Matzav

Three years after the passing of the longtime rov of Meron, Rav Elazar Stern has now been formally appointed as the official rav of Meron, succeeding his father, Rav Meir Zev Stern zt”l, who led the community for decades.

Rav Elazar was confirmed in the role today in an official capacity, solidifying what had already been his practical leadership in recent years.

For many years, Rav Stern has served as a respected posek and dayan, recognized for his clear rulings and depth in Torah scholarship. He is the author of the widely regarded seforim Gan Na’eh and the responsa work Birkas Elazar.

While residing in Ashdod, he served as rav of the Ma’orei Or community. Following his father’s passing, and in accordance with his father’s wishes, he relocated to Meron, where he continued serving in rabbinic leadership and halachic guidance for residents and visitors alike.

With today’s decision, the appointment has now received formal confirmation from the Meron Moshav committee, granting official status to Rav Stern’s role as rav of the sacred site.

{Matzav.com}

The Knesset’s legal department issued a sharp warning Thursday that a proposed amendment to Basic Law: The Government — dubbed the “Ben Gvir Law” — could be invalidated by the High Court of Justice if enacted in its current form.

In a preparatory document circulated to members of the special committee reviewing amendments to the Basic Law, the Knesset’s legal adviser wrote that the bill’s attempt to bar judicial review over the appointment and dismissal of ministers may exceed constitutional boundaries set by the Supreme Court. The adviser cautioned that the proposal could be viewed as personal legislation and potentially deemed an abuse of the Knesset’s constituent authority under standards established in recent rulings.

According to the draft under consideration, courts would be prohibited from exercising judicial review over the appointment or removal of ministers, aside from verifying compliance with formal eligibility requirements set by law. In practical terms, this would eliminate judicial scrutiny of the prime minister’s discretion and remove from the court’s authority the precedent established in the Deri-Pinhasi ruling, which laid the groundwork for intervention in appointments considered extremely unreasonable.

The legal opinion states that a sweeping elimination of judicial oversight would conflict with warnings expressed in recent Supreme Court decisions, particularly the January 2024 ruling that struck down the amendment canceling the reasonableness doctrine. In that case, a majority of justices held that the court retains authority to intervene in exceptional cases involving misuse of constituent power. The document notes that several senior justices indicated that a narrower amendment — for example, one that limits application of the reasonableness doctrine specifically in the context of ministerial appointments — might have been considered differently than a broad measure barring all forms of review.

The legal department warned that the current wording could undermine foundational principles of separation of powers and the rule of law because it “leaves entire areas without effective judicial review” and hampers the protection of important public interests, including public trust and governmental integrity.

Beyond the substantive concerns, the legal office also pointed to constitutional and political timing issues. Renewed efforts to advance the bill could place it in direct tension with the Supreme Court’s doctrine of “abuse of constituent authority,” as articulated in the ruling on incapacity legislation. The document highlights that in light of Justice Stein’s ruling regarding Aryeh Deri, as well as the conditional order issued in a petition asking the court to instruct the prime minister to dismiss National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, there is heightened concern that the amendment may be aimed at producing immediate consequences for specific political figures. Under the framework set by the court, such circumstances could support a claim that the Knesset is not acting as a general constituent authority but rather tailoring a Basic Law to address a present political need.

Among the alternatives suggested by the legal department is adopting a more limited model that would restrict judicial review only with respect to the reasonableness doctrine, particularly in cases where appointments have also been approved by the Knesset, while preserving the possibility of review on other legal grounds. Another option under consideration is prospective application — delaying the amendment’s effect until the next Knesset — a step that could mitigate claims of personal legislation and avoid the appearance of altering constitutional rules midstream.

The legal adviser further recommended strengthening parliamentary oversight mechanisms to prevent the creation of unchecked executive authority. Proposed measures include expanding the Knesset’s ability to hold individual votes on certain ministerial appointments during the swearing-in of a government; requiring presentation to the plenum of the circumstances surrounding a new minister’s appointment upon the request of 40 members of Knesset; and even establishing a structured process allowing the Knesset to remove a minister by majority vote after due proceedings and the opportunity for the minister to present arguments.

Deliberations on the proposal resumed after the Knesset Committee voted to reconstitute the special committee under Section 89 of the Knesset bylaws, enabling it to revisit language that had previously been prepared for second and third readings but never brought to a final vote. The legal department emphasized that nearly three years have passed since that draft was formulated and that significant constitutional rulings have since been issued, warranting a renewed review of the bill’s language and its compliance with judicial standards.

At the center of the debate is whether lawmakers will insist on advancing a sweeping amendment that would largely remove High Court involvement in ministerial appointments and dismissals, or instead adopt a more measured revision designed to reduce constitutional friction and increase the likelihood that the legislation would withstand judicial scrutiny if challenged.

The United States and Iran signaled meaningful movement on Thursday in negotiations aimed at resolving their long-running nuclear standoff and preventing potential American military action, with mediator Oman pointing to tangible progress even as Washington continues a major force buildup in the Middle East.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told state television that the discussions “made very good progress and entered into the elements of an agreement very seriously, both in the nuclear field and in the sanctions field.”

He indicated that another round of talks could be held in “perhaps less than a week,” and said technical-level meetings at the UN’s nuclear agency are expected to begin in Vienna on Monday.

A US official characterized the atmosphere of the negotiations to Axios as “positive.”

Those optimistic descriptions stood in contrast to earlier accounts suggesting American frustration with Tehran’s stance, as well as anonymous comments from senior Israeli officials to Hebrew-language media asserting that the divide between the parties appeared to be widening and that the prospect of a US strike was increasing.

At the same time, The Wall Street Journal offered a more cautious interpretation Thursday evening, reporting that the two sides remained “still far apart on key issues.”

The reason for the differing portrayals was not immediately evident.

Following the conclusion of the meetings in Switzerland, Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi wrote on X that both delegations intend to reconvene after consultations in their respective capitals, with expert-level sessions slated for Vienna next week.

Albusaidi’s remarks came after indirect negotiations in Geneva between Araghchi and US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, with one round held in the morning and another in the afternoon.

“We have finished the day after significant progress in the negotiation between the United States and Iran,” Badr Albusaidi said.

Araghchi, describing the exchange as among the most substantive contacts between Tehran and Washington in recent years, told Iranian state television: “We reached agreement on some issues, and there are differences regarding some other issues.”

“It was decided that the next round of negotiations will take place soon, in less than a week,” he said, adding that Tehran had made clear its demand for relief from sanctions.

The US negotiating team did not immediately issue a public statement on the outcome.

Axios had earlier reported that Witkoff and Kushner were “disappointed” with Iran’s posture after the morning session, but by day’s end, a source told the outlet that the overall tenor was “positive.”

According to Axios and other reports, the talks — facilitated by Albusaidi and attended by UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi — extended for several hours and involved a mix of direct and indirect communication.

Israel’s Channel 12 reported that Iran proposed limiting uranium enrichment to medical purposes, halting broader nuclear activity for a set period, and later resuming enrichment under a regulated regional framework.

The US position, according to the same report, calls for an agreement with no expiration date.

Channel 12 further reported that Washington would allow low-level enrichment at a research reactor in Tehran but is demanding the dismantling of Iran’s other nuclear facilities and the removal of all enriched uranium from the country.

That description of American demands closely aligned with The Wall Street Journal’s account.

The renewed diplomatic push comes amid mounting anxiety over a possible regional escalation. President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned that failure to secure a deal could trigger military action, and US forces have been deployed in significant numbers to nearby waters.

The decision to set another negotiating session suggests that both sides see sufficient progress to continue talks, potentially delaying previously threatened strikes. However, a similar round of discussions scheduled by Omani mediators in June 2025 never occurred after Jerusalem, with American backing, initiated operations targeting Iran’s nuclear and missile infrastructure.

Thursday’s meetings marked the third round of US-Iran nuclear discussions in recent weeks.

The delegations first met for roughly three hours before breaking. During the initial session, Iranian representatives presented a draft framework for an agreement, Axios reported.

During the recess, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei told state television that “both delegations needed to carry out consultations with their respective capitals.”

An Iranian official speaking to Al Jazeera during the pause said Tehran’s negotiators had rejected demands for complete dismantlement of the nuclear program and the export of all enriched uranium.

“Our proposal in Geneva is politically serious, technically creative, and includes everything required to reach an agreement immediately,” the Iranian official told the Qatari network.

Iran, which denies pursuing nuclear weapons but has enriched uranium to levels exceeding civilian requirements and limited inspections of its facilities, has consistently opposed calls to end enrichment altogether.

Tehran has also insisted that discussions be confined to its nuclear activities and sanctions relief. The United States, however, has sought to broaden the agenda to include Iran’s ballistic missile development and its backing of armed groups across the region.

A senior Iranian official told Reuters before the talks that progress toward a framework agreement would be possible if Washington separated “nuclear and non-nuclear issues,” though he cautioned that significant gaps would still need to be addressed during this third round.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday that Iran’s unwillingness to negotiate over its missile program presents a “big problem” that ultimately must be resolved. The missiles, he said, were “designed solely to strike America” and threaten stability in the region.

{Matzav.com}

Pro-Palestinian groups, working together with a range of civil society organizations, have unveiled plans for a new maritime convoy bound for the Gaza Strip, describing it as a major effort to challenge Israel’s naval blockade and deliver humanitarian supplies.

Organizers say the flotilla is set to leave on April 12 from multiple Mediterranean ports in Spain, Italy, and Tunisia. Its stated objective is to breach the blockade imposed on Gaza and transport assistance directly to the coastal enclave.

According to a report by Al-Arabi Al-Jadid, more than 200 boats are expected to take part in the initiative. The effort is being backed by the “Mavi Marmara” Freedom and Solidarity Association as well as the Turkish İHH Foundation, a humanitarian group that says it is dedicated to safeguarding freedoms, defending human rights, and providing relief aid.

Bülent Yıldırım, president of the İHH Foundation, told the newspaper that the ships designated for the flotilla will be acquired through donated funds. He indicated that organizers intend to assemble a substantial number of vessels in an effort to complicate any attempt by Israel to block their arrival along the Gaza shoreline.

Yıldırım further stated that participants from 150 countries — numbering in the thousands — are expected to join the mission. In addition to carrying supplies, the flotilla aims to bring medical professionals, educators, infrastructure and environmental development teams, attorneys, and investigators focused on alleged war crimes.

A similar attempt last October ended when the Israeli Navy intercepted vessels linked to the “Freedom Coalition” flotilla that sought to reach Gaza. Approximately 150 individuals aboard those ships were detained without incident and taken to the port of Ashdod, where they underwent questioning before being deported.

At the time, Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement declaring, “Another futile attempt to break the maritime blockade and enter a combat zone has ended in nothing.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump met Thursday at the White House with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, in an unannounced session that centered on housing policy and, later, the detention of a Columbia University student by federal immigration authorities.

Mamdani disclosed the meeting in a social media post, writing, “I had a productive meeting with President Trump this afternoon,” and sharing a photograph of himself beside the president in the Oval Office.

In the image, Trump is seen holding a mock-up of a Daily News front page bearing the headline: “Trump to City: Let’s Rebuild.” Mamdani added in his post, “I’m looking forward to building more housing in New York City.”

Hours after the sit-down, Mamdani said he and Trump also spoke by phone about a Columbia University student who had been taken into custody earlier in the day. According to university officials, federal immigration agents allegedly misrepresented themselves in order to gain access to a campus residential building before detaining the student, identified as Elaina Aghayeva.

Mamdani wrote, “In our meeting earlier, I shared my concerns about Columbia student Elaina Aghayeva, who was detained by ICE this morning. He has just informed me that she will be released imminently.” Aghayeva later confirmed on social media that she had been freed.

The Oval Office meeting followed Trump’s remarks earlier in the week during his State of the Union address, when he referenced Mamdani as a “nice guy” with “bad policies” and said the two speak “a lot”. The mayor responded the next day at a press conference, saying that when they communicate, their discussions center on ensuring the city continues to move forward.

Neither the White House nor City Hall publicly previewed Thursday’s meeting. Earlier in the day, CNN reported that the president and mayor were expected to meet, citing two individuals familiar with the arrangements. Housing was anticipated to be a central issue, as it had been during their prior White House meeting in November.

At that earlier session, Trump commended Mamdani and suggested that despite having branded him a “communist” during the mayoral race, they shared areas of agreement. Their conversation reportedly covered real estate development, adjustments to zoning regulations, and strategies aimed at lowering electricity costs, among other matters.

Following that encounter, Axios reported that the two leaders had begun communicating by text message — a surprising development given their previous sharp public exchanges.

During the mayoral campaign, Trump cautioned voters that choosing Mamdani would “ruin the city, while Mamdani had called Trump a fascist. Once face to face, however, their interactions took on a markedly different tone.

Mortgage rates in the United States have dropped below 6% for the first time in nearly two years, a development that housing analysts say could influence both prospective buyers and homeowners who have been hesitant to make a move.

According to new data released by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., widely known as Freddie Mac, the average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage now stands at 5.98%. The last time rates were at this level was in September 2022.

Industry observers describe the move under 6% as an important psychological turning point. Many homeowners have been reluctant to sell because doing so would mean giving up mortgages secured at much lower rates in prior years. At the same time, elevated borrowing costs have discouraged would-be buyers, contributing to a constricted housing market.

During the height of the pandemic, mortgage rates averaged around 2.5%. However, as inflation rose, the Federal Reserve increased its benchmark interest rate, pushing mortgage rates sharply higher in response.

Rates eventually climbed to roughly 7.8% in October 2023, marking their recent high.

Since the Federal Reserve began lowering its key interest rate — cutting it three times last year — mortgage rates have trended downward, though gradually. In addition, last month President Trump directed Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, the government-backed entities that buy and bundle home loans for investors, to acquire $200 billion in mortgage-backed securities. Analysts say that move may have contributed to the continued decline in rates, as stronger demand for loans on the secondary market enables lenders to offer more favorable terms.

Although rates are only modestly lower than they were a week ago and remain well above the record lows seen during the pandemic, some experts believe crossing the 6% threshold could spur renewed activity. Kate Wood, a housing specialist at the personal finance site NerdWallet, said the psychological shift alone may encourage more Americans to reenter the market. Some buyers have been waiting for rates to fall, while many homeowners have delayed selling to avoid surrendering cheaper existing mortgages.

A rate below 6% could provide the push some need. “ There are people who are certainly going to reach that breaking point of ‘I love my mortgage rate, but my goodness, I cannot stand this house anymore,'” says Wood.

Recent data from the Mortgage Bankers Association showed total mortgage applications rose 2.8% in the week ending Feb. 13 compared with the prior week. However, that increase was largely driven by refinancing activity. Applications for other types of loans declined, suggesting the broader housing market remains sluggish.

Even though several years of elevated rates have softened home prices somewhat, affordability challenges persist. The median sales price of a home in the United States at the end of last year was $405,000.

A key driver of the nation’s housing affordability problem continues to be limited supply. The number of homes available for sale remains low, and new construction has not kept pace with demand. A recent report from Realtor.com cautioned that if inventory does not increase alongside a potential surge in buyers, prices could climb again, wiping out affordability improvements created by lower mortgage rates. At the same time, builders have expressed concerns about a difficult construction environment marked by high costs.

“ If you don’t add supply to the market, either in the form of new construction or existing homes from new listings, you’re going to see that demand increase turn into price increases,” said Jake Krimmel, senior economist at Realtor.com.

{Matzav.com}

A Columbia University student taken into custody by federal immigration authorities at her campus residence Thursday morning was released later in the day after New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he received personal assurances from President Trump during a White House meeting.

Mamdani announced the development shortly after speaking with the president. “Just got off the phone with President Trump. In our meeting earlier, I shared my concerns about Columbia student Elaina Aghayeva, who was detained by ICE this morning. He has just informed me that she will be released imminently,” Mamdani wrote on X late Thursday afternoon.

Several hours afterward, Columbia University confirmed that the student had been freed.

“The university is relieved and thrilled that our student, Ellie, has been released from detainment. We will share additional details this evening,” the university said in a statement posted to Instagram.

Mamdani was in Washington, DC, for a previously undisclosed Oval Office meeting with Trump — the second time the two have met face-to-face since Mamdani’s victory in the November mayoral election.

Aghayeva, who is expected to graduate from the Ivy League institution this year, posted a message to Instagram shortly after being taken into custody around 6:30 a.m., writing, “Dhs illegally arrested me. Please help.”

The Department of Homeland Security stated that Aghayeva is an illegal immigrant from Azerbaijan whose student visa had been revoked in 2016 by the Obama administration after she allegedly failed to attend classes.

According to Columbia’s acting president, Claire Shipman, federal agents arrived at the university’s Morningside Heights campus at approximately 6:30 a.m. Thursday. In a letter to the campus community, Shipman alleged that officials made “misrepresentations” in order to gain entry to the student’s apartment before detaining her.

The operation reportedly involved multiple agents, who told campus security they were pursuing a missing persons investigation involving a 5-year-old child.

In a statement provided to The Post, DHS said officers were admitted into the apartment by the building’s manager and the student’s roommate. The agency added that all agents displayed badges and immediately identified themselves.

Following her arrest, Aghayeva again turned to Instagram, posting the message, “Dhs illegally arrested me. Please help,” alongside what appeared to be a point-of-view image showing a woman’s legs from inside the back seat of a vehicle.

Several Democratic officials in New York City sharply criticized the arrest.

Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal accused federal authorities of misleading university officials. In an angry post on X, he claimed agents “purposefully deceived campus housing/security to gain entry to the student’s apartment.”

“The level of civil rights violations that took place is staggering,” he fumed.

City Council Speaker Julie Menin, who graduated from Columbia, described the episode as “disturbing” and issued a rebuke of ICE in her own social media statement.

“ICE has no place in our schools and universities. These activities do not make our city or country safer, but rather drive mistrust and danger. As Columbia College alumni, our hearts are with the community there, and we have been in contact with the University to offer our assistance.”

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul also condemned the arrest and said she intends to introduce legislation that would prohibit ICE from entering what she described as sensitive locations, including schools and dormitories.

“Let’s get it passed now,” she wrote on X.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer likewise denounced the detention as “unacceptable,” calling for immediate clarification about Aghayeva’s situation and stating that his office was coordinating with Columbia and appropriate authorities.

{Matzav.com}

Rav Dovid Cohen, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Chevron and a member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah, delivered a special address at the beis medrash of Yeshivas Zichron Meir for younger bochurim in Yerushalayim, focusing on the inner essence of Purim and warning against inappropriate conduct.

“Purim is among the greatest days of the year,” he declared, while cautioning that frivolity and recklessness are not befitting a ben Torah.

He also addressed the current matzav, emphasizing that “our very existence depends solely on the Torah of the bochurim.”

At the outset of his remarks, the rosh yeshiva spoke about the unique stature of these days as a time of preparation for Purim. He cited a responsum of the Ridbaz, who discusses a case of a prisoner permitted to leave jail only two days a year and faced with a choice: Should he select the two holiest days—Yom Kippur and Purim—or leave at the earliest possible opportunity? “The question was whether to go out on the two most important days of the year—Yom Kippur and Purim—or to leave as early as possible. From the very question we see how Purim is defined; these are the greatest days of the year.”

Rav Cohen elaborated on the connection between Purim and Yom Kippur, explaining that both are days of renewed acceptance of the Torah with love and willingness. He then warned against diminishing the sanctity of the day through excessive revelry. “Sometimes people lose the true meaning of Purim. As a great man once told me, there are those who go through this day in a state of wildness. That is not correct! That is not the way of a ben Torah, and it is not the way of a Jew at all. Although Chazal said that one is obligated to drink on Purim, the Beis Yosef emphasizes that a person must not cast off the yoke. Rather, it should be an increased joy that is entirely connection and closeness to the Creator.”

Turning to the broader challenges facing the generation, the rosh yeshiva spoke about the centrality of ameilus baTorah. “We all know the situation, that we are humiliated and pursued. But the fundamental truth that every person must recognize is that Klal Yisrael survives only through the power of Torah. In the face of all dangers and decrees—this is your strength, the young bochurim immersed in learning. This is what sustains us!”

He concluded with words of blessing and encouragement for the talmidim and the yeshiva staff. “Baruch Hashem, you are a very important group. There are bochurim here with tremendous abilities and great rabbanim who invest in you. Make the most of these years; these are the years that build a bochur for life. One who understands that these are years of construction and invests in them receives a solid foundation for the next stage in yeshiva. May it be Hashem’s will that you merit years of joy and spiritual elevation and become great talmidei chachamim.”

{Matzav.com}

Shas chairman Aryeh Deri clarified Thursday that his party will not return to the government until the draft law is passed in its final readings in the Knesset plenum, pushing back against claims within the coalition that he is seeking an immediate return.

Amid renewed political maneuvering following MK Yinon Azoulay’s return to his role as chairman of the Knesset Health Committee, coalition officials had speculated that Deri was aiming to reenter the government quickly in order to regain control of key ministries, including the Interior Ministry, the Religious Services Ministry, and the Health Ministry.

Sources in Degel HaTorah reportedly told senior coalition figures this week that Deri intended to bring Shas back into the government immediately after the draft law is approved by the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, without waiting for final passage in the plenum.

However, it was learned that in a conversation Thursday with close associates, Deri made clear that Shas would not settle for committee approval alone. “Shas will not return to the government until the draft law passes second and third readings in the Knesset plenum; we will not suffice with approval of the law in the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.”

As previously reported, during a discussion with rabbonim in Tiveriah, where Deri spent last Shabbos, the Shas chairman expressed his assessment that national elections are likely to take place in the middle of the month of Elul.

In the Knesset, coalition members are said to prefer scheduling elections at least a week before Rosh Hashanah in order to allow the thousands of voters who travel to the kever of Rav Nachman of Breslov in Uman to cast their ballots.

The date being discussed within the coalition, and one Deri himself is said to view as likely, is Tuesday, the 19th of Elul, which falls about a week and a half before Rosh Hashanah, corresponding this year to September 1.

{Matzav.com}

Rav Moshe Sternbuch, leading senior posek, issued a sharp and emotional protest after extremist youths in Yerushalayim’s Meah Shearim neighborhood hung effigies bearing the names of gedolei hador. The act was seen as a shocking humiliation of revered gedolei Torah, and Rav Sternbuch declared that he could not remain silent in the face of such disgrace.

The incident involved fringe youths who hung dolls labeled with the names of senior rabbonim, apparently distorting the Purim custom of hanging figures symbolizing Haman. Community leaders described the act as crossing every red line and constituting a grave insult to the honor of gedolei hador.

Because of the seriousness of the matter and the importance Rav Sternbuch placed on issuing a clear and forceful protest, unusual footage was released from inside his private study. The video shows him carefully dictating the exact wording of his condemnation, word by word.

In the rare recording, Rav Sternbuch is seen instructing his longtime chavrusa to prepare a strongly worded public statement condemning what he described as a disgraceful act carried out by irresponsible youths on the fringes of Meah Shearim.

The footage captures his chavrusa, his grandson Rav Eliyahu Sternbuch, head of the Teshuvos V’Hanhagos kollel in Modi’in Illit, seated beside him at the end of their regular learning session, writing down each sentence precisely as dictated by his grandfather for publication in his name.

Observers noted how Rav Sternbuch carefully weighed every word before speaking, following closely as each line was written to ensure that the statement accurately reflected his position.

In his recorded remarks, Rav Sternbuch said: “I hereby strongly protest the mockery in Meah Shearim that was done to disgrace talmidei chachomim. There is no limit to the severity and gravity of this sin, R”l. The wrongdoing is terrible and frightening, and I cannot remain silent over such a desecration even for a single moment.”

Rav Sternbuch concluded his remarks with stirring words: “What more can we do other than cry out to Hakadosh Boruch Hu that He should not punish us, that He should pour upon us a spirit of purity from above, and that He should hasten our redemption speedily.”

A two-year-old child who was found wandering alone Thursday afternoon on Rechov Malchei Yisrael in Yerushalayim’s Geula neighborhood was safely returned to his mother after a swift police response and community search effort.

The incident began when a concerned woman noticed the toddler walking by himself without adult supervision and immediately contacted police. Officers from the Lev HaBira station were dispatched to the scene, met with the caller, and quickly launched efforts to locate the child’s family.

During the search, police made public announcements in both Hebrew and Yiddish in the surrounding area, circulated the child’s photograph in community groups, and alerted the local community policing commander in an attempt to identify his parents as quickly as possible.

The toddler was brought to the police station, where officers cared for him, offered comfort, and ensured his well-being while attempts continued to locate his family. A short time later, the boy’s mother arrived at the station and reported that her son was missing. The shift commander conducted a rapid cross-check of the details, confirmed the identification, and the child was reunited with his mother in good health.

Police urged parents to exercise heightened awareness and careful supervision of young children in order to prevent similar incidents.

{Matzav.com}

A Yerushalayim Magistrate’s Court judge on Thursday extended by one day the detention of an 18-year-old bochur arrested during a protest against the arrest of a ben yeshiva on Highway 1 in Yerushalayim. Police have announced their intention to file an indictment against him in expedited proceedings.

According to police suspicions, the young man threw a stick toward a garbage bin that had been set on fire by demonstrators, thereby fueling the blaze. Officers also said that a stone was found in his possession, which they believe he intended to hurl at police. While investigators acknowledged that there was no concern he would interfere with the investigation if released, they requested that his detention be extended due to what they described as the dangerous nature of his alleged actions. Police stated they plan to move quickly in filing charges, as reported by i24news.

His attorney, Daniel Shimshilashvili, opposed the request and sharply criticized the decision to seek continued detention. “Why are you penalizing him? In more serious incidents you request release under conditions. In a more severe case of throwing a torch at a mounted police officer, the court released the suspect. He did not ignite the dumpster, and the stick he added did not burn.”

Judge Ariel Ehrlich rejected the defense’s arguments and addressed the broader issue of protest rights in his ruling. “Counsel for the suspect argued regarding the right to protest, and that this right has received primacy in court rulings, to the point that courts have shown tolerance even for violent actions within a protest. I do not share this view. The right to protest, which is among the foremost expressions of political free speech, does not include the right to protest violently.”

The judge further wrote that “Setting objects on fire during a protest, while confronting police forces, is an action that carries significant danger.” He added that although the investigative steps presented thus far were limited, police have made clear their intention to pursue full legal action in such cases and to file an indictment promptly.

The Vizhnitzer kehilla in London is mourning the petirah of Rav Meshulam Zusha Fuchs zt”l, who was niftar at the age of 75.

Rav Meshulam Zusha was born to his father, Rav Shabsai Zev Fuchs, a descendant of the renowned chassid Rav Mordechai Chuna Fuchs.

He married the daughter of Rav Shimon Lorenz and together they built a home of Torah.

For many years, Rav Meshulam Zusha served as a melamed in the Machnovka Belz Talmud Torah in London. He was widely recognized as a talmid chacham muflag and also devoted himself to serving as a madrich chassanim, guiding young men as they established their own batei ne’emanim.

His tefillos were filled with hislahavus and stirred hearts, and his derashos left a lasting imprint on those who heard them. He was mechanech and guided countless families in the path of Torah and yiras Shamayim, and many benefited from his wise counsel and deep understanding. He was deeply mekushar to the Rebbes of Vizhnitz and stood among the central pillars of the Vizhnitzer kehilla in London.

He leaves behind a dor yasharim mevorach. Among his sons are Rav Chaim Meir, menahel of the Vizhnitzer Talmud Torah in Williamsburg; Rav Mordechai Chuna, menahel of the Vizhnitzer Talmud Torah in Kiryas Yoel; Rav Shmuel; Rav Avraham, a melamed in the Sanzer Talmud Torah in Monsey; and Rav Mendel, who serves as a meshamesh bakodesh to the Vizhnitzer Rebbe of Boro Park. He is also survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, all continuing in the path of Torah and chassidus.

His brother is Rav Menachem Mendel Fuchs, av beis din of Kiryat Shomrei HaChomos in the Ramot neighborhood of Yerushalayim.

His aron will arrive in Eretz Yisroel, and the levayah will take place Friday morning, erev Shabbos Parshas Tetzaveh–Zachor, at 9:30 a.m. from the Vizhnitzer beis medrash at the corner of Givat Pinchas Street in Bnei Brak. He will be laid to rest in the new Vizhnitzer beis hachaim.

Yehi zichro baruch. 

{Matzav.com}

A press conference intended to spotlight San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie’s proposal to overhaul the city’s tax structure was interrupted Wednesday by protesters who began with anti-wealth slogans and then erupted into antisemitic chants, according to officials and witnesses who attended the event.

The gathering, held outside a construction site to promote joint legislation by Lurie and Supervisor Bilal Mahmood aimed at reshaping San Francisco’s real estate transfer taxes to encourage housing development and investment, drew demonstrators affiliated with the San Francisco chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America. Initially, protesters shouted “Tax the rich” from outside the venue.

According to those present, the rhetoric soon turned from criticism of wealth to chants focused on Israel, with at least one person yelling “Tax the Jews.” Sources said the antisemitic shouting continued for more than a minute without interruption.

“Suggesting that Jews are wealthy is a tired trope, and targeting our community at an event focused on creating economic opportunity for San Franciscans is decidedly antisemitic,” Lurie, who is Jewish, posted on X.

“I will never accept hate directed at the Jewish community or any community in our city. Those are not San Francisco values—we’re better than that.”

One shaken attendee told The Post that the chants referencing Jews and Israel lasted for approximately two minutes before “petering out,” adding that no one among the demonstrators intervened to stop the offensive remarks.

Video obtained by The Post shows a woman periodically shouting “tax Israel” and “Tax the Jews” while labor representatives were addressing the crowd from a podium.

“It was an, ‘are you hearing what I’m hearing?’ moment,” the source said.

Rudy Gonzalez, who leads the San Francisco Building and Construction Trades Council, criticized the disruption in a post on Instagram, specifically naming the Democratic Socialists of America.

“During today’s press conference, individuals identifying themselves with the Democratic Socialists of America disrupted the event with antisemitic chants,” he wrote.

“As a father and a husband in an interfaith home, I found what was shouted today deeply disturbing. Hate directed at any community is wrong. It undermines the solidarity that working people depend on.”

The San Francisco branch of the DSA rejected claims that the woman who shouted “tax the Jews” was acting on its behalf, saying she was not part of the group and that members told her to stop.

“DSA SF members at the protest were similarly disgusted and horrified by this woman’s rhetoric, and want to make clear her words came from her alone. While we disagree on policy, we join you in condemning antisemitism.”

The disruption overshadowed what had been intended as a policy rollout by city officials and labor leaders advocating for reduced transfer tax rates on residential developments and downtown property transactions, a move they argue would help accelerate the city’s economic rebound.

Supporters of the proposal, including Lurie, Mahmood, the San Francisco Building and Construction Trades Council and the Chamber of Commerce, contend that adjusting the tax structure would generate employment and lower construction expenses by $32,850 per housing unit.

{Matzav.com}

The Israel Defense Forces carried out airstrikes Thursday on eight Hezbollah military sites in the Baalbek region of Lebanon, targeting facilities used by the group’s elite Radwan Force, the military announced.

According to the IDF, the compounds housed a significant cache of weapons belonging to Hezbollah, including firearms and rockets. The military said the sites served as storage and operational hubs for the terror organization.

The IDF stated that the Radwan Force had been using the facilities to conduct training in preparation for potential emergency scenarios. The compounds were also allegedly used to plan and execute attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers.

سلسلة غارات اسرائيلية جديدة تستهدف محيط بلدة بوداي pic.twitter.com/XgWPJpuKZD

— kataeb.org (@kataeb_Ar) February 26, 2026

As part of the activities conducted there, operatives reportedly participated in live-fire exercises and other drills designed to improve their proficiency with a range of weaponry.

The military emphasized that such activity, along with Hezbollah’s broader efforts to rebuild and strengthen its arsenal, breaches the ceasefire arrangements between Israel and Lebanon and represents a direct danger to Israel’s security.

“The IDF will not allow Hezbollah to expand its capabilities and rearm itself, and will continue to operate to remove any threat to the state of Israel,” the military stated.

{Matzav.com}

A Brooklyn man has been found guilty of hate crimes in connection with a string of assaults and harassment incidents, including an attack on a Jewish couple who photographed him tearing down posters of Israeli hostages being held in Gaza.

Skiboky Stora was convicted in New York state court of assault, stalking and harassment tied to what prosecutors described as multiple anti-female, anti-white and antisemitic episodes that took place between 2023 and 2024.

According to prosecutors, one of the incidents occurred when Stora was seen removing posters of Israeli hostages. After a husband and wife photographed him, he allegedly followed them while shouting threats and slurs, including “Die, Jews, die!”

The 42-year-old defendant, who lives in Brooklyn, also admitted during the trial that he punched a woman at random as she walked along a Manhattan street nearly two years ago. He chose to represent himself during the weeks-long proceedings in Manhattan.

In his closing statement, Stora denied harboring racist motives or intending to harm anyone. “I never did anything racist to anybody, and I never did anything discriminating against anybody, and I never tried to injure anybody,” he said, according to the New York Post.

Prosecutors countered that claim by presenting video evidence. Footage introduced at trial showed Stora confronting the Jewish couple, as well as additional videos he recorded of himself yelling at and harassing white individuals, the Post reported.

Following the verdict, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg condemned the conduct. “The victims were met with both violence and harassment simply because of who they are,” he said in a statement. “Hate crimes strike at the core of our city’s values and sense of safety.”

Stora was taken into custody after the conviction. He is scheduled to be sentenced on April 14.

Attempts to reach him through his Instagram account, where he describes himself as the “great great grandson” of the Black nationalist Marcus Garvey and claims to be running for governor as a Republican, were not immediately successful.

One of the assaults, which occurred on March 25, 2024, drew significant public attention after the 23-year-old victim shared her experience on TikTok and others came forward reporting similar encounters.

Prosecutors said Stora’s punch knocked the woman to the ground, leaving her with pain and swelling on the left side of her head.

In a separate incident months earlier, authorities said Stora struck a 17-year-old student in the neck with his elbow and told the teen, “You people think you can do whatever you want,” adding a profanity.

He was also accused of elbowing a 37-year-old woman in the shoulder in another encounter, causing visible bruising.

{Matzav.com}

The Jewish community of Zurich has finalized the creation of an eruv following formal discussions with city officials and in accordance with Swiss law, describing the effort as a model of respectful collaboration between a religious minority and municipal authorities.

Community representatives said the halachic arrangement, which allows observant Jews to carry necessary items on the Sabbath within a defined area, received official approval after a structured consultation process. They emphasized that the project was completed transparently and in full compliance with local regulations.

In the wake of Zurich’s initiative, conversations have begun in other Swiss municipalities about implementing similar arrangements. At the same time, the development has sparked criticism from Mauro Poggia, a member of the Swiss Council of States representing the Canton of Geneva, who voiced objections in two separate public statements.

In one statement, Poggia criticized Israel and referenced a series of unrelated events, including the deadly avalanche at the Crans-Montana ski resort, the October 7 massacre, and the war in Gaza. In a separate statement addressing the eruv directly, he said he was “shocked” by the initiative and argued that it might lead to a clearly defined Jewish residential zone, which he characterized as a “voluntary ghetto.”

Jewish organizations throughout Switzerland strongly rejected those remarks, saying that invoking the term “ghetto” in connection with an eruv was both historically inaccurate and deeply offensive. They underscored that an eruv neither segregates residents nor restricts the public, but serves a limited religious function within Jewish law.

Rabbi Noam Hertig, the chief rabbi of Zurich, explained that the eruv was established through constructive dialogue and mutual respect with municipal officials. He clarified that it is a symbolic halachic framework rather than a physical enclosure, and noted that it is especially important for elderly individuals, people with disabilities, and parents of young children who would otherwise be unable to leave their homes on the Sabbath.

Rabbi Michael Ben-Edmon of Geneva said the backlash reflects what he described as a wider tendency to challenge Jewish religious observance under the guise of liberal principles. He cautioned that such rhetoric risks pushing Jewish life out of the public sphere instead of addressing antisemitism.

Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, president of the Conference of European Rabbis and Av Beit Din of Switzerland, said it was inappropriate to connect unrelated tragedies to a local religious accommodation. He added that presenting an eruv as coercive or exclusionary misrepresents both Jewish law and historical fact, and damages efforts to promote mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.

{Matzav.com}

A tribunal in the Australian state of Victoria has determined that the chant “All Zionists are terrorists,” shouted during a rally in central Melbourne, amounted to racial and religious vilification rather than protected political expression about Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza, according to local media reports.

The case was brought by Melbourne Jewish community advocate Menachem Vorchheimer against Hash Tayeh, a former owner of the Burgertory restaurant chain and a well-known anti-Israel, pro-Palestinian activist. Tayeh led the chant at a protest held in May 2024.

In testimony cited by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, Vorchheimer described the personal impact of the slogan. “The notion of being labeled the derogatory term of ‘terrorist’ for something I have no responsibility for, and for that to be seen as normal, is gut-wrenching and soul-destroying to me,” he said. “I felt dehumanized. I felt like the lowest of the low. I no longer feel safe going into the Melbourne CBD, given I am identifiably Jewish.”

Tayeh contended that the chant was aimed at the Israeli government and those who support its policies, not at Jewish people as a group. He argued that protest slogans often distill complex political views into sharp, provocative language.

The tribunal rejected that argument. Citing the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001, it concluded that because a substantial majority of Australian Jews identify as Zionists, the slogan did not meaningfully separate political ideology from Jewish identity and therefore amounted to incitement of hatred against a racial and religious community.

In her ruling, Judge My Anh Tran dismissed the claim that the chant was shielded as political speech, writing, “There is no right to a catchy rally slogan.”

The Jewish Center for Law and Justice, an Australian organization that monitors antisemitism, praised the outcome. Its chief executive, Alessandra Steele, described the decision as a landmark that “draws an important line in the sand.”

Steele added that for many Jewish Australians, Zionism is deeply intertwined with cultural, religious and familial ties to Israel, and said that branding an entire group as terrorists “serves to reverse victim and perpetrator, inciting hatred and division.”

{Matzav.com}

The United States has reportedly presented Iran with sweeping conditions in ongoing nuclear negotiations, demanding that Tehran dismantle its three primary nuclear facilities and ship its stockpile of enriched uranium to the United States as part of any future agreement.

According to officials familiar with the discussions, the American proposal calls for Iran to take apart key components of its nuclear infrastructure at its main enrichment sites and surrender its accumulated enriched uranium to U.S. custody. The move would represent a far more stringent framework than previous arrangements, aiming to permanently restrict Iran’s ability to produce material that could be used for nuclear weapons.

The three sites at the center of the demand are understood to be Iran’s principal nuclear facilities, long viewed by Western governments as critical to the country’s enrichment capabilities. U.S. negotiators are said to be seeking full dismantlement rather than temporary suspension or monitoring measures.

The proposal also includes the transfer of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile out of the country. Such a step would remove material that could potentially be further enriched to weapons-grade levels, addressing one of Washington’s primary security concerns.

Iranian officials have previously maintained that their nuclear program is intended solely for peaceful purposes and have resisted calls to eliminate enrichment entirely. Tehran has historically insisted on its right to maintain civilian nuclear capabilities under international agreements.

The renewed push comes amid heightened tensions over Iran’s nuclear activities and ongoing diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation. President Donald Trump has publicly backed a hardline negotiating approach, signaling that any agreement must ensure that Iran cannot reconstitute a nuclear weapons capability.

It remains unclear how Tehran will respond to the latest demands. Past rounds of talks have stalled over disagreements regarding enrichment limits, sanctions relief, and verification mechanisms. The outcome of the current negotiations could shape the future of U.S.-Iran relations and broader stability in the region.

{Matzav.com}