Matzav

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei used a religious gathering to directly blame US President Donald Trump for the turmoil inside Iran, accusing Washington of fueling violence and attempting to undermine the country.

In his remarks, Khamenei charged the United States with responsibility for the bloodshed and damage caused during the unrest. “We see the US President as at fault for the casualties, the damages, and the slander against the Iranian nation,” Khamenei said. “The US’ goal is to swallow Iran. This was a US rebellion and the nation broke it.”

He further asserted that foreign forces were behind the protest leadership, claiming that “US and Zionist intelligence trained the leaders of the rioters abroad.”

Khamenei also alleged that outside-linked actors carried out widespread killings. “Those who are connected to Israel and the US killed thousands,” he alleged. “We will not drag the country into a war – but we will not let international or local criminals avoid punishment.”

Trump, for his part, has repeatedly warned that the United States could step in on behalf of protesters in Iran, where reports say thousands have been killed during the regime’s violent response to demonstrations against its rule.

At one stage on Wednesday, the standoff appeared to be reaching a breaking point, with the prospect of US involvement seeming increasingly likely. Later in the day, however, tensions appeared to subside after Trump said he had received information suggesting that the killing of protesters had stopped.

“We have been notified pretty strongly that the killing in Iran is stopping, and there’s no plan for executions or an execution,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

He added that the information came from reliable sources, while stressing that the situation remained under close watch. “I’ve been told that in good authority. We’ll find out about it, I’m sure. If it happens, we’ll be very upset.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump named the first members of his “Board of Peace” executive committee to rebuild and revive the devastated Gaza Strip, but the office of Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu said the announcement “was not coordinated with Israel” and “runs contrary to its policy.”

The initial members include Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and former British prime minister Tony Blair, the White House said in a statement Friday.

Also announced were the members of a secondary operational committee known as the Gaza Executive Board. The board will also include Kushner, Witkoff and Blair, but also Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Qatari diplomat Ali al-Thawadi — leaders from nations that Israeli leaders say will work to ensure Hamas’s survival.

“Bringing Qatar and Turkey into the Gaza Strip is a reward to Hamas for the October 7th massacre and a danger to Israel’s security,” former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett said today. “This government of chaos has abdicated Israel’s sovereignty.”

Trump is to chair the panel. Each member is to oversee a different aspect of the project, such as reconstruction, attracting investment and regional relations, the White House said.

“Let’s all dream together to make more unthinkable outcomes reality,” Kushner, who has long floated an idea of promoting waterfront real estate in Gaza, wrote Friday on X.

Netanyahu’s office said late today that “the announcement regarding the composition of Gaza’s executive committee, which is subordinate to the board of peace, was not coordinated with Israel and runs contrary to its policy.” In a statement, the office said Netanyahu “has instructed the Foreign Minister to raise this matter with the U.S. Secretary of State.”

Itamar Ben Gvir, Israel’s far-right minister of national security, called “on the Prime Minister to order the IDF to prepare to return to war with tremendous force in the Strip, in order to achieve the main goal of the war: the destruction of Hamas.”

The announcement did not address the major stumbling block to Trump’s multistep plan for Gaza: The requirement that Israel withdraw its troops and Hamas give up its weapons before reconstruction begins.

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid said the announcement amounted to “a total diplomatic failure by the Netanyahu government, following the infinite heroism and sacrifice of the IDF’s soldiers and commanders.”

Blair, whose involvement has caused consternation among Palestinians, thanked Trump for his “leadership.”

“We want a Gaza which does not reconstruct Gaza as it was but as it could and should be,” he said in a statement today. “And for the Israelis we want to ensure that the horrific events of October 7 2023 are never repeated.”

Other leaders invited to become founding members include President Abdel Fatah El-Sisi, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Argentine President Javier Milei, according to reports, officials in their countries said.

Ziad Amr, a political activist in Ramallah, in the West Bank, said Palestinians view the Board of Peace as a vehicle “to entrench policies and practices that deny the Palestinian people their political rights, foremost among them the right to self-determination and the establishment of a fully sovereign, independent state.”

As the board was being pieced together this week, the Hamas-run media office in Gaza said Israel had violated the ceasefire brokered by Trump in October by shooting civilians, launching raids and preventing the entry of humanitarian aid as wintry weather sets in. More than 460 people have been killed in Gaza during the ceasefire and 1,275 injured, the Hamas-run health ministry said today.

Israel says Hamas has violated the ceasefire by refusing to return the remains of the last hostage and attacking Israeli soldiers when it is supposed to be disarming.

The Board of Peace is part of Phase 2 of Trump’s 20-point peace plan for Gaza, which has seen a fragile ceasefire since October.

“I can say with certainty that it is the Greatest and Most Prestigious Board ever assembled at any time, any place,” Trump wrote on Truth Social this week. In a separate post he underscored: “The people of Gaza have suffered long enough. The time is NOW. PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.”

A National Committee for the Administration of Gaza will be tasked with implementing Trump’s peace plan, stability and reconstruction, the White House said.

This will be led by Ali Abdel Hamid Shaath a civil engineer from Gaza who has held senior roles in the Palestinian Authority governing the West Bank, the White House said. He’ll oversee the restoration of core public services, the rebuilding of civil institutions, and the stabilization of daily life.

That committee will be supported by a Gaza Executive Board, the White House said. The board will again include Kushner, Witkoff and Blair; and also Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan; Sigrid Kaag, the U.N. special coordinator for the Middle East peace process; Reem Al-Hashimy, the United Arab Emirates minister for international cooperation; and Israeli Cypriot billionaire Yakir Gabay.

Bulgarian diplomat Nickolay Mladenov, a former U.N. envoy to the Middle East peace process, will serve as high representative for Gaza, the White House said. Aryeh Lightstone, head of the Abraham Accord Peace Institute, and Josh Gruenbaum, a commissioner of the Federal Acquisition Service, have been appointed senior advisers and will lead day-to-day strategy and operations. World Bank President Ajay Banga, deputy national security adviser Robert Gabriel and billionaire private equity chief Marc Rowan have been appointed to the executive board. No Palestinians have yet been named to the committee.

Security in Gaza is to be provided by an International Stabilization Force under the command of U.S. Maj. Gen. Jasper Jeffers, the White House said. No country has publicly committed forces to participate.

More board members are to be announced in the coming weeks, the White House said.

Jorge Moreira da Silva, executive director of the U.N. Office for Project Services, told reporters Thursday that the needs in Gaza are urgent.

“We can’t wait for the big reconstruction, which requires billions, to immediately launch the early recovery that requires millions,” da Silva said. He listed three immediate priorities: access to a stable supply of fuel, support for demining and the clearance of some 60 million tonnes of rubble and repairs to Gaza’s main power plant, which provided between 40 and 50 percent of electricity before the war.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump today rejected a Wall Street Journal report claiming he offered JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon the position of Federal Reserve chair, calling the report false and announcing plans to sue the bank within weeks over what he described as his improper de-banking after the January 6 Capitol riot in 2021.

Trump aired his grievances against both the newspaper and JPMorgan Chase in a post published Saturday morning on Truth Social.

He began by writing: “A front page Article in The Fake News Wall Street Journal states, without any verification, that I offered Jamie Dimon, of JPMorgan Chase, the job of Fed Chairman.

“This statement is totally untrue, there was never such an offer and, in fact, I’ll be suing JPMorgan Chase over the next two weeks for incorrectly and inappropriately DEBANKING me after the January 6th Protest, a protest that turned out to be correct for those doing the protesting — The Election was RIGGED!”

Trump has previously said that JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America, the nation’s two largest banks, refused to provide him with accounts. In an interview with CNBC last summer, he said he tried to “deposit a billion dollars-plus” but was turned away by both institutions.

The Truth Social post was a response to a Wall Street Journal report published last Wednesday, which claimed Trump offered Dimon the Fed chairmanship in early 2025. According to the report, Dimon did not treat the offer as serious.

Separately, Politico has reported that Dimon’s name was raised as a possible Treasury secretary candidate during the 2024 presidential campaign, though it said his relationship with Trump has “since soured.” Trump said Saturday that he never entertained the idea and praised Scott Bessent’s performance in the role, calling him a “SUPERSTAR.”

Trump continued in his post: “Why wouldn’t The Wall Street Journal call me to ask whether or not such an offer was made? I would have very quickly told them, “NO,” and that would have been the end of the story. Also, one was led to believe that I offered Jamie Dimon the job of Secretary of the Treasury, but that would be one that he would be very interested in.

“The problem is, I have Scott Bessent doing a fantastic job, A SUPERSTAR — Why would I give it to Jamie? No such offer was made there, or even thought of, either. The Wall Street Journal ought to do better “fact checking,” or its already strained credibility will continue to DIVE. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

Trump’s comments come as his Justice Department is investigating Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell over a long-running renovation project at the Fed’s headquarters. Powell has said the scrutiny stems from his disagreements with Trump over interest rate policy, not the renovation itself.

JPMorgan Chase informed customers in November that it was under investigation by the U.S. government over allegations of de-banking conservatives. The bank has denied closing accounts or refusing customers based on political views.

{Matzav.com}

Dan Shapiro, a former U.S. ambassador to Israel, said he believes President Donald Trump is considering a direct move against Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and suggested such an attempt could come as early as this week.

Shapiro pointed to recent public exchanges as the basis for his assessment. “Trump’s comments to Politico on needing new leadership in Iran, and Khamenei’s mindless baiting of Trump on X, lead me to believe that Trump is going to try to kill the Supreme Leader this week,” wrote Shapiro, who served in Israel during the Obama administration, in a social media post on Saturday.

He added that growing American military presence in the region could facilitate such an action. “There will soon be a US carrier strike group in the Middle East, making it easier for the US to carry out extensive strikes in Iran and be prepared to defend against Iranian response strikes.”

Shapiro further speculated that a strike against Khamenei could be paired with additional military operations. “Taking that shot at Khamenei, perhaps combined with strikes on IRGC and Basij command and control nodes, would allow Trump to say he is keeping faith with Iranian protesters he encouraged, and fulfilling his threat to make the regime pay for massacring them,” he wrote.

At the same time, Shapiro cautioned that even a dramatic move would not necessarily bring about political transformation in Iran. “But that is a long way from achieving regime change in Iran. Khamenei’s elimination, if it occurs, would most likely be followed initially by an IRGC takeover, and a still aggressive and repressive regime. The change of regime, when it takes place, will be authored by the Iranian people. Supporting them in their quest for freedom will require sustained focus, and largely non-kinetic measures. It will not be achieved by a one-and-done strike.”

Shapiro’s remarks followed comments by Trump that appeared to openly question Iran’s current leadership. “It’s time to look for new leadership in Iran,” Trump told Politico, in what was his most explicit statement to date suggesting regime change.

Khamenei, meanwhile, responded sharply, blaming Trump for the violence and instability inside Iran. “We see the US President as at fault for the casualties, the damages, and the slander against the Iranian nation,” he said. “The US’ goal is to swallow Iran. This was a US rebellion and the nation broke it.”

The Iranian leader also accused foreign intelligence services of orchestrating unrest. He claimed that “US and Zionist intelligence trained the leaders of the rioters abroad.”

“Those who are connected to Israel and the US killed thousands,” Khamenei alleged. “We will not drag the country into a war – but we will not let international or local criminals avoid punishment.”

Trump has repeatedly warned that the United States could step in on behalf of Iranian protesters, as reports have said thousands were killed during the regime’s crackdown on demonstrations.

Although tensions peaked at one point earlier this week, raising expectations of imminent U.S. action, the situation later appeared to cool after Trump said the killing of protesters had stopped.

{Matzav.com}

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said the terror group has no intention of laying down its arms, arguing that disarmament would amount to national collapse and insisting the organization is ready to absorb further losses to maintain its military strength.

Qassem said Hezbollah views its arsenal as essential to its mission and survival. “The weapons in our hands are meant to defend ourselves, our resistance, our people, and our homeland,” he said, asserting that surrendering those weapons would leave Lebanon weaker and serve Israel’s long-term strategic goals.

He cautioned the Lebanese government against moving forward with any effort to strip militias of their arms, claiming that such initiatives are being pushed by outside powers, specifically the United States and Israel.

Qassem said Hezbollah “will not accept” any attempt to compel it to disarm and warned of severe consequences if pressure continues. He said that if “the resistance and its environment do not surrender,” the country could descend into chaos where “not one stone will be left upon another, and no one will be safe,” adding that Hezbollah is “prepared for the worst-case scenario.”

He also reiterated the group’s broader ideological goals, saying Hezbollah remains committed to the “liberation of the Al-Aqsa Mosque” and the liberation of “Palestinian” land, declaring that “Israel and its servants will not achieve their desires.”

Last year, amid sustained American and Israeli pressure, the Lebanese government approved a phased program aimed at consolidating all weapons in the country under state authority, including arms held by Hezbollah.

Under a proposal submitted by the Lebanese Army, security forces have taken steps to seize and regulate weapons possessed by militias. Over the past year, multiple reports have cited the discovery and confiscation of weapons, explosives, rockets, and advanced arms attributed to Hezbollah.

{Matzav.com}

Former hostage Eitan Mor said he accepted the possibility that he might not survive captivity in Gaza if Israel’s war aims could be achieved, explaining that he placed the needs of the State above his own life.

Speaking in a joint interview with his father, Tzvika Mor, on Kan News, Eitan described a shared outlook between them, emphasizing that both viewed the national interest as paramount even under the most painful circumstances.

“It comes together,” Eitan said when asked about his father’s stance. “I knew he would choose the path that would not harm the country.”

Eitan explained that while he was being held in Gaza, he reconciled himself with the prospect that he might never return. “I came to terms with the fact that I could die in Gaza, because the State needs to destroy Hamas,” he said.

His father said that this mindset reflects a deeply rooted Zionist approach, noting that Eitan understands the broader reality of wartime sacrifice. He said Eitan “also has the ability to understand the bigger picture, a Zionist perspective – we are in a war, the country needs to win. I am not the most important person in the world; there are also soldiers above me who are being killed.”

Asked what insight his captivity gave him about Hamas, Eitan responded bluntly. “They will not give in. Many Hamas operatives told me – until you remove the last Gazan from here, we will give you another October 7. They are extremely obsessive toward us, and I wish we were as obsessive [toward them] as they are toward us.”

During the interview, Eitan also described his interrogations while in Gaza, saying his captors focused heavily on his military background and even attempted to recruit him.

“They took me down to be interrogated in some tunnel and started questioning me about the army, what I did,” he said. “So I told them, listen, I was a regular soldier in Golani Battalion 12 – you know more than I do about the army I served in – and that’s the truth. They know more than most regular soldiers. They told me, come be a spy, we’ll pay you well. I told them, of course not.”

He added that his time in captivity exposed the extent of Hamas’ intelligence gathering, including detailed written materials about the IDF and its elite units.

When asked lightheartedly who his greatest adversaries were during his army service, Eitan quipped: “The Military Police.”

Reflecting on the demonstrations that took place in Israel during his captivity, Eitan said they were a source of encouragement, though not decisive in shaping his expectations. “Those things give strength. I thank those who went out. But I don’t think it gave me hope, because in the end the government decides. They always told me, look, you see, all Israelis want [a deal] at any price. So I told them, listen, Al Jazeera doesn’t show the other side, the right wing. And if they saw the other side, they would be very disappointed.”

{Matzav.com}

[COMMUNICATED]

Construction beats promises.

They say Tzfat is having a hot moment. Real estate market ups and downs aside, let’s be honest, Tzfat has pulled at the heartstrings of Jews everywhere for centuries. The cobblestone alleys where kabbala was transmitted, open vistas where Lecha Dodi was born, and mountain air breathing history. Shabbos and every day always feels different here, uplifting you more than anywhere else.

The pull hasn’t changed. The news is that nowadays you can act on it.

Final apartments in Tzfat Estates — part of the acclaimed Estates Series that brought you Jerusalem Estates — are selling now.

Tzfat Estates isn’t another rendering with a timeline that shifts every six months. The building frame stands complete at the entrance to the Old City. Stone cladding has begun. Steel and concrete are setting across Har Meron. Occupancy is scheduled for early 2027. That’s the delivery date from a developer who’s delivered twelve residential projects on schedule — every single one.

ISA Group built their reputation on quality, scale and follow-through. Thirty six luxury developments across twelve Israeli cities, from Yerushalayim to Tzfat, Petach Tikva to Beit Shemesh. And the number that matters most: all twelve completed residential projects, delivered on schedule — zero delays. When ISA puts a date in a contract, families move in on that date.

While others are still presenting architectural concepts, ISA is installing building systems.

The Estates Series brings specific standards to Tzfat. Feigin Architects, the same team behind Jerusalem’s Waldorf Astoria and Jerusalem Estates, designed spaces where Tzfat’s charming Old City character meets international finish quality. Interior designer Sari Gerstein planned complete apartments: smart electrical systems, climate control throughout, detailed luxury finishings. 

Final apartments are selling now, in a project that’s already over 90% sold. The large premium units, held for buyers who understand legacy real estate. Starting at 4.69 million shekels.

Four spacious bedrooms. Terraces stretching 430 square feet for real outdoor living space to drink in the atmosphere and breathe in the ancient echo. Minutes to the Old City’s pulse, to shuls where davening holds the yearning of generations, to the kedusha that first drew your ancestors here.

Construction milestones tell you more than marketing promises.
Frame: complete.
Stone cladding: in progress.
Building systems: being installed.
Move-in: early 2027.

These aren’t estimates or hopeful penciled-in deadlines. See documented construction progress from a developer with a public track record of delivering exactly when promised.

Your Tzfat is here >>

President Donald Trump spoke by phone Thursday night with Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu to review the rapidly developing situation in Iran, according to a report published Friday by Axios, citing two individuals with knowledge of the discussion.

The call marked the second direct conversation between the two leaders within 48 hours, as Trump considers a range of responses that include possible U.S. military action as well as renewed diplomatic efforts with an Iranian regime under pressure from mass protests and internal instability.

Officials from both the White House and the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office declined to provide details or comment publicly on the calls.

According to Axios, during an earlier conversation on Wednesday, Netanyahu pressed Trump to hold off on any immediate military strike, arguing that Israel needed additional time to prepare for potential retaliation from Iran. The report said that this appeal was one of several considerations that contributed to Trump’s decision to delay authorizing U.S. military action.

U.S. officials have indicated that force remains on the table if Iran resumes the killing of protesters, while Israeli officials believe that a strike is still possible in the near term despite the current pause.

Axios also reported previously that Netanyahu sent Mossad Director David Barnea to the United States to coordinate closely with American officials on Iran-related matters. Barnea is expected to hold talks Friday in Miami with White House envoy Steve Witkoff.

The report detailing the second Trump-Netanyahu call appeared before Trump addressed reporters’ questions about whether pressure from Arab or Israeli leaders influenced his decision not to strike Iran. Trump dismissed that notion, saying, “No one convinced me. I convinced myself.”

He pointed to recent developments inside Iran as a key factor, adding, “You had, yesterday, scheduled, over 800 hangings. They didn’t hang anyone. They cancelled the hangings. That had a big impact.”

Later Thursday night, speaking at an Israeli-American Council conference in Miami, Witkoff expressed optimism that diplomacy could still avert conflict. He said any agreement with Iran would need to tackle multiple core issues, including its uranium enrichment program, its stockpile of ballistic missiles, the removal of roughly 2,000 kilograms of enriched uranium held by Tehran, and an end to Iran’s backing of proxy forces across the region.

Describing Iran’s internal economic crisis, Witkoff said, “I think if Iran, which is stumbling it its economy. It’s a pretty serious situation. Inflation is well north of 50%.” He added that Tehran still has a path toward a negotiated outcome, saying, “If they want to come back to the League of Nations, we can solve those four problems diplomatically and that would be a good resolution and the alternative will be a bad one.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump said Friday that Iran’s leadership had halted a large number of planned executions of anti-regime protesters, crediting the move with averting what he described as an imminent wave of hangings.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump publicly acknowledged the Iranian government’s decision, writing: “I greatly respect the fact that all scheduled hangings, which were to take place yesterday (Over 800 of them), have been cancelled by the leadership of Iran. Thank you!”

Later, while speaking with reporters, Trump was asked whether pressure from Arab or Israeli officials had persuaded him to refrain from launching a military strike against Iran. He rejected that suggestion, responding, “No one convinced me. I convinced myself.”

He went on to emphasize the significance of the reported reversal by Tehran, saying, “You had, yesterday, scheduled, over 800 hangings. They didn’t hang anyone. They cancelled the hangings. That had a big impact,” according to his remarks.

Trump’s comments followed earlier statements made two days prior, when he asserted that the killing of protesters in Iran had stopped at a moment when a potential U.S. military action appeared close. At that time, he told reporters in the Oval Office, “We have been notified pretty strongly that the killing in Iran is stopping, and there’s no plan for executions or an execution.”

He added that the information had come from reliable sources but cautioned that the situation would continue to be monitored. “I’ve been told that in good authority. We’ll find out about it, I’m sure. If it happens, we’ll be very upset.”

Additional details emerged Thursday night from Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, who spoke at the opening session of the 10th Israeli American Council National Summit in Florida. Witkoff said that, acting on Trump’s instructions, the United States had contacted Iranian officials on Wednesday to convey concerns over reports of impending mass executions. “And that’s been shut down, I think, as everyone knows, the President has announced that. He’s the only one in the world who has that indomitable strength that can bend people. I watch it happen. It’s quite remarkable to watch it happen.”

When asked whether he anticipated military action against Iran, Witkoff said he hoped diplomacy would prevail. “Well, I hope there’s a diplomatic resolution. I really do. There are four issues: Nuclear enrichment, missiles, they have to cut back on their inventory, the actual material that they have, which is roughly 2,000 kilograms which is enriched anywhere between 3.67% to 60%, and the proxies, of course.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump warned Friday that federal intervention in Minnesota would bring a swift end to unrest tied to immigration enforcement, declaring that state and local leaders are incapable of restoring order.

“In Minnesota, the Troublemakers, Agitators, and Insurrectionists are, in many cases, highly paid professionals. The Governor and Mayor don’t know what to do, they have totally lost control, and our currently being rendered, USELESS! If, and when, I am forced to act, it will be solved, QUICKLY and EFFECTIVELY! President DJT”

The statement was posted to Trump’s Truth Social account as protests continued to intensify in the Twin Cities following several high-profile encounters involving federal immigration agents.

Although Trump did not spell out what steps he might take, his warning came as tensions rose over the expanding role of federal authorities in immigration-related operations across Minneapolis and surrounding areas.

Demonstrations escalated sharply after the Jan. 7 fatal shooting of Renee Good, a 37-year-old Minneapolis woman, during an incident connected to Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity.

The growing unrest has also placed renewed focus on the tactics used by immigration officers during vehicle stops and arrests, prompting public criticism and legal scrutiny.

The Associated Press reported Friday that Aliya Rahman, a U.S. citizen, was pulled from her car and detained by immigration officers in Minneapolis, an incident that further fueled anger among demonstrators.

Also on Friday, the AP reported that a federal judge ordered the release of a Liberian man arrested by immigration agents in Minneapolis, ruling that the detention violated Fourth Amendment protections.

Trump’s remarks followed earlier comments in which he suggested he could invoke the Insurrection Act, a rarely used law that allows a president to deploy military forces domestically under narrowly defined circumstances.

Minnesota officials have urged residents to remain calm while condemning what they describe as an expanded federal footprint, as protests continue and multiple investigations and court challenges move forward.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump said Friday that he could impose tariffs on other countries if they resist his effort to bring Greenland under U.S. control, tying the issue directly to what he described as American national security interests.

“If they don’t go along with” his push, Trump said, economic penalties could be used. Speaking at the opening of a White House healthcare roundtable, he added, “We need Greenland for national security. So I may do that,” referring to the possible use of tariffs.

Trump has repeatedly argued in recent months that the United States must control Greenland for strategic reasons. The island is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, a status that has been a central point of dispute in Trump’s remarks.

Inside the administration, officials have examined a range of approaches to the issue, including the idea of purchasing the territory, though no formal proposal has been announced.

Greenland and Denmark have consistently rejected the notion, stating that the island is not for sale and has no desire to become part of the United States.

Denmark’s position has been echoed by several European leaders, who have publicly backed Copenhagen and said Washington has no right to take control of the Arctic island.

Trump’s comments marked the first time he publicly suggested tariffs as a potential tool to advance his stance on Greenland.

{Matzav.com}

A senior commander in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued an explicit threat against President Donald Trump on Thursday, vowing violent retaliation in response to the president’s warnings about possible U.S. military action against Tehran.

Speaking publicly, Gen. Mohsen Rezaei warned that Iran would respond directly to Trump’s statements about the use of force. “Trump has said his hand is on the trigger. We will cut off his hand and his finger,” Rezaei said, according to Iran International.

Rezaei also made clear that Iran would reject any attempt at de-escalation once hostilities begin. “If we move forward, there will be no talk of a ceasefire anymore,” he said.

In his remarks, the general accused the United States of ignoring Iran’s restraint and cautioned against further escalation. “You do not pay attention to the restraint and strategic patience we have shown,” Rezaei added. “Stop right now. Step back, otherwise none of your bases in the region will be safe.”

The comments were delivered amid reports that the United States has begun repositioning military assets closer to the Middle East. Sources confirmed that at least one U.S. aircraft carrier has been moved toward the region as tensions between Washington and Tehran intensify.

Officials have not disclosed which carrier is involved. Military officials say the voyage could take roughly a week, with additional forces potentially deploying afterward, expanding the range of military options available to Trump.

Rezaei is a longtime powerbroker within Iran’s military and political establishment. He led the IRGC from 1980 until 1997 and currently holds several senior roles, including vice president for economic affairs and secretary of Iran’s Supreme Council for Economic Coordination. He is also a prominent figure within the Principlist Resistance Front of Islamic Iran.

Internationally, Rezaei has faced legal and financial consequences. In 2006, Argentine authorities issued an international arrest warrant for him over his alleged role in the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish community center in Buenos Aires. The U.S. Treasury Department later sanctioned him in 2020, citing his involvement in advancing destabilizing activities.

The escalating rhetoric comes as Iran faces growing internal unrest. According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency, at least 2,677 people have been arrested, with another 1,693 cases currently under investigation.

{Matzav.com}

Mossad Director David Barnea arrived in the United States on Friday for discussions focused on developments in Iran, according to Israeli officials and others familiar with the visit.

The trip is part of ongoing coordination between Israel and the United States as large-scale protests continue inside Iran and Washington weighs possible military steps in response to the Iranian regime’s actions.

According to those familiar with the matter, Barnea is expected to meet in Miami with White House envoy Steve Witkoff, who has been managing a direct channel between the United States and Iran. Witkoff has remained in contact with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi throughout the unrest. It is still unclear whether Barnea will also meet with President Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago residence over the weekend.

Barnea’s visit follows a phone call earlier this week between President Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that centered on the situation in Iran. During the conversation, Netanyahu reportedly asked the United States to hold off on any military action in order to give Israel additional time to prepare for a possible Iranian response.

Israeli officials have raised concerns that potential U.S. strikes, as currently under discussion, would focus primarily on Iranian security forces and might not significantly weaken the regime itself. U.S. officials, meanwhile, have said that military action remains on the table if Iran resumes deadly force against protesters. Israeli assessments suggest that even with a delay, a U.S. strike could still take place in the near future.

At the same time, U.S. military preparations are continuing, with additional forces and equipment being moved into the region. These reportedly include the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and its strike group, along with expanded air defense systems, fighter jets, and possibly submarines.

In parallel, Abbas Araghchi has suggested reviving nuclear negotiations during his contacts with Witkoff. Israeli officials are concerned that Tehran could use renewed talks to ease international pressure and buy time, though some believe the current crisis may push the Iranian regime to consider concessions it has previously refused.

{Matzav.com}

The body of Moshe Ludmir, a talmid at the Boyan Yeshiva in Modiin Illit, was recovered on Friday, bringing an end to a days-long search after he disappeared earlier in the week.

Moshe had gone to the Modiin Stream near his yeshiva on Tuesday together with another student in order to enter the water. During the outing, he was carried away by the strong current. The second boy was rescued later that same day and alerted authorities, prompting an extensive search effort that continued until Friday.

Sixteen years old, Moshe was from Beitar Illit and had only recently begun studying at the Tiferes Yisrael Ruzhin Boyan Yeshiva in Modiin Illit, marking his first year at the yeshiva.

Describing the operation, Lieutenant Commander Shlomi Harosh, who heads the Binyamin Region of the Israel Fire and Rescue Service, said: “This is a tragic event in which a young man lost his life. This was a complex and challenging search because there was a lot of drift in the stream and in the water crossings under the bridges along the stream, as well as the stormy weather that prevailed during the first days of the search.”

Police officials stated that search activity was carried out without interruption over the course of four days, involving close coordination among law enforcement, rescue services, and civilian volunteers.

A police spokeswoman provided further details, saying: “On the morning of the fourth day of searches conducted by the Judea and Samaria District police, along with numerous emergency security and rescue personnel, alongside hundreds of volunteers, the body of the missing young man who had been swept away in the Modi’im Stream was located.”

{Matzav.com}

Agudath Israel of America commends the Trump administration for easing restrictions on religious workers through a newly issued Interim Final Rule published today in the Federal Register. The rule removes longstanding limitations on religious worker visas (R-1), marking an important step in supporting faith-based institutions and the communities that rely on them.

Under prior regulations, non-citizens in the US serving in religious capacities on R-1 visas were required to leave the United States for a minimum of one year once their visa expired at the end of its five-year term before they could apply for and obtain a new R-1 visa. This requirement imposed significant hardships on religious workers as many of them serve in leadership positions such as rabbis and teachers causing serious disruptions for the schools and institutions they serve. The new rule eliminates this mandatory waiting period, allowing religious workers to apply for and receive a new R-1 visa without being forced to spend a fixed period of time outside the United States.

“Agudath Israel of America welcomes the Department of Homeland Security’s thoughtful and much needed rule change regarding religious workers.” said Mr. David Grunblatt, partner at Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP and chair of Agudath Israel of America’s Immigration Committee. “For too long, religious organizations have faced the painful loss of dedicated rabbis, ministers, teachers, and other essential religious workers simply because their temporary visas expired before the lengthy green card process could be completed. By removing the requirement for religious workers to leave the country for a full year after reaching the maximum period of stay, DHS is providing much needed stability for our institutions and the communities they serve. This interim final rule promulgated by USCIS, recognizes the vital role that religious workers play in American society and helps ensure that synagogues, churches, and other faith-based organizations can continue their sacred mission without unnecessary disruption. We commend DHS and USCIS for their commitment to supporting religious life in the United States.”

Agudath Israel of America has long advocated for reforms to the R-1 visa program and continues to urge Congress to pass the bipartisan Religious Workforce Protection Act. That legislation would eliminate the need for individuals on an R-1 visa to leave the US at all while further strengthening protections for people of faith in the workforce.

{Matzav.com}

FOX Business’ Madison Alworth reports cities in Florida and Texas are ready to attract businesses and individuals fleeing New York City’s increasing regulations, rent freezes, and expanded city-run services.

WATCH:

President Donald Trump revealed Thursday that a new governing body, described as a Gaza “board of peace,” has been established as part of the second phase of a U.S.-supported framework aimed at ending the war in Gaza.

Announcing the move on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “It is my Great Honor to announce that THE BOARD OF PEACE has been formed,” adding that the names of those appointed to the body would be released “shortly.”

Trump went on to praise the new panel in sweeping terms, declaring, “I can say with certainty that it is the Greatest and Most Prestigious Board ever assembled at any time, any place.”

The announcement follows the recent unveiling of a separate 15-member Palestinian technocratic committee that is intended to oversee the daily administration of Gaza once major combat operations conclude.

According to Trump, that committee will operate under the authority of the newly created board of peace, which he said he will personally chair.

The broader plan also envisions the arrival of an International Stabilisation Force that would be tasked with maintaining security in Gaza and assisting in the training of approved Palestinian police units.

Reacting to the developments, senior Hamas official Bassem Naim said Thursday, “The ball is now in the court of the mediators, the American guarantor and the international community to empower the committee.”

The U.S.-backed initiative originally took effect on Oct. 10, leading to the release of all hostages held by Hamas and bringing an end to active fighting between Israel and the Palestinian terrorist organization in Gaza.

While the second phase of the plan has now begun, it is unfolding amid continued claims of humanitarian aid shortages and sporadic violence.

For Palestinians, a central unresolved issue remains the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, a provision included in the framework but one that lacks a specific implementation schedule.

At the same time, Hamas has declined to publicly agree to full disarmament, a condition Israel has stated is non-negotiable.

Addressing the issue earlier this week, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff wrote on Truth Social that Washington expects Hamas to “comply fully with its obligations.”

Separately, Hamas has begun preparations for internal elections intended to reconstitute its leadership, much of which has been eliminated during the war.

A Hamas official told AFP on Monday that the vote is expected to take place “in the first months of 2026.”

Trump shared Witkoff’s remarks on Thursday and added his own endorsement of the transitional leadership, writing, “These Palestinian leaders are unwaveringly committed to a PEACEFUL future!”

He also outlined broader regional backing for the initiative, stating, “With the support of Egypt, Turkey and Qatar, we will secure a COMPREHENSIVE Demilitarization Agreement with Hamas, including the surrender of ALL weapons, and the dismantling of EVERY tunnel.”

{Matzav.com}

A major Siyum HaShas and Hachnasas Sefer Torah were held at Yeshiva Lev Eliyahu in the Ramat Shlomo neighborhood of Yerushalayim, drawing leading rabbonim and roshei yeshiva from across the spectrum of the Torah world.

The event took place in the yeshiva’s main beis medrash with the participation of Rav Yitzchak Yosef, alongside senior roshei yeshiva and rabbanim. The talmidim completed the study of the entire Shas in memory of the late rosh yeshiva, Rav Yaakov Zechariah zt”l, and in memory of a close supporter of the yeshiva, Raphael Halevi ben Esther.

Among the speakers were Rav Yitzchak Yosef; Rav Yechiel Chaim Sofer, rosh yeshiva of Kaf HaChaim; Rav Shlomo Yedidya Zafrani; Rav Ovadia Chazan; Rav Elchanan Sharabani, rosh yeshiva of Lev Eliyahu LeTze’irim; members of the yeshiva’s staff; and the yeshiva’s director-general, Meir Zechariah.

Speakers recalled the mesirus nefesh of the late rosh yeshiva zt”l for Torah learning and teaching, and offered words of chizuk to the bochurim during a period they described as one of mounting pressure on those dedicated to Torah study.

In a forceful address, Rav Shlomo Yedidya Zafrani told the bochurim: “If they come to arrest you, tell them that you are already detained by the Torah. Why is the Yom Tov called Atzeres? Because we received the Torah and we are ‘held’ by the Torah. If you want not to be detained, be detained by the Torah. Give yourselves over to Torah learning. Fortunate are you that you merit completing the entire Shas together.”

Following the remarks, a formal Siyum HaShas was conducted by Rav Eliyahu Moshe HaKohen Saban, one of the yeshiva’s rabbeim who spearheaded the initiative and encouraged the bochurim throughout their intensive learning of the masechtos. The evening concluded with the writing of letters in a new, beautifully crafted Sefer Torah, which was brought into the yeshiva in a celebratory procession marked by song and dance in honor of the Torah.

ישיבת לב אליהו (42) ישיבת לב אליהו (1) ישיבת לב אליהו (2) ישיבת לב אליהו (3) ישיבת לב אליהו (4) ישיבת לב אליהו (5) ישיבת לב אליהו (6) ישיבת לב אליהו (7) ישיבת לב אליהו (8) ישיבת לב אליהו (9) ישיבת לב אליהו (10) ישיבת לב אליהו (11) ישיבת לב אליהו (12) ישיבת לב אליהו (13) ישיבת לב אליהו (14) ישיבת לב אליהו (15) ישיבת לב אליהו (16) ישיבת לב אליהו (17) ישיבת לב אליהו (18) ישיבת לב אליהו (19) ישיבת לב אליהו (20) ישיבת לב אליהו (21) ישיבת לב אליהו (22) ישיבת לב אליהו (23) ישיבת לב אליהו (24) ישיבת לב אליהו (25) ישיבת לב אליהו (26) ישיבת לב אליהו (27) ישיבת לב אליהו (28) ישיבת לב אליהו (29) ישיבת לב אליהו (30) ישיבת לב אליהו (31) ישיבת לב אליהו (32) ישיבת לב אליהו (33) ישיבת לב אליהו (34) ישיבת לב אליהו (35) ישיבת לב אליהו (36) ישיבת לב אליהו (37) ישיבת לב אליהו (38) ישיבת לב אליהו (39) ישיבת לב אליהו (40) ישיבת לב אליהו (41)

A storm has been brewing behind the scenes within the Israeli Agudas Yisroel’s Chassidishe leadership as pressure mounts over Israel’s proposed draft legislation. According to a report in Hamodia, the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Agudas Yisroel in Eretz Yisroel has decided to reissue a formal resolution originally adopted in 5779 (2019), declaring firm opposition to any draft law that includes sanctions or mandatory enlistment targets and signaling an intention to vote against such legislation.

The decision follows intense internal deliberations within the Moetzes, against the backdrop of political pressure and looming legal threats related to yeshiva deferments. Senior Chassidic leaders made clear that, in their view, there can be no compromise at the expense of full-time Torah learners.

Israeli media reports describe sharp disagreements during recent discussions. While several Chassidic courts pushed for a strongly worded, updated declaration, Belz reportedly worked to block the publication of a new resolution, citing concerns over internal unity.

The solution ultimately adopted was described by insiders as principled: Rather than issuing a new text, the Moetzes chose to republish its 5779 resolution and reaffirming it as the binding and official position of UTJ’s Chassidic leadership.

In its original—and now renewed—language, the Moetzes expresses deep anguish over what it describes as an escalating campaign by state authorities against bnei yeshivos. The resolution calls for the formal regulation of the status of Torah learners, while insisting that this be done without personal or institutional sanctions, without arrests, and without any numerical enlistment targets.

The document further states that any legislation harming those engaged in Torah study, or setting compulsory goals for enlistment, is unacceptable and must be opposed “with all force.”

{Matzav.com}

Russia has granted citizenship to former Gaza hostage Maksim Harkin, 36, shortly after his release in the most recent deal, the Russian Embassy in Tel Aviv announced on Thursday.

According to the embassy, Russian Ambassador Anatoly Viktorov met this week with Harkin and his mother, Natalia, and informed them of the decision. The report was first disclosed by Itamar Eichner on Kan 11.

In its statement, the embassy said that “Ambassador Viktorov emphasized that, on the instruction of Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin, focused efforts were undertaken to ensure Maksim’s swift return from captivity in Gaza. Russian diplomats maintained continuous contact with their Israeli counterparts and with all relevant parties on this issue, which was of the highest priority for us.”

Following his release, Harkin reunited with his five-year-old daughter Monica, who lives in Russia, as well as with his mother. Speaking to Ynet, he described the reunion as deeply emotional, saying, “It gives so much strength — a dream that came true. I promised my daughter that I am with her, and I will stay with her.”

Shortly after his release, Harkin’s mother told the Russian news agency RIA that her son had expressed a strong desire to receive Russian citizenship and had planned to complete the process upon his return from captivity.

In his conversation with Ynet, Harkin also addressed the public response to his ordeal, saying, “I’m in an emotional storm from the love I’m receiving from you, the people. It’s important for me to say that unity is an insane achievement — preserve it. Be together, and that’s how we’ll live happily, as we deserve. You see people, what they’re doing for us. I try to hold on to the hope that people gave us.”

{Matzav.com}