Matzav

President Trump accused Rep. Ilhan Omar of orchestrating a confrontation at her Tuesday night town hall, asserting without evidence that the Minnesota Democrat arranged for a man to spray her with an unknown substance during the event.

“I don’t think about her. I think she’s a fraud,” Trump said in an interview with ABC News. “She probably had herself sprayed, knowing her.”

Pressed on whether he had watched footage of the incident, the president responded, “I haven’t seen it. No, no. I hope I don’t have to bother.”

Video from a livestream of the town hall captured a man rising from the audience and shouting at Omar as she demanded that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem step down or face impeachment following two fatal shootings tied to immigration enforcement officers in Minneapolis. The man then sprayed the congresswoman before being tackled and taken into custody.

Despite the disruption, Omar resumed the event and addressed the crowd, declaring, “These [profanity] are not going to get away with it.”

She later sharpened her message after the town hall concluded.

“I’ve survived war and I’m definitely going to survive intimidation or whatever these people think they can throw at me, because I’m built that way,” Omar said.

The lawmaker later updated supporters on social media, writing on X, “I’m ok. I’m a survivor so this small agitator isn’t going to intimidate me from doing my work.”

“I don’t let bullies win,” she added. “Grateful to my incredible constituents who rallied behind me. Minnesota strong.”

Trump has repeatedly attacked Omar in harsh terms. Earlier on Tuesday, before the town hall incident, he criticized her again while speaking in Iowa.

“She comes from a country that’s a disaster,” the president told the audience. “It’s considered, I think, the worst [country]. It’s not even a country.”

Minneapolis police said officers witnessed the suspect, identified as 55-year-old Anthony Kazmierczak, using a syringe to spray an unidentified liquid on the congresswoman.

“The man was immediately arrested by MPD officers and booked into Hennepin County Jail for 3rd degree assault. Representative Omar was uninjured and resumed speaking at the event. Minneapolis Forensic Scientists responded to process the scene,” a police spokesperson said in a statement to The Hill.

The U.S. Capitol Police condemned the attack, calling it “an unacceptable decision that will be met with swift justice.”

“We are grateful for the rapid response of onsite security and our local law enforcement partners,” the agency said. “We are now working with our federal partners to see this man faces the most serious charges possible to deter this kind of violence in our society.”

Several Republican lawmakers also spoke out against the incident, including Reps. Mark Alford, Mike Lawler, and Nancy Mace.

“What happened at Rep. Ilhan Omar’s town hall — where she was sprayed with a substance during the event — is completely unacceptable,” Lawler wrote on X. “Regardless of political views, we should all agree this behavior crosses a line and cannot be tolerated.”

Capitol Police also reported that threats against lawmakers remain widespread, saying the department has investigated nearly 15,000 “concerning statements behaviors, and communications” aimed at members of Congress, their families, staff, and the Capitol complex. In 2024 alone, nearly 9,500 such cases were reviewed.

{Matzav.com}

A senior Hamas figure said Tuesday that Israel’s insistence on the group laying down its weapons is being used to derail the next stage of the ceasefire framework, as negotiations continue over Gaza’s future.

Husam Badran, a member of Hamas’ political bureau, claimed that the proposed second phase of the agreement is meant to bring about a full pullout of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, the launch of large-scale reconstruction projects, the entry of extensive humanitarian assistance, and discussions over long-term political and administrative arrangements in the territory.

Badran maintained that what he called the group’s “right to resistance” is safeguarded by international law, arguing that Hamas’ arsenal serves as “self-defense against the occupation.” He said decisions regarding weapons are an internal Palestinian matter and should not be subject to pressure from outside actors.

He also asserted that Hamas has fully adhered to the obligations of the deal’s first phase, while accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of having “reneged on his commitments,” citing what he described as failures to reopen the Rafah border crossing and to withdraw Israeli forces from certain areas still under IDF control.

Previous reports have quoted another senior Hamas official as saying the organization is seeking to fold roughly 10,000 of its operatives into a newly formed security force under a Palestinian committee currently overseeing Gaza, a body that has the backing of the United States.

Israel has categorically rejected any role for Hamas in Gaza’s future leadership or security apparatus and has made clear that any long-term arrangement must include the group’s full and immediate disarmament.

On Monday, a senior US official said Washington views Hamas’ disarmament as potentially linked to “some sort of amnesty” for members of the organization, as part of broader efforts to advance President Donald Trump’s plan for Gaza.

Under President Trump’s 20 point Gaza plan, once all hostages are released, Hamas members who agree to peaceful coexistence and dismantle their weapons would be granted amnesty, while those opting to leave Gaza would be allowed safe passage to host countries.

Trump has repeatedly cautioned Hamas that failure to comply with disarmament requirements would carry serious repercussions.

Last month, at a press conference following a meeting with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, Trump warned, “If they don’t disarm – as they agreed to do, they agreed to it – then there will be hell to pay for them, and we don’t want that. We’re not looking for that.”

“It’ll be horrible for them – horrible, really, really bad for them [if they don’t disarm]. I don’t want that to happen, but they made an agreement that they’re going to disarm,” added Trump.

{Matzav.com}

Master Sergeant Ran (Rani) Gvili was buried on Wednesday in his hometown of Meitar, nearly two and a half years after October 7. The funeral drew a vast crowd that included relatives, close friends, fellow fighters from his unit, families of other hostages, and senior officials, among them the Prime Minister, the Police Commissioner, the Chief Rabbi of Israel, and the ministers of defense and internal security.

Gvili, 24, served in the Negev Special Patrol Unit and was widely known for his devotion to police service. His family said he took enormous pride in wearing the blue uniform. On the morning of October 7, while recovering at home from a motorcycle accident that left him with a broken shoulder, he heard reports of a terrorist infiltration. Despite his injury, he immediately dressed in uniform and rushed out to join his unit.

As he made his way south, Gvili came face to face with terrorists and engaged them near the entrance to Kibbutz Alumim. His stand there earned him the moniker “Ran, Shield of Alumim.” Months later, investigators concluded that after intense fighting, he was killed when his ammunition was exhausted and his body was taken to Gaza. He was later officially identified as having fallen in battle and was the final hostage to be returned to Israel.

He is survived by his parents, Talik and Itzik, his brother Omri, his sister Shira, and a large extended family.

Several family members and friends spoke during the funeral.

His mother, Talik Gvili, addressed her son, saying: “Rani, I imagine you up there with all the heroes who sacrificed their lives. Since that cursed day, every time a tear appears, I remember you whispering to me, ‘my proud mother.’” She reflected that since October 7, “it seems you became everyone’s child. They know you all over the world.” She said his story served as a reminder that “despite our disagreements, we are one great and strong nation.” Talik also spoke of the hundreds of soldiers who took part in the effort to find and bring him home, saying, “There is no other nation like this in the world.” She ended by saying, “Rani, you remain with me, every day and minute. I am a proud, proud mother.”

His father, Itzik Gvili, told mourners he had not prepared a written speech. “I always speak from the heart with what I’m feeling at that moment,” he said. Looking out at the crowd, he added, “To see everyone here standing before you, what you did and saved and united, this is not something to be taken for granted.” He said the family continues to uncover new stories about Ran, and that “the whole people of Israel and the whole world knows your story.” He concluded, “I am so proud to be your father. I miss you every second, every minute.”

Ran’s sister, Shira Gvili, recalled a conversation with her mother two days after October 7, when she was told it would take time for her brother to come home. “I never imagined it would take 843 days,” she said, describing a stretch of time in which “pain, fear, and worry would become an inseparable part of our daily lives.” She spoke of how her brother guided her throughout her life and continues to do so. Shira described traveling to the United States to campaign for his return, saying she spoke about him “at every opportunity,” including at the UN, Congress, and the White House. Turning to her brother, she said, “I really did everything to bring you back.”

His brother, Omri Gvili, said the family could finally begin to move forward. “Today we can say that we finally passed the day called 10.07.23,” he said. He recounted his final conversation with Ran on the morning of the attack, when Ran told him he was “in the middle of a battle.” Omri said that follow-up call never came, but added, “Today I closed the circle; today my hero brother came home.” He said the family’s pride was shared by the entire nation.

Tom Brodsky, speaking on behalf of Ran’s close friends, said they fought “on every front” to bring him back. He thanked Ran for their friendship and said they would continue telling his story wherever they go, “in the hope that everyone will continue in your path.”

Ran’s sister-in-law, Sharon, said she stood before him with a sense of relief that he would finally be buried “as befits you, a martyr of the kingdom.” She said the family lives by the belief that “pride is stronger than sorrow” and expressed pride in Ran for going out to fight with his comrades, holding his ground, and fighting “until the last bullet.”

President Isaac Herzog also delivered remarks, calling the moment both “sacred and heartbreaking” as “our beloved hero, Rani, the last hostage, is finally laid to eternal rest in his homeland.” He said this was the land Gvili loved and defended, adding, “This is the home he went out to defend with supreme bravery and self-sacrifice on that bitter and fateful day.”

Speaking directly to the family, Herzog said he was deeply moved by their words and asked forgiveness on behalf of the State of Israel. “Forgiveness that we were not there for him; forgiveness that, together with so many other families, you were forced to wait for his return for so many long, agonizing days,” he said.

With Gvili’s burial, the President said, “the shattered fragments of our hearts can slowly begin to heal and repair.” He said the entire nation sees the family, embraces them, and understands that “through your path, and through Rani’s path, we must rise from this terrible agony.” He urged Israelis to move forward “strong and confident in our path, hand in hand,” and to safeguard the country “with utmost devotion, just as Rani did.”

Herzog also paid tribute to IDF soldiers, security forces, and all those involved in Operation “Courageous Heart,” praising their “devotion to the mission,” sacrifice, resolve, and commitment to the principle that no one is left behind. He thanked all those who worked to return the hostages, both those brought back for burial and those recovered alive.

Closing his remarks, Herzog said that in Ran’s memory, and in the memory of all those killed in the war, the nation carries an obligation “to look directly at the place of the wound; to investigate thoroughly, to examine deeply, to pursue the truth; to heal and to recover, and together build here a shared Israeli tomorrow.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also addressed the mourners, turning to the Gvili family and saying, “In the language of the Bible, on behalf of my wife Sara and myself: Our souls are bound with yours.” He said the family had met with him many times over the past two years, including during trips abroad, and spoke of the powerful impression left by the parents’ and siblings’ devotion.

Netanyahu said Ran Gvili’s burial marked the painful conclusion of the hostage chapter, noting that all Israeli hostages, living and deceased, had now been returned from enemy territory. He described how soldiers involved in locating Ran sang “Hatikvah” and “I believe with perfect faith” when he was identified, saying the moment made his “heart to tremble.” “If we did not believe, we would not have acted,” Netanyahu said, adding that it was belief that brought Ran home after 843 days.

The Prime Minister said Israel remains determined to dismantle Hamas’s military infrastructure and demilitarize the Gaza Strip, warning that those who attack Israel “will pay an unbearable price.” He said the removal of yellow hostage pins symbolized the completion of the mission to return all captives, crediting the outcome to the courage of Israel’s fighters and the resilience of the nation.

Netanyahu described Ran as a police officer who left his home on October 7 despite a severe shoulder injury, armed himself, and entered combat in the western Negev. He said Ran saved numerous lives and fought terrorists at Kibbutz Alumim “until the very last bullet.” He said Ran’s fate was a constant concern of the country’s leadership and recalled promising the family that he would be found and brought home.

Referring to messages from other bereaved families, Netanyahu quoted Rabbi Doron Perez, who described the day as one of both grief and honor, saying it was also a day of pride. He said Israel is a nation that spares no effort to return even a single hostage, calling it “a large family.”

Netanyahu announced that a new community named Renanim will be established in the Negev in Ran’s memory, along with a pre-military academy bearing his name to prepare young people for service in the police, Border Police, and National Counter-Terror Unit. He concluded by saying that Ran Gvili’s bravery would remain “a foundation stone in the defensive wall of our state forever,” and added, “May his memory be a blessing.”

Following the funeral, the Gvili family departed for the Shura Camp under police escort. From there, the procession traveled via Highway 60, Highway 6, and the Nesher Interchange, continuing along Route 431 to the base. The funeral formally began at 10:30 a.m., when the coffin left the Shura base and was transported back to Meitar along the same route.

{Matzav.com}

More than two years into the current Gaza war, newly released figures show the immense burden placed on Israel’s healthcare system, with approximately 24,000 people treated in hospitals and more than 151,000 evacuees relying on medical services amid prolonged emergency conditions.

According to data published Tuesday, hospitals treated some 24,000 patients during the course of the war, while health maintenance organizations operated more than 100 service points in hotels and evacuation centers. These facilities served 151,200 evacuees, in addition to tens of thousands of others who evacuated independently.

The Health Ministry said it has continued to strengthen the system’s emergency preparedness, expanding its ability to respond to extreme scenarios. As part of that effort, 3,642 fortified hospital beds were added nationwide to improve protection and surge capacity.

At the National Institute of Forensic Medicine, more than 1,765 identification procedures and determinations of cause of death were carried out during the war. Among those cases were 86 fallen hostages, the most recent being Ran Gvili.

When residents were evacuated from Israel’s southern and northern border areas at the outset of the fighting, more than 100 HMO service points were established in hotels and population centers, alongside 362 mental health service locations. Overall, 151,200 evacuees and tens of thousands who relocated on their own received assistance from the Health Ministry. In addition, 168 former captives were treated and continue to receive care within the healthcare system, with ongoing support provided to their families.

On October 7, Israel’s healthcare system carried out the largest secondary patient redistribution ever undertaken in the country. More than 150 patients were transferred between hospitals that day, with 60 percent moved to other medical centers and 40 percent discharged.

The events of October 7 and the subsequent war have posed an unprecedented challenge to the resilience and mental health of Israeli society. In response, the government allocated more than 1.4 billion shekels to a national mental health program aimed at expanding and diversifying treatment options and maximizing system resources.

As part of the expansion, more than 700 new mental health professionals were added, along with over 1,000 psychology interns and an increase of roughly 100 psychiatry residents. Mental health centers now provide 1,370 therapist hours daily across 362 service locations. Between October 7, 2023, and July 2025, around 1,600 soldiers and victims of terror attacks were hospitalized for rehabilitation.

The Health Ministry also reported a 30 percent increase in the number of patients treated at community mental health clinics, the expansion of 128 such clinics nationwide, and a 42 percent rise in overall therapeutic encounters.

Health Ministry Director-General Moshe Bar Siman Tov addressed the ongoing security situation, saying, “We are in a complex situation, working closely and in full coordination with the IDF, the Home Front Command, and the Medical Corps. There is continuous communication between us at all times, from headquarters to the hospitals on the ground. The level of alert has not been raised, but we have increased our level of preparedness. We understand that we are in a different security reality, where everything can change all the time due to many events. Emergency matters take up much more of our agenda. The need to prepare for unexpected events—whether it is war, earthquakes, or other scenarios—is essential. We don’t know what will happen, but we need to know how to deal with everything. We did not evacuate hospital parking garages or move departments underground, but we have improved our ability to do these things much more quickly if necessary.”

{Matzav.com}

Vice President JD Vance faced sharp criticism online after marking Holocaust remembrance without explicitly referencing Jews or Nazis, prompting accusations that his message erased key historical realities.

The criticism followed a post Vance shared on X that included four photos of himself and his pregnant wife, Usha, during what he described as a moment of remembrance for those killed in the Holocaust. In the post, the vice president wrote, “Today we remember the millions of lives lost during the Holocaust, the millions of stories of individual bravery and heroism, and one of the enduring lessons of one of the darkest chapters in human history.”

He continued, “That while humans create beautiful things and are full of compassion, we’re also capable of unspeakable brutality,” adding, “And we promise never again to go down the darkest path.”

The wording quickly drew backlash from social media users who noted that the post did not mention Jews as the primary victims of the Holocaust or Nazis as the perpetrators. “Thank you Mr. Vice President for this unique commemoration of the Holocaust that manages to avoid mentioning Jews or condemning Nazis,” one commenter wrote.

Another user warned of broader implications, saying, “When political leaders refuse to name Nazis as the perpetrators of the Holocaust, it becomes easier for modern extremist movements to be minimized, excused, or rebranded.” A third added, “Absent from JD Vance’s Holocaust Remembrance Day post: any mention of Jews.”

The X account associated with Jewish Democrats also highlighted the omission. “Someone needs to tell the VP how to spell the word ‘jews,'” another commenter wrote.

Others came to Vance’s defense, arguing that the historical context did not need to be spelled out. “But don’t we already know that it was the Nazis that almost completely exterminated the Jews?” one person asked.

“Just because he didn’t mention either one that shouldn’t be taken as a slight or disrespectful,” the same commenter added. Another defender wrote, “This post is gross. Some concepts go without saying.”

One user compared the post to Vance’s past remarks on other tragedies, writing, “Look at his post about 9/11. He didn’t name Islamic terrorism as the culprits. Why? Because we all know.” Another dismissed the criticism outright, calling it an “Absolutely ridiculous take.”

Saudi Arabia has conveyed to Iran that it will “not allow its airspace or territory to be used for any military action targeting Tehran,” according to a report Tuesday from the kingdom’s state-run media.

During a phone conversation, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian that Riyadh backs “efforts that would resolve differences through dialogue” as a means of reinforcing security and stability across the region, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Earlier Tuesday, Iranian media cited by Reuters said Pezeshkian told the Saudi leader that Tehran supports any initiative “within the framework of international law” aimed at preventing a wider conflict.

Saudi Arabia’s message followed a similar statement issued by the United Arab Emirates, which also said it would not permit its airspace or territorial waters to be used for military operations against Iran.

The exchange comes against the backdrop of rising regional tensions and uncertainty over potential US military action involving Iran.

President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly cautioned Iran over its treatment of anti-regime protesters, renewed his warning last Thursday, pointing to an increased American military presence in the region.

“We have a lot of ships going in that direction, just in case. We have a big flotilla going in that direction. And we’ll see what happens,” Trump said. “We have a big force going toward Iran. I’d rather not see anything happen, but we’re watching them very closely.”

Speaking Tuesday at a political rally in Iowa, Trump again voiced hope that Tehran would reach an agreement with Washington, while emphasizing the buildup of US forces in the Middle East.

“There is another beautiful armada floating beautifully towards Iran right now. So we will see. I hope they make a deal. I hope they make a deal,” he stated.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei warned on Monday that any act of aggression would be met with a “comprehensive and regret inducing” response from the Islamic Republic.

Also on Tuesday, reports said the United States is considering targeted strikes against Iranian officials and commanders, as reported fatalities in Iran’s ongoing protests have climbed to more than 36,000.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he hopes Iran will reach an agreement with the United States, while again underscoring that Washington has bolstered its military footprint across the Middle East.

Addressing supporters at a campaign rally in Iowa, Trump pointed to naval movements in the region, saying, “There is another beautiful armada floating beautifully towards Iran right now. So we will see.”

He followed by emphasizing his preference for diplomacy, adding, “I hope they make a deal. I hope they make a deal.”

Trump on Iran:

There is another beautiful armada floating beautifully toward Iran right now, so we will see.

I hope they make a deal. I hope they make a deal. pic.twitter.com/oDcUgwX12n

— Clash Report (@clashreport) January 27, 2026

The president has repeatedly cautioned Iranian leaders that the United States would respond forcefully if authorities move ahead with executions of anti-regime demonstrators.

Last Thursday, Trump delivered another sharp warning during an in-flight exchange with reporters as he traveled back to Washington from Davos, detailing what he described as a substantial buildup of U.S. forces near Iran.

“We have a lot of ships going in that direction, just in case. We have a big flotilla going in that direction. And we’ll see what happens,” Trump said. “We have a big force going toward Iran. I’d rather not see anything happen, but we’re watching them very closely.”

Trump also reiterated his claim that U.S. pressure had halted mass executions in Iran the week before. “I stopped 837 hangings [last] Thursday. They would have been dead. Every one of them would have been hung…I said ‘if you hang those people, you’re going to be hit harder than you’ve ever been hit. It’ll make what we did to your Iran nuclear look like peanuts.’ And an hour before this horrible thing was going to take place, they canceled it. And they actually said they canceled it. They didn’t postpone it. They canceled it. So that was a good sign.”

In related developments, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei warned on Monday that the Islamic Republic would deliver a “comprehensive and regret inducing” response to any act of aggression.

Separately, reports on Tuesday said the United States is considering targeted strikes against Iranian officials and military commanders, as the reported death toll from ongoing protests in Iran climbs past 36,000.

{Matzav.com}

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror group knowingly fired malfunctioning rockets during the Gaza war that ended up killing hundreds of Palestinian Arabs, according to a report disclosed by Kan Reshet Bet.

Documents uncovered during the fighting indicate that Hamas leadership was fully aware that rockets launched by Palestinian Islamic Jihad were causing widespread destruction and resulting in civilian deaths inside Gaza.

One such document summarizes a tense meeting in Beirut between a Hamas official identified as Ahmed and Akram al-Ajouri, the head of Palestinian Islamic Jihad’s military wing. According to the summary, Hamas officials expressed fury over the rockets, describing them as inaccurate and responsible for severe casualties on the ground.

Al-Ajouri reportedly acknowledged that the organization knew the rockets were technically flawed and defended their use as an unavoidable wartime cost. “Even if a thousand people are killed by friendly fire, that is the price of war,” he said.

The document lays bare a grim reality: both Hamas and Islamic Jihad were fully aware that the faulty rockets were striking inside Gaza and killing large numbers of Palestinian Arab families.

One of the most prominent incidents cited was the blast in the courtyard of the al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City during the early weeks of the war. While Hamas accused Israel of carrying out a massacre, video evidence later showed that a rocket fired by Islamic Jihad had fallen short and detonated at the hospital site.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman urged New York State on Tuesday to formally adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism, making the appeal on the 81st anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany.

Blakeman, the Nassau County executive and the presumptive Republican nominee for governor, made his remarks on International Holocaust Remembrance Day. He faulted Gov. Kathy Hochul for what he said was her refusal to fully adopt the IHRA definition and criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for eliminating it from city law.

“New York State has not adopted the definition,” Blakeman said Tuesday, according to the New York Post.

Appearing alongside Israel’s consul general in New York, Ofir Akunis, Blakeman continued, “On top of that, Mayor Adams, who adopted the definition, was overturned by the new mayor, Zohran Mamdani. We believe this is a disgrace, it is an injustice, and we are demanding our elected officials adopt that definition.”

The IHRA working definition outlines antisemitism in its many manifestations, including hatred and discrimination directed at Jews, Holocaust denial, and, in some cases, how antisemitism can intersect with certain forms of criticism of Israel.

To date, 37 states and Washington, D.C., have adopted or endorsed the IHRA definition, along with numerous countries around the world.

In June 2025, then–New York City Mayor Eric Adams signed an executive order formally recognizing the IHRA working definition of antisemitism.

That action was undone on Mamdani’s first day in office, when he issued an executive order rescinding all directives signed by Adams after September 26, 2024. As a result, the IHRA recognition was nullified, along with an Adams-era order barring mayoral appointees and city agency employees from participating in boycotts or divestment efforts targeting Israel.

Jewish organizations have reported a significant increase in antisemitic incidents nationwide since Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attacks, citing spikes in threats, vandalism, physical assaults, and attacks on synagogues.

Hochul has pointed to a 2022 proclamation she signed recognizing the IHRA definition as a guidance tool. She told The Post that she was “proud” of that action and said her administration has taken “comprehensive measures to protect Jewish New Yorkers and stand up to antisemitism.”

Blakeman rejected that approach in his comments Tuesday, arguing that a proclamation falls short and accusing both Mamdani and Hochul of backing policies he characterized as antisemitic.

“Potentially criticizing [Israel] for the way they act, when they were acting in self-defense, to me, is something that defies logic,” he said, referring to Israel’s response to the October 7 attacks.

Blakeman received President Donald Trump’s endorsement in the race for New York governor after Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), who had been expected to run against Hochul, announced she was ending her campaign.

A rabbi was assaulted Tuesday afternoon in a brazen antisemitic attack on a public street in New York City, after a man hurled slurs at him, struck him in the face, and knocked him to the ground before fleeing the scene. The suspect was later apprehended.

The attack took place at approximately 2:30 p.m. Tuesday near Queens Boulevard in the Forest Hills neighborhood. According to reports, the assailant approached the rabbi and began shouting antisemitic insults, including calling him “Dirty Jew,” before punching him in the face and throwing him to the ground.

Eyewitnesses said the suspect continued to behave in a threatening manner, making menacing gestures and forming his hands into the shape of a gun, which he pointed at the victim before escaping on foot.

Despite the assault, the rabbi managed to photograph the suspect and immediately contacted police and alerted the Queens Shomrim. By the time law enforcement arrived in the area, the attacker had already fled.

Shomrim volunteers quickly launched a search of nearby streets and transportation hubs. One volunteer eventually spotted the suspect walking toward a nearby train station, discreetly followed him, and then stopped the train the suspect boarded, buying crucial time for police to arrive and make the arrest.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned the attack, calling it “an act of hate,” and stressed that such incidents are unacceptable in the city.

Authorities continue to investigate the incident.

{Matzav.com}

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Two federal immigration officers fired their weapons during the deadly confrontation that left armed anti-ICE protester Alex Pretti dead in Minneapolis over the weekend, according to a preliminary Department of Homeland Security review released Tuesday.

The internal DHS assessment states that Pretti, 37, and another woman who was blowing a whistle at officers repeatedly ignored “several verbal requests” to leave the roadway. When both individuals refused to comply, officers attempted to arrest them, the review said.

“The woman and Pretti did not move,” DHS reported, leading a Customs and Border Protection officer to deploy pepper spray on both individuals.

As officers tried to take Pretti into custody, he “resisted,” and “a struggle ensued,” according to the review. During the scuffle, a Border Patrol agent was heard yelling, “He’s got a gun!”

Roughly five seconds later, one of the Border Patrol agents opened fire on Pretti.

A Customs and Border Protection officer also discharged his weapon during the encounter.

Video evidence reviewed by DHS shows that at least 10 shots were fired in total. Investigators said it remains unclear whether Pretti’s own firearm discharged during the incident.

According to the review, a Border Patrol agent informed other federal officers after the shooting that he had taken possession of Pretti’s Sig P320 handgun.

Federal agents then attempted to render emergency medical assistance to Pretti, who was employed as an intensive care unit nurse. He was pronounced dead within approximately 30 minutes of the confrontation.

An autopsy is currently being conducted by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office.

DHS said the preliminary review relied on body-worn camera footage and internal Customs and Border Protection records.

The findings have been forwarded to congressional oversight committees responsible for monitoring the Department of Homeland Security.

Pretti’s death marked the second fatal shooting of an anti-ICE protester in Minnesota in less than a month.

On Jan. 7, Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, was shot and killed by an ICE agent after she blocked a Minneapolis roadway with her vehicle and drove toward an officer.

“I think the whole thing is terrible,” President Trump said Tuesday while discussing Pretti’s death during an appearance on Fox News. “I don’t like the fact that he was carrying a gun that was fully loaded, and he had two magazines with him — and it’s pretty unusual, but nobody knows when they saw the gun, how they saw the gun, everything else.

“Bottom line, it was terrible.”

Following the shooting, Trump moved Monday to remove Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino from his role leading “Operation Metro Surge” in Minneapolis and to redeploy some of the agents involved.

“We have Tom Homan there now,” Trump said on “The Will Cain Show,” adding that his border czar intends to “de-escalate a little bit.”

{Matzav.com}

Rep. Ilhan Omar was confronted and sprayed with an unidentified liquid Tuesday night after a man rushed the stage with a syringe during a turbulent town hall event in Minnesota, prompting a swift police response and bipartisan condemnation.

According to witnesses and law enforcement, the incident unfolded as Omar stood at the lectern sharply criticizing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and urging the abolition of ICE. A man later identified as Anthony Kazmierczak surged forward from the front row, shouting inaudible comments, and discharged liquid from a syringe toward Omar’s upper body.

Observers said the syringe appeared to contain an amber-colored substance.

As the assailant retreated, Omar chased after him and appeared poised to strike before security intervened. The man was tackled and escorted out of the North Minneapolis venue.

“I need a napkin,” Omar was heard telling a staffer over a live microphone.

Staff members pressed the congresswoman to seek medical evaluation, but she declined.

“No, we will continue. I’m fine,” Omar said.

One aide remarked on the odor of the substance, saying, “it smells so bad.”

After a brief pause, Omar returned to the microphone and resumed her remarks.

“We are Minnesota strong, and we will stay resilient in the face of whatever they might throw at us,” she told the audience while the suspect was still being removed.

Minneapolis police officers arrested the 55-year-old Kazmierczak and booked him into the Hennepin County Jail on a charge of third-degree assault, according to Minneapolis Police Department Public Information Officer Trevor Folke.

“Representative Omar was uninjured and resumed speaking at the event,” Folke said.

Police also confirmed that Minneapolis forensic scientists were dispatched to the Urban League Twin Cities building to examine and process the scene.

Roughly an hour after the confrontation, Omar addressed the incident publicly on social media.

“I’m ok,” she wrote.

“I’m a survivor so this small agitator isn’t going to intimidate me from doing my work,” she added. “I don’t let bullies win.

“Grateful to my incredible constituents who rallied behind me. Minnesota strong.”

Elected officials from across the political spectrum denounced the attack.

“I am deeply disturbed to learn that Rep. Ilhan Omar was attacked at a town hall today,” Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina posted.

“Regardless of how vehemently I disagree with her rhetoric – and I do – no elected official should face physical attacks.

“This is not who we are.”

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey also condemned the incident, calling it “unacceptable” and warning that “this kind of behavior will not be tolerated in our city.”

“Violence and intimidation have no place in Minneapolis,” Frey wrote. “We can disagree without putting people at risk.

“I’m relieved Rep. Omar is okay and appreciate MPD for responding quickly.”

The assault came one day after President Trump confirmed that both the Department of Justice and Congress were examining Omar’s rapidly rising personal net worth.

Trump, who has previously suggested that Omar be jailed or deported to Somalia, disclosed the federal and congressional scrutiny while sending border czar Tom Homan to Minnesota to defuse tensions following Saturday’s fatal shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretti by a federal immigration officer.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York placed blame for the attack on Trump and his allies.

“It is not a coincidence that after days of President Trump and VP Vance putting Rep. Omar in their crosshairs with slanderous public attacks, she gets assaulted at her town hall,” Ocasio-Cortez wrote.

“Thank God she is okay,” she added. “If they want leaders to take down the temp, they need to look in the mirror.”

U.S. Capitol Police said the suspect who “decided to assault” Omar would face aggressive prosecution.

“We are grateful for the rapid response of onsite security and our local law enforcement partners,” the agency said. “We are now working with our federal partners to see this man faces the most serious charges possible to deter this kind of violence in our society.”

Earlier Tuesday evening, Capitol Police released data showing that threats against members of Congress continued to climb in 2025 for the third consecutive year.

The agency reported investigating 14,938 troubling statements, actions, and communications aimed at lawmakers, their families, staff members, and the Capitol complex over the past year.

{Matzav.com}

Today, the Trump administration announced that 23 states have officially opted in to the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (FSTC), marking a major milestone for school choice nationwide. In addition, other states such as Colorado have publicly announced their intention to opt in, bringing the program within reach of nearly half the country.

The Federal Scholarship Tax Credit was passed by Congress and signed by President Trump on July 4, 2025, as part of the Working Families Tax Cuts Act. Starting in 2027, the FSTC allows individual taxpayers to contribute to a nonprofit scholarship granting organization (SGO) and receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit worth up to $1700. The SGO then pools the funds and distributes scholarships to eligible students for a wide range of K-12 educational expenses including private school tuition However, in order for SGOs to be approved, the state in which they are located must opt in to the tax credit and include them on a list sent to Treasury.

“Today’s announcement brings the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit closer to reality for families. Every state that opts in means more families gaining access to real educational choices for their children,” said Rabbi A. D. Motzen, Agudath Israel of America’s national director of government affairs. “Agudath Israel will continue working with advocates nationwide to encourage additional governors to opt in, ensuring that all children regardless of where they live, can benefit from this historic opportunity.”

{Matzav.com}

American taxpayers are poised to see a sharp increase in their tax refunds this year, with the average payout expected to rise by about $1,000. The White House estimates that an additional $100 billion will be returned to filers during the 2026 tax season as a result of President Trump’s signature second-term tax legislation.

The tax filing season officially opened Tuesday, and Treasury Department projections show that refunds are expected to total $429 billion — a dramatic increase from the $329 billion issued last year.

With refunds climbing by roughly $1,000 per filer, the average check is projected to top $4,000.

“Millions of Americans are poised to receive significantly larger tax refunds thanks to President Donald J. Trump’s landmark Working Families Tax Cuts Act — which every Democrat in Congress opposed,” the White House said in a statement, referring to the legislation also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

“The historic legislation is delivering the biggest tax refund season ever.”

Data cited by The Wall Street Journal shows that last year more than 60% of U.S. households received refunds averaging $3,167.

The spike in refunds is the result of targeted changes embedded in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the sweeping Republican tax overhaul signed into law last year by President Donald Trump.

Under the law, Republicans made the tax cuts retroactive to the 2025 tax year while leaving IRS withholding tables unchanged. As a result, workers continued to have taxes withheld at higher rates throughout the year, with the benefits of the cuts now being paid out in large lump sums just months ahead of the midterm elections.

Although only about 60% of filers receive refunds, those who do are seeing substantially larger amounts.

According to the Tax Foundation, roughly one-quarter of the individual tax cuts stem from raising the state and local tax deduction cap to $40,000.

The single largest factor driving higher refunds is the new overtime deduction, which accounts for approximately $38.7 billion — or 30% — of the $129 billion in individual tax relief included in the law for 2025.

Additional contributors include an expanded standard deduction, a new bonus deduction for seniors, an increased child tax credit, and new deductions for tips and auto loan interest.

The surge in refunds is arriving as the IRS operates with significantly fewer employees than it had a year ago, raising concerns about the agency’s ability to process returns and issue payments smoothly.

The IRS started last year with more than 100,000 workers and is now estimated to be about 25% smaller following layoffs and retirements.

While many of the staffing reductions affected enforcement divisions, call centers and paper correspondence units are under the greatest strain, particularly as many taxpayers — especially older filers — continue to rely on phone assistance.

Despite the staffing cuts, the IRS says it expects to process approximately 164 million tax returns this year, roughly the same as last year, and maintains that its systems are prepared. Critics, however, warn that fewer workers handling a much larger volume of money leaves little room for mistakes.

David A. Perez, CEO of Tax Maverick AI, said the scale and structure of this year’s refund surge are unusual compared with previous tax cuts.

“This is not how tax relief is usually delivered,” he told The Post.

“Typically, when the government cuts taxes, withholding tables are updated so people see a little more money in every paycheck. That didn’t happen in 2025.”

Because the One Big Beautiful Bill Act was applied retroactively while withholding remained unchanged, Perez said, “taxpayers were effectively forced to save that money with the Treasury for a year — and now it’s all being released at once.”

Perez, whose company has prepared more than 50,000 tax returns since 2018, said the projected $429 billion in refunds represents about a 30% increase from last year, a jump he has not seen outside of extraordinary circumstances.

“I haven’t seen a manufactured windfall quite like this since the stimulus checks,” he said.

“But this is different, because it’s baked directly into the tax return itself.”

Perez added that lump-sum refunds tend to generate a stronger economic impact than incremental increases in take-home pay.

“Behaviorally, people treat a lump sum very differently than a small weekly raise,” he remarked.

“An extra $50 a week usually gets absorbed by groceries or gas. But a $4,000 refund in February feels like investable cash. People use it for big-ticket items — car down payments, vacations, or paying off high-interest credit card debt.”

As a result, Perez said he expects a burst of consumer spending early in the year.

“President Trump delivered the largest tax cut in history for middle- and working-class Americans, lowering taxes in every county in every state across the nation,” White House spokesperson Kush Desai told The Post.

“This tax relief will allow American families to keep more of their hard-earned money and unleash economic growth and prosperity not just during tax season, as millions of Americans receive refund checks, but for years to come.”

“This is yet another promise made, promise kept as President Trump continues to Make America Great Again.”

{Matzav.com}

An emotional and unsettling discovery was made during a difficult winter journey in Poland, when a group traveling to visit the grave of the Kotzker Rebbe uncovered a long-hidden piece of Jewish history beneath the snow.

The story was shared by Rabbi Pinchas Sitbon during the Bedidi Hava Uvda segment on the Kol Berama radio program hosted by Ami Maimon. Rabbi Sitbon described a grueling two-hour trek he and a group of friends undertook through winding roads and a fierce snowstorm, determined to reach the kever of the Kotzker Rebbe.

Upon arriving at the cemetery, the group encountered an unexpected setback: the entrance gate was locked, and the local caretaker was nowhere to be found. Despite the freezing temperatures and severe conditions, the group decided not to turn back. They climbed over the iron fence and pushed forward, carving a narrow path through deep, unbroken snow.

As they made their way through the cemetery, one of the participants suddenly stumbled over a protrusion hidden beneath the snow. While clearing away the ice to regain his footing, the group was stunned to realize that the fall had not been accidental. Beneath the snow lay a tombstone, the grave of one of the righteous women of the Kotzker dynasty.

The sense of awe deepened when the group discovered that the very day of their visit coincided with her yahrtzeit. Those present described a powerful feeling that the encounter was not mere chance, but guided by Hashgocha. Moved by the moment, the group altered its plans and paused to recite tefillos as an aliyah for their neshamah, standing in the silent, frozen landscape that had concealed the grave until their arrival.

{Matzav.com}

Against the backdrop of growing antisemitism across Europe, a leading rov of the Jewish community in Paris sought guidance this week from the Yenuka, asking for a decisive ruling on whether the community should consider relocating to Israel or remain in France.

Rabbi Shlomo Senyur, one of the prominent rabbanim of the Paris Jewish community, traveled to the home of the Yenuka in Rishon Letzion, where he joined the Shacharis mnnyan in the beis medrash before presenting the pressing question, one described as critical to the future of the Jewish community in Paris and, more broadly, to Jewish communities across Europe.

Rabbi Senyur laid out the dilemma facing many Jews in Paris and throughout France: in light of the intensifying waves of antisemitism in various parts of Europe and France, should the community uproot itself and move to Eretz Yisroel? At the same time, he noted the concern that many community members would not make aliyah, potentially leaving behind a weakened and unsupported Jewish presence.

In his response, the Yenuka stressed that there is an immense and invaluable merit for individuals who genuinely desire to ascend to Eretz Yisroel, attach themselves to its soil, and establish their lives there. However, when it comes to an organized, communal move, he advised that the priority should be to strengthen the existing community rather than dismantle it.

The Yenuka explained that even if a collective plan were formed to move together, in practice not everyone would follow through. As a result, those who remained behind would be abandoned and left vulnerable. He added that the current reality of a large, strong, and cohesive community provides resilience and protection for its members, whereas a partial departure that leaves only a small group behind would place those remaining in a dangerous and unstable situation.

“I say that one must strengthen the place there, to fight and not to be afraid. No matter what happens,” the Yenuka said. He reminded Rabbi Senyur of the example of the Or Sameach of Dvinsk, who remained with his community during World War I and did not abandon them, even though he knew war was imminent.

“Do not be afraid. Stay, strengthen, and put things in order, and may it be the will of Hakadosh Boruch Hu to nullify all this antisemitism. And the rov will continue to increase Torah there. Let your wellsprings spread outward. And to the members of the community I say: they should be careful with lashon hara, for this is the greatest protection from all calamities and all harm.”

{Matzav.com}