Matzav

A commercial flight from Riga to Dubai turned into an unusual experience for one traveler who found herself as the sole passenger on board during the seven-hour journey. The rare occurrence quickly captured attention online after the passenger documented the flight and shared the footage on social media, prompting widespread reactions from viewers.

The video, which was posted by an English teacher from Latvia, shows the nearly empty cabin with rows of unoccupied seats stretching throughout the aircraft. The passenger, identified as Marina Gila, filmed the unusual scene during her March 8 trip to Dubai and shared it on Instagram, where the footage quickly spread across social media platforms.

In the clip, the aircraft appears almost surreal, with no other travelers visible anywhere in the cabin. Sitting by a window seat, she joked about the unique situation and described the experience as an unexpected “VIP flight.”

The video shows long rows of empty seats as she walks through the cabin and settles into a window seat. At one point she laughs that the commercial flight felt more like flying on a private jet. In the caption accompanying the video, she wrote: “כשאתה הנוסע היחיד במטוס לדובאי ב-8 במרץ 2026!”.

The footage sparked a wide range of reactions online, with viewers expressing amusement and curiosity about the unusual scenario. Some commenters joked that there was no need to wait in line for the restroom and that snacks on board would be freely available. Others noted the advantage of being able to choose any seat for the best view or maximum legroom. Several users also pointed out that the usual scramble for overhead storage space or preferred rows disappears entirely when there are no other passengers on board.

Online commenters also speculated about how a typically busy route could end up operating with only one passenger. Some suggested that last-minute cancellations may have emptied the cabin, while others proposed that the airline may have needed to reposition the aircraft to Dubai for scheduling reasons or that an unusual booking pattern collapsed at the last moment.

Another theory mentioned by viewers was that the return flight from Dubai may have been fully booked by passengers seeking to leave the city amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran, which could explain why the aircraft traveled nearly empty in the opposite direction.

{Matzav.com}

Six American service members were killed Thursday when a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft went down in western Iraq, U.S. Central Command confirmed.

CENTCOM announced the deaths in a statement posted on social media, saying, “All six crew members aboard a US KC-135 refueling aircraft that went down in western Iraq are now confirmed deceased.”

Earlier reports from the military had confirmed that four of the crew members had died in the crash.

U.S. Central Command also said that preliminary information indicates the aircraft did not go down as a result of hostile or friendly fire. Officials added that the cause of the crash remains under investigation.

The Islamic Resistance of Iraq, an umbrella group made up of Iran-aligned factions, has asserted that it carried out the attack. The organization, however, has not presented any proof supporting that claim.

Another aircraft was reportedly involved in the incident as well. According to Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, that plane was able to continue its flight and land safely in Israel.

{Matzav.com}

A large missile fragment fell Friday afternoon in Yerushalayim Gush Shemonim neighborhood, narrowly missing what could have been a major tragedy in a busy area shortly before Shabbos.

The heavy piece of debris, reportedly weighing dozens of kilograms, landed on Givat Moshe Street in the Gush Shemonim area of Yerushalayim. The impact occurred near the Rachmastrivka and Satmar mikvaos, a location that is typically crowded on Friday afternoons as residents head to the mikveh and make last-minute preparations for Shabbos.

According to available information, the fragment struck the area about seven minutes after the air raid siren sounded. Despite the size and speed of the falling metal, no one was injured.

Security camera footage from the area captured the moment the large fragment dropped into the street.

Residents said the outcome could easily have been far worse given the time of day, when the street is usually filled with people.

One neighbor described the incident as a clear miracle, explaining that the street is normally crowded at that hour with people heading to the mikveh and doing their final shopping before Shabbos. Had the fragment struck a child or passerby, he said, the consequences could have been devastating.

The incident follows a similar scare that occurred just one day earlier in Jerusalem’s Batei Ungarin neighborhood, where a suspected missile fragment also fell, causing panic among residents and prompting police to respond.

Residents noted that in many parts of the city there are limited options for protection, as numerous buildings lack reinforced safe rooms or nearby shelters, leaving people with few ways to shield themselves during such incidents.

War Secretary Pete Hegseth said Friday that Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, was injured during the ongoing U.S.-Israeli military campaign and may have suffered severe injuries. The comments came during a Pentagon briefing broadcast live on Newsmax, where Hegseth said the Iranian leadership is under mounting pressure after nearly two weeks of coordinated strikes by American and Israeli forces.

During the briefing, Hegseth said intelligence assessments indicate that Khamenei was wounded during the operation and suggested that his injuries could be significant. He pointed to the absence of any public appearance or recorded message from the Iranian leader as a possible indication of the situation.

“We know the new so-called not so supreme leader is wounded and likely disfigured,” Hegseth said.

Hegseth described the Iranian regime as increasingly unstable following the sustained bombardment, claiming that its leadership has been forced into hiding and is struggling to communicate effectively.

According to Hegseth, the administration believes the military campaign is achieving its intended objectives. Appearing alongside Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan “Razin” Caine, he said Iran’s air defense network has largely been neutralized, its air force is no longer operational, and its naval capabilities have suffered severe damage.

He also said that the frequency of Iranian missile and drone attacks has declined sharply as American and Israeli forces continue targeting launch sites, weapons depots, manufacturing facilities, and command infrastructure.

Caine supported that assessment, stating that “Operation Epic Fury” had reached its 13th day and was continuing to make progress toward the goals outlined at the beginning of the campaign. Those objectives include eliminating Iran’s missile threat, severely weakening its defense production capacity, destroying its naval strength, and preventing the regime from acquiring nuclear weapons.

The goals of the campaign align with what Hegseth previously described in earlier Pentagon briefings as a “laser-focused” operation rather than an extended military engagement in the Middle East.

Officials also emphasized during Friday’s briefing that the Pentagon has no intention of turning the operation into a nation-building effort or a prolonged military occupation.

Hegseth said President Donald Trump has maintained a clear and limited scope for the mission, focusing strictly on protecting U.S. interests. He contrasted the current strategy with what he described as the shifting and unsuccessful missions carried out by earlier administrations.

“We’ve defined these objectives. We’re pursuing those objectives,” Hegseth said.

Gen. Caine also praised the role of U.S. forces participating in the campaign, noting that American troops have carried out precise strikes from land, sea, and air.

He said U.S. artillery units have already deployed advanced missile systems to strike targets far inside enemy territory and destroy several Iranian naval vessels.

The briefing took place a day after a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq during a mission connected to the conflict.

Caine said the crash was not caused by either hostile or friendly fire. The Associated Press reported that four of the six crew members on board had been confirmed dead, while efforts continued to locate the remaining two.

Officials said the administration’s message Friday was clear: the military campaign remains on course, the strategic objectives remain unchanged, and the Iranian regime is facing mounting pressure as the operation continues under Trump’s peace-through-strength approach.

The IDF announced that since the launch of Operation Roaring Lion, Israeli forces have killed more than 350 Hezbollah terrorists, including a number of senior commanders who were involved in directing operational units and advancing attacks against the State of Israel.

In a statement issued Friday, the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said that over the past week Israeli forces conducted a series of coordinated operations carried out from the air, sea, and ground. During those missions, many terrorists were eliminated, including high-ranking figures from several terror organizations operating out of Lebanon.

Among the senior operatives killed were Zid Ali Jomaa, identified as Commander of Hezbollah’s Firepower Management; Ali Reza Bi-Azhar, Head of the Intelligence Branch of the Lebanon Corps within the Quds Force; Ahmad Rasouli, who was responsible for Intelligence in the Palestine Corps of the Quds Force; and Ali Maglas Tabaja, Commander of the Imam Hussein Division.

The military also reported the elimination of several other high-level figures, including seven senior Hezbollah commanders, five commanders from the Palestine and Lebanon Corps of the Quds Force, three commanders belonging to the Imam Hussein Division, and one commander affiliated with Islamic Jihad.

According to the IDF, the strikes also targeted the senior leadership structure of Iranian regime representatives operating in Lebanon, a move the military said weakens Iran’s influence and operational presence both in Lebanon and throughout the broader Middle East.

“The eliminations and strikes in Lebanon significantly degrade the command-and-control and firepower abilities of the Hezbollah terrorist organization, and it minimizes the threats to the State of Israel and its civilians,” said the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit.

“These various terrorist organizations operate from within the civilian population in Lebanon, advancing terror activities against the State of Israel while cynically exploiting civilians as human shields. The IDF will not allow harm to the civilians of the State of Israel and will continue to operate to remove any threat,” it stressed.

{Matzav.com}

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres arrived in Beirut on Friday for what he described as a visit of “solidarity” with Lebanon, cutting short a stay in Turkey where he had joined Muslims observing Ramadan and urged global efforts to combat anti-Muslim prejudice.

Guterres, a longtime Portuguese Socialist leader, has frequently spoken about the spiritual significance of Islam and the observance of Ramadan. He has argued that the values associated with the holy month reflect a broader vision of hope and peace that could benefit societies around the world.

According to AFP, Guterres’ trip to Lebanon comes as humanitarian conditions deteriorate in the country, where more than 800,000 people have been displaced amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah terror group.

“I have just landed in Beirut for a visit of solidarity with the people of Lebanon. They did not choose this war. They were dragged into it,” the United Nations secretary-general revealed on X.

“The UN and I will spare no effort in striving for the peaceful future that Lebanon and this region so richly deserve.”

The United Nations said that during Guterres’ visit it plans to launch an emergency funding appeal to assist people affected by the fighting. At the same time, the U.N.’s migration agency said it urgently needs $19 million to sustain its operations in Lebanon over the next three months.

“Humanitarian needs are rising faster than the response,” Mathieu Luciano, the Lebanon mission chief for the International Organization for Migration, told reporters in Geneva per AFP.

Lebanon entered the conflict in the Middle East over the past week when Hezbollah, backed by Iran, began launching attacks on Israel from Lebanese territory following the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in joint U.S.-Israeli strikes.

Israel responded by widening its military operations in Lebanon on Friday, striking multiple targets. Among them was a bridge spanning the Litani River that Israeli officials said Hezbollah had been using as a route for moving its fighters.

At the same time, Hezbollah continued launching new attacks against Israeli forces despite repeated calls from the international community for the group to disarm.

{Matzav.com}

Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel acknowledged Friday that officials from the communist government have recently held discussions with representatives of the United States, confirming for the first time that such contacts have taken place as Cuba struggles through a severe national crisis.

Díaz-Canel said the discussions were focused on addressing ongoing disagreements between the two countries, though he did not provide details about the negotiations or identify the Cuban representatives involved.

According to Díaz-Canel, the talks are intended to explore possible solutions through diplomatic engagement. He said they are aimed at “finding solutions through dialogue to the bilateral differences between our two nations.”

Cuba is currently experiencing a profound economic collapse, with widespread poverty and hardship across the island after more than six decades of communist rule. The situation has worsened following the sudden loss of heavily subsidized oil shipments from Venezuela. Those supplies ended after President Donald Trump ordered the arrest of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro during a law enforcement operation in Caracas on January 3.

For years, Venezuela had served as a crucial source of cheap oil for the Cuban government. Both Maduro and his predecessor, Hugo Chávez, maintained close ties with Havana and provided regular oil shipments in exchange for security assistance and other support from the Cuban regime.

President Trump has said repeatedly in recent weeks that the United States has been communicating with Cuban officials as the country’s crisis has intensified.

“The Cuban Government is talking with us. They’re in a big deal of trouble, as you know. They have no money; they have no anything right now, but they’re talking with us, and maybe we’ll have a friendly takeover of Cuba. We could very well end up having a friendly takeover of Cuba,” President Trump told reporters on late February.

Until Friday, Cuban authorities had not publicly confirmed those contacts. Díaz-Canel acknowledged them during a broadcast on state television, where he appeared alongside senior members of the communist leadership.

“In line with the consistent policy of the Cuban Revolution throughout its history, and guided by the Army General as the historic leader of our Revolution and by myself, and in coordination with the highest structures of the Party, State, and Government, Cuban officials have recently held talks with representatives of the Government of the United States,” Díaz-Canel said.

“These conversations have been aimed at seeking solutions, through dialogue, to bilateral differences that exist between the two nations. There are international factors that have facilitated these exchanges,” he continued.

During his remarks, Díaz-Canel avoided discussing the severe economic hardship facing ordinary Cubans. Instead, he said the purpose of the talks was to identify shared issues that require attention and to determine whether both governments are willing to pursue practical steps to resolve them.

“Furthermore, the objective is to determine the willingness of both parties to undertake concrete actions for the benefit of the peoples of both countries,” Díaz-Canel said.

He also said the discussions are meant to explore potential areas of cooperation that could address security concerns and contribute to stability in the United States, Cuba, and the wider Latin American and Caribbean region. The United States has designated Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism because of the regime’s longstanding support for international terror groups. President Trump earlier this year signed an executive order addressing national security concerns related to the Cuban government.

Díaz-Canel added that the Cuban government generally does not respond to what he described as speculation, an apparent reference to recent reports about the talks with Washington. He characterized the discussions as a delicate process requiring careful handling.

He said the negotiations are part of a “very sensitive process” that is being carried out with “seriousness and responsibility” and requires effort to find solutions and “create spaces for understanding that allow us to move away from confrontation.”

“During the exchanges that have taken place, the Cuban side has expressed its willingness to carry out this process on the basis of equality and respect for the political systems of both States, as well as for the sovereignty and self-determination of our Government,” Díaz-Canel said. “This has been stated taking into account a sense of reciprocity and adherence to international law.”

As of Friday, the White House had not publicly responded to Díaz-Canel’s remarks.

President Trump addressed the situation in Cuba during his speech at the Shield of the Americas Summit in Florida last week, predicting that major changes could soon occur on the island. He also said Cuban officials had been in contact with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and described the communist government as nearing collapse.

“As we achieve a historic transformation in Venezuela, we’re also looking forward to the great change that will soon be coming to Cuba,” President Trump said. “Cuba’s, at the end of the line. They’re very much at the end of the line. They have no money, they have no oil. They have a bad philosophy. They have a bad regime that’s been bad for a long time.”

Meanwhile, Cuban opposition groups and members of the Cuban diaspora recently gathered to sign the “Agreement for the Liberation of Cuba,” a document outlining proposals for establishing a transitional government after 67 years of communist rule on the island.

{Matzav.com}

Rudy Giuliani cautioned Thursday that increasing corporate taxes in New York City will likely push more businesses to relocate elsewhere, saying the city’s current leadership is repeating economic policies that previously drove companies away. Speaking on Newsmax, the former mayor argued that the approach being proposed today mirrors mistakes he worked to reverse while in office.

During an appearance on “Carl Higbie FRONTLINE,” Giuliani criticized Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s proposal to raise corporate taxes at a time when many companies are already moving operations to states with lower tax burdens.

“It’s true. I have a sense of — it’s hard to describe,” Giuliani said when asked about the direction of the city. “Last night, for example, I had dinner with two very close friends, both of whom are very, very successful businessmen, both from New York, and they now live in Florida.”

Giuliani said the discussion with his friends focused on the same concern raised during the program: the steady movement of businesses away from New York toward states where taxes and operating costs are lower.

He contrasted Mamdani’s tax proposal with the economic strategy he adopted when he first took office as mayor in 1994. At that time, he said, New York City was grappling with budget shortfalls and rising crime in the years following the administration of his predecessor, David Dinkins.

“I went through with them the budget decisions that I made in 1994. I did exactly the opposite of what [Mamdani is] doing,” Giuliani said. “I had a deficit that proportionally was as big as his, maybe bigger.”

Giuliani said he determined that raising taxes during a fiscal crisis would only deepen the city’s economic problems by pushing residents and businesses to leave.

“I decided maybe I’d do something novel. I would lower taxes,” he said.

As an example, Giuliani pointed to a decision his administration made to dramatically reduce the city’s hotel occupancy tax.

“I cut it in more than half, and within two years I was collecting three times more revenue from it,” he said. “Three years later, I had so many more people coming to New York, so many more conventions. On the lower tax, I was making a fortune.”

Giuliani said the lesson from that period is that tax policies must remain competitive if a city wants to retain both businesses and residents.

“You have to have taxes, but they have to be like anything else,” he said. “They have to be reasonable, rational, sensible.”

{Matzav.com}

Air raid sirens sounded across communities in central Israel on Friday evening after missiles were launched from Iran toward the country.

Authorities said no injuries were reported, though three locations in central Israel sustained damage after the missiles struck.

One of the impacts ignited a fire on the roof of a building in Shoham. Firefighters and rescue personnel searched the structure to confirm that no individuals were trapped inside.

Another strike left a crater in a highway, according to reports from the scene. In Rishon LeZion, several vehicles were damaged as a result of the blasts.

At the same time, warning sirens were activated in northern Israel following launches of missiles and drones from Lebanon. Officials said there were no reports of strikes or casualties in those areas.

{Matzav.com}

The Lebanese army said that an Israeli aircraft scattered leaflets over Beirut that included QR codes which, according to Lebanese officials, connect to online contact channels operated by an Israeli intelligence unit that recruits agents.

In a statement, the Lebanese military said the codes printed on the leaflets direct users to communication platforms such as WhatsApp and Facebook. According to the army, the purpose of the material was to reach out to civilians and encourage them to cooperate in intelligence-gathering activities.

The Lebanese army also issued a warning to residents, urging them not to scan the QR codes or follow any links appearing on the leaflets.

The statement further cautioned that interacting with the links could expose civilians to legal and security risks. Officials also claimed the links could potentially compromise mobile phones, including enabling access to devices and personal information.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli President Isaac Herzog addressed the controversy surrounding comments by President Donald Trump regarding a possible pardon for former Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, speaking Friday at the site of a strike in the town of Zarzir. Herzog said that while political and legal disagreements can continue for years, statements that he described as attacks on Israel’s governing institutions require a clear response.

During his remarks at the location of the strike, Herzog drew a distinction between routine disputes within the political system and criticism that targets the state’s official symbols and authority. “Political matters may be debated for years, but attacks on the symbols of government demand a response,” he said.

Herzog went on to explain that his concern was not about personal respect but about the dignity of the country itself. “I do not seek my own honor, but the honor of the state. There is a saying in our sources: ‘A king whose honor is forgiven, his honor is not forgiven.’ I am not a king; I am the president of Israel, a sovereign and independent state. Under these circumstances, there is a difference between political and legal debates-even with our allies-and blatant attacks on the symbols of Israel’s government and sovereignty, therefore a statement must be made on this matter.”

He also made clear that any decision regarding a potential pardon for Netanyahu would be made independently and without outside pressure. Herzog emphasized that the process would follow legal and constitutional procedures, regardless of international commentary.

“Ultimately, our honor, independence, and sovereignty are not for sale to anyone. I will handle the pardon request, when it arrives, in the most independent and impartial way, without pressure or interference, with a clear conscience and clean hands.”

Thousands of American citizens whose flights back to the United States were canceled due to the war with Iran are currently staying in Israel.

As part of an arrangement between the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Embassy in Yerushalayim, and EL AL, Matzav.com has learned that beginning March 16, EL AL will operate six non-stop flights from Tel Aviv to New York designated exclusively for American citizens. These flights are expected to depart at full capacity, subject to Government Approvals.

Starting Sunday morning, EL AL will proactively contact American citizens holding valid EL AL flight tickets whose flights were canceled and have not yet been reassigned, and will offer them placement on these dedicated flights At No Additional Cost. We kindly request that all EL AL customers holding American citizenship complete the following Registration Website form.

EL AL is prepared to expand the Flight Schedule for dedicated flights for American citizens, understanding that the current number of flights provides only a partial solution and does not meet the high demand. Any expansion of activity will be carried out Subject to additional Government Approvals.

Register for these special flights HERE.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump issued a sharp warning to Iran on Friday, signaling that the United States was prepared to escalate its response as fighting across the Middle East intensified. In a series of social media posts, Trump declared that Iran’s military capabilities were being heavily damaged and cautioned that the day could bring further consequences for Tehran.

Posting early Friday on Truth Social, Trump claimed that Iranian forces were suffering severe losses and predicted additional developments.

“We are totally destroying the terrorist regime of Iran, militarily, economically, and otherwise,” Trump wrote in an early morning post on Truth Social. “Iran’s Navy is gone, their Air Force is no longer, missiles, drones and everything else are being decimated, and their leaders have been wiped from the face of the earth.

“They’ve been killing innocent people all over the world for 47 years, and now I, as the 47th President of the United States of America, am killing them,” Trump added. “What a great honor it is to do so!”

Trump also warned that more action could follow, writing in another message that Iran’s forces were being “decimated” and adding, “Watch what happens to these deranged scumbags today.”

Iranian officials quickly dismissed the remarks. Speaking during Quds Day demonstrations, Iranian security official Ali Larijani said the suspected Israeli strike that occurred in Tehran reflected weakness rather than strength.

Larijani told Iranian media that the attack was “a sign of its desperation.”

He also argued that Trump misunderstood the effect of pressure on the Iranian public, saying that “the more pressure he puts on the people, the greater their willpower will be.”

The exchange of threats came as Iran launched a new round of attacks across the Gulf early Friday. Dozens of drones were reportedly sent toward Saudi Arabia, part of a broader escalation that has spread fighting across several countries in the region.

Saudi officials said their air defenses intercepted nearly 50 Iranian drones that arrived in several waves. In neighboring Bahrain, warning sirens sounded after authorities detected incoming aerial threats.

In Dubai, authorities reported a fire in an industrial zone after debris from a missile interception ignited a blaze. Officials also said a structure inside the Dubai International Financial Center sustained damage after fragments from an intercepted missile fell nearby.

In Oman, two individuals were killed when drones crashed in an industrial section of the Sohar area, according to the Oman News Agency.

The attacks came after comments from Iran’s new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, who urged Gulf Arab states to close American military bases and promised retaliation for Iranians killed during the conflict.

Khamenei said the idea that the United States could protect regional governments was “nothing more than a lie” and pledged Iran would “not refrain from avenging the blood” of those killed.

The conflict also extended northward into Turkey. Early Friday, NATO defenses intercepted a ballistic missile launched from Iran.

Residents in the southern Turkish city of Adana reported hearing a loud blast and sirens at Incirlik Air Base, which hosts U.S. forces. Turkey’s Defense Ministry later said NATO air defense systems intercepted and destroyed the missile over the eastern Mediterranean.

Inside Iran, an explosion shook Tehran’s Ferdowsi Square during Quds Day demonstrations supporting Palestinians.

Iranian state television acknowledged the blast but said the cause was unclear. Israel had earlier issued a warning telling civilians to leave the area ahead of a planned strike.

Despite the alert and the ongoing war, thousands gathered in Tehran for the annual rally, shouting “death to Israel” and “death to America” while smoke rose from the square.

Ben Shapiro sharply criticized Megyn Kelly on Thursday after she accused him a day earlier of implying that she was anti-Semitic. The dispute erupted after Kelly defended Piers Morgan, whose program Shapiro had recently attacked for hosting what he described as extreme anti-Semitic voices.

Shapiro addressed the controversy while taking questions from viewers during his program. One viewer asked about a pattern Shapiro has encountered in confrontational interviews, suggesting that critics often accuse him of focusing on Israel when they run out of other arguments.

“Josh says, quote, ‘Dear Ben, I’ve been watching a lot of your adversarial interviews lately, and I’ve noticed that once they run out of arguments, they always fall back on the Israel issue.’ Yeah, I noticed that, too,” Shapiro began before reading the remainder of the viewer’s question.

“‘I noticed this especially in Megyn Kelly’s defense of Tucker Carlson, where she claimed that your issue with him and recently her all boiled down to Israel, which I believe is an incorrect characterization. They just find it convenient to blame Israel instead of facing the actual points you are making. My question is: How do you deal with people like this? People who, anytime you disagree with them just say the reason you disagree with them is because of Israel? I like the way Matt Walsh said it: People that are Israel first, but from the opposite direction—meaning the first thing they care about is being anti-Israel. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this.”

Shapiro responded bluntly to the suggestion that critics were misrepresenting his arguments.

“So yes, they’re lying. Megyn is lying, and so is Tucker. I mean, period. They’re just lying, OK?” Shapiro replied.

He said his criticism of Tucker Carlson began years earlier and had little to do with Israel.

“I started originally criticizing Tucker Carlson for his economic programs back in 2018. And then in the more modern, post-Fox iteration of Tucker, I started criticizing Tucker over his going to Russia to sniff the bread and kiss Vladimir Putin…”

Shapiro also pointed to Carlson’s decision to interview white nationalist Nick Fuentes as a major reason for his criticism.

“My generalized critique of Tucker in the last few months has been one: he hosted and glossed over a Nazi, Nick Fuentes, which doesn’t have to do with Israel. It has to do with glazing a Nazi, Nick Fuentes. And then I did a speech at Heritage in which I went through the fact that Tucker Carlson is in no way, shape, or form a traditional conservative and he’s a conspiratorial near-anarchist at this point, seeking to tear down the fundamental ideas and institutions of the United States.”

Shapiro referenced a speech he delivered at the Heritage Foundation to emphasize that Israel was not the focus of his critique.

“Go watch the Heritage Speech. I believe Israel is mentioned once in a 35-minute speech that is all about Tucker’s general view of the world and how it does not represent traditional conservatism in any way.”

He then accused Kelly of being even more misleading about the origins of their disagreement.

“Megyn is even more dishonest. I’ve literally never—not once—mentioned Megyn Kelly in the context of Israel. My critique of Megyn Kelly began when—and again, go back and watch the tape because it’s all on tape, gang. Go back and watch the tape. Megyn wanted me to come and do one of her live events, which we did for free, obviously, and came down as a favor to Megyn because Megyn and I were friendly.”

Shapiro said he had also supported Kelly professionally in the past.

“And of course, we’d had a long, longstanding business relationship in which we had really, really helped her launch her business, which she freely admits or admitted at the time. I don’t know if she does anymore. She used to have me on her Fox News show sometimes. Now I see she’s taking credit for my entire career. Well, you know, congrats, Megyn, I suppose. And see if you’re happy about your decisions. I disagree about my career trajectory, but that’s fine. If you want to take credit, sure.”

He said the disagreement between them stemmed from his criticism of Kelly for not confronting other conservative figures over controversial statements.

“In any case, my critique of Megyn on the stage was: Why don’t you call out Candace Owens for implicating Erika Kirk in the murder of Charlie Kirk? That was my critique on the stage. And why don’t you call out Tucker Carlson for glazing Nick Fuentes as the leading enemy of Charlie Kirk? Because Nick Fuentes hated, despised Charlie Kirk, and the feeling was mutual. That was my critique of Megyn,” Shapiro continued.

He said Kelly had defended Owens and disputed his claims.

“And then she went on to claim that I was lying about Candace and that actually Candace was even, quote unquote, ‘defending in her own way, Erika Kirk.’ Well, that didn’t age amazingly, as it turns out,” Shapiro jabbed.

Shapiro also insisted that he has never accused Kelly of anti-Semitism.

“So here’s what’s actually happening: What’s actually happened is that there is a game that has now emerged on this part of the right. The game goes something like this: I don’t accuse you of anti-Semitism. You instead claim that I did. And then you say, “How dare he call me an anti-Semite. He’s trying to cancel me.” It’s the Jussie Smollett of political claims. You attack yourself and then you claim that I attacked you as an anti-Semite. That’s absurd.”

He reiterated that his criticism of Carlson was focused on Carlson’s platforming of anti-Semitic figures.

“I think that Tucker Carlson has fostered anti-Semitism by having on some of the worst anti-Semites in America over and over and then essentially laundering their views. I have never remotely called Megyn Kelly an anti-Semite. Nor, by the way, did I call Piers Morgan an anti-Semite. I said that his show is the Jerry Springer of politics—a clown car of stupidity. And it is. That’s all. That’s literally all. I didn’t say that he should be taken down. I didn’t say that people should stop watching his show if they want to. I said I did not wish to appear in the clown car stupidity, which seems to me an aspect of free speech. I don’t have to associate with Piers’s dumb show. I mean, lots of people like it. Good for him. And Piers measures his morality by clicks.”

Kelly responded to Shapiro’s remarks later Thursday on her own program and defended Morgan, arguing that he challenges controversial guests rather than promoting their views.

“It’s very sad to me as somebody who’s known Ben forever, and made Ben. One hundred percent—he became a star on my show at The Kelly File. I’m very sorry to see this happen. And like, there is absolutely no cause to go run around policing the guests on somebody else’s show and trying to diminish somebody who is as interesting but—and I mean this complimentarily—benign as Piers Morgan,” Kelly said.

She rejected the idea that Morgan represents a harmful force and accused Shapiro of imposing ideological tests on others in conservative media.

“Piers is not a pernicious force. Piers is an interesting guy who’s got an interesting show. Maybe it’s for you, maybe it’s not. It’s up to you. I think he’s really interesting, and I think his interviews are great. But now we have to get rid of Piers Morgan? So obviously, in Ben’s view, Tucker had to go. Clearly, even though he helped build Candace, she had to go,” Kelly continued.

She said their long friendship made the public dispute particularly disappointing.

“Then I had to go, even though I’ve had a 15-year friendship with this guy—publicly attacked me. Same thing. Not even a text in advance, even though we had had a text literally four months or four weeks earlier saying, “No matter what, who we’re friends with”—because he was mad I was friends with Tucker—’our friendship means more to us than it, and we won’t do anything to [mess] it up.’ Next thing I know, I get attacked by him on stage at Turning Point.”

Kelly concluded by questioning how many figures in conservative media Shapiro would criticize.

“Now, Piers Morgan—how many people have to go? Truly, how many people must be called out from the conservative movement in order to make Ben happy? This is ridiculous, and it’s not just Ben. There are others who take his lead once he calls you an anti-Semite or says you need to be kicked out of polite society. There are a couple of others—not a huge amount, I have to say. Ben’s numbers are very bad right now, but he’s got some influence with some crew. This is so wrong. Good for Piers Morgan for fighting back. I’m completely on Team Piers, and I’m sorry to see Ben going in this direction.”

{Matzav.com}

[COMMUNICATED]

As the matzav in Eretz Yisroel weighs heavily on our hearts, some have asked whether the upcoming Shuvu Dinner should be postponed. After consulting with our Daas Torah the guidance was clear: this is precisely the time to continue.

For 35 years, Shuvu has provided Torah education to children across Eretz Yisroel, many from homes with little prior exposure to authentic Torah learning. Today, more than 6,000 children attend Shuvu schools, where they are being prepared for lives of Torah, mitzvos, and Yiras Shamayim.

Shuvu was founded by Rav Avrohom Pam zt”l, whose vision was to bring Torah to Jewish children throughout Eretz Yisroel. That mission continues today under the leadership of our nesiim, Rav Reuven Feinstein shlita and Rav Elya Brudny shlita. 

Especially in difficult times, the learning of these children carries profound meaning. Strengthening their Torah is not separate from the moment – it is part of our response.

For this reason, Shuvu will move forward with its 35th Annual Dinner, be’ezras Hashem, on Sunday, March 15 at Bell Works in New Jersey.

Many members of our team in Eretz Yisroel must remain with their families and may not be able to travel to assist with fundraising. We therefore turn to you to help ensure that Shuvu’s schools and the thousands of children that depend on them remain strong.

Please join our dinner campaign at shuvuusa.org/dinner or call 718-692-3434.

In this zechus, may we be zoche to see yeshuos and nechamos for Klal Yisroel.

Amid the ongoing war, Rav Dov Landau visited several yeshivos in Bnei Brak whose talmidim are currently learning in protected areas. During a visit to the temporary home of Yeshivas Ner Zerach–Otzem, Rav Landau delivered words of chizuk and emphasized that following the directives of the Home Front Command is not merely practical advice but a Torah-level obligation.

The yeshiva was evacuated by the authorities at the beginning of the war and has temporarily relocated to Bnei Brak until conditions stabilize. Rav Landau delivered a general shiur and then addressed the talmidim about the challenges of the current period. The gathering took place at the Bnei Akiva community center in Bnei Brak and was attended by the roshei yeshiva, Rav Yitzchok Zev Feinstein and Rav Avrohom Aharon Braverman, along with the mashgiach and the rest of the yeshiva’s rabbinic staff.

Following the shiur, Rav Landau spoke about the difficult circumstances facing bnei Torah during this time. He noted that over the past two years, alongside what he described as pressure placed on those who learn Torah in Eretz Yisroel, the Jewish community has also been living under real danger. Emphasizing the central role of Torah learning, he said that those who dedicate themselves to Torah serve as the protectors and guardians of the Jewish people.

He also spoke about the power of tefillah during times of distress and about the importance of strengthening emunah and bitachon. At the same time, he stressed the responsibility to act carefully and follow safety guidelines, stating that observing the official instructions is a Torah obligation.

Rav Landau explained that in recent years many bochurim have been learning Torah under difficult conditions, and now an additional challenge has been added as the war has forced many yeshivos to relocate and continue learning away from their usual batei medrash.

He noted that the Jewish people living in Eretz Yisroel have been in a prolonged period of conflict, facing serious dangers and concerns. Despite this, he emphasized that the protection of the Jewish people ultimately comes from Hashem, often in ways that go beyond natural explanations.

Rav Landau stressed that the responsibility of bnei yeshiva at such a time is to strengthen their dedication to Torah learning even more. He explained that those who devote themselves to Torah sustain the world, and that their learning serves as protection for Klal Yisroel in the most direct and meaningful way.

According to Rav Landau, the response to the current situation must be greater immersion in Torah study — learning continuously, becoming deeply engaged in the sugyos, and developing a genuine excitement for the words of Torah.

He also called on the students to strengthen their tefillah and to be more careful in observing the halachos of tefillah. Rav Landau cited the teaching attributed to the Chazon Ish that during times of danger, the recitation of Yoshev B’Seiser is especially powerful.

At the same time, Rav Landau emphasized the obligation of practical effort to safeguard life, noting that protecting oneself is a clear Torah commandment. He stressed that people must be careful to follow the safety instructions and not take them lightly, explaining that the obligation of v’nishmartem me’od l’nafshoseichem requires strict adherence to these guidelines.

He added that it is said in the name of the Brisker Rav that by fulfilling the mitzvah of safeguarding one’s life, a person merits siyata d’Shmaya and protection from Heaven.

Rav Landau also encouraged the talmidim to maintain calm and a positive atmosphere during this tense time. One practical suggestion he offered was to avoid constantly seeking out additional news and updates, since excessive exposure to information can create unnecessary fear and anxiety.

Looking ahead to the upcoming period of bein hazmanim, he stressed that there is no exemption from Torah learning during that time — especially now, when Klal Yisroel needs the protection of Torah study.

He suggested that the break could be used productively by studying masechtos or other areas of Torah that are not usually focused on during the regular zman.

At the same time, Rav Landau reminded the students to take advantage of the opportunity during bein hazmanim to fulfill the mitzvah of honoring their parents and helping at home when needed.

He concluded with a tefillah that Hashem should have mercy on the Jewish people, protect them from suffering and harsh decrees, allow them to sit peacefully in the ohel haTorah, and bring about a complete redemption speedily.

In addition to this visit, Rav Landau also traveled to Yeshivas Toras Chaim L’Tzeirim in Bnei Brak, headed by Rav Boruch Dov Diskin and Rav Yosef Shraga Turtchin, which has been conducting its learning in a neighborhood shelter during the war.

During the visit, Rav Landau delivered a Torah shiur and additional words of chizuk to the students. The roshei yeshiva — Rav Boruch Dov Diskin, Rav Yosef Shraga Turtchin, Rav Tzvi Turtchin, and the mashgiach Rav Moshe Mordechai Englard — welcomed him upon arrival.

One particularly memorable moment during the visit was a spirited Torah discussion between Rav Landau and Rav Diskin, reflecting the lively style of debate that characterizes Torah learning. In his closing remarks, Rav Landau again encouraged the students to strengthen their learning, listen to the guidance of their rabbonim, and avoid unnecessary risks during air raid sirens. The students left the gathering feeling uplifted and inspired.

{Matzav.com}

Four American service members were confirmed dead after a U.S. military refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq on Thursday while participating in operations connected to the war with Iran, according to the U.S. military.

U.S. Central Command announced early Friday in a post on X that the KC-135 aircraft went down at around 2 p.m. Eastern Time in western Iraq. Officials confirmed that four crew members were killed in the crash. The command did not specify the condition of the remaining two crew members, noting only that “rescue efforts continue.”

“The circumstances of the incident are under investigation. However, the loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire,” CENTCOM said.

Earlier updates from the military indicated that two aircraft had been involved in the incident, with the second plane managing to land safely.

In keeping with standard military procedure, the names of those who died have not yet been released. Officials said their identities will be made public only after their families have been notified and at least 24 hours have passed.

The crash raises the number of U.S. service members killed since the conflict began on Feb. 28 to ten. That was the date when American forces joined Israel in striking Iranian military targets and leadership figures. In addition, one more service member died during the same period from a medical condition.

In a separate incident last week, Kuwaiti forces accidentally shot down three American fighter jets. None of the personnel aboard those aircraft were killed.

The KC-135 Stratotanker involved in Thursday’s crash is a long-serving aerial refueling aircraft used extensively by the U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps for more than six decades. Each plane carries a price tag of nearly $40 million.

According to information published on the Air Force website, the KC-135 can also be configured for medical evacuation missions. While the aircraft typically operates with a crew of three, that number can increase to a standard crew of five when it is outfitted for medical transport duties.

{Matzav.com}

Authorities announced new restrictions on access to the Kosel ahead of the upcoming Shabbos, with several key routes leading to the plaza expected to be temporarily closed beginning Friday afternoon.

The Western Wall Heritage Foundation informed the public that, due to the current security situation and directives from the Home Front Command, new limitations have been imposed on entry to the Kosel plaza in Yerushalayim. The measures are intended to ensure that the number of people present does not exceed the available protected areas in case of an emergency.

Under the updated guidelines, the number of people allowed to remain in the Kosel plaza at any given time will be limited to no more than 50 individuals. Officials said the decision was made in accordance with Home Front Command safety instructions aimed at minimizing potential risks.

At the same time, Israel Police announced that on Friday the pedestrian routes leading to the Kosel plaza will be closed between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. The closure is expected to affect visitors and mispallelim planning to arrive ahead of Shabbos.

{Matzav.com}

Israel has confirmed that its air force carried out strikes against Basij checkpoints and personnel in several locations across Tehran. Footage released from the skies over the Iranian capital showed the attacks targeting positions recently established by members of the Basij militia.

According to Israeli military officials, the strikes followed intelligence assessments indicating that Basij fighters had begun setting up checkpoints throughout parts of Tehran in recent days. After identifying the deployment, the Israeli Air Force carried out attacks over the past 24 hours, guided by intelligence from the IDF Intelligence Directorate.

The Basij forces are part of Iran’s internal security apparatus and operate under the regime’s broader security structure. For years, these armed units have been responsible for implementing terror operations as well as enforcing the regime’s internal control.

In addition to their security role, the Basij have been heavily involved in suppressing domestic protests inside Iran. In recent months, they have been central to the regime’s crackdown on demonstrations, using violence, conducting large-scale arrests, and deploying force against civilian protesters.

Iran’s Fars news agency claimed that the incidents were connected to sabotage operations carried out inside the country by forces linked to Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency together with groups loyal to Iran’s former royalist movement.

The Israeli military said the strikes are part of a broader effort targeting the Iranian regime’s core security infrastructure. An IDF spokesperson said the operations will continue wherever Iranian regime forces operate.

“The IDF will continue to strike the systems and operatives of the Iranian terror regime wherever they operate. The strikes that were completed are part of the phase of deepening the damage to the core systems of the Iranian terror regime and its foundations,” the spokesperson said.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump addressed growing questions on Thursday about the condition of Iran’s newly installed Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, as uncertainty continues to swirl regarding his health.

In an interview with Fox News Radio scheduled to air in full Friday morning, Trump said he believes the Iranian leader is still alive but suggested he may have been seriously wounded.

Asked whether Khamenei is alive after assuming leadership following the killing of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a joint US-Israel airstrike, Trump responded, “I think he probably is.”

He continued, “I think he is damaged, but I think he’s probably alive in some form, you know.”

Mojtaba Khamenei was formally installed as Iran’s Supreme Leader on Sunday after the death of his father.

Since taking the position, he has yet to appear publicly. Earlier this week, The New York Times reported that he was injured during the opening day of the conflict.

The report said that Mojtaba Khamenei suffered a leg injury and is currently staying in a location where communications are limited.

Iranian state media released a statement Thursday attributed to Khamenei, the first message issued under his name since assuming leadership following his father’s death.

The statement pledged retaliation against the United States and Israel, instructed Iranian forces to maintain the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and warned that additional battlefronts could be opened in the conflict. However, the message was released without any accompanying video or audio, which has intensified speculation about the Iranian leader’s true condition.

{Matzav.com}