Matzav

There is so much currently happening on the political scene in Eretz Yisroel. Aside from the burning issue of the hostages and the ongoing war in Gaza, there is an entire ruckus over the dismissal of the head of the Shin Bet among other issues.  

The Gedolei Yisroel and the Charedi community, as a whole, are very worried and disturbed over the ongoing efforts to try drafting bnei yeshivos.  

Much effort has been expended both publicly and through quiet diplomacy to try dissuading the powers that be and those in the legal system from their attempt to curb the koach of today’s “Shevet Levi”. After all, in this fraught period, Klal Yisroel, more than ever, needs the zechusim of limud haTorah to enable us to overcome our enemies. 

The Gedolei Yisroel have been focusing on explaining the Charedi position, hoping to impress upon influential figures in the government and the legal community a better understanding of the the role that Torah learning plays in ensuring the future of the country.  

Recently, the Nasi of Dirshu, Rav Dovid Hofstedter was in Eretz Yisroel. As a prominent resident of chutz la’aretz who leads the largest Torah organization in the world, Rav Hofstedter has been involved in the hishtadlus effort. Rav Hofstedter held numerous meetings at the homes of several senior Gedolei Yisroel. The Gedolei Yisroel all urged him to use his influence to try finding common ground with decision- makers in Eretz Yisroel regarding this difficult, critically important issue. 

As a prominent figure in the diaspora, Rav Hofstedter also conversed with Mr. Yitzchak Herzog, the President of Israel. Rav Hofstedter discussed the underpinnings of the Charedi outlook regarding limud haTorah and the fact that the avreichim who devote their days and nights to learning do so most altruistically, forgoing many of life’s comforts and living extremely frugally so that they can continue to learn Torah. Rav Hofstedter spoke about the value of Torah learning and its exalted role in shielding and preserving those living in Israel, and Judaism as a whole.  

President Herzog was very receptive to Rav Hofstedter’s words and commented that despite the incitement that we are witnessing in some quarters, he had, in general, noticed that the secular and traditional Jews in Eretz Yisroel have strengthened themselves in observance and recognizing the integral role that Torah has in the lives of the Jewish People. 

“Without a doubt, the secret of the survival of the Jewish people throughout the ages has been the role played by the Torah. I feel that the Torah is what unifies us as a people and serves as our spiritual backbone.” Herzog told Rav Hofstedter that in a telephone conversation with Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, Rosh Yeshivas Slabodka, he had expressed similar sentiments. President Herzog concluded, “I join together with you in calling on all parties to lower the temperature, cease with the incitement, and coalesce around what unites us, not what divides us.” 

Lugging around boarding passes and needing to check in for flights will be scrapped as part of the biggest aviation industry shake-up in 50 years, The Times reported. Within the next “two to three years,” passengers will be able to upload their passports on their phones to pass through the airport using only their face for verification. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the UN body responsible for policy, plans to replace the existing rules for airports and airlines with a new “digital travel credential” that will allow passport information stored on devices to be used for travel.

“The last upgrade of great scale was the adoption of e-ticketing in the early 2000s,” Valérie Viale, the director of product management at a travel technology company called Amadeus, told the Times. “The industry has now decided it’s time to upgrade to modern systems that are more like what Amazon would use.”

Although the new technology might spark some privacy concerns, Amadeus claims that the system it developed wipes passengers’ details within 15 seconds of each contact with a “touchpoint,” like the pre-security gates. Read more at The Times.

{Matzav.com}

An immigration judge ruled on Friday that Mahmoud Khalil could be expelled from the United States because of his participation in anti-Israel demonstrations at Columbia University. The decision, delivered by Judge Jamee Comans in a Louisiana courtroom, was part of a broader federal push to remove Khalil, a Syrian-born U.S. permanent resident, due to his activism.

Judge Comans declared that the federal government had “established by clear and convincing evidence that [Khalil] is removable,” following a hearing that lasted about two hours.

At the conclusion of the session, Khalil addressed the judge directly, asserting she had failed to uphold the fairness she had previously emphasized during an earlier hearing that week. “Clearly what we witnessed today, neither of these principles were present today or in this whole process,” Khalil claimed. “This is exactly why the Trump administration has sent me to this court, 1,000 miles away from my family,” he said. “I just hope that the urgency that you deemed fit for me are afforded to the hundreds of others who have been here without hearing for months.”

Though the judge ruled Khalil can be deported, the decision doesn’t take immediate effect. His legal team still has the opportunity to appeal and continue contesting the removal order before it is finalized.

Khalil, 30, was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on March 8 at his subsidized campus apartment in Manhattan, where he was living with his pregnant American wife.

His detention followed a Trump administration directive targeting anti-Israel demonstrators on college campuses.

Just one day later, Khalil was transported over 1,000 miles to a detention center in Jena, Louisiana, leaving his wife behind in New York.

His attorneys have challenged his arrest both in immigration court and by filing a habeas corpus petition in federal court in New Jersey. They argue the government violated his constitutional right to free expression by detaining him in response to his pro-Palestinian advocacy.

The Department of Homeland Security and ICE justified the arrest using a little-known statute that empowers the Secretary of State to deport a noncitizen deemed a risk to U.S. foreign relations.

At Tuesday’s initial court appearance, Judge Comans directed government attorneys to present documentation supporting their deportation effort, reserving her ruling until Friday’s hearing.

By Wednesday, the government had submitted a short memorandum from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, which accused Khalil of engaging “in antisemitic protests and disruptive activities, which fosters a hostile environment for Jewish students in the United States.”

Rubio’s letter asserted that Khalil’s presence clashed with “U.S. policy to combat antisemitism around the world and in the United States, in addition to efforts to protect Jewish students from harassment and violence in the United States.”

The memo further cited legal authority granted to the Trump administration to expel foreign nationals whose presence is deemed detrimental to U.S. diplomatic priorities.

Following the ruling, Khalil’s attorney, Marc van der Hout, issued a statement condemning the court process: “Today, we saw our worst fears play out: Mahmoud was subject to a charade of due process, a flagrant violation of his right to a fair hearing, and a weaponization of immigration law to suppress dissent. This is not over, and our fight continues.”

Meanwhile, Khalil’s legal team is also pinning its hopes on the federal court in New Jersey, where Judge Michael Farbiarz has already paused the deportation order pending further proceedings.

Farbiarz also instructed both parties to participate in a status call Friday afternoon to update him on the outcome of the immigration hearing.

Originally from Syria and also an Algerian citizen, Khalil is a former employee of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees. He came to the U.S. in 2022 to begin his studies at Columbia.

While at Columbia, Khalil led Columbia United Apartheid Divest (CUAD), a coalition of student activist groups known for backing extremist positions, including support for Hamas and Hezbollah, and advocating for the “end of Western civilization.”

He also served as the primary representative in talks with Columbia’s leadership during protest encampments held on campus last year.

At a press briefing on Thursday, van der Hout argued that the government’s move had nothing to do with actual foreign policy considerations, stating that Rubio’s “determination has absolutely nothing to do with foreign policy.”

The attorney insisted that the evidence presented against Khalil was weak and that his client was being targeted purely for exercising political speech.

{Matzav.com}

The Palestinian Authority has extended a formal invitation to the Trump administration, requesting that it verify the implementation of a newly restructured welfare program that has long faced criticism for allegedly promoting terrorism. This was disclosed to The Times of Israel on Friday by both a U.S. official and a representative of the PA.

The invitation was conveyed in a letter sent on Wednesday by Hussein al-Sheikh, a senior aide to PA President Mahmoud Abbas, addressed to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The correspondence references a decree issued by Abbas in February that annuls previous legislation linking prisoner stipends to the length of their prison sentences in Israel. Instead, payments are now meant to be based solely on the recipient’s financial status, according to the officials.

In the letter, Sheikh emphasized that the Palestinian Authority is fully committed to enforcing the new policy and welcomes an American team to visit Ramallah and begin its certification process starting June 1.

Although that date will mark nearly four months since the decree was signed, both U.S. and Palestinian officials explained that the delay was due to the time required to redesign the system. Families are now required to reapply and must qualify under newly established financial criteria.

“This is a major step demonstrating that this is not just talk, but action because an invitation would not be extended if we weren’t confident that the US will certify,” the PA official told The Times of Israel.

When asked about the letter, a State Department spokesperson declined to comment on the specifics, saying, “We do not comment on diplomatic correspondence.” However, the spokesperson reiterated the administration’s stance: “This abhorrent practice of compensation that provides benefits and payments in support of terrorism needs to end now. We want to see actions, not words.”

The reform is aimed at bringing the Palestinian Authority into compliance with the Taylor Force Act, a U.S. law passed in 2018 that prohibits American economic aid directly benefiting the PA unless specific conditions are met.

To resume aid under the law, the Secretary of State must certify four criteria: first, that the policy of basing payments on prison sentences has been rescinded; second, that these payments have stopped entirely; third, that the PA is actively working to curb terrorism in the West Bank; and fourth, that it is publicly denouncing acts of terror.

While Abbas’s decree satisfies the first requirement, U.S. officials will evaluate compliance with the second requirement during their planned visit on June 1.

Addressing the third condition, the PA pointed to its ongoing security collaboration with Israel and recent operations against militant groups in northern parts of the West Bank.

Regarding the fourth requirement, the Palestinian official referenced public condemnations issued by the PA against Hamas as evidence of its stance against terrorism.

For the Palestinian Authority to be deemed compliant with the Taylor Force Act, Rubio must provide a written certification. This determination must be reaffirmed every 180 days for aid to continue.

The longstanding practice of paying stipends to imprisoned terrorists or the families of attackers has been condemned by critics as a financial reward for terrorism. Israel has cited it as evidence of the PA’s failure to act as a legitimate peace partner.

Palestinian leaders, on the other hand, have defended the payments, characterizing them as necessary welfare support for families impacted by what they describe as Israel’s harsh judicial practices in the West Bank.

Although the State Department initially praised Abbas’s February 10 decree as a “big win for the administration,” its tone has grown more critical in recent weeks.

Despite the signing of the decree, two Palestinian sources confirmed to The Times of Israel that monthly payments to families of incarcerated or deceased militants were made twice since then.

According to a Palestinian official, those disbursements were for months prior to the policy change. Financial constraints—exacerbated by Israel’s withholding of substantial tax revenue—delayed the PA’s ability to pay December’s stipends until February, with January’s payouts distributed earlier this month.

As a result, the official noted, it may take an additional one to two months before the revamped system becomes fully operational.

The Palestinian official suggested that U.S. frustration may have stemmed from an expectation that the reforms would take effect more quickly than they have.

“We still plan to uphold the decree that was signed,” the Palestinian official said.

{Matzav.com}

In an uncommon move, senior Iranian officials recently pressed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to approve renewed discussions with the United States concerning Iran’s nuclear ambitions, warning that failure to negotiate could lead to the downfall of the Islamic Republic, according to a report from The New York Times published Friday.

The Biden administration and Iranian representatives are slated to meet in Oman on Shabbos to address concerns over Iran’s advancing nuclear program.

Sources cited by The New York Times said that Khamenei hosted a high-level meeting last month with Iran’s judiciary and parliament leadership. During that session, the officials united in urging him to approve talks with the United States—even direct ones—despite prior resistance.

They warned Khamenei that the likelihood of American and Israeli military strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities had become very real. “If Iran refused talks or if the negotiations failed, the officials told Mr. Khamenei, military strikes on Iran’s two main nuclear sites, Natanz and Fordow, would be inevitable,” the sources said, as reported by the Times.

The officials expressed that Iran, already mired in deep economic hardship, would be forced to retaliate, potentially setting off widespread internal turmoil if a war erupted.

They reportedly told Khamenei that the compounded impact of such developments could present a grave threat to the regime’s survival.

One of the voices warning of this scenario was Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, a former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps and now speaker of Parliament, who cautioned that war, coupled with economic collapse, might spiral beyond control.

President Masoud Pezeshkian also voiced concern, reportedly telling Khamenei that the regime was nearing a breaking point. The Times highlighted severe power outages affecting factories and water shortages that recently forced the closure of schools and government buildings in Yazd as examples of the growing crisis.

Though Iran had previously rejected the idea of renewed talks, that position shifted in the face of pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration and threats of military action.

Hossein Mousavian, once a lead nuclear negotiator for Iran and now a scholar at Princeton University, told the Times that Khamenei’s decision reflects his core political philosophy. “Mr. Khamenei’s turnaround demonstrates his long-held core principle that ‘preserving the regime is the most necessary of the necessities,’” Mousavian said.

Though the Supreme Leader gave a green light for the negotiations, he set certain boundaries, according to the report.

Citing three Iranian insiders, the paper said Khamenei was willing to consider stringent oversight of the nuclear program and scaling back uranium enrichment. However, he refused to entertain any discussion over Iran’s missile capabilities, calling them an essential part of the country’s defense—a condition described as a “deal breaker.”

The report also noted that Iran was open to addressing its activities across the region, including its backing of terror groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis.

Since the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas on southern Israel, both Hamas and Hezbollah have suffered heavy blows at the hands of the IDF. Simultaneously, the U.S. has continued launching strikes against the Houthis in Yemen.

President Trump has made clear that Iran will not be permitted to acquire a nuclear weapon, repeatedly issuing strong warnings of “bombing” and a “very bad day for Iran” should an agreement not be reached.

Although the Islamic Republic insists it does not seek a nuclear bomb, it has significantly increased uranium enrichment to 60 percent—a level that serves no civilian purpose—and has hindered access for international nuclear watchdogs.

On Friday, Iranian officials signaled that they are earnestly approaching the negotiations and believe a deal may be within reach—provided the U.S. avoids further threats. They stated that the process has “a good possibility of reaching an accord.”

According to Iranian state media, Saturday’s talks will be led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi for Iran and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, with Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi acting as a mediator.

President Trump has described the planned discussions as “direct,” but Iranian authorities insist they will engage only through indirect channels.

Ali Shamkhani, a senior adviser to Khamenei, confirmed on X that Araghchi was traveling to Oman “with full authority for indirect negotiations with America.”

“Tehran seeks a real, just deal—away from media show and rhetoric. Key proposals are ready. If Washington shows determination for a deal, the path to agreement will be clear,” he wrote in a multilingual post including Farsi, English, Arabic, Russian, and Hebrew.

In a statement issued Friday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry called on the U.S. to respect Tehran’s willingness to enter negotiations, criticizing what it described as America’s aggressive tone.

Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said Iran was “giving diplomacy a genuine chance in good faith and full vigilance,” and added, “America should appreciate this decision, which was made despite their hostile rhetoric.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump is sending a firm message to Iran, signaling that every possible strategy is under consideration to stop Tehran from becoming a nuclear-armed nation, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt during a media briefing on Friday.

Her remarks came ahead of planned negotiations between the United States and Iran, which are set to take place on Saturday in Oman.

Leavitt explained that while Trump continues to advocate for a diplomatic path, his top priority remains preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. “But he’s made it very clear to the Iranians and his national security team will as well, that all options are on the table, and Iran has a choice to make. You can agree to President Trump’s demand, or there will be all h— to pay, and that’s how the president feels. He feels very strongly about it,” she stated.

Though Trump maintains that the upcoming discussions in Oman would involve direct engagement, Iranian authorities have insisted that any contact will occur through intermediaries rather than face-to-face.

Iran has also declined Trump’s proposal for direct dialogue, which he had extended in a formal letter addressed to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Earlier this week, Trump emphasized that if military intervention becomes necessary to neutralize Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Israel would take a front-line role. “With Iran, if it requires military, we’re going to have military. Israel will be the leader of that. But nobody leads us, we do what we want to do,” the president said during a press availability in the Oval Office.

When pressed about the timeframe he is giving Iran to come to an agreement, Trump avoided giving a firm deadline. “I can’t really be specific, but when you start talks, you know if they’re going along well or not, and I would say the conclusion would be when I think they’re not going along well,” he explained.

Although Trump has consistently expressed his preference for reaching a diplomatic resolution, he has made clear that military force remains an option should negotiations fail.

{Matzav.com}

The Trump administration has directed immigration authorities to confirm whether non-citizens have submitted their personal details to a digital registry, marking a new phase in the broader crackdown on undocumented immigrants.

According to a directive issued to field agents, any migrant found without proof of registration should be “treated as an immigration enforcement priority,” and the matter should be “referred to the US Department of Justice for criminal prosecution.”

An internal source at ICE noted that officials expect a large portion of undocumented migrants will avoid registering, effectively placing them in immediate jeopardy of detention and removal.

On his first day back in office, President Trump signed an executive order titled Protecting the American People Against Invasion, setting in motion the creation of this registry, which requires undocumented immigrants to provide identifying information or risk legal consequences.

Under the policy, all undocumented individuals aged 14 and above are now obligated to submit their fingerprints and residential addresses to the system or risk arrest and prosecution, according to US Citizenship and Immigration Services.

“Most aliens in the United States have already registered, as required by law,” according to USCIS. “However, a significant number of aliens present in the United States have had no direct way in which to register and meet their obligation under INA [section] 262.

“In order that unregistered aliens may comply with their duty under INA [section] 262, USCIS is establishing a new form and process by which they may register. No alien will have an excuse for failure to comply with this law.”

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told The NY Post on Tuesday that violators may be fined as much as $1,000 for every day they remain unregistered.

Additionally, the Wall Street Journal reported that failure to comply could result in jail time of up to six months.

“Everyone should know that because we’re enforcing the Alien Registration Act, if you’ve been here longer than 30 days and haven’t registered with the government, we are now coming after you criminally,” Noem warned while accompanying an ICE enforcement operation in Phoenix.

A legal attempt by immigrant advocacy groups to stop the registry was dismissed Thursday, when a federal court ruled in favor of the administration’s right to proceed with implementation and penalties.

“Plaintiffs have not shown that they are likely to succeed on the merits,” DC US District Court Judge Trevor McFadden ruled Thursday. “They have failed to demonstrate that they have standing to bring this suit.”

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu addressed the recent wave of protest letters circulating in the name of reserve soldiers, dismissing them as a political stunt orchestrated by a vocal minority. Speaking on Friday, he portrayed the campaign as a rehashed effort aimed at undermining his administration.

“Again the same letters,” said Netanyahu, “Sometimes in the name of pilots, of Navy veterans, and so on. The public no longer buys into their propaganda lies that are so impressive to the media. These letters were not written in the name of our heroic soldiers. They were written by a small group of thorns, who are operated by foreign-funded organizations with one goal – to overthrow the right-wing government.”

He insisted that the effort does not reflect the broader population of soldiers, but instead represents a small and detached faction. “This is not a wave. This is not a current. This is a small, noisy, anarchistic, and disconnected group of retirees – most of whom haven’t served in years.”

Netanyahu also claimed that these actions send the wrong signal to Israel’s adversaries and undermine national strength. “These thorns are trying to weaken the State of Israel and the IDF, and they are encouraging our enemies to harm us. They have already sent a message of weakness to our enemies once. We will not let them do it again.”

He went on to state that the military will not tolerate insubordination under any circumstances. “The citizens of Israel have learned the lesson – refusal is refusal, regardless of what fancy name is given to it. Anyone who encourages refusal will be dismissed immediately. The IDF fights, the IDF wins, and we are all behind it.”

This came as a new group of dissenters, this time from within the Intelligence Corps, released a protest letter. It was signed by a combination of reservist officers, current personnel, and veterans, calling on the government to prioritize securing the release of hostages, even if it means halting the war in Gaza.

In the statement released by Intelligence Corps members, which closely echoed previous protest letters, they expressed alarm over the war’s direction and purpose. “We identify with the serious and worrying assessment that at this time the war mainly serves political and personal interests and not security interests. The continuation of the war does not contribute to any of its declared goals and will lead to the deaths of hostages, IDF soldiers, and innocent people. We are concerned about the erosion of reservists and the increasing rates of non-compliance with reserve duties and are worried about the future impacts of this trend.”

The signatories further argued that a negotiated deal is the only way to bring the hostages home safely. “Only a deal can return hostages in peace, while military pressure mainly leads to the killing of hostages and endangers our soldiers. Every day that passes jeopardizes their lives, every additional moment of hesitation is a disgrace.”

Separately, roughly 1,900 academics from Israeli universities and colleges signed a petition echoing the sentiments of the Air Force protest letter. They wrote, “At this time, the war mainly serves political and personal interests and not security interests.” The document concluded with the same line found in the Intelligence Corps’ letter: “Every additional moment of hesitation is a disgrace.”

{Matzav.com}

As Pesach approaches, communities around the world prepare for the Yom Tov through the age-old halachic process of mechiras chametz. In Yerushalayim, this time-honored tradition took place under the auspices of the Eidah HaChareidis, with the participation of its senior dayanim and rabbinic leaders.

Heading the proceedings was HaGaon Harav Moshe Sternbuch, raavad of the Eidah HaChareidis, who arrived at the Beis Din headquarters in the Givat Moshe neighborhood to conduct the sale, as he does each year.

Photographer Shlomi Trichter was on site to capture the scene:

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A halachic storm has erupted across Europe just days before Pesach, centered on the kashrus of Coca-Cola and Pepsi. At the heart of the debate are two rabbanim with sharply opposing views, one permitting the drinks for Pesach consumption in Ukraine, and the other warning that they may contain chametz gamur.

The longstanding halachic debate over Coca-Cola and Pepsi’s kashrus status resurfaces almost every year, but this Pesach, 5785, it has reignited with fresh intensity. Rabbi Avraham Kornick of London, a senior mashgiach under the supervision of the Landau hechsher, released a strongly worded letter and voice message asserting, “Anything not produced specifically for Eretz Yisrael under the Landau certification is absolute chametz.”

The uproar followed the publication of a Pesach product list by Rabbi Yaakov Jan, head of the kashrus agency in Uman, Ukraine. His list declared that Coca-Cola and Pepsi sold in Ukraine are suitable for Pesach, with the only concern being the presence of kitniyos—a stringency for Ashkenazim who are meticulous in this regard.

Rabbi Kornick, who is regularly stationed at the Coca-Cola flavoring plant in Ireland, responded with alarm, launching a full-throated public rebuke. “I cannot fathom how a respected rav who purports to head a kashrus organization in Uman and Ukraine can publish a list of Pesach-approved products,” he said. “To write that Coca-Cola and Pepsi are kosher for Pesach? That’s nothing less than causing innocent Jews to stumble! These products pose a real concern of chametz gamur!”

He explained that only the shipments designated for Israel are produced under full-time supervision. All other flavoring compounds produced in the Irish facility for distribution across Europe, including Ukraine, he claimed, are completely unsupervised and may contain wheat-based additives.

Rabbi Jan did not remain silent. His response, issued through the Ukrainian kashrus division, was sharp and personal. “The writer is brazen and insolent! If he had any yiras Shamayim, he would have reached out to me to ask why I permitted it and we could have discussed it like talmidei chachamim. Clearly, this man is either an am ha’aretz or carries a grudge against me, and that’s why he chose such a disgraceful way to express himself.”

Rabbi Jan stood his ground, insisting that there is absolutely no concern of chametz. At most, he said, one could argue there is a kitniyos issue, which in his view is a non-issue due to its nature as a stringency and the pre-Yom Tov bitul. “There are lenient opinions and stringent ones,” he wrote. “The only issue with cola is a potential concern of kitniyos. Since this is a minhag of chumrah and the ingredients are nullified before Pesach, there is no concern of chametz whatsoever.”

He added that his position is based on clear halachic standards. “He speaks nonsense. With Hashem’s help, I hope to publish a written explanation for anyone who wishes to understand. Only time limits what the heart wishes to share.” He concluded with a blessing: “May we all merit to partake of the korbanos in the Beis HaMikdash together, speedily in our days. Amen.”

{Matzav.com}

Former President Donald Trump reiterated his call on Friday for permanent Daylight Saving Time, as lawmakers on both sides of the aisle continue to promote legislation aimed at extending evening daylight throughout the winter months.

“The House and Senate should push hard for more Daylight at the end of a day,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“Very popular and, most importantly, no more changing of the clocks, a big inconvenience and, for our government, A VERY COSTLY EVENT!!!”

Trump, now 78, had previously championed the change but seemed to express hesitation just last month, pointing out concerns voiced by people in northern states about students having to travel to school before sunrise during winter.

In a statement issued in December, Trump said: “The Republican Party will use its best efforts to eliminate Daylight Saving Time, which has a small but strong constituency, but shouldn’t!”

However, during a meeting in the Oval Office last month, Trump expressed mixed feelings about the topic, stating that it was “hard to get excited” about the proposal. “It’s very much a fifty-fifty issue and it’s something I can do, but a lot of people like it one way, a lot of people like it the other way,” he remarked.

“I assume people would like to have more light later,” Trump added at the time, “but some people want to have more light earlier because they don’t want to take their kids to school in the dark.”

Momentum for ending the biannual clock change gained traction in 2022 when a proposal introduced by then-Senator Marco Rubio of Florida — who now serves as Trump’s secretary of state — passed the Senate without objection but later stalled in the House.

{Matzav.com}

Turkish news outlets reported that six individuals, including three members of the same family, have been handed lengthy prison sentences totaling 100 years for allegedly spying on behalf of Israel’s Mossad. The charges centered around espionage activities and intelligence collection against specific individuals.

The arrests were initially made in April 2024 by Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT), which had been monitoring the group in Istanbul before launching a coordinated operation to detain eight suspects.

Among those sentenced was Ahmet Ersin Tumlucalı, an insurance company executive, who was identified as the ringleader. He was found guilty of directing a network of operatives, including members of his own household, and was sentenced to 22 years and six months in prison.

Following deliberation, Istanbul’s 23rd Heavy Penal Court reduced Tumlucalı’s sentence to 18 years and nine months, citing “good behavior” as the reason for leniency.

His wife, Benan Tumlucalı, was sentenced to 16 years and eight months, while her daughter from a previous marriage, Dila Sultan Şimşek, received a prison term of 15 years, seven months, and 15 days.

The court also handed identical sentences—15 years, seven months, and 15 days each—to three other individuals implicated in the case: Cem Ozcan, Ozkan Arican, and Fuzuli Simsek.

Authorities claimed that the group operated on behalf of Mossad and collected sensitive intelligence. Prosecutors alleged they were affiliated with Mossad’s “online operations” division and were responsible for photographing and monitoring persons of interest inside Turkey.

The official charge sheet stated, “the suspects were engaged in acts of obtaining information about foreigners in the country, particularly those who fled their home countries due to conflicts and shared this intelligence with (Mossad).”

Investigators alleged that Tumlucalı maintained contact with a Mossad handler known only by the alias “Jorg,” and that they used Skype for communication. Their meetings reportedly took place in Vienna and Munich in 2011 and 2017.

Another Israeli intelligence officer, Gavin Alfron, was also named in the case. Tumlucalı is said to have met with Alfron multiple times in Vienna and Frankfurt between 2017 and 2020, at which point Mossad reportedly ended their arrangement.

In addition to intelligence activities within Turkey, Tumlucalı is accused of operating in Georgia and Germany, and allegedly supplied Israel with “some official documents from Lebanon.”

The group is believed to have targeted individuals of Lebanese, Jordanian, Syrian, and Azerbaijani origin. Authorities claim that Tumlucalı’s wife, stepdaughter, and sister-in-law, Berna Çetin, were actively involved in the surveillance missions.

{Matzav.com}

Members of Israel’s elite military intelligence Unit 8200 have penned a collective letter urging the government to prioritize the return of the hostages held in Gaza—even if that means halting combat operations—according to reports in Israeli media on Friday.

The letter, signed by a wide range of individuals including reservist officers, current service members, and veterans, mirrors a recent public message released by Israel Air Force personnel. KAN reported that the initiators plan to disseminate the letter in a similar fashion.

In their statement, the 8200 signatories expressed sharp criticism of the government’s handling of the conflict. “We identify with the grave and troubling assertion that, at this time, the war serves primarily political and personal interests, not security interests.”

They continued by warning that persisting with the current military campaign would only deepen the crisis. “Continuing the war contributes nothing to its stated objectives and will lead to the deaths of hostages, IDF soldiers, and innocent civilians. We are concerned about the erosion of the reserve force and the growing rates of non-reporting for duty, and we worry about the long-term consequences of this trend.”

The letter further argued that diplomatic measures are the only viable path to recovering the captives. “Only an agreement can bring the hostages back safely, while military pressure mainly results in the killing of hostages and endangers our soldiers,” the letter continued. “Every day that passes their lives are at risk; every additional moment of hesitation is a disgrace.”

Meanwhile, the IDF reportedly plans to dismiss several hundred air force reservists who recently signed a published appeal demanding a cessation of the war.

Though the message focuses primarily on the conflict, some of those involved are also vocal opponents of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s push to reform the judiciary and his alleged attempts to remove Shin Bet head Ronen Bar.

Of all those who endorsed the letter, only 60 currently serve in the reserves, and among them, the number of active pilots is reportedly fewer than ten.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir has taken the position that regardless of the political turbulence surrounding Netanyahu’s leadership, the IDF must remain apolitical. He emphasized that reservists are prohibited from publicly expressing views on matters decided by Israel’s democratically elected government.

{Matzav.com}

The head of a New York City helicopter tour company said the aircraft that crashed into the Hudson River, killing six people—including a visiting Spanish family of five—was heading back to refuel when the fatal incident occurred.

Michael Roth, CEO of New York Helicopter Tour, explained that the pilot had radioed in to report a low fuel situation shortly before the helicopter went down on Thursday afternoon.

“He [the pilot] called in that he was landing and that he needed fuel, and it should have taken him about three minutes to arrive, but 20 minutes later, he didn’t arrive,” Roth told the Telegraph.

The passengers aboard the helicopter were all tourists from Spain who had come to New York City for a vacation.

Agustin Escobar, along with his wife Merce Camprubi Montal and their three children, died in the crash. The pilot, who has not yet been publicly identified, was also killed.

Escobar held the position of global CEO for rail infrastructure at Siemens Mobility. His wife worked in a high-level role at Siemens Energy, managing worldwide commercialization efforts.

According to emergency responders, four of the victims were declared dead at the scene, while the remaining two succumbed to their injuries at the hospital.

Photos on the company’s website, now painfully poignant, show Escobar, Montal, and their children smiling in front of the Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV helicopter and buckled in for their flight.

Roth said he first found out about the crash through one of his employees at the heliport, who had heard rumors of an accident but didn’t realize it involved their own aircraft.

“Then one of my pilots flew over the Hudson and saw the helicopter upside down,” he told the Telegraph.

In an earlier interview with The NY Post, Roth shared his emotional reaction to the tragedy that claimed the lives of six people, including three children.

“It’s devastation,” he said. “I’m a father and a grandfather and to have children on there, I’m devastated. I’m absolutely devastated.”

Roth declined to offer a definitive explanation for what brought the chopper down, saying he could only comment on what he saw from video footage of the crash.

“The only thing I know by watching a video of the helicopter falling down, that the main rotor blades weren’t on the helicopter,” Roth said. “And I haven’t seen anything like that in my 30 years being in business, in the helicopter business. The only thing I could guess — I got no clue — is that it either had a bird strike or the main rotor blades failed. I have no clue. I don’t know.”

Authorities said the Bell 206 broke apart midair as it traveled above the Hudson River between New York and New Jersey around 3:15 p.m.

A video of the crash shows the helicopter spiraling and slamming into the river upside down, sending a large spray of water into the air near Pier 40, located at West Houston Street and West Street.

Soon after, the rotor blades were seen detaching and spinning wildly into the river on their own.

Eyewitnesses near the scene reported hearing a loud “boom sound” at the time of the crash.

Recovery teams have started to remove debris from the river while a formal investigation into what led to the tragic accident is underway. Late Thursday, crews recovered the wrecked remains of the helicopter from the frigid Hudson River.

{Matzav.com}

On Thursday’s episode of MSNBC’s All In, Representative Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) expressed disbelief that more people aren’t raising concerns about former President Donald Trump’s capacity to lead, calling it “beyond wild” that his “mental acuity or fitness to serve” remains largely unchallenged.

Discussing Trump’s trade policies, Crockett said, “When we start to talk about these tariffs, these tariffs are not limited to any one type of people. It’s not limited to Democrats, Republicans or Independents. It’s not limited to urban or rural. We know for a fact if we look back just at his last administration, what it did to the soybean farmers, right. And we ultimately ended up having to give them money to supplant the fact that they lost so much money. But this crazy tariff war that nobody asked for, where he basically is invoking emergency powers, the same thing that he did under the Alien Enemies Act.”

She went on to criticize the silence around Trump’s mental state, contrasting it with the frequent jabs made at President Biden. “Like the fact that no one is questioning his mental acuity or fitness to serve is beyond wild to me, right? Like the fact that they sat around called Joe Biden sleepy Joe Biden. and as I said before, at least you could sleep at night because you didn’t have to worry about your 401K disappearing overnight. You didn’t have to worry about these allegations of fake invasions. You didn’t have to worry about the cost of food just skyrocketing or the skyrocketing cost of all of your electronics.”

Crockett concluded by urging voters to stay engaged and not forget the impact of Trump’s past leadership. “So, you know, I just hope that people remember because seemingly they got amnesia the first time. And so you’ve got opportunities to vote. And I will tell you that every single special election we’ve had, Democrats are swinging no less than 15 points. But honestly, we should be swinging 30 and 40 points because of the level of incompetence and harm that this administration is bringing upon all of us.”

{Matzav.com}

During an appearance on MSNBC’s Deadline Thursday, Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) warned that President Donald Trump’s ongoing tariff policies could trigger a mass exodus of Republican support, saying they would “abandon him like rats off a sinking ship.”

Host Nicolle Wallace pointed to Trump’s declining approval ratings, stating, “I mean, the other thing that’s happened is Donald Trump’s approval rating has plunged. He’s at 41% overall approval and down to 40% on the economy. The tariffs are lower than that. When do you think Republicans will reassert themselves as elected officials?”

Schiff responded by criticizing Trump’s economic approach, especially his reliance on tariffs. “Well, had he continued, and if he does continue along this tariff, destroy our economy, this self-inflicted wound to our economy, Republicans are going to abandon him like rats off a sinking ship. It’s unsustainable. You already saw Republicans start to abandon him. We brought up a resolution, Tim Kaine did, got four Republican votes, enough to get it passed in the Senate to try to stop these destructive tariffs on Canada.”

He continued by noting that this wasn’t just rhetorical dissent—it was reflected in actual Senate votes. “That was Republicans not just speaking privately, not just speaking publicly, but actually voting against the president. And you’re going to see more and more of that, the more destruction he brings to our economy. Just watching this display in the administration, as the president’s aides were out there after this latest flip-flop, saying it wasn’t a flip-flop, it was — it was planned that way. You know, you’re just not smart enough to see the president’s brilliant strategy, his art of the deal.”

{Matzav.com}

Classified files connected to the killings of Senator Robert F. Kennedy Sr. and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. are finally set to be made public, according to an announcement Thursday by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. The long-hidden documents are scheduled to be unveiled “in the next few days” after remaining untouched “for decades.”

The news came during a White House gathering where Gabbard sat just a short distance from Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.—son of the slain senator—as well as President Donald Trump and members of the presidential cabinet.

“We’ve been scanning — I’ve had over a hundred people working around the clock to scan the paper around RFK, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy’s assassination, as well as Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination,” Gabbard said during the meeting.

“These have been sitting in boxes in storage for decades, they have never been scanned or seen before. We’ll have those ready to release here in the next few days,” she added.

Trump reacted positively to the revelation, saying, “That’s great,” before turning to Kennedy Jr. and asking how he was feeling.

“I’m very gratified,” he replied.

“That’s hitting close to home,” Trump noted. “I’m thinking about Bobby when that statement was made.”

Kennedy Jr. went on to express his appreciation, adding that he is “very grateful.”

Kennedy Jr., who now serves as the Secretary of Health and Human Services, was in his teens when his father—President John F. Kennedy’s younger brother—was gunned down at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles shortly after claiming victory in the California Democratic presidential primary in June 1986.

“And you let Bobby see some of this because, you know, it’s very personal stuff. But it’s time,” Trump said to Gabbard. She confirmed that Kennedy Jr. had previously told her the importance of making the materials public, saying the “world needs to know the truth.”

Earlier this year, in January, Trump authorized an executive order to unseal records concerning the assassinations of JFK, RFK Sr., and Dr. King.

The files pertaining to JFK were made available on March 18, and according to Gabbard, “no redactions” were applied to those documents.

While campaigning in 2024, Trump promised to launch a commission to investigate presidential assassinations. The pledge came as a tribute to RFK Jr., and was made just one month after Trump himself survived an assassination attempt at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

{Matzav.com}

A newly released survey shows that Americans from different age groups and political affiliations are viewing Israel less positively now than they did before October 7, 2023. In addition, more than half of those polled expressed distrust in Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s ability to make sound decisions.

According to the Pew Research Center, 53% of respondents now hold an unfavorable opinion of Israel, a noticeable jump from 42% in 2022. Among Republicans, 37% now view Israel negatively, up from 27% two years ago. Among Democrats, that number rose from 53% to 69%.

Younger Americans in both political parties appear especially critical. The data shows that 50% of Republicans under the age of 49 have a negative perception of Israel, as do 71% of Democrats in the same age bracket.

The survey also revealed that most Americans reject the controversial idea of the U.S. seizing control of Gaza for redevelopment — a plan first floated by President Donald Trump back in February.

Pew’s findings show that 62% of Americans are opposed to the proposal, with nearly half — 49% — strongly rejecting it. Only 15% expressed support for the idea. Within Trump’s own party, 44% oppose the proposal, while 27% back it.

Despite the resistance, 46% of those surveyed believe it is either somewhat or very likely that Trump will move forward with the plan if elected again.

These numbers were released Tuesday, just before Trump’s meeting with Netanyahu this week, during which he reiterated his position on the issue.

Trump maintained that the reaction to his proposal has been mostly positive, even though the plan has been widely dismissed by global leaders and international observers.

“Having a peace force like the United States there controlling and owning the Gaza Strip would be a good thing,” Trump said, seemingly contradicting earlier efforts by his team to walk back his remarks about deploying American troops in Gaza.

The survey noted that Democratic attitudes toward Israel have worsened across generations, but especially among older Democrats, whose unfavorable views have risen 23 points. “Younger and older Democrats alike have turned more negative toward Israel over these three years, but negative views among younger Democrats have grown by 9 points, compared with a 23-point increase among older Democrats,” the poll states. “Among Republicans, much of the shift in attitudes has come among younger adults. Republicans under 50 are now about as likely to have a negative view of Israel as a positive one (50% vs. 48%). In 2022, they were much more likely to see Israel positively than negatively (63% vs. 35%).”

Among different religious communities in the U.S., only Jews and Protestants showed majority support for Israel, with 73% of Jews and 57% of Protestants expressing favorable opinions. Notably, 72% of white evangelicals view Israel positively. Catholics were divided, with 53% holding negative views and 45% positive. Among Muslims, 81% said they had an unfavorable view of Israel.

These findings echo trends found in a Gallup poll from February, which also reported a decline in American support for Israel.

When respondents were asked about their view of Netanyahu, 52% said they had little or no trust in him to “do the right thing regarding world affairs,” compared with 32% who said they did have confidence. Pew pointed out that “the share of Americans with little or no confidence in Netanyahu rose significantly between 2023 and 2024.”

The poll also showed a partisan divide on Netanyahu: 51% of Republicans expressed confidence in his leadership, while just 15% of Democrats said the same.

Among American Jews, opinion was split: 53% said they lack confidence in Netanyahu, while 45% said they trust him. White evangelical Protestants were the only religious group in the U.S. where a majority expressed faith in Netanyahu.

Interest in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has declined slightly since the October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks. Currently, 54% of Americans say the war remains personally significant to them, down from 65% in January.

Among Jews, the war continues to resonate strongly. A full 93% say the conflict is important to them, with 74% describing it as “very important.”

The poll was conducted between March 24 and March 30, surveying a representative sample of 3,605 adults across the United States.

{Matzav.com}

The staff at Matzav.com, Matzav WhatsApp, and Matzav Status wishes all of our readers around the globe a chag kosher vesomeiach and a kosheren Pesach.

We are grateful to all those who have supported Matzav.com in this important endeavor to provide a kosher and informative Torah newscenter for the greater frum community. We express our gratitude to those who have encouraged and guided us. Of course, we thank our supporters, sponsors and advertisers, as well as our dedicated readers and contributors from countries around the world.

Thank you for making all Matzav.com platforms the #1 English-Language Torah news and inspiration choice for the frum community.

Have a wonderful and meaningful Yom Tov.

The Matzav.com Staff

{Matzav.com Newscenter}

A deal to secure the release of hostages appears to be nearing completion, based on updates delivered to the relatives of those still in captivity. Steve Witkoff, former President Donald Trump’s Middle East representative, assured families during a Thursday meeting that “a very serious deal is taking shape—it’s a matter of days.”

Insiders suggest that Trump has signaled to Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu that he has only a limited window—possibly just a few more weeks—to carry on military operations before a more extensive ceasefire agreement is expected to be pursued.

Speaking to the press during a Thursday cabinet session at the White House, Trump echoed this sentiment, stating, “We’re getting close to getting them back,” and adding, “We’re making progress, we’re dealing with Israel, we’re dealing with Hamas, and it’s a nasty group.” He offered no specifics on the pace or content of the negotiations.

In response, Netanyahu’s office announced that the prime minister had convened a meeting with Israel’s security team and negotiators to review developments related to the hostages.

During a Security Cabinet session held the previous night—noticeably without the participation of Israel’s top military brass—ministers reviewed Netanyahu’s recent trip to Washington and debated ramping up military efforts against Hamas. Transportation Minister Miri Regev argued that Israel’s current actions lacked sufficient intensity. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir urged Israel to take control of Gaza and encourage population movement “according to Trump’s plan.” Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich advocated launching a significant ground assault if Hamas fails to free all captives.

According to reports, American officials told relatives of hostages that the matter was front and center during Trump’s recent talks with Netanyahu at the White House. They relayed that Washington is pushing for a sweeping diplomatic resolution—ending hostilities in Gaza while advancing normalization talks with Saudi Arabia. This initiative also involves renewed negotiations over Iran’s nuclear activities.

Those familiar with the situation say Trump is prepared to allow the conflict to continue for only another two or three weeks at most before calling for it to stop. “There’s no end to this war without resolving the hostage issue,” one Israeli official commented.

Meanwhile, Karina Arayev—recently freed after enduring 477 days in Hamas captivity—issued a heartfelt plea ahead of Pesach: “Until they return, none of us are truly free.”

{Matzav.com}