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President Donald Trump said Tuesday that his administration is weighing the possibility of eliminating capital gains taxes on home sales.

“If the Fed would lower the rates, we wouldn’t even have to do that,” Trump said during a discussion with reporters in the Oval Office. “But we are thinking about no tax on capital gains on houses.”

At present, profits earned from selling real estate—like other investments—are generally subject to capital gains taxes, though individuals selling their primary residence can take advantage of significant exemptions.

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican, saw Trump’s remarks as an endorsement of her proposed legislation, the No Tax on Home Sales Act, which would abolish the federal capital gains tax on primary home sales.

“Thank you, President Trump, for supporting my No Tax on Home Sales Act!” Greene posted on X.

“You worked for it. You should keep it. Let’s get this bill passed!” she added.

This comes on the heels of recent congressional approval of a sweeping tax bill that cemented the broad cuts first enacted in 2017 under Trump’s leadership. That legislation also delivered on several campaign pledges by creating new tax breaks for gratuities, overtime earnings, senior citizens, and auto loan interest.

Critics of Trump’s tax agenda argue that the changes overwhelmingly benefit the wealthy and will significantly increase the national debt, while being offset only in part by substantial reductions in healthcare and social programs for low-income Americans.

{Matzav.com}

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said Tuesday on Newsmax that more documents are set to be released Wednesday, which she claims will directly contradict a statement from Barack Obama’s office denying any involvement in what she describes as an attempted coup against President Donald Trump.

Gabbard appeared on Rob Schmitt Tonight just days after announcing that she had delivered what she called “overwhelming evidence” to the Department of Justice, alleging that Obama and his top national security advisors orchestrated the foundation for a “yearslong” Russia-related effort to undermine Trump’s presidency.

According to Gabbard, the key event was a meeting on December 9, 2016, at the White House involving senior members of the National Security Council. The result of that meeting, she says, was a directive “per the President’s request” to draft a new report detailing “the tools Moscow used and actions it took to influence the 2016 election.”

Earlier Tuesday, Obama’s team rejected the accusations, calling them “outrageous.” A spokesperson stated, “nothing in the document issued last week undercuts the widely accepted conclusion that Russia worked to influence the 2016 presidential election but did not successfully manipulate any votes.”

Gabbard responded that further documentation will soon be made public to challenge that statement. “We will be releasing further documents tomorrow that will refute that statement,” Gabbard said. “And we will be pulling a whole host of statements that were made by the Obama administration, by Hillary Clinton, by senior Democrat officials, by their friends in the media that state over and over again after this January 2017 manufactured intelligence document was created that repeat the narrative” that Russia aided Trump in the 2016 election.

She cited examples, including: “Obama’s CIA director John Brennan says there is strong consensus among us to support the CIA claim Russian hackers aided Donald Trump’s election; Hillary Clinton said, ‘I would be president if not for the Russian hackers supporting Donald Trump,’” Gabbard said.

“There is a vast body of evidence and intelligence that debunks and refutes this statement you’ve just read and others coming from some of the Democrat leaders in Congress today,” she continued.

Since the release of the initial information last Friday, Gabbard told host Rob Schmitt that whistleblowers have begun coming forward, claiming to have new insights into what transpired during the period in question.

While Gabbard emphasized that the Justice Department would ultimately decide on the appropriate legal course, she stressed the critical importance of ensuring accountability. “So the legal path forward will be up to the Department of Justice to determine. However, I will say how essential it is as an American that we hold people accountable, no matter how powerful they are, no matter what position they have held,” she said. “It is essential that for the future of our nation and our democratic republic, that accountability must occur.”

{Matzav.com}

Twenty-one state attorneys general filed a lawsuit challenging a Trump administration executive order issued in February that blocks migrants without legal status from accessing various federal assistance programs.

The order, relying on the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA), led the Departments of Health and Human Services, Education, Labor, and Justice to revise eligibility standards for federal aid programs. These updated guidelines are set to take effect on July 10.

As a result, services like Head Start—a preschool program aimed at helping low-income families—will now require immigration status checks before allowing participation.

New York Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, is spearheading the legal opposition, joined by her counterparts in Wisconsin, Maine, Nevada, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, and additional states.

“These rules took effect immediately or with little notice, bypassing public input and ignoring real-world consequences. The policies apply not just to undocumented immigrants, but also to some people with legal status, including student visa holders, temporary workers, and exchange visitors,” James’s office said in a press release issued Monday.

“In addition, the attorneys general warn that even U.S. citizens and lawful residents could be denied services, as many low-income individuals lack government-issued identification,” the statement continued.

The executive order, titled Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders, argues that current policies for providing social services contradict the intent of Congress as laid out in PRWORA.

Specifically, Title IV of PRWORA states that individuals living in the U.S. without legal authorization should not “depend on public resources to meet their needs” and directs the federal government “to remove the incentive for illegal immigration provided by the availability of public benefits,” according to a White House statement.

“My Administration will uphold the rule of law, defend against the waste of hard-earned taxpayer resources, and protect benefits for American citizens in need, including individuals with disabilities and veterans,” President Trump wrote in the executive order.

The Trump administration has also vowed to carry out the most extensive deportation effort in American history. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has already ramped up operations, increasing enforcement actions in hospitals, religious institutions, and workplaces.

On July 4, Trump signed what he referred to as the “big, beautiful bill” into law, expanding funding for immigration enforcement while simultaneously reducing Medicaid support for states that provide benefits to migrants without legal status.

{Matzav.com}

On Tuesday, President Trump revealed that his administration had finalized a sweeping trade pact with Japan, coming just two weeks after he had warned the longtime ally that steep tariffs were on the table.

“We just completed a massive Deal with Japan, perhaps the largest Deal ever made. Japan will invest, at my direction, $550 Billion Dollars into the United States, which will receive 90% of the Profits,” Trump, 79, posted on Truth Social.

“Perhaps most importantly, Japan will open their Country to Trade including Cars and Trucks, Rice and certain other Agricultural Products, and other things. Japan will pay Reciprocal Tariffs to the United States of 15%.”

Earlier this month, on July 7, Trump had informed Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru that if negotiations didn’t conclude by August 1, Japan would face a 25% tariff on its exports to the U.S.

Among America’s trading partners, Japan ranks fifth in terms of bilateral trade, following Mexico, Canada, China, and Germany.

{Matzav.com}

President Trump on Tuesday called on the Justice Department to take action against Barack Obama following the release of a report accusing officials from Obama’s administration of manipulating intelligence about Russian interference during the 2016 election.

The report, issued Friday, led Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard to submit criminal referrals to the DOJ, alleging that Obama-era officials had orchestrated what was described as a “treasonous conspiracy.”

While speaking from the Oval Office during a meeting with Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Trump was asked who he believed the Justice Department should investigate. “Based on what I read, and I read pretty much what you read, it would be President Obama. He started it,” Trump responded. “And [then-vice president Joe] Biden was there with him and [former FBI director James] Comey was there and [former DNI director James] Clapper, the whole group was there. [Former CIA director John] Brennan. They were all there in a room, right here, this was the room.”

Trump continued by pointing to documents he believes prove Obama was at the center of the plot. “If you look at those papers, they have him stone-cold and it was President Obama. It wasn’t lots of people all over the place, it was them, too. But the leader of the gang was President Obama, Barack Hussein Obama, have you heard of him?”

“He’s guilty, it’s not a question,” Trump declared. “This was treason, this was every word you can think of.”

He said Gabbard had informed him that thousands more documents are expected, and he doubled down on labeling Obama the “ringleader.”

The memo released Friday also named other high-profile officials such as Clapper, Brennan, and Comey. Trump has long maintained that the investigation into Russian election meddling and any alleged ties to his campaign was baseless and politically driven.

In March, Trump signed a directive ordering the full release of documents related to “Crossfire Hurricane,” the FBI’s code name for its probe into Russian interference.

“The witch hunt that you should be talking about if they caught President Obama absolutely cold, Tulsi Gabbard. What they did to this country in 2016, starting in 2016 but going up all the way going up to 2020 and the election, they tried to rig the election and they got caught and they should be very severe consequences for that,” Trump said.

He also referenced his decision not to pursue legal action against Hillary Clinton, saying, “I caught” her, but chose to “let her off the hook” because she was married to a former president.

“It’s time to go after people. Obama’s been caught directly,” Trump asserted. “What they did in 2016 and in 2020 is very criminal, it’s criminal at the highest level so that’s really the things you should be talking about.”

{Matzav.com}

Senior officials at the Justice Department revealed Tuesday that a close aide to Alina Habba—President Trump’s nominee for U.S. Attorney in New Jersey—has been “removed” after federal judges chose not to reappoint Habba once her temporary tenure expired.

Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed that Desiree Leigh Grace, who served as Habba’s first assistant and was named by the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey to step in after Habba’s 120-day interim term ended, has been dismissed. Bondi attributed the development to judicial overreach.

“Habba has done a ‘great job in making NJ safe again,’” Bondi stated, “but ‘politically minded judges refused to allow her to continue in her position,’” opting instead to place Grace at the helm.

“Accordingly, the First Assistant United States Attorney in New Jersey has just been removed,” Bondi declared. “This Department of Justice does not tolerate rogue judges — especially when they threaten the President’s core Article II powers.”

At present, it remains unclear whether the word “removed” refers to Grace being stripped of her position as first assistant or being ousted entirely from the office. The Justice Department did not respond immediately to The Hill’s inquiry.

It is also uncertain how Grace’s dismissal impacts her eligibility to become the district’s acting U.S. attorney. Though the court named her as Habba’s replacement through a standing order, questions linger about whether such an appointment holds legal weight—or whether only President Trump has the authority to terminate her.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche sharply criticized the court’s move, suggesting political motivations were at play. “The court’s decision ‘proved this was never about law — it was about politics,’” he wrote.

“They forced out President Trump’s pick, @USAttyHabba, then installed her deputy, colluding with the NJ Senators along the way. It won’t work,” Blanche posted on X, referencing the opposition of Democratic Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim.

“Pursuant to the President’s authority, we have removed that deputy, effective immediately,” Blanche continued. “This backroom vote will not override the authority of the Chief Executive.”

Habba assumed the role of U.S. attorney in New Jersey this past March, following her time as a counselor to President Trump in the White House. Before that, she had served as a senior campaign adviser and as his legal spokesperson.

Her national prominence grew through her defense of President Trump in several headline-making legal battles, including civil fraud proceedings and the defamation and sexual assault lawsuits filed by writer E. Jean Carroll. Habba’s vigorous courtroom advocacy and public messaging cemented her status as one of Trump’s most loyal defenders.

Her time in the top New Jersey post quickly drew controversy, especially after charges were filed against Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Congresswoman LaMonica McIver, both Democrats, in connection with a confrontation at a federal ICE facility.

The trespassing charge against Baraka was later dropped, while McIver is still facing three federal charges, including assaulting and resisting a federal officer, all of which she denies. Meanwhile, Baraka has filed a lawsuit against Habba, seeking compensation over what he claims was a wrongful arrest.

{Matzav.com}

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy launched a forceful rebuke of Israel’s military actions in Gaza, condemning reports that scores of Palestinians were killed while waiting for food as “appalling” and “sickening.”

Speaking to the BBC, Lammy denounced the attacks on civilians as “grotesque,” and cautioned that if the conflict drags on, the UK could impose more punitive measures. “Of course Britain must call it out,” he said, referencing accounts of children dying in search of food.

Although Lammy acknowledged that the United Kingdom does not have the power to unilaterally bring the war to an end, he noted that the UK had already halted weapons exports that might be deployed in Gaza. “I’m satisfied that we are not in any way complicit in a breach of international humanitarian law,” he said.

Britain recently joined over two dozen other countries in pressing Israel to remove barriers on aid delivery and to alleviate the suffering of civilians. However, human rights organizations dismissed the statement as insufficient and pushed for a complete ban on arms-related exports to Israel.

In his remarks, Lammy also pushed back against allegations that British intelligence is assisting Israeli military efforts. “We are not assisting… it would be quite wrong,” he said unequivocally.

His remarks come amid a broader escalation in British pressure on Israel. In May, the UK froze trade talks with Israel and summoned the Israeli ambassador to protest the country’s actions in Gaza.

Subsequently, the United Kingdom, France, and Canada issued a coordinated warning to Israel, demanding an end to its military campaign or risk facing sanctions.

Responding to that threat, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “By asking Israel to end a defensive war for our survival before Hamas terrorists on our border are destroyed and by demanding a Palestinian state, the leaders in London, Ottawa and Paris are offering a huge prize for the genocidal attack on Israel on October 7 while inviting more such atrocities.”

Last month, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer added to the mounting pressure, cautioning that Israel would face “further concrete actions” if it did not halt its military operations in Gaza and allow the free flow of humanitarian aid.

{Matzav.com}

The Binyamin Regional Council has forcefully pushed back against widely circulated allegations in the global press that falsely accused local Jewish residents of torching a church in Taybeh. A video recorded at the location clearly disproves the narrative, showing that the church remains entirely intact. This visual evidence, combined with direct communication between Council Governor Yisrael Ganz and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, prompted Huckabee to publicly set the record straight.

Last week, reports emerged accusing residents of the Binyamin region of starting a fire that supposedly reached and damaged the historic Saint George Church in Taybeh. These reports quickly gained traction internationally, amplifying the unsubstantiated claims.

Without offering any proof, social media influencers and prominent commentators pinned the blame on the Jewish community in Binyamin, falsely portraying them as perpetrators of arson. The accusation triggered backlash and harmed Israel’s image abroad—particularly among Christians. Ambassador Huckabee even visited the area and initially issued a strong condemnation of what he believed was a deliberate attack on a church.

Determined to clear the air, the Binyamin Regional Council launched an immediate effort to expose the truth. The Council’s foreign media department released footage from the scene, which plainly shows that the church remained untouched. Additionally, the Israel Police released a statement confirming that the fire had not reached or caused any damage to the church structure itself.

Governor Yisrael Ganz kept Ambassador Huckabee informed throughout the process, sharing accurate details as they emerged. Upon receiving the verified information, Huckabee publicly retracted the initial accusations and clarified that the church had never caught fire.

In a critical piece of video evidence, those portrayed as arsonists are in fact seen attempting to put out the fire. The clip shows Jewish shepherds using firefighting equipment they had with them in an effort to stop the flames from spreading.

Yisrael Ganz, Governor of the Binyamin Regional Council and Chairman of the Yesha Council, said: “I want to extend my deep thanks to Ambassador Mike Huckabee for his important clarification. He is a true friend, and I value his integrity and willingness to stand with us, not only in support, but in seeking the truth. His voice carries weight among Christian communities around the world, and his commitment to uncovering the facts is a powerful blow to those who seek to defame Israel and its citizens.”

He added, “The attempt to frame the brave residents of Binyamin with a modern blood libel has failed. Anti-Israel actors are working relentlessly to divide us from our Christian allies by spreading lies and fabricated accusations. But here in Binyamin, we will continue to stand firm. We will not allow the name of the communities in Judea and Samaria, or the name of the State of Israel, to be tarnished.”

Eliana Passentin, Director of the Council’s Foreign Desk, also commented on the matter. “As an archaeologist and someone deeply committed to interfaith respect, I was troubled when many of my Christian friends reached out with concern. I went to Taybeh myself, filmed the church, and confirmed it was completely unharmed. The brush fire could not pass the church’s exterior garden stone walls.”

She added, “We are determined to find whoever started the fire nearby. I deeply appreciate Ambassador Huckabee’s clarification, his integrity and friendship mean a great deal to us.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

The relatives of Rom Braslavski, who was kidnapped during the brutal assault on the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023, are pressing the Israeli government for answers after Islamic Jihad declared that it had “lost contact” with both Rom and those who had been holding him.

“We demand a meeting with one of the senior officials – the IDF Chief of Staff, the Minister of Defense, or the Prime Minister. They have not responded, answered, or acknowledged our messages, and they have not updated or involved us as a family. Gal Hirsch was the only one who responded and answered, but he does not have the answers or the information to give us. No one is getting back to us,” the family said.

In a formal statement released on their behalf, the family pleaded for clear communication: “We want to know where our son is. We want the responsible parties to sit with us and explain the situation to us, not just provide partial information and partial truths. No one knows where Rom is. Neither the IDF nor Islamic Jihad know anything. The only thing we know is that he was held alone.”

Roughly three months ago, Islamic Jihad published a video showing Rom, which stands as the last known indication that he was alive. Prior to that, the family had received some reassurance through Sasha Troufanov, a released hostage from a previous exchange, who reported encountering Rom during his time in captivity.

Nineteen-year-old Braslavski, a resident of Pisgat Ze’ev, had been stationed as a security guard at the Nova festival near Kibbutz Re’im when the terrorist onslaught began. Eyewitnesses recounted that he displayed exceptional bravery, helping dozens of attendees to safety amid the chaos.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Defense Minister Yisroel Katz convened a high-level meeting on Tuesday night to evaluate the security challenges facing Israel on multiple fronts. He was joined by IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, as well as senior leaders from the army, Mossad, and Shin Bet.

The session was centered on reviewing the evolving security threats throughout the region, with a focus on all theaters of potential conflict in the Middle East.

Katz reiterated that the IDF remains firmly in sync with the government’s directives. He highlighted that their top priorities continue to be securing the release of the hostages and dismantling Hamas as a military and governing force.

Turning to the Iranian threat, Katz addressed the potential of intensifying military pressure on Tehran. He underscored the necessity of safeguarding the strategic advantages achieved during Operation Rising Lion—especially in the air—and called for a robust enforcement mechanism to stop Iran from reviving its nuclear and missile development programs.

Discussing the wider regional landscape, Katz pointed out that while some fronts have been subdued, Gaza and Yemen remain active arenas of conflict. He stressed that military efforts must continue forcefully in both areas, following the same aggressive principles that guided past operations in Lebanon, Syria, and Iran.

“We are at the closest point to achieving the war’s objectives. Two fronts remain – Gaza and Yemen – and we must act to fully resolve them,” said Katz.

He also noted that Israel’s ability to hold critical terrain and buffer zones near Syria and Lebanon plays a vital role in protecting nearby Israeli towns and cities. He tasked the IDF with maintaining readiness in those zones.

Regarding security in Judea and Samaria, Katz commented that the IDF’s current operations in the northern Samaria refugee camps have yielded significant results. He ordered the military to continue operating in those areas and remain ready to act swiftly if new terrorist infrastructure surfaces.

{Matzav.com Israel}

This past Shabbos marked ten years since the founding of the unique kvias ittim laTorah chaburah known as “HaGazlanim HaKedoshim,” a group of working chassidim from the Breslov community who commit to daily Torah learning despite their demanding schedules. The group’s annual Shabbos retreat took place at the D Hotel in Maale Adumim, infused with spiritual elevation, powerful tefillos, and heartfelt camaraderie.

Founded by philanthropist Reb Nachman Benshaya, the chaburah was created to give Breslover chassidim who work for a living a meaningful and structured outlet for Torah study. The initiative is led nationally by Rabbi Avraham Lifshitz, with the flagship kollel originally launched a decade ago at the “Kollel Chatzos” shul in Beitar Illit under the leadership of Rav Yehoshua Meir Deutsch. This year’s Shabbos was the first to include members of a newly opened branch in Beit Shemesh.

Approximately 200 participants joined the Shabbos, which featured stirring davening led by the renowned baal tefillah R’ Shimon Fried and spirited singing led by the popular baal menagen R’ Yisroel Weinberger.

One of the emotional highlights came during the Friday night seudah, when spontaneous singing of Rosh Hashanah niggunim broke out, as participants were swept up in longing for the upcoming Rosh Hashanah in Uman. R’ Shimon Fried moved the crowd with soulful renditions of Breslover Yomim Noraim melodies.

Inspiring divrei chizuk were delivered over the course of the Shabbos by Rabbi Dovid Moshe Blau and mashpia R’ Aharon Cheshin, who spoke about the tremendous zechus of those who “steal” moments for Torah, fulfilling the heartfelt guidance of Rav Nachman.

During seudah shlishis, founder R’ Nachman Benshaya issued a passionate call for every member to bring a new participant into the fold. “Your merit will multiply exponentially,” he declared. He praised the dedicated leadership of R’ Avraham Lifshitz, adding, “If not for his tireless efforts, it’s doubtful we’d have reached this impressive ten-year milestone.”

The Shabbos concluded with the traditional group photograph of all attendees followed by havdalah led by Rabbi Mordechai Gottlieb, accompanied by singing from the inspired crowd.

שבת התאחדות הגזלנים הקדושיםצילום: דוד דנברג שבת התאחדות הגזלנים הקדושיםצילום: דוד דנברג שבת התאחדות הגזלנים הקדושיםצילום: דוד דנברג שבת התאחדות הגזלנים הקדושיםצילום: דוד דנברג שבת התאחדות הגזלנים הקדושיםצילום: דוד דנברג שבת התאחדות הגזלנים הקדושיםצילום: דוד דנברג שבת התאחדות הגזלנים הקדושיםצילום: דוד דנברג

שבת התאחדות הגזלנים הקדושיםצילום: דוד דנברג שבת התאחדות הגזלנים הקדושיםצילום: דוד דנברג שבת התאחדות הגזלנים הקדושיםצילום: דוד דנברג

In a strongly worded statement Tuesday night, United Torah Judaism chairman MK Yitzchok Goldknopf demanded the immediate release of three yeshiva students who were arrested during a protest in Yehud against excavations at ancient gravesites. The bochurim were reportedly detained by military police due to their failure to report for draft summons.

Goldknopf addressed a sharply worded letter to Defense Minister Yisrael Katz, expressing outrage over what he called an unprecedented and disgraceful move in a Jewish state.

“There is no country in the world where those who wish to learn Torah are arrested and thrown into prison,” Goldknopf wrote. “To our shame, in the State of Israel—specifically in the Jewish state—Torah learners are being arrested like common criminals and sent to military prison.”

The UTJ leader decried what he described as a hostile attitude from the defense establishment toward the chareidi community and the Torah world. “These arrests are clearly intended to harm the Torah world,” he charged. “This approach leads nowhere good.”

Goldknopf called on Katz to secure the immediate release of the detainees and to work with the prime minister to finalize legislative recognition of yeshiva students’ exemption from military service. “The time has come to put an end to this painful saga and fulfill the long-overdue promise to formalize the status of Toraso umnaso (Torah as their vocation),” he concluded.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Wolfson Yeshiva in Yerushalayim found itself in the center of controversy in the past 24 hours.

Channel 13 reporter Yoely Brim revealed that three of the yeshiva’s talmidim declared their intention to enlist in the Israeli army, sparking an urgent gathering at the yeshiva on Tuesday.

Two of the students are reportedly planning to enter the IDF’s “Kokod” track, a program geared toward tech and development roles, while the third is likely heading into a combat division.

The news sent shockwaves through the yeshiva. During the hastily convened gathering, Rosh Yeshiva Rav Daniel Wolfson addressed the student body and voiced his disapproval of the enlistments.

He stated that the army does not currently offer frameworks that genuinely safeguard a chareidi way of life, and he expressed deep anguish and heartbreak over the students’ choice to leave the yeshiva.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Steve Witkoff, the U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East, is scheduled to travel to the region in the coming days to push forward efforts aimed at securing a ceasefire and hostage release agreement between Israel and the Hamas terror group, according to a briefing on Tuesday by State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce.

Bruce explained that Witkoff’s first stop will be in Europe, where he plans to hold discussions with officials while monitoring developments in the negotiations. Should enough headway be made, he is expected to proceed to Doha later in the week, where the talks are currently underway.

During the briefing, Bruce revealed that both Israel and Hamas have “agreed on a ceasefire framework that includes establishing a humanitarian corridor in the Gaza Strip.”

She emphasized that “the humanitarian situation in Gaza is the central issue we are dealing with.”

Earlier reports indicated that Hamas is anticipated to deliver its official reply to the most recent ceasefire proposal within the next 24 hours.

{Matzav.com}

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Due to security concerns stemming from a protest involving nearly 200 Palestinian Arabs, passengers aboard a Mano Maritime cruise ship were barred from leaving the vessel after it docked at the Greek island of Syros.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar contacted his Greek counterpart, Giorgos Gerapetritis, to request assistance in facilitating the ship’s port call. The Israeli Foreign Ministry, through the embassy in Athens, has also been actively engaged in overseeing the situation and supporting passengers.

Bentsi Kaplan, a passenger on the cruise and owner of the Bituach Winery, gave an account of the experience in a conversation with Israel National News.
“The ship was supposed to stop at the island of Syros, which has ten thousand residents, and here there are fewer than two hundred Palestinian Arab demonstrators,” he explained. He then suggested a counteraction: “What could happen…”

Still, he acknowledged the cruise line’s cautious stance. “The ship management is not taking any risks. They brought everyone back on board. There’s a lot of pressure and chaos here, but they’re not willing to take chances,” Kaplan said, noting that he is accompanied on the trip by over twenty of his grandchildren. “We boarded on Sunday, and now they’re bringing everyone back on board. It’s crazy here.”

According to Kaplan, some passengers floated the idea of confronting the demonstrators with their own protest, but the company quickly shut that down. He also emphasized that a number of the passengers are elderly, and he found it unacceptable that such a large group of Israelis—about 2,000 people—were being held back due to fewer than 200 protesters.

In a statement, Mano Maritime said: “As in several places across Europe, a protest by dozens of pro-Palestinian activists is also taking place in Syros. We are in contact with the local authorities, and as a result, there is a slight delay in passenger disembarkation. The time spent in port will be extended accordingly.”

{Matzav.com}

Just before adjourning for the summer break, the Knesset is set to hold a vote tomorrow (Wednesday) on a measure backing the extension of Israeli sovereignty over Judea and Samaria.

This initiative, led by Knesset members Dan Illouz, Simcha Rothman, and Oded Forer, received the green light from the Knesset Presidium on Tuesday, allowing it to proceed to a vote in the full plenum.

In the explanatory text accompanying the proposal, the authors assert: “The territories of Judea, Samaria, and the Jordan Valley are an inseparable part of the historic homeland of the Jewish people. In light of the events of October 7 and the broad national consensus opposing the idea of establishing a Palestinian state, there is a growing understanding that a strategic, moral, and security move is necessary to ensure our future in this land.”

The document continues by framing the move as a reaffirmation of national purpose: “The application of Israeli sovereignty over these areas will symbolize the State of Israel’s commitment to the Zionist vision, to strengthening the Jewish hold on these parts of the homeland, and to the defense of its citizens. This move will make it clear to the world that Israel will not agree to solutions that include dangerous territorial concessions, and that it is committed to its future as a Jewish and secure state.”

Justice Minister Yariv Levin declared his support for the measure in a post Tuesday night on X, stating: “Tomorrow the Knesset will vote on a historic decision in favor of Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria. I will be there and vote in favor.”

The Religious Zionism party issued a statement reaffirming its stance on the issue: “The Religious Zionism faction will vote tomorrow in favor of the proposal by MK Simcha Rothman – the historic decision supporting the application of Israeli law in Judea and Samaria.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

In a dramatic turn of events, a woman who had been denied a get for six years by her incarcerated husband was finally released from her state of agunah thanks to the personal involvement of the Rishon Letzion, Rav Dovid Yosef, nosi of the Bais Din Hagadol.

The case involved a man from the Sharon region who had been convicted of bank robbery and imprisoned. Although he and his wife had long been separated and engaged in divorce proceedings, he persistently refused to grant her a get, attending repeated hearings in shackles and demanding unreasonable financial terms in exchange for the divorce.

After six years of fruitless litigation in the regional bais din, the matter was brought before the Bais Din Hagadol in Yerushalayim, where Rav Dovid Yosef presided alongside Rav Maimon Nahari and Rav Meir Freiman. Despite the woman’s despair—at one point even requesting that the case be closed—and the failed attempts at negotiation and property division, the case remained active.

Recognizing the urgency, the court referred the matter to the Division for the Prevention of Agunah Cases under the direction of Rav Eliyahu Maimon. Working together with rabbinic officials from the Israel Prison Service, Rav Maimon traveled to the prison, held lengthy discussions with the husband, and issued stern warnings, including the possibility of solitary confinement. Ultimately, the husband agreed to grant the get.

However, when the time came for the formal proceedings, a new challenge arose: the wife, accompanied by her attorney, reneged on the previously agreed-upon financial arrangement.

Undeterred, Rav Dovid Yosef personally intervened, spending hours in separate, intensive discussions with each party. With a strategic combination of firmness and warmth, he managed to negotiate a final agreement. Late in the afternoon, the court sofer and witnesses were summoned, and the get was executed on the spot.

The woman was officially freed from her chained status. The husband was returned to prison. Both parties, moved to tears, expressed their gratitude to Rav Dovid Yosef for his tireless efforts and compassion.

A photo of Rav Yosef bentching the woman after the proceedings – seen above – captures the emotional conclusion to a years-long ordeal.

{Matzav.com Israel}