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WATCH: An israeli drone drops a bomb on terrorists near the Al-Shurafa roundabout in Central Gaza.

Al-Qaeda leader Sa’ad Bin Atef Al-Awlaki urged American Muslims to wage jihad and assassinate U.S. officials, naming President Donald Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and Elon Musk among his targets.

During Monday’s broadcast of CNN’s Inside Politics, anchor Dana Bash sharply criticized President Donald Trump’s decision to deploy the National Guard to Los Angeles, comparing his actions to those of an arsonist trying to call in emergency help for a fire he helped ignite.

CNN’s chief congressional correspondent Manu Raju commented on the president’s handling of the situation: “Just to get the point of how much Donald Trump wants this fight, I mean, he’s been posting and talking about it pretty much nonstop over the weekend, including just moments ago saying if we had not done this, send the National Guard in Los Angeles would have been completely obliterated. Now, I’m not quite sure if that’s exactly the case of what people are saying on the ground here. But I mean, look, sending in the National Guard is just an extraordinary step for the federal government to do so. You can’t discount that.”

As Bash began to interject, Raju continued, “And he tried to do everything he can to defend the controversy.”

Bash responded, “I know that this is like he said, a promise that he gave on the campaign trail to do whatever he could to deport illegal immigrants. But what he just posted is, is basically, an arsonist saying, ‘You better call the fire department because they’ve got to come in fast to get the flames out.’ I mean, that seems like what’s going on.”

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{Matzav.com}

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar calls UK sanctioning Israeli ministers Itamar Ben Gvir & Bezalel Smotrich ‘outrageous’ “We will hold a special government meeting next week to decide on our response to this unacceptable decision.”

Greta Thunberg spotted on an El Al Flight bound for Sweden from Ben Gurion Airport.

Defense Minister Israel Katz toured the Nevatim Airbase in southern Israel with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and IAF chief Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar, his office says. “During the visit, the minister and the chief of staff received an overview of the operational achievements in Gaza, Yemen, and Lebanon and the readiness to expand the operation as necessary,” the statement says.

The IDF foiled a weapons smuggling attempt from Egypt into Israel, downing a drone that crossed the border carrying seven rifles, ten handguns, and ammunition, with the contraband and drone subsequently handed over to the police.

IDF troops demolished over 1,200 “terror infrastructures” in the Khan Younis suburb of Khuzaʽa during a recent operation in the area, as part of efforts to expand Israel’s buffer zone along the border with the Gaza Strip. Among the destroyed infrastructures was a 500-meter-long and 25-meter deep tunnel.

A tragic school shooting in Graz, Austria, claimed 11 lives and left 28 people wounded, with 4 in critical condition. The shooter was a 22-year-old former student of the school.

MeThe U.S. logged 122 more cases of measles last week — but only four of them in Texas — while the outbreaks in Pennsylvania and Michigan officially ended. There were 1,168 confirmed measles cases in the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday. Health officials in Texas, where the nation’s biggest outbreak raged during the late winter and spring, said they’ll now post case counts only once a week — yet another sign the outbreak is slowing. There are three other major outbreaks in North America. The longest, in Ontario, Canada, has resulted in 2,009 cases from mid-October through June 3. The province logged its first death Thursday in a baby that got congenital measles but also had other preexisting conditions. Another outbreak in Alberta, Canada, has sickened 761 as of Thursday. And the Mexican state of Chihuahua had 1,940 measles cases and four deaths as of Friday, according to data from the state health ministry. Other U.S. states with active outbreaks — which the CDC defines as three or more related cases — include Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio and Oklahoma. In the U.S., two elementary school-aged children in the epicenter in West Texas and an adult in New Mexico have died of measles this year. All were unvaccinated. Measles is caused by a highly contagious virus that’s airborne and spreads easily when an infected person breathes, sneezes or coughs. It is preventable through vaccines, and has been considered eliminated from the U.S. since 2000. How many measles cases are there in Texas? There were a total of 742 cases across 35 counties, most of them in West Texas, state health officials said Friday. Throughout the outbreak, 94 people have been hospitalized. State health officials estimated less than 1% of cases — fewer than 10 — are actively infectious. Fifty-five percent of Texas’ cases are in Gaines County, where the virus started spreading in a close-knit, undervaccinated Mennonite community. The county has had 411 cases since late January — just under 2% of the county’s residents. The April 3 death in Texas was an 8-year-old child, according to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Local health officials said the child did not have underlying health conditions and died of “what the child’s doctor described as measles pulmonary failure.” A unvaccinated child with no underlying conditions died of measles in Texas in late February; Kennedy said the child was 6. How many measles cases are there in New Mexico? New Mexico added two cases in the last week for a total of 81. Seven people have been hospitalized since the outbreak started. Most of the state’s cases are in Lea County. Sandoval County near Albuquerque has six cases, Eddy County has three, Doña Ana County has two. Chaves, Curry and San Juan counties have one each. An unvaccinated adult died of measles-related illness March 6. The person did not seek medical care. How many cases are there in Oklahoma? Oklahoma added one case last week for a total of 15 confirmed and three probable cases. The state health department is not releasing which counties have cases. How many cases are there in Colorado? Colorado has seen a total of 12 measles cases in 2025, which includes one outbreak of seven related cases. The […]

Upon his arrival in Israel on Monday evening, Argentine President Javier Milei made his way straight to the Kosel, where he paused to pray, opening his second official trip to the country since assuming office.

Just as he did during his last visit, Milei prioritized a stop at the Kosel before engaging in any other activities. He was joined by a high-level Argentine delegation, including Foreign Minister Gerardo Werthein, Presidential General Secretary Karina Milei, Argentina’s Ambassador to Israel Shimon Axel Wahnish, and the ambassador’s wife.

Greeting him at the site were Rav Shmuel Rabinowitz, rov of the Kosel and mekomos hakedoshim, along with Mordechai (Suli) Eliav, who heads the Western Wall Heritage Foundation.

Both Rav Rabinowitz and Eliav took the opportunity to thank President Milei for his unwavering commitment to the State of Israel and the Jewish people, noting his continued engagement with Jewish communities around the globe.

During the moving visit, the president joined Rav Rabinowitz in reciting a kappitel from Tehillim and offered a personal prayer asking for the hostages to be safely returned to their families.

While standing before the historic Kosel stones, Milei became visibly emotional, brushing tears from his face. “I thank you for the warm and heartfelt welcome. I will always support the people of Israel wholeheartedly, because this is a just cause for the West as well,” Milei said.

Before leaving, he inscribed a brief message in the Kosel guestbook that read: “Freedom for Zion.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

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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