Matzav

Israeli media reported Monday that a recent phone call between Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu and President Donald Trump turned contentious, challenging earlier reports that suggested the two leaders were aligned on their strategy to stop Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

Channel 12 News revealed that the call was filled with tension, with Trump reportedly saying to Netanyahu: “I want a diplomatic solution with the Iranians. I believe in my ability to make a good deal.” According to the report, Trump also stressed his preference for a negotiated agreement that would work for both parties.

This characterization of the discussion stood in stark contrast to public statements claiming the two leaders had concluded the call with a shared perspective.

The Prime Minister’s Office quickly pushed back against the report, telling the network that Netanyahu had not engaged in “a tense conversation” with Trump.

Following the call, Netanyahu’s office released a statement claiming that both he and Trump “agreed on the need to ensure that Iran does not obtain nuclear weapons.”

Trump, meanwhile, has expressed optimism over the ongoing talks between Washington and Tehran, saying on Sunday that “real progress” was being made and hinting that “good news” might be forthcoming. However, Iran’s foreign ministry responded Monday by stating that no date had been fixed for further negotiations, and reiterated that Iran would not agree to temporarily stop uranium enrichment, a key demand from the U.S.

News of the friction between Netanyahu and Trump broke shortly after U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, while visiting Israel, gave an interview to Fox News detailing her recent discussions in Yerushalayim. “President Trump specifically sent me here to speak with the prime minister about how negotiations are going and how important it is that we stay united and let this process play out,” she said.

Noem, who previously served as governor of South Dakota and is a close ally of Trump, described her meeting with Netanyahu as “very candid.” When asked to elaborate, she declined to disclose the details of Trump’s private message, but noted that Netanyahu’s aides later told her they “don’t remember a bilateral meeting that was quite that candid and direct.”

She said she conveyed to Netanyahu “how we really felt about the importance of Israel, our support for Israel, but this negotiation is critically important too.”

“We are on a short timeframe here. We aren’t talking weeks or months or years before President Trump will make a decision on what’s going to happen with Iran. [The Iranians] have been given a very short time frame, a matter of days, and I asked the prime minister to work with President Trump to make sure we’re making wise decisions together,” Noem continued.

When asked if she thought Israel had paused plans for a military strike against Iran—plans widely believed to be under consideration—Noem was direct in her response. “The president will never accept a nuclear capable Iran. He will never accept them having nuclear weapons and building the capacity to that,” she said. “The intelligence information that Israel has and shares with the United States, and which we also have, and are using for those conversations, is critically important. I think the message to the American people is is that we have a president who wants peace, but who will not tolerate a nuclear Iran capability in the future.”

“But he wants this prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to be on the same page with him.”

Asked what Israel’s position is regarding Iran, Noem said both Netanyahu and the Trump administration remain skeptical of Tehran’s intentions.

“I don’t blame him one bit. His people have been devastated by their horrific violence,” she said, referring to Iranian and proxy attacks on Israel. “But [Netanyahu] also needs America, and he knows he needs America, and needs our president to be his ally and to work together. We are stronger when are united, and that is something that we will deal with together, but this conversation needs to be honest, frank, but we need to go forward recognizing that Iran will never have the capability to produce nuclear weapons.”

A prior statement issued by Netanyahu’s office following his meeting with Noem stated that she had “expressed unwavering support for the prime minister and the State of Israel,” but did not include any reference to Iran or the nuclear discussions.

{Matzav.com}

Air France will resume its daily service to Tel Aviv starting Tuesday, even as other major airlines continue to suspend flights to Israel due to ongoing regional instability.

The French national airline announced that it will restart non-stop flights to and from Tel Aviv on May 27, operating with a Boeing 777-300. This marks a full return to routine operations after flights were paused amid heightened geopolitical tensions.

In a statement, Air France reiterated its focus on safety, explaining that it is “constantly monitoring developments in the geopolitical situation in the region to ensure the highest level of flight safety and security.”

Alon Netah, who oversees Air France operations in Israel, expressed optimism over the return of the airline’s service.

“We are happy and excited to resume regular Air France flight services on the route to Israel,” said Netah. He highlighted that Israeli travelers will now once again have access to Air France’s global network via Charles de Gaulle Airport, “just in time for the holiday of Shavuot.”

While Air France prepares to re-enter the Israeli market, many other global carriers are maintaining their flight suspensions.

The Lufthansa Group—which includes Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Eurowings—has extended its halt of all Tel Aviv flights through June 15.

“Following a situation assessment, the Lufthansa Group is extending the suspension of all its flights to and from Tel Aviv,” a company spokesperson said Monday. The group had originally stopped operations earlier this month in response to a missile strike by the Houthis. Impacted customers are being offered free ticket changes or cancellations.

Italy’s ITA Airways is also keeping its flights grounded until at least June 15, while Iberia Express from Spain has pushed its suspension through June 7.

Numerous other international carriers have not yet announced when they intend to restart their Israel-bound routes, having ceased flights in the wake of the Houthi missile incident near Ben Gurion Airport.

British Airways, in a recent update on Friday, said it is halting all flights to Israel until at least August 1, pointing to “security concerns” due to continued unrest in the region.

Ryanair, a major European budget airline, stated that it will not fly to Israel before June 4. Its CEO, Michael O’Leary, voiced his frustration with the ongoing volatility.
“If these security disruptions continue, frankly, we’d be better off sending our aircraft elsewhere in Europe,” O’Leary said last week.

{Matzav.com}

Interacting with digital devices appears to significantly lower the chances of cognitive decline in adults who are middle-aged or older, with a 58 percent reduction in risk, according to findings published in Nature Human Behavior.

In their work, researchers combed through 57 separate studies to assess whether long-term exposure to modern technology has helped or hindered mental functioning in adults who grew up during the digital age. These studies tracked data from more than 411,000 participants, most of whom were around 69 years old.

The researchers concluded that technology may actually help safeguard cognitive abilities rather than impair them. “There was no credible evidence from the longitudinal studies, or the meta-analysis as a whole, for widespread digital ‘brain drain’ or ‘digital dementia’ as a result of general, natural uses of digital technology,” wrote Jared Benge, a clinical neuropsychologist at the University of Texas at Austin’s Dell Medical School, and Michael Scullin, an associate professor of psychology and neuroscience at Baylor University.

The study pointed to a few explanations for this effect. For one, keeping up with rapidly changing technology may provide valuable mental exercise. Additionally, digital tools can enhance social connectivity, which has been linked to better brain health among seniors.

In a statement released by Baylor University, Scullin encouraged families to help their older relatives become more comfortable with using devices. “If you have a parent or grandparent who’s just staying away from technology, maybe revisit that. Could they learn to use photo, messaging, or calendar apps on a smartphone or tablet?”

{Matzav.com}

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The Israeli military reported early Tuesday morning, just before 5:00 a.m., that a projectile had been detected coming from Yemen, aimed at Israel.

The IDF noted that its Air Force defense units were actively engaged in attempting to neutralize the incoming missile.

Not long after the initial detection, warning sirens began sounding across communities in the Jordan Valley and areas within Samaria.

Following the incident, the IDF released a statement confirming that the missile originating from Yemen had been shot down successfully. The military added that the sirens were activated in accordance with standard operating procedures.

Magen David Adom announced that, as of this time, no emergency calls had been placed to their 101 hotline concerning injuries or damage.

This event comes just two days after a similar occurrence on Sunday, when a missile launched from Yemen set off alerts across multiple regions, including Yerushalayim, Gush Etzion, the Judean Hills, areas bordering the Judean Desert, and the city of Arad.

The military later verified that Sunday’s missile had also been intercepted before it could cause harm.

{Matzav.com Israel}

The Social Security Administration has officially removed 12.3 million people from its database who were recorded as being 120 years old or older, according to information released by the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

The discovery of enormous inconsistencies in age records—particularly those showing individuals at implausibly advanced ages—has sparked widespread concern and discussion across the nation in recent months.

In response, DOGE began publicly reporting on Social Security’s large-scale data correction initiative in March. In a report dated March 18, DOGE stated that 3.2 million people with Social Security numbers who were listed as 120 or older had been newly classified as deceased. The agency cautioned, however, that the effort was ongoing.

A subsequent report released on April 24 brought even more striking news: the number of deceased individuals listed at 120 years or older had surged to 11 million.

The most recent figures, shared just last week, indicate that 12.3 million individuals once shown as 120 or older have now been officially removed from active status in the Social Security system.

“Some complex cases remain, such as individuals with 2+ different birth dates on file. These will be investigated in a follow-up effort,” DOGE added.

This effort is unfolding alongside additional warnings raised by DOGE’s high-profile leader, Elon Musk, who drew attention in March by asserting that 2.1 million non-citizens had been issued Social Security numbers during the year 2024.

As for how that could occur, Anthony Gracias—Chief Executive Officer of Valor Equity Partners and a colleague of Musk’s in the Social Security review effort—told Breitbart News that it stemmed from a prior administration’s approach, which permitted migrants to enter the U.S. and subsequently sign up for Social Security benefits.

As of now, the DOGE website reports that its broad-scale efficiency measures have resulted in $170 billion in total savings.

On Monday night, Yeshiva Mercaz HaRav hosted a major celebration in Yerushalayim marking 58 years since the city’s liberation and reunification during the Six Day War.

Rav Yaakov Shapira, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivat Mercaz HaRav, was among the figures at the event, along with Yerushalayim Mayor Moshe Lion. Joining them were rabbanim, dayanim, government officials, and thousands of participants from all over the country. The evening featured addresses from city rabbanim, the chief rabbanim, Rav Shapira, Mayor Lion, and various public leaders.

During his remarks at the event, Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu outlined the core objectives of Israel’s ongoing military efforts. “Our goal is to achieve a complete victory over our enemies; to bring back our brothers and sisters, the hostages; to topple Hamas’s rule; and to ensure that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel.”

Describing the ongoing conflict, Netanyahu referred to it as “the war of resurgence on seven fronts,” and declared: “This is a war of good against evil… a war for spirit, for values, for meaning, for the righteousness of our path, for Yerushalayim!”

The Prime Minister stressed how deeply Israel’s adversaries value Yerushalayim, noting, “In every house in Gaza, our soldiers saw pictures of Yerushalayim. They understood all the more that the goal of those who seek our lives is to dispossess us from the inheritance of our forefathers. We, of course, will not let that happen!”

He went on to link the vision of Rav Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook with the ideological foundations laid by Ze’ev Jabotinsky and his own grandfather, Rav Nosson Mileikowsky. “My esteemed friends, looking back, the close ties forged between Rav Kook and Rav Mileikowsky—and Jabotinsky—these ties foreshadowed the long-standing connection between Religious Zionism and my movement (the Likud movement). Together we want to do great things for the benefit of the entire people of Israel.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

A school bus driver working for a Brooklyn charter school has been suspended after allegedly pulling over during a morning route to deliver a religious tirade, during which he targeted Jewish students and accused Jews of killing Yoshka, the NY Post reports. The shocking incident caused one Jewish child to break down in tears, according to accounts from parents.

According to a parent of one of the children on board, the driver veered off his route while en route to Brooklyn Prospect International Elementary Charter School and began preaching to the students about Yoshka and his personal religious views. The group of passengers included several Jewish students.

“The only one who can deliver you isn’t religion, it’s [Yoshka],” the driver reportedly declared, directing his message at the young passengers, many of whom were bewildered and frightened.

When one child asked whether Yoshka had been Jewish, the driver allegedly repeated an age-old accusation blaming Jews for Yoshka’s death—an inflammatory claim that has been widely denounced as antisemitic.

“Yes, he was a Jew and basically Jews — his own kind — killed him,” the driver told students, the parent claimed. They basically killed him because he said he was the son of God … These were religious leaders who killed him.”

The false narrative that Jews were responsible for Yoshka’s death has been explicitly repudiated by the Catholic Church. As the Anti-Defamation League notes, the Vatican’s declaration on interfaith relations clearly states that the blame for Yoshka’s crucifixion “cannot be charged against all the Jews, without distinction, then alive, nor against the Jews of today.”

While the bus ride should have been routine, some students began texting their parents about the disturbing remarks in real time. One Jewish child became so upset that they broke down crying, according to a parent’s account.

At one point during the ordeal, the driver allegedly distributed white hats that read “I Am With You Always,” featuring a black cross between the words. He also asked students to join him in reciting a religious prayer, the parent said.

“What pissed me off is the kids were late to school,” the parent told The NY Post. “The driver definitely held the kids captive.”

The school confirmed that students arrived nearly 30 minutes behind schedule. In a letter to parents sent out Friday, school officials acknowledged that the bus driver “stopped the bus for a period of time to make religious remarks and distribute religious merchandise to students,” though they did not elaborate on the exact content of his speech.

Administrators reported the incident to the driver’s employer, Jofaz Transportation, and formally requested that the driver be replaced.

According to a parent, the driver continued to press his beliefs, telling the students Yoshka had died for their sins and saying things like, “If we believe in him, we will be saved,” and “The only one who can free you all is [Yoshka].”

He reportedly also spoke about the afterlife, criticized atheism, and mocked scientific theories such as the Big Bang.

“Well, who created the ‘Big Bang’?” the driver allegedly challenged the students.
“They ain’t going to be able to answer you. They’re going to get stuck.”

Although charter schools like Brooklyn Prospect are independently operated, they are publicly funded, and their student transportation is arranged by companies contracted through the NYC Department of Education. Officials confirmed that Jofaz Transportation holds such a contract. However, the driver involved in this case will no longer be transporting students while the company investigates the incident.

{Matzav.com}

On the eve of Chag HaShavuos, Rav Dov Landau issued an urgent and strongly worded letter to bnei yeshiva, addressing their role at this critical juncture and warning of government threats to conscript lomdei Torah.

With the state dragging its feet on passing a draft deferment law, Rav Landau expressed grave concern over attempts to forcibly draft yeshiva students — and threatened consequences should such efforts proceed.

“If they force yeshiva students to enlist,” Rav Landau wrote, “we will be compelled to take actions that we do not wish to take.”

In his letter, the rosh yeshiva calls on bnei yeshiva and avreichim to remain steadfast in their mission and to prepare spiritually as Shavuos approaches. He laments the prolonged uncertainty and political gamesmanship surrounding the draft law, which has left the legal status of lomdei Torah in limbo for over a year.

“Everyone knows,” Rav Landau writes, “that for over a year we’ve been living through a period of great confusion. The longstanding legal status of Torah learners with regard to military conscription has yet to be restored, and many in government are openly plotting to draft Torah scholars into the army. Time drags on, and unfortunately, the situation remains unresolved.”

He continues with a sobering warning: “If, Heaven forbid, forced conscription begins, we cannot stand idly by. We will be compelled to act in ways we do not wish to act. We are united in our resolve that not a single yeshiva student, G-d forbid, should be drafted.”

Rav Landau also calls on bnei Torah to use the approach of Shavuos as an opportunity to strengthen their commitment to Torah and personal refinement.

“As we approach Chag Matan Torah, we must strengthen one another — and our families — with the knowledge that our task is solely to learn Torah. There is no greater or more glorious mission in all of creation. Let us also grow in love for our fellow man and in tikkun hamiddos. How fortunate we are to have our portion in His Torah and to be sanctified with His mitzvos.”

He concludes: “May it be the will of Hashem that we rejoice in His Torah and that this Sefer Torah shall never depart from our mouths or from the mouths of our children forevermore.”

The letter is signed, “With great sorrow and immense hope, Dov Landau.”

Meanwhile, Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara announced earlier today that the legal groundwork has been laid for imposing personal sanctions on yeshiva students who receive draft notices and fail to enlist. In a speech delivered at the Israel Bar Association conference in Eilat, Baharav-Miara stated that draft orders would soon be issued to tens of thousands of chareidi young men — effectively to all eligible candidates for service.

“Given the ongoing war, the IDF must expand significantly,” she said. “Every regular soldier equals several reservists in terms of the burden. The math is simple: drafting those who are currently avoiding service will reduce the burden on reservists. The Security Service Law mandates equal and universal service. The draft law that some are referencing has not yet been passed — it is not a working plan and does not exempt anyone from service.”

Baharav-Miara went even further, saying, “The current situation, where an entire sector is largely exempt from service while others bear the full burden of war, gravely undermines the principle of equality before the law and erodes the public’s sense of justice.”

She called for an aggressive increase in the issuance of draft notices and for the use of military enforcement tools against draft evaders. “In our discussions, we reviewed the low enlistment numbers among yeshiva students. A key to expanding the military’s ranks is enhanced enforcement — and that means all sectors, not just yeshiva students.”

Baharav-Miara clarified that these measures do not require further investigation and criticized the government for delaying enforcement, even though national security demands it. She stressed the importance of individual-level consequences to ensure effectiveness, saying, “The penalties must be personal — impacting individuals in real ways, such as at the airport, in their bank accounts, and in their ability to use vehicles.”

“General sanctions are not seen as effective,” she added. “From a legal perspective, the first step is a significant expansion in the number of draft orders — to cover the entire eligible population. The expectation is that, in the upcoming draft cycle, the army will issue notices to all relevant individuals.”

{Matzav.com}

A recent uptick in COVID-19 cases among international travelers arriving in the United States has been linked to a newly emerging variant of the virus that’s fueling a spike in infections across parts of Asia. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s airport screening initiative, individuals landing in California, Virginia, Washington, and the New York City area have tested positive for the NB.1.8.1 variant.

CBS News reported Friday that these findings come from genomic data uploaded by Ginkgo Bioworks, the CDC’s partner in airport surveillance testing. The NB.1.8.1 variant is believed to be responsible for a significant wave of infections currently spreading through China.

Between April 22 and May 12, travelers arriving from a wide range of countries—including China, Taiwan, Japan, France, South Korea, Thailand, the Netherlands, Spain, and Vietnam—tested positive for the strain, based on sequencing results shared on GISAID, the international virus database.

In addition to the airport screening cases, state health departments in Ohio, Rhode Island, and Hawaii have also independently identified instances of the variant within their communities.

The earliest detections of NB.1.8.1 in the U.S. were in California and Washington, with samples dating back to late March and early April.

The emergence of this strain coincides with recent announcements by senior Food and Drug Administration officials who outlined new guidelines for annual COVID vaccinations. The agency will no longer routinely authorize these vaccines for healthy individuals aged 64 and under or for children.

Back in Asia, the NB.1.8.1 variant is driving a marked increase in COVID activity. Hong Kong health authorities report that virus transmission has reached its highest point in over a year, with emergency rooms and hospitals seeing a sharp rise in patients. However, officials noted there is no current evidence that the new variant causes more severe illness.

In Taiwan, public health officials are seeing a parallel increase in COVID-related deaths and emergency room cases, prompting the government to build reserves of vaccines and antiviral treatments in anticipation of greater demand.

Chinese scientists have found that NB.1.8.1 may have an enhanced ability to bind to human cells, which could account for its apparent high transmissibility.

Meanwhile, both Pfizer and Moderna have presented initial findings to the FDA suggesting this year’s COVID shot be reformulated to target a descendant of the JN.1 lineage, which has dominated recent infection patterns and may offer protection against NB.1.8.1 as well.

The FDA’s advisory panel supported the move to target a JN.1-based strain, though opinions varied. Some panel members preferred allowing manufacturers to continue using last season’s version, while others backed the newer prototype vaccines developed by Pfizer and Moderna.

“Although one can’t predict evolution, and you don’t know how this is going to keep diversifying, the overwhelming odds are that what does come and predominate in the next few months, the next six months, next year will come from something that’s circulating now. It won’t come from something that doesn’t exist any longer,” said Jerry Weir, who leads the FDA’s division of viral products.

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the passing of the longtime spiritual leader of the Johannesburg, South Africa Sephardic kehillah, Rav Aviyahu Levy zt”l, at the age of 80, after a period of illness.

Rav Levy was born and raised in the Musrara neighborhood of Yerushalayim. A close disciple of Chacham Yehuda Tzadkah zt”l, the rosh yeshiva of Porat Yosef, Rabbi Levy received semichah at a young age and was also deeply connected to the Baba Sali zt”l.

Fifty years ago, he traveled to Johannesburg on a mission to strengthen Torah life and was appointed as the city’s Sephardic rabbi. At the time, Johannesburg’s Jewish landscape was primarily Ashkenazic, with one of the leading communities led by Rav Moshe Sternbuch.

There was no Sephardic beis haknesses in the city when Rabbi Levy arrived, so he founded the first Sephardic shul in South Africa. He would go on to serve the community for decades with immense dedication, drawing close many Jews who passed through the country and reconnecting them to Torah.

He was also known for assisting the Shuvu Banim community during their time in Johannesburg about a decade ago.

Rabbi Levy passed away without any children, and all are requested to learn Torah l’iluy nishmas Rav Aviyahu ben Yosef veChassiva.

The aron is scheduled to arrive in Eretz Yisroel tomorrow. The levayah will take place on Tuesday at 1:00 PM at the Sephardic eulogy hall at Har HaMenuchos in Yerushalayim, followed by kevurah.

Yehi zichro baruch.

{Matzav.com}

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says one of the most effective ways to combat the ongoing shortage of air traffic controllers is by incentivizing those nearing retirement to remain on the job longer through financial bonuses.

Speaking with CBS News, Duffy emphasized that addressing the shortfall in controllers won’t happen overnight, but a major element of the strategy is retaining veteran staff.

“I think what is key, we have offered a bonus to air traffic controllers who are eligible to retire. We are going to pay them 20% bonus on their salary to stay longer. Don’t retire,” Duffy continued. “So as we bring more air traffic controllers in, and keep the older, experienced controllers, we’re going to be able to make up that difference.”

Still, Duffy acknowledged that resolving the staffing crisis would be a gradual process that could extend over many months or even years.

For years, the nation’s air traffic control network has struggled under the weight of long-standing personnel shortages, outdated systems, and insufficient upgrades to essential infrastructure.

Back in February, Duffy rolled out a new set of measures intended to aggressively expand and strengthen the controller workforce, describing it as a plan to “supercharge the air traffic controller workforce.”

That plan was introduced just days after a devastating midair crash involving American Eagle Flight 5342 and a U.S. Army helicopter on January 29, which claimed the lives of all 64 people aboard the plane and the helicopter’s three crew members.

More recently, concerns about the fragility of the system have intensified, especially after two consecutive air traffic control failures at Newark Liberty International Airport, a key transportation hub.

To help mitigate these challenges, the FAA recently announced an expansion of its Tower Simulation Systems, which are now being deployed across more locations nationwide. These high-tech simulators are designed to accelerate certification, lower costs, and give trainees hands-on experience with intricate airport layouts, safety procedures, and standardized communications.

This initiative complements other efforts Duffy is spearheading to boost recruitment. These include creating more pathways for former military air traffic personnel, broadening the pool of eligible facilities, and giving bonuses to both new graduates and recruits who reach crucial milestones in their training.

The agency is also planning to provide incentives for those willing to work at particularly challenging locations and aims to shorten delays in medical and security clearances, which currently can sideline candidates for a year or more.

As part of a broader training overhaul, the FAA is increasing its instructional staff and building a new Learning Center at the Air Traffic Controller Academy located in Oklahoma City. Duffy has also overhauled the hiring protocol, trimming what was previously an eight-step process down to five steps.

In light of the repeated disruptions at Newark, Duffy and acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau have introduced a set of immediate corrective actions to stabilize operations at the airport and prevent further breakdowns.

{Matzav.com}

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer declared on Monday that Democrats are united in their opposition to the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” criticizing it as damaging and irresponsible.

“This is not beautiful. This bill is downright ugly — a job killer, a price raiser, a care slasher, and massive pile on to the national debt,” Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a statement to the New York Daily News.

He further argued that the legislation is riddled with problems that go beyond the surface. “There’s not just a little laundry list of reasons why this bill is so bad — there’s pages and pages of bill text people can read for themselves that so clearly hurt everyday Americans, disproportionally boost billionaires who don’t need help, and pile onto the national debt at a time when the president is already choking the nation’s economy,” he added.

Schumer emphasized that Democrats in the Senate plan to push back aggressively. “That’s why Senate Democrats oppose this just-passed bill and will work to shine light on it so our Republicans act.”

The legislation, which includes sweeping tax cuts worth several trillion dollars, narrowly passed the House last Thursday in a 215-214 vote.

Now heading to the Senate, the bill faces an uphill battle, with lengthy negotiations expected. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., will need nearly unanimous support from his party, as he can only afford to lose three votes. Currently, more than that number of Republican senators have expressed reservations. Like in the House, the Senate leadership will have to navigate between moderate and conservative factions within the GOP to move the bill forward.

{Matzav.com}

The FBI has ramped up efforts in three high-profile investigations involving serious allegations of misconduct, Deputy Director Dan Bongino announced Monday. The renewed focus includes inquiries into the 2021 pipe bombs planted in Washington, D.C., the cocaine discovered in the White House last summer, and the unauthorized leak of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs opinion.

In a post on social media platform X, Bongino revealed that he and FBI Director Kash Patel jointly chose to revisit these politically sensitive cases, allocating fresh resources and investigative attention. “Shortly after swearing in, the Director and I evaluated a number of cases of potential public corruption that, understandably, have garnered public interest,” Bongino wrote.

He added that he receives weekly updates on the progress of each case. “I receive requested briefings on these cases weekly and we are making progress. If you have any investigative tips on these matters that may assist us then please contact the FBI.”

Bongino addressed why the bureau’s top brass has kept a low public profile, noting that he and Patel have done just one media appearance together since assuming their roles. “We decided early on to limit our media footprint overall in order to keep the attention on the work being done,” he explained. “There are both positives and negatives to this approach. We have chosen to communicate, in writing, on this platform to fill some of the inevitable information vacuums.”

Acknowledging public interest following last week’s interview, Bongino said they plan to disclose more details soon. “I try to read as much of your feedback as possible but the workday is busy, and my office is a SCIF [Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility] with limited phone access. In response to feedback, both positive and negative, from our interview last week we will be releasing more information which will further clarify answers to some of the questions asked in the interview.”

One of the cases under renewed scrutiny involves the placement of live pipe bombs near the Republican and Democratic National Committee offices on January 5, 2021—just hours before the Capitol riot. Though the devices did not explode, they were fully functional and left in populated areas just blocks from the Capitol, posing a serious threat to public safety.

Another probe concerns the discovery of a small bag of cocaine inside the West Wing of the White House on July 2, 2023. The illicit substance was found near a heavily trafficked entrance used by staff and guests, close to a designated area where visitors store personal items. It was also not far from the Situation Room and a floor below the Oval Office.

Despite an investigation by the Secret Service, no suspect was identified. The agency reported finding no usable DNA or fingerprints on the bag, and security footage yielded no leads.

Bongino has previously claimed, without offering documentation, that whistleblowers expressed doubts about the probe and suspected the evidence might implicate someone within President Joe Biden’s inner circle. He said they were “suspicious” that evidence from the White House cocaine bag “could match a member of the inner Biden circle.”

The third case being reviewed is the leak of the Supreme Court’s draft opinion that overturned Roe v. Wade. Chief Justice John Roberts confirmed the document’s authenticity in May 2022 and described the leak as an “egregious breach of trust,” launching an internal investigation to find the source.

Despite inquiries by both the Supreme Court and Congress, the individual responsible for the leak remains unidentified.

{Matzav.com}

In a political snub just days before a critical vote in the committee for appointing dayanim, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu attempted to mediate between Likud Minister Dudi Amsalem and the heads of the chareidi and religious parties—Aryeh Deri (Shas), Moshe Gafni (Degel HaTorah), and Bezalel Smotrich (Religious Zionism). But the effort failed, with all three leaders refusing Netanyahu’s invitation to meet, asserting that the process is already closed and that “you have no connection to it.”

According to sources, Netanyahu summoned the four politicians to his office in a last-ditch effort to reach a consensus over the appointment of new dayanim. Amsalem, Likud’s representative on the committee, has argued that his party was excluded from the internal agreements reached between the religious factions.

Despite Netanyahu’s outreach, the party leaders declined to attend the meeting, firmly stating that their agreement on the matter was finalized without any involvement from Amsalem or the Likud. “The process is already sealed,” they reportedly told the prime minister, “and you have no role in it.”

At the heart of the dispute is the selection of new dayanim to serve on the rabbinical courts. The chareidi and religious parties have reportedly coordinated their choices in advance, sidelining Likud’s preferences.

A political source familiar with the matter noted bluntly: “The three of them made it clear to Netanyahu—he has no part in this process.”

Tensions escalated after the committee session concluded with none of Amsalem’s proposed candidates making the cut. In response, Amsalem denounced the proceedings, calling for the results to be annulled. He claimed the outcome represented a serious blow to the Likud and a lack of transparency in the selection process.

These developments underscore the growing friction within the governing coalition and highlight the diminishing influence of the Likud—under Netanyahu’s leadership—against the increasingly coordinated actions of the chareidi and religious parties, who are moving ahead with their own shared agendas.

{Matzav.com Israel}

In a fiery address delivered in the Knesset on Monday, Opposition Leader Yair Lapid unleashed a string of accusations against the government, questioning its possible connection to two entities—Switzerland-based Gaza Humanitarian Fund (GHF) and U.S.-based Safe Reach Solutions (SRS)—which he claims were set up to facilitate the delivery and financing of aid to Gaza.

Lapid raised concerns about whether Israeli taxpayers are unknowingly footing the bill for aid efforts. “Is it the taxpayers’ money that is funding humanitarian aid today? Were the Israeli security services sent by the Prime Minister [Netanyahu] and the Finance Minister [Bezalel Smotrich] to redirect Israel’s funds abroad, so that they would return to Gaza as aid?”

He pointed to the recent resignation of GHF’s CEO, Jake Wood, who stepped down on Sunday. In his resignation letter, Wood wrote, “it is clear that it is not possible to implement this plan while also strictly adhering to humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence, which I will not abandon.”

“The important word is ‘independence,’” Lapid emphasized. “Jake Wood understood that they are playing him. The big question is whether they are also playing us.”

Lapid urged the current leadership to acknowledge what he described as a murky situation. “If our tax money is already financing food and medicine in Gaza,” he argued, “why shouldn’t we benefit from this in the international arena? Maybe [National Security Minister Itamar] Ben Gvir and [Settlements and National Missions Minister Orit] Strook won’t like it, maybe Smotrich is afraid they’ll find out he transferred the money, but the money has already been transferred.”

In reply to the mounting criticism, Prime Minister Netanyahu issued a clear denial: “Israel does not fund the humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.”

{Matzav.com}

During a Yom Yerushalayim visit to the Har Habayis on Monday, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir declared that Jews have the right to pray and bow down at the site.

This statement, like others he has made previously, contradicts the long-established status quo, under which Jewish prayer is officially barred at the holy site. The Prime Minister’s Office has denied such declarations in the past, viewing them as disruptions to a sensitive arrangement.

Ben-Gvir, who heads the Otzma Yehudit party, toured the site alongside party colleagues including Negev, Galilee, and National Resilience Minister Yitzchok Wasserlauf, as well as MK Yitzchok Kreuzer.

Also present at the site was Religious Zionist Party MK Zvi Sukkot, who raised an Israeli flag during his visit.

Speaking while on the Har Habayis, Ben-Gvir said he was “praying for victory in the Israel-Hamas War, the return of all hostages being held in Gaza, and the success of incoming Shin Bet chief David Zini.”

The visit provoked a strong response from Jordan’s Foreign Ministry, which condemned what it described as Ben-Gvir’s “storming the al-Aqsa Mosque… along with a large group of extremist settlers, coinciding with the so-called flag march.”

Amman’s Foreign Ministry continued its denunciation, saying the action “constitutes a flagrant violation of the historical and legal status quo and Israel’s obligations as the occupying power.”

Ben-Gvir, who has made repeated trips to the Har Habayis since the coalition government was formed in late 2022, has often drawn sharp criticism from the chareidi political blocs, including United Torah Judaism and Shas, as all leading poskin said that such visits are contrary to halacha.

On Monday, UTJ lawmaker Moshe Gafni, head of the Degel HaTorah faction, issued another stern statement.

“I condemn and denounce with all force the provocative ascent to the Har Habayis that includes a severe prohibition punishable by kareis. This harms the Jewish people and holy sites, causing unpardonable damage. I call again on my colleagues in the Knesset: Stop going there,” Gafni said.

Hamas also lashed out at Ben-Gvir’s presence on the Har Habayis, branding it a “flagrant violation of the sanctity and status of al-Aqsa for the entire Islamic community, and as a desperate attempt by the occupation to enforce the complete Judaization of the mosque.”

The terror group warned that further actions of this nature and what it called “Talmudic rituals” would provoke continued resistance, adding, “they affirm that our Palestinian people will continue their steadfastness and defense of the al-Aqsa Mosque and will not allow the Zionist schemes for its division or Judaization to pass.”

Hamas called on “the masses of our people in the West Bank, Yerushalayim, and the Occupied Territories to defend al-Aqsa Mosque, the site of our Prophet Muhammad’s Night Journey, intensify their presence in the mosque, and confront the settlers’ intrusions and rampages.”

The group concluded by appealing to the broader Muslim world: “We also urge the free people of our Arab and Islamic nations to uphold their responsibilities toward protecting the holy mosque, support the resilience of our people in Yerushalayim who face displacement attempts, and work to stop the occupation’s aggression against our people and holy sites.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich took the stage at a Yom Yerushalayim rally at the Kosel on Monday night and made bold statements asserting that Israel is “not afraid of the word occupation.” In his speech, he also advocated for the return of Jewish settlements to the Gaza Strip.

“We are liberating Gaza – and settling it,” Smotrich proclaimed to those gathered in honor of the annual Yom Yerushalayim celebration.

He accused some of being reluctant to fully embrace an Israeli victory.

“We are not afraid of victory,” he insisted, reiterating his position as a member of Israel’s Security Cabinet. Smotrich then engaged the audience directly, saying, “Let’s give strength to our brave and heroic fighters. Are we afraid of victory?” The crowd responded enthusiastically, “No!” He followed up, “Are we afraid of the word occupation?” Again, the audience roared back, “No!”

Smotrich continued, “We are conquering the Land of Israel. We are liberating Gaza. We are settling Gaza. We are defeating the enemy.”

His speech sparked immediate backlash from opposition members of the Knesset and is likely to intensify international scrutiny and criticism as the war with Hamas rages on and questions about Israel’s future plans for Gaza remain front and center.

{Matzav.com}

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