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There is a heavy NYPD presence outside 770 in Crown Heights as the protestors are marching towards Crown Heights. They are expected to be there in 45 minutes.

Seven new cases of measles have been identified in Israel over the past week in Tel Aviv, Bnei Brak, Emek Hefer and Modi’in Ilit, the Health Ministry announced on Monday. A week ago, the Health Ministry announced that a resident of Tel Aviv was diagnosed with measles after returning to Israel on an El Al flight from London on Friday, April 18. The person took the train from the airport to the Tel Aviv University stop and a bus to his/her home. Over the weekend, the patient spent time at an escape room in Petach Tikvah and a restaurant in Herzliya before being diagnosed. A total of eight patients have been diagnosed with measles since April 20, six of whom were unvaccinated. According to the epidemiological investigation, four of the patients were infected abroad or as a result of contact with people who returned from abroad. The epidemiological investigation for the new patients is currently underway. Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that manifests as a rash, fever, general malaise, and a runny nose, and can have serious and even life-threatening complications. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

The IDF is still holding two containers packed with roughly 350 bags of unidentified human remains — the shattered remnants of lives destroyed in Hamas’s savage Oct. 7 onslaught. The remains, many burned beyond recognition, are being stored at the Shura military base, home to the IDF’s Military Rabbinate. Each bag is believed to hold the remains of a single person. Yet, in the chaos and trauma that followed the massacre, mistakes were inevitable. Some bodies were mistakenly grouped together; some fragments may even belong to the Hamas terrorists themselves, their remains mixed with their victims’. Military Chief Rabbi Brig. Gen. Eyal Krim has pleaded for permission to carry out further forensic testing, convinced that at least 200 of the bags could still yield identifications with more time and resources. The cost is significant, and so is the anguish — each double sample and DNA test costs thousands of shekels, and each day that passes prolongs the agony of not knowing. But powerful voices within the government are pushing back. Yehuda Avidan, director general of the Religious Services Ministry, backed by top forensic experts, has argued for burying the remains anonymously in a mass grave, warning against bizayon hameis through repeated examinations. A final decision will soon be made by a committee drawn from Israel’s ministries of religion, health, and police, along with the Abu Kabir forensic institute. The battle pits supporters of Chief Sephardic Rabbi Dovid Yosef — who paskened in favor of further testing — against figures aligned with his political rivals. Sources accuse Avidan of opposing reexamination not out of concern for the dead, but to avoid reopening wounds among bereaved families, many of whom still hope for answers. Earlier forensic reviews found Israeli victims mistakenly buried among Hamas Nukhba terrorists, raising nightmarish fears that more families could someday discover their loved ones were laid to rest alongside their murderers. The IDF rabbinate, painfully aware of these risks, has adopted strict double-verification protocols using DNA and medical records. Yet funding shortages, political infighting, and the degradation of the remains complicate every step. “There is no greater anguish,” one source told Ynet, “than a family learning their loved one’s remains were buried alongside those who came to destroy them.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Bill Maher took aim at Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, slamming him as the “worst thing to hit the Pentagon” since the tragic events of September 11.

During the “New Rule” portion of his HBO show on Friday evening, Maher launched into his criticism of Hegseth.

“New Rule: Pete Hegsteth’s parents have to take away his phone. He can have it back when he’s shown us he’s grown up enough to use it responsibly,” Maher quipped during his monologue.

He continued with a sharp jab, saying, “I’m not saying Pete makes a terrible defense secretary, but he’s the worst thing to hit the Pentagon since Flight 77.”

Maher’s jokes centered around an incident involving National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, who mistakenly included The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg in a Signal group chat where top officials in the Trump administration were discussing sensitive operations targeting Yemen. A subsequent story alleged that Hegseth had set up another Signal group, this time adding his wife and brother to conversations involving sensitive military topics.

Despite the controversy, the Trump administration defended Hegseth, according to the Associated Press:
The White House expressed support Monday for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth following media reports that he shared sensitive military details in another Signal messaging chat, this time with his wife and brother.

When asked about the incident, both the White House and Hegseth chose not to dispute whether he had shared sensitive information in the second group. Instead, they criticized the sources who leaked the story, accusing them of being disgruntled employees, and emphasized that no classified data had been compromised.

“It’s just fake news. They just bring up stories,” President Donald Trump told reporters. “I guess it sounds like disgruntled employees. You know, he was put there to get rid of a lot of bad people, and that’s what he’s doing. So you don’t always have friends when you do that,” Trump explained.

In an interview with Fox News, Hegseth brushed off the accusations, framing them as politically motivated attacks by those who oppose President Trump’s policies.

“I’m here because President Trump asked me to bring warfighting back to the Pentagon every single day. That is our focus. And if people don’t like it, they can come after me. No worries. I’m standing right here. The warfighters are behind us. Our enemies know they’re on notice. Our allies know we’re behind them. And that, in this dangerous world for the American people, is what it’s all about,” Hegseth said.

{Matzav.com}

4 dead, 6 hospitalized after driver plows car into a daycare in Chatham, Illinois The driver is in police custody at the hospital. It’s unclear if the act was intentional.

A man accused of stealing a purse from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was charged Monday in federal court with aggravated identity theft, robbery and fraud. Video captured Mario Bustamante Leiva taking Noem’s purse while she dined at a restaurant in Washington, D.C., on April 20 under the protection of Secret Service agents, investigators said. He later used Noem’s stolen credit cards to buy over $200 in food and alcohol at a different restaurant, according to a Secret Service agent’s affidavit. Police and federal agents arrested Bustamante Leiva on Saturday. Court records didn’t immediately list an attorney representing him. The agent’s affidavit doesn’t name Noem, but the information in court records matches details of the theft from her. Bustamante Leiva, 49. also is suspected of stealing purses from two other people at other restaurants earlier this month, the affidavit says. He used a credit card stolen from one of the women to buy wine at a grocery store, the agent wrote. Bustamante Leiva appeared to be “acting in concert” with a second suspect during one of the thefts, according to the affidavit, Investigators said they identified Bustamante Leiva as a suspect in the thefts after he used a stolen gift card to make a purchase at a motel. He was shown a photo of Noem and told investigators that he didn’t know who she was, according to the affidavit. Investigators said they recovered Noem’s purse and wallet from his motel room. In a prepared statement, Noem referred to the suspect as a “a career criminal who has been in our country illegally for years.” Authorities said there was no evidence Noem was targeted because of her position. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has lodged an immigration detainer against Bustamante Leiva, a native of Chile, according to U.S. Attorney Ed Martin Jr.’s office. (AP)

After Tnuva revealed that it would be raising the prices of its dairy items that are not subject to government regulation, other major dairy companies, Strauss and Tara, have followed suit and announced their own increases.

Strauss stated that its new pricing will be implemented at the start of June, while Tara plans to adjust its prices earlier, on May 18.

Strauss issued a statement explaining: “Following the government’s announcement of the increase in the cost of price-controlled dairy products, Strauss is announcing an update to the retail price list. The update will apply to price-controlled dairy products and related dairy products, which make up to half of all dairy products, at a rate of up to 1.5%, and an average rate of about 1% on all dairy products. The update will take effect after the Shavuot holiday, on June 3, 2025.”

Meanwhile, Tara’s increase is expected to be more significant, with some items seeing a jump as high as 3.5%, according to reports. Tara’s updated pricing is scheduled to begin on May 18.

Prior to these moves, Unilever had already announced it would be raising prices by an average of 3.5%, with certain products seeing hikes as high as 9%.

“Since November 2022, we have avoided raising prices for the vast majority of our products,” the company stated, emphasizing that there have been “significant and sustained increases in production costs” during that time.

{Matzav.com Israel}

President Donald Trump, in a newly published interview with The Atlantic, reflected on the differences between his two terms in office, saying that this time he views his role as leading both “the country and the world.” “The first time, I had two things to do — run the country and survive; I had all these crooked guys,” Trump said in the interview released Monday. “And the second time, I run the country and the world.” Since returning to office in January, President Trump has pursued an aggressive agenda on multiple fronts, with immigration and trade policies drawing both attention and legal challenges. His administration’s move to impose broad tariffs on a wide range of countries — including close U.S. trading partners — has triggered pushback from global leaders and rattled international markets. Some of the new tariffs have been temporarily paused until July. Trump’s foreign policy moves have also generated debate. His comments regarding the potential acquisition of Greenland and remarks suggesting that Canada could become part of the United States have strained relations with longtime American allies. Meanwhile, much of his foreign policy focus has been on attempting to broker a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine and ending the war in Gaza. During his conversation with The Atlantic, Trump also addressed speculation about a potential third presidential bid after his current term, a possibility he has previously hinted at, though many Republican lawmakers have dismissed the idea. “It’s not something that I’m looking to do. And I think it would be a very hard thing to do,” Trump said. The president is scheduled to visit Michigan on Tuesday, where he will hold a rally in Macomb County to mark his first 100 days of his second term in office. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

For the first time since the outbreak of the war, the artillery units of the 282nd Artillery Brigade, operating under the 36th Division, have entered into active operations inside the Gaza Strip. This follows a period of intense engagement across multiple fronts.

Up to this point, the artillery forces have been providing critical backing to the ground units moving through the “Morag” Corridor. Their missions have included the destruction of weapons stockpiles and missile launching areas used by terror groups within Gaza, as well as the elimination of enemy fighters, all coordinated through the Brigade’s Fire Control Center.

In a notable development, the troops utilized the “Bar” rocket for the first time, launching it at selected targets inside Gaza. This weapon incorporates a sophisticated navigation system specifically designed to perform effectively in the complex conditions of battlefield operations.

The “Bar” rocket can deliver strikes with remarkable speed, reaching its target in a minimal amount of time.

A spokesperson emphasized that IDF forces will “continue to operate against terror organizations in the Gaza Strip in order to protect the citizens of the State of Israel.”

WATCH:

Amazon’s first batch of internet satellites rocketed toward orbit Monday, the latest entry in the mega constellation market currently dominated by SpaceX’s thousands of Starlinks. The United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V rocket carried up 27 of Amazon’s Project Kuiper satellites, named after the frigid fringes of our solar system beyond Neptune. Once released in orbit, the satellites will eventually reach an altitude of nearly 400 miles (630 kilometers). Two test satellites were launched in 2023, also by an Atlas V. Project officials said major upgrades were made to the newest version. The latest satellites also are coated with a mirror film designed to scatter reflected sunlight in an attempt to accommodate astronomers. Stargazers oppose the fast-growing constellations of low-orbiting satellites, arguing they spoil observations. Others fear more satellite collisions. Founded by Jeff Bezos, who now runs his own rocket company, Blue Origin, Amazon aims to put more than 3,200 of these satellites into orbit to provide fast, affordable broadband service around the globe. Elon Musk’s SpaceX already has launched more than 8,000 Starlinks since 2019. The company marked its 250th Starlink launch Sunday night. More than 7,000 Starlinks are still in orbit some 300-plus miles (550 kilometers) above Earth. The European-based OneWeb satellite constellation numbers in the hundreds in an even higher orbit. Amazon already has purchased dozens of rocket launches from United Launch Alliance and Blue Origin for Project Kuiper, as well as others. “There are some things you can only learn in flight” despite extensive testing on the ground, said Rajeev Badyal, the project’s vice president. “No matter how the mission unfolds, this is just the start of our journey,” he said in a statement ahead of the evening liftoff. The first liftoff attempt earlier this month was nixed by bad weather. It took until now to secure another spot in the launch lineup at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. (AP)

At the JNS International Policy Summit held Monday night at the Waldorf Astoria in Jerusalem, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee issued a blunt warning about Iran’s nuclear threats. He declared that if Iran continues on its path toward acquiring nuclear weapons, President Donald Trump “won’t be dragged into a war, he’ll lead it.” Huckabee stressed the administration’s firm policy, stating, “The president has been very clear that there will never be a possibility for nuclear weapons; he’s been explicit about that.”

Speaking at the same summit one day earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a similarly tough message. He insisted that “the only good deal that works is a deal like the one that was made with Libya, that removed all the infrastructure.” Netanyahu highlighted the critical importance of U.S.-Israel cooperation, saying, “We have to make sure that Iran does not get nuclear weapons.”

Huckabee went on to emphasize the deep connection between the United States and Israel, describing it as “spiritual,” built on the recognition that “the only explanation for the creation and the survival and the victory of Israel is that God’s hand is upon this land, and it always will be.” He expressed his admiration for President Trump’s swift moves after entering office, commenting that Trump “reversed a lot of the ridiculous policies of the previous administration, one of which was to not give Israel the necessary tools to fight a war against the worst savages that we have seen, not just in our century, but perhaps in human history.”

Turning to the urgent situation of hostages held in Gaza, Huckabee emphasized President Trump’s clear position, saying Trump “Made it very clear that Hamas has no future in Gaza or anywhere else on this Earth. Let’s get the hostages home and let’s get them home now. Every last one of them.”

Since stepping into his role as U.S. Ambassador to Israel on April 21, Huckabee has taken a series of diplomatic and symbolic actions to reinforce the U.S.-Israel alliance. Before officially presenting his credentials to Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Huckabee made a personal visit to the Western Wall, where he prayed for the peace of Jerusalem and inserted a handwritten message from President Trump into the ancient stones.

Reflecting on the depth of the bond between the two nations, Huckabee stated, “Israel is an incredibly important ally to us. The United States and its citizens are directly the beneficiaries of some of the extraordinary achievements and accomplishments and innovations of the people here in Israel. People sometimes only think that Israel benefits from the United States. The truth is the United States benefits a great deal from Israel, and not just militarily.”

During his trip, Huckabee also participated in a memorial event honoring 46 Americans and 23 dual U.S.-Israeli citizens who lost their lives to terrorism since the start of the war. Following the event, he posted on social media, “Together with their families, I pray their sacrifices were not in vain. May their memories be a blessing.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

An F/A-18 fighter jet slipped off the hanger deck of an aircraft carrier deployed to the Middle East, as sailors were towing the aircraft into place in the hangar bay of the USS Harry S. Truman on Monday, the Navy said. The crew members who were in the pilot seat of the Super Hornet and on the small towing tractor both jumped out before the jet and the tug went into the Red Sea. According to a defense official, the sailor who jumped from the aircraft sustained a minor injury. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss personnel details. “The F/A-18E was actively under tow in the hangar bay when the move crew lost control of the aircraft. The aircraft and tow tractor were lost overboard,” the Navy said in a statement. The jet was part of Strike Fighter Squadron 136. Fighter jets are routinely towed around the hangar deck to park them where they are needed for any flight operations or other work. It is unclear whether there will be an effort to recover the jet, which costs about $60 million. The incident is under investigation. The Truman has been deployed to the Middle East for months and recently has been involved in stepped-up military operations against the Yemen-based Houthi rebels. U.S. Central Command has said that the military has conducted daily strikes, which have been done by fighter jets, bombers, ships and drones. The Truman’s deployment has already been extended once by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth by about a month. (AP)

In an exceptional and rare move, the State-Prosecutor’s Office announced on Monday that it is withdrawing its indictment against Ron Eilon, former CEO of Yes, in the Bezeq-Yes case, one of the cases against Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. The dramatic decision comes eight years after the investigation was opened and four years after the indictment was filed. Eilon was accused of taking part in an alleged “fraudulent scheme” related to the merger deal between Bezeq and Yes. The decision was made during the trial on Monday due to the presentation of new evidence and the exposure of flaws in the prosecution’s thesis during the cross-examination of key witnesses. The move is especially significant as the Bezeq-Yes affair is closely related to Case 4000, the most serious of the cases against Netanyahu as it involves bribery charges. It should be noted that this is not the first major blow to the prosecution regarding Case 4000, as claims that Walla provided favorable coverage to Netanyahu in exchange for favors have so far been completely disproven in court. In a previous court hearing, the judges scoffed at the charges of bribery against Netanyahu in Case 4000, even snapping at the prosecutor that “the court recommended you drop the bribery charges.” [In June 2023, the Jerusalem District Court recommended that the prosecution drop the bribery charges, warning that a conviction was unlikely.] Shortly later, Attorney Liat Ben Ari, a senior prosecutor in the State Attorney’s Office who led the witchhunt in indicting Netanyahu, resigned from her position. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Hatzolah of Central Jersey held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday morning to mark the addition of a brand-new, state-of-the-art paramedic vehicle to its fleet. The new vehicle was generously sponsored by Shloimy Heller and friends, l’zecher nishmas Rav Yitzchok Stefansky, z”l. This latest addition bolsters Hatzolah’s advanced life support (ALS) capabilities, bringing its operational fleet to a total of 7 paramedic vehicles and 18 ambulances. An additional three paramedic vehicles and two ambulances are set to go into service in the coming weeks, ensuring faster response times and top-level care for the rapidly growing communities Hatzolah serves. “Our mission is to constantly raise the bar for emergency medical care,” said Meilech Esterzohn, CEO of Hatzolah of Central Jersey. “Today’s dedication reaffirms our commitment to be there for every call, every patient, and every life. We are deeply grateful to Shloimy Heller and his colleagues for their generosity and contributing in such a meaningful and lasting way.” Motti Twerski, Executive Director of Hatzolah of Central Jersey, added, “Each addition to our fleet represents countless lives that can be saved and cared for. This new paramedic vehicle is equipped with the latest technology to support our highly trained medics in the field. It’s a true testament to the strength of our kehilla — where chessed and life-saving go hand in hand.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

A senior Israeli diplomatic official pushed back against suggestions for a lasting ceasefire with Hamas, emphasizing that Israel remains focused on hostage negotiations but is reaching the limits of its patience.

“Ideas are flowing from some of the Arab countries, such as a cessation of the war for five years,” the official said. “There is no way that we will agree to a truce with Hamas that will only allow it to re-arm, recover, and continue its war with even more power.”

Explaining Israel’s cautious approach after the last ceasefire, the official noted, “The reason that we did not begin fighting powerfully at the conclusion of the ceasefire, and only did so gradually is because we wanted to give negotiations for the hostages’ release a chance. We want to do our utmost to bring the hostages home and that is what influences our plans of action. We are still trying to do our utmost to release the hostages through a deal, but our patience is not infinite.”

The diplomat also criticized Qatar’s involvement at this stage of the talks, stating, “The Qataris had a less-than-positive influence on the negotiations at this stage.”

When asked about President Donald Trump’s idea of encouraging Gaza emigration, the official acknowledged that progress has been slow, but added, “We are receiving requests from Arab countries asking us to evacuate their citizens. For instance, Canada turned to us and said that there are relatives who wish to go there. Our principle is to bring out those people who want to leave of their own free will, and who, on the flip side, there are countries willing to accept them.”

Turning to the ongoing negotiations between the United States and Iran, the official remarked, “We have discourse with the Americans; the discourse is not one-sided and we are also expressing our positions. There is constant conversation on a great many levels. It’s best not to make premature assumptions – there is a positive and close relationship between the governments. [US envoy Steve] Witkoff’s statements regarding dismantling the interface and enrichment were important – as were those of Secretary of State [Marco] Rubio regarding the enrichment outside of Iran. The US is committed to preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Rep. Gerry Connolly of Virginia announced on Monday he is stepping down as the top Democrat on the powerful House Oversight Committee and will not be seeking reelection next year due to his cancer returning, ending his long career in public life. “The sun is setting on my time in public service,” Connolly said in a statement. “With no rancor and a full heart, I move into this final chapter full of pride in what we’ve accomplished together over 30 years.” Connolly, 75, has served in Congress since 2009 and represents northern Virginia, including Fairfax County. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said in a statement that Connolly has been a “relentless advocate for the incredible civil servants” in his district during the Trump administration’s “unprecedented attacks on federal employees.” Sen. Mark Warner, a fellow Virginia Democrat, lauded Connolly for his toughness. “Whether it’s standing up for federal workers, advocating for good governance, or now confronting cancer with the same resilience and grit that have defined his life of public service, Gerry is one of the toughest fighters I know,” Warner said in a statement. Connolly announced late last year that he had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer and would undergo chemotherapy and immunotherapy. He said that after “grueling treatments,” he learned that the cancer has returned. Concerns about Connolly’s health were a factor late last year as he ran for the top ranking position on Oversight, one of the most prominent committees in Congress. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., ran against Connolly for the job but was defeated as the majority of Democrats opted to stick with the seniority system. Connolly has served on the Oversight Committee for more than 16 years. (AP)

A special election will be held on May 20 to replace State Senator Simcha Felder, who resigned after winning a City Council seat. Sam Sutton, co-leader of the Sephardic Community Federation, will run as the Democratic nominee, while longtime Republican district leader Carl (Nachman) Caller will represent the GOP. The race will determine South Brooklyn’s next State Senator.

New York City’s congestion pricing program raked in $159 million during its first quarter of operation, even as the Trump administration moves aggressively to dismantle the controversial tolling effort.

Drivers are charged $9 during peak hours for entering Manhattan below 60th Street. From the launch of the program on January 5 through March 31, the toll nearly matched its $160 million revenue target, according to data published Monday by the MTA.

The MTA, which operates the city’s public transportation system, oversees the congestion pricing plan, aiming to generate $500 million in 2025. The agency intends to leverage that income to secure $15 billion in bonds for major infrastructure upgrades.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration argues that the tolling policy is unlawful and has given the MTA until May 21 to comply, warning that otherwise the US Department of Transportation will cease approvals for select projects and may even pull federal funding. The MTA has maintained it will not halt collections unless compelled by a court.

Back in February, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy officially rescinded federal approval for the tolling initiative, which had been the first of its kind in the nation. The MTA swiftly filed a lawsuit to prevent Duffy’s reversal, and that courtroom battle is anticipated to stretch into the latter half of 2025.

Congestion pricing is intended to cut down on traffic and enhance air quality across Manhattan. According to the MTA, the program has already made a measurable impact, with data indicating that about 5.8 million fewer vehicles entered the priced zone during the first three months of implementation.

{Matzav.com}

American sports giant Nike sparked global outrage this week after launching a post-London Marathon campaign using the slogan “Never again… until next year” — a crass play on words that invoked the phrase associated with never allowing the Holocaust to happen again. What was meant to be a clever nod to marathon exhaustion instead triggered a firestorm of anger, disbelief, and disgust. By casually repurposing one of history’s most sobering memories, Nike achieved what even the anti-Israel protesters who disrupted the marathon could not: uniting Jewish communities and Holocaust survivors around the world in furious condemnation. “Nike’s marketing department has discovered a new and efficient way to burn millions of dollars and lose customers at the same time,” a crisis communications expert said Sunday. “This is like marketing running shoes with a slogan: ‘The Twin Towers fell — so did our prices.’” The campaign dropped just days after Holocaust Remembrance Day, while Jewish communities worldwide are still grappling with the trauma of the October 7 Hamas massacre in Israel. In a climate of surging antisemitism and widespread trivialization of Jewish suffering, Nike’s flippant slogan was received as a gut punch. Industry insiders say Nike’s marketing team likely aimed to tap into Gen Z’s appetite for “authentic humor” and edginess. Instead, they stumbled into a catastrophic display of ignorance and insensitivity. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

By S. Rosen

I recently heard Rabbi Avi Shafran on Halacha Headlines with Dovid Lichtenstein explain that the primary rabbinic objection to voting in the WZO elections is the technical requirement to confirm that: “I pledge to support the Jerusalem Program and the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state.”

Curious, I decided to review the Jerusalem Program myself to see if it was something I could sign. Here are my thoughts, line by line:

1. “The unity of the Jewish people, its bond to its historic homeland Eretz Yisrael, and the centrality of the State of Israel and Jerusalem, its capital, in the life of the nation;”

While one might fear this is promoting Israel over Torah, it reminded me of the well-known Brisker teaching, based on the Rambam (Pirush HaMishnayos, Bechoros 4:3): Only Jews living in Eretz Yisrael are called Kohol. Certain halachic functions—such as Kiddush Hachodesh, Ibbur Hashanah, and Semichah—can only be performed by Jews in Eretz Yisroel, even when the Land is under foreign rule (Hilchos Sanhedrin 4:11). This underscores that Eretz Yisroel indeed plays a central role in the life of our nation, even for the non-Zionist.

2. “Aliyah to Israel from all countries and the effective integration of all immigrants into Israeli society.”

No issue here. Many authorities maintain that the mitzvah of Yishuv Eretz Yisroel remains binding today. Supporting Aliyah aligns with Torah values.

3. “Strengthening Israel as a Jewish, Zionist and democratic state and shaping it as an exemplary society with a unique moral and spiritual character, marked by mutual respect for the multi-faceted Jewish people, rooted in the vision of the prophets, striving for peace and contributing to the betterment of the world.”

Admittedly, it would be more satisfying to see explicit mention of Torah. The phrase “Tikkun Olam” raises some concern, given how it is often misunderstood. However, judging strictly by the text:

Are we not charged with being an Or Lagoyim (a light unto the nations)? Isn’t our unique moral character derived from Torah? Is the Torah not the vision of Moshe, the Av Hanevi’im (Father of the Prophets)? And mutual respect for fellow Jews is indeed a Torah value, even when we disagree with their beliefs (yitamu chato’im v’lo chot’im, see Brachos 10a).

Thus, while the language could certainly be improved, it’s not terrible.

4. “Ensuring the future and the distinctiveness of the Jewish people by furthering Jewish, Hebrew and Zionist education, fostering spiritual and cultural values and teaching Hebrew as the national language;”

What do they mean by “Jewish education”? I read it as Torah education.

As for Hebrew education, while Modern Hebrew differs from Lashon Hakodesh, it’s not so far removed. Learning Alef-Bais still fulfills the mitzvah of limud Lashon Hakodesh, even when taught in Israeli schools.

Regarding “Zionist education,” consider what we pray for three times a day—Vesechezenah eineinu b’shuvcha l’Tzion b’rachamim. That is what “Zionism” means to me.

And even if you’re an Eitz supporter, what should the national language of Israel be? I’d guess most would say Hebrew. They speak it, don’t they?

5. “Nurturing mutual Jewish responsibility, defending the rights of Jews as individuals and as a nation, representing the national Zionist interests of the Jewish people, and struggling against all manifestations of anti-Semitism;”

“Mutual Jewish responsibility” sounds a lot like kol Yisroel areivim zeh lazeh.

Though parts of this sentence veer into jargon, the fundamental values of standing up for Jews and fighting anti-Semitism are undoubtedly Torah ideals.

6. “Settling the country as an expression of practical Zionism.”

Again, it would be preferable if this said “as an expression of Torah.” Yet, the mitzvah of yishuv ha’aretz—settling Eretz Yisroel—is undeniably a value we hold strongly.

A provocative thought: If it said, “Settling the country as an expression of Agudism” or “Chassidism,” would we object as strongly?

7. “Encouraging recruitment and service in the Israel Defense Forces and the security forces and strengthening them as the protective force of the Jewish people living in Zion, as well as encouraging full National Service for anyone exempted in law from service in the IDF.”

This clause obviously touches a sensitive nerve for frum Jews and bnei Torah.

Yet, in principle, we certainly support the need for an army to protect Jewish lives. We may disagree about who should serve or when—especially regarding yeshiva students—but the existence of the IDF is vital. Sheirut Leumi (National Service) can also be acceptable when conducted within a halachically appropriate framework. I’m not necessarily endorsing it, but this clause wouldn’t stop me from signing.

As for the phrase “protective force of the Jewish people,” while it may sound like kochi v’otzem yadi, think of this: If a headline read “Agudah Secures Tuition Relief Funding,” would we criticize it for not saying “Hashem Grants Tuition Relief Funding Through Agudah”? We can all improve at attributing successes to Hashem, but that doesn’t seem to be the core issue here.

Conclusion:

I’m not here to tell you what to do or whom to follow. My point is simple: We should research issues thoughtfully and not simply accept public rhetoric at face value, no matter whose name is attached to it.

Recent events have shown how even respected outlets can be infiltrated or manipulated. It’s a reminder: Be smart, be informed, and investigate matters for yourself.

The opinions and analysis shared here do not necessarily reflect the stance of Matzav.com and are shared here for informational purposes.