Matzav

The International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague has formally asked the Hungarian government to explain why it declined to act on the ICC’s arrest warrant for Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu during his recent trip to Budapest.

The inquiry was submitted under Article 87(7) of the Rome Statute, which empowers the court to pursue action against countries that obstruct its ability to carry out its judicial responsibilities, stating such actions “prevent the court from exercising its functions and powers under the Statute.”

Back in November, the ICC issued warrants for Netanyahu and then-defense minister Yoav Gallant, accusing both of targeting civilians in Gaza and of deliberately restricting humanitarian aid as a weapon of war in the course of Israel’s conflict with the Hamas terrorist organization.

The court asserts that Hungary breached its legal commitments by declining to arrest Netanyahu, despite receiving a formal request from the ICC on April 3—the same day Netanyahu arrived in Budapest.

Just ahead of his meeting with Netanyahu, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban declared that his country would begin the process of leaving the ICC.

The court has given Hungary until May 23 to submit its official explanation.

{Matzav.com}

Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), issued a serious caution as discussions between the United States and Iran resumed over Tehran’s nuclear activities.

Speaking to the French newspaper Le Monde, Grossi stated that Iran is “not far” from acquiring a nuclear bomb.

He offered a striking analogy, saying, “You have the pieces, and they could, in the end, put them together. They still have a long way to go, but they’re not far; we have to recognize this.”

Negotiations between American and Iranian officials restarted on Saturday in Oman, as part of a renewed attempt to strike a nuclear agreement.

On Sunday, President Donald Trump addressed the Iranian threat, stating: “We’ve got a problem with Iran, but I’ll solve that problem, that’s almost an easy one.”

He went on to say, “Iran wants to deal with us, but they don’t know how. We had a meeting with them on Saturday. We have another meeting scheduled for next Saturday. I said that’s a long time [between meetings]. I think they’re tapping us along because they were so used to dealing with stupid people in this country.”

The President issued a warning: “They gotta go fast because they’re fairly close to having one. And they are not going to have one, and if we have to do something very harsh, we’re going to do it. I’m not doing it for US, I’m doing it for the world.”

{Matzav.com}

Israeli intelligence believes that food supplies in Gaza could last for approximately one more month following the suspension of aid deliveries that began after the January ceasefire, according to a report Wednesday evening by Kan News.

Throughout the war, which began with the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and during the January truce, humanitarian shipments were regularly permitted into Gaza. However, much of that aid was reportedly seized by Hamas operatives, who either sold it to civilians at steep prices or stockpiled it for their own use.

Israeli officials are now hoping that the dwindling resources in Gaza will compel Hamas to meet Israel’s conditions, which include releasing the remaining hostages and agreeing to disarm. This strategy may also explain Defense Minister Yisroel Katz’s comments earlier in the day suggesting that Israel might soon restart the delivery of humanitarian assistance.

The Kan report noted that military leaders are currently evaluating possible alternatives to deliver aid in a way that ensures it doesn’t fall into the hands of Hamas. Officials argue that limiting access to basic necessities like food, fuel, and water is essential to ratcheting up pressure on the terror group, and that failure to comply with Israeli demands will only worsen conditions in the enclave.

On Wednesday morning, Defense Minister Katz outlined Israel’s strategic goals in Gaza and how they are being carried out by the IDF. “First and foremost, we are making every effort to bring about the release of all of the hostages under the Witkoff plan, and to build a bridge to defeat Hamas later on,” Katz stated.

Katz emphasized that halting humanitarian assistance is a deliberate step meant to weaken Hamas’ grip over civilians in Gaza. He added that Israel is exploring a new system to distribute aid through private sector channels, in an effort to prevent the terror group from exploiting relief efforts.

Facing backlash from some coalition members following his statements, Katz later clarified his position: “Israel’s policy is clear – no humanitarian aid is set to enter Gaza, and preventing humanitarian aid from entering Gaza is a key pressure tool that prevents Hamas from using means against the population, in addition to other measures Israel is taking. It’s unfortunate that some are trying to mislead the public.”

He concluded by reiterating that there is no current plan to resume humanitarian shipments. “No one in the current reality intends to bring any humanitarian aid to Gaza, nor are there preparations to bring any such aid. I emphasized that regarding the future, a mechanism must be built for the use of civilian companies as a tool that will not allow Hamas access to the issue even in the future.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Families affiliated with the Tikva Forum convened on Wednesday with Minister Ron Dermer to receive an update on the ongoing efforts to secure the release of hostages still held in Gaza.

Following the discussion, participants voiced alarm over the prospect of a limited agreement that would exclude some of the captives. “We understood once again that the State of Israel is negotiating over a limited number of hostages – and all the rest will be abandoned in Gaza for at least several months,” said Ditza and Yaron Or and Zvika Mor of the Tikva Forum. “This is unacceptable. It is forbidden to select among the hostages. All the hostages must be released together – in one go and on one bus.”

The families urged Minister Dermer to dramatically ramp up the pressure on Hamas, proposing a cessation of humanitarian assistance, the dismantling of utilities such as power, water, and internet, the destruction of entire neighborhoods, and even the seizure of territory as bargaining tools, alongside escalating both diplomatic and military action.

When they pressed Dermer for a specific strategy on how the government planned to recover every hostage swiftly, they were met with silence.

“The Israeli government must force Hamas to return all the hostages by using all means of pressure at its disposal,” they declared in closing.

{Matzav.com Israel}

In a groundbreaking move that challenges long-held taboos within the chareidi world, the Toldos Aharon community of Meah Shearim has taken a historic step: dedicating a major feature in its official weekly publication, Anash Blattel, to the topic of children with Down syndrome. This unprecedented 10,000-word article, published in the Pesach edition, seeks to remove the shame often associated with raising a child with special needs and to place the conversation firmly and openly on the table.

For generations, some families in some parts of the chareidi world have hidden children with disabilities—avoiding bringing them to shul, to simchos, or even mentioning them in public. But Toldos Aharon is leading a shift in mindset. The magazine gave parents of children with special needs a platform to tell their stories—some openly, others anonymously—sharing their pain, struggles, and immense emotional challenges.

These are parents tested by Hashem with an especially difficult nisayon, yet they rise to the challenge with profound strength. One after another, they described the loneliness and burden of raising a special child, often without a support system that understands what they face daily.

The magazine framed the issue with spiritual depth, describing these children as neshamos tehoros, pure souls from the upper worlds, who descended into bodies that carry physical hardship. These children are not only here for their own tikun, but also to bring spiritual elevation to their families. They are “pure souls in broken vessels,” as the article put it—souls whose purpose and mission are known only to the Ribbono Shel Olam.

One father explained, “Unless you’ve lived it, you can never truly understand. You can hear a thousand descriptions, but you won’t grasp the heartache and challenge unless you’ve stood in our place—and you never will, b’ezras Hashem.”

The article emphasized that this nisayon does not discriminate. It can strike the most accomplished individuals—bnei Torah, community leaders, askanim, or the children of prominent rabbanim. “If Hashem chooses a family for this challenge,” the piece said, “He picks them with a divine tweezer. Only those truly suited for it are chosen.”

One parent shared a moving insight: “We constantly remind ourselves that this child isn’t our personal challenge. Rather, we’ve been entrusted with a pikadon, a sacred deposit, from Heaven. If our child makes noise in shul or at a wedding, that’s not our shame. It’s our honor. Imagine someone going around asking for a kind-hearted family to take in a child—without pay, without time limits—and we said yes. Mi ke’amcha Yisroel!”

Another parent added, “When people ask me how I took on such a burden, I answer that the request came from the Gadol Hador—the Ribbono Shel Olam Himself. He chose us and promised us yeshuos in its merit.”

One striking passage urged readers to rethink how they speak to these families. “Please don’t tell us ‘you’re lucky to have such a special neshamah’ or quote tzaddikim saying these are holy souls. We know that already. What we need isn’t lofty platitudes—it’s sensitivity, space, and respect. And please, don’t try to help ‘discipline’ our child or offer advice unless you truly understand. If you want to help, take the child on an outing, give us a break, or simply be there.”

The article concluded with several practical messages for families and the broader community:

1. Early Evaluation: If you suspect developmental delays, don’t panic, but do check with professionals. Early diagnosis is a gift. Don’t hide. Don’t be ashamed.

2. Find Support: You are not alone. There are now support groups within the chareidi community, including in Toldos Aharon. Reach out and find strength together.

3. Accept and Embrace: There is no “cure” for the reality. Don’t waste energy on bubbe maisehs or miracle cures. Don’t worry about shidduchim or the gossipers—they’ll talk either way. Hiding the child only gives fuel to rumors and speculation. Instead, invest in real solutions. There are excellent professionals today who can help your child reach their potential.

4. Spiritual Anchoring: Before all else, the article encouraged parents to bring their concerns to their rebbe and daas Torah, and to daven with all their heart. “We have whom to turn to—and we must.”

Ultimately, the message was one of pride, not shame; strength, not embarrassment. “When our children come home and tell us that their sibling with special needs acted out in shul,” one father said with shining eyes, “I remind them: This is our pekudah from Hashem. And if that’s the price of having the zechus to care for His beloved child, we accept it with love.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

TIME Magazine has named Noa Argamani—who endured months in captivity after being kidnapped by Hamas—as one of the 100 most influential people of 2025.

Argamani was seized on October 7, 2023, during the terror attack at the Supernova Music Festival in Re’im, alongside her partner, Avinatan Or. A widely circulated video captured the horrific moment she was taken—her arms raised and pleading for help while sitting on the back of a terrorist’s motorcycle. That footage quickly became an emblem of the massacre.

Her release came on June 8, 2024, in a dramatic rescue operation carried out by Yamam, the Shin Bet, and the IDF. She was freed along with Shlomi Ziv, Almog Meir Jan, and Andrey Kozlov. The mission was later named Operation Arnon, in memory of Yamam officer Arnon Zmora, who was killed during the operation. Avinatan Or remains a hostage.

Since being rescued, Argamani has become a prominent advocate for the release of the remaining hostages. She has spoken at major international events and met with world leaders, amplifying the cause on the global stage.

Her entry in the TIME 100 list was written by Doug Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris. In his piece, Emhoff shared that the video of Argamani’s kidnapping is “forever seared into my soul. She was joyfully dancing with so many others at the Nova music festival when Hamas launched its brutal terrorist attack. As she was kidnapped into Gaza on a motorcycle, her harrowing expression became a symbol of the pain and trauma Jews worldwide, myself included, continue to feel.”

He went on to say, “My wife Kamala Harris and I stand with Noa in fighting for the release of all the hostages. We cannot give up until every one of them is home.”

Emhoff concluded with a powerful tribute: “Noa’s advocacy has ¬illuminated Hamas’ extreme brutality, but more importantly, her bravery has embodied Jewish resilience and strength even in the worst moments. She is living proof to the world that, despite everything, ‘we will dance again.'”

{Matzav.com}

Just weeks after resuming large-scale military action in Gaza, the IDF and Shin Bet released a summary of recent accomplishments, highlighting the elimination of top Hamas operatives, attacks on strategic locations, and the capture of significant territory in the region.

Military activities in Gaza resumed on March 18, 2025, with a focused campaign aimed at high-ranking and mid-level members of the Hamas terror organization.

The initial wave of strikes was guided by detailed intelligence work and meticulous analysis carried out through close collaboration between the IDF’s Intelligence Directorate and the Shin Bet. According to information currently available, there is a high degree of certainty that eight senior figures from Hamas’s political bureau were killed in that opening salvo.

In addition to those high-ranking officials, multiple commanders from various internal units—including Hamas’s General and Internal Security branches—were also eliminated. These operatives had been involved in vital roles supporting both terror infrastructure and arms production for Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

Throughout the broader conflict, Israeli forces have made it a priority to target top leadership figures of Hamas, both within Gaza and outside its borders.

As the latest phase of the Gaza operation unfolds, a total of eleven Hamas political bureau leaders have now been confirmed eliminated.

Striking figures from both the political and security arms of Hamas has dealt a blow to the group’s ability to govern in Gaza and has disrupted coordination between its political leadership and its military operations. These actions have significantly furthered Israel’s efforts to cripple Hamas’s control over the region.

To date, around 1,200 terrorist-linked targets have been hit from the air by over 350 Israel Air Force jets and aircraft. The operation has included more than 100 targeted killings, taking out hundreds of terrorists and militant commanders involved in the October 7 massacre and other attacks.

Among the eliminated figures are a deputy brigade commander, five battalion leaders, a deputy battalion commander, the head of military intelligence for Hamas in southern Gaza, 15 company commanders, and others who infiltrated Israel on October 7 and took part in the massacre.

Ground troops continue their mission to destroy Hamas’s operational infrastructure, operating in new territories where they hadn’t previously entered. Their objectives include uncovering weapons caches, dismantling tunnels, and neutralizing terrorist facilities.

The military remains ready to widen the ground campaign depending on how the situation evolves.

At present, IDF forces are expanding control of the “Morag” Corridor, which separates the Khan Yunis and Rafah Brigades.

As a result of these ongoing efforts, Israeli forces have now secured multiple strategic areas and routes within Gaza. Roughly 30% of the territory is under Israeli control and is now classified as part of an Operational Security Perimeter.

{Matzav.com Israel}

President Donald Trump launched a scathing attack on Harvard University Wednesday morning, declaring the school undeserving of further federal assistance and claiming it no longer qualifies as a respectable academic institution.

In a fiery Truth Social post, Trump labeled the university a “JOKE,” following the announcement from his administration that $2.2 billion in federal funding would be frozen. The move came after Harvard declined to follow directives related to staffing choices, academic content, and its admissions processes.

Trump took particular aim at the university’s recent faculty hires, singling out ex-New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot—both Democrats—whom he mocked for their roles as educators.

He also condemned Harvard’s handling of Claudine Gay, the university’s first Black female president, who stepped down last year amid revelations of alleged plagiarism spanning back decades. “Everyone knows that Harvard has ‘lost its way,’” Trump posted. “They hired, from New York (Bill D) and Chicago (Lori L), at ridiculously high salaries/fees, two of the WORST and MOST INCOMPETENT mayors in the history of our Country, to ‘teach’ municipal management and government. These two Radical Left fools left behind two cities that will take years to recover from their incompetence and evil.”

He didn’t stop there, criticizing Harvard’s broader academic environment and staff. Trump accused the institution of bringing in “almost all woke, Radical Left, idiots and birdbrains,” and said they are “only capable of teaching FAILURE to students and so-called ‘future leaders.’”

Referencing Gay again, Trump called her Harvard’s “plagiarizing President,” and lambasted the university’s decision to retain her in a teaching role. “When it got so bad that they just couldn’t take it anymore, they moved this grossly inept woman into another position, teaching, rather than firing her ON THE SPOT,” he wrote. “Since then much else has been found out about her, but she remains in place.”

Gay currently holds the title of Wilbur A. Cowett Professor of Government and also serves as a professor in African and African-American Studies.

Trump suggested that the university remains filled with individuals “like these Leftist dopes,” continuing to shape Harvard’s academic offerings.

“Because of that, Harvard can no longer be considered even a decent place of learning, and should not be considered on any list of the World’s Great Universities or Colleges,” Trump said. “Harvard is a JOKE, teaches Hate and Stupidity, and should no longer receive Federal Funds. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

This latest tirade comes just a day after Trump hinted that Harvard’s tax-exempt status should be revoked, suggesting it be treated like a political group for, in his words, promoting “political, ideological, and terrorist inspired/supporting ‘Sickness?’”

Earlier in the week, Harvard President Alan Garber responded to the administration’s pressure by addressing the university community directly. “No government — regardless of which party is in power — should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue.”

{Matzav.com}

A new video surfaced today from the military wing of Islamic Jihad, showing hostage Rom Braslavski, who was abducted during the October 7, 2023, terror assault on the Nova music festival.

This marks the first time Braslavski has been shown on video since his abduction, serving as a rare indication that he is still alive after spending over 500 days in captivity.

His family permitted only the release of a short, heavily blurred clip that was originally circulated by Islamic Jihad.

Nineteen-year-old Braslavski, a resident of Pisgat Ze’ev, had been working as a security guard at the Nova music event held near Kibbutz Re’im when the massacre took place. Witness accounts describe his bravery as he risked his life to protect and rescue numerous attendees.

According to reports from that tragic day, he also attempted to evacuate the bodies of two young women to prevent their remains from being taken to Gaza. However, just moments later, a rocket-propelled grenade was launched in their direction, scattering the crowd in panic. Braslavski vanished during the chaos.

His family remains gravely worried about his health. He has a history of severe asthma and sustained injuries to both hands during the attack.

{Matzav.com Israel}

An Israeli fighter jet on the way to the Gaza Strip inadvertently dropped one of its bombs on an open field near Kibbutz Nir Yitzchak in the northwestern Negev on Tuesday evening.

The bomb exploded, but there were no casualties or damage as it landed in an unpopulated agricultural area.

“A short while ago, munitions dropped from a fighter jet during an attack in the Gaza Strip fell in an open area in the Nir Yitzchak area as a result of a technical malfunction,” according to the IDF Spokesperson.

Kibbutz members heard the explosion but initially assumed it was the launch of an Iron Dome interceptor.

“The kibbutz is in constant contact with military officials and expects a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the incident,” according to a statement released by the community.

On Tuesday, Nir Yitzchak held an open day for families interested in living there. Terrorists attacked the kibbutz directly on Oct. 7, 2023, killing eight and taking six captive, as well as two bodies.

The kibbutz, which was severely damaged during the attack, has since been working to rehabilitate itself both physically and in terms of the community, and is opening its doors to new families.

The Eshkol Regional Council, which covers an area between Ashkelon and Be’er Sheva, called the bombing “a very unusual incident” and noted that it is under investigation by the Israeli Air Force. “We are in direct contact with military officials and expect a thorough investigation of the case and the implementation of the conclusions regarding it in order to ensure that such incidents do not happen again in the future,” it said.

The incident was not the first of its kind during the current war, according to Ynet.

In June 2024, a tank shell went off course and landed near the border fence, according to the outlet.

In May 2024, a 1,100-pound bomb that had fallen from an IAF F-15 was found among houses in Moshav Yated, also in the Eshkol region. The IDF called the malfunction “unusual, rare, serious and dangerous.” However, such incidents are still extremely rare. JNS

{Matzav.com}

Hong Kong Post announced on Wednesday that it is halting sea mail services for parcels heading to the United States and will soon suspend airmail shipments containing merchandise, citing what it described as unfair trade practices by the U.S.

The agency warned that individuals in Hong Kong sending goods to America should expect to be hit with steep charges as a result of what it called unjustified and aggressive policies. “When sending items to the United States, Hong Kong people ‘should be prepared to pay exorbitant and unreasonable fees due to the U.S.’s unreasonable and bullying acts,’” Hong Kong Post said in a statement.

Shipments that only include paperwork or documents — and not physical products — will continue without interruption.

“The U.S. is unreasonable, bullying and imposing tariffs abusively. Hong Kong post will definitely not collect any so-called tariffs on behalf of the U.S.,” the statement added.

According to an official U.S. government bulletin, Hong Kong is now subject to the same trade duties imposed on mainland China.

While Hong Kong was once internationally recognized for its status as a liberal, business-friendly trading port, the passage of a strict national security law by Beijing in 2020 triggered a wave of U.S. condemnation and led to Washington revoking the territory’s special treatment under American law.

Hong Kong Post explained that its decision stems from recent U.S. policy changes — specifically the removal of the “de minimus” exception and higher tariffs scheduled to go into effect on May 2 for goods shipped from Hong Kong.

{Matzav.com}

California Governor Gavin Newsom revealed on Wednesday that he is taking legal action against President Trump in response to the broad tariffs the president has instituted, arguing that the measures are causing serious disruption across California’s economy — the biggest of any state in the nation.

Newsom’s lawsuit contends that Trump’s reliance on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to justify sweeping tariffs on nations like Mexico, Canada, and China — along with a 10% tax on all foreign goods — is an overreach of executive power.

“President Trump’s unlawful tariffs are wreaking chaos on California families, businesses, and our economy — driving up prices and threatening jobs,” Newsom said in a statement. “We’re standing up for American families who can’t afford to let the chaos continue.”

Newsom’s office added that the legal complaint will also make the case that such tariff actions require explicit authorization from Congress, rather than unilateral executive implementation.

California, which ranks as the fifth-largest economy globally, stands to lose billions if the tariff policies are left unchecked, Newsom warned.

With this filing, California becomes the first state to legally challenge Trump’s tariff strategy.

Trump has imposed a baseline 10% tariff on nearly all imported goods, with even steeper rates targeting specific countries, including Mexico, Canada, and China. That said, Trump announced a 90-day suspension of the tariff program last week after numerous nations signaled interest in reaching trade agreements.

China was the sole exception. Trump imposed a massive 125% tariff on Chinese imports, citing what he described as “a lack of respect” from China’s leadership. When added to an existing 20% fentanyl-related tariff, some Chinese goods now face duties as high as 145%.

Newsom is expected to appear with California Attorney General Rob Bonta on Wednesday to speak about the legal action.

“The president’s chaotic and haphazard implementation of tariffs is not only deeply troubling, it’s illegal,” Bonta said in a statement, as reported by the LA Times. “Californians are bracing for fallout from the impact of the president’s choices — from farmers in the Central Valley, to small businesses in Sacramento, and worried families at the kitchen table — this game the president is playing has very real consequences for Californians across our state.”

The lawsuit follows closely on the heels of Newsom’s appeal to foreign governments, urging them to spare California-made goods from retaliatory tariff measures. No exemptions have been confirmed thus far.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump expressed support for launching a new initiative aimed at encouraging individuals who entered the country illegally to leave voluntarily, with financial assistance and travel arrangements provided by the government. In an interview broadcast Tuesday on Fox Noticias, Trump discussed his goal of removing violent criminals while offering a pathway for others to exit and potentially return legally.

During the taped segment, Trump reiterated his commitment to focusing deportation efforts on individuals who pose a threat, such as those involved in violent crimes. He then introduced the idea of a “self-deportation program” for others, suggesting a more lenient approach for those who follow the process voluntarily.

While specifics were limited, Trump mentioned that the program would include providing participants with both airfare and financial support. “We’re going to give them a stipend. We’re going to give them some money and a plane ticket, and then we’re going to work with them — if they’re good — if we want them back in, we’re going to work with them to get them back in as quickly as we can,” Trump stated.

Fox Noticias host Rachel Campos-Duffy, whose husband is Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, played Trump a video message from a Mexican immigrant who reportedly crossed the border over two decades ago and is the parent of American-born children. While it wasn’t confirmed whether the man currently has legal status, Campos-Duffy noted that he claimed he would vote for Trump if allowed, despite being unable to do so.

The man also expressed support for deporting those who commit crimes, even including himself in that category. Trump responded to the message with empathy, saying, “I look at this man. I say, this is a guy that we want to keep. I’ll probably take heat for saying it.”

Trump also addressed the ongoing labor shortages in industries like agriculture and hospitality, saying he wants to facilitate getting employers the help they need. He said he is open to identifying and recommending workers to fill those roles.

Acknowledging the difficulty many sectors face in securing reliable labor, Trump emphasized the value of transitioning these workers to legal status. Still, he refrained from offering a detailed plan on how that would be accomplished. “We’re doing a self-deportation, and we’re going to make it comfortable for people,” Trump said. “And we’re going to work with those people to come back into our country legally.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump made it clear on Tuesday that the next move in trade discussions belongs to China, according to a statement read by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, as Trump intensifies efforts to correct what he sees as long-standing trade imbalances.

Though Leavitt noted that Trump’s stance toward China has already been made plain, she shared an additional comment directly from the president.

“The ball is in China’s court. China needs to make a deal with us. We don’t have to make a deal with them. There’s no difference between China and any other country, except they are much larger and China wants what we have — what every country wants, what we have: The American consumer,” Leavitt said, quoting Trump.

“Or to put another way, they need our money,” she continued, reinforcing the idea that the U.S. holds significant leverage.

Leavitt reiterated that Trump remains willing to negotiate but made clear that it’s up to Beijing to act. “So the president, again, has made it quite clear that he’s open to a deal with China. China needs to make a deal with the United States of America,” she added.

Beijing took notice of Trump’s recent “Liberation Day” declaration, which was met with a sharp and immediate response from the president last week.

“Based on the lack of respect that China has shown to the World’s Markets, I am hereby raising the Tariff charged to China by the United States of America to 125%, effective immediately,” Trump announced Wednesday on Truth Social.

He followed up by stating, “At some point, hopefully in the near future, China will realize that the days of ripping off the U.S.A., and other Countries, is no longer sustainable or acceptable,” before offering an incentive to nations choosing diplomacy over retaliation: a 90-day delay and a “substantially lowered Reciprocal Tariff during this period,” both to take effect “immediately.”

{Matzav.com}

The U.S. Mission to the United Nations released a statement Tuesday reaffirming its opposition to Francesca Albanese’s continued role as the UN’s Special Rapporteur on the Palestinian Territories.

“The United States continues to strongly denounce Francesca Albanese’s tenure as the ‘UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967.’ The Human Rights Council’s (HRC) support for Ms. Albanese offers yet another example of why President Trump ordered the United States to cease all participation in the HRC,” the statement said.

The mission went further, accusing the UN of enabling hatred and antisemitism through her position. “Ms. Albanese’s actions also make clear the United Nations tolerates antisemitic hatred, bias against Israel, and the legitimization of terrorism,” the statement continued.

Despite ongoing controversy, Albanese was recently granted a three-year extension in her UNHRC post, a move approved by the 47-member council. This occurred even as opposition from countries such as Israel, Hungary, and Argentina attempted to block the renewal.

Albanese has faced criticism since her appointment in 2022, largely due to earlier social media remarks claiming that the “Jewish lobby” exerts influence over the United States—comments widely condemned as antisemitic.

She responded at the time by rejecting those accusations, arguing her statements had been “mischaracterized,” though additional examples of anti-Israel rhetoric have emerged since then.

Her inflammatory commentary intensified following the October 7, 2023, Hamas assault on Israel, during which over 1,200 people were murdered and 250 others taken hostage. Albanese has referred to the attack as something that should be considered within a broader “context” and framed it as retaliation for Israeli “aggression.”

In recent months, Albanese has escalated her rhetoric further, accusing Israel of committing genocide, equating its leadership with the “Third Reich,” and comparing Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler.

{Matzav.com}

Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, took a firmer stance on Iran’s nuclear ambitions Tuesday, insisting that any forthcoming agreement must require Tehran to completely abandon its nuclear development efforts.

This firm declaration, made in a post on social media, stood in stark contrast to remarks Witkoff delivered just the day before on Fox News. In that earlier interview, he had implied that the United States might tolerate uranium enrichment at the 3.67% level, which is typically used for peaceful energy generation.

“A deal with Iran will only be completed if it is a Trump deal,” Witkoff posted Tuesday. “Any final arrangement must set in place a framework for peace, stability and prosperity in the Middle East – meaning that Iran must stop and eliminate its nuclear enrichment and weaponisation program. It is imperative for the world that we create a tough fair deal that will endure, and that is what President Trump has asked me to do.”

While speaking to Fox News, Witkoff offered a more restrained view, expressing concern about Iran enriching uranium far beyond the permitted civilian threshold.

“In some circumstances they are enriching at 60% and at others at 20%. That cannot be,” he said. “You do not need to run, as they claim, a civil nuclear programme where you are enriching past 3.67%. This is going to be much about verification on the enrichment programme and then ultimately verification on weaponisation – that includes the type of missiles they have stockpiled there and the trigger for a bomb.”

Witkoff, who took part in the indirect discussions with Iranian officials over the weekend in Oman, reiterated the administration’s firm position that Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon—though he had previously acknowledged that compromise might be needed to advance talks.

The negotiations are expected to resume this weekend in Oman, as both sides agreed to continue using the same location instead of relocating to Italy, an option US officials had considered.

On Monday, President Donald Trump addressed the ongoing diplomatic efforts with Iran during public remarks, signaling confidence in the process.

“We’ve got a problem with Iran, but I’ll solve that problem, that’s almost an easy one,” Trump said.

He continued, “Iran wants to deal with us, but they don’t know how. We had a meeting with them on Saturday. We have another meeting scheduled for next Saturday. I said that’s a long time [between meetings].

“I think they’re tapping us along because they were so used to dealing with stupid people in this country,” the President alleged.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, during a visit with Israeli forces stationed in northern Gaza, declared that Hamas would continue to face escalating military pressure.

“We insist that it release our hostages, and we insist on achieving all our war aims,” Netanyahu told the troops, as military drones buzzed in the skies above.

Netanyahu also held up a printed copy of a social media message from Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, pointing out that the post included another call for the destruction of Israel.

“He is doing this during negotiations with the Americans,” Netanyahu noted, referring to the recently initiated nuclear discussions between the U.S. and Iran that kicked off in Oman last weekend—talks that Israel has long viewed with deep suspicion.

Defense Minister Yisroel Katz, who stood beside Netanyahu during the visit, emphasized that Israel would never permit Hamas “to threaten our communities and our citizens, and therefore, the operation that is currently taking place is pressuring Hamas to first release the hostages.”

Katz added, “The more it persists in its refusal, the more we will intensify the blows it will suffer until it is defeated and all the hostages are returned.”

Also present during the tour were top military and security leaders, including IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, Southern Command leader Maj. Gen. Yaniv Asor, National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi, and other senior officials.

{Matzav.com}

The man accused of setting fire to Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s official residence told authorities he was motivated by the governor’s alleged intentions toward Palestinians, newly released documents reveal.

According to a search warrant obtained by PennLive, Cody Balmer called 911 after carrying out the attack early Sunday morning, identified himself by name, and made a pointed statement directed at Shapiro during the call.

Court records show that Balmer, 38, claimed that Shapiro, who had participated in a Pesach Seder just hours before the incident, needed to understand that the caller “will not take part in his plans for what he wants to do to the Palestinian people.”

During the emergency call, Balmer also reportedly declared, “You all know where to find me. I’m not hiding, and I will confess to everything that I had done,” according to the warrant.

Investigators from the Pennsylvania State Police say Balmer’s actions stemmed from what he perceived as injustices against Palestinians, and that he also targeted Shapiro because of the governor’s Jewish background.

Law enforcement officials allege Balmer broke into the historic governor’s mansion around 2 a.m. by climbing a fence and smashing a window with a hammer before throwing Molotov cocktails inside while Shapiro and his family were asleep.

Balmer later told police he made the firebombs using Heineken beer bottles and gasoline taken from a lawn mower. The Shapiro family escaped unharmed, but authorities said the attack caused millions of dollars in damage to the state-owned residence.

In a disturbing detail from the complaint, Balmer allegedly told investigators that had he found the governor inside the home, he would have assaulted him with the hammer.

Search warrants were also issued for Balmer’s residence, located at his parents’ home, as well as for a storage unit and his electronic devices, PennLive reported.

Though the investigation turned up no direct evidence referencing Shapiro, Palestine, or Israel in the storage unit, authorities continue to evaluate potential motivations.

Balmer has a criminal record and was already free on bail for an assault case at the time of the firebombing, in which he allegedly stomped on his son’s broken leg and assaulted his estranged wife.

Concerned about his worsening mental health, Balmer’s relatives tried to have him hospitalized in the days leading up to the incident.

His mother, Christie Balmer, told CBS News that her son was “mentally ill and he went off his medication” shortly before carrying out the attack.

Two days prior to the firebombing, she contacted police in Penbrook Borough after her son left their house and disappeared, hoping authorities could intervene.

Police reportedly informed her they were unable to act because he hadn’t made any explicit threats to himself or others—criteria required for involuntary psychiatric commitment under Pennsylvania law.

Investigators learned through search warrants that Balmer had wrapped his phone in aluminum foil before the attack, likely in an attempt to block signals.

After the incident, Balmer voluntarily turned himself in at Pennsylvania State Police headquarters in Harrisburg on Sunday.

The next day, as he was escorted from a district courthouse, Balmer taunted media personnel by sticking out his tongue and making grotesque faces at photographers.

He now faces a slate of serious charges, including attempted murder, terrorism, burglary, and aggravated arson—offenses that together could result in up to 100 years in prison.

Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo has yet to confirm whether prosecutors will pursue ethnic intimidation charges, the state’s equivalent to a hate crime.

No injuries were reported from the fire, and Governor Shapiro issued a firm statement declaring that the attack would not deter him or his family.

“If he was trying to terrorize our family, our friends, the Jewish community, who joined us for a Passover Seder in that room last night, hear me on this: We celebrated our faith last night, proudly, and in a few hours, we will celebrate our second Seder of Passover,” Shapiro said following the attack.

{Matzav.com}

[Video below.] Joe Biden, during his first public appearance since leaving the White House, sparked backlash Tuesday by using the term “colored kids” while recounting a childhood memory that he said inspired his political journey.

Speaking about his family’s move from Scranton, Pennsylvania, to Wilmington, Delaware, Biden, 82, remarked that prior to relocating, he had “never seen hardly any black people.” Recalling the experience, he said, “I was only going in fourth grade,” as he described a moment when his mother drove him to Catholic school. “And I remember seeing kids going by, at the time called ‘colored kids,’ on a bus go by — they never turned right to go to Claymont High School.”

Biden explained that discovering how black children were barred from attending the same schools as white children “sparked my sense of outrage as a kid.”

The remarks were delivered at the Advocates, Counselors, and Representatives for the Disabled (ACRD) conference in Chicago, where Biden primarily focused on defending Social Security.

“Social Security is more than a government program. It’s a sacred promise,” Biden said, using the opportunity to claim that Congressional Republicans want to “cut and gut” the system that supports millions of senior citizens.

“Who the h— do they think they are?” he exclaimed, visibly angered, though he quickly tempered his reaction. “I will not go further. I’ll get in trouble,” he added.

Throughout the nearly half-hour address, Biden avoided directly naming President Trump.

Nevertheless, he referenced ongoing narratives pushed by Trump and Elon Musk, the head of the Department of Government Efficiency, regarding alleged fraud within Social Security.

“Those 300-year-old folk getting that Social Security, I want to meet them,” Biden quipped. “I’d like to figure out how they live that long.”

“H— of a thing, man. I’m looking for longevity,” he added.

The event didn’t begin smoothly. As Biden walked onstage, his microphone was drowned out by a booming Bruce Springsteen song, causing his initial comments to be inaudible.

At the conclusion of his speech, Biden lingered for a moment, scanning both sides of the platform before spotting the stairs, pointing toward them, and finally making his exit.

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}