Matzav

Rav Dov Landau has finalized the launch date and structure for the second global fundraising campaign under the banner of Keren Olam HaTorah. The major initiative is set to begin on Sunday, 19 Sivan, and will span approximately ten days across various U.S. states, with potential follow-up events in other countries across North and South America, as well as Europe.

The decision follows a high-level gathering held two weeks ago at Rav Landau’s home, attended by leading gedolei Yisroel, where the rosh yeshiva announced his intention to spearhead another fundraising journey to ensure the continued financial stability of yeshivos and kollelim in Eretz Yisroel. Since then, he has been engaged in intensive consultations and phone calls with prominent roshei yeshiva and admorim to determine the itinerary, venues, and the list of gedolim who will accompany him on this historic mission.

Sources state that Rav Landau recently held a phone conversation with the heads of Keren Olam HaTorah, during which he formally communicated his decision to move forward with the trip. In addition to the planned U.S. leg, there is talk of future missions to other diaspora communities to further bolster global support for Torah institutions in Israel.

In recent days, Rav Landau has held crucial meetings with additional roshei yeshiva, including some who have never before left Israel, to personally commission them to serve as his emissaries at local dinners being planned in the homes of prominent philanthropists. Some of these events will take place concurrently with the main trip, while others are scheduled for later dates.

Rav Landau was heard commenting at home this week that although the endeavor will be challenging, “we must succeed no less than we did last year.”

At the previous gathering, Rav Landau shared a moving personal appeal: “I feel it is my personal obligation to undertake this journey, despite the tremendous difficulty it entails. I ask of you, please daven for me—that Hashem should send His healing word and grant me the strength to complete this mission, to protect the sanctity of our yeshivos and kollelim, the crown jewel of creation. And Hashem will help, and the decree is destined to be annulled speedily.”

The mission’s organizing committee is now finalizing logistical details as it works toward the campaign’s ambitious goal: to raise an estimated $100 million for Torah learning in Eretz Yisroel.

{Matzav.com Israel}

South African politician Julius Malema, the leader of the radical Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party, responded to President Donald Trump’s claims about “genocide” Wednesday by reiterating calls to kill white farmers, Breitbart reports.

Earlier that day, Trump had shown visiting South African President Cyril Ramaphosa video of Malema leading rally chants of “Kill the Boer!”, “Kill the farmer!”, “Shoot to kill!”, and other incendiary slogans.

Ramaphosa tried to argue that Malema’s rhetoric did not represent the government’s policies, but Trump countered that South Africa had passed a law allowing expropriation of land without compensation, that it had racially discriminatory laws, and that thousands of white farmers were attempting to leave to the U.S.

Malema reacted angrily on X, reiterating his commitment to expropriation without compensation.

His party later issued a statement in which it declared: “Kill the Boer, Kill the Farmer! Victory is Certain!”

Ramaphosa and his delegation tried to minimize the role of Malema and the EFF in South African politics, describing them to Trump as a small and marginal opposition party, but the EFF won nearly 10% of the vote in the most recent general elections, making it the fourth-biggest party, right behind the similarly radical Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party at nearly 15%. Both parties call for seizing land from white farmers.

{Matzav.com}

In a discussion with Arutz Sheva, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee addressed mounting concerns surrounding the American approach to ongoing nuclear talks with Iran.

The full conversation with Huckabee is scheduled to air on Thursday.

“They’re not going to have a nuclear weapon. They’ve got to agree to total dismantlement and complete loss of capability. They’re not going to have enriched uranium, centrifuges, and reactors. You don’t get any clearer than that. If the Iranians think they can gain Donald Trump, they’ve never dealt with him,” Huckabee stated, emphasizing the non-negotiable stance of the Trump administration regarding Iran’s nuclear program.

Huckabee also made it clear that Israel retains the sovereign right to respond as it sees fit should it feel threatened. “America is not telling Israel how to defend itself against the existential threat that Iran has posed to them for forty-something years. The Iranians haven’t changed their message, they still chant ‘death to Israel’ and ‘death to America.’ I want Americans to remember that their aspiration doesn’t end at the Mediterranean.”

When asked why the United States would engage diplomatically with a regime that openly threatens its existence, Huckabee responded, “You have to give it a chance. You have to show the world that you have given the Iranians an opportunity to act like civilized people, to show that they want to be real neighbors in the world.”

{Matzav.com}

Residents of a southern Israeli kibbutz that suffered casualties during the brutal October 7, 2023, Hamas attack expressed outrage following Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s statement in a press conference earlier today, in which he claimed that “nothing” occurred in their community on that day.

Kibbutz Ein Hashlosha, located near the Gaza border, issued a response condemning the statement: “We were surprised and shocked by the prime minister’s blatant inaccuracy as if ‘nothing happened in Ein Hashlosha.’ This is an outrageous and grave remark that harms the memory of those murdered and the entire community.”

The kibbutz’s official statement emphasized the bravery of residents who resisted the terrorist infiltration on that tragic day: “On the most difficult morning in the state’s history, members of the security squad and residents heroically faced dozens of terrorists who breached the kibbutz. This was also presented in the IDF’s probe. During the battle, four of our beloved residents were murdered: Rami Negbi, Noa Glazberg, Silvia Mirensky and Marcelle Taljah.”

“They aren’t ‘nothing,’” the statement asserted powerfully, referencing the fallen community members.

Calling on Netanyahu to acknowledge the truth, the kibbutz community urged him to visit and witness firsthand the impact of that harrowing day: they invited him “to meet the community and hear the story of Kibbutz Ein Hashlosha.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

[COMMUNICATED]

ATime Auction Drawing Today+ Last Minute Bonus Offer!
http://atimeauction.com/l35

LAST CHANCE! 2 Tickets in each prize for $260! Code: BONUS2X 

Exclusive Women’s Package: 2 Tickets per prize for $100! Code: WOMEN100

http://atimeauction.com/l35

ATime Auction Drawing Today+ Last Minute Bonus Offer!
http://atimeauction.com/l35

LAST CHANCE! 2 Tickets in each prize for $260! Code: BONUS2X 

Exclusive Women’s Package: 2 Tickets per prize for $100! Code: WOMEN100

http://atimeauction.com/l35

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Reb Simcha Yissachar Dov Steinmetz z”l, a prominent member of the Spinka chassidus and longtime rosh hakahal of the Ner Baruch Linz Bais Medrash in Boro Park. He was 100 years old.

Born in the Hungarian town of Tetch to his father Rav Yechiel Michl Steinmetz zt”l, Reb Simcha survived the horrors of the Holocaust as a true ud mutzal mei’eish. He was a talmid of the Shefa Chaim of Sanz and carried the legacy of his rebbi with him throughout his life.

In the aftermath of the devastation of World War II, he succeeded in rebuilding and establishing a flourishing Torah home and family.

Reb Simcha was a man of deep integrity and remarkable middos, respected and beloved by all who knew him. He greeted everyone with warmth and a smile, and was known for his boundless love for Torah, talmidei chachomim, and mosdos haTorah. A man of kindness, he gave generously to Torah causes and supported Torah learners with open hands and a full heart.

His life was marked by simple, unwavering faith in Hashem and in tzaddikim, and he served as a role model to many. In Eretz Yisroel, he was a longstanding pillar of Kollel Horaah Netzach Yisrael, where his kind heart fueled many acts of chesed and support for communal initiatives.

He merited to see generations of descendants following in his ways. His son-in-law is Rav Yoel Dovid Spiegel, rosh mosdos Netzach Yisrael in Beit Shemesh.

The levayah took place today in Boro Park, beginning at the Linz Bais Medrash and continuing past Kollel Tartikov. His aron will arrive in Eretz Yisroel tomorrow, with a scheduled stop at 1:30 p.m. at Beis Medrash Netzach Yisrael on Rechov Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai 16 in Beit Shemesh. A second stop will take place at 3:30 p.m. at the Shamgar funeral home in Yerushalayim, followed by kevurah on Har Hazeisim in the Spinka chelkah.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

Andrew Cuomo, who has entered the race for New York City mayor, launched a campaign ad on Wednesday that paints him as a direct counterforce to President Trump—just hours after reports surfaced of a Justice Department investigation into his conduct.

The ad showcases a sequence of well-known political figures who have clashed with Trump and are now under federal scrutiny, concluding with Cuomo himself, who is reportedly being investigated over testimony he gave to Congress regarding his handling of the COVID-19 crisis.

“If Donald Trump doesn’t want Andrew Cuomo as mayor, you do,” the ad boldly proclaims.

The video doesn’t shy away from recalling Attorney General Letitia James, whose findings in a harassment inquiry led to Cuomo’s departure from the governor’s office in 2021.

According to a New York Times report on Tuesday evening, the Department of Justice initiated a criminal investigation last month into whether Cuomo misled Congress about the number of nursing home fatalities in New York during the early stages of the pandemic.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu held a press briefing from his office in Yerushalayim—the first time in six months that he has done so.

He opened by asserting that Israel is operating according to a comprehensive wartime strategy, and emphasized that there are still at least 20 hostages known to be alive.

He made clear that while Israel is open to halting combat temporarily if it would enable the safe return of the hostages, it will not scale back military pressure. “If there is a chance for a temporary ceasefire to bring back hostages, we are ready for it.”

Nonetheless, he affirmed that the campaign against Hamas will continue without letup. “Operation Gideon’s Chariots began three days ago. Ask the residents of Sderot and the Gaza envelope—their houses are shaking from the force of the IDF’s fire.”

Netanyahu stated that the Israeli military is steadily taking control of more areas throughout Gaza. “Our forces are seizing more and more territories in Gaza. At the end, all of the territories in the Gaza Strip will be under Israeli security control.”

On the subject of humanitarian relief, the Prime Minister said that Israel is making efforts to avoid a large-scale crisis. “We need to prevent a humanitarian crisis. I hear from the close friends of our country: ‘We will give the support, including in the Security Council, but there’s one thing that we won’t accept: we will not accept a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.’”

Turning to Iran, Netanyahu remarked that Israel is working closely with the United States regarding efforts to reach an agreement that will block Iran from further enriching uranium. “We are in full coordination with the US and hope that there will be a deal that will prevent Iran from enriching uranium. Israel maintains the right to defend itself against the regime that seeks its destruction.”

He acknowledged that a portion of the aid entering Gaza does fall into Hamas hands. “10% of the aid trucks that go in are seized by Hamas.”

When questioned about the danger military operations may pose to the hostages, Netanyahu responded that their safety is a top priority and that efforts to secure their release are constant and multifaceted. “We are working not to harm the hostages, and we are investing a lot of effort to get the hostages out. The military and diplomatic pressure and trickery will bring results.”

A reporter asked whether he had prior knowledge that members of his team had been communicating with Qatari officials. Netanyahu firmly denied this. “I didn’t know, and there is a big lie here; they say that I got a huge fortune from Qatar. Whoever says that will be sued. I’ve attacked Qatar, and others from the Shin Bet praised Qatar. Yonatan Urich encouraged me to attack Qatar. I don’t want to list all the people who get money from Qatar. I didn’t get a cent. I know that you don’t stop echoing this propaganda.”

Addressing the allegation that his government’s approval of Qatari financial transfers to Hamas may have played a role in enabling the October 7 massacre, he pushed back, saying the recommendation came from Israeli security agencies and that the funds were earmarked for civilian infrastructure. “The money that was transferred to Hamas was done so by the recommendation of the Shin Bet and Mossad. The money was used for sewage and electricity. The Qatari money is not what led to October 7th. The terrorists attacked us with flip-flops, Kalashnikovs, and pickup trucks—that costs pennies.”

{Matzav.com Israeli}

Explosions were heard on Wednesday afternoon as warning sirens blared throughout Ashkelon, a city along Israel’s southern coastline. According to the IDF, a missile fired by Islamic Jihad militants from northern Gaza was successfully intercepted. There were no injuries reported in the incident.

A military spokesperson stated: “Following the sirens that sounded in the Lakhish area, one projectile that was identified crossing into Israel from the northern Gaza Strip was intercepted by the IAF. No injuries were reported.”

As night fell, sirens were triggered once again in the border communities of Netiv Ha’asara and Zikim, situated within the Gaza envelope.

In response to these alerts, the IDF issued another statement: “Three projectiles were identified from the northern Gaza Strip. The projectiles did not cross into Israeli territory and fell in the Gaza Strip; no injuries were reported.”

Earlier in the day, Israeli forces, relying on intelligence from both the IDF and the ISA, continued their campaign targeting terrorist factions operating in Gaza. These operations, part of the ongoing Operation Gideon’s Chariots, aim to destroy infrastructure used by terror groups and to neutralize operatives involved in attacks.

One such strike led to the killing of Mohammad Shahin, a Nukhba operative affiliated with Hamas’s East Jabaliya Battalion. The IDF confirmed Shahin had taken part in the October 7th massacre, during which terrorists crossed into Israeli territory and carried out a horrific assault.

Throughout the past 24 hours, Israeli aircraft targeted and struck over 115 locations linked to terrorist activity in Gaza. The IDF confirmed that among the destroyed targets were rocket launchers, operational facilities, underground tunnels, active terrorist cells, and other strategic assets used by terror groups.

Meanwhile, the Israeli Navy collaborated with ground forces to execute additional strikes against terrorist positions in northern Gaza, continuing the multi-pronged assault against militant infrastructure.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Israeli military officials have confirmed that the terrorist responsible for the deadly shooting near Bruchin, which claimed the life of Tze’ela Gez, has been killed. Additionally, two other individuals were taken into custody by the Shin Bet for questioning.

The targeted operation unfolded last Shabbos when soldiers from the IDF’s Ephraim Brigade, working on intelligence provided by the Shin Bet, carried out a sweep in the village of Burqin, not far from the site of the attack. During the search, a man approached the troops, shouting in Arabic and carrying a suspicious bag. Believing their lives were in danger, the soldiers responded with lethal force. None of the soldiers were harmed.

Further investigation conducted by the Shin Bet, along with IDF personnel and the Judea and Samaria District Police, identified the attacker as Nael Samara. He had a history of terrorism-related offenses, having served time in prison for ties to Hamas. He was released in 2010 and was briefly held again in 2019 for posting inciting material on social media.

The contents of the bag confirmed his intentions—it held an M16 rifle and other arms linked to the shooting. Police forensics teams gathered the weapons as part of their efforts to trace anyone else involved in the attack.

As the investigation widened, several more individuals suspected of being connected to the same terror network were apprehended by Israeli forces. Authorities believe the group is responsible for at least three other recent shootings in the region, including an incident in March near Ariel where an Israeli civilian sustained moderate injuries.

Tze’ela Gez was critically injured while riding in a car with her husband, Chananel. The couple had been en route to the hospital as she neared the end of her pregnancy with their fourth child. Tragically, she succumbed to her injuries. Doctors performed an emergency C-section to save the baby, who remains in critical but stable condition. Chananel suffered only minor wounds and was released from the hospital later that day.

Yesterday morning, after Shacharis at the Gez residence, a rare and emotional naming ceremony was held for the infant. Due to his fragile state, a bris was not performed. The name “Ravid Chaim” was given, a name that had been chosen by Tze’ela before her death. After the name was announced, those present joined together in singing Shir LaMa’alos.

The family has asked the public to continue davening for the newborn: Ravid Chaim ben Tze’ela.

{Matzav.com Israel}

President Donald Trump and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa found themselves at odds during a meeting at the White House on Wednesday, with tensions flaring over Trump’s claims of “genocide” targeting white farmers in South Africa.

In an unusual moment in the Oval Office, Trump ordered the lights lowered and played a series of video clips on a TV monitor to back up his assertions. Ramaphosa appeared caught off guard and commented that he hadn’t previously seen the footage. The origin and authenticity of the videos were not disclosed.

Trump also displayed what he described as media clippings highlighting violent incidents involving white Afrikaner farmers.

“I don’t know, all of these are articles over the last few days, death of people, death, death, death, horrible death,” Trump said.

Trump alleged that white South Africans are being forced to flee the country due to targeted violence and discriminatory laws.

“This is sort of the opposite of apartheid. What’s happening now is never reported. Nobody knows about it,” he said.

Ramaphosa responded firmly, pointing out that the speeches shown in the clips represented fringe views, not the official position of the South African government. He said that while crime is a real issue, the victims are predominantly Black South Africans.

“There is criminality in our country. People who do get killed, unfortunately, through criminal activity are not only white people, majority of them are Black people,” Ramaphosa stated.

He urged Trump to listen to the South African people to gain a more accurate understanding of the situation. Ramaphosa also rejected the assertion that Afrikaners face genocide.

“I would say if there was Afrikaner farmer genocide, I can bet you these three gentlemen would not be here, including my minister of agriculture,” Ramaphosa said. “He would not be with me. So, it’ll take him, President Trump, listening to their stories, to their perspective.”

Ramaphosa attempted several times to shift the dialogue toward trade relations and investment opportunities, which he said was the real focus of his visit. Trump, however, repeatedly circled back to the issue of white South Africans and alleged persecution.

When asked directly what he expected Ramaphosa’s administration to do, Trump responded, “I don’t know.”

Elon Musk, who was born in South Africa and advises President Trump, attended the meeting and has previously echoed the “white genocide” narrative. He remained silent throughout the exchange but stood nearby as the conversation unfolded.

“Elon is from South Africa. I don’t want to get him involved,” Trump said. “That’s all I have to do. Get him into another thing. But Elon happens to be from South Africa.”

“This is what Elon wanted,” Trump added with a laugh.

Last week, dozens of Afrikaners arrived in the United States after having their immigration requests expedited under a February executive order from Trump titled “Addressing Egregious Actions of the Republic of South Africa.”

The executive directive accused the South African government of implementing policies that allowed it to “seize ethnic minority Afrikaners’ agricultural property without compensation” and described this as a “shocking disregard of its’ citizen rights.” The order mandated a halt to U.S. aid to South Africa and called for efforts to “promote the resettlement of Afrikaner refugees.”

South Africa’s land reform policy—cited in Trump’s order—is intended to address historic injustices rooted in apartheid. The law allows for land expropriation when deemed in the public interest, typically with compensation determined through negotiation or judicial decision. Legal scholars say the law aligns with widely accepted eminent domain practices.

Ramaphosa has previously argued that the Afrikaners coming to the U.S. do not meet the established criteria for refugee status, which require a credible fear of persecution due to race, religion, nationality, or political beliefs.

Critics have questioned Trump’s focus on Afrikaners at a time when his administration is imposing strict limits on migrants from other nations, such as Venezuela, Afghanistan, and Haiti.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, defending the White House’s policy in Senate testimony on Tuesday, stated, “I think those 49 people that came strongly felt they were persecuted, and they passed every sort of check mark that needed to be checked off. The president identified it as a problem and wanted to use it as an example.”

Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia challenged the administration’s rationale, calling the idea of systematic persecution of Afrikaner farmers “completely specious.” He also pointed out the historical irony that the U.S. had previously denied entry to Black South Africans during apartheid.

Rubio replied, “I think that the United States has a right to allow into this country and prioritize the allowance of who they want to allow it come in.”

{Matzav.com}

Emanuel Yechia Meshulam, a highly respected mohel from Rechovot, died at age 88 while officiating at a brit milah on Wednesday.

Meshulam, who dedicated over forty years to his craft, had performed brisos numbering in the tens of thousands before suddenly collapsing during the bris.

WATCH:

In a heartbreaking twist, the Magen David Adom paramedic dispatched to the scene was his own grandson, Kfir. Unaware of the identity of the person in distress until mid-resuscitation, Kfir was shocked to realize he was trying to save his beloved grandfather.

Meshulam was rushed to Kaplan Medical Center, where doctors later confirmed his passing.

Before becoming a full-time mohel, Meshulam served as a lieutenant colonel in the Israel Defense Forces. He also managed a Bank Leumi branch located in Rechovot’s Sha’arei neighborhood. Deeply admired throughout the city, Meshulam was particularly known for his refusal to accept payment for brisos, a gesture that earned him tremendous respect and affection in the community.

{Matzav.com Israel}

The U.S. military has been tasked with assessing how to quickly modify a Boeing 747 aircraft gifted by Qatar so it can serve as a new version of Air Force One for President Trump, a Defense Department official confirmed on Wednesday.

“The secretary of defense has accepted a Boeing 747 from Qatar in accordance with all federal rules and regulations,” said Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell. “The Department of Defense will work to ensure proper security measures and functional-mission requirements are considered for an aircraft used to transport the president of the United States.”

While industry sources estimate the aircraft is valued at around $200 million, Pentagon leaders have acknowledged that significant alterations will be necessary before it can meet the stringent safety and security standards required for a presidential aircraft.

“Any civilian aircraft will take significant modifications to do so,” Troy Meink, the Air Force secretary, testified before the Senate on Tuesday. “Based on the secretary’s direction, we are postured and we’re off looking at that right now, what it’s going to take for that particular aircraft.”

President Trump confirmed the donation during remarks made at the White House.

“They’re giving the United States Air Force a jet, and it’s a great thing,” he stated.

Some lawmakers are uneasy about the timeline, raising alarms that the push to fast-track the aircraft’s conversion might compromise the installation of vital defense systems, including those that guard against missile attacks or nuclear-related threats.

“If President Trump insists on converting this plane to a hardened Air Force One before 2029, I worry about the pressures you may be under to cut corners on operational security,” Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois warned during Meink’s testimony.

Although the administration has expressed eagerness to put the plane into service as early as year’s end, the Defense Department has yet to offer a specific timeline for completing the modifications.

“We will make sure that we do what’s necessary to ensure security of the aircraft,” Meink said at the hearing. “I will be quite clear and discuss that with the secretary up to the president if necessary if we feel there’s any threats that we are unable to address.”

The plane’s origin has also stirred bipartisan skepticism on Capitol Hill. Lawmakers from both sides are questioning whether Qatar may be seeking undue influence—or whether the aircraft might be equipped with surveillance devices.

In his first public comments on the matter Monday, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani rejected those suspicions and defended the gesture.

“I don’t know why people, they are thinking,” he said, before continuing “this is considered as a bribery or considered as, something that Qatar wants to buy and influence with this administration. I don’t see any, honestly, a valid reason for that.”

He went on to say: “We are a country that would like to have strong partnership and strong friendship, and anything that we provide to any country, it’s provided out of respect for this partnership and it’s a two-way relationship. It’s mutually beneficial for Qatar and for the United States.”

This new aircraft will join two other 747s that are currently undergoing conversion for presidential use, replacing a pair of aging jets that have served as Air Force One for more than three decades.

However, the cost of maintaining three aircraft is substantial. The Pentagon estimates annual expenses of $135 million per plane. Additionally, retrofitting the Qatari 747 could exceed $1 billion and may take longer than completing the existing Boeing Air Force One project, according to former Air Force officials.

The Air Force recently announced that the first of the two original Boeing-contracted planes is slated for delivery in 2027.

There is also uncertainty about how the government will pay for the new plane’s conversion and upkeep. Traditionally, such large-scale defense expenditures must receive congressional approval. But President Trump has a track record of proceeding with federal spending initiatives without always consulting Congress.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota commented that lawmakers will be closely examining the situation should the plane actually be slated for use.

“If and when it’s no longer a hypothetical, I can assure you there will be plenty of scrutiny of whatever that arrangement might look like,” Mr. Thune said.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York took things a step further on Wednesday, stating that he plans to introduce legislation to block the U.S. from accepting the aircraft.

The Senate, he said in a statement, must “prioritize our national security, protect Americans and ensure that a foreign-owned plane never gets the call sign ‘Air Force One.’”

The aircraft in question first flew in 2012 and was later remodeled with luxury interiors for the Qatari royal family. However, Qatar has reportedly been trying to offload the plane for about five years.

An aircraft broker told The New York Times that the aircraft has proven difficult to sell because four-engine jets like the 747 are no longer in high demand—most world leaders now prefer twin-engine jets, which are cheaper to operate and maintain.

Marc J. Foulkrod, CEO of Avjet Global Sales, which had been involved in trying to find a buyer, argued that accelerating the current Boeing project would be a more cost-effective approach.

“I’ve done completions on big airplanes, and there’s always ways to accelerate the program,” Mr. Foulkrod said in an interview. “That’s a better dollar value than trying to take an airplane from somebody else.”

Flight tracking data shows that the Qatari 747 has been parked at an aircraft maintenance facility in San Antonio since early last month. Officials from the Trump administration have indicated that L3Harris, a defense contractor, may be tapped to carry out the conversion work, though no official agreement has been announced.

In a statement released Wednesday, the Air Force confirmed it is “preparing to award a contract to modify a Boeing 747 aircraft for executive airlift. Details related to the contract are classified.”

Congress has not yet formally agreed to accept the plane as a gift from Qatar, a step required under the Constitution when a president is offered a high-value present from a foreign entity. President Trump has emphasized that the plane was presented to the United States—not to him personally.

During a meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, President Trump made light of the situation.

“I am sorry I don’t have a plane to give you,” Mr. Ramaphosa told Mr. Trump.

{Matzav.com}

As the yahrtzeit of the Tanna Rav Chanina ben Dosa this Shabbos approaches, rabbonim are warning the public not to visit his kever this year due to serious security concerns.

Located in the hostile Arab village of Arraba in the Galilee, the kever has long drawn large crowds, especially on Thursday nights, seen as an eis ratzon for yeshuos. In recent years, the site has become increasingly popular among those seeking yeshuos. However, its sensitive location has made it a cause for concern, and this year, leading rabbonim are urging the public to stay away.

Even under normal circumstances, those who visit the kever of Rav Chanina ben Dosa do so with armed security escorts. But this year, as the yahrtzeit falls on Shabbos, a significant increase in visitors was expected on Thursday night. Due to both the elevated security threat and the difficult terrain, gedolei Yisroel have issued a directive advising against going up to the kever this week.

This warning comes on the heels of a serious terror plot that was narrowly averted. As previously reported, in Elul of last year, the Shin Bet and Israel Police arrested a 23-year-old resident of Arraba, Basel Abahra, who confessed to planning a deadly attack targeting Yidden visiting the site. His plan included detonating explosive devices followed by gunfire.

Rav Eliyahu Ozen of the Chanina Bni organization, which organizes regular visits to the site, underscored the gravity of the threat. “Even those who have an adventurous spirit must consider the safety of the public. According to the information we received from the Shin Bet and police, there is a substantial danger this year in going up to the kever.”

He added, “The logistical realities on the ground simply don’t allow for a mass pilgrimage to the site, especially during such a tense and volatile period. While we understand the deep desire of many to visit and daven at the kever, pikuach nefesh takes precedence, and gedolei Yisroel have made it clear that this year, no one should ascend to the kever.”

Rav Ozen assured the public that tefillos will still be recited on their behalf. “We, with our regular minyan of avreichim, will go to the site after coordinating with the police, who will provide us with enhanced protection from special security units operating in this sensitive area. We will daven for every name submitted to us—for any yeshuah that each person needs. And in the merit of adhering to the guidance of our gedolim, I am certain we will see great salvations.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Donald Trump Jr. hinted at the possibility of entering the presidential race one day during a discussion at the Qatar Economic Forum on Wednesday, stating that he feels “that calling is there.” While not confirming any plans, he acknowledged that it remains a consideration.

“So the answer is I don’t know, maybe one day. You know, that calling is there. I’ll always be very active in terms of being a vocal proponent of these things. I think my father has truly changed the Republican Party,” he said during his appearance at the event.

The moderator posed a direct question about whether he would consider stepping into a leadership role once his father leaves office. Trump Jr. responded with a chuckle, saying, “Here we go. Well… oh boy,” drawing light applause from the crowd. He followed up by saying, “it’s an honor to be asked and an honor to see that some people are okay with it.”

Sharing the stage with Omeed Malik, the founder of 1789 Capital, the 47-year-old son of the president quipped that those applauding were likely just “the couple of people we know.”

Surveys over the past months suggest that Trump Jr. commands notable support within the Republican base. A Zogby survey from late April placed him at the top of a potential list of GOP contenders for the 2028 race.

Another poll conducted in January indicated a tight race between Trump Jr. and Senator J.D. Vance, both polling at 30% among Republican respondents. Among younger conservatives, Trump Jr. had a clear lead, earning 44% of their backing.

When asked earlier this year about the polling numbers, Trump Jr. reacted with mock alarm: “Oh, God. No, no, no, don’t get me into trouble.”

He followed that by stressing the importance of remaining focused on the present political agenda: “We have to worry about this. Now, we have to govern. We have to win, we have to fight. We have to get it done, we have to deliver on our promises,” Trump Jr. said.

{Matzav.com}

The Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) has issued a fresh advisory to Capitol Hill, urging lawmakers to take swift action on President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax and spending initiative known as the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB), warning of serious consequences if the legislation stalls.

In a memo titled “Ramifications of Not Passing the One Big Beautiful Bill,” shared exclusively with Newsmax ahead of its delivery to Congress on Wednesday, the CEA argues that the proposed legislation “will provide a growth boom to the U.S. economy, helping create millions of jobs, boost families’ take-home pay, spur investment and revitalize rural communities.”

The CEA document cautions that letting the policies from Trump’s first term expire would amount to “a $4 trillion tax hike over 10 years, the largest nominal tax increase in history,” and warned, “An economic downturn would likely follow.”

The memo lays out the anticipated fallout of keeping spending at the levels set by Joe Biden’s administration and failing to lock in the 2017 tax reductions enacted by President Trump. According to the CEA, such inaction could lead to the following:
• A reduction in GDP by as much as 4% over a four-year span.
• A loss of 6.1 million full-time equivalent jobs.
• Potential loss of health insurance for as many as 9.2 million Americans, with no alternatives in place.
• A recession-driven increase in the federal deficit, brought on by declining tax revenue and increased government outlays.

The health insurance projection appeared to take direct aim at Democrat lawmakers who oppose Trump’s budget blueprint. Despite accusing Republicans of threatening Medicaid, Democrats’ unwillingness to vote for GOP-crafted spending bills could, the memo implies, result in the very losses they claim to be preventing.

This isn’t the first such message from the CEA. On Sunday, the White House issued a separate memo through Newsmax flagging similar dangers tied to maintaining Biden-era fiscal levels and permitting the Trump tax provisions to lapse.

However, the latest White House analysis outlines a starkly different outcome should Congress approve the OBBB. “By preventing the 2017 TCJA from expiring and adding the new provisions of the OBBB and the president’s proposals, we would not just prevent an economic downturn but also raise growth, create jobs, boost incomes and ensure the U.S. is the most competitive business landscape in the world,” the memo said.

Should the bill pass, the CEA projects robust economic benefits, including:
• A near-term boost to real GDP of 4.2% to 5.2%, with longer-term gains ranging from 2.9% to 3.5%.
• Creation or preservation of 6.6 to 7.4 million full-time equivalent positions within four years, and 4.2 million jobs over the longer horizon.
• An increase in investment of 9.8% to 14.5% in the short term, and between 4.9% to 7.5% in the long term.
• An immediate lift in wages, with families potentially gaining $6,100 to $11,600 more, and a typical household with two children netting $7,800 to $13,300 in additional income due to tax relief for individuals and businesses alike.
• A revival of underserved areas, driven by enhanced Opportunity Zones that would attract over $100 billion in new capital, generate upwards of 1 million new jobs, and lead to the construction of hundreds of thousands of new homes.

{Matzav.com}

During a recent Knesset committee session, Brigadier General Shai Taib revealed that the IDF had refrained from physically pursuing draft dodgers for the first nine months of the war. “In the first nine months of the fighting, we did not carry out physical enforcement operations against deserters. We have priorities,” Taib explained.

He added that enforcement measures at Ben Gurion Airport, where 340 people have been detained, were applied across all segments of society and not exclusively aimed at the chareidi community.

Committee chairman MK Elazar Stern expressed frustration at Taib’s comments, suggesting they pointed to a double standard in enforcement. “Prioritization is selective enforcement,” Stern asserted. He pressed Taib for concrete answers, demanding, “To achieve thousands of new recruits, what tools do you need? Arrests, travel restrictions, revocation of driver’s licenses—these are tools you’re not employing.”

Taib countered that their legal authority to impose such penalties is currently constrained. “The tools and sanctions you mentioned are not enforceable. Most draft evaders today are not from the haredi sector,” he replied, drawing swift objections from several opposition members who took issue with the characterization.

Despite the criticism, Taib stood firm. “Most of the draft evaders today are not chareidi. The increase in numbers is due to the cancellation of the legal framework. Beyond arrests, current sanctions are minimal. If the state decides that those who do not enlist will be denied a driver’s license or other services, the situation will shift.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

[COMMUNICATED]

Benny is fighting for his life.

They have lost one child.

Now their sole son, Benny, is battling for his life.

Benny is very sick. He cannot sit up. He cannot eat.

He’s in the ICU—by himself—hooked up to machines, without his parents there for him.

His condition is treatable. There’s a surgery that can save his life.

But it takes hundreds of thousands, and the family cannot manage by themselves.

They’re broken. They’ve given everything. Now, they’re begging for help.

We can’t let them lose Benny too.

We can stop another tragedy from happening. We can give hope.

Donate now 

During a tense Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Tuesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio faced sharp criticism from Democrats over the Trump administration’s decision to admit a group of white South African refugees. The debate intensified when Rubio accused Senator Tim Kaine of objecting to the refugees based on their race. “I’m not the one arguing that, apparently you are because you don’t like the fact that they’re white and that’s why they’re coming,” Rubio said.

The clash began when Kaine challenged the administration’s justification for accepting the Afrikaners, a white minority in South Africa, as refugees, calling the State Department’s description of “government-sponsored racial discrimination” against them “specious.”

Kaine questioned the consistency of the refugee program’s standards, asking, “Can you have a different standard based upon the color of somebody’s skin? Would that be acceptable?”

Rubio pushed back, maintaining that the U.S. has broad discretion in its immigration decisions. “The United States has a right to pick and choose who they allow into the United States,” he stated before Kaine cut in.

Kaine pressed the issue again, “Based on the color of somebody’s skin?”

Rubio shot back, “You’re the one that’s talking about the color of their skin, not me. These are people whose farms were burned down and they were killed because of the color of their skin.”

The controversy stems from the recent arrival of under 60 Afrikaner refugees in the U.S. on May 12. President Donald Trump had previously spoken out about what he called the “genocide that’s taking place” against white farmers in South Africa.

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau greeted the refugees—among them families with small children—at Dulles International Airport, emphasizing the threats they faced back home. “They were really subject to very serious, egregious, and targeted threats, and we wish them well in their journey in the United States,” Landau told Breitbart News. “We underscored for them that the American people are a welcoming and generous people, and we underscore the importance of assimilation into the United States, which is one of the very important factors that we look to in refugee admissions and through this resettlement program for these folks who were vetted in South Africa.”

Kaine raised further objections, noting, “Now we’re creating a special pathway for white Afrikaner farmers in a country governed by a unity government that includes the Afrikaner parties.”

He continued pressing Rubio: “Would you agree, Mr. Secretary, that if we’re interpreting the phrase ‘a well-founded fear of persecution’, we should apply that standard evenhandedly?”

Rubio replied, “I think we should apply it in the national security interest of the United States.”

He added, “The United States has the right to choose who it allows in and to prioritize that choice.”

When Kaine repeated his question—“And should that be applied evenhandedly?”—Rubio firmly responded, “Our foreign policy does not require evenhandedness.”

Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, who had previously led a delegation to El Salvador advocating on behalf of a controversial asylum seeker accused of domestic violence and gang affiliation, also took aim at Rubio.

“I regret voting for you,” Van Hollen told him.

Rubio didn’t miss a beat: “Your regret for voting for me confirms I’m doing a good job,” he replied.

{Matzav.com}

Republican lawmakers from the House, including leaders and representatives from heavily Democratic states, have reached an agreement to raise the cap on the state and local tax deduction—commonly known as SALT—to $40,000. Speaker Mike Johnson  shared the news, confirming the change would be included in the GOP’s reconciliation package.

“That is the agreement we came to,” Johnson told CNN on Wednesday, according to Bloomberg.

“I think the SALT caucus, as they call themselves, it’s not everything they wanted, but I think they know what a huge improvement that is for their constituents and it gives them a lot to go home and talk about.”

An earlier version of the legislation had sought to raise the SALT cap from $10,000 to $30,000, but representatives from high-tax states argued that the increase was insufficient. Their dissatisfaction created a risk that President Donald Trump’s “one, big, beautiful” spending initiative could stall.

The updated provision allows taxpayers to deduct up to $40,000 in state and local taxes, with the cap gradually disappearing for those earning more than $500,000 annually, Bloomberg reported. This upper limit will apply equally to single filers and married couples filing jointly.

According to The Wall Street Journal, both the $40,000 threshold and the associated income phase-out limit would adjust each year by 1%. In contrast, the existing $10,000 limit and the earlier $30,000 proposal included in the GOP draft would have remained fixed, without any annual increase.

Even with this concession on SALT, support for the broader bill remains uncertain, especially among fiscal conservatives who are demanding additional cuts in federal expenditures to counterbalance the tax relief embedded in Trump’s economic package.

Rep. Andy Harris of Maryland, who chairs the House Freedom Caucus, voiced his concerns to Newsmax, saying, “actually, we’re further away from a deal because that SALT cap increase, I think, upset a lot of conservatives.”

“Conservatives are pushing for some balancing spending reductions,” Harris said. “We actually stopped negotiating just before midnight because we actually had a deal that was then pulled off the table. So, this bill actually got worse over night.”

Johnson had earlier pledged that the House would hold a vote on the legislation by Thursday, signaling confidence in pushing through Trump’s proposed domestic reforms. But Harris cast doubt on that timeline, predicting that the vote would be delayed.

President Trump made a personal appearance on Capitol Hill Tuesday to rally Republicans behind the sweeping tax and spending bill. He used both optimistic encouragement and blunt political pressure to urge unity around the multitrillion-dollar measure scheduled for action this week.

During his extended meeting with House Republicans, Trump cautioned them against making cuts to Medicaid and urged New York lawmakers to stop pressing for even more generous SALT provisions. Approaching the gathering, he characterized himself as the party’s “cheerleader” and commended Johnson for his leadership.

{Matzav.com}