Matzav

The Trump Organization is expanding into Australia with plans to develop a major hotel and residential tower on the Gold Coast, marking the company’s debut project in the country.

Eric Trump revealed that the company will construct what he described as the tallest building in Australia, unveiling the Trump International Hotel & Tower Gold Coast as its inaugural Australian development. “I am so proud to announce what will soon be the tallest building in Australia — Trump International Hotel & Tower Gold Coast,” Eric wrote in a post on X. “This marks our first venture into Australia — an extraordinary country in every respect — and I couldn’t be more excited to help shape its iconic skyline forever.”

In an official statement, the Trump Organization said it has partnered with Altus Property Group to introduce the new project, formally announcing the launch of Trump International Hotel & Tower, Gold Coast. According to the release, the development will include a 285-room luxury hotel carrying the Trump name and serving as the centerpiece of a planned 91-story skyscraper.

“This landmark development reinforces The Trump Organization’s ongoing commitment to expanding its portfolio of luxury residential, hospitality, and golf projects globally,” the press release says.

Project details outlined in the announcement indicate that, in addition to the hotel, the tower will house 272 upscale residential units. The statement further explains:

The Trump International Hotel & Tower, Gold Coast will feature a 285-room luxury hotel bearing the trademark Trump logo, anchoring the 91-storey development. The project will also include 272 luxury residential apartments, a three-level podium with an exclusive Beach Club, and over 3,400 sqm of premium commercial, retail, and dining space, revitalizing the central Surfers Paradise precinct.

In a separate statement, Trump said the development demonstrates the company’s “unwavering commitment to delivering world-class luxury experiences.”

Altus Property Group Founder and Chief Executive David Young also welcomed the collaboration, emphasizing the project’s significance. “Trump International Hotel & Tower, Gold Coast will be a truly unique offering in the Australian market, bringing the prestige and allure of a world-class luxury brand,” Altus Founder and Chief Executive David Young said in a statement. “Altus Property Group is proud of its track record in delivering landmark developments across Australia, and our expertise ensures this project will be an outstanding success.”

Hamas has altered the way it brings weapons-related materials into the Gaza Strip, abandoning its previous reliance on tunnels and trucks in favor of a maritime method designed to evade detection.

According to a report by Kan News, the terror group is now using specially designed containers that travel beneath the surface of the sea. The shift reportedly takes advantage of rough winter waters, which can make monitoring more difficult.

Under the updated approach, smugglers reportedly deposit the cargo roughly five miles off the coast of Sheikh Zuweid in the southern Gaza Strip. From there, ocean currents moving at approximately two knots carry the submerged containers overnight. Within 10 to 14 hours, the shipments are said to reach the coastal areas of Deir al-Balah and Khan Yunis.

The report states that the smuggling network is divided into multiple teams. Some cells operate out of Egypt and the Sinai Peninsula, while others function along Gaza’s coastline. These groups reportedly use diversionary tactics, including launching UAVs to distract and overwhelm IDF surveillance and interception systems.

By adopting this underwater transport system, Hamas is believed to be importing key components used in rocket manufacturing, including parts intended to improve the range, precision, and stability of its projectiles.

The development is seen as part of Hamas’s broader attempt to rebuild and maintain its military capabilities despite operational constraints and ongoing countermeasures.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump is reviewing whether to authorize military action against Iran as diplomatic discussions are set to resume in Geneva, while his top military adviser has cautioned that such a move could carry serious consequences, including the danger of a drawn-out conflict.

According to Axios, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine has told Trump and senior national security officials that launching a campaign against Iran could expose the United States to significant risks, among them the possibility of becoming mired in a prolonged war. The report cited five individuals who either participated in or were briefed on high-level internal meetings.

Axios reported that Caine has not urged the president to carry out a strike, though he would carry out any directive ultimately issued. One person familiar with the discussions described him as a “reluctant warrior” when it comes to Iran, noting that his stance differs from his backing of the mission targeting Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. While Caine was said to have strongly supported the Venezuela operation, two sources indicated he has taken a more measured approach regarding Iran, viewing the stakes as higher and the risks of escalation and American casualties as more substantial.

Another individual with direct insight into Caine’s perspective told Axios that the chairman does not oppose a military campaign outright but is “clear-eyed and realistic” about the chances of success and the potential chain of events that could follow the start of hostilities. A senior official, however, rejected the suggestion that Caine had expressed doubt about military action.

Joint Staff spokesman Joe Holstead told Axios that in his role as an adviser, the chairman outlines “a range of military options” and includes “secondary considerations and associated impacts and risks,” providing that guidance privately. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said in a written statement that Caine is a “talented and highly-valued” member of Trump’s national security team and that the president listens to “a host of opinions” before determining what course best serves U.S. national security.

Axios also reported that Caine has recently been “the only military leader” briefing President Trump on the escalating tensions with Iran. The outlet noted that U.S. Central Command chief Adm. Brad Cooper has not participated in the Iran-focused meetings convened by Trump and has not spoken directly with the president since the standoff began in early January. A senior administration official confirmed that Trump has not communicated with Cooper during that time. By comparison, Cooper’s predecessor, Gen. Erik Kurilla, had provided briefings to both Trump and President Joe Biden on Iran-related matters, the report said.

Behind the scenes, senior officials have been debating how to handle the confrontation with Tehran and what the consequences of each potential path might be. Several advisers have urged caution, although one person familiar with the deliberations said the president has recently shown a leaning toward approving military action. Another source said Trump has insisted that his envoys continue diplomatic efforts to ensure all options are “exhausted” before he reaches a final decision. Those briefed on the meetings said none of the participants has supported sending ground troops or undertaking a “boots on the ground” operation.

At 3:11 p.m. on Monday, President Trump on Truth Social:

Numerous stories from the Fake News Media have been circulating stating that General Daniel Caine, sometimes referred to as Razin, is against us going to War with Iran. The story does not attribute this vast wealth of knowledge to anyone, and is 100% incorrect. General Caine, like all of us, would like not to see War but, if a decision is made on going against Iran at a Military level, it is his opinion that it will be something easily won. He knows Iran well in that he was in charge of Midnight Hammer, the attack on the Iranian Nuclear Development. It is a Development no longer, but rather, was blown to smithereens by our Great B-2 Bombers. Razin Caine is a Great Fighter, and represents the Most Powerful Military anywhere in the World. He has not spoken of not doing Iran, or even the fake limited strikes that I have been reading about, he only knows one thing, how to WIN and, if he is told to do so, he will be leading the pack. Everything that has been written about a potential War with Iran has been written incorrectly, and purposefully so. I am the one that makes the decision, I would rather have a Deal than not but, if we don’t make a Deal, it will be a very bad day for that Country and, very sadly, its people, because they are great and wonderful, and something like this should never have happened to them.

Vice President J.D. Vance has voiced concern during internal discussions that military action could pull the United States into a wider confrontation. One source told Axios that Vance has questioned the operational complexity and potential fallout, while another said he has been laying out arguments “on both sides” so the president can weigh the full picture. The same source added that Vance is not “outright opposed” to a strike.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to two sources, has not taken a firm public stance either for or against military action, instead “sitting on the fence.” Although Rubio has traditionally been seen as hawkish on Iran, Axios reported that his recent focus has shifted more heavily toward matters involving Venezuela and Cuba.

Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to meet Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Geneva on Thursday for another round of indirect negotiations brokered by Oman. Axios reported that both advisers have encouraged Trump to hold off on military action for the time being, arguing that further diplomacy could strengthen Washington’s position before any irreversible step is taken.

Speaking to Fox News over the weekend, Witkoff said Trump has been “frustrated” and “curious” that Tehran has not “capitulated” despite mounting U.S. military pressure, while cautioning that such descriptions might exaggerate the president’s stance. Witkoff also warned that Iran could be “a week away” from converting its highly enriched uranium into “industrial-grade bomb-making material,” a development he said would sharply reduce the remaining space for diplomacy.

Beyond the administration, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) has been among the most vocal advocates for military action. In remarks to Axios on Saturday, Graham said he was frustrated that some of Trump’s advisers were counseling restraint and opposing strikes. He also spoke directly with the president on Sunday, urging him not to postpone military measures.

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu has likewise pressed for strikes. Axios reported that since meeting with Trump about ten days ago, Netanyahu has grown concerned that the United States may ultimately decline to act militarily. A U.S. source who met with Netanyahu last week told the outlet that the prime minister left his discussion with Trump unsure whether he had persuaded the president. “Is he still with us?” Netanyahu asked, the source said.

A senior administration official summarized the internal dynamic, telling Axios, “Everyone has a job to do and does their job. Rubio isn’t figuring out what planes to fly. Caine isn’t worrying about diplomatic fallout. The decision to strike, when and how or if at all, has not been made.”

{Matzav.com}

Tensions between United Torah Judaism and Shas have spilled into the open, after Degel HaTorah chairman MK Moshe Gafni sharply criticized Shas leader MK Aryeh Deri for unilaterally reclaiming the chairmanship of the Knesset Health Committee.

Speaking during a United Torah Judaism faction meeting on Monday, Gafni accused Deri of breaking a coordinated agreement among the chareidi parties. According to Gafni, the factions had reached a clear understanding to withdraw together from coalition roles and to maintain a unified legislative boycott, including joint decisions on “what goes up and what does not.”

Gafni said the purpose of the agreement was to preserve a united front in negotiations with the government on issues central to the chareidi public, foremost among them the draft law.

However, he charged that Deri deviated from that consensus. “Suddenly he decides unilaterally to return to the chairmanship of the Health Committee. He decides on his own,” Gafni told fellow faction members.

Gafni further revealed that in a prior meeting with the prime minister, Deri had emphasized to him, “I do what Gafni says.” In light of that statement, Gafni asked pointedly: “Suddenly when it comes to jobs he decides on his own. Now it no longer matters what Gafni says?”

Within chareidi political circles, Shas’s move is being interpreted as an effort to retain key parliamentary positions during a period of political strain and to avoid losing influence over sensitive areas such as the health system. By contrast, Degel HaTorah officials argue that unilateral steps weaken the bargaining position of the chareidi factions vis-à-vis the coalition and signal internal division.

The dispute comes at a particularly delicate moment, as the draft law controversy and ongoing tensions with the High Court continue to cast uncertainty over coalition stability.

{Matzav.com}

New York City, still reeling from a historic blizzard, is bracing for additional snowfall in the coming days after a storm that has already secured a place among the 10 largest winter events ever recorded in the city.

By this afternoon, snowfall in Central Park had reached 19.7 inches, surpassing the 19 inches recorded during the January 2011 blizzard, which previously stood as the ninth-largest snowstorm in city history.

The powerful system, driven by a bomb cyclone that struck from Sunday into Monday, delivered the most significant snowfall the city has experienced in over a decade.

Within the five boroughs, Staten Island reported the single highest total so far, with 24.1 inches measured in the Grasmere neighborhood, according to the National Weather Service.

Brooklyn also saw substantial accumulation. Sheepshead Bay recorded 22.5 inches, while Williamsburg and Crown Heights followed closely behind with 21.1 and 21 inches, respectively.

In Manhattan, Washington Heights led the borough with 22.1 inches of snow measured to date.

Queens’ highest total was logged at LaGuardia Airport, where 22.2 inches were recorded.

The Bronx saw the least accumulation among the boroughs, with 14.8 inches measured in Co-Op City.

Beyond city limits, snowfall totals were even higher in some areas. Lynbrook in Nassau County on Long Island reported 24 inches, while Babylon in Suffolk County tallied 29.5 inches as of the latest reports.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani said public schools will reopen Tuesday after students were granted a three-day weekend due to the storm.

The mayor added that some neighborhoods could receive an additional 2.5 inches of snow by tonight as the system continues to move through the region.

{Matzav.com}

Police raided an apartment in Bnei Brak that had been converted into a drug laboratory, seizing large quantities of narcotics and arresting two suspects, authorities said.

The operation took place yesterday on Dangur Street, where detectives discovered what they believe was a facility used for the cultivation and production of illegal drugs. Inside the apartment, officers found 156 cannabis plants with a total gross weight of 31 kilograms. In addition, a substance suspected to be cocaine, weighing 10 grams gross, was located in a vehicle connected to the case.

Two suspects — a 25-year-old resident of Bnei Brak and a 24-year-old from Rehovot — were arrested and taken in for questioning at the local police station. Following their interrogation, both were remanded in custody. A court has extended their detention until February 26, 2026.

Meanwhile, Tel Aviv District Commander Chief Superintendent Chaim Sargarof signed an order yesterday to shut down the apartment for 30 days, through March 23, 2026.

Mexico mobilized its army, air force and elite security units — backed by intelligence assistance from the United States — to eliminate Nemesio Rubén “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, the powerful head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, in a sweeping weekend operation that officials described as unprecedented in scale.

The coordinated assault brought together ground troops, aircraft and a specially trained National Guard force focused on combating cartel violence. Oseguera, a former police officer who had a $15 million US bounty placed on him, had long led what authorities consider the most formidable criminal organization in the country.

Over the years, Oseguera built a heavily armed force around him. At his luxury compound in the state of Jalisco, security personnel reportedly maintained rocket launchers and other advanced weaponry to defend the property.

After dominating Mexico’s criminal underworld for years, Oseguera’s organization had amassed military-grade firepower, making a conventional law enforcement operation unfeasible.

In a prior raid on a CJNG stronghold, authorities discovered a cache that included numerous automatic machine guns, grenade launchers and rocket-propelled grenades — weapons similar to those used in 2015 to bring down a military helicopter.

Investigators also determined that Oseguera’s estate contained armored vehicles and heavy weapons more commonly associated with an organized military force than a criminal syndicate.

In advance of Sunday’s operation, Mexican officials received assistance from the US Joint Interagency Task Force-Counter Cartel (JITF-CC), a unit established last month to analyze and map cartel networks operating along the border.

President Trump has made dismantling Mexico’s drug cartels — which serve as a primary source of fentanyl and other narcotics entering the United States — a central focus of his administration.

Brigadier Gen. Maurizio Calabrese, who leads the task force, explained that the unit applied experience gained from counterterrorism campaigns against groups such as al Qaeda and Islamic State to track cartel infrastructure.

“The cartels operate differently than al Qaeda or ISIS, different motivations, which makes it even more important for us to identify entire networks so that we can disrupt and dismantle (them),” Calabrese told Reuters.

After Trump formally classified Mexican cartels as terrorist organizations last year, the task force gained authority to deploy military tools and surveillance resources in monitoring trafficking networks.

Ultimately, US analysts assembled a comprehensive targeting dossier on Oseguera, identifying his presence in the rural community of Tapalpa.

Although specific intelligence contributions from JITF-CC have not been publicly detailed, the agency’s website outlines its mission as seeking to “identify, disrupt, and dismantle cartel operations posing a threat to the United States along the U.S.-Mexico border.”

Mexico’s Security Ministry confirmed that US officials supplied “supplementary information” to support the mission, though planning and execution were directed by Mexico’s central military intelligence command.

According to Mexico’s Defense Secretary Ricardo Trevilla, part of the intelligence effort involved tracing an associate connected to one of Oseguera’s romantic partners, ultimately leading authorities to the cartel leader’s secluded compound in the mountains.

Trevilla said that when the woman departed the property, Oseguera and his armed entourage stayed behind inside the complex.

Once preparations were complete, Mexican special forces advanced on the compound Sunday. As security personnel attempted to escape into the surrounding forest, they opened fire on the approaching troops.

The Mexican troops “returned fire,” killing four cartel members in the shoot out, with Oseguera and three other gangsters dying from their wounds during an air transport, according to the security ministry.

Air Force aircraft and rapid-response National Guard teams provided additional support, enabling federal forces to swiftly subdue the gunmen and secure the property.

News of El Mencho’s death triggered violent retaliation by cartel factions across Mexico, with roadblocks erected on key highways and vehicles set ablaze.

Authorities issued a shelter-in-place order in Puerto Vallarta, a resort city west of Tapalpa, as unrest spread throughout the state.

Mexico Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch reported that at least 25 National Guard members were killed during the wave of violence in Jalisco, along with a prison guard and a state prosecutor’s office agent.

{Matzav.com}

Knesset Poised for Showdown Over Kosel Authority

A new dispute has erupted within the World Zionist Organization, as members of the religious-Orthodox bloc issued a sharp protest after a public statement was released in the name of the entire executive without their consent and contrary to their position.

The internal clash comes as the Knesset prepares to debate a bill that would grant the Chief Rabbinate full authority over all sections of the Kosel.

The controversy within the WZO follows last week’s incident at the Kosel, when police detained Women of the Wall activist Tami Gottlieb and issued her a restraining order barring her from the plaza after disturbances during Rosh Chodesh davening. The order was later shortened by a court ruling.

In the wake of that episode, several members of the WZO executive sought to publish a statement expressing support for Gottlieb, who also serves as a member of the organization’s executive. Representatives of the religious bloc objected strongly and refused to sign onto the statement. They have now released a counter-declaration, expressing what they describe as pain and protest over the original announcement, which they say was issued without their approval and does not reflect their position.

According to the Orthodox representatives, the statement fails to represent the will of the majority of voters in the most recent Zionist Congress elections. They argue that the results demonstrated a clear Orthodox majority across most major Jewish communities worldwide.

“Except for one or two countries,” Rabbi Pesach Lerner of the Eretz HaKodesh slate told Kikar HaShabbat, “in all the major countries around the world, in the United States and throughout Europe, there is a strong and clear majority of religious Orthodox voters who supported religious slates over the Reform slates. Despite this, representatives of the Reform and Conservative movements have the audacity to demand and publish statements as if they speak on behalf of world Jewry, when it has been demonstrated in the clearest possible way that the majority is Orthodox.

“It is time that we stand firm and state clearly: The majority of world Jewry supports the Orthodox position and seeks to preserve the voice of Torah and halachah in Eretz Yisroel. The Reform movement has no right to speak in the name of world Jewry.”

The WZO storm is unfolding against the backdrop of renewed legislative efforts in the Knesset. Justice Minister Yariv Levin announced Sunday that he intends to vote in favor of a bill that would place all parts of the Kosel, including the Ezras Yisroel section, under the full authority of Israel’s two chief rabbis.

“A few minutes ago, I received the announcement from the Government Secretariat that the meeting of the ministerial committee [for legislation] had been canceled. Since there is no government stance on this matter, I plan to vote for the bill. I urge all MKs, especially those in the coalition, to join me and send a clear message to the High Court: Enough is enough,” Levin said after Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu canceled a scheduled meeting of the Ministerial Committee for Legislation.

The prime minister reportedly acted amid concerns over potential backlash from Diaspora organizations. Coalition whip Ofir Katz later stated that members of the coalition would be free to vote according to their conscience, and a spokesman for Netanyahu said he had “allowed freedom of voting.”

The bill, sponsored by MK Avi Maoz, is intended to counter a recent High Court ruling requiring the state to move forward with upgrading the egalitarian prayer plaza, a step rooted in the Kosel compromise approved nearly a decade ago. Maoz’s proposal would grant the Chief Rabbinate ultimate authority over all activity at the site and define any action contrary to its directives, including non-Orthodox prayer services, as a “desecration.”

Maoz declared that he would bring the bill for a preliminary reading and called “upon all members of the Knesset to stand up and vote for the integrity of the Kosel and against the High Court.”

Shas, United Torah Judaism, and Otzma Yehudit issued a joint statement that they “will support the Kosel law that will be put to a vote on Wednesday. It was so in the past, and it will be so now.” The Religious Zionism party similarly announced that it would back the legislation, stating that it would “ensure the integrity of the Kosel and preserve its sanctity.”

Within the WZO, members of the Orthodox bloc insist that their stance reflects the authentic voice of the majority. In their formal protest, they stated that they were pained by what they called an unnecessary provocation that harmed the sanctity of the Kosel, while reiterating that every Jew has the right to daven at the holiest site of the Jewish people, provided that it is done in accordance with halachah and the longstanding status quo under the guidance of the Chief Rabbinate.

“We, members of the Zionist Executive on behalf of the religious-Orthodox factions, hereby express protest and pain over the statement that was published, contrary to our position, and purportedly in the name of all members of the executive following the provocation carried out at the Kosel plaza by executive member Tami Gottlieb,” the statement reads.

“The Western Wall is a most significant Jewish symbol. We respect the right of every Jew to pray there in accordance with halachah and Jewish tradition, while maintaining the status quo that has been in place for decades and the directives of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, which was founded by Rav Avrohom Yitzchok Hakohein Kook. This is the position of millions of Jews in Israel and throughout the world, and we seek to express it clearly.

“We express our pain over the unnecessary provocation that harmed the sanctity of the site, which bears no connection to the compromise outline proposed by Jewish Agency chairman Natan Sharansky and then-Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit. We strengthen the hands of the Israel Police and the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, who are entrusted with preserving the sanctity of the site and maintaining law and order in accordance with the directives of the Council of the Chief Rabbinate.”

{Matzav.com}

Shas Chairman Aryeh Deri on Monday sharply condemned the arrest of a 28-year-old yungerman from Be’er Sheva, accusing authorities of persecuting Torah students under the enforcement of Israel’s military draft laws.

Speaking during his party’s weekly faction meeting, Deri criticized the detention of the married kollel member, who is the father of a child with special needs and whose wife is currently pregnant. The man was reportedly arrested for failing to report for service under the Security Service Law, a move that Shas officials described as a “persecution of Torah learners.”

“What cruelty and wickedness to arrest a 28-year-old avreich, with a pregnant wife and a child with special needs, and throw him into prison for the crime of studying Torah,” Deri told fellow party members. “The world should be shocked by the persecution of Torah learners. We must not become accustomed to this.”

Deri also linked the arrest to what he described as a spiritually sensitive period for the nation, arguing that such actions carry broader consequences. “How much accusation and judgment this brings upon the people of Israel precisely during the difficult period we are in,” he said.

His remarks come amid heightened political tensions surrounding efforts to regulate the status of yeshiva students and their exemption from military service. Chareidi parties have warned against stricter enforcement measures and have placed responsibility on both political and defense officials for the current situation.

Assuta Hospital in Tel Aviv’s Ramat Hachayal neighborhood has launched a new underground medical facility designed to hold roughly 200 patients, aiming to guarantee uninterrupted treatment during times of heavy missile fire.

The subterranean complex is intended to serve as a receiving center for patients transferred from public hospitals that lack sufficient fortification, allowing medical services to continue even under serious security threats.

Alongside the underground expansion, Assuta Medical Center Ramat HaHayal continues to operate reinforced above-ground operating rooms. During Operation Rising Lion, patients were moved to these protected surgical suites to undergo extended and complicated procedures.

Until now, the Ministry of Health’s standard policy during emergencies has been to shut down private medical institutions. However, insights gained from the Swords of Iron War and Operation Rising Lion prompted a reassessment of that approach.

Over the past two months, teams have worked intensively to equip the underground levels with the necessary infrastructure, including systems for medical gases, electricity, and communications, enabling a rapid shift to full inpatient hospitalization if required.

Dr. Shani Brosh, Head of the Medical Division at Assuta Medical Centers, emphasized: “In the past month or two, there has been very intensive activity. An agreement was signed, a contracting company was appointed, and infrastructure for medical gases, electricity, and communications was built to allow a move to underground complexes on the day of an order. Today, the infrastructure is in place and can accommodate about 200 hospitalized patients on behalf of other hospitals that do not have fortification.”

Assuta Medical Centers CEO Gidi Leshet said the project reflects a broader effort to strengthen Israel’s emergency preparedness. “Maintaining continuity of care as part of the health system’s emergency framework is a national mission, and part of our purpose – and we are proud to take part in its implementation.”

{Matzav.com}

Following circulating claims that the state intends to take control of rooms located above the tefillah areas at the gravesite of the Tanna Rav Shimon bar Yochai in Meron, the so-called “Committee of Five,” which oversees management of the holy site, issued an official public statement this evening rejecting the allegations and outlining its plans for the space.

The committee, which operates with the guidance and blessing of leading Torah authorities, addressed reports suggesting it planned “to transfer the roof of the tomb to government control,” firmly dismissing the assertions. In its letter, the body stated unequivocally that “there is no truth to these claims, and they are baseless rumors being spread by interested parties.”

The statement further explained that the rooms in question “were built with supreme sanctity by the holy Rav Avraham Galanti, may his merit protect us, and were originally designated for Torah study and prayer for the use of all who come to the holy site of Meron.” According to the committee, the initial purpose of these rooms was to serve the broader public of worshippers and learners visiting the sacred location.

However, the committee noted that in practice, “these rooms are currently held by a number of individuals for lodging and family hospitality purposes, and at times are even rented out to others for overnight stays.” It emphasized that such use is inconsistent with both the original intention of the space and the needs of the wider public.

In light of the growing number of mispallelim and the increasing demand for additional davening areas, the committee stated that its request is “to return the rooms to public possession so that they may be used for Torah and tefillah for the benefit of all visitors to the site.”

Concluding its letter, the committee expressed regret over the spread of misinformation, writing that “we regret that interested parties are spreading falsehoods and rumors that have no basis, misleading the public and harming unity surrounding the management of the holy site.”

The committee stressed that it will continue to act “with responsibility, transparency, and while preserving the sanctity of the kever of Rav Shimon bar Yochai, may his merit protect us,” for the benefit of the entire public.

The Knesset’s Health Committee has sounded the alarm over fruits and vegetables brought into Israel from the Palestinian Authority, citing data showing that a significant portion of tested produce contains prohibited pesticides associated with severe health risks, including cancer and Parkinson’s disease.

At a recent session led by MK Limor Sohn Har-Melech, committee members reviewed figures indicating that approximately 15,000 tons of agricultural goods from the Palestinian Authority enter Israel annually. Testing conducted between 2015 and 2022 revealed that between 27% and 40% of sampled produce exceeded permitted pesticide thresholds, with contamination rates increasing over time.

Dr. Ziva Hamma of the Ministry of Health outlined the findings in detail. According to the data presented, 50% of cucumber samples, 49% of tomato samples, and 66% of hot pepper samples were found to be contaminated. Particularly troubling was the discovery that 14% of samples contained neurotoxic organic phosphorus compounds, substances known to endanger fetal and infant development and to elevate the likelihood of Parkinson’s disease. In addition, 13% of the produce tested contained a combination of more than five different pesticides in a single item, creating potential harm to the liver, kidneys, and nervous system.

Although existing rules mandate that imported produce be held until laboratory results confirm compliance with safety standards, the committee heard that contaminated goods were frequently released to the market before testing was completed. Amos Zuarets, the Health Coordinator for the West Bank, acknowledged that the Civil Administration had placed greater emphasis on preserving shelf life and supporting the Palestinian economy than on health protections — a policy he said shifted only after the events of October 7. He indicated that within eight months, a new policy will ensure that all produce is withheld from sale until it receives confirmed clearance from safety tests.

MK Amit Levi sharply rebuked both government ministries and the Civil Administration, arguing that lenient enforcement over the years contributed to avoidable illnesses. He called on members of the public who believe they were harmed to seek accountability and cautioned that the problem may be compounded by an increase in unsupervised smuggling of agricultural products.

In response to the concerns, the Ministry of Health and the Civil Administration outlined a series of corrective steps. These include establishing a digital registry of authorized farmers, conducting inspections in the fields before goods cross into Israel, expanding sampling at border crossings, and imposing substantial fines on those who violate regulations.

Concluding the session, Sohn Har-Melech issued a direct appeal to consumers: “Nearly half of imported produce is contaminated with substances that threaten health, yet some prioritize profit over the safety of Israeli citizens. Check carefully where your fruits and vegetables come from and choose supervised Israeli produce.”

{Matzav.com}

The White House seized on Team USA’s dramatic Olympic hockey victory over Canada to take a swipe at former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, reviving a past social media post after the Americans captured gold.

In a thrilling overtime finish at the Milan Cortina Winter Games on Sunday, the United States defeated Canada 2-1 to claim its first men’s Olympic hockey gold medal in 46 years. The winning goal came off the stick of Jack Hughes, who sealed the victory in overtime and ended the decades-long championship drought.

Following the triumph, President Donald Trump placed a congratulatory call to the team to mark the achievement.

The celebration extended beyond the ice. The official White House X account resurfaced a message Trudeau had posted last year after Canada defeated the United States in the 4 Nations Face-Off. At the time, Trudeau had written, “You can’t take our country — and you can’t take our game.”

On Sunday, the White House reposted that statement and paired it with an image of a bald eagle standing atop a Canadian goose, signaling a pointed response to the earlier remark.

Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III also weighed in, sharing Trudeau’s previous message alongside a photo of himself holding an American flag and adding the caption, “We took your game.”

Hughes scored the decisive goal after receiving a cross-ice pass from Zach Werenski, sending the crowd in Milan into a frenzy and thrilling viewers across the United States who tuned in early Sunday morning.

Speaking after netting the game-winner, Hughes expressed pride in representing the country. “This is all about our country right now.”

“I love the USA,” he said. “I’m so proud to be American today.”

“I love my country; I love my teammates,” he added.

“That’s American hockey right there,” said Hughes.

“That’s a great Canadian team, but this means so much. We are such a team.”

Among those in attendance was FBI Director Kash Patel, who watched the game from the stands in Milan and later joined the team in its postgame celebration. Patel, an avid hockey enthusiast and amateur player himself, took part in the locker room festivities.

Video circulating online shows Patel celebrating with the players, drinking and spraying beer before pounding on a table and having a gold medal placed around his neck.

Patel later addressed media attention over his presence in the locker room, posting on X: “For the very concerned media — yes, I love America and was extremely humbled when my friends, the newly minted Gold Medal winners on Team USA, invited me into the locker room to celebrate this historic moment with the boys — Greatest country on earth and greatest sport on earth,” Patel wrote.

{Matzav.com}

The Israeli Competition Authority announced Monday that it plans, pending a formal hearing, to levy a financial penalty of NIS 109,623,501 against El Al over alleged violations of competition law.

In addition to the corporate fine, the authority is weighing personal sanctions ranging from NIS 449,000 to NIS 548,000 against two senior executives at the airline.

According to the regulator, El Al declined to allow Arkia to use its aircraft maintenance hangars, despite a long-term agreement under which Arkia leases those facilities from El Al. Beginning in August 2024, amid the “Iron Swords” war, El Al repeatedly rejected Arkia’s requests for access. The authority said the justifications provided were inadequate and that the airline conveyed the impression that the existing agreement remained in effect, even as access was denied.

El Al holds a dominant position in Israel’s passenger aircraft hangar sector and competes directly with Arkia on numerous international routes. During the war, as many foreign carriers curtailed flights to and from Israel, domestic airlines became the primary players in the market. The authority noted that blocking Arkia’s access to hangars could have led to flight delays or cancellations, forced the leasing of replacement aircraft, and exposed the company to financial losses and reputational damage — expenses that might ultimately have been passed on to travelers.

The regulator stated that El Al’s conduct amounted to an unreasonable refusal to provide a service within a market in which it holds monopoly power, constituting an abuse of that status in breach of the Economic Competition Law. Before any final determination is made, El Al and the two executives will be given the opportunity to present their case at a hearing.

El Al pushed back against the allegations in a statement, saying: “We disagree with the claims in the authority’s letter. El Al always acts according to the law, including competition law. We are convinced no wrongdoing occurred. Throughout the war, El Al assisted other Israeli airlines far beyond legal requirements, out of solidarity and commitment to passengers, and continues to provide services-including hangars-to Arkia wherever possible.”

{Matzav.com}

Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu used a special Knesset session Monday evening to deliver a stern warning to Iran’s leadership, declaring that any direct attack on Israel would trigger a response beyond anything Tehran could anticipate.

Speaking during a plenary debate convened by the opposition with 40 signatures, Netanyahu said Israel has made its position unmistakably clear to the Iranian regime.

“I have clarified and sent a message to the Ayatollah regime that if they make perhaps the gravest mistake in their history and attack the State of Israel, we will respond with force they cannot even imagine,” Netanyahu declared.

The prime minister stressed that the country is facing a volatile and sensitive period and urged unity rather than political infighting. He said Israel stands ready for any development and called on the public and political leadership to rally together, particularly as the holiday of Purim approaches.

He added, “We are in complex times, we are prepared for any scenario. This is not the time for debate. In those days, on the eve of Purim, as in this time, we need to close the ranks of the people and stand shoulder to shoulder. I am confident in our strength and in our warriors. When we stand together – we achieve great things. On the eve of Purim, we will stand together – and with God’s help we will ensure the eternity of Israel.”

Opposition leader Yair Lapid responded by addressing the prospect of a military confrontation with Iran, signaling that despite deep political divisions, he would support decisive action if necessary.

“There is a good chance that we are facing a campaign in Iran. If this campaign comes – and it must come – we will all put everything aside. All differences of opinion will be put into deep freeze, until the crisis passes. As in the past, I will mobilize for Israel’s PR and strengthen Israel’s international status. As with the previous attack, I will go wherever necessary, from CNN to the British Parliament, and tell them: ‘You know that I am the leader of the opposition, you know that Netanyahu and I are rivals, but Iran must be attacked with all force, the rule of the ayatollahs must be overthrown.'”

However, Lapid also delivered a pointed rebuke to Netanyahu over the October 7 massacre, arguing that the events of that day would ultimately define the prime minister’s legacy.

“What will define you in history is October 7th. I understand the attempt to write a different history – it won’t work, it doesn’t work that way.” He continued: “No success, no failure, will resonate in the national memory like the October 7th massacre. Let’s be clear – the word is massacre.”

Yisrael Beytenu chairman MK Avigdor Lieberman likewise directed sharp criticism at Netanyahu, branding him the “Prime Minister of October 7” and holding him personally responsible for the Hamas attack.

“This was a massacre on your watch,” Lieberman lashed out. “This is the most terrible massacre in the history of the state, and you are the main culprit in it.”

Lieberman also referenced Netanyahu’s written response to the state comptroller, contending that it omitted crucial decisions made years earlier. He pointed specifically to a 2014 cabinet meeting in which he says he urged decisive military action against Hamas.

“You wrote a 50-page answer, but you forgot about the cabinet meeting on November 13, 2014,” Lieberman recalled. “At that meeting, I demanded to begin a large-scale operation to eradicate Hamas, and you decided on a ceasefire over my head, and proposed a policy of arrangement and transferring money from Qatar to Hamas.”

He went on to cite his resignation as defense minister in 2018, which he said stemmed from similar disagreements over policy toward Hamas.

“On November 14, I resigned from my position and said that a ceasefire with Hamas is surrender to terrorism. I tried dozens of times to reach that protocol, and I was prevented from reaching it, but don’t worry – we will get there.”

Lieberman concluded by questioning the government’s handling of the current war effort and challenging its claims of success.

“What is happening now, where is the complete victory? Why is there reconstruction of the Gaza Strip? Why is the State of Israel providing electricity, water, fuel and trucks every week?”

{Matzav.com}

Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Lieberman directly accused Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu of bearing primary responsibility for the October 7 massacre, describing him as “the main guilty party in [the October 7] massacre” and asserting that it was “the largest and most terrible massacre in the history of the Jewish people after the Holocaust.”

Lieberman delivered the remarks during a “40-signatures” debate in the Knesset plenum, a monthly parliamentary procedure that allows lawmakers to require the prime minister to appear and respond after collecting the necessary number of supporting signatures on a petition.

In his address, Lieberman criticized a 55-page document Netanyahu recently published outlining his responses to State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman as part of the comptroller’s now-suspended probe into the October 7 attack. Lieberman argued that the document left out key details, including a November 2018 cabinet meeting at which, he said, he had “demanded to begin a large-scale operation to eradicate the Hamas regime.”

According to Lieberman, Netanyahu omitted the episode from his testimony because “you want to escape from responsibility and rewrite history.”

Rather than pursuing decisive action at the time, Lieberman charged, Netanyahu chose to facilitate the transfer of Qatari funds to Hamas in an effort to maintain calm. He further claimed that in the period leading up to the assault, Netanyahu had sought “to increase the money that is transferred every month to Hamas in the Gaza Strip.”

Continuing his criticism, Lieberman said, “You created a zone of immunity for terrorists when you pledged never to attack Qatar again. Thanks to you, the Qataris won a defense agreement from the United States that no country in the world has.” He concluded with a pointed rebuke: “Where is the total victory? You promised us total victory, you brought total disgrace.”

A federal judge in Florida has ruled that the second volume of special counsel Jack Smith’s final report examining Donald Trump’s handling of classified materials at Mar-a-Lago will remain sealed and not be made public.

In a decision issued Monday, US District Judge Aileen Cannon determined that the portion of Smith’s report dealing with the classified documents investigation cannot be released. Cannon had previously dismissed the criminal case Smith filed against Trump prior to his return to office, and her latest ruling represents another legal victory for Trump in preventing the public disclosure of the special counsel’s conclusions.

Before departing his role in early 2025, Smith submitted a two-part final report to then-Attorney General Merrick Garland. The first volume, which focused on Trump’s alleged attempts to challenge the outcome of the 2020 presidential election, was made public before Trump reentered the White House. However, the second volume — addressing the classified documents case in South Florida — remained under seal following legal challenges brought by Trump and others charged in the matter.

In her 15-page opinion, Cannon wrote that “it is certainly not customary” for a prosecutor whose case was thrown out to later be allowed to “publicly disseminate large swaths of discovery generated in the case.”

She further stated, “The Court strains to find a situation in which a former special counsel has released a report after initiating criminal charges that did not result in a finding of guilt, at least not in a situation like this one, where the defendants contested the charges from the outset and still proclaim their innocence.”

Cannon, who ruled in 2024 that Smith’s appointment as special counsel was unlawful, criticized the preparation of the report itself, asserting that it ran counter to her prior orders ending the work of his office in connection with the classified documents investigation.

“The Court need not countenance this brazen stratagem or effectively perpetuate the Special Counsel’s breach of this Court’s own order,” she wrote.

At the same time, Cannon rejected a motion from two former co-defendants of Trump seeking to have the report destroyed altogether.

In response to the ruling, Trump’s personal attorney, Kendra Wharton, praised the decision, saying Cannon was correct to “permanently prohibit the release of Volume II of Jack Smith’s illegal report,” and adding that “all fruit of Smith’s poisonous tree should be treated accordingly and should never see the light of day.”

Despite the ruling, the question of public access to the second volume — often referred to as Volume II — remains the subject of ongoing appellate proceedings initiated by government transparency advocates.

One such organization, American Oversight, criticized Cannon’s decision, saying it “continues a troubling pattern of decisions that shield the president from public scrutiny and place secrecy above the public’s right to know.”

“American taxpayers funded this investigation, and they have a right to know what their government uncovered, particularly on matters of national security,” said Chioma Chukwu, the group’s executive director, in a statement.2

American military refueling and transport aircraft were seen at Ben Gurion Airport as Washington expanded its force posture across the Middle East during heightened tensions with Iran, Times of Israel reports.

The refuelers and cargo planes touched down at Israel’s primary international airport within the past 24 hours, according to flight activity observed in the area.

Israeli officials did not issue any statement regarding the presence of US military aircraft at the civilian airport. It remained unclear whether the planes were stationed there for an extended period or were making a brief stop as part of broader regional operations.

Data compiled by the Military Air Tracking Alliance, a group of roughly 30 open-source researchers who monitor military and government aviation movements, indicated that since mid-February more than 85 aerial refueling tankers and upwards of 170 cargo aircraft had entered the region. The influx came as US President Donald Trump weighed potential military steps concerning Iran.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu said that any Iranian strike against Israel would amount to the gravest error in Tehran’s history, warning that Israel would retaliate with overwhelming force if attacked.

Addressing the Knesset plenum during a “40-signatures” debate, Netanyahu stated that Israel stood at an unprecedented position of strength. “The pact with the United States has never been closer,” he declared.

In what appeared to be a pointed signal to Iran, Netanyahu emphasized that his working relationship with US President Donald Trump was stronger than ever, and that cooperation between the Israel Defense Forces and the US military had reached new heights.

At the same time, he cautioned lawmakers that the country was navigating a complicated and demanding period. “we are in very complex and challenging times,” he said.

Referring directly to Tehran, Netanyahu warned that if the Iranian regime “makes perhaps the most serious mistake in its history,” and attacks Israel, “we will respond with strength that it can’t even imagine.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump sharply criticized the Supreme Court on Monday following its 6-3 decision last week invalidating his broad tariff program, ruling that he did not have authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose the sweeping trade measures.

In its Friday opinion, the high court overturned lower court decisions and concluded that IEEPA does not grant the president the power to enact tariffs, delivering a significant blow to a central element of Trump’s trade strategy.

Responding in a lengthy post on Truth Social, Trump contended that the ruling could ultimately strengthen his hand in dealing with foreign governments, even as he denounced both the logic and tone of the majority opinion.

Trump wrote: “The supreme court (will be using lower case letters for a while based on a complete lack of respect!) of the United States accidentally and unwittingly gave me, as President of the United States, far more powers and strength than I had prior to their ridiculous, dumb, and very internationally divisive ruling.”

He maintained that the decision highlighted other authorities he believes he can still use, stating, “For one thing, I can use Licenses to do absolutely ‘terrible’ things to foreign countries, especially those countries that have been RIPPING US OFF for many decades, but incomprehensibly, according to the ruling, can’t charge them a License fee – BUT ALL LICENSES CHARGE FEES, why can’t the United States do so?”

Trump continued, “You do a license to get a fee! The opinion doesn’t explain that, but I know the answer!”

Addressing tariffs again, Trump argued that the ruling leaves intact other forms of trade penalties and enforcement tools. He wrote, “The court has also approved all other Tariffs, of which there are many, and they can all be used in a much more powerful and obnoxious way, with legal certainty, than the Tariffs as initially used.”

He directed sharp criticism at the majority of the justices while praising three members of the court, declaring, “Our incompetent supreme court did a great job for the wrong people, and for that they should be ashamed of themselves (but not the Great Three!).”

Trump broadened his critique beyond trade policy, suggesting the court could rule in ways he believes would benefit foreign nations. He claimed, “The next thing you know they will rule in favor of China and others, who are making an absolute fortune on Birthright Citizenship, by saying the 14th Amendment was NOT written to take care of the ‘babies of slaves,’ which it was as proven by the EXACT TIMING of its construction, filing, and ratification, which perfectly coincided with the END OF THE CIVIL WAR.”

He added, “How much better can you do than that? But this supreme court will find a way to come to the wrong conclusion, one that again will make China, and various other Nations, happy and rich.”

Despite the legal setback, Trump signaled he intends to continue pursuing his trade agenda, concluding, “Let our supreme court keep making decisions that are so bad and deleterious to the future of our Nation – I have a job to do.”

The court’s ruling on tariffs triggered fresh volatility in global markets and left U.S. trading partners seeking answers about the administration’s next move.

{Matzav.com}