Matzav

The Shas party has announced that unless a last-minute agreement is reached over legislation addressing chareidi military enlistment, it will back the initial vote to dissolve the Knesset scheduled for Wednesday. This was confirmed by party spokesperson Asher Medina in an interview with Kol Berama Radio on Monday.

“If there is nothing serious…that we can bring before the rabbis and say, ‘Here is an achievement we can discuss, that we can put our minds to,’ then as we promised and said, we will need to vote for dispersing the Knesset,” Medina stated.

Medina explained that Shas has made significant progress in its behind-the-scenes discussions, but noted that talks are still in motion. He criticized certain factions for using the enlistment issue as political leverage, accusing them of intentionally dragging their feet for partisan advantage.

While he emphasized that Shas has no desire to trigger elections, Medina said the ongoing mistreatment of the chareidi community—particularly by Likud MK Yuli Edelstein and others—has pushed the party to its breaking point. Edelstein, as chairman of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, would oversee debate on any forthcoming legislation.

Still, Medina pointed to Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu as bearing ultimate responsibility for the failure to produce a version of the bill acceptable to Shas. He did acknowledge that Netanyahu had become more involved in recent days and expressed cautious hope that a compromise could be brokered before the vote on Wednesday.

While United Torah Judaism has already made its intention to vote for dissolution clear, this was the first public indication from Shas. However, even if the Knesset votes to disband during the preliminary reading, the measure would still need to pass three more readings before taking effect. That legislative process could stretch out for weeks and might not conclude before the Knesset’s summer break begins at the end of July.

The legal department of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee is currently drafting a version of the bill, which is expected to be presented in the coming weeks. Nevertheless, with the summer session nearing its end, there’s concern that the proposal may not pass in time. If no legislation is finalized before the recess, the current legal requirement mandating IDF service for all eligible chareidi men will remain in force through at least October. Should the Knesset dissolve, any work on the bill would be immediately halted.

The proposed law is expected to call for annual increases in chareidi enlistment, aiming to reach 50% of eligible students from each academic year, and would impose penalties on those who defy draft orders. Although the legal exemption lapsed in June 2024, most of the 24,000 summonses issued since have gone unanswered. The IDF has already signaled it will fall short of its pledge to recruit 4,800 chareidim during the 2024–2025 draft year, which ends on June 30.

Backers of the legislation claim it will lead to a substantial rise in chareidi enlistment and result in thousands joining the military. Detractors argue that penalties won’t ensure compliance and question the fairness of continuing to exempt half of all chareidim while requiring secular and national-religious Israelis to serve.

Meanwhile, quiet talks have been ongoing between Edelstein, Government Secretary Yossi Fuchs, and former Shas minister Ariel Atias. The discussions are centering around two key issues: the extent of the sanctions package, and whether those measures would go into effect immediately or after a delay.

Potential restrictions being considered for those who refuse to serve include bans on international travel, exclusion from public housing benefits, loss of subsidies for daycare and academic programs, and denial of driver’s licenses and other government-provided discounts.

Speaking to 103FM, Golan Vaknin, a previous advisor to Shas, said, “Every party in every coalition wants the government of which it is a member to fulfill its days.”

Vaknin was critical of the prime minister’s pattern of delaying action. “The real issue here is Netanyahu’s chronic procrastination over the years — in everything, by the way, not just the conscription law. That’s his way of operating, and now Netanyahu has his back against the wall. He could have dealt with this,” he said.

He emphasized the unity among chareidi parties despite their differences in tone. “The ultra-Orthodox parties are going arm-in-arm, even if the terminology differs between Goldknopf, Moshe Gafni, Aryeh Deri, or Meir Porush — the direction is clear. There are two very clear conventions in the ultra-Orthodox community: one, that everyone goes together; and two, that none of them wants elections. There isn’t a single ultra-Orthodox party today that wants elections. Even if Goldknopf makes noises about wanting to vote for dissolving the Knesset here and now, it doesn’t mean he wants elections. The real story is that they want Netanyahu to stop this entire saga.”

President Donald Trump announced that he had a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu on Monday to discuss matters related to Iran. He described the exchange as positive and noted, “trying to avoid death and destruction.”

Trump also remarked that the United States is currently heavily engaged with Iran diplomatically, commenting, “a lot of work with Iran now,” and characterizing the Iranians as “tough negotiators.”

The timing of the call coincided with Trump’s efforts to expedite humanitarian assistance into Gaza and to push Iran to abandon its nuclear ambitions.

In the wake of the discussion between Trump and Netanyahu, the Israeli leader is set to convene a security cabinet session. Defense Minister Yisroel Katz, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir are expected to take part.

Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer will also be present, along with high-ranking security officials including the IDF Chief of Staff, the Mossad director, and the head of the Shin Bet, according to reports from Israeli media.

During an earlier call in May, which followed a shooting incident involving Israeli embassy personnel in Washington, Trump cautioned Netanyahu against making moves that could undermine ongoing nuclear negotiations between Washington and Tehran.

Trump made it clear to Netanyahu that “this is not the time to escalate the situation while he is trying to resolve the issues.”

A senior official at the White House said that Trump conveyed his desire for a peaceful resolution with Iran and stressed that he “did not want anything to interfere with that.”

The official reiterated that Trump’s guidance to Netanyahu was “this is not the time to escalate the situation while he is trying to resolve the issues.”

Trump reminded Netanyahu that “the second option is still on the table,” though he indicated a strong preference for a diplomatic path first.

According to the senior official, Trump “encouraged Netanyahu to act cautiously” during their conversation.

{Matzav.com}

Governor Kathy Hochul has announced the launch of a $36.9 million infrastructure overhaul now underway in Brooklyn, targeting the aging Fort Hamilton Parkway bridge that spans the Gowanus Expressway (I-278). This vital crossing, originally constructed in 1964, connects the communities of Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, and Windsor Terrace. The project is designed to significantly strengthen safety, resilience, and multi-modal accessibility along this busy corridor.

The extensive rehabilitation will include full replacement of the bridge deck and approach slabs, as well as upgrades to the steel superstructure, bearings, piers, and abutments. In a notable enhancement for commuters, a protected bike lane will be added to the span, linking up with existing bike paths on Fort Hamilton Parkway and 7th Avenue. Travel lanes will be redesigned to accommodate the new cycling route while preserving both the sidewalk and a dedicated parking lane. Curb ramps will be upgraded for ADA compliance, and both street and underdeck lighting will receive modern enhancements.

Governor Hochul emphasized the broader goals behind the investment, stating, “New York State continues to make historic investments that will create safer, more resilient roads and bridges that will help keep our communities connected and our economy growing. The rehabilitation of this important bridge along the Fort Hamilton Parkway will help preserve a vital link in Brooklyn’s transportation network while also making it easier for people to get out of their cars and travel by bike across the borough.”

Fort Hamilton Parkway functions as a one-way, northbound arterial stretching from 101st Street in Bay Ridge to Machate Circle near Prospect Park. With this project, its bridge is expected to gain at least another 40 years of service life.

Work will be completed in multiple stages through summer 2027. During the first phase, the bridge’s left lane will be closed for long-term construction, followed by closure of the right lane during the second phase as traffic shifts. The parking lane will also be closed temporarily, and traffic on the Gowanus Expressway below will be impacted by necessary lane shifts.

The initiative is backed in part by federal infrastructure funds and has received enthusiastic endorsements from Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, as well as Council Members Justin Brannan and Alexa Avilés, who highlighted its impact on safety, economic growth, and improved access. Community Board 10 hailed the long-anticipated project as a much-needed investment in Brooklyn’s future.

{Matzav.com}

California has launched a legal battle against President Trump over his recent decision to place the state’s National Guard under federal control. The lawsuit, filed Monday, seeks to overturn the administration’s actions following unrest in Los Angeles related to protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Governor Gavin Newsom, along with Attorney General Rob Bonta, contends that Trump violated the U.S. Constitution by invoking a statute designed to be used only in cases of “invasion” or “rebellion.” They argue that such a classification does not apply to the current circumstances and represents a misuse of executive power.

“Donald Trump is creating fear and terror by failing to adhere to the U.S. Constitution and overstepping his authority. This is a manufactured crisis to allow him to take over a state militia, damaging the very foundation of our republic,” Newsom declared in the statement accompanying the legal filing.

Newsom further called on governors across the political spectrum to condemn the decision. “Every governor, red or blue, should reject this outrageous overreach. This is beyond incompetence — this is him intentionally causing chaos, terrorizing communities, and endangering the principles of our great democracy. It is an unmistakable step toward authoritarianism. We will not let this stand.”

{Matzav.com}

British lawmakers were set to deliberate today on a proposal that seeks to prohibit shechitah without prior stunning—a practice central to both kosher and certain halal dietary laws. According to a report by The Independent, the petition that triggered the debate has amassed over 109,000 signatures and characterizes the method as “barbaric,” asserting that it clashes with what it calls “modern British values.”

If the proposal were to move forward, it would revoke religious exemptions that currently allow shechitah and specific halal practices to proceed without stunning animals beforehand. Proponents of the ban insist that animal welfare should take precedence, while opponents argue that both kosher and halal methods are deeply rooted in religious tradition and incorporate strict standards of humane treatment.

Under current legislation in the UK, stunning animals before slaughter is generally required. However, religious slaughter is granted exceptions. In actual practice, the overwhelming majority of halal meat is stunned before slaughter, while kosher meat is not. These practices are all carried out under government supervision, with the Food Standards Agency ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.

Many critics of the petition have voiced concern that banning non-stun slaughter would threaten the religious freedoms of both Muslim and Jewish communities in the UK. They stress that observance of religious dietary laws is a fundamental component of their cultural and spiritual life.

Ahead of the parliamentary session on June 9, supporters of religious slaughter have urged the public to reach out to their Members of Parliament. Meanwhile, the Halal Monitoring Committee has signaled its intention to engage with lawmakers in an effort to provide a clear and factual explanation of traditional slaughter techniques.

{Matzav.com}

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has recently engaged in private talks with prominent chareidi political leaders in an attempt to persuade them against backing the collapse of the current Israeli government, according to a Channel 13 News report aired Monday evening, which cited both political and diplomatic insiders.

Over the past several days, Huckabee reportedly stressed to these figures that maintaining a stable Israeli government is critical in the ongoing confrontation with Iran. The ambassador is believed to have conveyed a message asserting, “Government stability is essential to address the Iranian issue,” portraying this position as representative of the U.S. administration’s perspective.

These discussions are taking place as the Israeli coalition faces growing uncertainty and potential disbandment of the Knesset. Huckabee is said to have reached out to various senior chareidi officials and community influencers, highlighting the dangers of triggering elections during this sensitive period.

In a weekend exchange with one chareidi political veteran, Huckabee again expressed his concerns about the regional situation, saying, “Stability of the government is important for dealing with the Iranian issue.” Whether Huckabee’s outreach was initiated at the directive of President Donald Trump or conducted independently remains uncertain.

Officials close to the Prime Minister acknowledged that he had been informed of Huckabee’s efforts. The ambassador’s office issued a statement in response, saying: “The ambassador meets with a wide range of Israeli officials. The content of the conversations remains private.”

A new psak was released Monday by some of the most prominent poskim affiliated with leading Chassidishe groups, firmly reiterating a total prohibition on joining the Israel Defense Forces.

In their declaration, the rabbanim assert clearly: “According to Torah law, it is strictly forbidden to enlist in the army, which serves as a melting pot for the gravest transgressions and for casting off the yoke [of Torah and mitzvos].”

This psak was issued in light of inquiries from members of the chareidi public who are not exclusively dedicated to full-time Torah learning and includes references to military programs specifically designed for the chareidi community.

“The prohibition also includes haredi enlistment tracks, whether existing or future,” the statement reads. “These frameworks have proven to be deceitful, and they aim to alter the character of the Torah-observant public. Furthermore, they are subject to secular authorities, among other concerns.”

The ruling bears the signatures of the rabbonim of several of Israel’s largest Chassidishe courts, including Gur, Belz, Vizhnitz, Sanz, and others.

Rav Mechel Zilber, lending his endorsement, shared a personal recollection: “I personally heard from the Gaon of Tchebin, of blessed memory, who ruled based on the Gemara that even Dovid Hamelech would not go to war without consulting the Sanhedrin and the Urim VeTummim. The Gaon, of blessed memory, asked: how can one send a Jewish youth to the army and to war when there is no Sanhedrin and no Urim VeTummim? This applies to any young man, whoever he may be.”

The family of kidnapped Israel Defense Forces Sgt. 1st Class Matan Angrest on Monday released new video footage showing his abduction by Palestinian terrorists during the Oct. 7, 2023, cross-border massacre.

In the video recording, Angrest can be seen being forcibly taken from his tank in the Nachal Oz area and beaten by a Gaza mob while unconscious.

Alongside the video footage, the Angrest family also published an audio recording from inside the tank, capturing the moments before the crew’s face-to-face encounter with the Palestinian terrorist mob.

In the tank with Angrest were IDF Sgt. Itay Chen and Capt. Daniel Perez, who were killed and whose bodies are currently being held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and Sgt. Tomer Leibovitz, who also fell in the line of duty.

In the chilling audio, Angrest can be heard shouting in panic after the vehicle is hit and his fellow soldiers are injured: “What is this? A terrorist! Stop, stop! Behind him! Perez! Is anyone hit? Perez?”

“For 611 days, I avoided watching the full video. Last night, I forced myself to see it for the first time. We have no choice. Matan’s life is in danger,” the captive IDF soldier’s mother, Anat, wrote in a statement.

“We were compelled to release another segment of the video to the public. We wish we didn’t have to,” continued the Israeli mother.

“Matan is in life-threatening danger, wounded and bleeding. We must not abandon him (again) and leave him behind. We’re sorry, our Matan. Don’t give up, because we are not giving up on you,” Anat Angrest said.

In April, the Angrest family made public for the first time pictures of Matan’s abduction. The photos, which were reportedly recovered from the Gaza Strip by the IDF, showed Angrest being taken from his tank.

Hamas released a propaganda video on March 8 in which Angrest called for the Israeli government to agree unconditionally to the second phase of the ceasefire agreement with the Palestinian terrorist organization.

The 42-day first phase of the deal expired on March 1. Hamas refused a U.S. proposal to extend Phase 1 during the Islamic month of Ramadan.

“Please, I beg you, bring us back alive, not in a coffin,” Angrest stated in the video. The family authorized the video’s presentation to the public.

The family said in a statement, “We are shaken by the video we just saw, in which we see our Matan looking drained and desperate after 518 days in Hamas’s tunnels.”

“Beyond the severe psychological state evident in the footage, his right hand is nonfunctional, his eyes and mouth are asymmetrical, and his nose is broken—according to testimonies from those who have returned, all due to interrogations and torture in captivity.”

A resident of Kiryat Bialik, one of Haifa’s bayside suburbs, Angrest enlisted into the IDF as a combat soldier after graduating from high school. He was due to be released from army service in April 2024.

“Matan kept telling us not to worry because a tank is the safest and the most secure place in the army,” Anat Angrest told JNS in July 2024.

Fifty-five hostages remain in Hamas terrorist captivity in the Gaza Strip after 611 days, including the body of Matan’s comrade, Sgt. Itay Chen, a dual U.S.-Israeli national. Jerusalem believes that at least 20 captives taken on Oct. 7 are alive. JNS

{Matzav.com Israel}

The Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Monday approved an extension of legislation allowing the emergency call-up of IDF reservists.

The lawmakers authorized Defense Minister Israel Katz’s proposal to allow the Israel Defense Forces to call up additional reservists under Section 8 of the Reserve Service Law, 2008, through midnight on June 26.

The committee held a confidential discussion during which Knesset members received a security and intelligence briefing regarding the fighting in Gaza, after which they were asked to back Katz’s proposal.

Nine MKs voted in favor, while seven committee members opposed the further emergency call-up of soldiers by the IDF, according to the Knesset website.

The Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee had previously approved the issuing of Tzav 8 (“Section 8”) emergency orders by the IDF through May 29.

Israeli soldiers continue to operate—under the direction of the Military Intelligence Directorate and the Shin Bet—against terrorist groups in Gaza as part of “Operation Gideon’s Chariots,” the IDF said on Sunday.

The offensive, launched on May 16, is a wide-scale IDF campaign targeting remaining Hamas and Islamic Jihad strongholds.

The campaign aims to establish lasting security control throughout the entire Gaza Strip, Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu said on May 21. JNS

{Matzav.com Israel}

The Jewish world, and especially the world of chazzanus and Jewish music, mourns the loss of R’ Sri (Yehuda Aharon) Klein z”l, a beloved and gifted chazzan who passed away in the United States at the age of 76. He had been in declining health over the past decade.

A resident of Manhattan, R’ Ari was a son of R’ Yirmiyahu Klein z”l. Over the course of many decades, he earned international renown for his stirring voice and heartfelt service as a baal tefillah in prominent batei knesses around the globe. His cantorial career included distinguished posts in Sydney, Australia; Johannesburg, South Africa; and most recently, at the Park East Synagogue in Manhattan.

Endowed with a soaring tenor voice and deep expertise in the art of chazzanus, R’ Ari inspired countless mispallelim through his passionate and uplifting davening. His love for Hashem and his musical talent came together in a way that left a lasting impression on those privileged to hear him.

Beyond his accomplishments as a chazzan, R’ Aryeh played a pivotal role in shaping the career of his brother-in-law and shadchan, Mordechai Ben David. It was R’ Ari who first encouraged MBD to pursue Jewish music professionally, support and encouragement that ultimately helped launch an iconic career that would uplift generations.

He is also remembered for introducing Mordechai Ben David to the saintly Rebbe of Ribniz zt”l, with whom R’ Ari maintained a strong kesher throughout the years.

The levayah will take place today at 4:00 p.m. at Shomrei Hadas Chapels in Boro Park, Brooklyn. Kevurah will follow at the Har Shalom Bais Hachaim in Monsey.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog said on Monday that the Iranian regime had repeatedly refused to provide his agency with credible answers regarding its nuclear activities at undeclared sites.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director-General Rafael Grossi told the agency’s Board of Governors meeting in Vienna that he has been seeking explanations from the Islamic Republic regarding the presence of uranium particles found at the undeclared Varamin, Marivan and Turquzabad locations.

“Iran has repeatedly either not answered or not provided technically credible answers to the agency’s questions,” he stated, accusing it of seeking to “sanitize the locations,” impeding the IAEA’s activities.

“The agency also concludes that Iran did not declare nuclear material and nuclear-related activities at these three undeclared locations in Iran,” Grossi told members of the 35-member policy-making body.

“As a consequence of this, the agency is not in a position to determine whether the related nuclear material is still outside of safeguards,” said Grossi, meaning that the IAEA is unable to verify that nuclear materials are properly accounted for and were not diverted for undeclared uses.

Unless Tehran cooperates with the IAEA to resolve the outstanding issues, the organization “will not be in a position to provide assurance that Iran’s nuclear program is exclusively peaceful,” according to him.

Speaking with reporters at a press conference after his remarks to the quarterly meeting, Grossi accused the regime in Tehran of having obtained highly confidential documents belonging to the IAEA.

“This dates to a few years ago, but we could determine with all clarity that documents that belong to the agency were in the hands of Iranian authorities, which is bad,” Grossi told journalists, adding: “We believe that an action like this is not compatible with the spirit of cooperation.”

In response to a question about the possibility of Israeli military action against Iranian nuclear sites, Grossi said that his agency was actively seeking to reduce the escalating tensions in the Middle East.

“We are trying to solve this without the use of violence or force,” Grossi stated. “If it’s done correctly, thoroughly, with a very strong verification and monitoring chapter from us, it would give the necessary assurance for Israel and for the world that there is nothing to be feared coming from there.”

Regarding Iranian claims that the regime acquired sensitive intelligence data through hacking on alleged Israeli nuclear activities, Grossi said that the IAEA did not receive any information regarding the files.

“This seems to refer to Soreq [Nuclear Research Center], which is a research facility that we inspect, by the way,” explained Grossi.

“Normally, people tell me, ‘You don’t inspect Israel.’ Yes, we do … We don’t inspect other strategic parts of the program, but we do inspect Soreq,” added the Argentinian diplomat.

Israeli security analysts have dismissed Tehran’s claims as psychological warfare, while Iranian Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib warned on Monday that the seized documents would “soon” be made public.

The United States, France, Germany and the United Kingdom are set to introduce a resolution at the IAEA meeting this week that would find the Islamic Republic in noncompliance with its nuclear safeguards obligations.

In May, the IAEA issued a confidential report to its board members, reportedly concluding that Tehran concealed nuclear activities and failed to declare materials at three sites.

A separate report circulated the same day concluded that the regime has enough nuclear material to build approximately nine nuclear weapons, though its stockpile of 60% enriched uranium remains shy of the 90% purity threshold considered “weapons grade.”

The United States and Iran are currently engaged in negotiations for an agreement seeking to curtail the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to hold a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday, according to Hebrew media reports. The premier is scheduled to hold a discussion with ministers on the issue of Iran following the call, the Ynet news website reported.

{Matzav.com}

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When Akiva Zuravin set out to develop Jerusalem Estates, he wasn’t simply building luxury apartments—he was making a statement. A quiet one, as is his way. But unmistakable. Tucked into the historic Schneller compound in the heart of the frum neighborhoods and within walking distance of prominent Chassidic centers, Jerusalem Estates became more than just a sought-after address. It became a symbol of what’s possible when vision, values, and execution align.

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It was that mindset that set Jerusalem Estates apart—and that continues to define Zuravin’s approach today. With Ir Olam, his most ambitious development yet, the goal is even broader: not just to build homes, but to shape the rhythm of modern life in Jerusalem.

Located adjacent to Givat Shaul, Kiryat Moshe, and Beit Hakerem, and minutes away from Har Nof, Ir Olam rises from the grounds of the old flour mill—once an industrial area and now envisioned as one of Jerusalem’s most forward-looking quarters for living, working, and gathering.

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Tomorrow is Primary Election Day!

Tomorrow is the last day we can cast our vote for Josh Gottheimer, and ensure a friend of the Jewish community becomes the front runner of the Democrat party.

Polls open at 6:00 AM, and close at 8:00 PM.

Registered Democrats and unaffiliated/independent voters can vote in this Democratic primary election.

You can check your affiliation status and voting location by texting 732-503-3052 or at LakewoodVotes.com.

Lakewood Rabbonim and Roshei Yeshiva are urging the community to vote!

This election has become crucial-

Lakewood is being watched for voter turnout. If the community comes together and votes we become a population that must be worked with.

https://jewishinsider.com/2025/05/josh-gottheimer-new-jersey-democratic-gubernatorial-primary-jewish-voters/

https://newjerseyglobe.com/governor/lakewood-vaad-backs-gottheimer-tells-unaffiliated-voters-to-vote-in-dem-primary/

Please take a few minutes and cast your vote.

Qatar served as Hamas’s indispensable ally and mulled ways to foil the 2020 Trump peace plan alongside Iran and Turkey, according to documents obtained by Israeli security forces in the Gaza Strip, Hebrew media reported on Sunday.

The documents further indicated the importance that Hamas placed on Qatar’s funding, even beyond the Gaza Strip, according to Channel 12 News.

The Qatari funds were “the main lifeline of the movement,” then-Hamas politburo leader Ismail Haniyeh told then-Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani (today Qatar’s prime minister) in a face-to-face meeting in 2019, according to the documents.

Moreover, a secret Palestinian Authority report recorded discussions between Qatari intelligence personnel and a Hamas representative about special training for Hamas fighters on military bases in Qatar and Turkey, as well as the integration of Palestinian refugees from Syria into Hamas battalions in Lebanon, according to Channel 12.

In an undated Hamas report that dealt with the possibility of Qatar joining the Abraham Accords—the 2020-2021 bilateral normalization agreements between Israel and four Arab states—it was stated that it would spell the “end of the Palestinian national project.”

The documents further revealed that Hamas sought to increase the influence of Qatar in the Gaza Strip at the expense of Egypt.

Then-Hamas leader and terror master Yahaya Sinwar wrote in a memo to Haniyeh, “The Egyptians were present in an effort to contain the escalation [with Israel in the summer of 2020], but we left them empty-handed and out of the picture. In their place came the Qataris—to whom we handed the opportunity to reap the fruits of diplomacy.”

The pair, Sinwar and Haniyeh, have since been killed by Israel.

A Hamas delegation that visited Iran on an unspecified date heard from an Iranian Foreign Ministry official that Tehran was “glad about the Qatari-Turkish support” for the Gazan terrorist dictatorship, Channel 12 reported.

As for the Trump peace plan, also known as the “Deal of the Century,” Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani held an emergency meeting in June, 2019 with then-senior Hamas leader Khaled Mashal in which he expressed his concern that Oman could normalize ties with Israel, more than a year before the Abraham Accords were signed.

“Regarding Palestine, Oman is on one side and we are on the other,” Al Thani was quoted as saying.

“Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, which are advancing normalization with Israel, will find themselves isolated, whereas Pakistan and Malaysia, which oppose normalization, are in a strong position,” he added, according to the documents.

“We must cooperate to oppose and thwart the Deal of the Century,” Mashal told him at the time.

The proposal put forward during Trump’s first presidential tenure sought a permanent resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and served as the springboard for the subsequent normalization agreements with the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan.

The plan, however, was rejected by the Palestinian Authority.

In May, 2021, Haniyeh informed Sinwar of a private meeting he held with Al Thani, following the Israel Defense Forces’ “Operation Guardian of the Walls.”

“In a private meeting between us, after the delegation had departed, we reassured [the emir] regarding the resistance. We agreed on discreet financial support. I would ask that you write a letter focusing on the military campaign and your urgent needs—and dedicate the victory [in ‘Operation Guardian of the Walls’] to His Excellency,” Haniyeh wrote at the time.

In the wake of Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023 attack, Qatar has taken a significant role as a mediator between Israel and Hamas in ceasefire negotiations. Doha has also been allowed by Jerusalem to transfer cash into the Gaza Strip for humanitarian causes for years, an issue which has served as a flashpoint of debate within Israel.

{Matzav.com}

United Airlines has—for the second time—resumed flights to Israel shortly after a lawsuit was filed against the fourth-largest domestic carrier, seeking internal documents about how and why it opted to halt flights to the Jewish state.

On May 30, the National Center for Public Policy Research filed the suit in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, demanding access to the Chicago-based, Delaware-incorporated airline’s records to see if it violated its fiduciary duties to shareholders by giving in to calls from its anti-Israel union to boycott the Jewish state.

The conservative think tank owns 123 United shares worth about $10,350.

The suit also seeks information about whether United colluded illegally with its partner, Turkish Airlines. “Turkish Airlines, a key Star Alliance partner of United, is partially controlled by the Turkish government, which has publicly called for and engages in a boycott of Israel,” per the complaint.

Anat Beck, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, told JNS that “Israel is about 2% of their market share, and they hid it in their financial statements—how much it’s hurting.” Securities laws require the airline to disclose the financial impact of its decisions, she said.

Before the Hamas-led terror attacks in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, the airline operated 28 weekly flights to Tel Aviv—more than any other U.S. carrier. It suspended such flights on Oct. 7, and as of April 2025, it has “resumed only 14 weekly flights—a 50% reduction,” per the complaint. “United’s own 8-K filings and quarterly earnings reports confirm that this suspension resulted in a material decline in earnings, including an estimated $0.15 per share in lost earnings for each month of suspended operations.” (According to the think tank, United’s stock price fell 16.6%, while El Al’s rose 60%.)

Extrapolated, Beck says, that’s about $1.6 billion of lost earnings annually, or closing in on $3 billion since the war began.

“Despite these adverse financial impacts, United did not disclose the role of union influence in its public filings,” per the suit. “Statements by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA and media reports indicate that the flight attendants’ union exerted internal political pressure to prevent resumption of the Tel Aviv route for ideological, not safety, reasons.”

Other airlines resumed flights to Israel “well before” United did so on March 15, per the suit.

“The Lufthansa Group resumed flights on Feb. 1, 2025, through all its subsidiaries— including Swiss International Air Lines, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and Eurowings. Air France also resumed flights to Tel Aviv in early 2025,” the complaint states. “In contrast, United failed to provide shareholders with a clear explanation or any disclosed risk assessment regarding its prolonged suspension.”

“Notably, El Al Israel Airlines maintained uninterrupted service to Tel Aviv throughout the entire conflict period,” it adds.

The U.S. State Department issued some travel advisories during the war, but neither Foggy Bottom nor the Federal Aviation Administration directed airlines to stop flying to Tel Aviv due to security risks, per the suit.

United resumed service to Tel Aviv in March 2024, canceled flights in April—after Iran attacked Israel—restarted in May and suspended flights again in August 2024, amid rising tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.

The airline’s announcement in February that it would resume flights to Israel in mid-March came after the National Center for Public Policy Research sent the carrier a books and records request. After the May 4 Houthi missile attack on the airport in Tel Aviv, United again suspended flights.

Beck told JNS that United immediately resumed flying to Israel after the National Center’s letter in February, and United told the plaintiffs that the allegations regarding union pressure were false.

“Now that we did it again, same thing. As soon as we filed this action—within two hours—they returned the flight,” Beck told JNS. “Maybe it’s a coincidence, but it happened twice.” (United declined to respond to JNS questions.)

The think tank didn’t file a suit in February, since United immediately returned to flying to the Jewish state, according to Beck.

Mark Goldfeder, an attorney for the plaintiffs and CEO and director of the National Jewish Advocacy Center, stated that “shareholders have a right to know whether it is true, as the evidence appears to suggest, that United bowed to ideological pressure to join a silent boycott of Israel.”

The complaint notes that United’s Feb. 4 statement about resuming its flights to Tel Aviv was a “sharp and troubling departure from the company’s longstanding practice of attributing route suspensions and resumptions exclusively to operational, commercial or safety considerations.”

“In an unprecedented move, United stated that the decision ‘follows a detailed assessment of operational considerations for the region and close work with the unions who represent our flight attendants and pilots,’” per the lawsuit. “This marked the first time United has publicly acknowledged union input as a determinative factor in the resumption of international flight operations.”

“The inclusion of unions in this context suggests an unusually high degree of influence or involvement in what is normally a management-level strategic or safety decision,” the complaint adds.

Per the suit, Sara Nelson, the president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, has supported boycotts of the Jewish state, and the union has pushed for a ceasefire, advocated for Washington to cut off military aid to the Jewish state and defended anti-Israel protesters on campus.

“AFA expects every one of our airlines to ensure the safety and security of crew on layover,” the union told JNS. “Our advocacy with airline management, no matter the destination, is solely focused on flight attendant safety and security. Any assertion otherwise is unfounded and delusional.” JNS

{Matzav.com}

President Trump stated on Monday that if he held the position of border enforcement chief Tom Homan, he wouldn’t hesitate to place California Governor Gavin Newsom under arrest, following violent unrest connected to anti-ICE demonstrators in Los Angeles over the weekend.

“I would do it, if I were Tom,” Trump said as he spoke to reporters upon arriving back at the White House from Camp David.
“Gavin likes the publicity, but I think it would be a great thing,” the president added.

“I like Gavin Newsom. He’s a nice guy, but he’s grossly incompetent, everybody knows that.”

The confrontation escalated after Newsom publicly challenged Homan during a Sunday night interview with NBC News, saying the Trump administration official should “come after me. Arrest me. Let’s just get it over with, tough guy.”

On Monday, Newsom followed up on social media with a sharp response to Trump’s remarks: “The President of the United States just called for the arrest of a sitting Governor. This is a day I hoped I would never see in America. I don’t care if you’re a Democrat or a Republican this is a line we cannot cross as a nation — this is an unmistakable step toward authoritarianism.”

Homan had earlier suggested that both Governor Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass could potentially face prosecution for interfering with federal agents attempting to detain illegal immigrants.

“I’ll say it about anybody,” Homan said during an NBC interview on Shabbos.
“You cross that line, it’s a felony to knowingly harbor and conceal an illegal alien. It’s a felony to impede law enforcement doing their job.”

By Monday morning, Homan had softened his language, appearing on NBC once again to clarify his remarks. “I never threatened to arrest Governor Newsom,” he said, claiming his comments had been misconstrued.

President Trump had already taken action over the weekend, directing 2,000 National Guard troops to be dispatched to California in response to escalating demonstrations.

Troops began arriving Sunday, as fires broke out and demonstrators waved foreign flags, including that of Mexico, in support of undocumented immigrants.

“We made a great decision in sending the National Guard to deal with the violent, instigated riots in California. If we had not done so, Los Angeles would have been completely obliterated,” Trump posted on Truth Social while returning to Washington from Camp David.

He went on to mock local leadership in a sarcastic tone: “The very incompetent ‘Governor,’ Gavin Newscum, and ‘Mayor,’ Karen Bass, should be saying, ‘THANK YOU, PRESIDENT TRUMP, YOU ARE SO WONDERFUL. WE WOULD BE NOTHING WITHOUT YOU, SIR.’ Instead, they choose to lie to the People of California and America by saying that we weren’t needed, and that these are ‘peaceful protests.’”

Trump concluded with a vow to uphold public safety, writing, “we will always do what is needed to keep our Citizens SAFE, so we can, together, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

{Matzav.com}

As the Knesset prepares for a crucial vote on dissolution this Wednesday, a high-ranking member of Shas told Arutz Sheva on Monday that the party has no desire to bring down the current coalition.

“No one wants elections, and we’re not eager to bring down the government. If any party stands to be hurt by its fall — it’s Shas,” the insider emphasized.

The official acknowledged the tense political situation, noting, “We are clearly caught in a difficult bind. When [Likud MK] Yuli Edelstein shows zero flexibility on the most critical issue for the haredi public, that’s a problem.”

He continued by criticizing the current dynamics among the chareidi factions. “There’s no way Degel Hatorah and Agudas Yisrael will vote for dissolution because the Draft Law remains unresolved, while Shas serves as the ‘Shabbos goy’ keeping the coalition afloat solely for political gain.”

Despite the political impasse, the official offered a potential path forward. “If Edelstein budges even slightly, it may be possible to present a compromise formula to the rabbis that would delay the dissolution bill. But there’s no doubt that the keys lie in Edelstein’s hands and those of the legal advisors backing him.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu returned to the witness stand on Monday for the third round of cross-examination in the Tel Aviv District Court as part of the proceedings in Case 1000. The questioning was conducted by lead prosecutor Attorney Yonatan Tadmor.

Defense attorney Amit Hadad, representing Netanyahu, asked the court to wrap up the session earlier than expected, requesting that it conclude at 1:45 p.m. He explained the need for the early adjournment by citing “an important diplomatic call.”

In response, Prosecutor Tadmor asked the judges to reschedule the missed time for another session to ensure no time was lost in the ongoing proceedings.

During a recess, a disruption occurred when a demonstrator entered the courtroom and began yelling insults at Netanyahu. The protester shouted, “Loser, zero, take that smile off your face.” Court security quickly removed the individual from the premises.

Addressing the disturbance, Hadad turned to the judicial panel and stated firmly: “Next time that happens, the defense team will leave the courtroom in protest. This is hooliganism and blatancy, verbal violence.”

Later in the session, Tadmor argued that part of the testimony that had been heard in closed session should now be made public.

“I am approaching the chapter where the questions thus far were behind closed doors. The reasoning was invasion of privacy. However, since September 2024, Mr. Packer was interviewed by Australian media in an extensive article, which is public, and there he laid out the difficulties that he is facing in a much broader manner than was brought up here.”

Judge Rivka Friedman-Feldman asked Tadmor for clarification on his position: “Is that a request, or are you bringing this to our attention so that we consider it?”

Tadmor answered clearly: “I am requesting. There is no longer justification for closed doors.” The judge instructed him to file a formal motion so the court could deliberate on the matter appropriately.

Case 1000 centers on accusations that Netanyahu improperly received valuable gifts from affluent associates. Authorities began their investigation in 2016, focusing on claims that Netanyahu and his wife Sarah had accepted luxury items from Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan and his associate, Australian investor James Packer. These included pricey cigars, bottles of champagne, and fine jewelry—items allegedly worth thousands of dollars, far exceeding what Israeli lawmakers are permitted to accept under Knesset ethics rules.

Prosecutors allege that in exchange for these gifts, Netanyahu took actions to benefit Milchan, including efforts related to tax benefits, regulatory matters, and facilitating a U.S. visa. He is facing charges of fraud and breach of trust.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Russia unleashed its most extensive drone assault on Ukraine since the war began, with nearly 500 aerial attacks carried out, just one day after American officials had warned that such a large-scale response from Moscow was imminent.

According to the Ukrainian air force, Russian troops launched 479 drones along with 20 missiles during the overnight offensive. The barrage marked a dramatic escalation in Moscow’s military operations.

Ukrainian defense forces intercepted and destroyed all but 19 of the drones and only one missile managed to evade their air defense systems, the air force reported in its statement Monday.

Despite Ukraine’s success in shooting down the majority of the incoming threats, a military airbase located in Dubno—roughly 40 miles from Poland’s border—sustained damage. Yuriy Ihnat, spokesperson for Ukraine’s air force, confirmed to Reuters that this site had been the principal target of the Russian assault.

In response to the proximity of the strikes, Polish military jets, alongside aircraft from allied nations, were scrambled early Monday morning to secure the airspace of Poland, a NATO member. Poland’s armed forces issued a public statement outlining the precautionary action.

Russia’s Defense Ministry stated Monday that the intense offensive was a direct retaliation for recent Ukrainian attacks on Russian military installations earlier in the month.

“All designated targets” were hit, the ministry declared in its official announcement.

{Matzav.com}

California Governor Gavin Newsom escalated an already heated standoff with the Trump administration by directly challenging the president’s immigration enforcement chief, Tom Homan, to detain him over his refusal to crack down on anti-ICE demonstrators in the state.

“Come after me. Arrest me. Let’s just get it over with, tough guy,” Newsom declared in a defiant interview with NBC News on Sunday.

His remarks came shortly after Homan warned that both Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass could be criminally liable for allegedly interfering with federal immigration operations across the city.

“I’ll say it about anybody,” Homan asserted during a weekend interview, as scenes of protest and unrest unfolded in Los Angeles.

“You cross that line, it’s a felony to knowingly harbor and conceal an illegal alien. It’s a felony to impede law enforcement doing their job.”

Amid growing tensions, President Trump announced plans to send 2,000 California National Guard troops to support federal immigration efforts in Los Angeles, where ICE agents have faced off with demonstrators for three consecutive days.

Newsom rejected the move, warning that the deployment would only heighten tensions on the ground. He also accused the Trump administration of weaponizing federal authority for political purposes.

“He’s a tough guy. Why doesn’t he do that? He knows where to find me,” Newsom said in the NBC interview.

“But you know what? Let your hands off 4-year-old girls that are trying to get educated. Let your hands off these poor people. They’re just trying to live their lives, man. Trying to live their lives, paying their taxes. Been here for 10 years. The fear, the horror.”

“The hell are they doing? These guys need to grow up. They need to stop, and we need to push back. And I’m sorry to be so clear, but that kind of bloviating is exhausting. So, Tom, arrest me. Let’s go,” he continued.

Homan, meanwhile, pushed back against the criticism and defended ICE’s recent actions, saying Newsom’s rhetoric undermined public safety.

“We’re arresting bad people. We’re enforcing laws and following up on a serious criminal investigation on cartel financing. So that’s exactly what ICE did. And ICE took a lot of bad people off the street that day,” he said on Fox News’ “Fox & Friends.”

“We arrested … gang members, arrested somebody that had an armed robbery conviction. So we made LA safer.”

“The men and women of ICE, the men and women of the border control made LA safer that day, but you’re not hearing any of this. All you hear is a rhetoric about ICE being racist and ICE being Nazis and terrorists — and Gov. Newsom feeds that,” Homan added.

In a countermove, Newsom announced plans to take legal action against the federal government over the troop deployment.

“They had to coordinate with the governor of the state,” he said.

“They never coordinated with the governor of the state.”

“This is about authoritarian tendencies. This is about command and control. This is about power. This is about ego,” Newsom concluded.

{Matzav.com}