Matzav

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

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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.

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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.

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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.”

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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.”

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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[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:

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A federal criminal referral has been submitted against New York Attorney General Letitia James, accusing her of mortgage fraud.

William Pulte, who leads the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), addressed the referral to Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy AG Todd Blanche. In the letter, he alleged that James manipulated documents to obtain mortgages for a Virginia home, falsely claiming it was her “principal residence” in 2023—while she was still acting as a state prosecutor in New York.

The alleged misconduct took place in late August of that year, just ahead of her high-profile civil case against the Trump Organization, which concluded with a $454 million ruling for inflating property valuations.

The letter also references James’ purchase of a Brooklyn building in 2001, which contains five residential units. However, she has “consistently misrepresented the same property as only having four units in both building permit applications and numerous mortgage documents and applications,” Pulte noted.

Pulte included documentation suggesting James and her father co-purchased another property years earlier, but on paperwork filed in 1983 and 2000, they were incorrectly described as “husband and wife.”

“While this was a long time ago, it raises serious concerns about the validity of Ms. James representations on mortgage applications,” Pulte stated in his letter.

In response, a representative for James dismissed the referral as politically motivated, saying, “Attorney General James is focused every single day on protecting New Yorkers, especially as this Administration weaponizes the federal government against the rule of law and the Constitution. She will not be intimidated by bullies — no matter who they are.”

Pulte’s letter refers to previous media coverage first published by White Collar Fraud, which detailed similar allegations of misrepresentation related to her Virginia loan and Brooklyn property.

Legal documents show James gave power of attorney to Shamice Thompson-Hairston, a family member, enabling her to sign off on the Virginia real estate transaction dated August 17, 2023.

James secured a $218,780 loan to finalize that purchase.

According to Pulte, by listing the Brooklyn property as having only four units, James may have qualified for reduced interest rates and lower monthly payments under the federal HAMP program, potentially saving as much as one percentage point in interest.

“Ms. James, for both properties listed above, appears to have falsified records in order to meet certain lending requirements and receive favorable loan terms,” Pulte wrote to Bondi and Blanche.

Such conduct, he noted, could trigger a range of federal offenses, including wire fraud, bank fraud, mail fraud, and knowingly submitting false information.

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President Donald Trump named an Orthodox Jewish judge, whose official bio notes his penchant for studying Gemara, chief judge of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.

Per his official biography, Matthew H. Solomson, of Silver Spring, Md., “enjoys studying Talmud, playing tennis and spending time at the beach with his family.”

“It’s notable that Judge Solomson is the first Orthodox Jew to be appointed as chief judge of the federal court he is serving on,” Nathan Diament, executive director of Orthodox Union Advocacy, told JNS.

“Of course, that’s not the reason he was appointed,” Diament said. “He has a record of distinction on the Court of Federal Claims. But it’s a point of pride for the Orthodox Jewish community—and Orthodox attorneys in particular who can see ourselves rising to these heights.”

Trump designated Solomson, who holds a J.D. and an M.B.A. from University of Maryland and an undergraduate degree from Brandeis University, on April 10.

Tevi Troy, a former U.S. deputy secretary of health and human services and author, most recently, of The Power and the Money about “epic clashes” between U.S. presidents and industry titans, told JNS that he was “thrilled” to hear about Solomson’s appointment as chief judge of the federal claims court.

“He literally wrote the book on the subject and is therefore the right man for the job from a technical standpoint,” Troy said.

“Beyond his knowledge of the subject, Judge Solomson also earned this elevation by taking a strong stand against pro-Hamas, anti-American civil terrorists wreaking havoc on our college campuses,” he said. “He bravely spoke out on the issue and also made it clear that schools that abided such behavior would not be welcome to send clerks to his courtroom.”

Troy added that personally, “it’s great to see a religious Jew, who is steeped in Jewish texts and comfortable in his observance, serving as the top judge in a federal court in this great land.”

“It shows how welcoming America is to those who embrace her, and it is something we can all be proud of,” he told JNS.

The judge wrote on LinkedIn that he is “deeply honored” by the appointment.

“The court, in one form or another, has been part of our great nation’s judicial landscape since 1855,” he wrote. “President Lincoln, discussing the court in his 1861 State of the Union message, correctly noted that ‘it is as much the duty of government to render prompt justice against itself, in favor of citizens, as it is to administer the same, between private individuals.”

“Our court strives to live up to that maxim every day. Sometimes, that means a plaintiff prevails. Sometimes the government does. Either way, the people always win because, in this country, our government isn’t separate from the citizenry but rather is, in the immortal words of Lincoln, a ‘government of the people, by the people, for the people,’” he added. “The court is merely their agent.”

Solomson wrote that he is “truly living the American dream,” which also belonged to his father, a retired U.S. Army colonel, and his mother, his grandparents and great-grandparents. All of them “worked hard and played by the rules, so that their future generations might succeed in this land of limitless opportunity,” the judge wrote.

He also thanked his wife of almost three decades, Lisa Solomson. “As my family and I celebrate Passover, commemorating the Exodus, I am reminded about the nature of true freedom,” he wrote. “The late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks observed that ‘[a] world in which everyone is free to do what they like begins in anarchy and ends in tyranny.’”

“Passover celebrates a different concept of freedom—one that is remarkably similar to the ordered liberty embodied in our miraculous Constitution,” he added. “Having sworn an oath to uphold it, I am grateful to God that every day of service in the judiciary is truly a sacred duty.” (He also prayed in the post for the “immediate safe exodus ” of the hostages in Gaza.)

Solomson previously managed a team of lawyers, auditors and others as chief legal and compliance officer at an $11 billion federal contracting unit at a Fortune 50 healthcare company and was also the head of a group at Booz Allen Hamilton, per his bio.

He is an adjunct professor at Yeshiva University and is an active member of the kollel at Yeshivas Rabbeinu Yitzchok Elchonon.

Solomson is also dean of the Tikvah Legal Fellowship, which affords law students the opportunity “to study with world-class legal experts, receive personalized career coaching and join a community dedicated to Jewish and American ideals,” per its website. JNS

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Immigration authorities detained over 200 individuals living illegally in the U.S. during a sweeping operation last week across New York City and nearby regions, according to a report by the New York Post. The effort focused on removing dangerous criminals and gang-affiliated individuals from the streets.

Of the 206 people arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other federal agencies, 121 had prior convictions or pending charges involving violent and serious crimes, including murder, assault, child exploitation, arson, and a range of drug and firearms offenses.

Among those apprehended was Edimar Alejandra Colmenares Mendoza, who federal agents say is affiliated with Tren de Aragua, a notoriously violent gang from Venezuela. She was arrested at a Bronx apartment building that had already been raided by NYPD earlier this year in connection with gang activity.

Neighbors of the 22-year-old expressed relief at her removal, offering blunt reactions to her arrest.

“I’m just happy to be rid of her,” said Cataline Gonzalez, 42.

Gonzalez added that while the building might not appear upscale, it’s home to families and children trying to live normal lives. “We don’t need people coming from the outside and want to play by their own rules,” she said.

ICE noted that several of the arrested individuals had previously been released because local jurisdictions declined to cooperate with immigration detainers, in accordance with New York City’s sanctuary policies. One of the arrestees had a murder conviction from the Philippines.

Due to sanctuary city restrictions, NYPD officers are barred from coordinating with ICE unless there is a judicial order authorizing a detainer.

In addition to the Tren de Aragua suspect, ICE reported arrests of members from other dangerous gangs, including MS-13, the 18th Street gang, and Sureños. The operation, described as an “enhanced enforcement effort,” aimed at targeting those with the most serious criminal backgrounds in high-crime areas.

“Throughout this enhanced enforcement operation, we targeted the most dangerous alien offenders in some of the most crime-infested neighborhoods in and around the city of New York,” said acting ICE Director Todd Lyons.

Some of the most notable arrests include:

Colmenares Mendoza, previously charged with conspiracy, larceny, and possession of stolen goods.
Camilo Cesar Gonzales-Encalada, a 23-year-old from Spain linked to the Sureños gang, with convictions for assault, possession of a loaded firearm, and drug-related charges.
Alexander Steven Jimbo-Perez, a 25-year-old Ecuadorian national, who had been arrested on charges including assault, endangering a minor, theft, and physical harassment.
Marcos Tul-Guallpa, a 39-year-old from Guatemala, was taken into custody following his arrest for abuse of a minor under 17.
Derrick Alphonso Roberts, a 60-year-old Jamaican national, has a history of serious convictions including manslaughter, drug possession, threats of terrorism, and child corruption.
Luis Olmedo Quishpi-Poalasin, 35, an Ecuadorian citizen, faced a litany of criminal charges including sexual misconduct with a person unable to consent, witness tampering, and aggravated harassment.

At the building on Dekalb Avenue in the Bronx where Colmenares Mendoza was apprehended, residents recalled seeing her often in the company of another young woman and several young men. They suspected the group lived together in a second-floor apartment of the six-story complex.

Locals remembered the earlier police raid on suspected gang members in the same building, tied to gun-related offenses.

A woman who lives in the building told The Post, “If that’s the girl I’m thinking of, she was this tiny girl, almost looked like a kid, and there was another girl about the same size, and they were together all the time. They didn’t make any trouble that I saw. Occasionally I’d see them smoke, but that was about it.”

Despite some viewing her as low-profile, other residents were relieved to see her taken into custody.

“I’m glad they caught her and are sending her back to where she came from,” said Oscar Agosto, 59, who frequently visits his elderly mother in the building. “It’s very scary that a person like this should be living in an apartment so close to my mother, who’s in her 80s and helpless.”

Agosto added, “People like [Colmenares Mendoza] have no moral compass. If she needed money and knew there was an elderly person living here, she’d have no problem just breaking in and stealing from her.”

The large-scale sweep, coordinated by ICE, extended beyond the five boroughs into Long Island and parts of the Lower Hudson Valley.

“The success of this enhanced operation highlights the resolve of ICE and our federal partners in keeping our country safe from violent criminal aliens,” said Judith Almodovar, Acting Field Office Director for ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in New York City.

Almodovar emphasized that many of those arrested had serious charges, including offenses involving assaults on children.

This enforcement initiative follows previous crackdowns by federal authorities in New York. Just weeks ago, ICE detained more than 150 other illegal immigrants with criminal backgrounds.

In another sweep last month, 133 individuals were taken into custody — among them three convicted murderers, including a 49-year-old from Trinidad and Tobago, a 32-year-old from El Salvador, and a 70-year-old from the Dominican Republic.

Back in January, roughly 30 illegal migrants were rounded up during a separate operation attended by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. That effort included the arrest of a suspected leader from Tren de Aragua.

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President Trump has reached his highest approval rating since taking office, according to a new poll, signaling a major boost in public support, Breitbart reports.

The survey, conducted between April 10 and 14 among 1,002 registered voters, shows Trump with a 54 percent approval rating, while 46 percent disapprove. This marks a five-point increase since late March and ties his best performance in this particular poll for the year.

The polling period coincided with recent volatility in the stock market, which followed Trump’s implementation of increased tariffs—an economic move he campaigned on. The strategy appears to have prompted numerous foreign governments to begin trade discussions with the U.S.

“For all the events of the past ten days, we find the President’s approval rating unchanged and now at its joint highest ever,” pollster James Johnson told the Daily Mail.

Johnson added, “Among the noise and criticism, there does seem to be a simple truth. The more coverage there is of Trump’s changes, the more voters reward him for what they see as the pace and purpose that many of them voted for.”

The DailyMail.com/J.L. Partners poll also showed strong support for Trump among younger voters, with 64 percent of respondents aged 18 to 29 expressing approval. Those aged 65 and older showed 54 percent support, while voters aged 30 to 49 and 50 to 64 approved at rates of 52 and 51 percent, respectively.

Among Hispanic voters, 46 percent approved of the president’s performance, compared to 43 percent who disapproved.

Independent voters also leaned positive, with 48 percent approving of the job Trump is doing.

The most significant takeaway from the poll isn’t just the numbers themselves, but the direction they’re heading. Despite constant media attacks over his tariff policies, the market reaction, deportation actions, and other headline controversies like the so-called SignalGate incident, public opinion has shifted in Trump’s favor. Ordinary Americans appear to be tuning out legacy media narratives, which are increasingly seen as biased and unreliable.

Back in early March, the same poll showed Trump trailing in approval by two points—49 percent approval to 51 percent disapproval. He now leads by eight points. Additionally, the last three surveys included in the RealClearPolitics average all show Trump with a positive approval margin, despite sustained media opposition during their respective polling windows.

Andrew Cuomo’s effort to return to political office as New York City Mayor took a significant blow after he was denied over $4 million in public matching funds, according to a report in the New York Post.

“Last Friday, the campaign was informed by the campaign finance board that, due to a technical software error, contributions collected on one of our vendor platforms, NGP, were missing one of the fields required by the Campaign Finance Board, and so while we met the thresholds necessary to receive matching funds, the campaign had to remedy this technical matter,” campaign spokesperson Rich Azzopardi told the outlet.

Azzopardi emphasized that the issue had since been corrected. “We have since fully addressed the software issue and have complied with all requirements and will be submitting the proper documentation to the Board within the one week grace period the board allows to remedy technical issues to receive our eligible matching funds on May 12.”

As outlined by the Post, Cuomo’s team lost out on a total of $4,174,643.75 in matching funds for $332,350 in contributions, due to the missing information. Under New York City’s system, qualifying donations from city residents are matched at an 8-to-1 ratio, up to $2,150 per donor, a measure designed to level the playing field for less wealthy candidates.

The Campaign Finance Board came to its decision early Tuesday, just days after Cuomo’s campaign scrambled to fix the problem by urging supporters via email to quickly complete and return required documentation in order to qualify for the funding, the Post said.

The subject line of the campaign’s urgent email read: “Urgent – Action Required” and highlighted the importance of immediate action. “THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT,” it said.

The message continued: “We need you to complete the form included in this additional email, TODAY IF AT ALL POSSIBLE. We apologize for the inconvenience, but it is critical that we get these forms back as soon as possible,” according to the report.

To date, Cuomo’s mayoral bid has pulled in about $2.5 million in contributions, not including the millions collected by a separate super PAC backing his run. Recent polling shows Cuomo leading in the race to unseat current Mayor Eric Adams.

{Matzav.com}

Journalist Trey Yingst reported that Hamas has allegedly lost contact with the cell responsible for holding American hostage Edan Alexander, citing statements made by the group’s spokesperson.

“Hamas spokesman Abu Obaida says that contact with the group holding American citizen Edan Alexander was lost following an Israeli airstrike,” Yingst posted on X.

Yingst added that “no additional evidence or information was provided” to back the assertion and reminded readers that “In the past, Hamas has lied about the conditions of hostages they kidnapped.”

Hamas has a record of spreading false information regarding hostages. For example, near the end of 2023, the group said that Chana Katzir had been killed in an Israeli airstrike, but she was later freed as part of the November 2023 hostage release agreement.

In another instance, Hamas claimed that Shiri Bibas and her two sons, Ariel (4) and Kfir (10 months), were also killed in an Israeli bombing. However, when their remains were returned to Israel in February 2025, forensic teams concluded that the three had been murdered not long after the war began and were already deceased by the time of the November 2023 deal. The investigation further revealed that the terrorists had brutally murdered them by hand—not in an airstrike, as Hamas had claimed.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir delivered remarks on Tuesday during a Pesach-related event held near the Me’aras Hamachpeilah in Chevron, where he addressed the arrest of a Shin Bet agent accused of providing confidential information to journalists Amit Segal and Shirit Avitan, as well as to Minister Amichai Chikli.

“We are in times that are not always simple. Today we heard that there are elements in the Shin Bet who continue to try to carry out a targeted elimination against me, to replace an elected government. There is an Attorney General who doesn’t like the elections – but you, the people, you decide,” Ben Gvir said to the large crowd gathered for the celebration.

Earlier in the day, Ben Gvir appeared at the Lod District Court with Chikli for a hearing concerning the detention of the Shin Bet agent, referred to as A. The operative’s legal team requested that his remand be shortened, but the judges denied the appeal, ruling that the suspect would remain in custody through at least Wednesday.

Prior to the court session, Ben Gvir posted on X, criticizing Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar. “A glimpse into the character of Ronen Bar: a man who could have prevented the October 7 massacre if he had woken up the Prime Minister. Instead of resigning and hiding in shame, he clings to his seat and engages in stitching up political cases under a security guise.”

Ben Gvir ended his post with a sharp rebuke: “This is not a Shin Bet chief, this is a mafia boss.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

[Full video below.] President Joe Biden broke his post-White House silence with a sharp critique of how the Trump administration has approached Social Security, warning that its policies are threatening the program and those who rely on it.

During a half-hour speech delivered Tuesday to a gathering of disability rights advocates, Biden, speaking in a measured and subdued tone, refrained from naming President Donald Trump explicitly. Instead, he referred to him obliquely as “this guy,” and avoided launching into a direct and fiery attack.

Instead, Biden took a broader view, suggesting the Trump presidency had already left significant damage in its wake. “In fewer than 100 days, this new administration has made so much … damage and so much destruction. It’s kind of breathtaking,” he said.

He lamented the polarization gripping the country. “We can’t go on like this as a divided nation, as divided as we are. Like I said, I’ve been doing this a long time. It’s never been this divided,” Biden stated. “Granted, it’s roughly 30%, but it’s a 30% that has no heart.”

Biden didn’t clarify which demographic he was referring to with the 30% remark, leaving the audience to interpret it on their own.

White House spokesman Steven Cheung wasted no time in firing back, blasting Biden’s performance and cognitive state. “His incoherent speech” revealed a “feeble mind” in “rapid decline to new lows,” Cheung said in a harsh statement.

Cheung further defended Trump’s record on the issue, stating, “President Trump has repeatedly promised to protect Social Security and ensure higher take-home pay for seniors by ending the taxation of Social Security benefits. Anybody saying otherwise is either stupid or an all-out liar, or both in Biden’s case.”

Following the 2024 election, Trump had told NBC News that he wouldn’t cut Social Security, apart from trying to improve its efficiency. Nevertheless, since Trump assumed office, the program saw significant staff reductions under Elon Musk’s oversight. Musk stirred additional controversy when he referred to Social Security as “the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time.”

Biden pointed to that comment during his address. “We heard others, empowered and emboldened by this administration, talk about Social Security; one of them called it a Ponzi scheme,” Biden said. “A Ponzi scheme — what the hell are they talking about? People earn these benefits. They paid into that benefit. They rely on that benefit. And no one, no one, no one should take it away.”

He also directed criticism at Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick — though he didn’t name him — suggesting that the secretary was disconnected from the struggles of ordinary Americans. Biden referenced Lutnick’s past remarks about his mother-in-law being indifferent to missing a Social Security payment.

“The current secretary of commerce doesn’t seem to get it, or based on his comments, he doesn’t seem to even care,” Biden said. “He said his 94-year-old mother-in-law wouldn’t complain. Wouldn’t bother her. She’s probably a lovely woman. No kidding. Her son-in-law is a billionaire. What about that 94-year-old mother living all by herself? Don’t have a billionaire in the family. All the retirees who depend on that monthly check to feed themselves. All those people with disabilities have no other source. What about all those?”

Even though Trump has routinely used his platform to ridicule Biden, Tuesday marked the first time Biden had made a public appearance since stepping down on January 20. Still, he made no effort to defend his own record or revisit his administration’s achievements.

Biden’s delivery was so soft that audience members stayed still and silent in order to catch his words, highlighting the contrast between his quiet tone and the event’s emotional stakes.

Soon after the event, Trump posted a video clip on Truth Social of Biden speaking during the event, including the line, “I had never seen, I’d never seen hardly any Black people in Scranton at the time, and I was only going on fourth grade. And I remember seeing the kids going by — at the time, called colored kids — on a bus going by.”

The video, however, left out Biden’s follow-up remark, where he said seeing the segregated school bus “sparked his outrage” and fueled his decision to get involved in politics.

Trump frequently slams Biden, once branding him “the worst president in American history.” He often claims the Biden presidency left a trail of chaos, particularly when it comes to border enforcement. During the early stretch of his renewed term, Trump blamed Biden for economic sluggishness — although his own unpredictable tariff strategy would later cause market volatility.

Biden delivered Tuesday’s speech at the Sofitel Hotel along Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, addressing attendees of the Advocates, Counselors and Representatives for the Disabled conference. The gathering focused on safeguarding Social Security amid concerns that Trump’s proposed restructuring could jeopardize support for many Americans.

While Biden previously addressed the National High Schools Model United Nations last month, that event was closed to the press and received little attention.

Biden, now 82, departed from public office amid growing rifts within his own party, which urged him to drop his re-election bid after a widely criticized debate against Trump in June. During that debate, Biden’s halting performance raised fresh doubts about his cognitive health.

Kamala Harris, then serving as Biden’s vice president, stepped in to claim the Democratic nomination and launched an intense 107-day campaign against Trump. Despite breaking fundraising records and energizing parts of the base, Harris ultimately fell short, losing both the popular vote and every battleground state.

In a January interview, Biden said he still believed he could have defeated Trump had he chosen to run again — though he also conceded to USA Today that he wasn’t sure he could have finished another term.

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

Anthony Scaramucci, who infamously served as President Donald Trump’s White House communications director for just 10 days in 2017, is once again sounding the alarm on his former boss—this time over Trump’s trade policy. In a new interview with the Financial Times, Scaramucci slammed the president’s tariffs, calling them “the stupidest economic policy that the United States has ever come up with.”

Scaramucci accused the president of wanting to “end the global trading system and weaken the US.”

Since his stint in the White House, Scaramucci, the founder of the investment firm SkyBridge Capital, has become an outspoken critic of Trump, endorsing Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.

Speaking with the Financial Times, he said that Trump’s penchant for retribution has scared top banking and finance executives into silence, even as the administration’s whiplash rollout (and rollback) of its tariffs continues to rattle global markets. “They’re afraid of him… They don’t want to end up with any legal action against their bank or their family. And they’ve been told by their boards: keep your mouth shut,” Scaramucci said. Read more at the Financial Times.

{Matzav.com}

Jimmy Kimmel said that liberals “who’ve done such a good job of viciously attacking comedians” are a “big part” of why Donald Trump won the 2024 election. In an interview with Rolling Stone published Tuesday, Kimmel explained that he doesn’t “put limits” on what he can laugh at, and thinks that much of the outrage at jokes is often “completely manufactured.”

“A lot of these people who are angry aren’t really angry,” he said. “I think these liberals who’ve done such a good job of viciously attacking comedians are a big part of the reason why Trump is the president right now.” He added that there is “no black and white” when it comes to comedy and that “the line” is different for everyone.

“I don’t think anybody should be canceled. I really don’t,” he said.

Kimmel also said another major reason he thinks Trump won is because he was “so much more famous” than Kamala Harris. “He is a celebrity. He is a star. He is the most famous person in the world. And it’s hard to compete with that,” he said.

Kimmel has been very publicly critical of Trump over the years on his show, Jimmy Kimmel Live! In 2024, Trump called Kimmel a “FOOL” and the “WORST HOST EVER OF THE ONCE VAUNTED ACADEMY AWARDS” on Truth Social after the comedian, who was hosting the event, tore into Trump’s scandals. Read more at The Hill.

{Matzav.com}