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By Rabbi Berach Steinfeld In Shemos, Perek Yud Bais the Torah tells us that we have a mitzvah to bring a Korban Pesach on Erev Pesach. Was the bracha of shehecheyanu recited when they brought the Korban Pesach since it is a mitzvah that occurs infrequently? The Nesiv Chaim in siman taf lamed bais says that they did not say the bracha of shehecheyanu while shechting the Korban Pesach. They relied on the shehecheyanu that would be said on the night of Pesach during Kiddush. This is similar to the fact that we don’t make a bracha of shehechyanu while building the sukka, but rather we say the bracha of shehecheyanu during Kiddush when we also have the building of the sukka in mind. The Shailos Utshuvos Shevet Halevi in chelek gimmel, siman samech heh questions the above comparison. We don’t make a bracha of shehecheyanu on the building of the sukkah because that act is actually a hechshermitzvah, a preparation for the mitzvah of eating in the sukka. We therefore rely on the shehecheyanu on the mitzvah of eating in the sukka itself, which includes the preparation for the building of the sukka as well. A similar scenario would be concerning saying shehechayanu while searching for chametz. We do not say shehecheyanu while we check for chametz since it is only a hechsher mitzvah; the actual mitzvah is not having chametz in your domain on Pesach, so we are yotze with the shehecheyanu we say as we usher in the Yom Tov during Kiddush. In contrast, when it comes to shechitas Pesach where the Rishonim count the shechita and the achilas Pesach as two separate mitzvos, we should be required to say shehecheyanu on the shechita and then at night when we eat the Pesach we could either rely on the original shehecheyanu on the shechita or rely on the shehecheyanu we say for the Yom Tovitself. The bottom line is that since the shechitas Pesach is a mitzvah on its own and comes infrequently; we need to say a shehecheyanu. The Shevet Halevi was asked a question in Chelek Tes, siman kuf yud yud gimmel based on what we pasken in Yoreh Deah, siman chof ches, seif koton gimel concerning a shochet who shechts for the first time. The shochetmakes a bracha of shehecheyanu on the kisui hadam, (the covering of the blood) but not on the shechita because when one shechts, the animal is hurting so we don’t say shehecheyanu during the shechita. The question then is, how could we say a shehecheyanu when we shecht the Korban Pesach when we are causing pain to the animal? The Shevet Halevi answers that there is a difference between these two scenarios. When one shechts an animal because he wants to eat meat, then there is no place for him to say shehecheyanu since he is causing the animal pain in order to have his own pleasures fulfilled. On the other hand, when one brings the Korban Pesach, he is shechting the korban because Hashem told him to and not for his own personal pleasure. In such a case one could say shehecheyanu despite the fact that the animal is in pain since that is what Hashem commanded us to do. May we be zocheh soon to bring korbanos and be required to say shehecheyanu for shechita in our lifetime.

Congestion pricing in Manhattan will continue through the fall under a deal made between the Trump administration and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, as revealed in newly filed court records. The fate of the initiative will then ultimately be determined by a federal judge.

This development follows a ride last week by US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Mayor Eric Adams on New York City’s subway, during which Duffy harshly criticized the MTA for what he called excessive expenditures.

The agreement outlined in the court documents establishes that the tolling equipment — including cameras and sensors — will remain operational through October, as detailed in a letter submitted to the judge overseeing the legal battle.

The congestion pricing initiative officially launched in January, but its future was cast into doubt when President Trump announced his intention to revoke federal approval in February, prompting a legal clash between the MTA and the federal government.

Last month, Duffy granted the state of New York an extension on the federal deadline to shut down the program. That extension paved the way for Friday’s agreement between both parties.

{Matzav.com}

The Trump administration is now permitted to proceed with deporting alleged Venezuelan gang members under the authority of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, following a Supreme Court ruling on Monday that overturned a lower court’s decision which had halted those deportations.

In a narrow 5-4 vote, the Supreme Court sided with the administration, stating that the government had a strong chance of ultimately prevailing in a legal challenge pending in a Washington, DC federal court regarding the expulsion of five Venezuelan nationals under the historic law.

“The detainees are confined in Texas, so venue is improper in the District of Columbia,” the majority opinion, issued by the court’s conservative bloc, stated.

The justices also concluded that individuals targeted for deportation under the Alien Enemies Act must receive timely notice and an opportunity to challenge their removal in a court that has jurisdiction before they are sent out of the country.

“For all the rhetoric of the dissents, today’s order and per curiam confirm that the detainees subject to removal orders under the AEA are entitled to notice and an opportunity to challenge their removal,” the court’s opinion continued. “The only question is which court will resolve that challenge.”

Chief Judge James Boasberg of the DC District Court had previously barred the Trump administration from enforcing the Alien Enemies Act last month, issuing a temporary restraining order that he later extended until April 12.

In response, the Trump administration submitted an urgent appeal to the Supreme Court on March 28 after a split decision from a three-judge panel on the DC Circuit Court of Appeals left Boasberg’s block in place while the legal battle continues.

President Trump used the Alien Enemies Act—dormant since World War II—for the first time in decades last month to fast-track the deportation of alleged members of the Tren de Aragua gang to a high-security prison in El Salvador.

Trump has characterized the gang as a dangerous incursion enabled by what he calls the Biden administration’s failure to control immigration and secure the southern border.

“The Supreme Court has upheld the Rule of Law in our Nation by allowing a President, whoever that may be, to be able to secure our Borders, and protect our families and our Country, itself,” Trump posted on Truth Social in reaction to the court’s decision.

“A GREAT DAY FOR JUSTICE IN AMERICA!” he added.

The court’s liberal wing cited the administration’s alleged attempts to ignore Boasberg’s initial restraining order by hastily flying out suspected gang members before the March 15 hearing that led to the temporary block as reason not to lift it.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor sharply criticized the majority, writing that their decision came “without mention of the grave harm Plaintiffs will face if they are erroneously removed to El Salvador or regard for the Government’s attempts to subvert the judicial process throughout this litigation.”

“Because the Court should not reward the Government’s efforts to erode the rule of law with discretionary equitable relief, I respectfully Dissent,” she wrote.

“Congress requires the President to ‘mak[e] public proclamation’ of his intention to invoke the Alien Enemies Act,” Sotomayor noted. “President Trump did just the opposite. In what can be understood only as covert preparation to skirt both the requirements of the Act and the Constitution’s guarantee of due process.”

“The Government’s plan, it appeared, was to rush plaintiffs out of the country before a court could decide whether the President’s invocation of the Alien Enemies Act was lawful or whether these individuals were, in fact, members of Tren de Aragua.”

Justice Amy Coney Barrett, appointed by Trump, agreed with some sections of Sotomayor’s dissent.

Reacting to the ruling, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that she, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and “Border Czar” Tom Homan would mobilize federal resources to find and expel any remaining Tren de Aragua affiliates.

“Tonight’s decision is a landmark victory for the rule of law,” Bondi said. “An activist judge in Washington, DC does not have the jurisdiction to seize control of President Trump’s authority to conduct foreign policy and keep the American people safe.”

“The Department of Justice will continue fighting in court to make America safe again.”

Secretary Noem issued a stern warning following the decision: “It is a bad day to be a terrorist and criminal alien in the United States of America,” calling the court’s action a “victory for commonsense security.”

“We will continue to enforce our immigration laws and restore sanity to our immigration system by using all appropriate authorities, including the Alien Enemies Act. Thank you President [Trump] for your leadership,” the DHS chief said.

The Trump administration has reportedly been transferring suspected gang members to El Salvador’s notorious CECOT prison, a facility infamous for its harsh conditions.

{Matzav.com}

Great excitement is sweeping through the Vizhnitzer kehillos as news spreads that the Vizhnitzer Rebbe of Bnei Brak, Rav Yisroel Hager, is expected to return to Eretz Yisroel this Thursday after spending over six weeks in Los Angeles undergoing medical treatment.

Sources within the chassidus convey that the Rebbe’s return, initially scheduled for earlier in the week, has been delayed by one day. B’ezras Hashem, the Rebbe is now slated to land in Eretz Yisroel on Thursday, the 12th of Nissan, depending on his health condition.

Current plans—though still subject to last-minute adjustments—indicate that the Rebbe will spend Pesach in the home of his father, the Yeshuos Moshe of Vizhnitz zt”l, located at 15 Rechov Ahavas Shalom in Kiryat Vizhnitz, Bnei Brak.

The Rebbe is expected to conduct the Seder in the presence of his extended family, including descendants of the Yeshuos Moshe zt”l.

During Chol HaMoed, and again on Shveii Shel Pesach, the Rebbe is anticipated to hold tishen for his chassidim who will be spending Yom Tov in Kiryat Vizhnitz.

As previously reported, the Rebbe has been in Los Angeles since the end of Shevat. Shortly after Purim, he underwent a complex medical procedure which, with Hashem’s help, was successful, paving the way for his return home.

All are asked to continue davening for the Rebbe’s full recovery His name is Rav Yisroel ben Leah Esther.

{Matzav.com}

At two major gatherings—one in Ashdod marking the start of bein hazmanim and another at the Ichud Bnei HaYeshivos Conference in Ashkelon—HaGaon Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, Rosh Yeshiva of Slabodka, addressed pressing issues facing Torah Jewry, including the complex and sensitive matter of yeshiva students’ status regarding military conscription.

Rav Hirsch called on bnei Torah to maintain the nobility and standards of the yeshiva world, especially during the bein hazmanim break. In his address, he offered a rare glimpse into the discreet, behind-the-scenes efforts led by roshei yeshiva and members of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah in dealing with the current crisis surrounding the draft.

“Sometimes the bochurim feel that things aren’t being addressed,” he said. “I can tell you, the matters are being handled properly by the roshei yeshiva and the Knesset members,” Rav Hirsch emphasized. “But the way to act is only through quiet. What is not done quietly is ineffective!”

Rav Hirsch stressed that loud, confrontational tactics would only backfire. “The path forward is not to provoke them unnecessarily. That too is harmful—it causes opposition. But we’re constantly working. Every rosh yeshiva is thinking, trying to prevent harm from coming to anyone. And if something, G-d forbid, happens, we act immediately to nullify it.

“We know that we are in a situation where they are fighting against us from every direction. They want to dismantle the yeshiva world, G-d forbid,” he said. “They don’t understand that their very existence—everything that exists in Eretz Yisroel, any group of Jews able to live here—is only because there is Torah in Eretz Yisroel!

“If, G-d forbid, there is no Torah in Eretz Yisroel, there is nothing! And they don’t realize that they are sawing off the very branch they sit on. They don’t understand. But we must remain strong. We know the truth!

“The only reason people are able to live as they do is because of Torah!” Rav Hirsch declared. “And yes, we will face difficult moments. But every yeshiva bochur should know: people are working for them. The roshei yeshiva, the Knesset members—they are doing everything possible on your behalf!”

Rav Hirsch also spoke at length about how bnei Torah should approach bein hazmanim. “My rebbi, Rav Aharon Kotler, once asked: how is bein hazmanim allowed? Isn’t it bitul Torah? And the answer was: the only reason it’s permitted is because it strengthens the next zman. So that’s how bein hazmanim must be used.”

He then defined what it means to be a ben Torah. “A ben Torah is someone who understands the purpose of life and lives according to that goal. That’s what Klal Yisroel meant when they said Na’aseh v’nishma. Like a sick person who follows instructions without question, knowing it’s for his survival, so too, when we understand that the ultimate purpose is Olam Haba, we’re ready to accept whatever it takes to reach it.”

“Someone once asked me: who qualifies as a ben Torah? Must one be in yeshiva? What about someone who works? I answered: of course he can be a ben Torah. Because a ben Torah is someone who lives with the awareness that his goal is deveikus baHashem. If he must work, then he works, but he always knows that the real goal is to be close to Hashem.”

He concluded with a strong plea to all bochurim: “Especially during bein hazmanim, it’s critically important not to fall from the level of a ben Torah. That level must remain at 100%. You can take a break from learning, but not from who you are. The menuchah should also be for the sake of that ultimate purpose.

“But someone who, G-d forbid, uses bein hazmanim as a time to break away—to dress differently, to act in ways not fitting for a ben Torah—that completely contradicts the entire concept of bein hazmanim.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

The United States Supreme Court has declined to take up a challenge to New York State’s 2022 firearm regulations, effectively allowing the laws to remain in place. The rules include tightened requirements for obtaining concealed-carry permits and bans on bringing firearms into locations such as public transportation, parks, and densely populated areas.

Without issuing any explanation, the justices dismissed the appeal brought by six New Yorkers who argued that the laws violate the Second Amendment and contradict recent Supreme Court decisions that expanded protections for gun ownership.

Under the contested law, those applying for concealed-carry licenses must demonstrate they possess “good moral character” and pose no threat to themselves or others. Applicants are required to submit character references, disclose cohabitants, complete 18 hours of in-person training, and participate in a face-to-face interview.

In addition, the legislation designates 20 types of “sensitive locations” where guns are not allowed. These include establishments that serve alcohol, medical centers, polling stations, and places where political demonstrations occur.

The new rules were passed shortly after the Supreme Court struck down New York’s previous concealed-carry licensing framework in 2022. That decision established a higher legal bar for justifying gun regulations. Following the ruling, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the majority of New York’s newly enacted restrictions.

The plaintiffs, led by Ivan Antonyuk, contended that the 2nd Circuit failed to adhere properly to the Supreme Court’s 2022 directive, which requires defenders of gun control laws to demonstrate a historical precedent for such measures. They insisted that the correct standard should be based on laws that were in place in 1791, the year the Constitution was ratified.

They also challenged the “good moral character” provision, arguing it grants licensing authorities excessive power to subjectively determine who can or cannot carry a firearm.

This is now the third time the Supreme Court has declined to review the case, leaving the lower court rulings—and New York’s stricter gun laws—intact.

{Matzav.com}

Once again, concern has gripped the Torah world with the news of a serious decline in the health of Rav Yehuda Ades, Rosh Yeshiva of Kol Yaakov and a senior member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Degel HaTorah.

Rav Ades was hospitalized this morning for the second time in a week.

The 87-year-old rosh yeshiva was rushed today to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Yerushalayim following a sharp deterioration in his condition caused by a severe case of pneumonia.

Doctors have described his condition as critical, and he is currently under intensive care and close supervision.

Mass tefillos were organized earlier this evening at the Kosel HaMaaravi in Yerushalayim and at the kever of the Chazon Ish in Bnei Brak.

Just last week, Rav Ades was hospitalized on Wednesday and was later released. Sadly, his condition has once again worsened significantly.

All are asked to daven for Rav Yehuda ben Chaya Esther.

{Matzav.com Israel}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.comreports the petirah of habochur Raphael Yechezkel (Chezki) Perkal z”l. He was 41 years old.

Chezki was the beloved son of Reb Chaim Perkal, founder and chairman of Magen Avraham and Aley Siach, organizations dedicated to children and adults with special needs. Through his life’s work, Reb Chaim established a powerful legacy of chessed in honor of his son and for the benefit of so many.

Born on the 11th of Adar I, in 1983, Chezki’s life was one of radiant light. Friends and family recall a young man with a heart full of joy, gratitude, and a remarkable sense of humor. His inner goodness shone brightly and left a deep impression on everyone he encountered.

About four years ago, Chezki was diagnosed with a serious illness. Yet, through the mercy of Hashem and the tefillos of countless people who cared for him, he experienced what his family called “four good years”—a Divine gift.

Last year, upon reaching the milestone age of forty, his family celebrated with a grand event. In a hall filled with music, simcha, and gratitude, they honored his life with a celebration that resembled a wedding. Chezki sat like a king, surrounded by those who loved him most.

The levayah is taking place tonight at Shamgar Funeral Home in Yerushalayim, passing the Gerrer Beis Medrash on Yirmiyahu Street, and proceeding to Har HaMenuchos for kevurah.

The family will sit shivah through Friday afternoon at the home of his parents at 12 Rechov Divrei Chaim in the Kiryat Sanz neighborhood of Yerushalayim.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

Richard Falk, the former United Nations Special Rapporteur on Palestinian affairs, stated that the brutal assault carried out by Hamas on October 7, 2023 — in which approximately 1,200 Israelis, the majority of them civilians, were murdered — was “long overdue” and “entirely justifiable,” even acknowledging that it may have included breaches of international law.

In an interview released by the Indian outlet Countercurrents, Falk said, “To the extent that there is real evidence of atrocities accompanying the October 7 attack, those would constitute violations, but the attack itself is something that, in context, appears entirely justifiable and long overdue.”

Falk claimed that Western countries and Israel have deliberately removed the context of the October 7 massacre in an effort to shape global perception. “One of the tactics used by the West and Israel has been to almost succeed in decontextualizing October 7 so that it appears to have come out of the blue,” he said, citing UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ controversial remark that the attack did not occur “in a vacuum.”

He also endorsed the opinion of Zhang Jun, China’s Ambassador to The Hague, who asserted that Palestinians possess the “inalienable right” to wage “armed struggle” against Israel. “Yes, I think that’s a correct understanding of international law—one that the West, by and large, doesn’t want to hear about,” Falk remarked in support of Zhang’s assertion.

Falk has a documented record of hostility toward Israel and has been repeatedly accused of antisemitism due to his radical views. In 2011, the Anti-Defamation League condemned him for publishing a cartoon on his personal blog that depicted a dog wearing a kippah urinating on Lady Justice and gnawing on blood-soaked bones. Even UN official Navi Pillay, a fierce critic of Israel herself, called the image “antisemitic and objectionable.”

Although Falk later issued an apology for the cartoon, he has continued to spark outrage through a series of inflammatory claims, including blaming Israel for the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing and participating in radio programs hosted by conspiracy theorists who deny the Holocaust and question the events of 9/11. He has persistently defended both the use of violence by Palestinians and the actions of the Hamas terrorist organization.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump welcomed the 2024 World Series-winning Los Angeles Dodgers to the White House on Monday, hosting the team for a special ceremony in the East Room.

Although their championship win came several months ago in a decisive five-game series against the New York Yankees, the Dodgers arrived in Washington to be honored for their remarkable season.

“Over the course of this amazing season, the members of this team gave us some of the most incredible performances ever seen on the baseball diamond,” Trump said.

Trump reserved particular acclaim for National League MVP Shohei Ohtani, who made baseball history by becoming the first player to rack up over 50 home runs and steal more than 50 bases in a single season, launching the exclusive “50-50 club.”

“Even more incredibly, Shohei clinched that achievement in what some have called the greatest game ever,” Trump noted.

“On September 19, 2024, he did the unthinkable by going six for six… against the Marlins with three homers, ten RBIs and a pair of stolen bases. Other than that, it was not a great game,” Trump joked.

Trump also took time to highlight Dodgers stars Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, while teasing the Boston Red Sox for parting ways with Betts, who’s now a key part of the Dodgers’ powerhouse roster alongside Freeman.

Veteran pitcher and likely Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw represented the team on the podium and handed the president a Dodgers jersey as a token of appreciation.

“This is an incredible honor for me to stand here today representing the Los Angeles Dodgers and this group of staff and players behind me today,” Kershaw said.

He paid tribute to the determination and unselfishness of his teammates during their championship run.

“The selflessness and humility that each one of these players and staff have shown over the last year is truly an inspiration,” Kershaw said. “They have constantly played hurt, switched positions, and taken the ball to put the team first.”

Following the ceremony, the team accompanied President Trump to the Oval Office for a more private visit.

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[COMMUNICATED]

As Pesach approaches, thousands of families in Eretz Yisrael are struggling to afford even the most basic necessities for Yom Tov. Kupat HaMarkazit, under the leadership of HaGaon HaRav Ezriel Auerbach, shlit”a, is their lifeline—ensuring they have food on their tables and dignity in their homes.

This is our opportunity to fulfill the time-honored tradition of Kimcha D’Pischa—giving to those in need so that they, too, can celebrate Pesach with joy.

Now is the time to act.

Open your heart. Give generously. Your tzedakah will ensure no Yiddishe home goes without matzah, wine, and the essentials for Pesach.

May all who are mishtatef in this heilige mitzvah be zocheh to shefa bracha v’hatzlacha and to be mekabel the Yom Tov b’simcha u’b’tuv leiv!

A Call from Gedolei HaTorah

In a powerful letter (TRANSLATION BELOW), the Roshei Yeshiva of Beis Medrash Govoha—HaRav Aryeh Malkiel Kotler, HaRav Yeruchem Olshin, HaRav Dovid Schustal, and HaRav Yisroel Neuman—along with HaRav Aharon Feldman and HaRav Elya Ber Wachtfogel, urge support for this vital cause:

B’siyata D’Shmaya – Erev Yom Tov Pesach 5785
We come with this beki’riya to our acheinu, in the matter of Kupas HaTzedakah HaMekubedes which operates under the nesiyus of the Gaon HaRav Ezriel Auerbach shlit”a, which stands to help and support families of simple people and those in need throughout Eretz Yisrael, and those who are literally in need of pas lechem mamash, through the distribution of food packages on erev hamo’adim and throughout the entire year.
And all this is done under the oversight of the gedolei haTorah v’haHora’ah shlit”a. We have seen through experience, over the years, the ability and strength of this organization in matters concerning Eretz Yisrael that are praiseworthy in both aid and success.
And especially the hiddur in fulfilling the mitzvas matanos l’evyonim on yom Purim through superior tzedakah, and likewise the minhag mekubbal of Kimcha D’Pischa before chag haPesach.
And all the donors and supporters should be zocheh to beracha v’hatzlacha in all matters, and may their voice be heard for the good in all inyanim.
Aryeh Malkiel Kotler, Yeruchem Olshin, Dovid Schustal, Yisroel Neuman
Elya Ber Wachtfogel, Aharon Feldman

President Trump rejected a proposal put forth by the European Union on Monday that aimed to eliminate tariffs on industrial goods on both sides, dismissing the offer as insufficient to warrant lifting the current 20% import duties.

“The EU has been very tough over the years,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office when asked about the proposal. “It was formed to really do damage to the United States in trade.”

“They don’t take our cars, like Japan in that sense. They don’t take our agricultural product; they don’t take anything practically,” he continued.

Highlighting the imbalance in trade, Trump stated, “We have a [trade] deficit with the European Union of $350 billion — and it’s going to disappear fast,” adding that a key way to address the disparity would be for the EU to start purchasing American energy exports. “And one of the ways that that can disappear easily and quickly is they’re going to have to buy our energy from us.”

In response to a question about whether the sweeping global tariffs introduced on Saturday were meant as a strategic move to invite future discussions, Trump was clear in his position: “We’re not looking at that.”

Explaining his broader approach to trade, Trump said, “We have very many countries that are coming to negotiate deals with us. And they’re going to be fair deals,” emphasizing that some nations would face “substantial tariffs” as part of those agreements.

“This is America First,” he declared. “There can be permanent tariffs, and there can also be negotiations.”

Trump argued that this moment represents a rare opportunity to fundamentally change the terms of global trade in America’s favor. “It’s the only chance that we will have to reset the table,” he said, citing the closure of 90,000 American manufacturing plants since the implementation of NAFTA in 1994.

European leaders had earlier in the day detailed their own initial offer to ease trade tensions by proposing to scrap tariffs on various industrial goods, including items like plastics, rubber, cars, machinery, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals.

“We have offered zero-for-zero tariffs for industrial goods as we have successfully done with many other trading partners,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

“Because Europe is always ready for a good deal. So we keep it on the table,” she added during a joint press appearance with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

“We stand ready to negotiate with the US,” von der Leyen affirmed. “We are also prepared to respond through countermeasures and defend our interests.”

EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič of Slovakia noted that the idea of zero tariffs on industrial products had already been floated to U.S. officials, including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, back on February 19.

“Right now we are in the early stages of discussions, because the US views tariffs not as a tactical step, but as a corrective measure,” Šefčovič said Monday.

Despite efforts at diplomacy, European officials have not dismissed the possibility of retaliatory actions in response to Trump’s previously enacted 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum.

Since Trump’s “Liberation Day” announcement on April 2, which unveiled a new 10% global tariff base rate and set the stage for higher duties starting April 9, markets worldwide have experienced a steep decline.

Trump, 78, also enacted a 25% tariff on all foreign-made vehicles entering the United States.

While the EU’s average tariff on agricultural goods from outside the U.S. stands at just 1.6%, American-made cars face a 10% duty when exported to Europe.

The STOXX Europe 600 index opened with a sharp 6% drop on Monday but regained some ground to end the day down just 2.9%, helped in part by von der Leyen’s conciliatory remarks.

Over the weekend, Department of Government Efficiency head Elon Musk expressed cautious optimism that trade talks could lead to a better outcome. “I hope that the United States and Europe can establish a very close partnership,” said the Tesla and SpaceX CEO, “effectively creating a free-trade zone between Europe and North America.”

Such a deal was close to fruition during President Obama’s second term, but negotiations were derailed after Greenpeace leaked sensitive documents, sparking a wave of public resistance.

Further complications arose from fundamental disagreements over food safety standards between the two sides.

Talks for the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership formally collapsed during Trump’s first term in 2019.

{Matzav.com}

A newly released medical assessment from the Health Team of the Hostages and Missing Families Forum paints a devastating picture of the health crisis facing the 24 Israeli hostages who remain in Hamas captivity in Gaza, a year and a half after their abduction. The findings indicate a steep decline in both physical well-being and mental stability.

Compiled using accounts from recently freed hostages, publicly released Hamas footage, and input from family members, the report details severe hunger, lack of medical treatment for injuries, and ongoing psychological torment suffered by the captives.

Of the 24 hostages confirmed to still be alive, signs of life have been received from 20. The report states that at least eight individuals are struggling with serious wounds, and five are afflicted by chronic medical conditions or dangerous allergies. Most of them are being held in underground bunkers that lack sunlight, ventilation, or even the most basic human necessities.

“This is a preventable death—one that could be avoided through medical and psychological care, and their immediate release from captivity,” the report states bluntly.

Professor Hagai Levine, who leads the Health Team, issued a dire warning: “When examining the health of all the hostages together, a horrifying picture of life in hell is revealed. All of the hostages are subjected to inhumane physical and psychological torture and are at risk of death. Every one of them is a humanitarian case and must be rescued urgently.”

The report’s other major conclusions include:

• Severe physical decline in all hostages, including drastic weight loss, fatigue, muscle wasting, skin conditions, and digestive complications

• Around one-third are living with untreated injuries such as burns, shrapnel wounds, broken bones, or nerve trauma

• Several captives are dealing with unmanaged chronic illnesses like asthma, digestive disorders, and serious allergies

• Psychological trauma is widespread, with symptoms of depression, intense anxiety, emotional collapse, and hopelessness

• Many are enduring isolation, ongoing sleep deprivation, and deliberate humiliation

• Living conditions in the tunnels are described as suffocating, with stifling heat or cold, poor airflow, and unsanitary surroundings

{Matzav.com}

In a dramatic turn of events, President Donald Trump revealed today that the United States would begin high-level, direct negotiations with Iran regarding its nuclear program. The announcement came during his Oval Office meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu.

“We’re having direct talks with Iran, and they’ve started,” Trump said to the press on Monday, following a meeting that was initially expected to center on Israel’s request for relief from new U.S. trade tariffs.

“Maybe a deal’s going to be made, that would be great. We are meeting very importantly on Saturday, at almost the highest level,” he added, surprising many with the timing and nature of the disclosure.

Trump’s declaration came just one day after Iranian officials publicly dismissed the idea of entering direct talks with the United States about their nuclear program, labeling such efforts as futile.

The president withdrew the U.S. from the 2015 nuclear deal during his first term in office in 2018, and speculation has continued ever since about whether Israel, with or without American involvement, would consider striking Iranian nuclear sites if no diplomatic resolution is reached.

“Everybody agrees that doing a deal would be preferable to doing the obvious — and the obvious is not something that I want to be involved with, or frankly, that Israel wants to be involved with, if they can avoid it,” Trump stated.

The announcement coincided with Netanyahu’s visit to Washington, where he became the first foreign leader to personally ask Trump to reconsider the newly imposed tariffs that have rattled international trade markets.

Netanyahu promised to reduce the trade imbalance between the U.S. and Israel and said he would work to eliminate remaining trade barriers. Ahead of the meeting, Israel had already taken steps to remove its final tariffs on American goods.

He noted that he believed Israel could serve “as a model for many countries” in how to approach and resolve tariff disputes diplomatically.

The two leaders also addressed the worsening situation in Gaza, where a short-lived truce between Israel and Hamas, facilitated by the United States, had recently fallen apart.

Netanyahu told reporters that efforts were underway to reach a new agreement focused on freeing hostages from the conflict zone. “We’re working now on another deal that we hope will succeed, and we’re committed to getting all the hostages out,” he said.

Trump reiterated his intention for the United States to play a central role in managing the future of Gaza, calling it a “great piece of real estate,” a vision he first outlined during Netanyahu’s previous visit in February.

Earlier that day, Trump greeted Netanyahu outside the West Wing, pumping his fist as the two leaders—both dressed in matching dark suits, white shirts, and red ties—headed into the Oval Office.

Although a full press conference had been scheduled, it was abruptly canceled without explanation. However, both leaders held a detailed conversation with a smaller group of pool reporters.

This marked Netanyahu’s second visit to the White House since Trump returned to office. It came just days after Trump announced a 17 percent tariff on Israeli imports as part of his “Liberation Day” declaration, a move that shocked some observers.

Despite Israel being the leading recipient of U.S. military aid, Trump declined to make an exception for the country, citing America’s trade imbalance with Israel.

Upon arriving in the U.S., Netanyahu met with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Sunday evening. The following day, he held discussions with Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff.

{Matzav.com}

Israel officially acknowledged that it had received a proposal from Egypt aimed at brokering a compromise for a potential hostage release agreement. However, an Israeli official clarified that the country would not accept the terms, citing Egypt’s condition that Israel agree to a permanent ceasefire and withdraw all IDF troops from the Gaza Strip.

According to a report in the Saudi outlet Asharq Al-Awsat, an Egyptian official said the proposal had been shown to Hamas leaders. It outlined a plan under which roughly eight Israeli hostages would be freed in return for a ceasefire that would span anywhere from 40 to 70 days.

Hamas, however, demanded assurances that Israel would uphold the ceasefire even after the hostages were released. To address this, Egypt’s plan included a clause that the hostages would be released in a staggered fashion throughout one week, rather than all at once.

As part of the deal, Israel would agree to halt military operations against Hamas and allow humanitarian aid to flow back into Gaza. The agreement would also include the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the Israeli hostages. In parallel, further talks would resume regarding the second and third phases of a broader agreement reached in January.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Netanyahu met with Steve Witkoff, a Trump administration Middle East envoy. Following the meeting, a source close to Netanyahu remarked, “there are movements in Hamas and tonight’s meeting is critical. There is full coordination between Israel and the US. An effort is being made to release as many hostages as possible in the near future, and the message coordinated with Trump is always of decisive significance, and in these moments in particular.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

After a meeting with former President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu spoke to journalists and revealed that Israel had been actively pursuing a new agreement involving a hostage release and a ceasefire in Gaza. He expressed hope that the negotiations would prove successful.

Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s dual objectives: securing the freedom of all remaining hostages and removing Hamas from power in Gaza. “We’re working now on another deal that we hope will succeed, and we’re committed to getting all the hostages out,” Netanyahu stated during his remarks in the Oval Office.

He acknowledged the suffering endured by those still in captivity, saying, “The hostages are in agony, and we want to get them all out.”

Netanyahu also shared that he and Trump had discussed the American president’s proposed initiative to relocate displaced Gazans during the region’s reconstruction, calling the plan a “bold” vision.

Trump commented on the state of the conflict, predicting that the fighting in Gaza would not continue indefinitely. “I’d like to see the war stop, and I think the war will stop at some point that won’t be in the too distant future. Right now, we have a problem with hostages. We’re trying to get the hostages out…. It’s a long process. It shouldn’t be that long.”

He commended Netanyahu’s commitment to the hostage crisis and expressed hope that the Israeli public recognized his dedication. “We are trying very hard to get the hostages out. We are looking at another ceasefire; we’ll see what happens. We want to get the hostages out.”

Trump continued, “The Israeli people want the hostages out. More than anything, they want the hostages out. This man is working very hard with us to do that. I don’t know, I hope he’s being appreciated because he’s been a great leader. He’s working very, very hard on the hostages and many other things… It’s a tough place in the world.”

Netanyahu responded by saying, “I have a good partner.”

To which Trump replied, “You do have a good partner, and so do we.”

{Matzav.com}

During their meeting this afternoon at the Oval Office, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu once again expressed strong support for former U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed initiative to relocate Gazans during the rebuilding phase of the territory.

Netanyahu emphasized that civilians in Gaza were being “locked” inside the war-torn enclave and prevented from leaving, even as violence continued to rage. “We didn’t lock them in,” he said.

“We are not holding them in,” he reiterated, stressing that Israel was not the party restricting the movement of Gazan civilians.

He drew comparisons to other war-torn regions, such as Ukraine and Syria, where populations were able to escape the fighting and seek refuge elsewhere.

Netanyahu mentioned that constructive conversations were underway with various countries interested in accepting Gazans, although he chose not to disclose which nations were involved in the discussions.

Trump, for his part, highlighted the importance of making Gaza a secure area for its residents. “It’s so important that Gaza is a ‘safe field’ for Palestinian residents,” he said.

He added that his plan for Gaza had gained widespread approval. “People like the vision he set out in his Gaza plan,” Trump remarked, though he noted, “there are other concepts too.”

Reflecting on Israel’s 2005 disengagement from Gaza, Trump criticized the decision. “Gaza should never have been given away by Israel, I don’t know why they did it,” he said.

“I do know, because they were promised peace, but that did not work out,” he continued. “Gaza is a dangerous death trap.”

{Matzav.com}

Louisiana State Representative Michael Bayham spent Monday in the Binyamin region as part of his trip to Israel, highlighting the strengthening bond between the Binyamin Regional Council and American officials. This visit comes as a result of the relationships fostered by Yisrael Ganz, Governor of the Binyamin Regional Council, with U.S. political figures.

Governor Ganz was hosted in the United States last year by Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, State Treasurer John Fleming, and Representative Bayham. During that trip, Ganz extended an invitation to visit Israel, which Bayham has now accepted. Throughout his stay, Bayham was briefed on the challenges the region faces and was shown the tremendous progress that has taken place in recent years. He expressed admiration for the community expansion and infrastructure improvements he witnessed.

A firm advocate for Israel, Bayham has played a key role in promoting pro-Israel legislation in his home state over the past year. Notably, in June 2024, he led efforts to pass significant resolutions in support of Israel and the Jewish population in Louisiana. Among them was a resolution expressing solidarity with Israel in the wake of the October 7 terror attack, affirming Israel’s right to defend itself, and calling for the immediate release of hostages. Another resolution denounced antisemitism on college campuses across Louisiana and reaffirmed the state’s pledge to fight against hatred toward Jews.

During his trip, Bayham presented Governor Ganz with physical copies of the Louisiana House of Representatives’ resolutions and reiterated his dedication to supporting the residents of Judea and Samaria and advocating for the application of Israeli sovereignty in the region. “I believe Israel has the right to live in the heart of the Biblical homeland, in Judea and Samaria,” said Bayham during the visit. He elaborated on the complex legal situation in those areas: “Judea and Samaria are still governed by Jordanian law and, in some cases, even Ottoman law — which creates legal gray areas and a lack of proper governance,” Bayham explained. He noted that this scenario is difficult for Americans to comprehend. “It would be like if Mississippi had applied Spanish rule to certain communities, or if Louisiana had applied French rule to certain communities,” he said. “There’s a duality in Israel that many back home simply don’t understand — it’s almost incomprehensible.” Bayham expressed his hope that extending Israeli sovereignty would help improve conditions for everyone living in the region. “It will lead to the development of roads and infrastructure that serve the entire population. Louisiana stands with Israel during this complex time.”

Governor Ganz expressed his gratitude for Bayham’s unwavering support. “True friends like Mike Bayham are a valuable asset to the State of Israel. They bring the truth about Israel to the United States and strengthen the bond between our two countries.”

To round out the visit, Bayham toured Ancient Shiloh, a significant heritage site, where he was guided by Eliana Passentin, Director of the International Desk at the Binyamin Regional Council.

{Matzav.com Israel}