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In a major development amid the ongoing crisis surrounding Israel’s draft law, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s office announced early Friday morning that “significant progress” had been made in negotiations, with efforts underway to finalize an agreed-upon version of the bill before the start of Shabbos.

The statement came following a high-stakes meeting Thursday night that lasted more than seven hours, attended by Prime Minister Netanyahu, Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Chairman MK Yoel (Yuli) Edelstein, former Minister Ariel Attias, and Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs.

Sources confirmed that much of the marathon discussion revolved around the sanctions clauses Edelstein had been insisting on as part of the new draft legislation. According to insiders, Netanyahu managed to soften Edelstein’s stance, with some of the proposed sanctions expected to be dropped entirely from the final version. The parties also reached initial agreements on the timing and conditions under which any remaining sanctions would be triggered. One key understanding is that sanctions will not be enforced if the majority of draft targets are being met.

Netanyahu’s office stated: “The meeting between Prime Minister Netanyahu, Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Chairman MK Yuli Edelstein, former minister Ariel Attias, and Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs regarding the draft law has concluded. Significant progress was achieved. It was decided following the meeting that efforts will be made tomorrow to finalize the remaining outstanding matters.”

The meeting came on the heels of a decision by the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Agudas Yisroel, which convened Thursday night at the residence of the Vizhnitzer Rebbe in Moshav Ora, near Yerushalayim. At the conclusion of the gathering, the Moetzes issued a formal declaration stating that Agudas Yisroel would support a bill to dissolve the Knesset. The decision was read aloud by the Moetzes’ secretary, declaring: “For the people dwelling in Zion in general and the chareidi public in particular, the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah has determined that it is no longer appropriate to remain in a government that enables the persecution of the Torah world and violates prior agreements. The Moetzes instructs Agudas Yisroel’s Knesset members to present a bill in July to dissolve the Knesset.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Fox News host Jesse Watters gives his take on the ‘big, beautiful beef’ between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk on ‘Jesse Watters Primetime.’

WATCH:

Rav Ben Zion Kook paid a visit to the home of the revered posek Rav Yitzchok Zilberstein to offer his brachos in honor of the bar mitzvah of Rav Zilberstein’s grandson. During the visit, the conversation turned to a subject weighing heavily on both rabbanim—the troubling state of the olam haTorah in Eretz Yisroel and the unrelenting decrees being issued against it.

Rav Kook, rosh Beis Hora’ah Haklali in Yerushalayim and rav of Kehillas Avi Ezri in Petach Tikvah, was a close talmid of Rav Zilberstein’s father-in-law, the posek hador, Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv zt”l. During the visit, Rav Zilberstein warmly reminisced about the deep admiration Rav Elyashiv had for Rav Kook.

“Rav Elyashiv loved you so much—oh, how he loved you,” Rav Zilberstein exclaimed. “It wasn’t easy to be loved by him, but he truly loved you. That love should be a zechus for you. You come from one of the noble families of the Jewish people.”

The tone of the visit shifted as Rav Zilberstein voiced his anguish over the repeated efforts to undermine Torah life. “Today is a time when the Torah is cast into the corner. They reject this, and that, and that… They take away our livelihood. The Torah is weeping today. It is truly degraded. Its honor has fallen so low. Anyone who belongs to the Torah world must not take anything from this government—not this and not that.”

He continued, delving into a deeper perspective: “The commentaries ask why we don’t specifically pray in our tefillos that Hashem save us from decrees that crush us and deprive us of sustenance. The answer given is that when we say at the end of Shemoneh Esrei, ‘Venafshi ke’afar lakol tiheyeh‘—‘Let my soul be like dust to all’—it already includes that time will come when we will truly be like dust…”

Rav Kook interjected, “But we ask to be like dust?”

Rav Zilberstein explained, “The intention is not that we seek disgrace, but that when they do degrade us, turning us into dust, we should be able to accept it with love… That we should have the strength to endure the humiliation they inflict upon us.”

Rav Zilberstein then added another painful observation: “Besides all the decrees they are placing on bnei yeshivah, they now even forbid travel abroad. If a bochur travels, he is immediately sent to prison…”

{Matzav.com Israel}

During Thursday’s episode of ABC’s The View, President Bill Clinton came to President Joe Biden’s defense regarding his debated 2024 debate performance, attributing the issue in part to poor scheduling decisions made by Biden’s team.

Co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin posed a pointed question: “Mr. President, I want to ask you, last time you were here, you were actually fiercely defender of President Biden’s when people were questioning whether he should stay in the race and when he decided to step aside. You praised his decision to do so. [T]here have now been a lot of reports, books written with Democratic sources talking about what appeared to be decline while he was in the White House. Do you give any credence to those reports or do you stand by your assessment of the former president?”

In response, Clinton said, “Well, I think you have to pay attention to them, but all I can say is whenever I was around him, his mind was clear, his judgment was good, and he was on top of his briefs. But look what, look at that debate, for example. What happened in the ten days before his debate, and what were the White House staff thinking? He went to Europe and back twice, and then he went to California once. And he was 80 years old. What the heck is he doing that for? So, why was that allowed to happen? So, there’s a lot of questions. All I know is I think we should think less about that and more about the future. We know President Reagan had clear signs of Alzheimer’s in his last two years. We know Woodrow Wilson after his stroke couldn’t make any decisions and his wife made them.”

Clinton’s remarks emphasized both his personal experience with Biden’s mental acuity and his criticism of how Biden’s travel agenda may have impacted his readiness. He also drew historical comparisons to other presidents who showed signs of cognitive decline while in office, suggesting that focusing forward is more important than dwelling on debate-night missteps.

{Matzav.com}

In an emotional and inspiring address, Rav Yisrael Bunim Schreiber, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Nesiv HaDaas and gaavad of Ashdod, returned to his kehillah for the first time since falling ill. Speaking from a place of deep emunah and personal challenge, he delivered words of chizuk to the packed crowd at Beis Medrash Nefesh HaChaim, where hundreds gathered on short notice to hear their rosh yeshiva once again.

Opening his remarks, Rav Schreiber declared, “If Hashem gave me a blow, no one else should have to suffer.”

It was his first public appearance in Ashdod since the onset of his illness, and it came just hours after medical results regarding his condition were received.

A special tefillah gathering will be held tonight at 11:00 PM at the Kosel, where the public is urged to daven for the complete refuah of Rav Yisrael Bunim ben Chaya Roiza.

Prominent rabbanim and roshei yeshiva from across Ashdod graced the event, including Rav Avraham Altman, rosh yeshiva of Ateres Tzvi; Rav Shlomo Dolinger, rosh yeshiva of Pri Eitz Chaim; Rav Meir Dovid Rozovsky of Vilkomer; Rav Yitzchok Novick, rosh kollel of Beis Shmuel; Dayan Y. Abramowitz, and others.

In his speech, Rav Schreiber expounded on the Gemara in Rosh Hashanah which discusses two men ascending the gallows. Though both faced the same judgment, but only one was saved. The Gemara asks: Why was one answered in his tefillah and the other not? It answers that one prayed a tefillah sheleimah—a complete prayer—and was answered, while the other did not.

Rav Schreiber posed a piercing question: How is it possible that a man standing moments from death, with the noose already around his neck, didn’t offer a complete tefillah?

He answered: Of course he prayed—but he still placed hope in human intervention. He relied on advocates, on bribes, on earthly efforts. That lack of total dependence on Hashem rendered his tefillah incomplete.

“A tefillah sheleimah means relying solely on the Ribbono Shel Olam,” Rav Schreiber said. “Of course, we must make our hishtadlus—that is how Hashem runs the world, as it says, ‘U’veirach’cha Hashem Elokecha b’chol asher ta’aseh.’ Our sages explain: not while you’re idle, but ‘asher ta’aseh’—when you act.”

“That’s how it must be,” he continued. “Know that Hashem is guiding you. And if you know that, then—‘Hashem shomrecha, Hashem tzilcha al yad y’minecha’—Hashem is your protector, Hashem is your shadow at your right hand. The more you attach yourself to Hashem, the more Hashem attaches Himself to you.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

In a historic and potentially transformative moment for global Jewry, the preliminary results of the 2025 World Zionist Organization (WZO) elections reveal a seismic shift in Jewish representation and priorities: For the first time in history, Orthodox-affiliated slates have collectively achieved a majority in the WZO. Leading this groundswell is Eretz HaKodesh, which has surged to a commanding position with 29,159 votes.

The WZO elections serve as a democratic vehicle by which Jews from across the globe can influence key decisions affecting Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora. With funding power in the hundreds of millions and influence over key Zionist institutions such as the Jewish Agency, Keren Kayemet L’Yisrael (JNF), and Keren Hayesod, the composition of the WZO has far-reaching implications.

Eretz HaKodesh’s preliminary showing—29,159 votes—is nothing short of groundbreaking. Launched only a few years ago to give authentic Torah Jews a voice in the Zionist establishment, the slate has now catapulted to one of the leading positions in the entire election, outpacing MERCAZ USA (27,893), the slate of the Conservative movement, and gaining just behind Am Yisrael Chai (31,765), which draws from a broad base of Modern Orthodox and traditional voters.

“This is a moment of kiddush Hashem,” an Eretz HaKodesh activist said. “We entered this space to protect the kedushah and mesorah of Eretz Yisrael. These results prove that the Torah community is ready to stand up and be counted, not only in the beis medrash but also in shaping the institutions that impact the soul of our nation.”

Together with ORTHODOX ISRAEL COALITION – MIZRACHI (26,975 votes), SHAS (2,658), Dorshei Torah V’Tzion (1,946), and other Orthodox-aligned lists such as Achdut Israel (1,592), the Orthodox camp now holds a clear and unprecedented majority within the WZO. This development could dramatically alter the ideological makeup of key Zionist institutions and redirect funding toward religious education, aliyah efforts for Torah communities, and traditional Jewish identity initiatives.

“This is the first time in history that Orthodox slates together make up the majority of the WZO,” said an insider. “This marks a new era.”

Preliminary Vote Breakdown

The full preliminary vote tally is as follows:

• VOTE REFORM – 47,887
• Am Yisrael Chai – 31,765
• Eretz HaKodesh – 29,159
• MERCAZ USA (Conservative Movement) – 27,893
• ORTHODOX ISRAEL COALITION (MIZRACHI) – 26,975
• HATIKVAH (Progressive Slate) – 11,537
• ZOA Coalition – 8,511
• Aish Ha’am – 6,649
• VISION – 6,201
• Israeli American Council (IAC) – 5,344
• Kol Israel – 5,314
• AID Coalition (Americans for Israel Democracy) – 4,880
• Beyachad – TOGETHER FOR ISRAEL – 3,238
• SHAS – 2,658
• Israel365 Action – 2,339
• Dorshei Torah V’Tzion – 1,946
• The Jewish Future – Centrist Liberal Zionism – 1,794
• Achdut Israel – 1,592
• American Forum for Israel – 1,539
• ANU: A New Union – 1,509
• Herut North America – 1,109
• Americans 4 Israel: Strength Through Unity – 385

“The Torah world can no longer afford to be passive,” said one activist. “The future of klal Yisroel, the identity of Eretz Yisrael, and the soul of our people depend on who sits at the table. Baruch Hashem, we now have a seat—and we intend to use it.”

{Matzav.com}

A private lunar lander from Japan fell silent while descending to the moon with a mini rover Friday and its fate was unknown. The Tokyo-based company ispace said its lander dropped out of lunar orbit as planned and everything seemed to be going well. But there was no immediate word on the outcome, following the hourlong descent. As the tension mounted, the company’s livestream of the attempted landing came to an abrupt end. “We haven’t been able to confirm,” one of the commentators said in Japanese, but Mission Control “will continuously attempt to communicate with the lander.” The encore came two years after the company’s first moonshot ended in a crash landing, giving rise to the name Resilience for its successor lander. Resilience carried a rover with a shovel to gather lunar dirt as well as a Swedish artist’s toy-size red house for placement on the moon’s dusty surface. Long the province of governments, the moon became a target of private outfits in 2019, with more flops than wins along the way. Launched in January from Florida on a long, roundabout journey, Resilience entered lunar orbit last month. It shared a SpaceX ride with Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost, which reached the moon faster and became the first private entity to successfully land there in March. Another U.S. company, Intuitive Machines, arrived at the moon a few days after Firefly. But the tall, spindly lander face-planted in a crater near the moon’s south pole and was declared dead within hours. Resilience was targeting the top of the moon, a less forbidding place than the shadowy bottom. The ispace team chose a flat area with few boulders in Mare Frigoris or Sea of Cold, a long and narrow region full of craters and ancient lava flows that stretches across the near side’s northern tier. Plans had called for the 7.5-foot (2.3-meter) Resilience to beam back pictures within hours and for the lander to lower the piggybacking rover onto the lunar surface this weekend. Made of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic with four wheels, ispace’s European-built rover — named Tenacious — sported a high-definition camera to scout out the area and a shovel to scoop up some lunar dirt for NASA. The rover, weighing just 11 pounds (5 kilograms), was going to stick close to the lander, going in circles at a speed of less than one inch (a couple centimeters) per second. It was capable of venturing up to two-thirds of a mile (1 kilometer) from the lander and should be operational throughout the two-week mission, the period of daylight. Besides science and tech experiments, there was an artistic touch. The rover held a tiny, Swedish-style red cottage with white trim and a green door, dubbed the Moonhouse by creator Mikael Genberg, for placement on the lunar surface. Takeshi Hakamada, CEO and founder of ispace, considered the latest moonshot “merely a steppingstone,” with its next, much bigger lander launching by 2027 with NASA involvement, and even more to follow. Minutes before the attempted landing, Hakamada assured everyone that ispace had learned from its first failed mission. “Engineers did everything they possibly could” to ensure success this time, he said. Chief financial officer Jumpei Nozaki promised to continue the lunar quest regardless of the outcome. Ispace, like other businesses, does not have “infinite funds” and […]

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s decision to revise COVID-19 vaccine guidance without first consulting the CDC’s established advisory board has caused widespread confusion among doctors, insurers, and health experts, multiple sources told Reuters.

In a video shared on social media last week, Kennedy — known for his long-standing skepticism about vaccines — declared that the government would no longer recommend COVID vaccinations for healthy children or pregnant women.

Soon after the video was posted, the CDC quietly modified its online childhood immunization schedule. The updated version indicated that healthy children can still receive the COVID shot if their parents and physicians believe it’s appropriate. The CDC also removed its prior recommendation for pregnant women to get vaccinated.

This shift bypassed the standard review process led by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a group of external experts that typically evaluates evidence in public meetings before making any formal recommendations. Their decisions usually guide what appears in the CDC’s immunization schedule, which influences what vaccines are covered under the Affordable Care Act.

“The surprise announcement has created uncertainty for payers and providers about whether the video posting constitutes an official policy change,” said Sarah Moselle, a principal with the healthcare consulting firm Avalere.

Until ACIP votes at its upcoming meeting from June 25–27, insurance companies are expected to delay any decisions about vaccine coverage, according to Robert Popovian, who leads Conquest Advisors, a healthcare consultancy.

Kennedy’s Department of Health and Human Services has defended the move, with a spokesperson stating that it was legally permissible and reflects a shift toward “clinical-guided decision making.”

The department added that it still values the input of expert panels like ACIP, which is scheduled to meet later this month, with the agenda to be released as is standard practice.

Ultimately, decisions about what is covered will be up to each insurance company, the HHS spokesperson added.

Historically, the CDC had recommended that everyone aged six months and older receive the COVID vaccine.

“This whole thing is so murky,” said a member of ACIP who spoke anonymously. “It’s very unclear whose decision is final.”

Dr. Tina Tan, president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, warned that the inconsistent messaging is likely to lead to “significant confusion among medical professionals and the public.”

Dr. Matthew Zahn, a public health official in Orange County, California, who also advises the CDC panel, expressed the same concern. “We’re all awaiting clarity.”

“It’s going to be important to understand how these vaccines are insured,” Zahn said. “Specifically, if ultimately there is a recommendation for high-risk populations to be vaccinated, how that is interpreted by insurance companies and thus, how providers can recommend it.”

Zahn said he expects the CDC to provide further clarification soon but could not confirm whether that would happen at the upcoming ACIP meeting.

On Tuesday, Reuters reported that Dr. Lakshmi Panagiotakopoulos, a CDC specialist in pediatric infectious diseases who was deeply involved in coordinating the vaccine advisory group, had resigned. In a message to colleagues, she said she was stepping down because she was “no longer able to help the most vulnerable members” of the population.

Concerns have also been raised by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. On May 27, the group warned that removing the recommendation for pregnant women could make it more difficult for them to access the vaccine, “despite the clear and definitive evidence demonstrating its benefit.”

The CDC website notes that the Affordable Care Act typically mandates insurance coverage for vaccines included in the ACIP schedule.

Popovian warned that if insurers make decisions about coverage without clear guidance from ACIP, they could face significant risks. “It’s a liability,” he said. “Insurers need clarity on what they will be required to cover.”

A source familiar with the situation said the panel is expected to evaluate and vote on COVID vaccines for the fall and winter season at the upcoming meeting. The source also noted that the group has been leaning toward more limited recommendations.

{Matzav.com}

On Thursday, FDNY Fire Commissioner Robert S. Tucker led a high-level delegation of FDNY officials on a series of visits to key community organizations in Boro Park, aimed at strengthening cooperation and enhancing emergency response coordination. Commissioner Tucker was joined by Chief of EMS Michael Fields, Brooklyn Borough Commander Joseph Duggan, EMS Brooklyn South Commander Chief Kathleen Knuth, Assistant Deputy Commissioner Jim Harding, Lt. Jonathan Haber—Vice President of the FDNY Ner Tamid Society—and EMS Deputy Chief Yonatan Klein, President of the Ner Tamid Society. The day began with a visit to Boro Park Hatzolah headquarters, where FDNY leadership met with Hatzolah coordinators to reinforce ties and discuss enhanced collaboration at emergency scenes. They then continued to the Boro Park Shomrim headquarters, where coordinators from both Boro Park and Flatbush Shomrim participated in a meeting focused on interagency communication and safety initiatives. Commissioner Tucker and his team also visited the Boro Park Chaverim headquarters. There, they toured the organization’s equipment and met with coordinators from Boro Park and Flatbush to better understand their operational role in non-emergency assistance to the community. Later in the day, the FDNY delegation visited Misaskim headquarters, where they were briefed on the organization’s Yedid program and their critical response efforts following tragedies and crisis incidents within the community. In a separate engagement, Flatbush Hatzolah hosted FDNY EMS Brooklyn Borough Commander Joseph Duggan for a meeting to further strengthen the working relationship between EMS personnel and volunteer responders who often collaborate at emergency scenes.     (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Yisrael Beytenu Chairman MK Avigdor Lieberman alleged Thursday that Israel is arming criminal militias in the Gaza Strip to fight Hamas — and neither the Prime Minister’s Office nor the Shin Bet issued an outright denial. Speaking in an interview with KAN Reshet Bet, Lieberman accused the government of transferring weapons to “criminals and offenders who identify with ISIS,” claiming the move was ordered directly by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He further asserted that the operation may have bypassed cabinet approval and questioned how much senior defense officials, including the IDF Chief of Staff, knew about the alleged arms transfers. “This was done with the knowledge of the head of the Shin Bet,” Lieberman said. “But I don’t know to what extent the Chief of Staff was aware.” When asked for a response, the Prime Minister’s Office did not directly address the allegation. Instead, it issued a vague statement: “Israel is working to defeat Hamas through various means, as recommended by all heads of the security establishment.” The Shin Bet did not confirm or deny the existence of such a program but fiercely condemned Liberman’s remarks, calling them “a serious and dangerous leak.” “There appear to be no limits to the cynicism and populism for the sake of self-promotion and narrow political ambitions,” the agency said in a rare public rebuke. “These statements must be a glaring red line for anyone who cares about the security of the state. They harm, first and foremost, our soldiers and put our hostages at risk.” The agency added that Israel’s interest is to avoid endangering the lives of its soldiers, opting instead to “use other means whenever possible.” According to KAN’s reporting, weapons have indeed been transferred to rival factions inside Gaza that oppose Hamas rule. These groups reportedly received the arms to help them resist the terror group’s dominance. When pressed again by KAN for comment on the arms transfers, the Shin Bet declined to respond. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Elon Musk posed a provocative question to users on X, the platform he owns, suggesting the possibility of starting a fresh political movement as tensions with President Donald Trump grow and disagreements over the House GOP’s budget package continue to mount.

“Is it time to create a new political party in America that actually represents the 80% in the middle?” Musk posted, attaching a poll for users to weigh in. By 4:20 p.m. EDT on Thursday, more than 1.4 million people had voted, with 82.3% responding “yes” and only 17.7% choosing “no.” Musk currently has 220.3 million followers on the platform.

This message was shared not long after Trump voiced dissatisfaction with Musk due to his outspoken opposition to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act—a key piece of legislation the president is working to advance in Congress. Musk has argued the bill is excessive in scope and lacks meaningful fiscal restraint.

Musk’s critiques became more public and pointed toward the end of his time serving in a special government role overseeing the Department of Government Efficiency. That marked the beginning of a clear rift between him and Trump. Musk, who holds the title of world’s wealthiest individual, had previously been a major supporter of Trump, contributing large sums to the 2024 campaign, amplifying Trump’s platform on X, and even joining him on stage at political events nationwide.

{Matzav.com}

The IDF is preparing to issue more than 50,000 conscription notices to chareidim in the upcoming 2025–2026 draft cycle, set to begin on July 1. This move was outlined in a briefing following an oversight session chaired by Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara on Thursday.

The session was part of a continuing series of monthly meetings monitoring the state’s adherence to the High Court’s June 2024 decision, which eliminated the legal exemption previously granted to chareidi men from military service.

To date, the government has distributed draft notices to 24,000 out of the estimated 80,000 eligible chareidim. The remaining eligible individuals—referred to collectively as the “pool”—are expected to receive draft orders during the coming conscription cycle, according to the meeting summary.

In tandem with the ramp-up in draft orders, the IDF is crafting a new strategy aimed at bolstering enforcement mechanisms against those ignoring conscription. The plan includes steps to streamline the enforcement process, making it easier for the military to penalize those who fail to comply.

Baharav-Miara again emphasized that the state had not fully utilized all available legal means that do not require legislative approval to discipline those who defy draft orders.

That same day, former Chief Rabbi Rav Yitzchok Yosef made headlines at a Beit Shemesh event where he sharply criticized MK Yuli Edelstein, chairman of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee and a key figure behind the proposed conscription legislation. Rav Yosef reportedly said that Edelstein “should have remained” in the Soviet Union.

In a recording, Rav Yosef is heard saying, “His [Edelstein’s] soul is an abomination, he was a prisoner of Zion and came to the Land [of Israel], it is too bad he came, he should have remained there. He is causing trouble for yeshiva students… Edelstein and Netanyahu, all this [political] right-wing is a lie. Evil villains!”

Negotiations have been ongoing between Secretary Yossi Fuchs from the Prime Minister’s Office and representatives of Shas in an attempt to hammer out an agreement on the bill’s provisions and avert a potential coalition crisis sparked by threats from chareidi parties to bring down the government if the bill fails to progress.

Though Shas has adopted a publicly firm stance in demanding broad exemptions for chareidim, sources say party leaders have shown greater flexibility in private discussions. Netanyahu is focusing on sealing a deal with Shas, calculating that even if United Torah Judaism (UTJ)—with its seven MKs—leaves the coalition, he would still retain a slim 61–59 majority in the Knesset.

Shas’s Moetzet Chachmei Hatorah is scheduled to meet early next week to determine the party’s official direction. Agudas Yisrael, UTJ’s chassidishe branch, met earlier tonight, as Matzav.com reported, and voted to pull out of the government.

Meanwhile, Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch said on Wednesday that he was “close” to instructing the party’s lawmakers to exit the coalition and support legislation to dissolve the Knesset.

The Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee’s legal advisors are working on the language of a new draft bill, which is expected to be submitted for review in the coming weeks. However, the limited time remaining in the Knesset’s summer session, which ends in late July, may not be enough to pass the legislation into law. Should the session close without a new law, the existing ruling—which mandates that all eligible chareidim serve—will remain in effect at least through October. If the Knesset dissolves, the legislative process would be halted entirely.

Provisions likely to appear in the draft bill include annual increases in chareidi conscription quotas, eventually requiring that half of each eligible class enlist, along with penalties for those who fail to comply. Although legal exemptions officially ended in June 2024, the overwhelming majority of the 24,000 notices sent since then have been ignored. The IDF has already acknowledged it will fall short of its High Court-mandated goal of drafting 4,800 chareidim in the 2024–2025 year, which ends June 30.

Advocates of the bill claim it will significantly boost enlistment and bring thousands more chareidim into military service. Detractors argue that even with harsher enforcement, there is no assurance that conscription orders will be respected. They further contend that legally allowing 50% of chareidim to remain exempt is unjust when compared to secular and religious-Zionist youth who are not granted such leniencies.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Israel has reportedly assured the White House that it will refrain from striking Iran’s nuclear infrastructure unless President Trump determines that diplomatic efforts have definitively collapsed, according to two Israeli officials familiar with the matter who spoke to Axios.

Over the past few weeks, the Trump administration has grown increasingly wary that Israel might act unilaterally, even as diplomatic talks with Tehran continue. President Trump stated that he had personally warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against taking action prematurely while negotiations remain in progress.

However, Trump also acknowledged that his position isn’t fixed, noting, “could change with a phone call” if he concludes the negotiations with Iran are going nowhere.

Israeli officials relayed this assurance during a high-level visit to Washington last week that included Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, Mossad chief David Barnea, and National Security Adviser Tzahi Hanegbi.

One Israeli official indicated that their message was direct: Israel would not catch the Trump administration off guard with a sudden military operation targeting Iran.

“We calmed the Americans and told them there is no logic in launching an attack if a good diplomatic solution can be found. This is why we are going to give it a chance and wait with any military action until it is clear that negotiations were exhausted and [White House envoy] Steve Witkoff has given up,” a second Israeli official explained.

Another senior Israeli source clarified that although the IDF continues to maintain readiness for a potential operation against Iran, certain moves made in advance of airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen were mistakenly interpreted by other nations—including the U.S.—as steps toward an imminent attack on Iran.

Meanwhile, the White House is still awaiting Tehran’s official reply to a nuclear agreement proposal. Iranian sources have said that their response is currently being drafted.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Thursday responded sharply to comments made by Yisrael Beytenu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman, who disclosed that Israel had coordinated with local groups in Gaza that oppose Hamas. These remarks, Netanyahu asserted, were a blatant breach of security used for political purposes.

Netanyahu did not hold back in his criticism, accusing Lieberman of endangering national interests for personal gain. “It is very severe because what did Lieberman leak? That, per the recommendation of defense officials, we worked with tribes that oppose Hamas. What’s wrong with that? That’s good, it saves the lives of soldiers,” he declared.

He went on to argue that even though such alliances serve to protect Israeli troops and advance the mission against Hamas, publicly revealing them only serves the enemy. “This publication only helps Hamas, but Lieberman doesn’t care,” Netanyahu said, warning that this kind of disclosure undermines strategic efforts on the ground.

When asked whether the government would launch a probe into Lieberman’s remarks, Netanyahu expressed skepticism. “I don’t think so, unfortunately not. There is deep and severe selective enforcement,” he noted, implying that political motivations often dictate whether such incidents are investigated.

Netanyahu also contrasted this incident with an earlier case involving his own staff, who had passed on sensitive material to Germany’s Bild newspaper. He defended that situation by saying the content of that leak did not compromise national security. “It didn’t harm (security) at all. It only exposed Hamas’s goals and methods. But that will be investigated, and people were arrested, and so on – when it fits them. On the other hand, a leak from our subcommittee, I don’t think that will be investigated,” he said, underscoring what he sees as inconsistency in how these breaches are handled.

{Matzav.com Israel}

President Donald Trump issued a clear warning to Russia, making it known that harsh sanctions would be imposed if Moscow undermines ongoing peace negotiations. He also made it clear that Ukraine could face consequences as well, should he determine that Kyiv isn’t doing its part to support the talks.

President Trump met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the White House on Thursday. Ahead of the meeting, German media had indicated Merz hoped to persuade Trump to increase American backing for Ukraine. In response to a reporter’s question regarding possible new sanctions on Russia, Trump said he wouldn’t hesitate to penalize any nation obstructing diplomatic progress.

Trump emphasized that he would hold off on escalating pressure until he was convinced the discussions were either stalling or collapsing. “…when I see the moment when we’re not going to make a deal, when this thing won’t stop, at that moment… we’ll be very, very tough. And it could be on both countries, to be honest, you know? It takes two to tango. We’re going to be very tough whether it’s Russia or anybody else.”

Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump made it clear that the United States has significant leverage if things go off track. “if [a peace deal] doesn’t happen and if I see someone’s out of line, if Russia’s out of line, you’ll be amazed how tough [I will be]”. Though he left open the possibility of action against Ukraine, he stressed his general alignment with Kyiv: “I’m with Ukraine, we just signed a big deal on rare earth with Ukraine. I’m for stopping killing, really.”

Drawing an analogy between the war and physical altercations between rivals that sometimes need time to burn off tension before being broken up, Trump commented on the deeply personal nature of the conflict. “there’s a great hatred between those two men,” he said, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, it has faced a barrage of sanctions from Western nations. While the overall effect on Russia’s economy remains difficult to measure, the country has experienced a surge in wartime-driven economic activity.

This continued economic momentum is due in part to Russia’s ability to keep exporting oil and gas, even under heavy restrictions. As a potential next step, President Trump has suggested imposing secondary sanctions—not directly on Russia itself, but on nations that continue purchasing Russian energy. One of the most significant of these is China.

{Matzav.com}

The Israeli military launched airstrikes Thursday night against Hezbollah’s aerial division, targeting assets located in the Dahieh neighborhood, a stronghold of the group in southern Beirut.

Earlier in the evening, the IDF took the unusual step of publicly announcing its intention to strike what it described as underground sites used for manufacturing drones. These facilities, according to the IDF, were intentionally positioned in densely populated civilian areas of Dahieh.

“Despite the understandings between Israel and Lebanon, the IDF has identified that the Hezbollah aerial unit is operating to produce thousands of UAVs, with the direction and funding of Iranian terrorists,” the IDF stated.

The military further noted that Hezbollah has made drone warfare a key tactic in its recent confrontations with Israel, and is now taking steps to ramp up production in anticipation of future conflict.

“These activities constitute a blatant violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon. The Hezbollah terrorist organization creates challenges for the State of Lebanon and thus prevents the implementation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon,” the IDF added.

Concurrently, the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesperson issued a public alert directed at residents of Dahieh, particularly those in the Al-Hadath, Haret Hreik, and Burj Al-Barajneh areas. “You are located near facilities belonging to Hezbollah. For your safety and the safety of your families, you are required to evacuate these buildings immediately and move away from them at a distance of no less than 300 meters,” he stated.

Witnesses on the ground described scenes of chaos, with families rushing to escape and growing fears over the looming threat of airstrikes.

Lebanese media reported that the Lebanese Armed Forces entered some of the buildings the IDF had flagged for evacuation. Other reports indicated that Israel had already carried out preliminary warning strikes on certain sites.

{Matzav.com Israel}

A monumental milestone has been reached with the completion of the largest Aron Kodesh ever constructed, now standing in grandeur at the Yeshiva Ateret Shlomo campus in Rishon LetZion.

This extraordinary endeavor, fully crafted by hand, is being hailed as an unprecedented  feat.

The awe-inspiring Aron Kodesh, which took over three years to complete, spans 120 square meters, extending 20 meters in length and rising to a height of 6.5 meters. It is fashioned from more than two tons of pure silver, with sections adorned in magnificent 24-karat gold.

At its heart lies a precisely constructed inner chamber to house the Sifrei Torah, built by master artisans from Udaipur, India, whose expertise in fine craftsmanship brought this vision to life.

Gracing the inner aron kodesh is a regal paroches, woven from deep purple threads interlaced with strands of gold and encrusted with precious stones. This intricate masterpiece was painstakingly produced by premier textile artists in the region of Kashmir, completed over the span of several months.

One of the most remarkable details of the structure is the world’s smallest mezuzah, delicately measuring just 2.7 by 2.7 centimeters.

Encircling the entire Aron Kodesh is a majestic copper fence, weighing a full four tons. This was cast in a renowned foundry in Stuttgart, Germany.

The construction process brought together 350 artists and craftsmen from 12 countries across three continents. Components were shipped by sea and air in a complex logistical operation that overcame extraordinary challenges—including regional instability and threats posed by hostile forces—to arrive safely at the yeshiva.

This extraordinary endeavor was made possible through the generous support of an American baal tzedakah, a devoted chassid of Bobov who dedicated the project l’ilui nishmas Rav Shlomo Halberstam zt”l of Bobov.

Today, the yeshiva is hosting a majestic maamad, as the Aron Kodesh is formally inaugurated alongside a hachnasas Sefer Torah.

{Matzav.com Israel}