Feed aggregator

Conservative commentators lashed out at New Jersey Senator Cory Booker over a gesture he made at the end of a speech Saturday night, arguing it closely resembled a Nazi salute. Critics also drew parallels to a similar gesture by Elon Musk, which previously drew widespread condemnation from liberals.

Booker made the motion while speaking at a Democratic gathering in California. He first placed his hand over his heart, then extended his arm outward with an open palm raised above shoulder level, directed toward the audience.

Social media personalities were quick to highlight what they saw as a double standard, pointing out the lack of backlash Booker faced compared to the firestorm that followed Musk’s action earlier this year.

“If Elon Musk is a Nazi for doing this gesture.. Cory Booker is one too. Sorry, I don’t make the rules,” read one widely shared post online.

Another viral comment mocked the perceived hypocrisy: “Cory Booker did the thing. This is literally the Third Reich all over again. These are the darkest days ever. Democracy is doomed.”

Users on the X platform voiced frustration over what they called inconsistent reactions from media and political figures.

“Same gesture. Different political party. Funny how that works,” wrote Brandon Straka, who leads the Walk Away campaign.

“This better be a national story for the next week!,” another user remarked sarcastically.

Back in January, Elon Musk drew criticism after performing a nearly identical gesture during an event at the Capital One Arena celebrating an inauguration.

“Thank you for making it happen. Thank you, my heart goes out to you,” Musk said at the time, placing his hand on his chest before extending his arm toward attendees.

Although the one-armed gesture prompted accusations of Nazi symbolism, some Jewish organizations and leaders defended Musk, attributing it to poor judgment rather than malice.

“It seems that @elonmusk made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute, but again, we appreciate that people are on edge,” the Anti-Defamation League commented on X.

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu also came to Musk’s defense, stating on X, “@elonmusk is being falsely smeared. Elon is a great friend of Israel.”

{Matzav.com}

Thousands upon thousands of Belzer Chassidim celebrated the completion of two Sifrei Torah just before the start of Shavuos.

Many Shuls decorate their Batei Midrashim with flowers, trees, each according to their own Minhagim. But this is spectacular – watch as Mispalilim in the Breuer’s Shul (KAJ) located in Washington Heights, NY, decorate their Bais Medrash for Shavuos. The tedious job starts 48 hours before Yom Tov starts.

BREAKING: Ukraine launches the largest attack against the Russian Air Force of this war. Drones smuggled into Russia have struck Russia’s strategic bombers at airfields deep in Russia. Up to 40 planes destroyed, including several A-50 (AEW&C) & Tu-95 & Tu-22 long-range bombers.

YERUSHALYIM: The Jerusalem and Heritage Ministry is gearing up to host over 100,000 people at hospitality tents along the route to the Kosel for Shavuos. The preparations include vast supplies: 150,000 water bottles, 30,000 popsicles, 150,000 pastries, 400 kg of sugar and coffee, 7,000 liters of grape juice, and 20,000 copies of Megilas Rus.

ELIMINATED: The IDF and Shin Bet reported that Khalil Abed al-Nasser Mohammad Hatib, a senior Hamas commander was killed in a targeted drone strike over the weekend. Hatib led a Hamas cell responsible for a deadly RPG attack on January 22, 2024, which killed 21 Israeli soldiers, marking the highest single-day death toll for IDF forces in the Gaza war. Hatib’s cell ambushed IDF troops by firing rocket-propelled grenades at two fortified buildings causing catastrophic losses. The IDF’s 414th Combat Intelligence Collection Unit identified Hatib on Friday, leading to a drone strike that eliminated him.

A Secret Service whistleblower says Biden used to get lost in his own White House closet.

With Shavuos being celebrated under the shadow of war, Israel’s Chief Rabbis have issued a heartfelt call to the public: bring even the youngest children to shul to hear the reading of Aseres Hadibros on the Yom Tov of Matan Torah.

The Rishon Letzion and Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rav Dovid Yosef, wrote: “Lechu banim shimu li — Come, children, and listen to me. Gather in the batei knessios on the day of Shavuos, the day of the giving of the Torah, as one person with one heart — men, women, and children, even the very youngest.”

Rav Yosef referenced the well-known call of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, who emphasized the importance of coming to shul on Shavuos to hear Aseres Hadibros, especially for children. “Especially in times of such great tzaros for Klal Yisroel,” Rav Yosef wrote, “this areivus, this collective merit of the Bnei Yisroel, will surely bring us added zechuyos, and may we merit a great yeshuah.”

Ashkenazic Chief Rabbi Rav Kalman Ber echoed this message in a letter, encouraging families to bring their “young lambs” to shul to hear the kriah of Aseres Hadibros together with the tzibbur.

“This,” wrote Rav Ber, “is how we instill in them emunah and embed in their hearts the foundation of Jewish belief. The Aseres Hadibros encompass the essence of the Torah — between man and G-d, and between man and his fellow.”

He added that “in the merit of our emunah in Hashem and His Torah, we will see days of calm and security. We pray for the success of those on the battlefield, for the recovery of the wounded, and for the return of the captives.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett blasts all world media that reported a “huge lie” that Israeli tanks opened fire and killed Palestinians at an aid distribution site in Gaza.

HAMAS LIES EXPOSED: Hamas claimed on Sunday that Israeli forces killed at least 31 Palestinians and wounded 175 others near a U.S.-backed aid distribution site in Rafah, Gaza Strip, alleging the shootings occurred as civilians sought humanitarian aid. However, security footage released by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which operates the site, directly contradicts these claims, showing no gunfire or injuries at the time and location specified by Hamas.

The BBC has discontinued its relationship with Gaza-based freelancer Ahmed Alagha after mounting criticism over his deeply antisemitic and inflammatory social media activity, according to The Telegraph.

Alagha, a freelance contributor to BBC Arabic, came under fire for a string of online posts in which he vilified Jews and celebrated violence against Israelis. Among the most egregious, he wrote that “the Jews, they are the devils of the hypocrites” and praised the terrorist who murdered eight people near a Jerusalem synagogue, calling him a “martyr” who “stole my heart.”

Despite The Telegraph publishing revelations in April and again in May exposing Alagha’s extremist rhetoric, the BBC reportedly continued using him until recently. The posts cited in the reports date back to before the outbreak of the current war with Hamas, indicating a long-standing pattern of hateful commentary.

In response to the backlash, BBC management has now instructed its Arabic service to stop using Alagha in any capacity. The decision comes amid a broader inquiry into BBC Arabic’s coverage of the Israel-Hamas conflict, led by chairman Dr. Samir Shah. Shah announced in May that an independent figure would be appointed to assess the outlet’s editorial standards.

The Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting and Analysis (CAMERA), a media watchdog, has called on the BBC to conduct a thorough evaluation of its Arabic division’s contributor policies to ensure fair and unbiased reporting.

Alagha’s social media posts reveal a disturbing level of vitriol. In one since-deleted message on X, he declared: “The ‘Israelis’ are not human beings… perhaps they belong to a race for which no description can capture the extent of their lust and sadism.” He also referred to Israel as “the entity of filth” and a “swamp of wickedness.”

On October 7 — the day Hamas launched a surprise attack, murdering 1,200 people — Alagha published a post refusing to show sympathy for Israeli victims, writing: “Remove your emotions… no honorable blood is being shed for them… The truth is clear. The truth never dies. #AlAqsa_Flood.” In another post, he prayed for the downfall of Israel, saying: “O God, oppress the Israeli occupation and its supporters. O God, glorify Islam and Muslims.”

Even prior to that day, Alagha trafficked in classic antisemitic tropes. One post he amplified alleged Jews “break covenants,” “killed the prophets,” and “loved money more than God,” invoking centuries-old libels.

{Matzav.com}

In an interview with the Jewish Journal, Syria’s newly appointed president, Al-Julani, addressed the issue of Israel and spoke of a possible shift in regional dynamics.

“The era of endless tit-for-tat bombings must end. No nation prospers when its skies are filled with fear. The reality is, we have common enemies — and we can play a major role in regional security,” he stated, suggesting that continued hostilities serve no one and hinting at an interest in a more stable and cooperative future.

Al-Julani also voiced support for reviving the 1974 disengagement agreement between Syria and Israel, which followed the Yom Kippur War. He emphasized his commitment to the Druze population, saying, “Syria’s Druze are not pawns. They are citizens — deeply rooted, historically loyal, and deserving of every protection under the law. Their safety is non-negotiable.”

Turning to international relations, Al-Julani offered surprising praise for President Trump, stating, “I see him as a man of peace. We’ve both been shot at by the same enemy. Trump understands leverage, strength, and outcomes. Syria needs an honest broker who can reset the conversation. If there is a possibility of alignment that helps bring stability to the region — and security to the U.S. and its allies — I am ready to have that conversation. He is the only man capable of fixing this region, bringing us together, one brick at a time.”

When asked about Syria’s future, he acknowledged the profound challenges that lie ahead but maintained a cautiously optimistic tone. “We have inherited more than ruins,” he said. “We’ve inherited trauma, mistrust, and fatigue. But we have also inherited hope. Fragile, yes — but real.”

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s recent move to bar a high-ranking Arab diplomatic delegation from entering Ramallah drew harsh criticism from Jordan on Saturday, according to Arab News. The delegation had intended to meet with Palestinian Authority officials but was denied access by Israeli authorities.

The Jordanian Foreign Ministry issued a forceful rebuke, characterizing Israel’s decision as a “blatant violation” of its duties as an occupying force. The ministry further accused the Israeli leadership of acting with “arrogance” and of flouting international norms.

The delegation, created as part of a joint Arab-Islamic summit focused on the Gaza conflict, canceled its planned visit after the denial. It included foreign ministers from several key nations in the region: Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

“It reflects the extent of the Israeli government’s arrogance, its disregard for international law, and its continued illegitimate measures and policies that besiege the brotherly Palestinian people and their legitimate leadership, perpetuate the occupation, and undermine the chances of achieving a just and comprehensive peace,” Jordan’s foreign ministry declared in its statement.

The visit was meant to advance diplomatic discussions around Palestinian statehood. However, Israeli officials rejected the initiative outright, warning of dangerous consequences.

“Such a state would undoubtedly become a terrorist state in the heart of the land of Israel. Israel will not cooperate with such moves aimed at harming it and its security,” an Israeli official stated.

The group of diplomats was to be headed by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan.

Prior to the October 7, 2023 Hamas assault on Israel, Israel and Saudi Arabia were actively exploring steps toward normalizing relations. That process was suspended after the attack, halting U.S.-brokered talks between the two countries.

Saudi Arabia is now shifting its focus toward international diplomacy regarding the Palestinian issue. Alongside France, it is set to co-host a major conference next month at the United Nations in New York aimed at reviving the two-state solution.

French President Emmanuel Macron indicated in April that France could move to formally recognize a Palestinian state as early as June.

Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu strongly condemned the French proposal, telling Macron that “this would constitute a huge prize for terrorism.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Earlier today, Palestinian Arab reports claimed that an Israeli military operation in the Tel al-Sultan district of Rafah led to the deaths of over 30 individuals and caused many others to be wounded near a location designated for distributing humanitarian aid. These assertions were swiftly picked up by international news outlets and sparked a surge of condemnation toward Israel.

In response, the Israel Defense Forces issued a statement clarifying their position. “The IDF is currently unaware of injuries caused by IDF fire within the Humanitarian Aid distribution site. The matter is still under review.”

Later, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation released surveillance footage taken from cameras at the aid center at the time the attack was said to have happened. The footage clearly showed that no strike occurred in that area, directly refuting the initial claims made by Palestinian Arab sources.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Today, Erev Yom Tov, the Houthi terrorist group in Yemen fired a missile toward central Israel, interrupting Shavuos preparations for countless Israeli families. The projectile was successfully intercepted before causing harm.

Warning sirens were activated across multiple regions, including Yerushalayim , Tel Aviv, Gush Etzion, and the Chevron area, following the launch. Magen David Adom confirmed that there were no injuries or reports of shrapnel landing as a result of the incident.

Flights en route to Ben-Gurion Airport experienced delays, including EL AL aircraft arriving from London and Boston, due to the heightened security situation.

This attack marks the 43rd ballistic missile fired at Israel by the Houthis since the resumption of hostilities in Gaza.

{Matzav.com Israel}