Matzav

The Trump administration has filed a federal lawsuit against the University of California, alleging that administrators at UCLA failed to properly address complaints of antisemitism by employees and permitted what it describes as a hostile work environment for Jewish and Israeli staff members in the aftermath of the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza.

The legal action, brought in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, marks a significant escalation in the administration’s scrutiny of the UC system and centers specifically on conduct at UCLA.

According to the Justice Department, the campus has been affected by an ongoing problem of “severe and pervasive” antisemitism. The complaint references pro-Palestinian demonstrations, including a protest in January, that federal officials contend crossed the line into anti-Jewish or anti-Israel activity.

The case was initiated by the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department against the Regents of the University of California. It alleges violations of Title VII, the federal statute that prohibits discrimination in the workplace.

Court records show that the complaint, filed Tuesday, is designated as Case No. 2:26-cv-01946 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

In a statement issued by UCLA, Chancellor Julio Frenk said antisemitism is unacceptable at the university and outlined a series of steps the institution has taken in response. These include strengthening campus safety leadership and coordination, creating an Initiative to Combat Antisemitism, restructuring the Office of Civil Rights, appointing a dedicated Title VI/Title VII officer, tightening time, place, and manner policies, and supporting anti-antisemitism community organizations through the Frankel settlement, under which more than $6 million has been allocated for anti-discrimination reforms.

University officials stated that these initiatives and enforcement measures are having an impact and said UCLA intends to continue defending its record while working to ensure a secure and inclusive campus environment.

The lawsuit comes after a series of civil rights inquiries launched since 2025 involving the UC system or specific campuses. In August, the administration sought nearly $1.2 billion to resolve civil rights investigations connected to UCLA. Those probes included claims related to antisemitism complaints by students and staff, race-based affirmative action policies, and campus policies recognizing transgender individuals’ gender identities.

The newly filed case stems from a federal investigation into workplace antisemitism that began last March. At that time, government lawyers indicated they believed there might be a broader pattern of discrimination affecting Jewish employees.

Attorney General Pam Bondi said the department’s review concluded that UCLA administrators allegedly permitted “virulent anti-Semitism” to take root on campus and said the lawsuit reflects the department’s stance against antisemitism.

In announcing the lawsuit, the Justice Department further alleged that Jewish and Israeli faculty and staff members were subjected to a hostile work environment and that multiple employees felt compelled to take leave, work remotely, or resign from their positions.

At the same time, some protesters and civil liberties advocates maintain that political opposition to Israel must be distinguished from hostility toward Jews as Jews. They argue that backing Palestinian rights, criticizing Israeli government policy, or expressing opposition to Zionism does not automatically constitute antisemitism unless it relies on anti-Jewish tropes, assigns collective blame to Jews, or targets Jewish individuals because of their identity.

Those who draw that distinction often reference the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition, which states that “criticism of Israel similar to that leveled against any other country cannot be regarded as antisemitic.”

{Matzav.com}

Police have arrested a 27-year-old man accused of hurling snowballs at NYPD officers during a chaotic confrontation at Washington Square Park earlier this week, an incident that left two officers hospitalized, the NY Post reports.

Authorities identified the suspect as Gusmane Coulibaly, who was taken into custody today for his alleged role in the Monday afternoon disturbance. The melee, captured on video and widely circulated online, showed officers being pelted with snow and ice amid a disorderly scene.

Officials said the specific charges Coulibaly will face in connection with the snowball attack were not immediately disclosed.

According to police, Coulibaly was arrested less than three weeks ago on an attempted robbery charge stemming from an incident in the subway system, marking another encounter with law enforcement prior to this week’s arrest.

Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch earlier condemned the episode, calling it “criminal” and “disgraceful.”

Coulibaly is one of four individuals whose images were released by the NYPD shortly after footage of the snowball barrage went viral. The remaining three suspects have not yet been apprehended.

The president of the NYPD Police Benevolent Association praised investigators for making the arrest and criticized Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who had initially characterized the incident as youthful mischief.

“A 27-year-old is not a ‘kid,’ @NYCMayor,” the union wrote on X.

“This individual is an adult with a recent attempted robbery arrest, and your message was that it’s OK for him to assault police officers for doing their job. This arrest sends a different message. We’re grateful to all who have worked so hard on this case. There is more work to be done.”

Mamdani, however, had previously minimized the confrontation. On Tuesday, he said he had “seen the videos” but described the incident as “kids throwing snowballs.”

“I’ve seen the videos of kids throwing snowballs at NYPD officers in Washington Square Park,” he wrote on X.

“Officers, like all city workers, have been out in a historic blizzard, keeping New Yorkers safe and cars moving. Treat them with respect. If anyone’s catching a snowball, it’s me.”

Later, during a press conference, the mayor reiterated that assessment, maintaining that the people involved appeared to be young participants in a snowball fight.

“I can just tell you from the video I saw, it looked like kids in a snowball fight,” he said.

{Matzav.com}

A senior Department of Homeland Security official told state election leaders Wednesday that federal immigration agents will not be sent to polling sites during November’s midterm elections, addressing mounting concerns among Democratic officials about potential federal interference.

Heather Honey, the deputy assistant secretary for election integrity, made the assurance during a conference call with secretaries of state from across the country. According to a statement released by Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, a Democrat, Honey said that “any suggestion that ICE will be present at any polling location is simply not true.”

Officials from other states confirmed that the commitment was made. A spokeswoman for Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read said Honey offered the same pledge during the call, while Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams, a Republican, wrote on X that the assurance came from “DHS.”

The Department of Homeland Security did not respond to a request for comment following the call.

Honey, who has publicly supported President Donald Trump’s assertions that the 2020 election was affected by fraud, participated in the meeting alongside representatives from the FBI, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, the Postal Service, and other federal agencies. The discussion focused on coordination efforts ahead of the midterm elections.

Although such pre-election coordination calls are typically routine, this year’s conversation took place against a backdrop of heightened tension. Several actions by the Trump administration have unsettled Democratic secretaries of state.

The Justice Department has filed lawsuits seeking access to detailed voter information, without publicly clarifying the purpose behind the requests. At the same time, Trump has continued to argue that widespread fraud tainted the 2020 election and has called on his administration to pursue further investigations.

Earlier this month, the FBI executed a raid on an election office in Fulton County, Georgia — a Democratic-leaning area that includes Atlanta — seizing ballots and other voting materials from the 2020 election.

In response to these developments, Democratic officials and public interest attorneys nationwide have spent months preparing legal and political strategies to counter any perceived interference in the midterm voting process or ballot tabulation.

Participants on Wednesday’s call said Democratic secretaries of state pressed Honey on several issues, including cuts to federal election security funding, the administration’s initiative to identify instances of noncitizen voting — which they argue is already illegal and rare — and the possibility that federal law enforcement officers could appear at polling sites in the fall.

The White House has previously dismissed those concerns, pointing out that there were no disruptions during last year’s elections, when Democratic candidates saw strong results. During a congressional hearing earlier this month, the leaders of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection each responded “No, sir” when asked whether their agencies were participating in any efforts to monitor or guard voting precincts.

{Matzav.com}

Nicolás Maduro cannot pay for his legal defense in his federal criminal case in the United States because the Trump administration is refusing to allow the Venezuelan government to use funds subject to sanctions to cover his legal fees, according to a court filing submitted by his attorney.

Maduro’s lawyer, Barry Pollack, indicated that he may ask a judge to step in, arguing that if the administration does not reverse its position, it would effectively interfere with Maduro’s Sixth Amendment right to counsel in what he described as one of the most high-profile criminal cases in the country.

In early January, Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were taken into custody during a late-night military operation and brought to the United States. Federal prosecutors in Manhattan charged them with conspiracy to import cocaine and possession of machine guns and destructive devices. Maduro also faces a separate charge of narco-terrorism conspiracy. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to all charges.

In a letter dated Feb. 20 and filed Wednesday, Pollack wrote that the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control initially granted licenses on Jan. 9 to both Maduro and his wife, permitting the Venezuelan government to pay for their legal representation. However, less than three hours later, the authorization granted to Maduro was amended, revoking permission for his defense costs to be paid by the Venezuelan government, Pollack said.

According to the filing, the government did not modify Flores’ license.

Weeks later, Maduro’s legal team asked the Treasury Department to restore his authorization. “Counsel explained that the government of Venezuela has an obligation to pay Mr. Maduro’s fees, Mr. Maduro has a legitimate expectation that the government of Venezuela would do so, and Mr. Maduro cannot otherwise afford counsel,” Pollack wrote.

Pollack stated that the Treasury office has not responded to the request.

Maduro is currently being held at a detention facility in New York as he awaits trial. He is scheduled to appear in federal court for a hearing on March 17.

{Matzav.com}

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson criticized President Donald Trump’s approach to immigration policy during an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press NOW,” arguing that the president is fueling division rather than pursuing comprehensive reform.

Speaking on the program, Johnson said he believes the administration is choosing political confrontation over constructive solutions. “I think it’s a mistake for this President to continue to find wedge[s] to divide people in this country, right? … [I]f this President was serious about ensuring that we had a pathway to citizenship and to ensure that our borders are secure, he would use the fact that he controls every single level of government to put forth legislation that could do just that,” Johnson said.

The mayor suggested that, in his view, Trump has both the authority and the opportunity to advance immigration legislation if he chooses to do so.

Johnson went on to argue that the president’s rhetoric has emphasized differences rather than common ground. “This President has demonstrated over and over again that he’s more interested in dividing people by race, by whether they are documented or undocumented, than he is motivated to actually unite people around the values that working people are concerned about,” he said.

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{Matzav.com}

A retired senior Israeli commander said this week that Iran’s expanding ballistic missile program poses an urgent and growing danger, warning that Tehran could potentially arm some of those missiles with chemical or biological warheads. He argued that as nuclear talks reach a critical stage, the “only viable option” may be a “massive” and “decisive” military campaign aimed at toppling the regime.

In an interview with Breitbart News on Wednesday, just before a third round of U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations in Geneva, Brig. Gen. (Res.) Amir Avivi — founder and chairman of the Israel Defense and Security Forum and a former high-ranking IDF officer who continues to advise Israeli defense officials — said the most pressing threat to Israel, American forces, and regional stability is Iran’s accelerated production of ballistic missiles.

“Looking at the moment, the main issue which is urgent — not only to Israel but to American forces and regional stability — is the massive production of ballistic missiles,” Avivi said.

Although Iranian nuclear facilities were “hit severely” last year and require time to rebuild, Avivi cautioned that Iran’s missile manufacturing capabilities are rebounding “much faster.” He described the new systems under development as “more advanced and dangerous” than those used during the recent 12-day war.

According to Avivi, Iranian leadership appears “very determined to retaliate” after sustaining what it sees as a humiliating blow that damaged its deterrence both at home and abroad.

He also highlighted what he called a less-discussed but serious risk: the possibility that Iran could equip some of its missiles with unconventional warheads.

“There is a discussion about that,” he said, confirming that Israeli defense officials are actively examining “what are the capabilities and what are the chances that there is readiness to put a warhead that has these capabilities.”

The potential deployment of chemical or biological agents on long-range ballistic missiles, he said, “strengthens the understanding that we need a preventive attack” to thwart any future assault.

In recent public appearances and briefings, Avivi has similarly warned that Iran is “continuing preparations for war” and expanding missile production even as diplomatic efforts move forward.

His remarks come as a new report from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies called for closer examination of Iran’s opaque chemical weapons activities. The report argued that international attention has centered primarily on the nuclear issue, while less scrutiny has been given to Tehran’s possible chemical capabilities. It cited allegations that Iranian security forces used unidentified chemical substances against protesters earlier this year — claims denied by Tehran — and noted repeated U.S. findings that Iran has not fully complied with elements of the Chemical Weapons Convention.

Asked what may unfold in the near term, Avivi outlined three potential paths.

The first scenario, he said, involves an Iranian preemptive attack on Israel or American assets in the region.

“If the Iranians attack preemptively, they can launch a massive amount of ballistic missiles that will overwhelm defenses in Israel and in other places,” he warned.

He added that Israel is tracking Iranian activity “very, very closely.”

A second possibility would be an Israeli strike launched in advance, should Jerusalem conclude that Tehran has crossed established red lines or is preparing an imminent assault.

The third — and in his assessment increasingly probable — would be a U.S.-led operation relying heavily on Israeli intelligence and targeting assistance.

“There’s a very big chance this is what will happen — a massive U.S.-led attack,” Avivi said, describing the present moment as “a very defining moment.”

Beyond tactical considerations, Avivi characterized the standoff as a broader test of American resolve, especially given President Donald Trump’s publicly stated red lines.

“At the end of the day, America has to build back its deterrence,” he said, arguing that demonstrating strength against Iran would have implications far beyond the Middle East, including in relations with China and Russia.

However, Avivi maintained that limited strikes against nuclear or missile facilities would fall short of achieving lasting stability.

“If the U.S. wants to push the vision of stability and peace in the region, this regime must go,” Avivi said, asserting that Iran’s proxy network — including Hezbollah, the Houthis, and militias in Iraq and Syria — ultimately draws its power from Tehran’s ruling leadership.

He said that what would be required is a far more comprehensive and forceful campaign aimed directly at dismantling the regime’s command structure and removing its leadership.

“This is a completely different kind of operation,” he explained. “It’s not just about military sites or nuclear sites. This is about the leadership. It’s about the centers of government, media, Revolutionary Guard, Basij forces.”

For such an effort to succeed, Avivi argued, two developments would need to occur simultaneously: a sweeping and coordinated military assault that cripples the regime’s ability to govern and direct its forces, alongside an internal uprising.

“America is going into this big war without boots on the ground,” he said. “This is not similar to Iraq. The boots on the ground are the Iranian people.”

He expressed confidence that many Iranians, worn down by economic hardship and repeated crackdowns, would see such a moment as an opportunity to seek change.

Despite President Trump’s stated preference for diplomacy, Avivi said he sees “no way to bridge” the gap between Israeli-American demands and what Iran would ultimately agree to — or faithfully implement.

“They are going to deceive and lie and continue their path toward nuclear capabilities and rebuilding their proxies and ballistic missiles,” he warned, suggesting that even a negotiated agreement would not alter Tehran’s long-term objectives.

“Therefore, the only viable option is to attack — massive attacks, simultaneous, decisive — to bring this regime down,” Avivi said. “And I believe that this is what will happen.”

As negotiators head to Geneva for talks, Avivi’s comments underscore the high-stakes choice confronting Washington and Yerushalayim: secure a durable agreement that halts Iran’s weapons ambitions or brace for a military clash that could dramatically reshape the region.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli singer Ishay Ribo has canceled his planned concert tour in the United States at the last minute over concerns that a war with Iran could erupt at any moment.

According to sources, Ribo and his professional team had already arrived at Ben Gurion Airport at the end of last week in preparation for their scheduled flight. However, shortly before boarding, the decision was made not to leave the country due to escalating security developments.

A source close to the singer described how events unfolded, saying Ribo was waiting to board the plane when he chose to reverse course and return home. The source said the move stemmed from concern that a military confrontation with Iran could break out while he was overseas.

In an official message sent to ticket holders in the United States, it was explained that members of the group felt that, at this time, the right step was to remain within the borders of Israel. The statement said the decision was made out of a desire to stand alongside their families during this period.

The cancellation of the US tour was first reported by journalist Ran Boker at Ynet. As of now, no alternative dates have been announced for the performances that were scheduled to take place abroad.

{Matzav.com}

Former Vice President Kamala Harris sharply criticized President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address on Wednesday, accusing him of misrepresenting the state of the country and failing to address the economic hardships facing many Americans.

In an interview with Aaron Parnas on his Substack program “The Parnas Perspective,” Harris said she watched Tuesday night’s speech and found it deeply misleading. “I watched it. It was full of lies. And, you know, when he wasn’t lying, he was — it reminded me of our kids going to show-and-tell at school. It was like — nothing that was true about really, how the American people right now, so many are suffering under the weight of high prices, unaffordable health care, unaffordable housing,” Harris said, reflecting on the president’s remarks.

She added that the tone and content of the speech felt predictable. “And, it was, you know, we’ve come to expect it. And, you know, some people have said it was really quite boring, and that there was nothing very interesting about it, because it was the same old, same old. The guy lying about what he intends to do, what he has done, and the state of our economy and the state of the world,” she said.

Trump delivered his first official State of the Union address of his second term on Tuesday evening, speaking at a time when public approval ratings have posed challenges for both him and his party. During the address, he highlighted what he described as major accomplishments since returning to office and criticized Democrats across a range of policy areas.

Opening his speech, the president portrayed the country as having undergone sweeping change under his leadership. “I can say with dignity and pride that we have achieved a transformation like no one has ever seen before, and a turnaround for the ages. We will never go back to where we were just a short time ago,” Trump said.

Harris, who mounted a high-profile campaign against Trump in 2024 that ended with his return to the White House, has frequently been mentioned as a possible Democratic contender in the 2028 presidential race. While speculation about another run continues, she has not publicly confirmed whether she intends to seek the nomination.

{Matzav.com}

Senior aides to President Donald Trump are said to be considering the possibility that Israel would carry out a military strike on Iran before the United States enters the conflict, according to two individuals familiar with internal deliberations who spoke to Politico.

According to the report, some administration officials believe that if Israel were to attack first and Iran responded with retaliation, it could build broader domestic backing for subsequent American military involvement. The calculation, these sources suggested, is that US voters would be more inclined to support a strike if either the United States or a close ally were attacked beforehand.

“There’s thinking in and around the administration that the politics are a lot better if the Israelis go first and alone and the Iranians retaliate against us, and give us more reason to take action,” one of the sources told Politico. Both individuals spoke on condition of anonymity to describe private conversations.

As diplomatic prospects appear increasingly uncertain in Washington, attention has shifted toward the timing and form of any potential military move. While some officials reportedly prefer that Israel initiate action independently, the sources indicated that a coordinated US-Israel operation may ultimately be the more realistic outcome.

Asked about the report, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly declined to address specifics, saying, “The media may continue to speculate on the president’s thinking all they want, but only President Trump knows what he may or may not do.” The Israeli embassy in Washington did not provide a comment.

In a separate development, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing diplomats and analysts, that Iran’s nuclear program has not advanced significantly since the June conflict, particularly following Operation Midnight Hammer, when the United States targeted three key Iranian nuclear facilities.

The flurry of reports came as Trump’s senior negotiators, special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, prepared to travel to Geneva on Thursday in an effort to reach an agreement with Iranian officials.

Addressing the issue during Tuesday night’s State of the Union address, President Trump said that last June’s strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities had “obliterated” the country’s nuclear program. He also accused Tehran of killing more than 32,000 protesters and warned that it is attempting to revive its nuclear efforts while advancing missile systems capable of striking Europe and potentially the United States.

“We’re in negotiations with them. They want to make a deal, but we haven’t heard those secret words, ‘We will never have a nuclear weapon’. My preference is to solve this problem through diplomacy. But one thing is certain: I will never allow the world’s number one sponsor of terror to have a nuclear weapon. Can’t let that happen.”

On Wednesday, Vice President JD Vance said US intelligence shows Iran is working to rebuild elements of its nuclear program and reiterated that Washington will not tolerate a nuclear-armed Iran.

He emphasized that the administration’s first choice remains diplomacy, though other measures are on the table if talks fail.

“The principle is very simple, Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. If they try to rebuild a nuclear weapon, that causes problems for us. In fact, we’ve seen evidence that they have tried to do exactly that. So the President is sending those negotiators to try to address that problem,” Vance said.

He added, “As the President has said repeatedly, he wants to address that problem diplomatically, but of course the President has other options as well.”

Despite the diplomatic outreach, the Politico article noted that some figures close to the president expect military action is inevitable, quoting one source as saying that “we’re going to bomb them.”

Potential targets in any strike would likely include Iranian nuclear facilities—some of which were previously hit in June—as well as elements of Iran’s ballistic missile network, viewed by Israel as an immediate security threat, according to the report.

The possibility of directly targeting the Iranian leadership has also been discussed. A so-called “decapitation strike” aimed at Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei remains among the theoretical options. However, Iran’s governing structure is built to ensure continuity, with multiple layers of authority, especially within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Military planners acknowledge that any such campaign could stretch on for days or even weeks and could produce uncertain consequences, particularly if it relies heavily on airstrikes.

{Matzav.com}

By Rabbi Pinchos Lipschutz

As Jews, we are meant to live with joy. No matter the situation, we know that everything comes from Hashem, Who seeks our ultimate welfare. That is a fundamental principle of our emunah. Yet,Adar is the only time of year when the obligation to rejoice is emphasized, to the degree that Chazal teach, “Mishenichnas Adar marbimb’simcha.”

What is it about this month that obligates us to increase our joy?

It cannot simply be that there was an edict calling for our annihilation. Tragically, that has been a recurring theme throughout our history. We recite in the Haggadah that in every generation there are those who rise up to destroy us and Hashem spares us from them. What, then, was so unique about the salvation of Purim in Shushan that it continues to generate such enduring joy?

The story of Purim began, for all practical purposes, at the lavish celebration hosted by Achashveirosh to mark his reign. Jews attended that grand seudah and drank from keilim that were plundered from the destroyed Bais Hamikdosh. That desecration of holiness, that defilement of the memory of the Bais Hamikdosh, evoked a Divine wrath and set into motion Haman’s plot to destroy the Jewish people across the vast Persian Empire.

Mordechai and Esther gathered the nation and led them in sincere teshuvah. When their repentance was accepted, the gezeirah was annulled. The Jews were spared, and their enemies met the fate they had intended for the Jews. A great celebration followed.

But the story did not end there. The same empire that had issued the decree ultimately permitted the Jewish people to return to Eretz Yisroel and resume construction of the second Bais Hamikdosh.

The simcha of Adar is rooted in something deeper than rescue from danger. Klal Yisroel witnessed the transformative power of teshuvah. The very failing that contributed to the threat—disrespect toward the Bais Hamikdosh—was rectified through repentance, and that teshuvah paved the way not only for survival, but for rebuilding of the Bais Hamikdosh they had sinned against. It brought about a geulah for that era that endured for generations.

As we continue through our long golus, this message strengthens us. It proclaims that if we would correct the sins that delay the geulah in our days, we, too, would merit Moshiach and the rebuilding of the Bais Hamikdosh. The teshuvah of Adar led to the geulah of Nissan in the days of Shushan, and that same thing can happen again in our day.

What could be a more joyous thought than that?

And perhaps that is precisely why this message is so urgent today.

We live in what many describe as an age of noise. Not only literal noise, though there is certainly no shortage of that, but a deeper kind: endless information, constant commentary, perpetual outrage, and a relentless stream of stimuli competing for our attention. Everything feels loud. Everything feels urgent. Everything demands a reaction.

The news unsettles us. War with Iran appears on the horizon. The choices seem bleak: Strike now and perhaps unleash a deadly war or allow a dangerous regime to strengthen its arsenal and expand its nuclear ambitions.

Anti-Semitism grows more brazen. Political instability intensifies. Economic pressures mount as expenses rise and the strain of keeping pace becomes crushing. Our world seems to have misplaced its bearings, and we pay the price.

And then Purim arrives.

Suddenly, there is joyous music. Happiness. Laughter. Mishloach manos piling up. Costumes. Friends with arms wrapped around one another, swaying in song.

The contrast is jarring.

Yet,Purim is not an escape from reality. It is a return to reality.

It reminds us of the steady HashgochaProtis that guides history beneath the surface chaos. It reminds us that what appears random is anything but. It reminds us that teshuvah changes trajectories, that gezeiros can be overturned, that rebuilding can follow destruction.

And that certainty is a deep source of simcha.

We study the Megillah, and initially it appears as if random events are happening that have no historical importance or relevance to the Jewish people. A Persian king throws a lavish feast. A queen refuses to attend. Political reshuffling. An ambitious minister rising to power. Sleepless nights. Coincidences. And then the noose tightens around the neck of our people. Only at the end do we see what was happening all along.

Purim was a time of hesterponim—the Ribbono Shel Olam hidden behind curtains of politics, ego, power, and fear.

And if that sounds familiar, it should, because we also live in a time of hester. Things that appear to be random are actually setting up the world for geulah.

Purim reminds us that nothing is random.

One year, on Purim, surrounded by multitudes of chassidim hanging on to his every word, the ChiddusheiHorim began speaking. This is what he said: “When we start reading the Megillah, we might wonder why we are being told stories about some Persian king. Why do we care that he feasted for three years after being crowned? We continue reading and are told stories about a queen who refused to attend a feast and her punishment. Then we read about the procedure of finding a new queen. And we wonder: Why do we need to know this?”

The rebbe was quiet, deep in thought. He sat up and answered his questions. “In the time of Moshiach,” he said, “many strange things will happen. Nobody will understand what is happening. And then, suddenly, they will realize that it was all tied to the geulah.”

To say that strange occurrences are taking place in our day is an understatement. We are confounded by the daily happenings, so many of which seem to make no sense. Soon the day will arrive when everything will become clear. For now, we have Purim.

We live in a period of darkness that will prevail until the coming of Moshiach. With his arrival, a great light will begin to shine and everything will become clear. But until then, we can cultivate our senses to hear and perceive the footsteps of Moshiach in all that is taking place. Purim is part of that training.

All through the year, we strain to “see”—to understand what is happening, to conjecture what this leader will say and what that one will do. Purim teaches us that what counts is what is happening behind the scenes, beyond the headlines, where we cannot see. We are reminded that it is not the politicians and bosses who dictate events, but Someone much more powerful.

The spiritual light of Purim, the Arizal says, is brighter than any other light that has shone since creation. The clarity of Purim brings joy along with it. After laining the Megillah, current events are not as menacing.

Purim declares that beneath the decrees of history stands the steady Hand of Hashem.

The Jews of Shushan believed the lot had sealed their fate. The calendar had marked their destruction. Yet, through teshuvah, tefillah, and Esther’s courage, guided by Mordechai, the script flipped.

A day designated for annihilation became a day of eternal celebration. That pattern has repeated itself through centuries of Jewish history. Again and again, we stood on the brink. Again and again, the curtain lifted just enough for us to survive.

All year long, people carry burdens, but on Purim something softens. The guarded expressions fall away. The inner emunah surfaces.

On that day, we gain clarity.

Purim is not an escape from reality. Purimis reality, unveiled.

It tells us that no Haman rises independently. No Achashveirosh rules alone. No sleepless night is insignificant. No hidden act of courage is wasted.

No matter what challenges surround us, when Purim approaches, something shifts.

Our hearts beat a bit faster. Our smiles stretch a bit wider. Even people weighed down by worry find themselves humming a niggun, singing along with the crowd, uniting in simcha shel mitzvah. Though we may be mired in personal struggles, dulled by routine, distracted by headlines and burdens, the simcha of Purim breaks through.

The joy that erupts among Jews, from the most learned to the most distant, testifies to the intrinsic greatness of the day. Something real is happening. Something ancient, yet entirely present.

The simcha that Hakadosh Boruch Hu shined into His world in Shushan so many years ago was not a one-time illumination. It was implanted into the fabric of time. Wherever Jews live, that joy can be felt every year on this day.

Purim is not just a commemoration of something that happened nearly 2,400 years ago. It is a celebration of its yearly recurrence on that day. It is a celebration of its lessons, which provide daily chizuk for us.

Every year on Purim, the kochos that saved the Jewish people from annihilation are reawakened. The miracles of Purim are not locked in the past. The days of Purim have a redemptive power that we can tap into. In Al Hanissim, we thank Hashem for the miracles that took place “bayomimhaheimbazemanhazeh.”

The knowledge that Hashem guides every detail of our lives and directs the destinies of nations reminds us that our story will be as comforting for us as it was for them.

Every generation has its Hamans and Achashveiroshes. Every generation experiences threats against Jewish lives, hostile regimes, economic fluctuations, illnesses that confound doctors, political climates that feel increasingly unstable, and cultural confusion that erodes clarity. The names change. The geography shifts. The methods evolve. But the pattern is the same.

A month after Purim, at the Seder, we will declare, “Vehi she’omdahla’avoseinuvelanu… shebecholdorvadoromdimaleinulechaloseinu, v’Hakadosh Boruch Hu matzileinumiyodom.”

In every generation we have challenges and Hashem saves us.

When we unroll our Megillos each year, we are not just unrolling a story that took place in the past. We are opening a channel of salvation.

The Sefas Emes teaches that just as Elul prepares us for Rosh Hashanah through teshuvah m’yirah, the month of Adar prepares us for Nissan through teshuvah m’ahavah, repentance born of love and joy.

Just as Mordechai gathered the Jews of his day and instructed them to fast, daven, and do teshuvah to bring about their salvation, that koach remains embedded in the day. The salvation of Shushan ultimately led to the building of the second Bais Hamikdosh. The teshuvah of Purim reshaped history.

Who is to say what our Purim could build?

The events unfolding around us may appear disconnected—random political shifts, unsettling global movements, personal upheavals that seem to make no sense. But the Megillah teaches us that what appears fragmented is often tightly woven.

At the time, Achashveirosh’sseudah looked like decadence. Vashti’s refusal seemed like palace drama. A sleepless night appeared trivial. Only later did those details reveal themselves as steps toward redemption.

Purim trains us to live with that awareness.

This day is marked for deliverance.

On this day in Shushan, a decree of death was transformed into celebration. Since then, Jews have experienced yeshuos on Purim in ways public and private. It is a day stamped with light and possibility.

If we are worthy, we will soon witness how the threats that intimidate us today, the forces that seem to gather strength, and the pressures that weigh upon Klal Yisroel and upon each of us personally are necessary chapters leading to a geulah.

The Megillah teaches us not only that redemption is possible, but that it is already unfolding beneath the surface.

May we merit to see it clearly.

“LaYehudimhoysahorahv’simchav’sassonviykorkeintihiyehlonu.” May the light that shone in Shushan pierce the darkness of our golus as well and lead us to the geulahsheleimah for which we have been waiting so long.

Ah freilichen Purim.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday that Iran represents a serious and longstanding danger to the United States, stressing that the threat is not limited to its nuclear ambitions as American and Iranian officials prepare to meet in Geneva.

Speaking a day before the scheduled negotiations, Rubio emphasized the scope of the challenge posed by Tehran. “I want you to know that Iran poses a very great threat to the United States and has for a very long time,” he said, referring to concerns that stretch well beyond the nuclear file.

Rubio argued that although Iran’s nuclear program had been severely damaged, Tehran continues to pursue capabilities that could allow it to resume enrichment in the future. “First and foremost, after their nuclear program was obliterated, they were told not to try to restart it. And here they are, you can see them always trying to rebuild elements of it. They’re not enriching right now, but they’re trying to get to the point where they ultimately can,” he said.

Rubio on Iran:

They are not enriching right now, but they are trying to get to the point where they ultimately can. pic.twitter.com/O7zCLvhUuU

— Clash Report (@clashreport) February 25, 2026

The Secretary of State also pointed to Iran’s conventional military arsenal, particularly its missile stockpiles and naval forces. “The other thing I would point you to, however, is that Iran possesses a very large number of ballistic missiles, particularly short-range ballistic missiles that threaten the United States and our bases in the region, and our partners in the region, and all of our bases in the UAE, in Qatar, in Bahrain. And they also possess naval assets that threaten shipping and try to threaten the US Navy,” Rubio said.

He underscored that these weapons systems are designed with the United States in mind. “So I want everybody to understand that, and beyond just the nuclear program, they possess these conventional weapons that are solely designed to attack America and attack Americans if they so choose to do so,” he stated.

Rubio added that Tehran’s reported refusal to address its ballistic missile program in the upcoming discussions presents a significant obstacle, saying that Iran not discussing its ballistic missiles in the Geneva talks “is a big problem.”

His remarks came shortly after US Vice President JD Vance said the administration has intelligence indicating that Iran is attempting to reconstitute its nuclear capabilities. “The principle is very simple, Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. If they try to rebuild a nuclear weapon, that causes problems for us. In fact, we’ve seen evidence that they have tried to do exactly that. So the President is sending those negotiators to try to address that problem,” Vance said.

Vance reiterated that President Donald Trump is pursuing a diplomatic solution but is not limiting himself to that path. “As the President has said repeatedly, he wants to address that problem diplomatically, but of course the President has other options as well,” he added.

President Trump delivered a similar message during Tuesday night’s State of the Union address, asserting that last June’s strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities had “obliterated” the program. He also accused the Iranian regime of killing more than 32,000 protesters and warned that it is working to reestablish its nuclear infrastructure while advancing missile technology capable of reaching Europe and potentially the United States.

“We’re in negotiations with them. They want to make a deal, but we haven’t heard those secret words, ‘We will never have a nuclear weapon’. My preference is to solve this problem through diplomacy. But one thing is certain: I will never allow the world’s number one sponsor of terror to have a nuclear weapon. Can’t let that happen.”

“No nation should ever doubt America’s resolve. We have the most powerful military on earth – hopefully, we seldom have to use it,” continued the President.

{Matzav.com}

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A stormy confrontation broke out Wednesday during a Knesset Finance Committee session, as MK Zvi Sukkot of the Religious Zionism party and MK Iman Khatib-Yassin of Ra’am exchanged sharp accusations, prompting a Knesset security guard to physically separate them.

The dispute unfolded during deliberations over a bill to amend the Income Tax Ordinance to provide tax benefits for residents of threatened communities.

During the discussion, Khatib-Yassin argued, “On the one hand, they ask to bring money into the state treasury from citizens who pay taxes, and on the other hand, they give money to citizens who don’t really pay taxes…”

Sukkot interjected, saying, “Don’t pay taxes like there was no massacre, you’re insolent.”

“Speak to me with respect! Did you hear what he said?” Khatib-Yassin responded.

Sukkot continued, “No, you denied the October 7 massacre, insolence.”

“Did you hear what he said?” Khatib-Yassin repeated.

“Yes, you denied the massacre,” Sukkot replied.

“He called me insolent,” she said.

“Of course you’re insolent. You say that we don’t pay taxes? You denied the massacre, you support Hamas, you are a terrorist, a female terrorist, that’s what you are,” Sukkot shot back.

“Insolent, you are insolent,” Khatib-Yassin responded.

In the background, Arab lawmakers shouted at Sukkot, “You support terror.”

MK Ahmad Tibi joined the fray, shouting, “You piece of nothing. The sole of her shoe. You’re nothing. Don’t call her terrorists.”

Sukkot responded, “You are Hamas supporters, a bunch of terrorists, all of you. Not once did you condemn the massacre. You said it didn’t happen at all, insolence. You call us ‘they also don’t pay taxes!’ You brought the terror!”

“Shame!” Khatib-Yassin yelled.

Sukkot concluded the exchange by telling her, “Go to Gaza.”

The altercation intensified to the point that a Knesset guard intervened to separate the lawmakers as shouting continued around the committee table.

Efforts to advance the draft law remain stalled, as chareidi parties said that a recently submitted preliminary draft does not provide sufficient grounds to resume negotiations. Sharp disagreements over canceling tens of thousands of draft orders already issued and lowering the exemption age have left talks at an impasse.

Earlier this week, coalition officials believed the legislation was back on track after chareidi lawmakers issued an ultimatum demanding that the legal adviser to the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee produce a written version reflecting clauses that had already been agreed upon. Although the draft was delivered a day later than expected, a preliminary text was submitted Monday, seemingly clearing the way for renewed committee discussions.

However, it has now emerged that the chareidi parties do not view the draft as adequate to return to the negotiating table. According to sources familiar with the discussions, United Torah Judaism faction chairman MK Uri Maklev remarked, “We have nothing with which to go to the rabbis.”

Negotiations remain stuck primarily over two key issues. First, chareidi representatives are demanding that approximately 80,000 draft notices already sent out be annulled. Second, they are insisting that the exemption age be set at 26 rather than 29.

Ariel Atias, often described as the “architect” of the draft law, visited the Knesset again Tuesday and met with legal advisers in an effort to bridge the gaps. The meeting, however, did not produce a breakthrough, and both sides reportedly maintained their positions.

At the same time, chareidi parties are weighing the possibility of submitting a revised version of the bill that would exclude the two disputed clauses. They are currently consulting legal experts to assess whether the Supreme Court would invalidate the entire law if it lacks those provisions, or instead instruct the Knesset to amend the problematic sections while allowing the rest of the legislation to stand.

{Matzav.com}

A brief moment in the Knesset today drew widespread attention after Settlement and National Missions Minister Orit Strock politely declined to shake the hand of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the conclusion of his address, an interaction that many observers described as creating a kiddush Hashem.

After delivering what was described as a historic and passionate speech before the Knesset, Modi stepped down into the plenum to greet lawmakers and attendees personally.

As he made his way among members of Knesset, the Indian leader shook hands with those present. An unusual exchange occurred when he naturally extended his hand to Minister Strock, a member of the Religious Zionism party who is religious. She did not take his hand.

Video footage of the encounter, which quickly circulated online and sparked discussion, shows Strock raising her hands respectfully and explaining to Modi that, according to Jewish law, she refrains from physical contact. Modi appeared to accept the explanation without incident.

{Matzav.com}

Slabodka rosh yeshiva Rav Dov Landau delivered a pointed message Tuesday night to yeshiva bochurim, warning them not to endanger themselves in response to recent arrests and stressing the importance of listening to their roshei yeshiva and remaining focused on Torah learning.

The rosh yeshiva spoke during a shmuess at Yeshivas Zichron Yaakov, where he addressed how bochurim should conduct themselves in light of a series of arrests carried out over the past 24 hours.

Opening his remarks, Rav Landau said, “We are learning Torah. One must understand that today the situation is not simple. They are pursuing bnei Torah. May Hashem protect us from them, from all their accusations and from all these matters. But one thing must be understood: do not do anything dangerous, do not engage in dangerous actions. Everything should be done according to what the rosh yeshiva says. Do not act on your own, do not be overly clever. Be wise in Gemara, not in these matters. Listen to everything you are told.”

He continued with a strong warning against risky behavior. “And it is very bad,” the rosh yeshiva added, “that people act and endanger themselves and others. All kinds of actions that are being done are very bad things. They accomplish nothing. It is not fear of Heaven and not anything.”

Rav Landau further instructed the students to adhere closely to the guidance of their rabbinic leadership. “In the yeshiva, you must listen to what the rosh yeshiva says, to the one who guides you. Obey him in every matter. Do not endanger yourselves with all these things. These are very bad matters. Nothing good comes of them.”

He emphasized the importance of following direction and not acting independently. “There are people,” he said, “who do very improper things. Hashem should have mercy on us. There is no need to elaborate. Whatever you are told — listen. In every single matter. Do not initiate things on your own. Do not endanger yourselves in any way. And if you take risks, afterward you bring problems upon yourselves and upon others.”

Concluding his address, Rav Landau returned to the central theme of immersion in Torah study. “We have nothing but learning — to learn, to be immersed in learning. That is everything. May Hashem help us to be immersed in learning, and we will all be saved from all the harsh decrees, and there will be only good for Israel, until the coming of the righteous redeemer speedily in our days, Amen.”

As previously reported, five yeshiva students were arrested over the past day in different locations across the country and transferred to the military police for further processing.

Among those detained was a yeshiva student arrested Tuesday morning at Ben Gurion Airport, as well as another student who was taken into custody at the draft office in Tel Hashomer. The latter had arrived with documents intended to arrange a service exemption but was arrested due to a three-day period of alleged draft evasion.

The student arrested at the draft office was sentenced to 20 days in prison and is receiving legal assistance from support organizations. A similar 20-day sentence was imposed on Itai Ben Merav, a student at Yeshivat Ateret Yaakov, who was arrested at 2 a.m. at his home in Beit Shemesh.

During the Beit Shemesh arrest, 12 military police officers arrived at the residence, six of whom entered the home and conducted what family members described as an extensive search. Relatives said the officers left the house in significant disarray after concluding their operation.

Two additional young men were arrested at 4 a.m. in the same city by civilian police and later handed over to military authorities. The detainees were identified as Menachem Mendel Ben Esther Sheindel, who was sentenced to 20 days in prison, and Yehuda Shimon Ben Sheindel Leah, who is classified as a prosecutorial draft evader.

{Matzav.com}

MK Yoav Ben Tzur sharply criticized what he described as selective enforcement against chareidi draft evaders during a speech Wednesday in the Knesset plenum, accusing authorities of unfairly targeting law-abiding members of the chareidi community.

Ben Tzur addressed the chamber during a debate on an urgent motion submitted to the justice minister regarding enforcement policies toward chareidi draft evaders. In his remarks, he charged that a community with low crime rates and strong civic commitment was being stigmatized.

“You have taken a quality, law-abiding public, a public that loves the country and contributes enormously to all segments of society. You have taken the community with the lowest crime rate and turned it into a leper society, a society whose finest sons are being arrested for the ‘sin’ of learning Torah. Who are you fighting against? Your own people?” Ben Tzur said.

He went on to question the focus of recent arrests. “Who are you arresting?” he asked. “Outstanding young men who have never encountered the police, because they are law-abiding? The chareidi community and its leadership respect IDF soldiers. There are chareidi soldiers within the IDF who have fought, and to all our sorrow, chareidi soldiers have also fallen in battle. The enemy did not distinguish between us and did not carry out selection against us in war, but there are those who, for small political reasons, are carrying out selection within our own people.”

Ben Tzur further accused political opponents of placing partisan interests above national concerns. “You are not lovers of the land, you are lovers of politics! The good of the IDF is not before your eyes, nor the good of the state, only divisive rhetoric guides you. What I, as labor minister — a chareidi with a kippah and beard — have done for reservists, most of those who shout here and in the media against the chareidi community have not done. In fact, you have done nothing, not even passed a single benefit for them.”

{Matzav.com}

Kamala Harris said she has yet to determine whether she will pursue another campaign for the presidency, offering a brief but notable response during a podcast interview that is expected to fuel renewed discussion about her political future.

Speaking with podcaster and author Sharon McMahon, Harris stated, “I haven’t decided — I might.”

Her remarks are likely to add momentum to speculation surrounding a possible 2028 run and keep her name circulating in discussions about who will lead the Democratic Party in the next presidential cycle.

Harris, who previously served as vice president and as a U.S. senator representing California, became the Democratic nominee in 2024 after President Joe Biden chose not to run for a second term. She was defeated in the general election by President Donald Trump, a loss that triggered widespread internal debate among Democrats over campaign messaging, coalition strategy, and the party’s broader direction.

In the months following the election, Harris has kept a relatively restrained public profile. She has appeared at a limited number of events and participated in policy-related conversations but has largely refrained from publicly dissecting her defeat or outlining her long-term political ambitions.

During the same podcast appearance, Harris discussed her recently released book and dismissed the notion that it was designed as a stepping stone for another campaign.

“The book was about a specific period in time,” she said. “There was no agenda beyond what we’ve discussed already, which is just sharing with people the reality of the experience and hopefully allowing people to see something of themselves.”

Political observers note that even a cautious or noncommittal statement about a potential presidential run can influence early groundwork, including fundraising networks, activist engagement, and behind-the-scenes organizing well in advance of the primary season. A number of Democratic governors and lawmakers are already being mentioned as possible 2028 candidates, though the prospective field remains unsettled.

Harris did not indicate when she expects to reach a decision about another White House campaign, nor did she specify which considerations would ultimately guide her choice.

Party strategists say Democrats continue to analyze the 2024 results and are weighing how best to expand their support in future national elections.

{Matzav.com}