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A swearing-in ceremony was held on Tuesday at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem for 28 new dayanim. During the ceremony, President Isaac Herzog spoke and asked the Rabbanin to declare a national day of fasting for the hostages in Gaza. Herzog spoke about the many shailos posed to dayanim since the start of the war in Gaza, including “shailos about Shabatot and Chagim in enemy territory, questions on matters of kashrut, morality in times of battle, tefillos or brachos. And unfortunately, also questions on matters of taharos hameisim and their kavod, and the preservation of their seed, as well as regarding pidyom shevuim, and of course identification of bodies. The continuous stream of shailos arriving from the battlefield to the Batei Medrash – requires creativity, daring, depth, and courage from the poskim to translate the rich world of halacha to be most relevant for the individual and society as a whole in a Jewish and democratic state.” “This responsibility for the State of Israel, the beginning of the growth of our redemption, and this important halachic mission now rests on the shoulders of you dear Rabbanim, dear dayanim,” Herzog continued. “In this moving moment, as you enter the Batei Din with strength and humility, I remind you of what we need at this time: Torah scholars who are well-versed not only in the intricacies of Abaye and Rava, and not only in the ways of the world, science, and the state, but also and primarily Torah scholars who dwell among their people, those who feel the pain of the public and rejoice in its joy. “I would like to conclude with a tefillah and a cry for our abducted brothers. These are turbulent, challenging, and extremely sensitive days, in which I repeat my call to act more and more. There has been ongoing negotiations in the last 24 hours. We must act in every way, step, and tool at our disposal – and initiate, creatively, responsibly, and with commitment – steps that will bring them home urgently. All of them – until the last one. “You, esteemed Rabbanim and dayanim – as important public leaders – have an important role in this effort – to awaken the hearts of the people and the decision-makers and tear open the gates of heaven for the hostages. I call on you to get involved, and I suggest acting with all your might, first and foremost, to declare a day of fasting  for our sisters and brothers held by murderers.” Chief Rabbi HaRav Dovid Yosef responded: “We accept the president’s request. In the coming days, we will declare a day of tefillah for all Acheinu Bnei Yisrael who are in distress and captivity, and our soldiers who are on the battlefield. We hope, b’ezrat Hashem, that even before we manage to do so, we will be informed of good news.” (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

Vice President J.D. Vance described the conflict in Gaza as “heartbreaking” and made an emotional appeal for the violence to end and for additional humanitarian support to reach Palestinian civilians.

Speaking on comedian Theo Von’s podcast, Vance reflected on the suffering caused by the war. “I am a human being, so when I look at these images, when I watch the videos, my heart breaks. There are innocent people—innocent Palestinians and innocent Israeli hostages—caught in terrible violence. We’re doing everything we can to get them support and assistance, as much as humanly possible.”

Vance reaffirmed Israel’s right to defend itself following a brutal assault. He reminded listeners of how the war started. “Israel had been ‘attacked by a horrific terrorist organization,’” he noted, emphasizing that many forget it began with “a terrible terrorist attack that killed many innocent Israeli civilians.” He called for efforts toward a ceasefire that would both safeguard Israelis from future Hamas attacks and ease the suffering of Palestinian civilians. “In many ways, they’re stuck in the middle of this too,” he said.

He expressed concern over the harsh tone of public discourse surrounding the conflict. “I don’t like it. Many on the left ignore the massacre of Israeli civilians. But too many on the right dismiss the suffering of Palestinian children by saying they deserved it. That is wrong. If you have a soul, your heart should break for a suffering child.”

Vance spoke of President Donald Trump’s involvement, referring to him as “the president of peace,” and said Trump is actively working to help end the conflict. “The longer it goes on, the more suffering and death take place. We’re not sitting back—we’re talking to everyone: Israel, Arab leaders, people from the Palestinian territories. It’s all diplomacy, all the time.”

He also took aim at Republicans who downplay the harm inflicted on Palestinian civilians. “I have seen people on my side respond to footage of wounded children by saying it serves them right. That cannot be the response of a people who claim to stand for life and liberty.”

Vance defended Trump’s strategy, noting that while his administration firmly supports Israel, it recognizes that dialogue is essential. “To end any conflict, you have to talk to everyone. So they attacked him and they attacked me, for being ‘too pro-diplomacy.’ But if our taxpayers’ money is involved, we have to demand a real effort to solve this.”

He dismissed accusations of genocide against Israel, saying such claims misrepresent the reality on the ground. “I do not believe Israel is trying to murder every Palestinian. They are targeting a terrorist group that launched a brutal attack. War is a terrible thing, but this is not genocide.”

Vance also defended U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, who has come under fire from some critics. He pushed back strongly on those questioning Witkoff’s dedication. “Steve is a deeply pro-Israel Jew who works every day to bring this war to an end. He is also a father who lost a child and a man who believes every life has value. To call him not pro-Israel enough is absurd and cruel.”

He reiterated his support for Witkoff’s character and mission. “I see him work every day. He’s a Jew who believes in Israel’s right to exist, but he’s also a man with a heart trying to stop the killing. When I say this debate is stripping away our humanity, I think about the constant attacks on Steve. This is a man who’s also a father—he lost a son to an overdose—and he’s someone who loves people, who believes in the value of human life and he’s doing a very good job.”

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{Matzav.com}

The UK plans on implementing sanctions on Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir over statements the two ministers made on Gaza, The Times of London reported on Tuesday. According to the report, the UK’s move will be replicated by Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and other countries. The report quotes several remarks made by the two ministers about so-called “innocent Gazan civilians,” such as “Gaza will be completely destroyed” and Ben-Gvir’s call to advance the voluntary emigrations of Gazans. In an address to Parliament last,  British Foreign Secretary David Lammy called their remarks “monstrous.” In response to the report, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar told the media: “We were updated on the UK’s decision to include two of our ministers on the British sanctions list. It is an outrage that elected officials and government members are subjected to such measures.” “I spoke about this earlier today with Prime Minister Netanyahu, and we will hold a special cabinet meeting at the beginning of next week to decide on our response to this unacceptable decision.” (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

Nine people were killed in a shooting at a school in the Austrian city of Graz on Tuesday, and the suspected perpetrator also died, authorities said. Police said they believe the assailant acted alone. They said on social network X that 10 people were dead, including the shooter, and “several” were seriously wounded. Mayor Elke Kahr described the events as a “terrible tragedy,” the Austria Press Agency reported. It added that the fatalities included students and at least one adult. Officials didn’t immediately give information on the perpetrator. Special forces were among those sent to the BORG Dreierschützengasse high school, about a kilometer (over half a mile) from Graz’s historic center, after a call at 10 a.m. At 11.30 a.m., police said that the school had been evacuated and everyone had been taken to a safe meeting point. They wrote that the situation was “secured” and there is no longer believed to be any danger. Photos from the scene showed a large police deployment, including at least one helicopter and emergency vehicles around the school. Graz, Austria ‘s second-biggest city, is located in the southeast of the country and has about 300,000 inhabitants. Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker, who was on his way to Graz, said the shooting “is a national tragedy that deeply shocks our whole country.” “There are no words for the pain and grief that all of us — the whole of Austria — feel now,” he wrote in a statement posted on X. President Alexander Van der Bellen said that “this horror cannot be captured in words.” “These were young people who had their whole lives ahead of them. A teacher who accompanied them on their way,” he said. “Schools are symbols for youth, hope and the future,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X. “It is hard to bear when schools become places of death and violence.” Some weapons, such as rifles and shotguns that must be reloaded manually after each shot, can be purchased in Austria from the age of 18 without a permit. Gun dealers only need to check if there’s no weapons ban on the buyer and the weapon gets registered in the central weapons register. Other weapons, such as repeating shotguns or semi-automatic firearms, are more difficult to acquire — buyers need a gun ownership card and a firearms pass. (AP)

During remarks at the White House on Monday, President Donald Trump stated that Iran is currently taking part in talks that seek to establish a ceasefire arrangement between Israel and Hamas in exchange for the return of hostages.

“Gaza right now is in the midst of a massive negotiation between us and Hamas and Israel, and Iran actually is involved, and we’ll see what’s going to happen with Gaza. We want to get the hostages back,” Trump told reporters gathered in the State Dining Room.

Trump did not provide any further explanation regarding Iran’s specific role in the discussions. Inquiries made to the White House for more information did not receive an immediate response. Similarly, Iran’s delegation to the United Nations in New York did not comment when approached for clarification.

As part of the ongoing efforts, the United States has put forward a plan that calls for a two-month truce between Israel and Hamas. While Israeli officials have signaled their willingness to implement the proposed terms, Hamas has not agreed to the framework at this time.

The terms of the proposed agreement call for the release of 28 Israeli hostages, whether living or deceased, during the initial week. In return, Israel would release 1,236 Palestinian prisoners and transfer the remains of 180 deceased Palestinians.

In a separate track, American and Iranian officials are continuing diplomatic efforts to reach a new understanding related to Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

{Matzav.com}

In a dramatic escalation of the coalition crisis, the gedolei Torah of Degel HaTorah have ruled that the party should back a bill to dissolve the Knesset, setting the stage for potential early elections and a possible end to the current government’s term.

The pivotal decision was made during a late-night meeting on Monday between the two senior gedolim, the Slabodka roshei yeshiva, Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch and Rav Dov Landau.

Following an extended discussion on the ongoing impasse over the chok hagiyus (draft law), the two concluded unequivocally that, in the absence of a mutually agreed-upon version of the law, the chareidi parties have no reason to remain in the coalition.

“There has been no progress on the draft law,” Rav Hirsch stated during the meeting. “There is no alternative but to push for the dissolution of the Knesset.”

Rav Landau was even more forceful, declaring, “When Torah learners are being persecuted, that is a greater danger than Iran.”

According to sources close to the discussion, if a final draft of the law is soon presented and practical deliberations begin in the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, the decision may be reconsidered. However, barring such a development, Degel HaTorah is expected to align with Agudas Yisroel and vote in favor of the bill to dissolve the Knesset in Wednesday’s preliminary vote.

Adding to the pressure on the coalition, Shas has now signaled a similar shift. Asher Medina, a spokesperson for the party, said Tuesday that “Shas will support dissolving the Knesset, due to the unresolved disagreements regarding the draft law.” Last week, the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Agudas Yisroel announced its support for the dissolution.

If no last-minute compromise is reached, the bill to disperse the Knesset is expected to pass its preliminary reading in the Knesset plenum with a significant majority this week. It will then move to the Knesset Committee for further processing before its second and third readings.

Meanwhile, Channel 13 reported that U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee recently spoke with Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch to express deep concern over the potential consequences of elections at this time. “An election campaign now, with Iran and the Yemenite threat at the forefront, will make it significantly harder for Washington to support Israel in crucial moves,” Huckabee reportedly warned.

{Matzav.com Israel}

The Senate has set an ambitious timeline for passing President Donald Trump’s sweeping legislation to cut taxes and spending. But getting it on the Republican president’s desk by July 4 will require some big decisions, and soon. Republican senators are airing concerns about different parts of the legislation, including cuts to Medicaid, changes to food aid and the impact on the deficit. To push the bill to passage, Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota and other negotiators will need to find a compromise that satisfies both ends of their conference — and that can still satisfy the House, which passed the bill last month by only one vote. A look at some of the groups and senators who leaders will have to convince as they work to push Trump’s “big, beautiful” bill toward a Senate vote: Rural state lawmakers Every Republican senator represents a state with a rural constituency — and some of their states are among the most rural in the country. Many in those less-populated areas rely heavily on Medicaid for health care, leading several of them to warn that the changes to the program in the bill could be devastating to communities that are already struggling. Of particular concern is a freeze on a so-called provider tax that some states use to help pay for large portions of their Medicaid programs. The extra tax often leads to higher payments from the federal government, which critics say is a loophole that allows states to inflate their budgets. Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri and several others have argued that freezing that tax revenue would hurt rural hospitals, in particular. “Hospitals will close,” Hawley said last month. “It’s that simple. And that pattern will replicate in states across the country.” Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville said Thursday that provider taxes in his state are “the money we use for Medicaid.” “You start cutting that out, we’ve got big problems,” Tuberville said. Eliminating those taxes “might lose some folks.” At the same time, Republican senators have little interest in a House-passed provision that spends more money by raising a cap on state and local tax deductions, known as SALT. The higher cap traditionally benefits more urban areas in states with high taxes, such as New York and California. The House included the new cap after New York Republicans threatened to oppose the bill, but Senate Republicans uniformly dislike it. “I think there’s going to have to be some adjustment” on the SALT provision, Thune said Wednesday, noting that “senators are just in a very different place” from the House. Former (and maybe future) governors The House-passed bill would also shift some Medicaid and food stamp costs to states, a change that has the former governors in the Senate, in particular, worried. West Virginia Sen. Jim Justice, who was governor of his state for eight years before his election to the Senate last year, said he favors many aspects of the bill. He supports the new work requirements for Medicaid and food stamp recipients, the restrictions on benefits for immigrants who are in the country illegally and the efforts to cut down on fraud. “There’s real savings there,” Justice said. “But then we ought to stop.” “We’re on our way to cannibalizing ourselves,” Justice said. “We don’t want to hurt kids […]

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Early Tuesday morning, the activists involved in the Gaza-bound protest flotilla were escorted to Ben Gurion Airport for deportation. According to the Israeli Foreign Ministry, several participants were scheduled to be expelled from the country within hours.

The ministry stated, “Anyone who refuses to sign deportation documents and leave Israel will be brought before a judicial body in accordance with Israeli law, in order to approve the deportation.”

The German ambassador to Israel confirmed that a diplomatic official had met with German citizen Yasemin Acar prior to her removal from the country. Acar has previously drawn criticism for her vocal support of Hamas and her praise of Iranian missile strikes on Israel, according to a report by KAN.

Upon their arrival at the Ashdod Port on Monday, Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg and the other flotilla participants were shown video evidence of the Hamas massacre that took place on October 7. The IDF had intercepted their vessel, the Madleen, while it was still in international waters.

Defense Minister Israel Katz noted that the activists chose not to continue watching the footage after the initial scenes.

“These antisemitic flotilla activists closed their eyes to the truth and once again proved they prefer the murderers over the victims,” Katz said. “They continue to ignore the atrocities committed by Hamas against Jewish and Israeli women, the elderly, and children.”

The Madleen, which had 12 pro-Palestinian activists on board along with a substantial cargo of humanitarian supplies, was intercepted by the Israeli Navy early Monday and redirected to Ashdod. As the activists prepared for deportation, the Foreign Ministry released a photo of Thunberg with an Israeli flag in the background.

Among the passengers were European Parliament member Rima Hassan, who has publicly defended the October 7 massacre; German activist Yasmin Achar; Irish actor Liam Cunningham, best known for his role in Game of Thrones; and Thunberg.

The mission was organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and set sail last week from Catania, Sicily. The stated goal of the activists was to challenge the Israeli naval blockade of Gaza by bringing in humanitarian supplies such as medical goods, flour, rice, diapers, water purification equipment, and prosthetics for children.

During the voyage, the ship briefly changed course to assist four migrants stranded at sea in the Mediterranean.

By Sunday, the Madleen was reported to be approximately 402 kilometers from Gaza, positioned in international waters to the north of Alexandria. The Israeli military had been monitoring the vessel and was ready to intervene before it could enter Israeli waters. Defense officials stressed that the operation would be handled with caution to avoid provoking a larger confrontation.

Ahead of the interception, Defense Minister Katz made clear that Israel would not permit the boat to reach its destination. After reports surfaced that the ship’s communication system had gone dark in Egyptian waters, the IDF moved in to seize control.

“The State of Israel will not allow anyone to violate the maritime blockade on Gaza, whose primary goal is to prevent weapons from reaching Hamas—a murderous terrorist organization that holds our hostages and commits war crimes,” Katz said.

He added, “I instructed the IDF to ensure the Madleen does not reach Gaza,” and addressed Thunberg directly: “To Greta the antisemite and her Hamas propagandist friends—I say clearly: you will not reach Gaza. Israel will act against any attempt to break the blockade or support terror organizations—by sea, air, or land.”

The flotilla’s mission gained widespread attention on social media, with organizers promoting it as part of a global campaign to highlight the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Thunberg said: “We hope to reach Gaza tomorrow or the next day. We are carrying humanitarian aid and will do our utmost to get through. We will try to break the blockade and open humanitarian corridors into Gaza. We need a ceasefire. We will keep our promises to the Palestinians and stand against Israel’s crimes.”

German activist Yasmin Achar also spoke to Al Arabiya, stating that their vessel was 160 nautical miles from Gaza and that they had no intention of backing down. “We are in international waters. Any attempt by ‘the occupation’ to stop us will be considered a documented war crime,” she said.

Achar added, “We bring a humanitarian and moral message. The world must be ashamed. The arming of Israel must stop. Our message to the world is not to remain silent and to act in support of Gaza’s civilians.”

This attempt follows a similar mission in May, when a different vessel belonging to the coalition, the Conscience, was reportedly damaged by a drone strike off the coast of Malta. This time, the organizers launched the ship from a new location and followed a more cautious route to avoid interference.

Israel’s defense establishment has made it clear that it will not allow any vessel to break the naval blockade on Gaza. Military officials remain on alert for future efforts and aim to prevent any escalation while maintaining control over the maritime perimeter.

Meanwhile, a separate initiative titled the Global March to Gaza is in the works, with organizers planning an overland rally through Egypt in the coming days.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Canada will meet NATO’s military spending guideline by early next year and diversify defense spending away from the United States, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Monday, asserting that Washington no longer plays a predominant role on the world stage. The announcement means Canada will achieve NATO’s spending target of 2% of gross domestic product five years earlier than previously planned. “Our military infrastructure and equipment have aged, hindering our military preparedness,” Carney said. “Only one of our four submarines is seaworthy. Less than half of our maritime fleet and land vehicles are operational. More broadly, we are too reliant on the United States.” According to NATO figures, Canada was estimated to be spending 1.33% of GDP on its military budget in 2023, below the 2% target that NATO countries have set for themselves. Canada previously said it was on track to meet NATO’s target by the end of the decade. “Our goal is to protect Canadians, not to satisfy NATO accountants,” Carney said in a speech at the University of Toronto. Canada is about to host U.S. President Donald Trump and other leaders at a summit of the Group of Seven leading industrialized nations in Alberta on June 15-17, and before the NATO summit in Europe. NATO allies are poised to increase the commitment well beyond the 2% target. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said last week that most U.S. allies at NATO endorse Trump’s demand that they invest 5% of gross domestic product on their defense needs and are ready to ramp up security spending even more. “We are meeting 2%. And that is the NATO target as it is today,” Carney said at a later news conference. “We will need to spend more.” He said there will be discussions on the increased spending amount and its timeline at the NATO summit. Carney has said he intends to diversify Canada’s procurement and enhance the country’s relationship with the EU. “We should no longer send three-quarters of our defense capital spending to America,” Carney said in a speech at the University of Toronto. “We will invest in new submarines, aircraft, ships, armed vehicles and artillery, as well as new radar, drones and sensors to monitor the seafloor and the Arctic.” Canada has been in discussions with the European Union to join an EU drive to break its security dependency on the United States, with a focus on buying more defense equipment, including fighter jets, in Europe. Carney’s government is reviewing the purchase of U.S. F-35 fighter jets to see if there are other options. “We stood shoulder to shoulder with the Americans throughout the Cold War and in the decades that followed, as the United States played a predominant role on the world stage. Today, that predominance is a thing of the past,” Carney said in French, one of Canada’s official languages. He added that with the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the United States became the global hegemon, noting that its strong gravitational pull became virtually irresistible and made the U.S. “our closest ally and dominant trading partner.” “Now the United States is beginning to monetize its hegemony: charging for access to its markets and reducing its relative contributions to our collective security,” Carney said. Carney later said at the news conference that it was “understandable” that the […]

In a joint operation by the Tel Aviv District Police’s Fraud Division and the Shin Bet, the police arrested a 13.5-year-old boy, a resident of Tel Aviv, on suspicion of carrying out missions for Iran, Israel Police and Shin Bet revealed in a joint statement on Tuesday. During his police investigation, it became clear that in the recent period, Iranian elements contacted the boy through Telegram and asked him to perform several tasks in exchange for payment. The boy complied with their request and sprayed graffiti in the Tel Aviv area, according to their instructions, and received payment in return. In addition, the boy was asked to photograph the Iron Dome missile defense system but ultimately did not carry out this mission. At the end of his interrogation at the Fraud Division, he was released to house arrest. His parents were updated throughout the stages of the investigation. The police and the Shin Bet stated, “Intelligence and terror elements continue their efforts to recruit Israelis through social networks in order to promote acts of terror in Israel.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Digital price labels, which are rapidly replacing paper shelf tags at U.S. supermarkets, haven’t led to demand-based pricing surges, according to a new study that examined five years’ worth of prices at one grocery chain. But some shoppers, consumer advocates and lawmakers remain skeptical about the tiny electronic screens, which let stores change prices instantly from a central computer instead of having workers swap out paper labels by hand. “It’s corporations vs. the humans, and that chasm between us goes further and further,” said Dan Gallant, who works in sports media in Edmonton, Canada. Gallant’s local Loblaws supermarket recently switched to digital labels. Social media is filled with warnings that grocers will use the technology to charge more for ice cream if it’s hot outside, hike the price of umbrellas if it’s raining or to gather information about customers. Democratic U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Bob Casey of Pennsylvania fired off a letter to Kroger last fall demanding to know whether it would use its electronic labels as part of a dynamic pricing strategy. Lawmakers in Rhode Island and Maine have introduced bills to limit the use of digital labels. In Arizona, Democratic state Rep. Cesar Aguilar recently introduced a bill that would ban them altogether. The bill hasn’t gotten a hearing, but Aguilar said he’s determined to start a conversation about digital labels and how stores could abuse them. “Grocery stores study when people go shopping the most. And so you might be able to see a price go down one day and then go up another day,” Aguilar told The Associated Press. Researchers say those fears are misplaced. A study published in late May found “virtually no surge pricing” before or after electronic shelf labels were adopted. The study was authored by Ioannis Stamatopoulos of the University of Texas, Austin, Robert Evan Sanders of the University of California, San Diego and Robert Bray of Northwestern University The researchers looked at prices between 2019 and 2024 at an unnamed grocery chain that began using digital labels in October 2022. They found that temporary price increases affected 0.005% of products on any given day before electronic shelf labels were introduced, a share that increased by only 0.0006 percentage points after digital labels were installed. The study also determined that discounts were slightly more common after digital labels were introduced. Economists have long wondered why grocery prices don’t change more often, according to Stamatopoulos. If bananas are about to expire, for example, it makes sense to lower the price on them. He said the cost of having workers change prices by hand could be one issue. But there’s another reason: Shoppers watch grocery prices closely, and stores don’t want to risk angering them. “Selling groceries is not selling a couch. It’s not a one-time transaction and you will never see them again,” Stamatopoulos said. “You want them coming to the store every week.” Electronic price labels aren’t new. They’ve been in use for more than a decade at groceries in Europe and some U.S. retailers, like Kohl’s. But they’ve been slow to migrate to U.S. grocery stores. Only around 5% to 10% of U.S. supermarkets now have electronic labels, compared to 80% in Europe, said Amanda Oren, vice president of industry strategy for North American grocery at Relex Solutions, […]

New details were revealed about the suspect in the arson of HaRav Yitzchak Yosef’s shul, who was arrested by the police and Shin Bet on Monday evening, including the fact that he is Jewish. He is a man in his 20s who does not reside in Jerusalem. A gag order has been placed on the case, and no further details can be published at this time. However, since the suspect is Jewish, the possibility—which was initially examined—that the arson was committed by Arabs for nationalistic reasons has been ruled out. The suspect was interrogated by the police and was transferred for a Shin Bet interrogation on Tuesday morning. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

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The “selfie yacht” of Greta Thunberg and her friends docked at Ashdod port on Monday evening, hours after the boat was seized by the IDF en route to the Gaza Strip in the early hours of Monday morning. Israel’s Foreign Ministry said that upon docking in Ashdod, the “passengers underwent medical examinations to ensure they were in good health” and were provided with food and water. The passengers were provided the option of watching Bearing Witness, which shows footage of unspeakable atrocities committed on October 7, including massacres, beheadings, and mutilation of bodies. However, the cowardly “activists” refused to watch it and were not forced to do so. Defense Minister Yisrael Katz stated: ‘Greta and her flotilla companions were taken into a room upon their arrival for the screening of the atrocities film of the October 7 massacre, and when they saw what it was about, they refused to continue watching.” “The antisemitic flotilla members are closing their eyes to the truth, proving once again that they prefer the murderers to the murdered and continue to ignore the atrocities committed by Hamas against Jewish and Israeli women, adults, and children.’ The 12 “activists” were brought to Ben Gurion Airport, where they were met by consular representatives from their home countries. Four of them, including Greta Thunberg, signed deportation papers and were deported to their home countries. Eight passengers, including antisemitic EU parliament member Rima Hassan, who was blocked from entering Israel earlier this year due to her anti-Israel activities, refused to sign the documents and were transferred to a detention facility in Givon. They will later be brought to an Israeli court to authorize their forced deportation. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Israel carried out a significant naval attack on a Houthi target in Yemen in the early hours of Tuesday morning, the first attack carried out by missile boats. The strikes targeted military infrastructure at the port of Hodeidah. The attacks were preceded by a warning on Monday evening by the IDF spokesperson in Arabic to evacuate the three Houthi-controlled ports in Yemen, Hodeidah, Ras-Isa, and Salif. Shortly after the reports of the strike, the IDF spokesperson confirmed the attack, stating: “This morning, the IDF attacked targets of the Houthi terror regime in the port of Hodeidah in Yemen, using Navy missile ships. The attack was carried out in response to the aggression of the Houthi terror regime towards the State of Israel, during which surface-to-surface missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles have been launched at Israel and its citizens.” “The attack was carried out to further erode the military use of the port, which was attacked by the IDF last year and continues to be used for terrorist activities. The port is used to transfer weapons and is another example of the Houthi terror regime’s cynical use and exploitation of civilian infrastructure to promote terrorist activities. The attack was carried out after numerous prior warnings from the IDF to minimize possible harm to the civilian population in the area.” “In the past year and a half, the Houthi terror regime has been acting aggressively, with Iranian guidance and funding, to harm the State of Israel and its allies, destabilize the regional order, and disrupt global freedom of navigation. In light of the military use that the Houthi terror regime makes of this port, the IDF reiterates its warning to those in the port area to distance themselves and evacuate the area.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

The Israel Defense Forces launched a precision strike on two piers in the port of Hodeidah, a key stronghold of the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, on Monday. The operation, which took place hours after the IDF issued an evacuation warning for the ports of Ras Issa, Hodeidah, and Salif, was carried out by the Israeli Navy from the sea, contrary to initial reports suggesting an airstrike.   The strike targeted critical infrastructure used by the Houthis, who have been launching attacks on international shipping and Israeli interests in the region.

A battalion of U.S. Marines is being dispatched to Los Angeles as unrest tied to anti-ICE demonstrations continues to spiral out of control throughout Southern California. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had issued a warning, instructing Marines to prepare for possible deployment to Los Angeles “if violence continues.”

By Monday, that warning became a directive. According to CNN and ABC News, Hegseth authorized the mobilization of 700 Marines from the Twentynine Palms base in California to head to the city.

These troops will join the 300 National Guard soldiers already stationed in Los Angeles. President Trump previously directed that 2,000 members of the California National Guard be placed on standby for immediate deployment in the area.

Officials familiar with the operation told CNN that the Marines are expected to help rotate and relieve some of the National Guard forces currently in the field.

Meanwhile, California Governor Gavin Newsom responded with legal action. On Monday, he filed a lawsuit targeting the Trump administration’s deployment of the National Guard, asserting that the federal intervention has only served to inflame the situation.

Over the weekend, peaceful protests gave way to full-blown riots, with demonstrators halting traffic—including shutting down the 101 Freeway—and effectively turning downtown Los Angeles into a restricted zone.

At least five Waymo self-driving vehicles were torched by rioters, while others hurled glass bottles and chunks of concrete at officers clad in riot gear. The autonomous ride service was forced to suspend its app temporarily after demonstrators began booking rides just to destroy the vehicles.

Amid the chaos, innocent bystanders and members of the media have also suffered. An Australian journalist was struck by a rubber bullet while reporting live from the scene.

Demonstrators came equipped with face coverings and flags, many of which bore Mexican emblems or merged American and Mexican symbols. One protester arrived on stilts before being tackled by police officers.

Governor Newsom intensified his criticism of President Trump’s handling of the crisis, daring border security official Tom Homan to arrest him. Trump replied that he “would do it” — if he were Homan, that is.

Since the protests erupted on Friday, at least 56 people have been taken into custody.

{Matzav.com}

In a scene that transformed the heart of a major sports arena into a palace of Torah, thousands converged on the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Sunday night for the fourth Adirei HaTorah maamad, a majestic show of support for the yungeleit of Bais Medrash Govoah in Lakewood, NJ. From cities and towns across the tri-state area, busloads and cars of attendees arrived with one shared purpose: to proclaim the honor and centrality of limud haTorah and to pay tribute to those who dedicate their lives to it. The event marked the continuation of an extraordinary movement launched four years ago to uphold and strengthen the pillars of Torah learning through financial support of Lakewood’s kollel yungeleit.