Matzav

Early Friday, the IDF published its formal assessment of Operation Rising Lion, the military campaign launched on June 13 to counter Iran’s rapidly advancing nuclear and missile initiatives. The strike was described as a proactive measure taken to eliminate what Israeli officials considered an imminent and existential danger.

The report details how, in the months before the operation, Israeli Military Intelligence compiled compelling evidence showing that Iran had begun enriching uranium to 60% purity—enough to quickly assemble multiple nuclear weapons. Intelligence services also uncovered clandestine activity involving sophisticated weapons development across several sensitive domains.

At the same time, Iran was accelerating plans to increase production of precision-guided missiles, aiming to expand its stockpile from 2,500 to 8,000. This military buildup was part of a comprehensive plan that included a wide-scale assault on Israel, combining long-range missile attacks—directly from Iran and via its regional allies—with an eventual ground incursion on multiple fronts.

Faced with a shrinking window to act, Israeli forces, closely aligned with the United States, pinpointed critical weaknesses in Iran’s infrastructure. A coordinated and unexpected assault was launched to halt Iran’s momentum before it crossed a point of no return.

Operational planning intensified in October 2024, while the IDF was engaged in significant clashes with Hezbollah. The military effort zeroed in on essential Iranian assets including nuclear installations, leadership centers, missile production facilities, strategic air defenses, and government institutions.

The initial wave of attacks caught the Iranian military completely off-guard, giving the Israeli Air Force immediate control of the airspace. Flying over 2,000 kilometers into hostile territory, Israeli pilots carried out over 1,500 missions, hitting in excess of 900 targets. Roughly 80 out of 100 Iranian anti-aircraft batteries were neutralized. The IAF conducted 370 airstrikes, some over 2,400 kilometers away, supported by more than 600 mid-air refueling operations.

Concurrently, Israeli forces managed to dismantle roughly half of Iran’s surface-to-surface missile platforms. In addition, 80 anti-aircraft batteries, 70 radar installations, six military airbases, and more than 35 weapons manufacturing sites were destroyed. The offensive involved full cooperation across Israel’s military branches—air, ground, naval, and intelligence—with thousands of soldiers, including reserves, participating.

Throughout the conflict, over 30 top-ranking Iranian defense figures were killed, including the country’s three highest military officials. Numerous Iranian troops were also eliminated. Israel hit crucial nuclear development locations in Natanz, Arak, and Isfahan, wiping out thousands of uranium centrifuges. According to the IDF, this cut Iran’s enrichment capabilities by about 90%, greatly delaying its ability to construct a nuclear core.

Israel’s defensive systems were also put to the test. Air defense units successfully intercepted hundreds of incoming rockets and drones, with a success rate surpassing 99%. The Israeli Navy took out more than 30 aerial threats. Meanwhile, the Home Front Command played a critical role, issuing over one million alerts to the public, deploying 100+ mobile shelters, and managing operations at more than 170 emergency sites.

In its final summary, the IDF stated that Operation Rising Lion fulfilled its core mission: dismantling the existential nuclear threat, crippling Iran’s missile capabilities, exposing the vulnerability of the regime’s defenses, and asserting clear Israeli aerial superiority in Iranian airspace.

In a conversation published Thursday by Makor Rishon, retired Supreme Court President Judge Aharon Barak expressed his approval of a negotiated resolution that would put an end to Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s ongoing trial.

“I am in favor of an agreement with Netanyahu. It doesn’t matter if it’s a pardon or a plea bargain, the important thing is that we reach an agreement. This could lead to calm. I don’t know why this isn’t happening. If it were up to me, I would make an effort to reach an agreement,” Barak stated, emphasizing that his priority is national stability rather than the specific legal mechanism.

Barak also voiced concern over President Donald Trump’s recent remarks urging Israel to dismiss the case against Netanyahu, calling the intervention inappropriate. He said Trump’s involvement was “very troubling.”

Meanwhile, individuals close to President Isaac Herzog revealed that he, too, had previously advocated for resolving Netanyahu’s legal issues through a plea deal.

The sources added that Herzog believes time is of the essence and that serious discussions should begin immediately to find a solution that prioritizes the nation’s well-being, in line with what the judiciary has recommended. They further noted that any move toward a presidential pardon would have to be initiated by Netanyahu himself.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei renewed his threats toward Israel on Thursday, just hours after declaring that Iran had emerged victorious from the recent conflict.

“The Zionist regime must know that attacking the Islamic Republic of Iran will result in a heavy cost for them,” Khamenei warned in a statement posted to his X (formerly Twitter) account.

His comments came after breaking a prolonged public silence during which Israel, backed by the United States, launched strikes targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

“I find it appropriate to congratulate the great Iranian nation, first and foremost, on the victory over the fake Zionist regime,” Khamenei proclaimed in his first public address since the conflict escalated.

“With all the noise, with all the claims, the Zionist regime was nearly crushed under the blows of the Islamic Republic,” the Iranian leader declared, portraying Iran’s response as overwhelming.

He also accused the United States of stepping in to prevent Israel’s complete collapse, saying, “The American regime entered the war directly because it felt that if it didn’t, the Zionist regime would be completely annihilated. Here too, Iran was victorious and in return delivered a harsh slap to America.”

Khamenei concluded by asserting that Washington walked away from the confrontation empty-handed: “The American regime gained nothing from this war,” he claimed.

{Matzav.com}

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This summer, those heading upstate on Thursday evenings can now daven Mincha in comfort, thanks to the relocation of a popular minyan site to an air-conditioned indoor facility.

For the first time, the well-known Tefilas Mordche Mincha Area will be operating inside the Marketplace shopping center in Spring Valley, just moments from exit 14 on the New York State Thruway. Starting today, June 26, and continuing weekly through August 28, minyanim will be held every Thursday in a newly designated area within the mall. Visitors can use the mall’s first entrance for quickest access, with clear signage directing them to the minyan.

The Marketplace offers more than just a convenient minyan location. With retailers such as Target and Bingo, a variety of dining options, and several clothing stores, it’s an ideal stopover. Tesla drivers will also benefit from new superchargers currently being installed in the center’s lot.

Originally founded over three decades ago to give drivers a safe and respectful alternative to pulling over at the side of the Thruway near the Harriman tolls, the Mincha Area has become a fixture for thousands of frum travelers each summer. In 2010, the site was renamed in memory of Rabbi Mordche Friedman z”l, who spent countless Thursday evenings overseeing operations and ensuring smooth minyanim for the public.

“We’re incredibly thankful to all those who made this new arrangement possible,” said Rabbi Abe Friedman, liaison to law enforcement. “Providing a secure and comfortable space to daven is a real zechus, and we’re proud to continue this important initiative.”

Tens of thousands are expected to benefit from the upgraded minyan location throughout the summer season.

{Matzav.com}

A widely accepted assumption in recent years has been that any child diagnosed by medical professionals as a “special needs” child is automatically considered a shoteh (halachically exempt from mitzvos). That belief has now been directly challenged by a significant new ruling from one of the leading poskim, Rav Yitzchak Zilberstein.

In a detailed conversation with Rabbi Yehuda Aryeh Goldknopf, director of the P’tachiyah organization, who sought halachic guidance on various matters related to children with special needs, Rav Zilberstein addressed a critical question: Who is truly considered a shoteh according to halacha?

Rav Zilberstein clarified that medical labels, often assigned by health clinics or social services, do not automatically determine halachic status. Many children, despite developmental challenges, possess intelligence and understanding sufficient to obligate them in mitzvos.

He warned that modern definitions—shaped by foreign psychological and educational systems in countries such as England, Romania, and Hungary—can misrepresent a child’s actual abilities. According to halacha, what matters is not a medical diagnosis, but a clear assessment of the child’s comprehension.

Rav Zilberstein then shared a specific case brought before him: A father approached with concerns about his 13-year-old son, who had been labeled as developmentally limited. The father asked whether the boy was halachically obligated in mitzvos. Rav Zilberstein decided to evaluate the boy himself with a few straightforward but telling questions.

First, he asked the child about shofar—did he know when it is blown? The boy replied that it is blown on Rosh Hashanah and described the Yom Tov. Then the rav asked about money: Could the boy buy ice cream and understand receiving change? The boy demonstrated that he grasped the concept of buying and giving change.

Based on this, Rav Zilberstein ruled that according to Torah law, a child who understands such basic matters is considered a bar daas, someone with halachic awareness. He is obligated in mitzvos and is even halachically eligible to perform kiddushin. “Anyone who rules otherwise based solely on foreign criteria is mistaken—not the child,” Rav Zilberstein emphasized.

He strongly stated that each case must be evaluated individually, using halachic standards—not secular medical definitions. Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv zt”l, he said, had supported this method of evaluation and had encouraged that the Torah’s true view be publicized to counter the secular influences affecting the religious community.

Rav Zilberstein declared that it is halacha—not medicine or secular psychology—that determines a person’s status. Parents who are unsure whether their child meets the halachic definition of a shoteh, he said, must seek guidance from their rabbonim or consult with a gadol b’Yisroel for a proper ruling.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Israeli Defense Minister Yisroel Katz shared in a conversation with Channel 13 that Israel was prepared to carry out an assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, but circumstances never allowed it.

“If he had been in our sights, we would have taken him out,” Katz said, continuing, “We wanted to eliminate Khamenei, but there was no operational opportunity.”

When pressed on whether Israel had coordinated with the United States in seeking approval for such a strike, Katz made it clear: “We don’t need permission for these things.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

During a speech delivered Thursday at the White House, President Donald Trump unleashed pointed criticism at Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, accusing him of turning his back on the Jewish community.

Trump’s comments were made at an event promoting the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act, a sweeping Republican-backed tax and spending measure that GOP lawmakers are aiming to pass and send to Trump’s desk by Independence Day.

While discussing his broader grievances with the Democratic Party, Trump singled out Schumer—who is himself Jewish—as an example of what he sees as the party’s abandonment of traditional values, especially in its embrace of transgender rights.

“It’s crazy, and it’s so demeaning, and they don’t want to change. I saw it the other day, guys like Chuck Schumer, our great Palestinian senator,” Trump said, drawing a mix of uneasy laughter from attendees. “He’s changed. He used to like Jewish people. Now he’s totally against Jewish people. It’s the most incredible transformation I think I’ve ever seen.”

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Earlier in the week, Trump had already used the same jab in a post targeting Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, following her renewed call for his impeachment.

“Stupid AOC, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, one of the ‘dumbest’ people in Congress, is now calling for my Impeachment, despite the fact that the Crooked and Corrupt Democrats have already done that twice before,” Trump wrote, before referencing speculation that she might launch a primary campaign against Schumer.

“Instead of her constant complaining, Alexandria should go back home to Queens, where I was also brought up, and straighten out her filthy, disgusting, crime ridden streets, in the District she ‘represents,’ and which she never goes to anymore,” Trump concluded. “She better start worrying about her own Primary, before she thinks about beating our Great Palestinian Senator, Cryin’ Chuck Schumer, whose career is definitely on very thin ice!”

{Matzav.com}

In a moment reminiscent of the aftermath of the Gulf War, the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, together with the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, will hold a festive Rosh Chodesh ateres tefillah at the Kosel tomorrow, Friday, Rosh Chodesh Tamuz, June 27, 2025, at 8:00 a.m.

The event is being organized as an expression of gratitude to Hashem following the miraculous outcomes of Operation Am KeLavi, Israel’s recent military campaign. In addition to the standard Rosh Chodesh tefillos, the gathering will include special kappitlach of Tehillim to acknowledge the Divine kindnesses experienced during the war.

The ateres tefillah will take place in the presence of Israel’s Chief Rabbis, the rov of the Kosel and holy sites, members of the Chief Rabbinate Council, city rabbanim, dayanim, roshei yeshiva, public figures, and a large crowd of participants from across the country.

In preparation for the ateres tefillah, the Chief Rabbis of Israel and the rov of the Kosel issued a heartfelt call to all sectors of Israeli society to join together in unity and gratitude at the holy site: “We are called upon to fulfill the words, ‘U’vemacha’los revavos amcha beis Yisrael… lehodos u’lehallel, leshabe’ach ulefa’er, leha’dar ulevarech, le’aleh ulekales – latzur tehilaseinu for all the goodness He has bestowed upon us.”

In their message, the rabbanim recalled a similar ateres tefillah held at the Kosel after the conclusion of the Gulf War in 1991, organized by the Rishon LeTzion, Rav Ovadia Yosef zt”l, and attended by leading gedolim and thousands of Jews.

{Matzav.com}

The victory of Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary on Tuesday sparked an immediate and intense reaction from conservative figures across the country.

Outside of the five boroughs, many on the political right reacted with fury, with some commentators zeroing in on Mamdani’s Muslim faith as a central theme in their criticism.

“New York City has fallen,” wrote Donald Trump Jr., quoting another post that said, “I’m old enough to remember when New Yorkers endured 9/11 instead of voting for it.”

Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene shared an AI-generated image that portrayed the Statue of Liberty cloaked in a black burka, adding the caption: “This hits hard.”

Meanwhile, Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina posted an image of Mamdani in a traditional kurta, attending Eid prayers at the Parkchester Islamic Center in the Bronx. She wrote: “After 9/11 we said ‘Never Forget.’ I think we sadly have forgotten.”

Conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, chimed in shortly after the primary results. “24 years ago a group of Muslims killed 2,753 people on 9/11. Now a Muslim Socialist is on pace to run New York City,” he wrote. In a follow-up post, he warned, “time for the west to wake up,” referencing claims that Mamdani’s political rise could lead to the imposition of “Sharia Law” in the U.S.

Activist Laura Loomer launched into a lengthy tirade over social media. In one post, she claimed the Trump administration could “literally bar Zohran from running for office and criminally charge him.” Loomer accused Mamdani of being financed by the Muslim Brotherhood and compared his religious views to those of Iranian Ayatollahs, citing his adherence to Shi’a Islam.

In another message, Loomer pointed to a tweet from Bill Clinton congratulating Mamdani and used it to assert, “The Democrat Party is undeniably pro-Islamic terror.”

Benny Johnson, a staunch Trump supporter, posted a haunting photo of the Twin Towers engulfed in smoke on 9/11, writing: “NYC in 2001: We will never forget! NYC in 2025: elects Muslim jihadist.”

Dinesh D’Souza also weighed in, dubbing Mamdani the “Muslim Obama. Don’t Say I didn’t warn you.”

{Matzav.com}

The State Prosecutor’s Office filed a formal indictment today (Thursday) in the Yerushalayim District Court against a 23-year-old resident of Beitar Illit who is accused of deliberately setting two separate fires, one of which targeted the shul where the Rishon LeTzion, Rav Yitzchak Yosef, regularly davens. The acts resulted in property damage and posed a serious risk to human life.

According to the indictment, submitted by Attorney Ariel Elouz of the State Prosecutor’s Office, the accused allegedly planned and carried out an arson attack on the door of a residential apartment in the Sanhedria neighborhood of Yerushalayim. He also set fire to the chair and shtender used by Rav Yitzchak Yosef at the Or Chaviv shul, which is located nearby.

To carry out the attacks, the defendant reportedly armed himself in advance with acetone, black spray paint, and a lighter. Late at night on June 8, 2025, he arrived at the apartment building, sprayed graffiti on residents’ doors, poured acetone on a door and the elevator, and set them ablaze. The fire reached the floor of the apartment, but residents managed to extinguish it before it spread further.

Later that same night, the suspect made his way to the nearby shul. There, he poured acetone on the chair used by the Rishon LeTzion and ignited it. The flames quickly spread, causing significant damage: the chair was completely destroyed, the shtender was badly burned, sifrei kodesh were harmed, and the air conditioning and electrical system of the shul sustained major damage.

In its statement, the Prosecutor’s Office announced that it is requesting the court to hold the accused in custody until the conclusion of the legal proceedings. The statement also emphasized that a court-issued gag order remains in effect prohibiting the publication of the defendant’s name.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Andrew Cuomo will remain in the New York City mayoral race beyond Friday’s deadline to withdraw from the general election, according to sources who spoke with CNN. His continued presence on the ballot means the strategic groundwork he laid before the Democratic primary — anticipating a potential face-off against both Zohran Mamdani and current Mayor Eric Adams — remains in play for the fall.

Although Cuomo acknowledged defeat on Tuesday night and conceded to Mamdani, insiders say he hasn’t made a definitive commitment to campaign actively in the coming months. Nonetheless, the former governor will retain his place on the “Fight & Deliver” party line for the November election, according to three people familiar with the matter.

Cuomo and his advisors are banking on the broader general election electorate diverging substantially from the more progressive-leaning primary voters who backed Mamdani, whose candidacy centered on aggressive affordability proposals and a savvy social media presence. They anticipate that as Mamdani moves closer to clinching the Democratic nomination — pending the final ranked-choice tabulation — his platform, including proposals such as rent freezes and publicly run supermarkets, will be placed under more critical examination.

“Ultimately Andrew’s decision and my decision matters less than the decision that voters already took on Tuesday night,” Mamdani told CNN’s Erin Burnett on Thursday.

When asked about a potential general election showdown with Cuomo, Mamdani said on OutFront, “We did it once and it turned out pretty well.”

Despite Mamdani’s primary night victory, notable Democratic leaders have withheld official endorsements. While Governor Kathy Hochul, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries have all expressed praise for Mamdani, none have offered formal backing. Meanwhile, two House Democrats representing competitive districts outside New York City voiced concerns over Mamdani’s ascendancy, and Republicans have taken the opportunity to portray Mamdani as emblematic of the Democratic Party’s leftward shift.

The general election is shaping up to be a three-way contest, with Mamdani expected to be joined by Adams, who bypassed the Democratic primary to pursue an independent candidacy, and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa.

By choosing to remain on the ballot, Cuomo preserves the possibility of re-entering the race in earnest, potentially staging a return to public life four years after stepping down amid sexual harassment allegations, which he continues to deny. Once seen as the leading candidate, Cuomo has faced intense backlash from progressives not just for those allegations, but also for his pandemic-era leadership while serving as governor — backlash that helped fuel Mamdani’s grassroots surge.

Cuomo’s campaign team is evaluating whether he could emerge as a consensus alternative for voters disillusioned with the two other major contenders: Mamdani, a 33-year-old self-described democratic socialist, and Adams, who was previously indicted on federal bribery charges that were later dropped under President Donald Trump’s administration in exchange for his cooperation on immigration enforcement.

Cuomo could also choose to maintain his ballot status without running an active campaign — a strategy he employed back in 2002, when he dropped his bid for the Democratic nomination for governor but remained on the ballot under the Liberal Party line.

As of now, Cuomo hasn’t announced when, or if, he’ll launch an official campaign for the general election.

“There’s no clock ticking,” one source remarked.

{Matzav.com}

Rep. Jerry Nadler of New York threw his support behind Zohran Mamdani for mayor following Mamdani’s surprise victory over Andrew Cuomo in Tuesday’s Democratic primary. The 33-year-old state lawmaker’s upset win earned him comparisons to major political breakthroughs of the past.

Calling it a “seismic election,” Nadler likened Mamdani’s win to Barack Obama’s rise in 2008. His endorsement, which was first reported by The New York Times, signaled a shift in support after Nadler had initially backed former city comptroller Scott Stringer, who now appears likely to finish low in the ranked-choice count.

Despite backing Stringer during the primary, Nadler praised Mamdani’s momentum and framed the outcome as a clear message against the policies of President Trump. “Voters in New York City demanded change and, with Zohran’s triumph, we have a direct repudiation of Donald Trump’s politics of tax cuts and authoritarianism,” he told the Times.

Nadler’s public endorsement is especially notable given his status as one of the most recognizable Jewish figures in New York politics. His support comes amid heightened scrutiny of Mamdani’s past statements about Israel and the ongoing war in Gaza, with some critics accusing him of antisemitism—an accusation Mamdani has firmly denied.

“I’ve spoken to him today about his commitment to fighting antisemitism, and we’ll work with all New Yorkers to fight against all bigotry and hate,” Nadler said, according to The New York Times.

Still, other top Democrats from New York’s congressional delegation have not rushed to endorse Mamdani. Though now the likely Democratic nominee for mayor, pending the final results of the ranked-choice vote on July 1, Mamdani remains without full backing from several senior party figures.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries both offered congratulations to Mamdani after the primary results but stopped short of offering their endorsements. “He ran an impressive campaign that connected with New Yorkers about affordability, fairness, & opportunity,” Schumer posted on social media.

A number of other prominent Democrats from New York, including Reps. Tom Suozzi, Adriano Espaillat, Gregory Meeks, and Ritchie Torres, had chosen to endorse Cuomo instead of Mamdani.

“I had serious concerns about Assemblyman Mamdani before yesterday, and that is one of the reasons I endorsed his opponent. Those concerns remain,” Suozzi wrote in a post on Wednesday.

{Matzav.com}

Two weeks before Israel launched its dramatic offensive against Iran, Ayala Ben Gvir, wife of National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, suspected something big was coming. On Thursday night, Ben Gvir revealed the exchange in an interview with Ayala Hasson on Kan 11.

Hasson pressed the minister on how so many people were apparently in on the secret of the operation. Ben Gvir shared: “I would go to meetings with Netanyahu that lasted seven to eight hours each, three times a week. Week after week like that.”

“At a certain point, my wife came to me and said, ‘Tell me, you’re always going to Bibi. Is something going on? Is he going to attack Iran?’ That was two weeks before it happened.”

“I told her, ‘Do you really think Bibi would attack Iran?’ She laughed, I laughed. And when the strike began, she said to me, ‘Good thing you didn’t tell me. Kol hakavod.’”

Israel’s Opening Strike and a Pilot’s Testimony

As reported, the war’s opening salvo took place during the night between Thursday and Friday exactly two weeks ago, at 3:00 a.m. Israel carried out a sweeping series of attacks throughout Iran, eliminating top nuclear scientists and senior military officials, accompanied by Israeli Air Force squadrons.

Today, a striking account was made public by Lt. Col. (Res.) A., one of the pilots who led the first wave of fighter jets into Iranian territory. Former Knesset member Matan Kahana, a close friend of the pilot, shared the testimony.

“Lt. Col. (Res.) A., a kibbutznik from the north and a dear friend, led the first jets into the heart of Iran,” Kahana wrote. The pilot recounted: “In my squadron were kibbutzniks, settlers, moshavniks, and city dwellers. It was Eretz Yisrael in all its beauty. Even in the face of fear and uncertainty, we looked left and right, and charged together toward the enemy. These were historic moments—truly extraordinary.”

The pilot also shared the note he had written to his family:

“There will be plenty of time to tell stories, to laugh, and to cry… But I waited two weeks to share this. In the opening formation, I was chosen to lead a fleet of dozens of aircraft. We were the first to enter deep into Iran. I was in the lead jet of the lead formation and was therefore given the most dangerous task.

“In the days leading up to it, I didn’t have the courage to write a goodbye letter. I don’t know why—something inside me wouldn’t allow it. I just knew I had to give everything I had to complete the mission and return home safely. My greatest challenge was to inspire calm and confidence in those flying with me. At the end of our final briefing, I read the team a few lines from a song I love. I kept that note in my pocket throughout the war and promised myself that, instead of a farewell letter, I would send you that note and song once I came home safe. Thank G-d we made it back.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi acknowledged that Iran’s nuclear infrastructure suffered extensive harm during its recent conflict with Israel, which lasted 12 days. As the situation stabilizes, the Iranian government is beginning to evaluate the extent of the losses.

“A detailed assessment of the damage is being carried out by experts from the Atomic Energy Organization [of Iran],” he said during an appearance on state-run television.

Araghchi stated that Tehran is now placing a strong diplomatic focus on the issue of reparations. “Now, the discussion of demanding damages and the necessity of providing them has been placed as one of the important issues on the country’s diplomatic agenda,” he added.

“These damages are serious, and expert studies and political decision-making are underway at the same time,” he said, emphasizing that both technical and political efforts are being coordinated to respond to the fallout.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has asserted multiple times that the American air raids on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, carried out in conjunction with Israel, were devastating in scope. According to Trump, the strikes “obliterated” the sites.

{Matzav.com}

During an interview with Channel 12, Defense Minister Yisroel Katz revealed that Israel initiated its military campaign against Iran without clarity on whether President Donald Trump would join the offensive efforts.

Despite the uncertainty, Katz emphasized that Israel was certain the United States would come through when it came to defending the Jewish state. “In defense, we knew they [the US] were with us — and they did an amazing job,” Katz said.

Katz further acknowledged that Israel does not have precise intelligence on the whereabouts of all of Iran’s enriched uranium, though he asserted that the recent attacks severely crippled the regime’s ability to continue its nuclear enrichment operations. “The uranium itself, the material, was not a target for attack,” he said.

Restating what he told other media platforms, Katz added that Iran’s top cleric could have been eliminated had he been within reach. “If he had been in our sights,” Katz said, “we would have assassinated Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

She introduced herself as “Anna Elena,” supposedly a Canadian citizen engaged in road safety advocacy in the United Kingdom. She reached out asking for assistance with her “life-saving work in Israel.” But, as revealed by Israel’s Shin Bet security service, she was actually working for Iranian intelligence. Her initial instructions seemed harmless—putting up posters—but they gradually turned into more dangerous assignments, including digging up a planted phone, paying others to carry out tasks, and even proposing acts of violence and sabotage.

Ynet reports that at the time of first contact, the 22-year-old man lived what appeared to be an ordinary life. He was studying in yeshiva, preparing for a future as a Sofer Stam. He was also struggling with about 70,000 shekels of debt, which he blamed on poor financial choices.

During his questioning by the Shin Bet, a clearer picture emerged—one of someone who may have been unaware of the full extent of what he was involved in but still realized he had gone too far. He admitted to experiencing worry, guilt, and uncertainty throughout his involvement.

Late at night on June 27, 2024, during an interrogation with an officer using the alias “Uzi,” S. confessed that he had been speaking with someone named Anna Elena through Telegram. He laid out what he had been asked to do and how he responded.

At first, he used his regular mobile phone to chat with Anna Elena, but he was later directed to switch to a new device specifically for their conversations. S. asked a man named Jonathan to pick up this replacement phone from Haifa. Even after receiving it, S. continued using his main phone due to difficulty operating the new one.

In fact, Ynet reports, when the Shin Bet arrested S. that very night, he was unusually quick to talk. He was questioned between 2:50 and 4:05 a.m. at his home in Beit Shemesh and seemed almost relieved to finally speak. The investigator mentioned that S. appeared to know why they had come. “I think I know what this is about, it’s connected to the phone I handed over to the police a few minutes ago (at the time of the arrest) and to things I’ve done recently. It all started with a Telegram profile about a month ago (in reality, even earlier).”

During this initial session, S. shared with “Uzi” a detailed account of his conversations and instructions received from Anna Elena. He described both the assignments he completed and those he had declined.

S. explained that he first interacted with the profile through Telegram on his personal device. But after the first few tasks, Anna Elena told him to retrieve a separate phone to continue communicating.

He contacted Jonathan, who lived near Yerushalayim, and asked him to collect the phone in Haifa and bring it to him. Even with the new device in hand, S. continued using his own phone due to technical difficulties with the replacement.

This wasn’t the only instance where S. recruited others. In addition to Jonathan, he worked with someone named Nathaniel, whom he paid to perform tasks. On one occasion, Jonathan was sent to hide $450 at two Tel Aviv sites, while Nathaniel was directed to hide money in 25 places across Tel Aviv and Yerushalayim.

During that late-night session, the investigator wrote that S. described receiving a graphic image of bloodied hands, which he then printed and had Jonathan post around Tel Aviv. Jonathan was paid several hundred shekels for the job.

Additional assignments included instructions to burn a forest, leave a severed sheep’s head outside the home of Israel’s ambassador to the IAEA, and prepare a doll with a knife concealed inside a box. While S. carried out some instructions, he turned down others, such as the arson and shooting requests.

According to “Uzi,” S. admitted he wasn’t sure who Anna Elena really was. “He speculated that she might reside in the Haifa area or abroad.”

S. was asked what the goal of these tasks was. Though Anna Elena never outright said, when he once asked if he should target cars of right-wing or left-wing individuals, she responded, “It doesn’t matter, the main goal is to sow chaos in the country.”

When S. refused to start a forest fire, Anna Elena asked if he’d be willing to shoot someone instead. “Given these examples, S. deduced that the missions were intended to harm the State of Israel and possibly had antisemitic grounds,” wrote the investigator. Afterward, the officer told him to bring his tefillin for the trip to the Petach Tikva police station. S. replied they were in the shul. “S. thanked me that despite all the commotion, his daughter remained asleep,” noted the officer. “S. blessed his wife and left his home.” On the way, they stopped at the Vizhnitz shul to retrieve his tefillin. “S. shook my hand, thanking me for my understanding.”

As daylight approached, Shin Bet agents brought S. to the Vizhnitz shul in Beit Shemesh for his tefillin and then continued to the police station.

Later that morning, S. was questioned again at the Petach Tikva police station, which also serves as a Shin Bet detention center and has often drawn criticism and protests due to the harsh conditions reported by former detainees.

A 2010 report by B’Tselem accused the facility of keeping suspects in inhumane conditions—solitary confinement, unclean environments, and physical restraints. But Shin Bet stated that S.’s case unfolded differently. Although he wasn’t allowed to speak to a lawyer initially, citing concerns over national security, he mostly cooperated with investigators, even though he occasionally struggled to remember details.

Ynet reports that S. insisted he hadn’t realized he was working for Iran, but Shin Bet said he knew exactly who was behind the messages.

During that morning’s questioning, an investigator named “Fuad” offered S. a cup of coffee and asked him to describe his background. S. said that about nine months earlier, he had surprisingly bought a smartphone—a rarity in his community—to learn about cryptocurrency. He joined various Telegram groups and even lost about 5,000 shekels to a scam.

In March, he got a short message from someone calling herself “Anna,” offering payment ranging from $100 to $100,000 for missions inside Israel. “I didn’t know English, so I had to translate it to understand,” S. said. “I asked her what she wanted, and Anna Elena replied by asking if I wanted to make money. She said if I did what she told me, I’d be rich, I’d have a new car and more.”

Still wary from his previous scam experience, S. questioned why she reached out to him. Anna Elena responded with a backstory: she was running a traffic safety campaign inspired by a similar effort in the UK following deadly accidents involving children. “She said she wanted to start a similar campaign in Israel and would like me to hang posters,” said S. “She offered $20 for each poster I would hang.”

He said he Googled the legality of posting public flyers and found no laws forbidding it.

Soon after, she sent him an image of a bloodied hand with English writing. It read: “It will be written in history that children were killed. Let’s stand on the right side of history.” S. said he found it unsettling but didn’t understand the words. She reassured him it was “for the sake of protecting children.”

He emailed the image to himself and visited a local shop catering to the Chareidi community, where he printed 150 copies for 150 shekels. “I arrived home with the posters, hiding them under some floor tiles near my apartment.” He then sent a picture to Anna Elena and received $50 in cryptocurrency.

This approach—starting with simple requests and escalating—matches a pattern used by Iranian operatives: building a relationship, pushing boundaries, and increasing dependence. Later, Anna Elena offered $2,600 for similar poster work in Tel Aviv.

“I didn’t want to do it myself,” S. said. “I don’t know Tel Aviv, I don’t have a car, I didn’t want my wife to find out, and as a Chareidi man, I’d attract attention hanging posters.”

Still, he wanted the payment, so he posted a vague job offer in a Telegram group. A man named Jonathan from Beitar Illit replied. “I told him I was looking for someone to hang posters in Tel Aviv and that I was willing to pay for it.” Jonathan accepted.

That evening, S. withdrew 1,800 shekels and left the supplies and payment in an attic space above his building. He messaged Jonathan the access instructions: use the elevator to the sixth floor, then climb one more flight. Later, Jonathan messaged: “Rabbi, I got the items and the money. I’m on my way.”

Despite the secrecy, Jonathan didn’t ask many questions.

“S. suspected that the message came from a hostile entity, possibly in Israel or abroad, but did not contact the police, even when he feared the phone Anna Elena had sent him might be booby-trapped. When wildfires were reported in areas Anna Elena had mentioned, S. worried there might be a connection. S. was, in practice, deeply involved and knowingly chose to continue the relationship in a way he believed was safe.”

He told Anna Elena the task would be done within an hour but didn’t admit he’d outsourced it. She shared a map marking locations throughout Tel Aviv and requested a photo every 100 meters. He relayed these details to Jonathan, who worked through the early morning hours along Ibn Gabirol Street. But complications arose—someone tore his bag, and city inspectors confronted him.

Ynet reports that Jonathan estimated he had hung 130 posters but kept 20. When Anna Elena accused S. of only completing 60 posters and threatened to dock his pay, he argued back. Eventually, he said he received about $1,500 in cryptocurrency and was told to keep the leftover posters.

Two days later, Anna Elena returned with another request—get a new phone for “family safety.” S. thought it odd but went along. She gave GPS coordinates to a buried phone in Haifa. S. again sent Jonathan to retrieve it.

Afterward, Anna Elena questioned who had picked it up. S. pretended he had gone along and waited in the car. She asked for Jonathan’s details, but he refused, worried she’d contact Jonathan directly.

By then, S. doubted her entire story. He even feared the new phone was a bomb and didn’t turn it on.

S. consulted another Telegram user about whether such a phone could be weaponized. The answer cited the Israeli assassination of Hamas terrorist Yahya Ayyash.

Nervous, S. joined a Telegram security channel run by “Abu Salah” and described his fear. He said he had received a suspicious phone and referenced the Ayyash assassination.

“Bro, what are you smoking?” Abu Salah replied. “Believe me, I don’t smoke. I’m just a regular Chareidi guy,” S. wrote back. “I just want to know if I have reason to worry… The phone might be detonated once I am identified in a crowded place.”

S. asked for contact info for a police officer but received no reply.

Despite all this, he never went to the authorities. He feared legal trouble and still wanted the money Anna Elena was providing.

Eventually, he turned on the phone, following her instructions to do so three kilometers from home. She had him install several SIM cards and create an Instagram account named “Haim.” He then stashed the device in his building’s stairwell above the sukkah beams.

Then came the most extreme request: set fire to a forest near Yerushalayim. She offered $3,000. S. refused. She doubled the offer to $7,000. He still declined.

She then proposed vandalizing a car or store window near a protest site. Again, S. said no. He told his interrogators he stalled, pretending to consider, and said he’d only continue with poster-related tasks.

But, he added, it had become clear that this wasn’t about traffic safety. “I thought maybe they were anarchists with money trying to overthrow the government.” Shin Bet, however, determined S. had long understood he was acting on behalf of an enemy of Israel.

In June 2024, as the probe advanced, Shin Bet and the police’s Lahav 433 unit arrested three Israelis for alleged collaboration with Iranian intelligence.

When questioned, S. admitted he had told Jonathan that Anna Elena asked him to start wildfires and burn vehicles.

Jonathan, who had a financial stake, reportedly told him to keep going. According to S., had Jonathan advised him to stop, he might have quit.

One Shin Bet-retrieved message showed S. texting Jonathan that what they were doing was “legal, or close enough to being legal, maybe mysterious, but legal.” Jonathan replied, “You have to understand, once you start something like this, there’s no turning back.”

In a later interrogation, S. recalled Anna Elena asking, “What will you do if I ask you to shoot someone?” She offered $75,000 and a way out of the country. S. turned her down, saying, “It didn’t suit him.”

At one point, S. began to question her story about being Canadian. He once asked what time it was where she was; she replied with the correct time in Toronto.

Shin Bet investigator: “Would you dishonor your Chassidic community for money?”
S.: “No.”
Investigator: “Do you care if your actions harm the State of Israel?”
S.: “In this case, I feel neutral and less committed.”

Just before his arrest, Ynet reports, Anna Elena messaged him again. She suggested he and Jonathan scout a quiet forest area to begin training “like MI6 agents.” The first phase, she claimed, involved non-weaponized guerrilla tactics, which she said she’d already taught others.

He asked if this meant fighting. She said that would come later. He told her he’d check with Jonathan, but the conversation never happened.

Despite his limited tech skills, S. managed to use various apps and platforms. The investigator noted: “When I asked him if the phone he had received from Anna Elena was preloaded with apps, or he had to download them, S. said most were already installed. He had personally added Telegram, Instagram, a VPN and another messaging app with a green icon that failed to download. Later, for his personal use, he downloaded other Telegram apps, such as Telegram Plus, Telegram Premium and another app with a black X icon.”

The Shin Bet officer summed it up: “S. suspected that the message came from a hostile entity, possibly in Israel or abroad, but did not contact the police, even when he feared the phone Anna Elena had sent him might be booby-trapped.”

“After receiving reassurance from an anonymous Telegram user that the device posed no threat, he chose to continue the relationship. When wildfires were reported in areas Anna Elena had mentioned, S. worried there might be a connection. S. was, in practice, deeply involved and knowingly chose to continue the relationship in a way he believed was safe.”

Asked why he kept going, S. answered simply: “For the money.”
Investigator: “Would you dishonor your Chassidic community for money?”
S.: “No.”
Investigator: “Do you care if your actions harm the State of Israel?”
S.: “In this case, I feel neutral and less committed.”
In another moment, he added: “A servant of God is always free.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

The Knesset Subcommittee on Foreign Policy and Public Diplomacy, led by Yesh Atid MK Moshe Tur-Paz, held a session on Wednesday to evaluate global perceptions of Israel following Operation Rising Lion, the military campaign against Iran.

Prior to the session, the committee reached out to the Harris-Harvard polling institute for data intended to gauge the effectiveness of Israel’s international messaging efforts. According to the committee, the purpose was “to understand the state of Israel’s public diplomacy, the challenges it faces, its successes in crafting effective campaigns, and how well it understands key target audiences in the US.”

Results from the institute’s most recent survey revealed a modest decline in overall American support for Israel, which dropped from 80% after October 7 to 75% in the current poll. The generational divide was striking: support among older Americans (ages 65 and up) remained high, nearing 90%, while among younger respondents, sentiment was nearly split between Israel and Hamas, at 53% and 47%, respectively.

The survey also showed a sharp drop in the number of Americans who view Israel positively—from 53% down to 41%—while the percentage holding negative views grew from 21% to 30%. Meanwhile, those expressing no opinion increased slightly, from 25% to 29%.

Although a majority of Americans reject Hamas and support requiring the release of hostages as part of any ceasefire, sympathy for Hamas has risen, climbing from 16% in November 2023 to 25% by June 2025.

Outside of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, most Americans are unfamiliar with other Israeli political figures. Netanyahu himself currently polls at 25% approval in the U.S., lower than overall support for Israel. His approval has steadily decreased, dropping from 34% in October 2023 to 20% in September 2024. The polling also indicated a strong link between support for Netanyahu and support for Israel, as well as between support for Trump and for Netanyahu.

Gal Ilan, who oversees Strategy and Public Diplomacy in the Prime Minister’s Office, addressed the shift in younger American opinion. “The decline in support among young people in the US is a known and challenging issue that deserves serious attention. As we understand it, the sentiment tends to align with a perception of victimhood. The key distinction lies in the platforms where they are exposed to information, and where they consume content. That’s a gap we’re working to overcome.”

Yonatan Bar El, head of the Foreign Ministry’s Coordination and Planning Department, made a distinction between two types of communications efforts. “There needs to be a distinction between branding and crisis management, and we’ve been in crisis management for nearly two years now. If we consider the volume of negative media coverage against Israel in the US, it would cost us a fortune to run a counter-campaign. The issue of casualties in Gaza holds significant weight—the number that becomes fixed in the global media is the one presented by Hamas, whether it’s accurate or not,” Bar El said.

According to statistics from the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, 51,156 people have been killed in Gaza since October 7, including over 17,000 children and 9,000 women, with another 132,239 injured. These figures do not distinguish between civilians and combatants.

Bar El also revealed that limited preparations for public diplomacy were underway just hours before the launch of the strike on Iran. A small team began mobilizing on the night of June 12. Their plan involved partnering with grassroots organizations and digital influencers, whom Bar El described as “force multipliers.”

He noted that during the 12-day military campaign, the Foreign Ministry’s digital platforms reached over one billion users, with around 380 million of those impressions coming from Persian-language outlets. Moreover, the ministry’s public diplomacy efforts included more than 1,000 media appearances—approximately half conducted by members of civil society rather than official spokespersons.

Colonel Avichay Edree, the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesperson, disclosed that a small unit within the IDF Spokesperson’s Division had prior knowledge of the surprise assault and was able to prepare accordingly. He also shared that the IDF’s Persian-language digital channels now boast about 900,000 followers, with 85% of them residing inside Iran.

In his concluding remarks, MK Tur-Paz acknowledged that while broad support for Israel still exists, the growing disconnect among younger Americans is driven by misinformation and insufficient outreach, particularly on digital platforms. “Support for Israel during the war exists. The challenge among young people stems from disinformation, lack of knowledge, and information sources we haven’t sufficiently engaged with, especially on social media. That’s the main challenge. A vacuum doesn’t fill itself with a narrative—knowledge must be met with knowledge.”

Tur-Paz also stressed the need for a more structured and authoritative communication strategy. “Despite improved coordination among the agencies, there is still no government decision in place, including on the need for a national spokesperson. The State of Israel needs people who will explain it, who will speak on its behalf officially—and ideally, they should be civilians,” he said.

{Matzav.com}