reform was passed that it must be repealed immediately, that kashrus must be returned to a unified national framework, and that commercial competition undermining halachic standards must be prevented. They stressed that this position has not changed.

Rav Cohen concluded by urging immediate and decisive action to repeal the reform and restore kashrus authority to the Chief Rabbinate, citing both halachic responsibility and public accountability.

The British government is reportedly denying President Donald Trump permission to use UK military air bases for a potential strike on Iran, amid concerns within London that such action could violate international law and draw Britain into a broader conflict.

According to a report in The Times, the White House has been developing contingency plans for possible military action against Iran that would involve the use of Royal Air Force Fairford in England. The base serves as a forward operating location for U.S. heavy bombers and plays a key role in long-range missions.

Trump is said to have discussed the issue directly with Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a phone call Tuesday night. British officials were reportedly uneasy about authorizing the use of RAF facilities for an attack, fearing that doing so could breach international law and expose the UK to legal and diplomatic consequences.

In public comments, Trump specifically referenced both the U.S.-UK base on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean and RAF Fairford in England, arguing that the installations could be critical if Tehran refuses to reach a nuclear agreement with Washington.

“Should Iran decide not to make a Deal, it may be necessary for the United States to use Diego Garcia, and the Airfield located in Fairford, in order to eradicate a potential attack by a highly unstable and dangerous Regime,” Trump wrote on Truth Social Wednesday.

“An attack that would potentially be made on the United Kingdom, as well as other friendly countries. We will always be ready, willing, and able to fight for the U.K., but they have to remain strong in the face of Wokeism, and other problems put before them,” he added.

The dispute over the potential use of British bases is also said to be influencing Trump’s evolving stance on a separate agreement involving the Chagos Islands. The proposed deal would transfer sovereignty of the islands from the UK to Mauritius, while allowing Britain to retain control of the strategically vital Diego Garcia base under a 99-year lease.

The Chagos Islands arrangement is intended to resolve decades-old tensions tied to Britain’s colonial-era control of the territory. Diego Garcia, located nearly 6,000 miles from the UK, is one of the most strategically significant American military outposts, supporting bomber and aircraft operations across the Middle East and parts of Asia.

Earlier this month, Trump had praised the complex arrangement as the “best” outcome for Starmer, and the U.S. State Department expressed support for it earlier in the week. However, following his reported conversation with the British prime minister, Trump reversed course and withdrew his backing.

“Our relationship with the United Kingdom is a strong and powerful one, and it has been for many years, but prime minister Starmer is losing control of this important island by claims of entities never known of before. In our opinion, they are fictitious in nature,” Trump wrote.

“Prime minister Starmer should not lose control, for any reason, of Diego Garcia, by entering a tenuous, at best, 100-year lease,” he added. “This land should not be taken away from the UK and, if it is allowed to be, it will be a blight on our great ally.”

It is unclear whether Starmer, leader of the Labour Party and currently facing low approval ratings, will be able to secure enough backing in Parliament to advance the Chagos Islands agreement without Trump’s support.

The Chagos Archipelago consists of roughly 60 islands situated about 1,500 miles south of India. Its location provides Diego Garcia with significant strategic value due to its proximity to both the Middle East and South Asia. Britain has controlled the islands since 1814 and has been considering steps to return them to their original inhabitants.

{Matzav.com}

A 19-year-old resident of Beitar Illit was arrested Thursday on suspicion of taking part in the overturning of a police vehicle during protests that broke out earlier this week in Bnei Brak.

Four days after the disturbances that rocked the city on Sunday, police say the search for those involved in acts of vandalism is still ongoing. As part of the investigation, officers detained the young man for questioning and later placed him under arrest.

According to authorities, the suspect was identified after investigators gathered evidence and other findings linking him to the incident. He is being questioned on suspicion of intentionally damaging a vehicle, participating in an unlawful gathering, conspiracy to commit a crime, and blocking or disrupting a public roadway.

After being interrogated, he was remanded in custody. He is scheduled to appear Friday morning before the Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court, where a judge will decide whether to extend his detention.

Police said they will continue to act decisively against anyone who attempts to harm officers, police vehicles, or public property, and vowed to bring those responsible for disorder and violence to justice.

Video footage from Sunday’s unrest, which quickly spread online, shows dozens of young men overturning a marked police car in the heart of Bnei Brak. Authorities say the investigation remains active as they work to identify additional suspects.

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Mrs. Sarah Zicherman a”h, the wife of noted philanthropist and marbitz Torah Rav Wolf Zicherman, rosh hakahal of the Munkatcher kehillah in the United States. She was 77 years old.

Mrs. Zicherman had battled a serious illness over the past two years.

She was born to her father, Reb Betzalel Farkash, who was counted among the prominent and respected chassidim of Satmar. Raised in a home of deep Torah values and chessed, she carried those qualities with her throughout her life.

Upon reaching marriageable age, she married Reb Zev Wolf Zicherman, author of the seforim Otzar Pela’os HaTorah. Throughout the decades of their marriage, she stood faithfully at her husband’s side in his many charitable endeavors and in his tireless work on behalf of the Torah world.

Mrs. Zicherman was known for her quiet dignity, generosity, and unwavering dedication to her family and community.

The levayah was held today at the Munkatcher Beis Medrash on 14th Avenue in Boro Park, Brooklyn. Kevurah took place in Kiryas Yoel.

She is survived by her husband and their wonderful family of children and grandchildren following in her ways.

Yehi zichrah boruch.

{Matzav.com}