Matzav

Leading rabbinic figures addressed the issue of yeshiva students and the draft on Sunday night at the “Levaker Beheichalo” chinuch conference in Yerushalayim, delivering sharp remarks in support of Torah learners facing increasing pressure from state authorities.

Speaking at the conference, former Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel Rav Yitzchok Yosef called for strengthening those immersed in Torah study, particularly at a time when yeshiva students are being targeted. He stressed that Torah learning provides spiritual protection to the Jewish people, especially in times of war.

Referring to recent attacks in southern Israel, Rav Yosef said that terrorists had managed to seize 12 communities, but were stopped from advancing further due to the merit of Torah study. He said that without the protection generated by yeshivos and kollel families, additional cities would have fallen, asserting that the spiritual defense of Torah learners played a decisive role.

Also speaking at the gathering was Moetzes Chachmei HaTorah member and Porat Yosef Rosh Yeshiva Rav Shmuel Betzalel, who shared a personal story about a detained yeshiva bochur from Ponovezh.

Rav Betzalel said that the young man regularly discussed Torah learning with him at the Kosel and was exceptionally knowledgeable in the entire Shas. According to Rav Betzalel, the bochur’s father later informed him that his son had been jailed after arriving three days late to his initial draft summons. “Do you understand what this means?” Rav Betzalel said. “Shas is sitting in prison.”

The conference was organized at the initiative of Yerushalayim Deputy Mayor Tzvika Cohen and was attended by senior members of the Moetzes Chachmei HaTorah, including Rav Moshe Maya and Rav Avraham Salim, along with numerous roshei yeshiva and rabbonim

Among those present were Rav Chaim Cohen of Be’er HaTalmud, Rav Shmuel Beitan of Daas Chaim, Rav Zvi Cohen of Avnei Nezer, Rav Yitzchak Lasri of Eish HaTalmud, Rav Chaim Suissa of Torah V’Daas, and Rav Yisrael Rokach of Mishkan Chaim.

Earlier in the evening, Shas party chairman Aryeh Deri also addressed the conference.

{Matzav.com}

President Trump said Sunday night that he is unaware of any investigation targeting Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, even as the Fed chief disclosed that the Justice Department has subpoenaed the central bank and warned that Powell could face indictment for allegedly misleading Congress.

“I don’t know anything about it, but he’s certainly not very good at the Fed, and he’s not very good at building buildings,” the president told NBC News during a brief interview.

Powell, 72, sent markets reeling late Sunday after issuing a statement acknowledging the subpoenas and confirming that prosecutors have raised the possibility of criminal charges tied to his congressional testimony.

The controversy centers on a massive renovation of the Federal Reserve’s Washington headquarters, a project estimated at $2.5 billion that was first reported by The Post in April. During a June appearance before the Senate Banking Committee, Powell faced pointed questioning over the overhaul, which one former Fed board member derided as “the Palace of Versailles on the National Mall.”

At that hearing, Powell rejected claims that the renovation involved extravagant amenities described in internal planning documents approved in 2021.

“There’s no VIP dining room, there’s no new marble. There are no special elevators,” the Fed chair said under oath June 25. “There are no new water features, there’s no beehives, and there’s no roof terrace gardens.”

In July, Trump and Powell toured the construction site together, appearing side by side in business attire and hard hats as they fielded questions from reporters. During the visit, the two clashed publicly over the true cost of the project, with Powell disputing Trump’s assertion that the price tag had reached $3.1 billion and saying the president was counting expenses related to a separate building.

On Dec. 29, Trump complained that the renovation would exceed $4 billion and threatened legal action against Powell, accusing him of “gross incompetence.”

Trump has repeatedly faulted Powell for moving too slowly to cut interest rates. On Sunday night, Powell suggested the investigation was politically motivated, calling it “a consequence of the Federal Reserve setting interest rates based on our best assessment of what will serve the public, rather than following the preferences of the president.”

“This is about whether the Fed will be able to continue to set interest rates based on evidence and economic conditions — or whether instead monetary policy will be directed by political pressure or intimidation,” Powell said.

Trump dismissed that characterization in his NBC interview. “I wouldn’t even think of doing it that way. What should pressure him is the fact that rates are far too high. That’s the only pressure he’s got,” the president said.

“He’s hurt a lot of people,” Trump added. “I think the public is pressuring him.”

Powell’s term as Fed chair expires in May, and Trump is expected to name a successor in the coming weeks. Powell is slated to remain a member of the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors through 2028 after stepping down from the top post.

{Matzav.com}

Israel and Iran narrowly avoided direct military confrontation on two occasions in recent weeks amid mutual misjudgments and Israeli concerns over a potential surprise attack, according to Tamir Hayman, a former head of Israel’s Military Intelligence Directorate.

Speaking in an interview Monday with 103FM, Hayman said Iranian military preparations created what he described as a “coordination imperative” between Israel and the United States. He explained that the recent close calls stemmed from heightened risks of miscalculation, a dynamic that has pushed the IDF and U.S. forces into deeper operational coordination.

Hayman said American moves against Iran are already in progress and could expand in several directions, depending on how the situation evolves. These measures, he said, might include information and influence campaigns, cyber operations, covert actions, or, if tensions spiral, open warfare.

“There is no zero action at the moment,” Hayman said, indicating that U.S. pressure efforts are already underway.

He pointed to a surge of unexplained reports, rumors, and circulating videos inside Iran, suggesting they may reflect a coordinated cyber and influence campaign combined with internal disruption and subversion. While conceding that not every incident is necessarily connected, Hayman said the cumulative effect has been growing confusion within Iran’s domestic information environment.

Turning to Iran’s political future, Hayman said developments previously viewed as far-fetched can no longer be ruled out. He cited possibilities ranging from heightened nationalist messaging to more dramatic scenarios, such as an extended revolutionary phase led by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, potentially including a temporary ruler under a military dictatorship.

As long as Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei remains in charge, Hayman said, Iran is unlikely to launch a full-scale attack on Israel, given Khamenei’s historically cautious approach. That assessment could change, he warned, if a more aggressive, IRGC-backed figure were to rise to power.

Hayman also reviewed Tehran’s handling of domestic unrest, arguing that attempts at economic relief have failed and that harsh security crackdowns have not succeeded in restoring stability. Under those conditions, he suggested, talks with Washington could become the regime’s only realistic path to easing economic pressure through sanctions relief.

Negotiations, he said, were “not an absurd scenario,” especially if Iran were to offer a dramatic concession on uranium enrichment that might draw the United States into serious talks.

“If the US conducts only a symbolic strike and we are attacked, we will not contain it,” Hayman said. “If Washington mounts a heavy response and our added value is marginal, we should act wisely.”

He stressed that any Israeli military response would be shaped by the scale and character of American action.

On the military front, Hayman said Iran has rebuilt its missile production lines following the Israel–Iran war but has not yet implemented the upgrades it had originally planned. He added that Tehran is now seeking Chinese assistance to significantly expand its manufacturing capacity.

Arguing against launching a new war with Iran at present, Hayman said such conflicts exact a heavy price and force large numbers of Israelis from their homes. Strategically, he said, Israel faces a choice between pursuing regime change or, if conflict becomes unavoidable, reaching a limited arrangement to constrain Iran’s capabilities—though he emphasized that “right now, an agreement is a mistake.”

He closed by outlining scenarios he described as unlikely but plausible, including a harsh IRGC-dominated military regime or a leadership change backed by outside actors. More probable, in his view, are internal reforms designed to reassert control over Iranian society.

The Iranian leadership, he added, continues to portray domestic unrest as the result of U.S. and Israeli interference, urging citizens to rally against external enemies. “There are two million people there whose identities are unclear and who are violent,” he warned, while noting that the regime still retains significant leverage.

{Matzav.com}

Rav Dovid Leibel, president of the Achvas Torah network and a figure involved in the establishment of the chareidi Chashmonaim Brigade, issued a blistering denunciation of extremist activists who broke into a brigade event Sunday night in Bnei Brak.

Addressing the incident, Rav Leibel said, “These are not kannaim and not chareidim. These are thugs who desecrate Hashem’s Name in public; they have no share in the Torah and no share among us.”

He continued with sharp criticism of the protesters’ methods and motives. “They wrap themselves in the cloak of zealotry, but in truth their lives contain nothing but destruction and ruin. The Torah world will not be protected with fists, but through adding goodness and building. I strengthen the hands of the soldiers,” Rav Leibel said.

As previously reported, police were dispatched Sunday night to remove roughly 100 demonstrators from extremist factions who attempted to force their way into a Chashmonaim Brigade conference held in Bnei Brak for parents of soldiers.

According to authorities, the protesters sought to breach the hall and disrupt the event of the newly formed chareidi brigade. Police intervened to disperse the gathering and restore order.

During the attempted break-in, physical confrontations erupted between the demonstrators and security personnel, as well as police officers. Several soldiers sustained minor injuries. The brigade commander, Col. Avinoam Emunah, was evacuated from the scene by police.

In a statement, the IDF spokesperson said: “During an appreciation event for parents of recruits to the Chashmonaim Brigade that took place tonight in the city of Bnei Brak, several protesters broke into the conference hall with the aim of disrupting it. Some of the protesters acted violently toward soldiers and commanders of the brigade.

“Israel Police forces were quickly called to the scene to restore order. The incident has ended. The IDF strongly condemns any manifestation of violence against its commanders and soldiers. Medical checks were conducted for several brigade personnel at the site. No injuries are known.”

A significant development took place Sunday night in efforts to forge a unified chareidi front regarding the emerging draft law. A pivotal meeting was held at the residence of the Sanzer Rebbe in Kiryat Sanz, Netanya, bringing together the Modzitzer Rebbe, Rav Tzvi Rabinowitz, rosh yeshiva of Bais Medrash Elyon of Boyan, and Rav Yaakov Valtzer, secretary of the Agudah’s Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah.

The meeting focused on coordinating the final steps ahead of a mission assigned to the Sanzer and Modzitzer Rebbes: to travel to the homes of Rav Dov Landau and Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch in order to present Agudas Yisroel stance on the so-called Bismuth draft bill and, in particular, to the sanctions it would impose on bnei yeshiva.

The gathering in Netanya followed directly on the heels of the dramatic session of the MAgudah oetzes Gedolei HaTorah held last week at Bais Malka Hall in Yerushalayim. That meeting was attended by the Rebbes of Gur, Belz, Vizhnitz, Sanz, Boyan, Seret-Vizhnitz, and Modzitz. At the conclusion of that assembly, a principled decision was reached to reject any draft legislation that includes sanctions, though the publication of concrete operational steps was deferred “until the appropriate time.”

Against this backdrop, the Moetzes published a sharply worded statement expressing deep disappointment, which appeared in the party-affiliated newspapers Hamodia and Hamevaser. The statement emphasized that any attempt to turn yeshiva students into criminals necessitates a firm and resolute response.

That position was reinforced by a forceful letter from the Slonimer Rebbe, who did not attend the Moetzes gathering but sent pointed remarks that were read aloud to its members. “We will not abandon the halls of the yeshivos under any circumstances,” the Rebbe wrote, making clear his opposition to any law that imposes penalties on those engaged in Torah study.

Attention is now focused on the anticipated meetings between the Chassidic Rebbes and the leading gedolim. The emissaries are expected to urge the leadership of Degel HaTorah to join a coordinated and public stance that will send a clear message to the government that the chareidi public cannot accept legislation that strikes at what it views as the very soul of chareidi Judaism.

President Donald Trump said Sunday that he intends to speak with billionaire Elon Musk about reestablishing internet access in Iran, where authorities have shut down online services for four consecutive days amid widespread anti-government demonstrations.

Responding to questions from reporters about potential involvement by Musk’s company SpaceX, which operates the satellite-based internet system Starlink, Trump said, “He’s very good at that kind of thing, he’s got a very good company.”

Neither Musk nor SpaceX immediately commented when asked about the possibility of providing service.

Access to information from Iran has been severely limited since Thursday, as the government imposed an internet blackout during what has become the most extensive wave of protests against the ruling clerical establishment since 2022.

The relationship between Trump and Musk has fluctuated in recent years, particularly after Musk played a role in financing Trump’s successful presidential campaign and later oversaw sweeping reductions across the federal government.

Their alliance fractured publicly last year when Musk opposed Trump’s signature tax legislation, though recent events suggest the billionaire has reestablished ties with the Trump administration.

Earlier this month, Trump and Musk were spotted dining together at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is scheduled to tour a SpaceX facility in Texas on Monday.

Musk has previously backed efforts to make Starlink available to Iranians as a way to bypass government-imposed restrictions, including during the protests that erupted in 2022. That year, the Biden White House worked with Musk to facilitate Starlink access after Iran was rocked by demonstrations following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini while in police custody.

Starlink has also been deployed in other conflict zones, including Ukraine, where Musk ordered the service shut down in 2022 during a critical Ukrainian military offensive, according to Reuters.

The current unrest in Iran began on December 28 as protests over soaring prices, before evolving into broader opposition to the clerical leadership that has ruled the country since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Human rights organizations estimate that hundreds of people have been killed since the demonstrations began.

The U.S.-based group HRANA said it has confirmed the deaths of 490 protesters and 48 members of the security forces, with more than 10,600 people arrested over two weeks of unrest. Iranian authorities have not released official casualty figures, and Reuters said it was unable to independently verify the numbers.

{Matzav.com}

Federal prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, a development he confirmed late Sunday in a public statement, marking a sharp intensification of a prolonged challenge to the central bank’s independence.

According to Powell, the inquiry stems from testimony he delivered earlier this year concerning the long-running renovation of Federal Reserve facilities. He addressed the matter in a video message released by the Federal Reserve.

Powell made clear, however, that he believes the investigation fits into a broader effort by the administration of President Donald Trump to exert pressure on the Fed to reduce interest rates.

“This is about whether the Fed will be able to continue to set interest rates based on evidence and economic conditions — or whether instead monetary policy will be directed by political pressure or intimidation,” Powell said.

Responding to questions from ABC News, a spokesperson for Attorney General Pam Bondi said, “The Attorney General has instructed her U.S. Attorneys to prioritize investigating any abuse of taxpayer dollars.”

Tim Lauer, speaking on behalf of D.C. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, told ABC News, “We do not comment on ongoing investigations.”

President Trump rejected any role in the investigation during a short interview with NBC News on Sunday night.

“I don’t know anything about it, but he’s certainly not very good at the Fed, and he’s not very good at building buildings,” Trump said.

Trump also pointed to current interest rate levels, saying, “What should pressure him is the fact that rates are far too high. That’s the only pressure he’s got,” according to NBC News. “He’s hurt a lot of people,” he added. “I think the public is pressuring him.”

In July, Trump made a highly publicized visit to the Federal Reserve, renewing his demands for lower rates while appearing alongside Powell.

Wearing matching white hard hats, Trump and Powell toured the central bank’s $2.5 billion renovation project. At the time, Trump repeatedly criticized Powell over what he described as excessive construction costs.

The Federal Reserve has said the higher expenses were driven by unexpected increases, noting on its website that the renovation will ultimately “reduce costs over time by allowing the Board to consolidate most of its operations.”

Following the tour, Trump took questions from reporters with Powell standing nearby. During the exchange, Trump asserted that the renovation costs were higher than previously reported, prompting Powell to correct him by explaining that Trump had mistakenly included expenses from an earlier, unrelated project.

Later that month, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, a Republican from Florida, sent an initial criminal referral to the Department of Justice, accusing Powell of misleading the Senate Banking Committee in his testimony about the renovation.

Luna alleged that Powell had made false statements regarding the scope and cost of the headquarters project.

On Sunday night, Sen. Thom Tillis, a member of the Senate Banking Committee, posted a statement on X saying, “If there were any remaining doubt whether advisers within the Trump Administration are actively pushing to end the independence of the Federal Reserve, there should now be none.”

Tillis added that he would “oppose the confirmation of any nominee” to the Federal Reserve, including the next chair, until the legal issue is resolved.

Powell’s term as chair of the Federal Reserve concludes in May, though he is expected to remain on the Board of Governors until 2028.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump circulated an image online depicting him as the “Acting President of Venezuela,” drawing attention for its unusual presentation.

The image appeared to be a doctored Wikipedia entry listing Trump as the “incumbent Venezuelan president” as of January 2026, while also noting his real positions as the 45th and 47th President of the United States.

The post surfaced as Trump spoke optimistically about U.S. engagement with Caracas, saying relations with Venezuela’s leadership are progressing smoothly, citing energy cooperation and diplomatic contacts as evidence.

“Venezuela is really working out well. We’re working along really well with the leadership, and we’ll see how it all works out,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One when asked about ties with the new authorities in Caracas following the U.S. operation that removed Nicolas Maduro from power.

Trump said Venezuelan officials had requested that the United States receive a massive oil shipment. “She asked us, can we take 50 million barrels of oil? And I said, yes we can,” he said. “It’s $4 billion, $4.2 billion, and it’s on its way right now to the United States.”

When questioned about a potential meeting with Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, Trump indicated openness to talks. “At some point I’ll meet. Yeah, she’s been very good.”

He also hinted that a sit-down with opposition figure Maria Corina Machado could take place soon. “I hear Tuesday or Wednesday. I look forward to that,” he said.

According to Trump, major energy companies are eager to do business in Venezuela, though he singled out ExxonMobil for criticism. “I didn’t like Exxon’s response,” he said. “They’re playing too cute.”

Addressing concerns from energy firms, Trump said the administration would provide firm assurances. “Guarantees that they’re gonna be safe, that there’s gonna be no problem, and there will be. There’s not gonna be a problem.”

He blamed earlier complications on past U.S. leadership. “They had problems in the past because they didn’t have Trump as a president,” he said.

Trump also alluded to wider regional negotiations, including discussions involving Cuba, though he declined to elaborate. “You’re gonna find out pretty soon,” he said.

In an earlier social media message, Trump declared that Venezuela would no longer be sending “oil or money” to Cuba and said the U.S. military would play a role in ensuring separation between the two nations.

“Venezuela doesn’t need protection anymore from the thugs and extortionists who held them hostage for so many years,” he wrote. “Venezuela now has the United States of America, the most powerful military in the World (by far!), to protect them, and protect them we will,” Trump said.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed to Iranian officials on Monday, local time, to show restraint as unrest continues to grip the country, urging authorities to ensure that fundamental freedoms are upheld. He stressed that the rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly “must be fully respected” and safeguarded.

His comments come against the backdrop of widespread protests in Iran that have reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 420 demonstrators over the past 15 days, including eight children. The figures were cited by Human Rights Activists in Iran and reported by CNN.

In a message posted on X, the UN chief underscored the importance of avoiding what he described as the “unnecessary or disproportionate use of force” in responding to public demonstrations.

“Shocked by reports of violence & excessive use of force by the Iranian authorities against protesters resulting in deaths & injuries in recent days. The rights to freedom of expression, association & peaceful assembly must be fully respected & protected. I urge the Iranian authorities to exercise maximum restraint & refrain from unnecessary or disproportionate use of force,” Guterres said in his post.

“I also urge steps that enable access to information in the country, including restoring communications,” the UN Secretary-General said.

At the same time, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu said Israel is “closely monitoring” developments in Iran as demonstrations calling for greater freedom continue to spread.

Netanyahu expressed firm backing for the Iranian population in its confrontation with what he labeled “tyranny.”

In a separate post on X, Netanyahu wrote, “Israel is closely monitoring the events unfolding in Iran. The protests for freedom have spread throughout the country. The people of Israel, and the entire world, stand in awe of the immense bravery of Iran’s citizens.”

The unrest began on December 28 with protests over rising inflation and worsening economic conditions, before rapidly expanding into nationwide turmoil marked by violent confrontations between demonstrators and security forces.

Rallies have since erupted in numerous cities, with authorities responding through arrests, sweeping crackdowns, and forceful measures. Human rights organizations have repeatedly voiced alarm over the number of casualties and allegations of mistreatment of those detained.

Iranian officials have attributed the violence to what they describe as “rioters” and foreign involvement, while insisting that legitimate economic complaints will be addressed through official channels.

Against this backdrop, U.S. officials told CNN that President Trump is considering multiple military options related to Iran following the deadly protests, after issuing warnings to Tehran over the use of lethal force against demonstrators.

Iran’s Attorney General, Mohammad Movahedi Azad, said that the legal response to the protests would be uncompromising. According to Tasnim News Agency, he stated that cases would be pursued “without leniency, mercy or appeasement.” “The charges against all rioters are the same,” he said.

{Matzav.com}

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A federal bankruptcy judge has stopped New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s attempt to step into the sale of thousands of rent-stabilized apartments across the city.

City officials under Mamdani had asked the court to delay the transaction after residents raised concerns that the current owner, Pinnacle Group, failed to properly maintain the buildings and that the buyer, Summit Properties USA, could continue those practices.

The administration argued that the city had standing to intervene because it is a creditor of Pinnacle, which owes more than $12 million in unpaid fines, according to Gothamist. However, Bankruptcy Judge David Jones rejected that argument, dealing an early setback to the mayor’s housing agenda.

Jones could authorize the sale to Summit as early as Thursday, though city officials say they are still reviewing possible next steps.

“We will continue to fight to ensure any owner of this portfolio makes necessary repairs to bring the buildings up to code and respects the rent stabilization regulations,” Leila Bozorg, the city’s deputy mayor for housing, told the outlet.

The court ruling follows another episode that has complicated Mamdani’s housing push: his decision to appoint Cea Weaver to head the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants. Weaver has drawn criticism for past remarks in which she described home ownership as a “weapon of white supremacy” and said property should be treated as a “collective good.”

As scrutiny over those statements intensified, Weaver said she regretted “some” of her earlier comments. She did not specify which remarks she was referring to but said her focus in government would be addressing “racial inequalities” on behalf of city residents.

“But, you know, I do think my decades of experience fighting for more affordable housing sort of stands on its own,” Weaver said. “I’m proud to be in this role fighting for stronger tenants’ rights. And I think that for many years, people have been locked out of the property market, that has produced systemic and racial inequalities in our system.”

The controversy was discussed publicly by former Trump special advisor Catalina Lauf and Trump 2024 deputy communications director Caroline Sunshine during an appearance on ‘Kudlow,’ where they criticized Mamdani’s embrace of collectivist ideas.

“I want to make sure that everybody has a safe and affordable place to live — whether they rent or own,” Weaver added. “And that is something that I’m laser-focused on in this new role.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump said Sunday that Iran appears to be edging closer to crossing American red lines, pointing to reports of civilian casualties and warning that any strike on U.S. interests would draw a powerful response as his administration considers what he described as “very strong options.”

Trump made the remarks while speaking with reporters aboard Air Force One during his return flight from Palm Beach, Florida, to Washington, D.C. He was asked whether recent developments in Iran had reached a point that would prompt action by the United States.

“They’re starting to, it looks like, and there seem to be some people killed that aren’t supposed to be killed,” Trump said. “These are violent — if you call them leaders, I don’t know if their leaders or just if they rule through violence. And, we’re looking at some very strong options. We’ll make a determination.”

The president later said that some demonstrators died in a stampede while others were shot, adding that he is receiving updates on the situation every hour and will base any decision on the latest intelligence.

His comments followed warnings he issued earlier this week that the United States would respond aggressively if the Iranian government intensified its crackdown on protesters.

“Iran’s in big trouble,” Trump said. “It looks to me that the people are taking over certain cities that nobody thought were really possible just a few weeks ago. We’re watching the situation very carefully.”

Trump went on to emphasize that any response would be severe but would not necessarily involve deploying American troops. “We’ll be hitting them very hard where it hurts. And that doesn’t mean boots on the ground, but it means hitting them very, very hard where it hurts.”

Demonstrations had reached at least 190 cities across Iran by Saturday, according to figures released by the National Council of Resistance in Iran.

On Sunday, Associated Press reported that activists said at least 544 people have been killed so far, with concerns that the true number may be higher. Iranian officials have also warned that if the United States intervenes on behalf of protesters, both U.S. forces and Israel would be viewed as “legitimate targets.”

More than 10,600 people have been arrested during the more than two weeks of unrest, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which the AP noted has proven reliable during past periods of upheaval. The group said 496 of those killed were protesters, while 48 were members of Iran’s security forces.

Iranian authorities have also implemented a broad internet shutdown in recent days, largely isolating the country from the outside world as demonstrations expanded and officials threatened increasingly harsh punishment for those involved.

{Matzav.com}

The Sanzer chassidus has been informed in recent days of a significant development with the establishment of a Vaad HaPikuach al Kashrus HaTefillin, an oversight committee created in response to serious concerns and questions that emerged regarding the kashrus of tefillin.

The initiative was launched at the directive of the Sanzer Rebbe, who acted after a range of troubling issues relating to the manufacture and condition of tefillin housing came to light. According to sources, the Sanzer Rebbe had already convened an urgent meeting toward the end of the month of Av with rabbonim and dayanim of the Sanzer community, warning of the critical obligation to stand guard over the kashrus of tefillin and to address the emerging concerns without delay.

Among the serious kashrus problems identified were tefillin batim that are not perfectly square in accordance with halachah; batim containing holes that were filled with glue; batei tefillin shel rosh in which a mechanical saw was used between the four compartments, causing blemishes to the housing; and cases of artificially created or falsified grooves between the compartments of the shel rosh, among other deficiencies.

In light of these findings, the Sanzer Rebbe instructed that a formal oversight body be established. After months of preparation and intensive work, the vaad was officially launched under the Rebbe’s direct guidance. The Rebbe is personally involved in the committee’s activities and closely oversees its operations.

The newly formed vaad includes prominent rabbonim and dayanim of the Sanzer communities: Rav Mordechai Brand, Dayan of Kiryat Sanz Netanya; Rav Hillel Deutsch, Dayan of Kiryat Sanz Netanya; Rav Yitzchak Aharon Yisroeli, Dayan of Sanz Ashdod; Rav Mordechai Levinstein, Dayan of Kiryat Sanz Netanya; Rav Avraham Shraga Stieglitz, Dayan of Sanz Beitar; and Rav Shlomo Stern, Dayan of Sanz Haifa.

On behalf of the Vaad HaPikuach, a special kol korei was issued in recent days to the broader Sanzer chassidus. The proclamation provides clear directives and detailed guidance, instructing chassidim that from this point forward, tefillin should be purchased only from sources operating under the vaad’s supervision, ensuring the highest standards of kashrus and hidur.

In an unusual step, the Sanzer Rebbe personally added his handwritten signature to the kol korei, along with several additional lines emphasizing the obligation to reinforce these measures with even greater strength.

{Matzav.com}

An apartment complex in the Bronx that Mayor Zohran Mamdani recently spotlighted to highlight the qualifications of his newly named housing commissioner is struggling under the weight of close to 200 unresolved housing-code violations.

The revelations have prompted renewed scrutiny of the administration’s broader effort to move rent-stabilized properties out of private hands and into nonprofit management.

According to reporting by the New York Post, the 102-unit building located in Morris Heights had at least 194 outstanding violations as of yesterday, with some records stretching back almost ten years.

City records indicate that 88 of the violations fall under the most serious “Class C” category, which denotes conditions that present immediate danger to residents.

Among the cited problems are infestations of rats and roaches, mold growth, malfunctioning doors and appliances, and failures to provide basic building services, the Post reported.

Mayor Mamdani visited the property on January 4 as part of an event to formally introduce Dina Levy as his choice to lead the Department of Housing Preservation and Development.

During that visit, Mamdani highlighted Levy’s experience in nonprofit affordable housing and pointed to the building as a model of effective, publicly supported management.

Levy previously played a role in arranging a 2011 transaction that shifted ownership of the property from a private landlord to the nonprofit Workforce Housing Advisors, supported by a $5.6 million loan from the city’s housing agency intended to stabilize the building and maintain its rent-regulated status.

As commissioner of Housing Preservation and Development, Levy now receives an annual salary exceeding $277,000.

Tenants, however, told the Post that conditions inside the building have declined since the nonprofit assumed control. Several residents described chronic problems — including inconsistent heat and hot water, deteriorating interiors, broken lighting, and persistent rodent issues — that they say often remain unresolved for months at a time.

One longtime tenant said the building was better maintained under its former private owner, recalling quicker repairs and greater responsiveness to complaints.

Despite being held up by city officials as a success, the building reportedly carries a higher number of hazardous violations than many privately owned rent-stabilized buildings throughout New York City.

Mamdani has supported legislation designed to expand nonprofit authority over rent-stabilized housing while curbing private ownership in the sector.

Republican lawmakers and landlord organizations counter that the strategy is driven by ideology and disregards growing evidence that nonprofit-managed properties frequently perform worse, even as they benefit from public subsidies, government loans, and tax breaks.

{Matzav.com}

As tensions with Iran continue to escalate and questions swirl about whether the United States could take military action, the White House released a brief and enigmatic social media post on Sunday that drew widespread attention.

“We have three things to say…GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS. GOD BLESS AMERICA. AND WE ARE JUST GETTING STARTED,” the message read, paired with an image of President Donald Trump standing alongside U.S. troops.

Earlier that day, Axios reported, citing two American officials, that Trump is reviewing a variety of measures aimed at bolstering the ongoing protests in Iran while increasing pressure on the country’s ruling authorities.

According to the report, internal discussions are underway within the Trump administration as demonstrations continue to expand across Iran and accounts emerge of a growing number of deaths. Trump has publicly cautioned that the United States could resort to military action if Iranian authorities proceed with mass killings of demonstrators.

That reporting followed a story published late Saturday by the New York Times, which said Trump has recently received briefings on updated military strike options against Iran, as he considers whether to act on his warning over the regime’s violent response to protests.

Officials told the Times that while the President has not yet reached a final decision, he is seriously weighing the possibility of authorizing a strike in response to the crackdown on demonstrations driven by widespread economic discontent. The briefings reportedly included a range of scenarios, among them potential strikes on nonmilitary targets in Tehran, according to officials who spoke anonymously.

Meanwhile, the The Telegraph reported that Trump has been advised by senior military commanders that more preparation time would be required before any strikes against Iran could be carried out.

{Matzav.com}

Senator Lindsey Graham said Sunday that he believes the turmoil gripping Iran is approaching a turning point, predicting that the Iranian people’s suffering under the current regime “will soon be coming to an end” as demonstrations persist and authorities respond with force.

In a message shared on social media, Graham drew a sharp contrast between the current administration and past leadership, writing, “President Trump is not Obama. Freedom now, freedom forever for the long suffering Iranian people.”

He continued by addressing Iranians directly, stating, “I believe your nation’s nightmare will soon be coming to an end. Make Iran Great Again.”

The South Carolina Republican echoed those sentiments a day earlier in another online post, declaring, “TO THE IRANIAN PEOPLE: your long nightmare is soon coming to a close. Your bravery and determination to end your oppression has been noticed by @POTUS and all who love freedom.”

Expanding on that message, Graham added, “When President Trump says Make Iran Great Again, it means the protestors in Iran must prevail over the ayatollah. That is the clearest signal yet that he, President Trump understands Iran will never be great with the ayatollah and his henchmen in charge. To all who are sacrificing in Iran, God bless. Help is on the way.”

Graham’s remarks on Sunday came shortly after a brief but pointed post appeared on the White House’s social media account.

“We have three things to say…GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS. GOD BLESS AMERICA. AND WE ARE JUST GETTING STARTED,” the post read, accompanied by an image of President Donald Trump standing with U.S. service members.

Earlier Sunday, Axios reported, citing two U.S. officials, that President Trump is reviewing multiple options aimed at backing the protests in Iran and increasing pressure on the country’s leadership.

According to the report, internal deliberations are underway as unrest continues to widen across Iran and accounts surface of a growing death toll. Trump has also issued public warnings that the United States could resort to military action if the regime moves forward with mass killings of demonstrators.

{Matzav.com}

A tense disturbance erupted Sunday evening in Bnei Brak when approximately 100 protesters attempted to force their way into a gathering of the IDF’s Chashmonaim Brigade.

The event, held on Rechov Yosef Chaim, was attended by around 60 fathers of soldiers serving in the newly established chareidi brigade. According to reports, demonstrators tried to break into the hall and disrupt the conference, prompting the deployment of police forces to the scene.

Police worked to disperse the crowd and restore order as physical confrontations developed between protesters, security personnel, and officers. During the clashes, two soldiers were lightly injured by demonstrators. One of the injured soldiers was evacuated to a hospital for medical treatment.

Amid the chaos, the brigade commander, Col. Avinoam Emunah, was extracted from the venue by police for his safety.

In the minutes leading up to the unrest, “emergency calls” circulated on hotlines associated with extremist groups, urging supporters to rush to the area of Yosef Chaim Boulevard in Bnei Brak to protest the event. Following police intervention, the gathering was ultimately dispersed.

Responding to the incident, Avigdor Liberman, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, issued a sharp statement: “Anyone who attacks an IDF soldier for ideological reasons deserves a lengthy prison sentence, and in certain cases even the demolition of his home. That is what the law stipulates. I call on the authorities to enforce the law. Israel is a state governed by law, for heaven’s sake.”

{Matzav.com}

An unusual incident in Haifa on Friday sparked public outrage after a tefillin stand erected in memory of a fallen IDF soldier was confiscated and the soldier’s brother was detained by authorities.

The person detained was Menachem Cohen, a Chabad chossid and a bereaved brother, who had set up the stand together with friends as part of an initiative to honor the memory of his brother, Shneur Zalman Cohen Hy”d, who was killed during the Iron Swords War. The stand included a sign bearing the fallen soldier’s name and photograph and was intended as a merit for his neshamah.

According to those present, municipal inspectors arrived at the scene, followed shortly thereafter by a significant police presence that included five additional patrol cars from both the police and municipal enforcement. Cohen was detained, the tefillin stand and sign were confiscated, and Cohen later claimed that he was physically assaulted during the course of the detention. He was released only after public pressure was brought to bear.

Reacting to the incident, Rabbi Yehuda Ginzburg, a Chabad shliach in Haifa, said that for more than 50 years, members of Chabad-Lubavitch have gone out across the city to offer Jews the opportunity to put on tefillin. “This has always been done in a positive and pleasant atmosphere,” he said.

Rabbi Ginzburg added, “Unfortunately, there are those who try to inflame tensions. We are pained by what happened here. We expect the Haifa municipality to apologize and to work in coordination with this important activity. We are confident that this was a one-time mistake by the city and not an ongoing policy.”

In a statement, the Israel Police rejected claims that the detention was connected to the tefillin stand itself. “Contrary to claims made in publications that may mislead the public, this was a temporary detention following a confrontation with municipal inspectors at the site,” the police said. “To be clear, the police have no interest in harming tefillin stands, and the matter had no connection to the tefillin position that was set up. The incident involved a noise violation and heated behavior toward inspectors, who summoned municipal policing to the scene. The individual was released after several minutes following clarification, and the matter will be reviewed with the municipality.”

{Matzav.com}