Matzav

Israelis planning vacations or business trips to Europe in 2026 will not have to worry—at least for now—about obtaining a new pre-travel authorization before departure.

The European Union has once again postponed the launch of its European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), which was expected to require travelers from visa-exempt countries, including Israel, to obtain paid online approval before entering much of Europe. According to current reports, the system is now expected to begin operating sometime in 2027.

Although multiple reports have indicated another delay, the European Commission has not yet announced an official new launch date. References to a late-2026 rollout have already been removed from some EU information pages, while others still display the previous timeline, leaving the official implementation date uncertain.

Once ETIAS becomes operational, travelers from visa-exempt countries—including Israel—will be required to obtain online travel authorization before boarding flights to 30 European countries.

The requirement will apply to travel to countries including France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Greece, Portugal, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Bulgaria, Romania, and Cyprus. It will also cover Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. Ireland will remain outside the ETIAS system.

The latest postponement is reportedly tied to ongoing problems with the European Union’s Entry/Exit System (EES), the new biometric border management platform on which ETIAS depends.

Although the EES entered full operation in April 2026, reports indicate that it has experienced technological issues, congestion at border crossings, staffing shortages, and infrastructure challenges, forcing officials to delay the launch of ETIAS once again.

When the system eventually takes effect, travelers will be required to complete an online application providing personal information, passport details, and answers to security-related questions.

The authorization will cost €20 and will remain valid for three years or until the traveler’s passport expires, whichever comes first. Travelers under the age of 18 and those 70 and older will be exempt from the fee but will still be required to obtain travel authorization before entering participating countries.

For now, however, nothing changes for travelers.

The ETIAS system is not yet operational, applications cannot be submitted, and no fee is currently required. European Union officials have emphasized that the public will receive an official announcement several months before the system is activated. They also warned that any website currently claiming to issue valid ETIAS authorizations is not providing legitimate travel approval.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump declared Sunday that American forces struck Iran “very hard” once again, as U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed it carried out military operations against the Islamic Republic for a ninth consecutive night.

Speaking to reporters after attending the FIFA World Cup final, Trump said Iran’s military capabilities have been devastated by the sustained U.S. campaign.

“Iran has been very, very badly damaged. They’ve lost everything, almost, militarily. They’ve got very little left. They’ve got some missiles. They’ve got some drones. They’ve got some manufacturing ability, not much.”

.@POTUS Trump on Iran: "We hit them very hard again tonight, and we did that in honor of the probably three great patriots."

"Those great patriots were out there fighting [so] that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon."

"Iran has been very, very badly damaged. They've lost… pic.twitter.com/2nRlpujF0V

— Israel War Room (@IsraelWarRoom) July 20, 2026

Trump also asserted that the United States now controls one of the world’s most strategically important waterways.

“We control the strait. They don’t control anything. So, we’ll see what happens.”

The president added that Sunday’s strikes were carried out in honor of the American service members who were killed over the weekend.

“But we hit them very hard again tonight. And we did that in honor of the probably three – it’s probably three, as opposed to two – great patriots”, referring to US troops who were killed over the weekend.

{Matzav.com}

Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, have welcomed their fourth child, a baby boy, in what is believed to be the first birth to a sitting U.S. vice president in more than 150 years.

Vance shared the news today on social media, announcing that the couple’s son, Alec Neel Vance, was born this morning.

“Usha and the baby are happy and healthy, and our kids are overjoyed to meet their little brother,” he wrote, while also expressing gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and staff at Walter Reed Medical Center for the care they provided.

According to the Associated Press, no sitting vice president has welcomed a child while in office in more than a century and a half.

The newest addition joins the couple’s three older children: Ewan, 9, Vivek, 6, and Mirabel, 4.

Usha Vance, whose maiden name is Chilukuri, grew up in the working-class suburbs of San Diego, California. Her father is a mechanical engineer, and her mother is a molecular biologist. Both immigrated to the United States from Andhra Pradesh, India.

She met JD Vance in 2010 while the two were students at Yale Law School. Their relationship began after they participated together in a discussion group focused on “social decline in white America.”

The couple has frequently appeared together at official White House events, including a reception honoring military mothers earlier this year.

Throughout his time in national politics, Vance has been among the Trump administration’s strongest advocates for encouraging larger families and increasing the nation’s birth rate.

In his recently released book, Vance revealed that Usha had initially been hesitant about having a fourth child. He wrote that her outlook changed following the death of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk last year.

“Not long after we buried my friend, she became pregnant with our fourth child, a boy,” he wrote. “One life was stolen from us, but another was given.”

{Matzav.com}

A Northern California county grappling with a projected $91 million budget deficit has become the first in the state to formally adopt a far-reaching reparations blueprint for Black residents, approving a package of recommendations focused on housing, education, healthcare, economic opportunity, and criminal justice reforms while leaving open the possibility of future direct cash payments.

The Alameda County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the plan in a 5-0 vote on June 30, concluding more than two years of research, public meetings, and community input.

Although the proposal emphasizes institutional reforms and policy changes over immediate financial compensation, county leaders stressed that direct payments remain an option that could still be pursued.

The vote comes even as Alameda County wrestles with significant financial pressures. During this year’s budget discussions, officials warned of a projected $91 million shortfall for the 2026-27 fiscal year.

Despite those challenges, supervisors approved a balanced $6.7 billion budget in June, describing the county’s fiscal outlook as difficult.

Supervisor Nate Miley, who represents District Four and has been a driving force behind the reparations effort, said monetary payments have not been eliminated from consideration.

“We haven’t ruled it out. It’s one of the items in the action plan. It’s not the only item.”

Miley suggested that pursuing cash payments could prove more difficult than implementing other portions of the proposal.

“I think if it were the only item, or if it was a priority item, it might be more challenging,” Miley said. “But I do think there’s some low-hanging fruit — some immediate things we can do, and some things we’re already doing.

“And then there might be the more challenging things. A cash payment might be one of those more challenging things.”

The county’s reparations framework calls for expanding affordable housing, promoting Black-owned businesses and economic development, increasing investments in education and healthcare, and advancing reforms within the criminal justice system.

Supervisors also voted to establish a permanent committee charged with overseeing implementation of the recommendations.

“The committee now has an action plan. It’s in our ballpark,” Miley said. “We need to take it up and deal with it.”

According to Miley, the county’s highest priorities should include criminal justice reform, housing, education, and expanding economic opportunities.

“Clearly, economic opportunity is another important factor,” explained Miley. “It’s hard to balance those four and say which is more prominent, but I do think all four of those are significant.

“I see reparations as a path, an opportunity,” he added. “I wouldn’t say it’s a panacea, but I do believe it’s definitely a part of the equation that could help African Americans.”

Separately, Alameda County has partnered with the City of Hayward on a compensation initiative tied to Russell City, a once-thriving multiracial unincorporated community that was acquired through eminent domain and demolished during the 1950s and 1960s to make way for industrial development.

That effort, known as the Russell City Redress Fund, began with $900,000 and has since grown to approximately $1.3 million.

The fund is intended to provide direct payments to surviving former residents and their descendants.

The broader debate over reparations payments is also unfolding elsewhere in the country. In Evanston, Illinois, the nation’s first city to distribute reparations through $25,000 housing grants is now defending the program in federal court.

The U.S. Department of Justice entered the lawsuit in June, arguing that the race-based eligibility requirements violate the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

Miley argued that simply distributing checks would not necessarily achieve the long-term goals county leaders hope to accomplish.

“And once again, that’s why a cash payment isn’t necessarily always the objective,” he said.

“The objective is: How do we get people to have housing? How do we get people to be economically stable? How do you deal with criminal justice reform?

“A cash payment doesn’t always mean that those things will occur. We have to change policies, and we have to change programs. I think that’s where we need to invest our resources.”

Steve Hilton, the Republican nominee for California governor, sharply criticized the reparations effort and instead blamed Democratic leadership for the state’s economic disparities.

“Thanks to 16 years of Democrat one party rule we have a massive and unacceptable racial wealth and opportunity gap in California, and I am determined to fix it.

“The best way to increase opportunity is not more of the same welfare state bureaucracy but my plan to make our state ‘Califordable.’ That’s the way to fight the racial wealth gap, not the Democrats’ divisive and unfair reparations scheme.”

Meanwhile, Santa Monica is moving ahead with its own initiative aimed at addressing historical injustices.

On Tuesday, the Santa Monica City Council approved the creation of a citywide Restorative Justice Program.

City officials said the initiative will be built around three components: a dedicated Restorative Justice Fund, a City Council-appointed Restorative Justice Commission, and an independent administrative structure designed to ensure transparency and fairness.

Santa Monica plans to launch the fund with $3.5 million, money the city expects to receive after approving a Second Amendment to its development agreement with the RAND Corporation in mid-2025. Officials said the funding will not affect the city’s operating budget.

{Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rav Yosef Tzvi Geffen zt”l, one of Bnei Brak’s distinguished marbitzei Torah, who was niftar Sunday at the age of 82.

Rav Geffen, the son of Rav Yissachar Berish Geffen zt”l, was renowned for his exceptional refinement of character, tireless hasmadah, and devotion to Torah. From his youth, he immersed himself in limud haTorah with extraordinary diligence and was beloved by all who knew him. Those close to him recall his warm smile, genuine concern for every individual, and his constant practice of greeting everyone warmly, reflecting his deep ahavas Yisroel.

As a young man, Rav Geffen had the privilege of becoming a close talmid of his rebbi, Rav Shmuel Rozovsky zt”l, Rosh Yeshiva of Ponovezh. He faithfully transmitted his rebbi’s teachings and distinctive approach to learning, passing them on with remarkable clarity and dedication to thousands of talmidim over more than half a century.

For approximately 60 years, Rav Geffen served as a R”M at Yeshivas Heichal Avrohom Elimelech of Karlin and at Yeshivas Ahavas Aharon. Talmidim remember him not only as an outstanding maggid shiur, but as a compassionate father figure who carried each talmid in his heart, caring deeply for their spiritual, personal, and material well-being while inspiring them to grow in both Torah and middos tovos.

His petirah leaves a profound void for his distinguished family and for the thousands of talmidim who mourn the loss of the beloved rebbi who shaped their lives.

Among those he leaves behind is his son-in-law, Rav Shemaryahu Yosef Finkel, one of the rabbeim of Yeshivas Mir in Modi’in Illit.

The levayah took place at his home at 8 Rechov Breslov in Bnei Brak, proceeding to the Segulah Cemetery in Petach Tikvah for kevurah.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rabbi Dovid Berger zt”l, a distinguished sofer stam whose name became synonymous not only with excellence in safrus, but with exceptional yiras Shomayim, ehrlichkeit, and tzidkus. He was a beloved figure whose aidelkeit and ehrlichkeit left an indelible impression on all who had the privilege of meeting him.

A longtime resident of Georgian Terrace, Reb Dovid lived in Lakewood, NJ for decades, earning the admiration and affection of the entire community. His reputation as a master sofer extended far beyond the city, but those who knew him understood that his extraordinary skill was only one aspect of who he was. His true distinction lay in the purity of his character and the profound yiras Shomayim that permeated every facet of his life.

The greatest talmidei chachomim entrusted Reb Dovid with their Sifrei Torah, tefillin, and mezuzos, not merely because of his technical expertise, but because they recognized that his yiras Shomayim was on an altogether different plane. Reb Dovid’s name stood as a symbol of complete ne’emanus. His ehrlichkeit was beyond question, and his standards of precision and integrity never wavered.

Anyone who encountered Reb Dovid immediately sensed that they were in the presence of an exceptional individual. His refined demeanor, gentle nature, and unmistakable feinkeit reflected a life lived with constant awareness of the Ribbono Shel Olam. He carried himself with remarkable anavah, never seeking recognition or acclaim.

Those who interacted with him were struck by his warmth, sincerity, and dignity. Every conversation, every interaction, and every aspect of his conduct reflected a man whose life was defined by Torah and avodas Hashem.

His sudden passing leaves a profound void.

Reb Dovid is survived by his devoted wife, Mrs. Rivky Berger, along with a wonderful family of children and grandchildren who continue his legacy of Torah and yiras Shomayim.

Levayah details will be posted once they are finalized.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

A sweeping new law regulating electric bicycles is now in force across New Jersey, imposing new rules on riders that include licensing, registration, insurance requirements for certain models, and mandatory helmet use.

Effective July 19, 2026, the legislation establishes a minimum operating age of 15 for anyone riding an e-bike. Riders who are 17 or older may use a valid New Jersey driver’s license, while 15- and 16-year-olds—as well as adults who do not hold a valid New Jersey driver’s license—must obtain a dedicated e-bike or moped license through the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC).

The new law also requires every e-bike, including low-speed models, to be registered with the MVC. Insurance coverage is mandatory for motorized bicycles, including throttle-powered e-bikes and pedal-assist models capable of speeds between 21 and 28 mph. However, low-speed pedal-assist e-bikes with a top speed of 20 mph are exempt from the insurance requirement.

Another significant change is that every rider, regardless of age, must now wear a helmet while operating an e-bike. In addition, motorized bicycles are prohibited from traveling on interstate highways, divided highways, and any roadway with a posted speed limit above 50 mph.

State officials are encouraging riders to familiarize themselves with the new requirements before using their e-bikes. Registration forms, licensing information, and additional guidance are available through the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.

{Matzav.com}

The Gerer chassidus will hold a large tefillah and protest rally Monday night outside Israel’s Military Prison No. 10 following the arrest of a Gerer yeshiva bochur over military draft-related issues. The gathering will be led by the Gerer Rebbe after receiving approval from Israeli police.

The rally is scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m. and will include Maariv, the recitation of Tehillim, and inspirational addresses on behalf of Yisrael Yehuda Fein, a talmid of Yeshivas Sefas Emes in Yerushalayim, who is currently serving a military prison sentence.

The demonstration comes in response to Fein’s arrest after he appeared at a military induction office on his scheduled reporting date in an effort to regularize his draft status and obtain a medical exemption.

According to sources within the Gerer community, Fein initially reported to the military draft office in Yerushalayim but was informed that his file was registered in Haifa and that he needed to report there immediately.

Family members and associates say Fein asked officials whether traveling to Haifa that same day could result in his arrest. He was allegedly told that because it was his official induction date, he had nothing to worry about.

However, after arriving at the Haifa draft office, Fein was informed that he had arrived too late and was transferred to the military induction base at Tel Hashomer.

He was subsequently brought before a military officer, convicted in a disciplinary proceeding, and sentenced to 20 days in Military Prison No. 10.

Gerer officials contend that the decision failed to take into account Fein’s medical condition or the fact that he had voluntarily appeared in an effort to complete the process of obtaining a medical exemption.

Members of the chassidus also pointed to the student’s difficult family circumstances, noting that his father is currently under house arrest in the United States following extradition, leaving the family to cope with an especially painful situation.

In recent days, Gerer community leaders, together with veteran prison advocate Rabbi Shimon Shisha, have been working with the relevant authorities in an effort to secure Fein’s early release.

{Matzav.com}

Israel is preparing for the possibility of a significant escalation with Iran after the United States informed the Israeli government that it intends to broaden its military campaign against Iranian targets in the coming days, according to Israeli and American security officials.

Despite the planned expansion of the U.S. operation, Washington has made clear that it prefers to keep Israel out of the current phase of the conflict and avoid drawing it directly into the fighting.

During recent strategic discussions between Israeli and American officials, the possibility was raised that Iran could decide to “break the rules” by launching missile attacks against Israel, a move that would almost certainly trigger an Israeli military response. U.S. officials have indicated that they are seeking to prevent such a scenario and keep the conflict centered in the Gulf region.

Over the past 24 hours, the United States has transferred additional equipment and munitions to support American fighter aircraft operating in the region. At the same time, 10 more U.S. aerial refueling aircraft arrived in Israel from Europe and from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar as part of preparations for potential Iranian attacks on American military installations throughout the Gulf.

According to senior Israeli officials, Turkey also warned that it could provide air support to Iran if Kurdish forces entered the country as part of a reported Mossad-backed ground operation. The officials said this was the scenario President Donald Trump was referring to when he recently stated that Turkey had come close to becoming directly involved in the conflict. Under the alleged Mossad plan, Kurdish fighters would have received aerial protection from the Israeli Air Force during the operation.

Meanwhile, Channel 13 News reported that Qatar has presented a new proposal aimed at easing tensions between Washington and Tehran.

Under the Qatari initiative, the United States would suspend its airstrikes, while Iran would commit to reopening two shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz for a period of 10 days.

Israeli officials are also evaluating several scenarios that could pull Israel into a broader war, including a direct Iranian missile attack, intelligence indicating preparations for an imminent strike that would require a preemptive Israeli attack, or a request from President Trump for Israeli military participation. One senior Israeli official said the likelihood of escalation “has increased significantly over the past 24 hours.”

The heightened concerns come after Iran fired four missiles Sunday toward Jordan and other areas in the Gulf following overnight U.S. strikes inside Iranian territory.

According to reports, President Trump has informed mediators that unless a ceasefire is reached this week, they should prepare for a further escalation of military operations.

A senior Israeli military officer told Channel 13 News that had any of the Iranian missiles struck Eilat, Israel would have been obligated to respond militarily.

In the meantime, Israel is increasing its preparedness for the possibility of Iranian missile attacks while sending a clear warning to Tehran.

“Our strike plans are ready,” Israeli officials said.

Senior Israeli officials also told Channel 14 News that the confrontation with Iran appears to be on a course toward an almost unavoidable collision. They believe key decisions could be made within days, raising the possibility of renewed high-intensity fighting with Iran as early as this week.

Even as Iran’s confrontation with the United States intensifies, Tehran has not yet decided whether to expand the conflict by attacking Israel directly. Israeli assessments indicate that Iranian leaders have not reached a final decision but could do so in the near future.

Israel’s political and security leadership has already determined that if Iran launches attacks against Israeli territory, the country will respond aggressively to eliminate the threat.

Another possibility under discussion is that the United States could decide to broaden its military campaign and ask Israel to join the operation. Israeli officials indicated that Jerusalem would welcome such a request and view it as an opportunity to conduct coordinated military action against Iran.

Israeli officials continue to monitor U.S. decisions closely, acknowledging that uncertainty currently outweighs certainty and warning that the growing number of unanswered questions may itself point to an increasing risk of escalation.

A senior Israeli official told Channel 12 News that while coordination with Washington remains constant, President Trump remains difficult to predict.

“We are in continuous dialogue with the Americans, but one thing is clear: Trump is unpredictable. Right now it appears that the decision to increase the intensity of the strikes against Iran will indeed be carried out,” the official said.

At the same time, Israeli intelligence believes Trump’s envoys—particularly Steve Witkoff—are still attempting to halt the cycle of escalation and revive negotiations aimed at reaching a diplomatic agreement.

Israeli leaders were also informed in recent hours that Iran does not currently appear interested in launching missiles at Israel, recognizing the consequences such an attack would bring. However, officials cautioned that the situation could change quickly as Iranian military activity continues moving closer to Israel.

“We are preparing for every possible scenario and developing both immediate operational options and long-term strategic plans,” one senior Israeli official said. “If the Americans decide to escalate or involve Israel, or if the Iranians take an unexpected and reckless step against us, we will be ready.”

{Matzav.com}

Qatar is working to secure the release of members of Iran’s Jewish community who have been detained by Iranian authorities, serving as an intermediary between the United States and Tehran, according to officials familiar with the matter.

Several members of Iran’s Jewish community were recently arrested after criticizing the Iranian regime during the country’s confrontation with the United States and Israel. Sources familiar with the negotiations told Kan News correspondent Roi Kais that Qatar has been engaging with senior Iranian officials in an effort to obtain their release.

The mediation comes just days after Iran released an American citizen who had been detained in the country since 2024. President Donald Trump publicly thanked the Iranian government following her release.

According to the report, Qatar’s involvement extends beyond efforts to free American citizens and also includes negotiations on behalf of the detained members of Iran’s Jewish community.

Officials noted that Qatar’s motivation is not purely humanitarian. Rather, the Gulf state is seeking to demonstrate to Washington that it is the most effective and reliable mediator in the region, outperforming rival countries in facilitating sensitive negotiations.

A total of five members of Iran’s Jewish community are currently being held on various charges, according to the report.

Despite coming under attack from Iran in recent months, Qatar continues to push for renewed diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran, hoping to bring the two sides back to the negotiating table.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu’s office issued a scathing response Sunday after New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he would seek Netanyahu’s arrest if the Israeli leader visits New York for the United Nations General Assembly in September.

In a statement released Sunday evening, the Prime Minister’s Office sharply criticized both Mamdani and the International Criminal Court (ICC), accusing the mayor of trying to divert attention from his own record while denouncing the court as illegitimate.

The statement described the ICC as “a kangaroo court that has no jurisdiction over Americans or Israelis.” It further asserted that the “bogus arrest warrant” issued against Netanyahu was approved by former ICC prosecutor Karim Khan “just days before allegations of sexual misconduct against him became public.” According to the statement, “it was a clear attempt by Khan to divert public attention and seek protection from scrutiny.”

The Prime Minister’s Office also defended Israel’s wartime conduct under Netanyahu’s leadership, saying that “under Prime Minister Netanyahu’s leadership, Israel has taken unprecedented measures during wartime to minimize harm to civilians.” The statement accused Hamas of “using Palestinians as human shields while deliberately targeting innocent Israeli civilians.”

The response also took direct aim at Mamdani personally.

“Instead of supporting Khan’s criminal conduct, Mr. Mamdani should focus on repairing the damage his policies have caused New York City,” the statement said. It added that “like Karim Khan, Mamdani appears interested in diverting public attention away from his own failures by attacking the leader of the Jewish state and the only democracy in the Middle East.”

The exchange follows remarks Mamdani made in an interview with The New York Times, in which he reiterated that he wants Netanyahu arrested if the prime minister visits New York.

“Whatever the law allows me to do in New York City, that’s what we’ll do,” Mamdani said. “But we’re not going to write our own laws for that purpose.”

He also declared, “I believe Prime Minister Netanyahu belongs in The Hague. He is a war criminal who has been charged by the International Criminal Court. That is a view many people hold simply because of what his actions have brought about over many years.”

{Matzav.com}

A new report claims the FBI has instructed agents that it will no longer investigate allegations that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers were assaulted, a move that critics warn could reduce independent oversight of immigration enforcement. The Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security, however, insist no such policy change has occurred.

According to The New York Times, FBI managers received written notification of the reported change on Thursday. Sources told the newspaper that FBI personnel also informed ICE agents in various parts of the country about the new guidance.

Previously, when ICE agents were involved in fatal shootings, the FBI was responsible for determining whether the officers had been assaulted before using deadly force. Information uncovered during those investigations could later be used in civil rights inquiries or criminal prosecutions involving the agents.

The Times reported that under the new guidance, Homeland Security Investigations—the investigative branch of ICE—would likely assume responsibility for examining assault allegations involving its own personnel. Sources told the newspaper that such an arrangement could reduce independent accountability for immigration officers.

Because the Department of Homeland Security does not have authority to investigate federal civil rights violations, critics cited by the report argued the change could make it less likely that ICE agents who fatally shoot unarmed individuals would face federal civil rights investigations.

Both the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security strongly disputed the report, maintaining that no changes have been made to the existing oversight structure.

In a joint statement provided to CNBC, the agencies said, “The Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security are partners in addressing crime and upholding the rule of law, while securing the safety and security of American communities.”

The statement added, “The relationship between DHS and DOJ in investigating assault on federal officer cases has not changed, and FBI will continue to investigate in accordance with agency policy.”

The report surfaced only days after an ICE agent fatally shot Colombian national Joan Sebastian Guerrero in Biddeford, Maine. According to the report, the incident marked at least the seventh fatal shooting involving ICE agents since January 2025 and the second this month, following the July 7 shooting death of Mexican immigrant Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston.

{Matzav.com}

The Mamdani administration has permanently adopted a controversial initiative that pays people cash for turning in used syringes, prompting critics to argue the policy rewards drug users instead of helping them overcome addiction.

The program, which had previously operated as a pilot, is now a permanent part of New York City’s budget. The city’s $126 billion spending plan for the fiscal year that began July 1 earmarks $3 million for the Health Department’s Community Syringe Redemption Program, which pays participants 20 cents for every used syringe they return.

The decision received little public attention. It was disclosed in budget documents submitted by the Health Department to the New York City Council on June 30, just before lawmakers approved Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s first budget.

The program will continue to be managed by Addiction Response Resources, a nonprofit organization that introduced a similar syringe buyback initiative in Boston in 2020. The group is operating New York City’s program under an $11.1 million contract that extends through the end of next year.

Participants are permitted to turn in as many as 50 used syringes each day, allowing them to earn up to $10 daily. Collections are accepted at eight designated locations across the city, including five in The Bronx and one site each in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens.

City officials say there are no plans to expand the initiative beyond its current footprint. The program was first authorized in 2022 through legislation backed by progressive members of the City Council and officially launched in March 2025 with the stated goal of removing hazardous needles from streets, parks, and other public areas.

Funding for the initiative comes from more than $189 million New York City received through legal settlements with opioid manufacturers and distributors.

Councilwoman Joann Ariola, R-Queens, blasted the program, arguing the settlement money is being spent in the wrong place.

“should all be going toward addiction treatment services — not for paying users to turn in their needles for cash.

“All this is doing is putting money in the pockets of addicts, so they can continue to fuel their habits, rather than helping them break free of their disease.”

According to the Health Department, the program has collected more than 2.3 million used syringes since launching nearly 16 months ago. During its first year, officials said more than 1,700 participants received a combined $292,000 in cash payments.

The Department of Sanitation has reported a dramatic decline in the number of discarded syringes its crews are collecting, although officials say staffing and cleanup efforts have remained unchanged despite the reduced volume.

As of Wednesday, sanitation workers had picked up 26,229 needles in 2026, compared to 64,560 during the same period last year—nearly three times as many.

Councilman Oswald Feliz, a Bronx Democrat whose district includes two of the collection sites in Fordham Heights and Tremont, acknowledged the improvements in street cleanliness while expressing concern about the broader message the program sends.

“Too often, used syringes end up in front of schools and children’s parks, and this is an issue that should be treated with the seriousness it deserves,” he said. “We should not recklessly create conditions that can threaten the safety of vulnerable communities.”

Some participants welcomed the continuation of the program and said they wished the city would increase the number of collection sites and eliminate the daily cap on syringe returns.

“It’s definitely a side hustle for me. Yeah, definitely!” crowed Tamia Wright, 43, after returning needles at Walter Gladwin Park in The Bronx on Thursday. “Right now, I’m gonna buy some weed with [the earnings] and cigarettes.”

Health Department spokeswoman Rachel Vick defended the initiative, saying it provides cleaner neighborhoods while connecting participants with services.

“everyone deserves to live in a community free of syringe litter” in public spaces.

“The city’s syringe redemption program allows New Yorkers in neighborhoods where we see the most complaints to help keep their communities clean, while safely disposing of medical waste and connecting people in need to nearby care,” said Vick.

“We look forward to continuing this important work in the years to come.”

{Matzav.com}

The United States launched another wave of airstrikes against Iran overnight, with Iranian officials claiming one of the targets was a nuclear power plant under construction, as the rapidly escalating conflict entered its eighth straight day.

According to Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, the strikes hit the partially completed Darkhovin nuclear facility in southwestern Iran. The attack came one day after two U.S. service members were reported killed and a third remained missing following an Iranian assault.

Reacting angrily, Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization declared, “An attack on a peaceful nuclear facility under international safeguards is a clear violation of international law.”

Iranian officials did not disclose the extent of any damage at the facility, and the United States has not publicly confirmed that the nuclear site was among the targets.

The latest exchange followed Iran’s attack on American forces in Jordan, in which two U.S. military personnel were killed and another remained unaccounted for.

According to U.S. Central Command, the newest round of American strikes began at approximately 6 p.m. Eastern Time on Shabbos after receiving authorization from President Trump.

In a statement, Central Command said, “The strikes are designed to further degrade Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and swiftly punish Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces who launched attacks against American service members in Jordan last night.”

U.S. officials said the operation successfully struck Iranian military coastal surveillance installations and air-defense positions.

Iranian state media acknowledged that American forces carried out attacks near the southern city of Sirik as well as another location near Shadegan.

The latest military action comes amid renewed instability across the region after a Pakistan-brokered peace agreement signed in June collapsed.

Iran quickly responded by launching a drone attack targeting U.S. military equipment and assets in Kuwait, according to reports carried by Iranian state television.

Iranian state TV also claimed that Tehran destroyed at least two American fighter aircraft during Shabbos’s combined missile and drone assault on a U.S. military installation in Jordan.

Kuwait’s military announced Sunday that its air defenses once again intercepted incoming Iranian missiles and drones after facing repeated attacks that began the previous day.

Authorities in Bahrain likewise reported that their air-defense systems intercepted another Iranian aerial attack on Sunday.

Despite the interceptions, there were no reports of casualties or property damage from the latest incidents, and Iran did not officially claim responsibility for those attacks.

The U.S. Embassy in Amman announced Sunday that Jordan’s international airport and the nearby seaport in Aqaba had been evacuated because of what it described as a “specific and credible threat.”

Jordanian officials, however, later said they had detected no immediate danger in recent hours and stated that they had not issued any evacuation order.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced that it continues to enforce its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes.

The IRGC claimed four vessels attempted to transit the strategic waterway using what it called an “unsafe route” with U.S. support after disregarding Iranian warnings.

According to the Guard Corps, two of the ships turned back, while the remaining two became involved in an “accident,” though no further details were provided.

With the deaths of the two Americans in Jordan, the number of U.S. service members killed since the joint U.S.-Israeli military campaign began in February has risen to 16, while more than 420 have been wounded, according to Central Command.

Responding to the losses, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote on X, “Their sacrifice only stiffens our resolve.”

Iran’s Health Ministry said that American airstrikes have killed 50 people and wounded more than 500 others during the past three weeks alone.

The current conflict began on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched military operations aimed at dismantling Iran’s nuclear program.

{Matzav.com}

The approximately 10,000 Jews still living in Iran have been forced to demonstrate unwavering loyalty to the Iranian regime, sever contact with relatives in Israel, and avoid any online activity that could arouse suspicion, according to an Israeli expert on Iran. During the recent war, he said, Jewish communities were even compelled to hold ceremonies praising the regime and offer prayers for the success of Iranian missile attacks.

The assessment was shared by Beni Sabti, an Iran researcher at Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), during an interview with Yaron Schneider on the institute’s “Extra Security Broadcast” podcast. Sabti described how the direct military confrontation between Israel and Iran placed the country’s remaining Jewish community under unprecedented pressure.

According to Sabti, while previous conflicts involving Hamas or Hezbollah occasionally led to harassment of Jewish business owners and professionals, the direct war with Israel dramatically intensified the danger. He said Iran’s Jews now feel compelled to constantly prove their loyalty to the regime.

“They had to hold many ceremonies praising the Iranian regime and even, unbelievably, prayers for the Iranian missiles,” Sabti said. “There were also many curses and insults directed at the State of Israel and the Americans, all in order to survive.”

Sabti said shuls have become not only places of worship and refuge, but also venues where members of the Jewish community publicly demonstrate allegiance to the Islamic Republic. He explained that Iranian Jews have spent generations learning how to conceal their true feelings in order to protect themselves.

“They are very accustomed to living a life of deception in order to save themselves,” he said.

That caution extends to communication with family members in Israel. Sabti said many Iranian Jews stop following relatives on social media, sharply reduce WhatsApp conversations, and even ask family members in Israel not to contact them at all.

“Not being in contact is actually a sign of safety,” Sabti explained. “Leave me alone, I’ll manage. It’s better that we not appear connected so no one sees our relationship.”

Although the Iranian government publicly insists it distinguishes between Judaism and Zionism—and even reserves a seat in parliament for a representative of the Jewish community—Sabti argued that the regime effectively treats Iran’s Jews as political hostages. Any contact with relatives in Israel, he warned, can quickly become grounds for accusations of espionage and interrogation by Iran’s intelligence services.

He pointed to one of the darkest chapters in the community’s modern history: the 1999 arrest of 13 Iranian Jews who were accused of spying for Israel. Several faced severe punishments before eventually being released following prolonged international pressure. The episode, Sabti said, served as a lasting reminder that no Jew in Iran is immune from sudden persecution.

Ironically, Sabti said the Jewish community often fares better when the Iranian regime feels confident and secure. When the government believes its grip on power is weakening or that it faces external threats, suspicion toward the Jewish population increases, forcing community members to make even more visible displays of loyalty to avoid being viewed as a “fifth column.”

Most of Iran’s remaining Jews live in Tehran, Isfahan, and Shiraz. Many work as merchants, physicians, engineers, and other professionals. According to Sabti, they generally maintain peaceful relationships with their Muslim neighbors and avoid drawing attention to themselves, provided they adhere to the unwritten rules and display no public connection to Israel.

Despite the mounting risks, many members of the community remain reluctant to leave. Some are elderly, while others own businesses, stores, clinics, or valuable property that cannot easily be transferred abroad. For many families, emigrating would mean abandoning everything they have built over a lifetime and starting over in Israel or the United States without their assets or social standing.

Sabti also noted the community’s profound historical and cultural attachment to Iran. Jews have lived there continuously for approximately 2,500 years, and many regard themselves as native Iranians deeply connected to the Persian language, local traditions, cuisine, and the cities where their families have lived for generations. They do not see themselves as outsiders but as members of one of the world’s oldest Jewish communities living under an increasingly hostile regime.

According to Sabti, Iran’s Jewish population numbered roughly 120,000 before the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Tens of thousands fled following Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s rise to power, while many others left during the 1980s as the Revolutionary Guard strengthened its grip and government repression intensified.

Sabti also argued that years of isolation from Jewish communities in Israel and the United States have allowed groups associated with Neturei Karta to expand their influence in some Iranian shuls and educational institutions. He said the regime has welcomed those voices as useful propaganda, presenting anti-Zionist Jews as evidence of Jewish opposition to the State of Israel.

Today, one of the world’s oldest Jewish communities remains caught between its ancient roots and a regime that views it as a political tool. While Iranian Jews continue to maintain shuls and preserve communal life, Sabti warned that during times of war, even a simple phone call to Israel or the slightest expression of identification with the Jewish state can place their freedom—and even their lives—in jeopardy.

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s High Court of Justice heard arguments Sunday in a petition demanding that Gaza residents be permitted to enter Israel for medical care, but the hearing quickly shifted focus when the justices sharply criticized materials submitted by the petitioners and ordered inflammatory allegations against the IDF removed from the case file. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir attended the proceedings.

The petition, filed by Physicians for Human Rights-Israel, seeks to compel the government to allow patients from the Gaza Strip to receive treatment inside Israel.

During the hearing, Justice Alex Stein objected to one of the petitioners’ supporting documents, warning that it contained serious allegations directed at the IDF and the State of Israel.

“Withdraw the appendix, because it contains accusations and statements against the IDF and the State of Israel. If you do not remove it from the case file, there will be costs.”

Justice Yael Vilner likewise condemned the document, stating, “There is an accusation here against IDF soldiers that is without precedent,” before adding, “There is absolutely no justification for submitting a document that accuses IDF forces.” Following the court’s criticism, the petitioners agreed to withdraw the appendix.

Representing the state, government attorneys argued that Israel’s policy regarding Gaza patients fundamentally changed after the October 7 massacre. They explained that the Defense Minister now permits patients from Gaza to leave only for medical treatment in third countries rather than inside Israel.

The state told the court that 800 patients and accompanying family members exited Gaza through the Rafah Crossing in February, followed by 1,462 the next month and 1,820 in May, emphasizing that the current policy reflects ongoing security concerns.

Government lawyers also requested that the justices examine classified evidence in a closed, ex parte session. During the discussion, Justice Yechiel Kasher observed that the number of Gazans leaving for medical treatment today represents only about 10 percent of the volume seen before October 7.

Before entering the courtroom, Ben Gvir blasted both the legal challenge and the High Court itself.

Speaking to Arutz Sheva, he said, “It is simply outrageous that these people repeatedly exploit what is essentially their home field in the High Court. They know it’s home-field advantage-it’s like playing in the World Cup with the referee on only one side.”

Ben Gvir reiterated his call for sweeping judicial reform, declaring, “We’ve accomplished a great deal, but in the next elections I will demand full judicial reform.”

Attorney Yehuda Puah, chairman of the B’Tsalmo organization, also criticized the petition, arguing that organizations he believes support terrorism are attempting to force Israel to provide medical treatment to Gaza residents inside the country.

Puah said the state’s position remains that Gaza patients may travel through Israeli territory if another nation agrees to treat them, but that the petitioners are insisting specifically on treatment within Israel.

According to Puah, the justices indicated that exceptional humanitarian circumstances should have some form of review process. He quoted the court as saying, “There cannot be no mechanism; there cannot be no opening,” arguing that such a requirement would effectively create a pathway for Gaza residents to enter Israel.

Puah said he appeared at the hearing on behalf of 39 bereaved parents but was informed by Justice Vilner that he would not be allowed to address the court orally because the judges had already reviewed his written submission. He criticized the decision, saying the petitioners were permitted to argue their case in person while the bereaved families were denied the same opportunity.

According to Puah, the materials he submitted included publications that he says demonstrate the petitioners’ support for a terrorist organization, along with arguments that insufficient efforts had been made to locate third countries willing to accept Gaza patients. He also maintained that in previous cases, individuals who entered Israel for medical treatment later assisted Hamas by transferring information and materials, and argued that Israel should therefore avoid establishing any permanent framework allowing patients and their escorts to enter the country.

Puah concluded by emphasizing that Israel continues to permit patients to transit through its territory when another country is prepared to receive them, but opposes allowing Gaza residents to enter Israel itself for medical treatment.

{Matzav.com}

The following shiur, titled “Year Round Daylight Saving Time – The Ramifications for Orthodox Jews,” was delivered by Rav Dovid Heber, a native of St. Louis who learned in Telshe Yeshiva Chicago and Yeshivas Ner Yisroel, where he received semicha. Rav Heber is the rov of KAYTT in Baltimore and a Kashrus Administrator at Star-K. He is a Torah columnist for the Yated and the author of The Intriguing World of Jewish Time: Fascinating Zmanim and Calendar Calculations.

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{Matzav.com}

New York City parents will soon have an opportunity to enjoy a few child-free hours at no cost under a new pilot initiative unveiled by Mayor Zohran Mamdani. The city will provide free babysitting services for hundreds of families during a special four-hour event next month.

The new program, called “Parents’ Night Out,” is scheduled for Aug. 16 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will offer complimentary child care for as many as 500 children at recreation centers throughout the five boroughs.

Enrollment begins at 8 a.m. Monday and will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis until all available spots are filled.

Announcing the initiative, Mamdani said, “Every parent knows that a few hours to yourself can feel like a luxury. It shouldn’t be. That’s why we’re launching New York City’s first-ever Parents’ Night Out, so that parents can get a little time on their own to catch a movie, run errands or go on a date without worrying about who will take care of the kids – or how much it will cost.”

The program is available to families with children between the ages of 6 and 13. Participants will be supervised by staff at designated city recreation centers while parents take advantage of several hours on their own.

City officials said the initiative is intended to provide parents and caregivers with a much-needed break while offering children a safe environment with organized activities.

The Aug. 16 event will serve as a test run for the new program, with capacity capped at 500 children spread among participating recreation centers across New York City.

Officials are encouraging families to sign up promptly once registration opens, noting that the limited number of openings is expected to be claimed quickly.

The participating recreation centers are:

Brooklyn:
Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center
3105 Farragut Place, Brooklyn, NY 11210

Manhattan:
Highbridge Recreation Center
2301 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10033

Queens:
Al Oerter Recreation Center
131-40 Fowler Avenue, Flushing, NY 11355

Bronx:
Kwame Ture Recreation Center
1527 Jesup Avenue, Bronx, NY 10452

Staten Island:
Greenbelt Recreation Center
501 Brielle Avenue (across from Sea View Hospital)

{Matzav.com}

Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is reportedly no longer inside Iran, according to an Israeli security source quoted by the Saudi news outlet al-Hadath, adding another layer of uncertainty surrounding the Islamic Republic’s leadership.

Khamenei assumed the role of supreme leader after his father was killed in the joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on February 28. Since taking power, he has not appeared in public and has communicated only through written statements.

According to the Israeli security source, those statements are not being written by Khamenei himself but instead are being prepared by Ahmad Vahidi, the newly appointed commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, along with other senior IRGC officials.

The source also described growing turmoil within Iran’s leadership, warning that “Iran’s internal divisions are deep and threaten the existence of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.”

The same Israeli source further claimed that Washington has made clear it does not want Israel to participate in military strikes against Iran, even if Tehran launches attacks against Israel.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump is expected to present the World Cup trophy to the champion following Sunday’s final between Argentina and Spain, but the White House is already celebrating what it sees as an even bigger triumph: the successful hosting of the largest World Cup ever staged.

Speaking Friday during a FIFA reception at Trump Tower in New York City, Trump said the tournament had transformed perceptions of the United States as a soccer nation.

“It turned out we were a soccer country, and I think it’s going to remain,” Trump said Friday at a FIFA reception at Trump Tower in New York City. “This has really brought the world together.”

For the administration, Sunday’s championship marks the conclusion of more than a year of intensive planning with co-hosts Canada and Mexico to stage the historic tournament. Throughout that process, White House officials worked through major logistical challenges while also navigating the administration’s strict immigration policies, which prevented fans from certain World Cup qualifying nations from entering the United States.

Before the tournament began, organizers also faced criticism from human rights organizations and complaints over expensive ticket prices. At various points, Trump floated the possibility of relocating matches away from cities that refused to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, while disputes between FIFA and local governments over transportation costs added to the tensions surrounding the event.

Even as opening matches approached, the administration remained under international scrutiny because of several visa decisions, including denying entry to a Somali referee who had earned widespread praise for his officiating. Those concerns intensified after Trump launched military action against Iran, creating additional complications involving Iran’s national team, whose supporters and some staff members were barred from entering the United States and instead operated from neighboring Tijuana.

As the tournament unfolded, however, much of the controversy faded into the background. Online, countless visitors shared videos and stories celebrating American food, culture, and hospitality—from beer to ranch dressing—while many of the fears voiced before the event, including predictions of immigration enforcement activity around stadiums, never came to pass.

“One of the things that we talked about beforehand was, if we’re talking about what happened on the pitch, then we’ve done our job,” Andrew Giuliani, the executive director of the White House FIFA Task Force, said in an interview with The Associated Press. “But I think it’s even better than that. We’re not just talking about only the incredible, athletic feats on the pitch, but we’re talking about all these incredible, incredible cultural moments.”

Trump nevertheless became part of one of the tournament’s biggest controversies after personally contacting FIFA President Gianni Infantino earlier this month to discuss a disputed officiating decision involving Team USA’s match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The referee had issued a red card to American forward Folarin Balogun, forcing him to miss the following game against Belgium.

According to Trump, he merely encouraged Infantino to review the decision. FIFA ultimately overturned the red card, and during Friday’s reception Trump praised the move, telling Infantino that “you made another great decision, if you think about it,” because it allowed the U.S. to keep a key player on the field even though the team lost the match to Belgium 4-1.

Giuliani defended the administration’s involvement, saying officials had a “duty” to seek answers about the officiating process, particularly because video review and slow-motion replay had been used in issuing the red card. He added that the federal government committed billions of dollars to help ensure the tournament was “not just a safe and secure event, not just where we welcomed the world, but an event that was filled with integrity.”

Successfully hosting the World Cup carries added significance for the United States because it will soon welcome two more major international sporting events: the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles and the 2034 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

The administration is also optimistic that the United States will receive hosting rights for the 2031 Women’s World Cup. Giuliani said one factor in pursuing that tournament is “ensuring that, in fact, women and only women will play in that 2031 Women’s World Cup,” reflecting the administration’s opposition to transgender women competing in women’s sports.

Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J., who describes himself as a devoted World Cup fan and represents the state hosting Sunday’s championship match, acknowledged that while there were occasional transportation problems, the overall event has been overwhelmingly successful.

But “overall, just the joy that people have, the excitement that they have, has dramatically outweighed” any downsides, Kim said, who has been eagerly watching the games with his two young sons over the last several weeks.

The tournament also unfolded against a backdrop of strained relations among the three host nations. Since returning to office, Trump has imposed steep tariffs on both Canada and Mexico and has declined to renew the existing trilateral trade agreement, setting the stage for new negotiations.

On Friday, Trump even threatened tariffs against Canada over smoke from Canadian wildfires that has affected air quality in portions of the United States, including northern New Jersey, where the World Cup final will be played. He also joked that FIFA should award another World Cup to the United States and “this time, we’ll leave Mexico and Canada out.”

Despite those disagreements, both Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney are expected to attend Sunday’s championship at Trump’s invitation, underscoring the tournament’s ability to bridge political differences.

“I received an invitation from President Trump to attend the World Cup final on Sunday, and I decided to go because it’s a direct invitation from the President of the United States,” Sheinbaum said. “Prime Minister Carney will also be there.”

Following longstanding tradition, Trump will present the World Cup trophy to the winning team after the final. Although he has not publicly endorsed either side, the matchup carries political intrigue.

Spain has frequently clashed with the Trump administration over NATO defense spending and Madrid’s refusal to allow American forces to launch strikes against Iran from Spanish bases. By contrast, Argentine President Javier Milei is one of Trump’s closest international allies, with Trump previously threatening to cut U.S. assistance if Milei’s political coalition failed to win key legislative elections.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is expected to attend the championship match, while Milei has opted to remain in Argentina, citing superstition.

{Matzav.com}