Matzav

President Donald Trump said Sunday that a small portion of the renovation work at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was affected by contractor mistakes, while continuing to insist that vandalism also played a role in the damage despite prosecutors dropping the criminal case against an Olympic canoeist.

In a Truth Social post, Trump said repairs to the Reflecting Pool are nearing completion and emphasized that the construction issues were limited in scope.

“There was substantial damage to the Reflecting Pool, also but, unfortunately, there is no video or proof, other than the damage, itself,” he wrote on Truth Social. “We are working on the Pool, and it will reopen shortly. As with many jobs, there was also some contractor error done by rushing the job for a July 4th opening, but it was a very small area of this massive Pool, and was relatively inconsequential.”

Trump also reiterated his allegation that former Olympic canoeist David Hearn damaged the pool. According to the president, a longtime National Park Service employee witnessed Hearn allegedly pulling on the pool’s protective surface and later relayed that account to U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro.

Trump claimed that a National Park Service “career employee, a highly credible witness,” saw Olympian David Hearn “in broad daylight vandalize the Reflecting Pool by ‘violently’ ripping and tugging at the Pool’s somewhat delicate coating.” He added that this employee’s testimony was provided to U.S. Attorney of the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro.

The president concluded by announcing that surveillance cameras have been installed at the site and that additional security measures are being implemented.

The latest statement came a day after Trump shared photographs on Truth Social that he identified as evidence of vandalism while urging Pirro to reconsider the Justice Department’s decision to dismiss charges against several individuals accused of damaging the landmark.

Those images showed what appeared to be graffiti and sections where the pool’s protective coating had peeled away. Trump labeled both photographs simply as “Vandalism.”

The president has continued pressing the Justice Department to reverse its decision to drop the criminal case. On Friday, he publicly called on Pirro to reconsider what he described as “her hastily made decision.”

Meanwhile, D.C. Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman officially dismissed the charges against Hearn. The court is expected to decide at a later date whether prosecutors may file charges against him again in the future.

Last week, Trump criticized Pirro over the outcome of the case, saying she had “choked” in handling the matter.

The dispute stems from problems that surfaced after the Reflecting Pool underwent renovations ahead of America’s 250th anniversary celebration. Pieces of “American flag blue” paint were seen floating on the water, while green algae blooms also appeared. Trump has maintained that vandals were responsible for both issues.

After the charges against Hearn were dropped, Pirro’s office instead pointed to problems with the renovation work itself, blaming the contractor for excessive paint overspray and delamination of the pool’s protective coating.

“The rush to complete the project led to hasty and botched work that was not remediated before the project was finished and the fencing removed,” prosecutors wrote.

{Matzav.com}

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) said Sunday that he believes Israel’s current government is no longer acting in a manner consistent with American national security interests, pointing to its conduct in Gaza and its rhetoric during the conflict with Iran as reasons for his growing opposition.

Speaking during an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Murphy reaffirmed his support for the U.S.-Israel relationship while drawing a distinction between Israel as an ally and the policies of its current leadership.

“I want there to be a strong U.S.-Israel relationship. I support Israel. I cannot support this government’s actions. They are not aligned with U.S. national security objectives,” Murphy said during a Sunday appearance on NBC News’s “Meet the Press.”

Murphy said his concerns have made it increasingly difficult for him to back continued U.S. arms transfers to Israel under the present government. He added that he favors a two-state solution and believes a change in Israeli leadership and policy would be necessary before lawmakers with similar views could support ongoing military assistance.

“And so I think that until we have a different government and a different policy in Israel, it’s going to be hard for people like me that want a Palestinian state, side by side with a Jewish state in the region, to support continuing to send arms to Israel,” he added.

Murphy’s remarks came shortly after Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu stated during Sunday’s Cabinet meeting that, as long as he remains in office, no Palestinian state will be established “neither in Gaza nor in Judea and Samaria.”

The senator’s comments also follow a recent House vote on an amendment that sought to end unconditional U.S. aid to Israel. The proposal was defeated by a vote of 314-104, with 103 Democrats supporting the measure and 98 Democrats voting against it, highlighting divisions within the party over U.S. policy toward Israel.

Addressing those internal disagreements, Murphy argued that differing views within the Democratic Party reflect healthy debate rather than weakness.

“We have disagreements inside the Democratic Party,” Murphy said regarding Democrats’ message on Israel.

“And that’s the sign of a healthy party. What’s the alternative? Well, the alternative is the Republican Party, in which they are not allowed to have disagreements. The only thing they can think is what Donald Trump thinks. That’s not a healthy party. I want to be a part of a party that occasionally actually has disagreements inside it,” he added.

{Matzav.com}

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced Friday that the Department of Transportation is moving to permanently require commercial truck drivers to demonstrate the ability to read, write, and speak English, saying the change is intended to prevent future administrations from weakening the standard.

In a post on X, Duffy said the administration is taking steps to make English-language proficiency a permanent part of federal regulations governing commercial drivers.

“Today, I am proposing to lock English proficiency rules into federal regulations FOR GOOD — so no future administration can ever undo them,” Duffy wrote on X.

Duffy sharply criticized changes made during the Obama administration, arguing they weakened long-standing safety standards for truck drivers.

“Barack Obama weakened this rule and allowed illegal truckers onto our highways, but THAT IS NOT HAPPENING AGAIN,” he adamantly continued.

Pointing to the administration’s enforcement efforts, Duffy added, “Over 26,000 unqualified drivers have already been pulled off the road. GET READY FOR MANY, MANY MORE,” Duffy concluded.

The social media post also included video footage showing a transportation official asking a commercial truck driver to identify U.S. highway signs. The driver was reportedly unable to do so because he could not read English.

The Department of Transportation also issued a statement Friday announcing that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is beginning the formal rulemaking process to permanently incorporate English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements into federal regulations governing commercial motor vehicle drivers.

According to the department, codifying the policy would prevent future administrations from rolling back the standards, as officials say occurred in 2016, when the Obama administration changed enforcement policies in a way that allowed “unqualified drivers to remain on U.S. roads.”

The DOT said English-language requirements had existed since 1937 but were weakened under the Obama administration, preventing inspectors from placing drivers out of service solely because they could not speak or read English. Department officials said those changes opened the trucking industry to more foreign drivers who did not meet the previous standard.

The department explained that under the proposed rule, any commercial driver who cannot adequately read or speak English or understand highway signs and traffic signals will be placed out of service. The agency added that Secretary Duffy’s enforcement initiative has already removed more than 26,000 drivers from American highways after they failed English proficiency tests.

“Federal law is clear, drivers who can’t read or speak English — our national language — or understand road signs are unqualified to operate 80,000-pound big rigs on America’s highways. By making these commonsense English proficiency standards permanent, we are closing a dangerous loophole that has cost Americans their lives. The Trump Administration is committed to putting American families first and ensuring the safety of our roads,” Duffy said in a statement.

The proposal builds on President Donald Trump’s executive order signed in April 2025, titled “Enforcing Commonsense Rules of the Road for America’s Truck Drivers,” which declared that English proficiency “should be a non-negotiable safety requirement for professional drivers.”

“They should be able to read and understand traffic signs, communicate with traffic safety, border patrol, agricultural checkpoints, and cargo weight-limit station officers,” the president’s order stated. “Drivers need to provide feedback to their employers and customers and receive related directions in English. This is common sense.”

{Matzav.com}

Israel reportedly used the latest round of U.S.-mediated negotiations with Lebanon to seek information about long-missing Israeli navigator Ron Arad and other Jews who disappeared during Lebanon’s civil war, while Lebanon pressed Israel for details on Lebanese detainees believed to be in Israeli custody, according to Lebanese media reports.

According to the Lebanese newspaper An-Nahar, during the seventh round of talks the Lebanese delegation asked Israel to provide information on the number of Lebanese prisoners being held as well as their condition.

Israeli representatives responded by requesting information about 11 Jews who either disappeared or were killed in Lebanon beginning in the 1980s and called for the return of their remains. The request also included renewed demands for information about Ron Arad, the Israeli Air Force navigator who was captured in 1986 and whose fate remains unknown.

An-Nahar, one of Lebanon’s leading newspapers and a publication known for its opposition to Hezbollah, reported that Israel argued its request was based on provisions in the negotiations that call for efforts to locate and return missing individuals. Lebanese officials reportedly countered that the state lacks the ability to provide the requested information.

Sources quoted by Asharq Al-Awsat said the Israeli delegation “demanded the return of the remains of Lebanese Jews killed during the civil war and information on the fate of Lebanese Jews who disappeared during the Lebanese civil war, particularly in the 1980s,” alongside information on Ron Arad “or the handover of his remains.”

The same sources claimed the Lebanese government “knows nothing about the remains of the Jews in the first place, nor does it know anything about Ron Arad,” and accused Israel of raising the issue to “justify refusing to cooperate on the Lebanese detainees file and also embarrass the Lebanese state, which has no information” on the matter.

Lebanese officials further alleged that Israel was pursuing what they described as a “deliberate diversion policy,” arguing that Jerusalem was attempting to avoid discussions about 34 Lebanese detainees they claim are being held by Israel while diverting attention from alleged Israeli military actions in southern Lebanon, including operations near Lebanese Army positions.

According to Asharq Al-Awsat, 10 of the detainees are Hezbollah terrorists, three were previously imprisoned in Israel, two are nurses who disappeared while accompanying Hezbollah operatives, and the remaining 21 are civilians. The report also cited a list claiming that nine were detained during the conflict that began in March, while another 22 were taken into custody between October 2024 and February 2026.

The Hezbollah-affiliated newspaper Al-Akhbar reported separately that Israel also raised the issue of numerous deceased Jews buried in Jewish cemeteries in Beirut and Sidon. Before the Six-Day War, Lebanon was home to a thriving Jewish community that numbered between 12,000 and 20,000 at its peak, according to Ynet.

Meanwhile, a Lebanese diplomatic source told the Hezbollah-affiliated network Al Mayadeen that no additional round of negotiations between Israel and Lebanon is currently scheduled for next month.

Despite that report, Asharq Al-Awsat said both sides have agreed to continue the negotiations, indicating that discussions are expected to move forward.

{Matzav.com}

A new security assessment is warning that Israel can no longer view its border with Jordan as a stable and quiet frontier, cautioning that the eastern border could one day face an attack resembling the October 7 massacre, Arutz Sheva reports. The report urges Israel to strengthen defenses along the border while maintaining close strategic cooperation with Jordan.

The study, authored by Col. (res.) Prof. Gabi Siboni and Brig. Gen. (res.) Erez Winner, argues that a combination of mounting instability inside Jordan, Iran’s expanding regional influence, and increasing weapons and drug smuggling demands a fundamental reassessment of Israel’s security posture along its eastern boundary.

According to the report, Israel should prepare for the possibility of a coordinated cross-border assault in which terrorists or armed vehicles infiltrate through multiple locations simultaneously before advancing quickly toward Jordan Valley communities and Route 90, creating a scenario similar to the October 7 attacks.

The researchers warn that vulnerabilities along the current border could make such an operation possible. They argue that without a continuous and effective security barrier, together with adequately sized rapid-response forces, Israel could face a devastating attack resulting in unprecedented casualties.

Despite the concerns, the study emphasizes that Jordan remains one of Israel’s most important strategic partners and says preserving the stability of the Hashemite Kingdom is a vital Israeli security interest.

However, the authors stress that Israel cannot depend solely on its security coordination with Amman. They say Israel must also develop the ability to independently defend the border in the event the Jordanian government loses control over portions of its territory or experiences significant instability.

The report identifies several domestic pressures weighing on Jordan, including a prolonged economic downturn, widespread unemployment, water shortages, a heavy national debt, and demographic challenges stemming from the country’s large Palestinian population.

It also points to what the researchers describe as the growing influence of extremist groups, including the Muslim Brotherhood and jihadist organizations, which they say are placing increasing pressure on the Hashemite monarchy.

Siboni and Winner further warn that Iran and its regional proxies are attempting to establish Jordan as another operational front against Israel.

Among the threats highlighted are intensified weapons and narcotics smuggling across the Syria-Jordan border, the use of drones to transport weapons, and the possible emergence of pro-Iranian militias operating near Israel’s eastern frontier.

The report says these developments could fundamentally transform what has long been regarded as one of Israel’s quietest borders into an active security hotspot.

To address those risks, the researchers recommend rapidly completing the security barrier along the Jordanian border while expanding and reinforcing the IDF’s Eastern Division, which is responsible for the sector.

They also call for enhanced intelligence collection, stronger surveillance capabilities, advanced drone detection and interception systems, and a significant increase in rapid-response units stationed throughout the region.

In addition, the study urges Israel to invest further in strengthening communities, agricultural settlements, and farms throughout the Jordan Valley, describing them as a key component of the area’s overall defensive network.

On the diplomatic front, the authors recommend continuing to deepen cooperation with Jordan in areas such as water resources, energy, and economic development while also pressing the kingdom to take stronger action against weapons smuggling, drug trafficking, and anti-Israel incitement.

The report concludes that while Jordan’s continued stability remains a strategic priority for Israel, Jerusalem must simultaneously prepare for the possibility that conditions across the border could deteriorate quickly.

“Let us not return to an event similar to October 7,” Siboni and Winner write, warning that what now appears to be Israel’s quietest border could become the country’s next major security challenge.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump announced Sunday that White House Staff Secretary Will Scharf will become the president’s next White House counsel, elevating the Jewish attorney and longtime Trump legal ally to one of the administration’s most influential legal posts beginning September 1.

Scharf will replace David Warrington, who is leaving the administration for the private sector after serving as White House counsel and previously working for Trump’s presidential campaign.

“It is my Great Honor to announce that, effective September 1st, Will Scharf will become Assistant to the President and White House Counsel, replacing a man, David Warrington, who has done a truly outstanding job as White House Counsel and, before that, for my Presidential Campaign. David will be going on to the Private Sector,” Trump stated.

Trump praised Scharf’s performance as staff secretary and highlighted his extensive legal background, including his previous representation of the president.

“Will has done an amazing job in his current role as White House Staff Secretary, and has also served as Chairman of the National Capital Planning Commission. I know Will well! He previously represented me in numerous cases, including at the Supreme Court, during the Biden Administration’s corrupt and illegal campaign of Weaponization. He also previously served as a Federal Prosecutor, worked as an attorney in private practice, clerked for two Federal Appeals Court Judges, and was a top student at both Princeton University, and Harvard Law School,” the President continued.

Trump added, “Will is Tough, Strong, and Smart! He also loves our Country, and respects the Law. Will Scharf will do a great job as White House Counsel!”

Scharf was born into a Jewish family in New York City in 1986 and was raised in a Modern Orthodox home.

He graduated from Princeton University in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history. During his years at Princeton, Scharf was active with both Chabad and the university’s Center for Jewish Life and served as head of the Chabad Student Board. He later attended Harvard Law School, receiving his Juris Doctor in 2011.

Trump first selected Scharf to serve as White House staff secretary on November 16, 2024, ahead of the beginning of his second administration. In that position, Scharf has overseen the flow of official documents to the president, including executive orders awaiting Trump’s signature.

His responsibilities expanded further in July 2025, when Trump appointed him chairman of the National Capital Planning Commission. Scharf will now move into the White House counsel’s office, where he will serve as one of the president’s principal legal advisers.

{Matzav.com}

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The Sanzer Rebbe said that while the media has fueled hostility toward the Torah world, most secular Israelis still respect Torah and those who study it. His remarks came during a special meeting with a young bochur who had recently been released from military prison after refusing to leave Torah study. The Rebbe also addressed the ongoing campaign against bnei yeshiva and proposals to unite leading rabbonim in response.

The meeting took place on Thursday night, Parshas Eikev, at the Rebbe’s home. The Ziditshov Bnei Brak Rebbe visited together with his son-in-law, Rabbi Chaim Pinter, a descendant of the Sanzer dynasty, and his son, Shmuel Shmelke Pinter, who had recently completed a prison sentence imposed after his arrest by the military police for remaining in yeshiva.

The Sanzer Rebbe warmly encouraged the young man and his family, recalling a story his father, the Klausenberger Rebbe zt”l, often told about Rav Aharon of Kriz zt”l, who was imprisoned. When people asked the Divrei Chaim to daven for Rav Aharon’s release, he reminded them that Yosef HaTzaddik, the Maharam of Rottenburg, and the Ruzhiner Rebbe had all been jailed. When someone suggested that imprisonment was a chilul Hashem, the Divrei Chaim answered that the true chilul Hashem is forgetting Hashem, even for a single moment.

The Rebbe explained that he intentionally refrained from sharing the story while the bochur was still incarcerated.

“I did not want to say this while he was still sitting in prison… Not everything can be imitated… But now that, Boruch Hashem, he has been released, it is appropriate to tell this story.”

The discussion then shifted to the draft crisis and the treatment of Torah learners. The Ziditshov Rebbe raised the idea of convening leading rabbonim to place a cherem on those leading the campaign against the Torah world. The Sanzer Rebbe responded by recalling that his father had long ago proposed organizing chareidi attorneys to defend the interests of Torah Judaism through the legal system in Eretz Yisroel.

“He was wise and could foresee the future… He wanted to gather chareidi attorneys who would coordinate everything related to protecting the interests of Torah Judaism through the legal system in Eretz Yisroel.”

The Rebbe said that government authorities today often act arrogantly and without restraint.

Despite his criticism of government officials and institutions, the Rebbe emphasized that they do not represent the feelings of the general public. He said most Jews in Eretz Yisroel have faith in Hashem and maintain a genuine respect for Torah and religious life, while the media creates the false impression that anti-Torah voices represent the majority.

The Rebbe related that he has personally experienced this in places such as Netanya and even Caesarea, which he described as a left-wing city. During visits there, many non-observant Jews approached him to ask for brachos or treated him with great respect as he walked through the streets.

“This is the majority of the Jewish people in Eretz Yisroel,” he said.

Speaking about the ongoing war, the Rebbe said it has created confusion among many Israelis who do not understand the sanctity of Torah, but it has also inspired countless others to strengthen their faith and seek brachos and tefillos.

Addressing hostility toward the chareidi community, the Rebbe said many secular Jews cannot be judged harshly because they are tinokos shenishbu who were never properly taught Torah. However, he added that when one encounters intense hatred of religion and an organized campaign against Torah-observant Jews, his father attributed such behavior to the influence of the Eirev Rav.

The Rebbe concluded by expressing absolute confidence in the eternity of Torah, recalling his father’s frequent assurance that Torah will never collapse regardless of the challenges facing the Torah world.

Before the young bochur departed, the Sanzer Rebbe gave him a heartfelt bracha, telling him that he had been chosen from Heaven to sanctify Hashem’s Name on behalf of Klal Yisroel and expressing the hope that the future joy of the Torah world would far outweigh its present suffering.

[Video below.] A brief video purportedly showing Iranian leader Mojtaba Khamenei has surfaced after months of public silence, sparking widespread speculation over whether the footage is genuine, recycled from an earlier appearance, or generated using artificial intelligence.

According to reports in Arab media, Iran’s Mehr News Agency released what it described as the first footage of Mojtaba Khamenei—the son of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei—in approximately five months.

The clip, which lasts only about 13 seconds, appears to show Mojtaba seated and speaking with a small group of people during what looks like a religious lesson or private gathering. Its publication follows weeks of rumors concerning his health and the reasons behind his prolonged absence from public view.

However, the video was released without an official date, and no independent source has verified when it was recorded. That lack of confirmation has fueled intense debate online, with many questioning whether the footage is recent, an older recording released at a strategic moment, or even a product of artificial intelligence designed to dispel speculation about his condition.

Because of Mojtaba Khamenei’s influential position within Iran’s ruling establishment, the video’s appearance immediately attracted significant attention. In a country where information about senior regime figures is tightly controlled, even a short, undated video can carry major political and psychological significance.

For now, there is no independent verification establishing when the footage was filmed or why it was released. As a result, the central question remains unanswered: Is it authentic, up-to-date video of Mojtaba Khamenei, or another carefully crafted Iranian information campaign in the age of AI?

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{Matzav.com}

Following a heartbreaking day in which three fatal incidents claimed multiple lives, United Hatzalah spokesman Avi Suissa is calling on the public to exercise greater caution during bein hazemanim, warning that many of the tragedies unfolding across the country are preventable.

Speaking on Kol Chai Radio’s main evening news program, Suissa described the emotional toll on emergency responders, whose volunteers were dispatched to several fatal scenes throughout the day while continuing to respond to numerous other emergencies nationwide.

“You can’t simply move on after a day like this,” Suissa said. “We have to stop and ask ourselves what we’re doing. United Hatzalah volunteers are deployed across the country and are seeing these tragedies up close. Beyond the incidents that make the headlines, we have responded in recent weeks to dozens of near-drownings, dehydration cases, and hikers who became lost. Boruch Hashem, those situations ended safely, but every one of them had the potential to become a tragedy.”

Suissa directed a heartfelt appeal to bochurim and avreichim taking advantage of bein hazemanim to travel and enjoy the outdoors, stressing that recreation must never come at the expense of safety.

“We understand that every bochur and every avreich deserves the opportunity to get away, hike, relax, and recharge during these weeks,” he said. “But we also have to recognize that we’re entering environments and conditions that we aren’t accustomed to during the rest of the year. Our rescue boat on the Kinneret is operating almost nonstop to assist people who are drifting away. We are pleading with the public: Go out, travel, and enjoy yourselves—but make sure you know how you’re going to return home safely. Understand the enormous impact of every one of these tragedies and how it completely changes the lives of an entire family and everyone around them.”

To help prevent additional tragedies, United Hatzalah urged the public to follow basic safety guidelines when traveling or spending time outdoors during bein hazemanim.

The organization recommends wearing appropriate clothing, hats, and sunscreen when heading outdoors, swimming only at officially designated beaches or swimming areas while lifeguards are on duty, strictly following the instructions of lifeguards and rescue personnel, and avoiding strenuous hikes during periods of extreme heat in order to reduce the risk of dehydration and heat-related illness.

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s Chief Rabbinate and the Ministry of Religious Services have issued a joint statement clarifying that no private organization is authorized to represent them in matters of marriage registration, warning the public against relying on groups that claim to operate under their auspices without official approval.

The statement was released in response to advertisements and social media posts circulated in recent weeks by the nonprofit organization “Anachnu Techelet,” which, according to the government agencies, has presented itself as working “in full cooperation with the Chief Rabbinate of Israel” to assist couples seeking to register for marriage.

The Chief Rabbinate and the ministry categorically rejected those claims, stating that no such relationship exists. “No approval has been granted, no authorization has been issued, and there is no institutional relationship whatsoever between the Chief Rabbinate, the Ministry of Religious Services, and ‘Anachnu Techelet’ or anyone acting on its behalf,” the statement said.

Officials emphasized that the clarification applies not only to this specific organization, but to any private nonprofit, association, or other entity that claims to operate in cooperation with, on behalf of, or under the sponsorship of the Chief Rabbinate or the Ministry of Religious Services without receiving formal authorization.

The ministry and the Chief Rabbinate also reiterated that Israel’s official marriage registration process is handled exclusively through authorized government channels. “The marriage registration process in Israel is conducted solely through the regional rabbinate offices and the official systems of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, and no private entity or nonprofit organization is authorized to act on their behalf,” the statement said.

The agencies concluded by urging couples to work directly with their local rabbinate offices when registering for marriage and to avoid relying on private organizations that claim to represent the Chief Rabbinate unless they have received explicit official authorization.

{Matzav.com}

Following a devastating day marked by three separate fatal tragedies, ZAKA spokesman Moti Bukchin issued an emotional appeal to the public—especially yeshiva bochurim enjoying bein hazemanim—urging greater caution and personal responsibility to prevent further loss of life.

Speaking on Kol Chai Radio’s main evening news program, Bukchin described the heartbreaking scenes ZAKA volunteers were confronting across the country as they responded to multiple fatal incidents simultaneously.

“ZAKA responds to every death, and unfortunately this has been a very, very difficult day,” Bukchin said. “Our volunteers are still handling the tragic incident at Keshet Cave, a ZAKA ambulance is currently transporting the boy who drowned in the Jordan River back toward Modiin Illit, and at the same time there has been a fatal traffic accident near Yerushalayim in which two people were killed. We invest tremendous effort in public awareness. I personally speak at campuses and to yeshiva bochurim about the dangers of bein hazemanim, but sadly, every year these heartbreaking incidents continue to occur.”

Rather than assigning blame, Bukchin stressed the importance of taking personal responsibility and making safety the highest priority before heading out on any trip.

“I’m not looking to blame anyone, but every one of us has to take responsibility,” he said. “If we’re yeshiva bochurim going on a hike, think about your parents. Be prepared, don’t try to take shortcuts, and make sure you have a plan for getting home safely. If we’re parents, we need to learn the route beforehand and make sure it’s appropriate for everyone. Don’t try to outsmart the situation or be an iber chacham in the field.”

Bukchin also spoke at length about the dangers posed by swimming pools and beaches, emphasizing that many tragedies are entirely preventable.

“Never leave children alone for even a single moment at a backyard pool—not even for a second to grab something,” he warned. “People continue entering unguarded beaches and swimming at night, and it ends in disaster. Our community understands the importance of ‘Venishmartem me’od lenafshoseichem,’ and it’s painful to see that principle ignored. Think about parents whose child comes home in a ZAKA body bag. Just imagining that is heartbreaking. Be extra careful—it’s important to leave safely, but even more important to return home safely.”

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Israeli authorities have reportedly been secretly holding senior Hamas military commander Basel Salahiya for the past two years after he was captured during fighting in Gaza. Salahiya, who allegedly orchestrated the deadly 2011 Kornet missile attack that killed Israeli teenager Daniel Viflik Hy”d, is expected to stand trial in Israel for his role in multiple terrorist attacks. The revelation was first reported by journalist Avishai Grinzaig on i24NEWS.

According to the report, Salahiya’s capture followed an extraordinary chain of events that began years before the current war. Roughly five years ago, a bitter dispute erupted within Hamas’s military leadership after Salahiya accused senior commander Marwan Issa of betrayal. The accusations reportedly triggered a deep rift between Salahiya and the organization’s top military leaders, including Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Deif. As tensions escalated, Sinwar allegedly ordered Salahiya’s arrest, and he was imprisoned inside the Gaza Strip.

When the war in Gaza broke out, the prison where Salahiya was being held was reportedly destroyed in an Israeli Air Force strike. Hamas subsequently transferred him to house arrest in the Hamad neighborhood of Khan Younis. During the IDF’s ground operations in the area, Israeli forces raided the building where he was being held, took him into custody, and transferred him to Israel, where he has remained ever since.

His arrest comes as Israel continues targeting Hamas terrorists involved in the October 7 massacre. In recent weeks, the IDF has eliminated several senior Nukhba commanders who participated in attacks on Israeli communities, including the commander of the unit that infiltrated the Re’im military base and another who led the assault on Kibbutz Nirim.

Salahiya’s anticipated prosecution is expected to bring a measure of justice for one of the most notorious terrorist attacks carried out before the current war. According to the report, he was directly responsible for the April 2011 Kornet anti-tank missile attack on a school bus near Sha’ar HaNegev.

That attack claimed the life of 16-year-old Daniel Viflik Hy”d after Hamas terrorists fired an anti-tank missile at the bus, an incident that had a significant impact on Israel’s security policy at the time. Years later, after first being imprisoned by Hamas itself, Salahiya now faces prosecution in an Israeli court for his alleged role in the attack.

The report noted that Salahiya’s story highlights the intense internal rivalries that have existed within Hamas. His conflict with Mohammed Deif and Yahya Sinwar—both of whom were later eliminated by the IDF—ultimately led to his imprisonment by the terrorist organization, a development that eventually enabled Israeli forces to capture him during the war.

Meanwhile, IDF forces under Southern Command continue operations throughout Gaza aimed at eliminating immediate threats to Israeli troops and civilians. Military officials say the terrorists targeted in recent weeks had been working to rebuild Hamas’s operational capabilities and advance additional terror plots against Israel.

{Matzav.com}

A major new phase of Israel’s traffic enforcement reform has officially taken effect, significantly changing how many drivers can challenge speeding tickets and other moving violations. Under the expanded system, motorists cited for a broad range of offenses will no longer be able to automatically request a court hearing. Instead, they will first have to appeal through a newly established administrative traffic tribunal.

The latest stage of what has become known as the “Sa’ar Reform” went into effect over the weekend, extending the administrative process to traffic offenses carrying fines ranging from 750 to 1,500 shekels, as well as many speeding violations that previously qualified for an automatic court appearance.

The reform was originally introduced while Gideon Sa’ar served as justice minister in the Bennett-Lapid-Abbas government. Its goal was to move a substantial portion of traffic offenses out of the criminal court system and into an administrative framework, reducing the burden on Israel’s courts while handling most cases through a digital process. When promoting the initiative, Sa’ar said it reflected a policy of decriminalization and would spare drivers unnecessary criminal proceedings and court appearances.

The first phase of the reform took effect on February 8, 2026, covering violations carrying fines of between 100 and 500 shekels, excluding speeding offenses. As of August 8, the system now also includes qualifying speeding tickets and violations carrying fines between 750 and 1,500 shekels. During Knesset Economic Affairs Committee discussions, lawmakers noted that the expanded system covers several significant offenses, including using a cellphone while driving, running a red light, and certain speeding violations.

Under the new process, drivers who believe a citation was issued in error will no longer submit a request for a traditional traffic court hearing. Instead, they must file an appeal with the administrative traffic tribunal. In most cases, the matter will be decided based on written submissions and evidence filed electronically by both sides. The tribunal may hold a hearing only if it determines one is necessary to achieve justice, generally through remote technology and, in exceptional circumstances, in person.

One of the most significant changes involves sentencing authority. Unlike a criminal traffic court, the administrative tribunal cannot increase or reduce the statutory fine. It may uphold the citation, dismiss it, modify the decision, or even change the traffic offense attributed to the driver. As a result, while the tribunal reviews the facts and evidence independently, it does not have the discretion to tailor the amount of the fine based on individual circumstances if the violation itself is upheld.

Although some critics have claimed the new system leaves drivers with little opportunity to appeal, the law still provides judicial review. Final decisions by the administrative tribunal may be appealed to the Traffic Division of the Magistrate’s Court. Appeals of interim rulings require permission from the court, with additional review procedures available under the law. In other words, court oversight remains in place, but the courts are no longer the first stop for challenging most citations.

The reform has drawn criticism since it was first proposed. The Israel Bar Association’s Traffic Law Committee warned during the legislative process that the changes could weaken motorists’ legal protections by replacing traditional court proceedings with a more limited administrative process. Supporters countered that there is little justification for processing hundreds of thousands of routine traffic violations through the full criminal court system and argued that the new framework would resolve cases more efficiently.

Questions about the system intensified following its initial rollout. During a June meeting of the Knesset Economic Affairs Committee, the chairman of Israel’s Trucking and Transportation Council said that only nine of approximately 500 appeals filed under the new process had been accepted. At the same hearing, committee chairman MK David Bitan criticized the Transportation Ministry and called for greater flexibility for law-abiding drivers.

At the same time, the committee approved changes to Israel’s driver’s license point system to align with the reform. Under the revised rules, offenses carrying up to six penalty points will now be removed from a driver’s record after one year, while penalties have been increased for dangerous violations such as using a cellphone while driving, running red lights, and driving on road shoulders.

For many Israeli motorists, the practical effect is immediate. Drivers cited for speeding or other higher-value traffic offenses may now discover that the legal process has fundamentally changed. Rather than automatically requesting a hearing before a traffic judge, they must first pursue a digital appeal through the administrative tribunal, with the courts serving only as the appellate forum if necessary.

The U.S. Navy has launched a sweeping modernization plan for its submarine fleet, announcing that 19 advanced attack submarines will be converted into guided-missile platforms as Washington seeks to strengthen its military position against China’s rapidly expanding naval power in the Pacific.

The announcement comes as concerns continue to mount over America’s missile inventory following the conflict with Iran and reflects a broader effort to reinforce U.S. military capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region.

Under the initiative, Virginia-class submarines will be equipped with a specialized payload module approximately 25 meters (84 feet) long, adding 28 new missile launch tubes to the 12 already built into each vessel. The enhanced submarines will be capable of carrying Tomahawk cruise missiles for long-range strikes against land targets, as well as advanced hypersonic weapons designed to penetrate sophisticated Chinese air and naval defense systems.

Military analysts say submarines remain one of the few assets capable of operating undetected close to an adversary’s territory. Sidharth Kaushal, a senior fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London, explained, “Submarines are one of the few capabilities that can stay near or inside the first island chain in relative safety,” adding that positioning missiles closer to their targets significantly reduces an opponent’s response time.

The overhaul comes as the Navy gradually retires its four aging Ohio-class guided-missile submarines. Those vessels were originally built as nuclear missile submarines before being converted to carry conventional weapons, with each capable of launching up to 154 Tomahawk missiles. Former Navy captain and RAND Corporation researcher Bradley Martin described the Ohio-class boats as “the platform with the greatest capability to launch conventional missile payloads.”

One of those submarines, the USS Georgia, entered the decommissioning process last month, while the remaining three are expected to retire over the next several years. According to the Washington-based Submarine Industrial Base Council, the retirement of the Ohio-class fleet will temporarily reduce the Navy’s undersea strike capability by as much as 60%.

The first upgraded Virginia-class submarines are not expected to enter operational service until 2029, with the final vessel in the program scheduled for delivery in 2038. Despite the temporary decline in firepower, senior Navy leaders have expressed confidence in the transition. Rear Adm. Rob Gaucher, head of the Navy’s submarine programs, said, “These submarines will ensure the Navy continues to dominate the undersea domain for decades.”

Adm. Daryl Caudle, commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command, said the next generation of submarines will build on the Ohio-class legacy while offering “greater survivability and adaptability.” Analysts note that although each new submarine will carry only about one-quarter of the missile load of an Ohio-class vessel, distributing those weapons across a larger number of submarines will make them far more difficult for China to detect and track.

The move comes in response to China’s accelerated military buildup. Between 2021 and 2025, China’s navy launched 10 nuclear-powered submarines, compared with seven built by the United States during the same period. Over those four years, Beijing also expanded its missile arsenal by approximately 50% and recently unveiled a new unmanned underwater vehicle during a military parade, highlighting its preparations for a potential conflict involving Taiwan.

The Navy’s restructuring also follows the depletion of portions of the U.S. munitions stockpile after the 2025 “Operation Midnight Hammer” strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities, ordered by President Donald Trump. In announcing the new submarine strategy, the Navy emphasized that “the submarines will operate unhindered in contested waters, ensuring the U.S. Navy maintains absolute undersea superiority.”

{Matzav.com}

Just weeks before the start of the Elul zeman, Quebec authorities are seeking to revoke funding for three Belzer educational institutions in Montreal, citing what they describe as serious educational and safety deficiencies. The schools, which include a preschool, a Talmud Torah, and a yeshiva ketanah, serve approximately 600 students.

According to provincial officials, the move follows inspections that uncovered multiple alleged violations, including a shortage of certified teachers fluent in English and French, failure to provide the required instructional hours in core academic subjects, the use of unapproved educational materials, and deficiencies related to emergency exits.

The inspections also reportedly found students spending school hours in prayer halls, classrooms operating without teachers, and staff members who did not speak either French or English. Educational programs for girls continue to operate normally but remain under government supervision.

Administrators of the schools have strongly rejected the allegations and have appealed to Quebec’s Administrative Tribunal, seeking an injunction to block the funding cuts. School officials argue that the government’s decision is based on “erroneous factual assumptions, inconsistent analysis and a disproportionate measure.”

Canadian reports indicate that the institutions have been under scrutiny by Quebec’s Ministry of Education since 2007. A report issued by the Advisory Committee on Private Education for 2024–2025 stated that the schools were granted repeated extensions to address deficiencies dating back to an agreement reached in 2009. However, according to the report, they continued to receive only short-term license renewals because they failed to meet the required standards.

A new Kan News poll shows Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu’s Likud and Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party locked in a dead heat with 23 seats each, while two newly launched center-right political alliances remain below the electoral threshold and would fail to enter the Knesset.

According to the survey released Sunday evening, Likud gained one seat compared with the previous poll, drawing even with Yashar at 23 mandates apiece.

The two newest center-right parties—one led jointly by Yoaz Hendel and Matan Kahana? Actually Troper and Hendel? (the Troper-Hendel alliance), and another headed by Gilad Erdan and Yuli Edelstein—both remain below the electoral threshold. Their weak showing appears to have benefited larger parties. Likud and the Netanyahu bloc each gained one seat, bringing the coalition bloc to 53 mandates. Meanwhile, Yair Golan’s Democrats rebounded from eight seats in the previous survey to 10, while Yisrael Beiteinu also climbed one seat to 10.

Naftali Bennett’s Beyachad party held steady at 13 seats, unchanged from the previous poll. The survey also examined a scenario in which Hadash, Ta’al, and Balad reunite on a joint list, though such an alliance is currently uncertain. In that case, the combined Arab list would win eight seats, while Ra’am—running together with Yoav Segalovitz—would receive five seats. Together, the Arab parties would command 13 mandates, reducing the Netanyahu bloc to 52 seats.

When respondents were asked who is best suited to serve as prime minister, Netanyahu continued to lead Bennett by a margin of 41% to 31%, virtually unchanged from the previous survey. Netanyahu also widened his advantage over Eisenkot. After leading by four percentage points in the last poll, he now holds a seven-point edge, with 41% naming Netanyahu as the preferred prime minister compared with 34% for Eisenkot.

In a head-to-head comparison between Bennett and Eisenkot, the Yashar leader came out ahead with 31% support, while Bennett received 20%. Although Eisenkot maintained the lead, the gap narrowed significantly from last week’s survey, when he led Bennett by 22 percentage points.

The poll also found that 18% of respondents said they have recently considered leaving Israel. Among opposition voters, that figure rose to approximately 23%, compared with just 6% of coalition supporters. Despite those numbers, most Israelis do not appear alarmed by the trend. Sixty-seven percent said they are not concerned about the number of people leaving the country, while only 12% said the issue worries them.

Just one week after the ceasefire took effect in Gaza, Hamas is rapidly reestablishing its grip on the territory by recruiting new operatives, intimidating civilians, and imposing steep taxes on merchants, according to Gaza residents who spoke with Israel’s Channel 12 News.

Residents said the terrorist group has begun enlisting young men between the ages of 18 and 20, paying them between 600 and 700 shekels a month and arming them with Kalashnikov rifles. According to those interviewed, the recruits wear civilian clothing and face masks while manning intersections and other strategic locations throughout the Strip.

Despite the lull in fighting, Gazans say Hamas continues to maintain control through fear. Residents reported that masked gunmen quickly open fire on anyone who publicly criticizes the organization, insults it, posts negative comments on social media, or attempts to organize protests. They also claimed that Hamas has established operational and interrogation centers inside hospital complexes while its operatives closely monitor activity throughout the streets.

Many residents remain deeply skeptical that Hamas will ever surrender its weapons. Hussam al-Astal, commander of an armed militia in Khan Younis that opposes Hamas, said, “If Hamas gives up its weapons – neither our forces nor Israel will kill them, but the people themselves, because they killed many people.” Another resident, identified only as “M,” said he believes Hamas is deceiving the public and, at most, would stage a symbolic handover involving only a negligible number of weapons.

Residents also said Hamas is attempting to rebuild its financial base by imposing heavy taxes on local merchants. According to the report, traders are being forced to pay levies ranging from 18% to 40%, with additional taxes imposed on products such as cigarettes as the terrorist organization seeks to replenish its resources and strengthen its control over Gaza.

{Matzav.com}