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The worldwide Jewish population grew by 870,000 in the decade from 2010 to 2020, according to the Pew Research Center’s global religion survey released this week.

The analysis of worldwide religious trends looked at self-reported religious belief, except in Israel, where the surveyors used the government’s population register.

“The number of Jews around the world grew by 6%, from an estimated 14 million in 2010 to nearly 15 million in 2020,” the researchers wrote. “That’s fewer than the estimated 16.6 million Jews who were alive in 1939 prior to the Holocaust.”

Those numbers notably exclude those who might identify ethnically as Jewish but who report being religiously unaffiliated, agnostic or atheist.

A Pew survey that used a broader definition of Jewish identity, which included both religion and ethnicity, found about 1.8 million more Jews in the United States than Monday’s report did.

Much of the increase in the Jewish population from 2010 to 2020 came in Israel, where the number of Jews grew from 5.76 million to 6.78 million. The number of Jews in Europe, sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean declined during that decade by about 200,000.

The Jewish populations of North America and Asia grew by a small number.

The Pew researchers combined data from more than 2,700 censuses, surveys and population registers, covering about 99.98% of the world’s population in 201 countries and territories.

Globally, they found that Islam was the fastest-growing religion from 2010 to 2020, gaining more than 300 million adherents to reach a global population of more than 2 billion.

Christianity remains the largest worldwide religion for now, with just under 2.3 billion believers, but Pew found 40 countries where the Christian population declined by more than 5% and only one, Mozambique, where it increased by that much.

“Countries where the share of Christians fell are scattered throughout every region of the world, but many are in Europe and other Western or English-speaking places where Christian majorities have been shrinking for decades,” the researchers wrote.

“This change is largely driven by high rates of Christian disaffiliation,” they said, including “by people becoming religiously unaffiliated as adults after having been raised as Christians in childhood.”

As a result, religious Christians are no longer a majority in the United Kingdom, Australia and France, with religiously unaffiliated people accounting for more than 40% of the population in each of the three. The religiously unaffiliated are now a majority of the population in the Netherlands and New Zealand.

‘Change not evenly distributed’

Despite concerns from some right-wing parties in Europe about mass migration from Muslim countries, the Pew researchers found modest growth of Islam on the continent over the past decade, though it was concentrated in some countries more than others.

“Overall, the share of Europe’s population that is Muslim grew by less than 1 percentage point, to 6% in 2020,” they wrote, “but the change was not evenly distributed.”

“In Sweden, where government policies toward Syrian refugees were generous, Muslims grew to make up 8% of the country’s inhabitants,” they wrote, which was “up 4 percentage points, or roughly double the share of Sweden’s population that Muslims had been in 2010.”

“The Muslim share was more stable in other European countries,” they wrote. “For example, in Germany, where then-Chancellor Angela Merkel’s welcoming stance toward Muslim refugees in 2015 was highly controversial, Muslims grew by about 1 percentage point as a share of the country’s population, making up 7% of the country’s residents in 2020.”

Islam is growing faster in North America than any other part of the world, according to Pew, with a 52.3% population increase from 2010 to 2020, though the total population numbers remain small.

Some 4.05 million Muslims lived in the United States in 2020, up from 2.77 million in 2010, fewer than the number of Buddhists and Jews. JNS

{Matzav.com}

In the heart of Spain’s capital, Sobrino de Botín holds a coveted Guinness World Record as the world’s oldest restaurant. Exactly three hundred years after it opened its doors, Botín welcomes droves of daily visitors hungry for Castilian fare with a side of history. But on the outskirts of Madrid, far from the souvenir shops and tourist sites, a rustic tavern named Casa Pedro makes a bold claim. Its owners assert the establishment endured not just the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s and the Napoleonic invasion in the early 1800s, but even the War of Spanish Succession at the start of the 18th century — a lineage that would make Casa Pedro older than Botín and a strong contender for the title. “It’s really frustrating when you say, ‘Yes, we’ve been around since 1702,’ but … you can’t prove it,” said manager and eighth-generation proprietor Irene Guiñales. “If you look at the restaurant’s logo, it says ‘Casa Pedro, since 1702,’ so we said, ‘Damn it, let’s try to prove it.’” Guiñales, 51, remembers her grandfather swearing by Casa Pedro’s age, but she was aware that decades-old hearsay from a proud old-timer wouldn’t be enough to prove it. Her family hired a historian and has so far turned up documents dating the restaurant’s operations to at least 1750. That puts them within striking distance of Botín’s record. Clients and rivals Both taverns are family-owned. Both offer Castilian classics like stewed tripe and roast suckling pig. They are decorated with charming Spanish tiles, feature ceilings with exposed wooden beams and underground wine cellars. And both enjoy a rich, star-studded history. Botín’s celebrated past includes a roster of literary patrons like Truman Capote, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Graham Greene. In his book “The Sun Also Rises,” Ernest Hemingway described it as “one of the best restaurants in the world.” While Casa Pedro may not have boasted the same artistic pedigree, it boasts its own VIPs. Its walls are adorned with decades-old photographs of former Spanish King Juan Carlos I dining in one of its many rooms. The current Spanish monarch, King Felipe VI dines there, too, albeit more inconspicuously than his father. But the similarities between the two hotspots end there. Casa Pedro was once a stop on the only road heading north from the Spanish capital toward France. Its clientele is largely local regulars, like David González and Mayte Villena, who for years have spent every Friday lunching at the tavern. “It wouldn’t change a thing for us,” Villena said about the restaurant someday securing the Guinness title. Botín, on the other hand, is a stone’s throw from Madrid’s famed Plaza Mayor, where any day of the week tour guides are herding groups around town — and often straight through the restaurant’s front door. Antonio González, a third-generation proprietor of Botín, concedes that the Guinness accolade awarded in 1987 has helped business, but said the restaurant had enough history to draw visitors even before. “It has a certain magic,” he said. Pretenders to the crown The question then becomes: How can either restaurant definitively claim the title? Guinness provides its specific guidelines for the superlative only to applicants, according to spokesperson Kylie Galloway, noting that it entails “substantial evidence and documentation of the restaurant’s operation over the years.” González said that Guinness required Botín show that it […]

President Trump announced early Wednesday that the United States had finalized a trade arrangement with China following a stretch of intense negotiations held in London.

“Our deal with China is done, subject to final approval with President Xi and me,” Trump declared on Truth Social, using all capital letters. “Full magnets, and any necessary rare earths, will be supplied, up front, by China.”

“Likewise, we will provide to China what was agreed to, including Chinese students using our colleges and universities (which has always been good with me!). We are getting a total of 55% tariffs, China is getting 10%. The relationship is excellent! Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

“President XI and I are going to work closely together to open up China to American Trade. This would be a great WIN for both countries!!”

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick made a statement Tuesday night revealing that Washington and Beijing had established a new framework to advance the Geneva consensus, an earlier agreement from May that significantly lowered US tariffs on imports from China—from 145% down to 30%.

On China’s side, officials agreed to reduce tariffs on American goods from 125% to 10% as part of that same May understanding.

That initial agreement was intended to provide both governments until August 10 to hammer out a broader and more detailed trade pact.

According to a White House official, the 55% tariff figure referenced by Trump on Wednesday includes multiple components: a 10% universal tariff, an added 20% specifically aimed at China over the fentanyl issue, and another 25% from earlier duties such as those under Section 301 and most-favored-nation rules.

Essentially, the 55% total isn’t a sharp shift from what had already been established under the Geneva consensus—it’s more of a comprehensive tally of the multiple tariff measures in place.

However, the implementation of that May truce was put on hold temporarily as both parties accused the other of backtracking on commitments.

American officials were frustrated with China’s delayed action on allowing exports of rare earth elements, which led the Trump administration to impose stricter measures on chemical imports, clamp down on the export of advanced chip design software, and revoke student visas for Chinese nationals.

Lutnick said the latest framework crafted in London added clarity and enforceability to the Geneva understanding, which had originally aimed to ease the heavy tariffs both nations had set during the height of trade tensions.

He noted that the new terms would require China to reduce restrictions on rare earth exports “in a balanced way,” though he didn’t disclose precise details.

Li Chenggang, China’s Vice Commerce Minister, also acknowledged that an agreement had been reached in London, pending final sign-off from Trump and Xi.

The two delegations spent roughly 48 hours in London working through points of contention tied to the stalled Geneva framework, finally closing the talks late Tuesday evening.

Trump shared that he’d had a “very good” phone call with Xi the previous week, even after expressing frustration by saying that Xi is “very tough, and extremely hard to make a deal with.”

Though the agreement reached in London signals progress and a potential return to stability in trade relations, it doesn’t resolve the core policy disagreements that remain between the US and China.

{Matzav.com}

SOUTH BLOOMING GROVE NEAR KJ: A three-car crash on Route 208 during Wednesday morning rush hour brought traffic to a standstill, effectively cutting off the Village of South Blooming Grove for nearly an hour. The accident, which occurred as children headed to school and commuters hit the road, created gridlock with no viable detours, delaying buses and stranding residents. Locals once again called on officials for urgent infrastructure improvements, warning that the village remains dangerously vulnerable whenever Route 208 is blocked.

Harav Yitzchak Yosef shlit”a, the nasi of the Moetzes Chachmei Hatorah, seen visiting the Ohr Chaim kehilla in Montreal, Canada.

WATCH: A building that was previously targeted in an IDF air strike in Burj Al-Barajan, Beirut, has been fully demolished.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir met with troops in the Gaza Strip earlier today, telling them of plans he recently approved to expand several units and change the military’s structure.

President Trump on California governor Gavin Newsom: “All I want him to do is do a good job. I’d rather have him do a good job than a bad job…It is the one of the worst-run places. We have a lot of them — and in almost all cases, run by Democrats.”

Speaker Mike Johnson will address a special session of the Israeli Knesset on June 22 at the invitation of Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana.

Antisemite Greta Thunberg returns to Sweden, celebrated by other pro-terrorist supporters as a hero after what they claim is her “victory” over Israel.

El Al is facing a bombshell class action lawsuit accusing the national carrier of exploiting a time of national tragedy for massive financial gain. Filed Wednesday in the Central District Court in Lod, the lawsuit alleges that El Al engaged in widespread price gouging in the immediate aftermath of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks, when most foreign airlines suspended operations and El Al became the dominant — and often only — option for air travel in and out of Israel. The suit, led by attorney Ilan Verednikov and backed by legal heavyweights Dr. Tal Rotman and Adi Zitron of the Perl Cohen law firm, accuses El Al of leveraging its monopoly status to hike ticket prices well beyond what was justified by operational costs. The legal filing describes El Al’s conduct as “immoral, illegal, and deeply cynical,” taking advantage of a national emergency to line its own pockets. According to the lawsuit, by the end of Q1 2024, El Al’s pricing practices had caused an estimated 600 million shekels in damages to Israeli consumers — a figure that continued to grow as the war progressed. The lawsuit is bolstered by expert economic analysis from Professor David Gilo, a former Commissioner for Competition, who examined 24 key flight routes and found El Al held a dominant share in 20 of them. Gilo’s report asserts that the airline’s price increases were not due to rising costs — which actually declined during the period — but were purely profit-driven. In a wartime economy where thousands of Israelis were desperate to travel or reunite with loved ones, ticket prices on major routes surged by over 14%, the suit claims. El Al, in turn, posted record-breaking financials: a staggering $554 million in net profit in 2024, compared to $113 million the previous year. While Israeli families bore the financial burden, El Al’s top brass thrived. CEO Dina Ben Tal Ganancia received a 10.2% salary increase, and other executives also saw substantial raises. Employees were awarded a historic $103 million in bonuses, all while consumers paid inflated fares. Verednikov argues the airline’s actions not only inflicted financial harm, but also dealt a serious blow to the social fabric of the nation. “At a time when solidarity was most needed, El Al chose profit over people,” he stated. “We’re asking the court to ensure that no company is allowed to exploit a national emergency for personal gain — and that those who were harmed are compensated.” The lawsuit has ignited widespread public anger and drawn the attention of both the Competition Authority and the Consumer Protection and Fair Trade Authority, which have launched investigations into the airline’s practices. However, these agencies are limited in their ability to secure compensation — which is why, Verednikov says, court intervention is crucial. If successful, the case could see hundreds of millions of shekels in excess wartime profits returned to Israeli consumers. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Elon Musk issued a public apology on social media for comments he made last week targeting President Donald Trump, admitting that some of his remarks were overly severe.

“I regret some of my posts about President Donald Trump last week. They went too far,” Musk shared in a post on X.

Tensions between Musk and Trump ignited when Musk blasted the president’s budget plan and expressed concerns over how it might harm the electric car sector. Musk even resurfaced older statements made by Trump about the national debt and followed them up with mocking commentary.

The situation escalated quickly, turning into a personal clash. Trump fired back by suggesting Musk had not shown gratitude for government subsidies that benefitted his electric vehicle ventures. Musk, in turn, brought up Trump’s ties to the Jeffrey Epstein controversy.

Musk later deleted several of his posts, including the one referencing the Epstein matter. Still, Trump didn’t hold back, continuing to slam Musk and declaring that he had “lost his mind.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump is looking to cancel $9.4 billion in spending already approved by Congress. That’s just a sliver of the $1.7 trillion that lawmakers OK’d for the budget year ending Sept. 30. The package of 21 budget rescissions will have to be approved by both chambers of Congress for the cuts to take place, beginning with a House vote expected Thursday. Otherwise, the spending remains in place. The White House is betting that cutting federal investments in public media and some foreign aid programs will prove politically popular. Republicans say if this first effort is successful, they hope more rescission packages will follow as they look to continue work by the so-called Department of Government Efficiency once run by billionaire Elon Musk. Democrats describe the cuts as inhumane and say they would rip life-saving support from hungry and sick people across the globe. Republicans are describing the cuts as “modest” and say the U.S. will continue to play a critical role in helping the world’s most vulnerable people. Here’s a look at some of the spending the White House is trying to claw back: Public media on the chopping block The Republican president has asked lawmakers to rescind nearly $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which represents the full amount it’s slated to receive during the next two budget years. Congress has traditionally provided public media with advanced funds to reduce political pressures. The corporation distributes the money mostly to public television and radio stations around the country, with some assigned to National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting System to support national programming. The White House says the public media system is politically biased and an unnecessary expense. Much of the conservatives’ ire is focused on NPR and PBS. “We believe that you all can hate us on your own dime,” said Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, during a hearing in March. But about two-thirds of the money goes to more than 1,500 locally owned public radio and television stations. Nearly half of those stations serve rural areas of the country. “They want to punish the national guys, that’s fine,” said Rep. Mark Amodei, a Republican who said he was undecided going into this week’s vote. “But I’m trying to get a handle on what it means for my stations in Nevada, because the ability to fundraise at the national level ain’t the same as the ability to fundraise in Reno.” The association representing local public television stations warns that many of them would be forced to close if the GOP bill passes. Those stations provide emergency alerts, free educational programming and high school sports coverage and highlight hometown heroes. Meanwhile, local radio stations say their share of the allocation provides funding for 386 stations employing nearly 10,000 people. Dozens of stations rely on the public grants for more than half of their budget. Many others for nearly half. Some Republicans say they worry about what the cuts would mean for local public stations but tough decisions are necessary. Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-S.D., said South Dakota Public Broadcasting does a “really good job of covering the state Legislature” and other public affairs. “So these rescissions are not going to be comfortable for South Dakota to deal with,” Johnson said. “That being said, we’re $37 trillion in debt.” Funding to combat diseases Trump’s administration […]

Israel Chief Rabbis Recognizing  R’Duvi Honig;

L-R Chief Rabbis of Israel — Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef (Sephardic) Duvi Honig Founder /Ceo Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce and Rabbi Kalman Ber (Ashkenazi)

Krakow, Poland — More than 200 rabbis and community leaders from around the world gathered this week in Krakow to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Merkaz Rabbanai Europa (Rabbinical Center of Europe). The event marked a significant milestone in the organization’s efforts to support Jewish life and religious leadership across the continent.

In a powerful show of international support, both Chief Rabbis of Israel — Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef (Sephardic) and Rabbi Kalman Ber (Ashkenazi) — traveled from Jerusalem to participate in the commemoration and honor Duvi Honig, a leading advocate for Jewish communities worldwide and Founder of the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce.

 L-R Chief Rabbis of Israel — Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef (Sephardic) Duvi Honig Founder /Ceo Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce and Rabbi Kalman Ber (Ashkenazi) Rabbi Menachem Margolin Chairman Rabbinical Center of Europe

A Global Gathering at the Heart of Jewish History

The anniversary was hosted in Krakow, a city with deep historical significance as a center of Jewish life in pre-war Europe. The conference drew rabbinical leaders and dignitaries from Europe, Israel, and North America, reflecting the unity and resilience of the Jewish people.

Duvi Honig was recognized for his international work promoting religious liberty, community resilience, and economic opportunity. 

Rabbi Kalman Ber, Chief Rabbi of Israel, said during the award presentation: 

Watch: Chief Rabbi of Israel R Kalman Ber

Under his leadership, the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce has built partnerships between government, business, and faith groups to support vulnerable communities and fight discrimination. “Rabbi Honig has used every resource at his disposal to support others. His work spans continents — protecting rights, creating opportunity, and strengthening our collective future.” His contributions have included supporting Jewish communities affected by war in Ukraine, defending religious practices threatened by European legislation, and securing bipartisan support in the United States for protections against antisemitism while simultaneously stimulating economic support and growth throughout the Jewish communities in Europe, Israel and across the globe.

A Voice for Religious Freedom and Civic Partnership

In his remarks, Rabbi Menachem Margolin, Chairman of Merkaz Rabbanai Europa, described Honig as “a bridge-builder between faith and society.”

“The work of the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce demonstrates that economic power and spiritual values can go hand in hand. Through public policy engagement and advocacy, the Chamber has given voice to Jewish communities in the halls of power.”

 

Highlighting the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce’s efforts has helped empower the European Jewish community in ways that others haven’t succeeded.

Accepting the award, Rabbi Duvi Honig expressed gratitude and issued a message of unity:

“Truly humbled and grateful to receive this recognition from Merkaz Rabbanai Europa, particularly under the leadership of both Chief Rabbis of Israel. This is more than a personal honor — it is a symbol of unity and shared responsibility between the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce and Merkaz Rabbanai Europa for the wellbeing of Klal Yisrael.”

 “I accept this not as a reward for past accomplishments, but as a charge for continued service. With Hashems help, we will stand united to protect religious freedoms — including the sacred tradition of Bris Milah — and ensure that Jewish communities across the globe are empowered, defended, and inspired by the values of our Torah.”

 “Now more than ever, we must work together — across borders, across faiths — to ensure that religious communities are safe, empowered, and heard.”

Celebrating 80 Years of Auschwitz-Birkenau Liberation 

With Israel’s Chief Rabbis  

Concluding the mission as the highlight of the event was a memorial visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau, where the Chief Rabbis of Israel marked 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. Hundreds of Rabbonim walked the former concentration camp’s tracks to honor the six million victims and issue a call to action against the rise of antisemitism and religious intolerance in Europe and around the Globe.

 

As part of the memorial ceremony,

Duvi Honig was honored, lighting the memorial flame alongside the Chief Rabbis of Israel, standing together on behalf of Jewry around the globe with a unified message: Never Again. He was honored with the lighting of a candle at Auschwitz in memory of those killed in the Holocaust.

As the grandchild of Holocaust survivors who were imprisoned in Auschwitz, the moment held deep personal significance. Honig described the experience as “an indescribable honor and responsibility,” paying tribute to his grandparents’ legacy and the enduring strength of the Jewish people. “The most powerful response to pain is to rebuild life,” said Israel’s Chief Rabbis in a joint message. “Jewish continuity is our answer.”

 

A profound wave of emotion enveloped all present, Duvi Recounts the immense honor of being the Guest of Honor for the Rabbinical Center of Europe coincided with the 80th year of Auschwitz’s liberation candle lighting Ceremony together with Israel’s esteemed Chief Rabbis, Rabbi Kalman Bar and Rabbi Yitzchok Yosef. 

As hundreds of rabbonim made their way to the tracks where countless Jews began their final journey, a powerful silence descended upon all. This solemn journey was momentarily brightened when the tour guide, received a call upon entering Buchenwald, announced the birth of his new Jewish grandchild—a mark of victory over the Natzis and an unexpected spark of life amid remembrances of tragedy.

Immediately after the victorious news 200 Rabbonim began to sing “Ani Mamin,” a song of unwavering belief and defiant hope. The melody rose into the air, weaving a tapestry of prayer and remembrance that transcended time. In that moment, the tracks became more than a symbol of loss—they stood as a testament to the enduring spirit of victory and life to the Jewish people.

 

Watch: 200 Rabbonim break out singing “Ani Mamin

 

 

About the Rabbinical Center of Europe

Merkaz Rabbanai Europa (Rabbinical Center of Europe) is the leading umbrella organization for over 800 rabbis across the continent. It supports religious leaders, promotes religious rights, and advocates for stronger partnerships between European governments and faith communities.

About the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce

The Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce is an international nonprofit organization that connects faith-based communities with economic and policy opportunities. Its work spans education, advocacy, and global partnership development to support the protection and advancement of minority communities worldwide.

Media Contact:

Email: info@ojchamber.com

Website: www.ojchamber.com

Three kedoshei elyon had one common concept when it came to learning Torah – they were the Ohr Hachaim Hakadosh (Rabbi Chaim ibn Attar 1696-1743) when he came to Eretz Yisroel; the Ramchal (Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto 1707-1746) when he lived in Padua, Italy;  and Hagaon, Harav Chaim Volozhiner, (1749-1821) the famous talmid of the Gaon of Vilna. They each had a yeshiva with ‘around-the-clock’ Torah learning, 24-hours a day, so that there would be no minute when the sound of Torah learning would not be heard in this world. The 24-hour period would be divided into shifts, and as one ended the next would begin. Torah-24 A “Torah-24” Center has been opened in Yerushalayim and the Nasi is Maran Sar Hatorah, Harav Chaim Kanievsky, zt”l. Under ONE ROOF, from 6:00 am – 6:00 am, 10 kollelim fill successive learning shifts. Each kollel focuses on a specific area of in-depth Torah study. The “Torah-24” Kollelim include: Boker (Gemora), Yerushalmi, Bavli, Zeraim-Taharot, Dalet Chelkei Shulchan Aruch, Erev (Gemora), Chatzos- Zohar/Kabbolah, Erev Shabbos (Chumash / Medrash b’iyun).  Already there are 52 avreichim metzuyonim, and a large number of candidates are vying for the remaining slots in the kollelim. All the avreichim are required to take rigorous monthly tests. Endorsements & Letters Endorsements include Maranan Hagaonim shlit”a: Harav Gershon Edelstein, Harav Berel Povarsky, Harav Shimon Badani, Harav Dovid Cohen, Harav Boruch Mordechai Ezrachi, Harav Chaim Feinstein, Harav Shimon Galai, Harav Shraga Shteinman. Letters of support-encouragement have been received from Maranan Hagaonim, shlit”a: Hamekubal Harav David Bazri, Hamashpia Hagadol Reb Elimelech Biderman, Hamekubal Harav Yaakov Meir Schechter, Harav Moishe Sternbuch, Harav Yitzchak Tuvia Weiss. For more “Torah-24” information click on: www.torah-24.com or call 718-766-5022

At a solemn gathering held Tuesday evening at the Capitol, members of Congress from both sides of the aisle came together to honor the memory of Sarah Milgrim, 26, and Yaron Lischinsky, 30, two young staff members of the Israeli Embassy who were killed in a terror attack in Washington, DC, last month.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) addressed the assembled crowd with a stark warning: “It’s a dangerous time to be a Jewish American.”

Drawing a connection between recent acts of violence, Johnson pointed out that the attacker in DC, as well as the perpetrator of last week’s assault during a hostage solidarity event in Boulder, Colorado, both screamed “Free Palestine” while carrying out their crimes. “‘Free Palestine’ is the chant of a violent movement that has found common cause with Hamas,” he said.

He continued by condemning the ideology behind the attacks. “It’s a movement that has lost hold of the difference between right and wrong, between good and evil, between light and darkness … They proclaim that violence is righteous, that rape is justice and that murder is liberation. They have created a culture of lies that puts a bounty on the heads of peace-loving Jewish Americans.”

Johnson characterized the killings as “targeted antisemitic terrorism.”

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) also took the podium, stating, “Antisemitism has been metastasizing like a malignant tumor, and we must all work together to eradicate this cancer.”

Jeffries emphasized that the violence which took the lives of Lischinsky and Milgrim was part of a broader trend. He said they were “victims of the same deadly antisemitism that fueled the attacks in Boulder, the attack at Gov. Josh Shapiro’s home in Pennsylvania, at synagogues, yeshivas, businesses and communities all across America.”

Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter delivered a powerful message as well, declaring, “The intifada has been globalized, and like Orwell’s 1984, ‘free Palestine’ means ‘death, death Israel.’ Today we are challenged to act, to honor the fallen, not just with words, but with a renewed commitment to fighting the scourge of hate, fighting the demonization and delegitimization of the State of Israel.”

Leiter concluded by reflecting on the profound connection the two embassy staffers symbolized: Milgrim and Lischinsky, he said, “represented the unbreakable bond between our two great nations.”

{Matzav.com}

In a dramatic and unprecedented decision, the committee overseeing the United Kingdom’s World Zionist Congress elections has disqualified the Eretz HaKodesh chareidi party from participating in the current vote.

The ruling, handed down by the Area Election Committee (AEC) on Monday night, came in response to false accusations that the chareidi party encouraged its supporters to violate election regulations by registering others on their behalf.

The decision bars EHK from competing in the race to select British delegates for the 39th World Zionist Congress.

This marks the first time the party has entered the UK election.

At the center of the controversy is an EHK flyer promoting a north London event that offered help with online registration for the Zionist Congress vote. The flyer included the line: “Husbands can register wives & any children 18+. Please bring their ID.” This message appeared to contradict established rules requiring each voter to individually register and endorse the Jerusalem Program.

Several complaints were submitted to the AEC after the flyer circulated. Eretz HaKodesh later explained that the message had been released in haste before Shabbos, resulting in poor wording, but that obviously no one condoned registering for others.

Despite the clarification, the AEC launched an investigation led by barrister Tim Kendal. Over the course of two days, the inquiry substantiated two of five allegations against EHK. One upheld claim involved an individual who registered and voted for his wife and daughter. The second confirmed that the party had distributed material encouraging others to do the same.

Those in the know have stated the obvious: that this is simply an attempt by the Reform and Conservatives to tamp down on the chareidi party, as Eretz HaKodesh has continued to gain steam, especially after its strong showing in the US elections for the WZO.

An example is this quote: “There wasn’t any chance of it going another way,” said Damon Lenszner, deputy co-chair of the AEC and a member of the Herut UK slate. He added, “According to WZO rules and the election committee’s guidelines, we were left with no choice. They were trying to get people registered without them doing it personally.”

Lenszner said further investigation is underway into suspected broader misuse of proxy voting. “The election committee is also digging into data that suggests an ongoing problem with proxy votes,” he said. “It’s a separate matter, but it’s pretty widespread.”

In a statement to supporters, Eretz HaKodesh vigorously rejected the accusations and expressed confidence the ruling would be overturned. “To the friends and supporters of Eretz HaKodesh, As everyone has seen, the Eretz HaKodesh slate has achieved historic success here in England, with the support of thousands from the Chareidi communities in London, Manchester, and Gateshead. The representatives of the Reform movement and their friends, could not tolerate our success and leveled false accusations and ridiculous claims of forgery and election fraud against us. As we all know, these are childish and baseless lies—slanders that have no foundation, serving only as a pathetic and hypothetical attempt to stop Eretz HaKodesh which represents so many thousands of Jews across all the Diaspora. Following these claims, members of the Federation (who represent the factions that fear Eretz HaKodesh) voted to disqualify the list. We have no doubt that the central election committee will overturn the decision and restore Eretz HaKodesh to the forefront as a prominent and strong representative of the values of Torah and tradition according to our mesorah.”

Should the party appeal, the matter would first go to the Central Election Committee in Yerushalayim. If necessary, it could go to the Zionist Supreme Court, which is already grappling with numerous appeals from other countries.

Lenszner admitted the rarity of such a move: “There is no known precedent for a slate being thrown out of a UK WZO election. If they contest the decision, it will drag on and on,” he said.

Though Britain holds just 19 of the 525 seats in the Zionist Congress, the event plays a significant role in the global Jewish landscape, distributing roughly £750 million annually through its influence over agencies such as the Jewish Agency and Jewish National Fund.

{Matzav.com}

U.S. inflation picked up a bit last month as food costs rose, though overall inflation remained mostly tame. Consumer prices increased 2.4% in May compared with a year ago, according to a Labor Department report released Wednesday. That is up from a 2.3% yearly increase in April. Excluding the volatile food and energy categories, core prices rose 2.8% for the third straight month. Economists pay close attention to core prices because they generally provide a better sense of where inflation is headed. The figures suggest inflation remains stubbornly above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target, which makes it less likely that the central bank will cut its key short-term interest rate. President Donald Trump has repeatedly urged the central bank to reduce borrowing costs. There were scattered signs that Trump’s tariffs may have contributed to some price increases, but the cost of some imported goods, such as clothing, fell in May from the previous month and many services, such as airline fares and hotel rooms, also dropped in price. On a monthly basis, overall prices ticked up just 0.1% from April to May, down from 0.2% previous month. Core prices also dropped to 0.1% from 0.2%. Grocery prices rose 0.3% from April to May, and are up 2.2% in the past year. Fruits and vegetables, breakfast cereals, and frozen foods all rose in price. Egg costs fell 2.7%, their second straight drop though they are still more than 40% more expensive than a year ago. Last week, the Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, which compiles the inflation data, said it is reducing the amount of data it collects for each inflation report. Economists have expressed concern about the cutback, and while it isn’t clear how sharp the reduction is, most analysts say it is likely to have a minor impact. Still, any reduction in data collection could make the figures more volatile. Inflation has cooled in the past year and, excluding the impact of tariffs, economists say it would be on track to return to the Fed’s target, which would allow the central bank to cut its key interest rates. Yet core prices have been more stubborn and were stuck between 3.2% and 3.4% for nearly a year until February, when they started to decline. They have now been at 2.8% for three straight months. Nearly all economists expect Trump’s duties will make many things more expensive in the second half of this year, including cars and groceries, though by how much is still uncertain. Trump said Wednesday the U.S. will place 55% tariffs on all imports from China, up from the previous level of 30%. He has also imposed a 10% baseline tariff on imported goods from every other country, and 50% import taxes on steel and aluminum. Given the potential for higher prices in the coming months, Fed Chair Jerome Powell and other Fed officials have made clear they will keep their key rate unchanged until they have a better sense of how tariffs will affect the economy. (AP)

With tensions mounting and the fate of the Knesset hanging in the balance, the Knesset is set to convene today to vote on a bill that could dissolve the government amid a protracted impasse over the controversial military draft law for yeshiva students.

Weeks of stalled negotiations between Likud and the chareidi parties over a new draft bill have brought the coalition to the brink. In a notable shift from past approaches—when legal clearance was sought after a political deal was reached—officials are now attempting to begin with a version that can withstand scrutiny from the High Court of Justice and only afterward present it to the chareidi factions.

Despite the rising pressure, coalition insiders insist the move to bring a dissolution bill to the floor does not necessarily signal an irreversible march toward new elections. Rather, they view it as a strategic maneuver, a way to signal to the chareidi parties, who are deeply concerned about a lame-duck government unable to advance the draft law, that time is running out. Shas and United Torah Judaism have indicated that discussions are ongoing and that no final decisions have been made.

As a possible alternative, Likud is exploring a short-term legislative fix: instead of a full overhaul, the party has floated the idea of passing the draft law as a temporary measure, valid for a year or two. The Knesset’s legal adviser has expressed a willingness to review this option, but no formal language has yet been drafted.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has been working to contain the fallout. In meetings with coalition leaders, particularly from the chareidi parties, he emphasized the stakes involved. “We are at a historic crossroads with extraordinary challenges. We must not shake the foundations of the government right now,” Netanyahu reportedly told his associates.

As part of the effort to manage the delicate situation, Netanyahu’s office has opted to focus its outreach on Degel HaTorah and Shas, after recognizing that efforts to persuade Agudas Yisrael are unlikely to succeed. The Degel head, Housing Minister Yitzchok Goldknopf, who is not a Knesset member, has publicly endorsed dissolving the Knesset, and his stance has been echoed by the rest of his faction.

Coalition sources believe Goldknopf’s position is being heavily influenced by his senior adviser Motti Babchik, who is currently in the United States alongside the Gerrer Rebbe. Babchik, once known for his behind-the-scenes mediation, is now seen as driving a more hardline stance, ironically helping fuel the very crisis he might once have worked to defuse.

Meanwhile, Degel HaTorah appears open to a compromise, but remains firm that any draft proposal must be approved by its rabbinic leadership. “Without agreement, we’ll vote for dissolution,” a party insider warned.

Given the current makeup of the Knesset, Shas holds the deciding vote. While Agudas Yisrael (3 seats) and Degel HaTorah (4 seats) seem poised to support dissolution, Shas and its 11 seats could tip the scale. If the party chooses to oppose the bill, the result could be a 60–60 deadlock—halting the process, at least for now.

The opposition, for its part, has yet to adopt a unified stance. Some opposition lawmakers worry that a failed vote could delay any renewed push for six months under Knesset rules, prompting internal debate over whether to press ahead.

In any case, the next few hours are expected to be critical. Not only will they test whether the coalition can maintain cohesion under mounting strain, but they may also reshape the dynamics within the chareidi political world, now at the center of this high-stakes standoff.

Will a compromise be reached in time? Or will Israel be headed toward new elections? The answers are likely just hours away.

{Matzav.com Israel}

President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that the United States will get magnets and rare earth minerals from China under a new trade deal and that tariffs on Chinese goods will rise to 55%. In return, Trump said, the U.S. will provide China “what was agreed to,” including allowing Chinese students to attend American colleges and universities. The Republican president had recently begun to clamp down on the presence of Chinese nationals on U.S. college campuses. The new 55% tariff rate would mark a meaningful increase from the 30% levy set in Switzerland during talks in May. “OUR DEAL WITH CHINA IS DONE, SUBJECT TO FINAL APPROVAL WITH PRESIDENT XI AND ME.,” Trump wrote Wednesday on his social media site. He said full magnets and any necessary rare earths will be supplied up front by China. “WE ARE GETTING A TOTAL OF 55% TARIFFS, CHINA IS GETTING 10%. RELATIONSHIP IS EXCELLENT!” Trump wrote. Senior U.S. and Chinese negotiators announced late Tuesday in London that they had agreed on a framework to get their trade negotiations back on track after a series of disputes that threatened to derail them. The announcement came at the end of two days of talks in the British capital that wrapped up late Tuesday. It came as an international rights group said that several global brands are among dozens of companies at risk of using forced labor through their Chinese supply chains because they use critical minerals or buy minerals-based products sourced from the far-western Xinjiang region of China. The report by the Netherlands-based Global Rights Compliance says companies including Avon, Walmart, Nescafe, Coca-Cola and paint supplier Sherwin-Williams may be linked to titanium sourced from Xinjiang, where rights groups allege the Chinese government runs coercive labor practices targeting predominantly Muslim Uyghurs and other Turkic minorities. The report found 77 Chinese suppliers in the titanium, lithium, beryllium and magnesium industries operating in Xinjiang. It said the suppliers are at risk of participating in the Chinese government’s “labor transfer programs,” in which Uyghurs are forced to work in factories as part of a long-standing campaign of assimilation and mass detention. Asked about the report, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that “no one has ever been forcibly transferred in China’s Xinjiang under work programs.” The named companies didn’t immediately comment on the report. (AP)