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In an urgent meeting, leading halachic authorities convened at the home of Slabodka Rosh Yeshiva Rav Dov Landau to address growing concerns surrounding modern technological appliances and their impact on Shabbos observance.

The meeting was prompted by alarming new information about everyday electrical devices — including water pumps — which, without proper halachic oversight, may involve serious chilul Shabbos.

Rav Landau opened the session with a strong and emotional call to action: “We must cry out ‘Shabbos!’ People are violating severe prohibitions!”

Participating in the meeting were various respected halachic voices: Rav Shmuel Eliezer Stern, Gaavad of Western Bnei Brak and head of Shaarei Horaah; Rav Yitzchok Mordechai Rubin, author of Orchos Shabbos; Rav Shevach Tzvi Rosenblatt, Chief Rabbi of Bnei Brak; Chief Rabbi Rav Dovid Lau; Rav Menachem Mendel Lubin of Ramat Aharon; and Rav Shmuel Yosef Shtitzberg of the Mishmeres HaShabbos institute, led by its chairman, Rav Eliahu Cohen Beifus.

Rav Landau expressed astonishment at the widespread leniency regarding such critical matters, saying, “How can we treat these things lightly when they involve clear violations of Shabbos? How can someone purchase a home without knowing whether the water pump is halachically approved?”

The discussions focused on the halachic severity of modern water pumps. “With anything technological, one must be vigilant,” Rav Landau emphasized, “and certainly when it comes to water pumps.”

Rav Yitzchok Mordechai Rubin addressed the gathering, stressing the need for heightened awareness to prevent unintentional Shabbos desecration. Expressing his gratitude to Rav Beifus and Mishmeres HaShabbos director Rav Ariel Cohen for their work, he added with a touch of humor: “If not for them, Shabbos observers might still be cooling food with ice cubes like in the old days…”

Delving deeper into the topic, Rav Rubin explained, “Today’s water pumps, if not carefully supervised, operate using motors that actively draw water.” When asked whether this falls under the category of psik reisha d’nicha lei, Rav Rubin responded unequivocally: “This is direct intent.” He noted that the problem is especially severe in high-rise buildings.

Rav Landau offered a sharp critique of current attitudes: “People just want it to be permissible, no matter how. They say, ‘Just take care of it for us,’ because they don’t like the word ‘assur.’”

Rav Beifus, chairman of Mishmeres HaShabbos, delivered a detailed overview of the organization’s efforts, noting, “We act only in situations with no halachic doubts and ensure every device meets the highest standards of lechatchilah without any hesitation.”

Rav Shmuel Yosef Shtitzberg highlighted the crucial need to examine modern electric appliances closely. “I can testify that Rav Beifus studies each device for weeks and months,” he said. “You cannot decide these matters without a Rav who both knows the halachah and understands the current technology. There are those who rely on outdated rulings that simply don’t apply anymore. Comparing today’s devices to what existed fifty years ago is a serious error.”

The discussion shifted to contractors who install water pumps that do not meet halachic standards. Rav Shtitzberg suggested the need to raise awareness among contractors, but Rav Landau insisted the public must be addressed first. “If the public becomes informed,” he explained, “contractors will be forced to adapt and follow the guidelines of Mishmeres HaShabbos.”

Rav Landau spoke with passion and urgency: “People are violating serious issurim.” He contrasted this with the cautious way people treat gebrokts, saying, “With gebrokts, people say, ‘I don’t eat it.’ But here, they say, ‘There are those who are lenient.’”

Rav Shmuel Eliezer Stern added his voice in support of the efforts being made to protect Shabbos. “Mishmeres HaShabbos protects Klal Yisroel. Every new stringency shields us from ‘leniencies’ that cannot be allowed.”

Chief Rabbi Rav Dovid Lau praised Rav Landau’s meticulousness, saying, “The Rosh Yeshiva is exacting with every letter — this is heavenly work, where every letter makes a difference. How much more so when it comes to the 39 melachos, where every category has numerous subcategories…”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy voiced disappointment on Sunday over the absence of a reaction from the United States after Russia turned down a proposal for “a full, unconditional ceasefire.” This comes as Russia launched a deadly aerial offensive that took the lives of two people.

Describing the overnight onslaught as intense, Zelenskyy warned that Russia had carried out a “massive” coordinated assault involving both drones and missiles. He cautioned that the frequency and scale of these airstrikes appear to be rising, signaling that Moscow is increasing its aggression. “The number of Russian air attacks is increasing,” Zelenskyy said, adding that it demonstrates “the pressure on Russia is still insufficient.”

Despite Ukraine agreeing to the U.S.-backed unconditional ceasefire plan in the conflict that has raged for over three years, Russian President Vladimir Putin has refused to participate. “We are waiting for the United States to respond – so far there has been no response,” said Zelenskyy, clearly frustrated by the silence from Washington.

Yulia Svyrydenko, Ukraine’s first deputy prime minister, confirmed the severity of the attack. “Launched a massive nationwide attack on Ukraine using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones,” she said, emphasizing the wide scope of the offensive.

In the capital, Kyiv, residents were awakened by blasts that pierced the night. Smoke columns rose over the city by morning. Tymur Tkachenko, the head of Kyiv’s military administration, confirmed that one person was killed and three others were injured in the strikes. Mayor Vitali Klitschko later added, “The body of a man killed in an enemy attack was discovered in Darnytsia district.”

One missile strike caused significant damage to a facility housing the state’s foreign-language broadcasting services. Freedom, a Russian-language channel, reported that its newsroom was destroyed. Fires erupted in several non-residential buildings throughout the capital, according to emergency responders. In a nearby area, a man sustained burns after a drone attack triggered a house fire, military officials said.

The Ukrainian air force provided details about the scale of the assault, stating that Russia had launched 23 cruise and ballistic missiles along with 109 drones during the night. They managed to intercept 13 missiles and 40 drones, while another 54 posed no threat or caused no damage.

The southern region of Kherson experienced tragedy as well—a drone strike there killed a 59-year-old man. In the northeastern Kharkiv region, which borders Russia, two individuals were injured during an aerial bombing, local authorities confirmed. Meanwhile, in the west, Khmelnytsky officials said a missile was intercepted, but its falling debris damaged a house and injured a woman.

According to Zelenskyy, the past week has seen a dramatic uptick in Russian attacks: over 1,460 guided aerial bombs, nearly 670 kamikaze drones, and more than 30 missiles of various classes have been used against Ukrainian targets.

The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed a symbolic breakthrough, saying its troops had “liberated” Basivka, a village near the Kursk region border. However, Ukraine dismissed this as part of Moscow’s propaganda tactics. “The enemy continues its disinformation campaign regarding the seizure of settlements in Sumy region or the breakthrough of the border,” Andriy Demchenko, spokesperson for Ukraine’s State Border Guard Service, told AFP.

Echoing Zelenskyy’s concerns, French President Emmanuel Macron called for urgent action. “A ceasefire is needed as soon as possible. And strong action if Russia continues to try to buy time and refuse peace,” Macron posted on X. He added that Russia continues “to murder children and civilians.”

The air raids over the weekend followed Friday’s horrifying missile attack in Kryvyi Rig, Zelenskyy’s hometown, which claimed 18 lives, including nine children.

Volker Turk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, condemned Russia’s tactics, stating the country was showing a “reckless disregard” for civilian lives by deploying “an explosive weapon with wide area effects.”

Moscow, for its part, asserted it had hit key military targets, including an artillery hub and drone production facilities. Russia also accused Ukraine of targeting its energy infrastructure, specifically mentioning a gas distribution center in the Voronezh region.

While U.S. President Donald Trump is encouraging both nations to settle on a partial ceasefire, those diplomatic efforts have yet to yield an agreement that satisfies both governments.

Meanwhile, efforts to restore U.S.-Russia diplomatic engagement are ongoing. Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev, who recently traveled to Washington—the most senior Russian official to do so since the start of the war—told Russian state TV that further bilateral talks could take place “next week,” according to state-run news outlets.

{Matzav.com}

Attorney General Pam Bondi acknowledged Sunday that allowing Donald Trump to legally pursue a third presidential term would be extraordinarily difficult under current law. Speaking on Fox News Sunday, Bondi stated, “I wish we could have him for 20 years as our president, but I think he’s going to be finished, probably, after this term.”

The U.S. Constitution, amended in 1947 following Franklin D. Roosevelt’s historic four-term presidency, imposes a two-term limit for presidents. Any attempt to reverse that amendment would demand a rigorous legal process requiring significant political consensus — a scenario many experts say is nearly impossible in today’s polarized climate.

“That’s really the only way to do it,” Bondi explained. “It’d be a heavy lift.”

While many initially dismissed Trump’s musings about a third term as far-fetched, he reignited speculation during a March 31 interview with NBC News, stating plainly that he was “not joking” about staying in office beyond a second term. He added that there were “methods” he believed could make it feasible.

Bondi’s remarks align with constitutional experts who overwhelmingly maintain that a third term would be unconstitutional without a formal amendment. But her words carry additional weight, given her role as a steadfast Trump supporter now serving as the nation’s top law enforcement officer.

Bondi also used her Sunday interview to push back on the wave of lawsuits that have dogged the Trump administration since its early days. “We’ve had over 170 lawsuits brought against us — that should be the constitutional crisis right there,” she said. “We’ll continue to fight” those cases as they move through the courts.

Her defense of the administration extended to its capital punishment policy. She spoke about the Justice Department’s pursuit of the death penalty in the high-profile case involving Luigi Mangione, who is accused of killing insurance executive Brian Thompson in Manhattan late last year. “The president’s directive was very clear: we are to seek the death penalty when possible,” Bondi emphasized. “If there was ever a death case, this is one.”

She also highlighted a recent legal triumph for the administration at the Supreme Court. On Friday, the justices sided with the White House in a dispute over the Department of Education’s suspension of $64 million in DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) grants aimed at teacher training and professional development.

“We just got a great win,” Bondi said, “and we’ll continue to fight every day.”

{Matzav.com}

“Telling your wife your needs and wants” is a complete waste of time for married men who want happiness and I’ll tell you why. So many marriage experts claim they have the secret to a happy marriage and that it all comes down to communication, boundaries and bringing in more money. They tell you to help out more at home, talk about the past, go together to a marriage professional but never stop to take inventory of whether ANY of these methods are actually WORKING in creating happiness and joy! I am not saying those strategies don’t work at all, but they are the long… slow… painful way of having a happy home. And for the few that make it with these strategies, they’ve done it while he doesn’t get what he needs, and she doesn’t get what she needs.  Meanwhile, we’re helping our clients connect with their wives on the highest level, living lives full of happiness and excitement and it gets more and more joyful by the day where both husband and wife feel happiness and excitement… … all without needing their wife to meet them halfway! To check out how they do this, click below to watch my free presentation where I share all the details … you’re going to thank me for it! 5 Steps Married Men Use to Get Rid of Friction and Create Happiness and Excitement… Without Needing Their Wife to Meet Them Halfway!

More than 50 nations affected by President Donald Trump’s new tariff policy have approached the administration to initiate trade discussions, according to senior officials speaking on Sunday. The wide-reaching import taxes, which have unsettled global markets and sparked fears of economic downturn, are scheduled to take effect this Wednesday, ushering in a period of unpredictability in international trade.

Israel, one of America’s closest allies, is among the countries caught in the crossfire of these new tariffs and is facing a 17% rate. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans to address the issue directly with Trump during his visit to Washington on Monday. Netanyahu’s office confirmed that tariffs would be among several topics covered in a joint press briefing, alongside ongoing conflict in Gaza and regional security.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed that there would be no delay in implementing the new measures. “The tariffs are coming. Of course they are,” he stated firmly. Lutnick explained that the administration’s goal is to recalibrate global trade dynamics, though he only committed to the tariffs remaining in place “for days and weeks.”

The policy, first announced on April 2, marks the fulfillment of one of Trump’s core campaign promises, enacted unilaterally without congressional approval. It reflects Trump’s long-standing disdain for international trade deals he believes disadvantage the U.S., and it signals his willingness to accept short-term financial discomfort in the name of economic reformation. “WE WILL WIN. HANG TOUGH, it won’t be easy,” the president wrote online over the weekend as he played golf in Florida.

Trump’s economic aides were deployed across media outlets Sunday to make the case for the tariffs and calm growing unease. “There doesn’t have to be a recession. Who knows how the market is going to react in a day, in a week?” said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. “What we are looking at is building the long-term economic fundamentals for prosperity.”

The scope of the tariffs has hit both adversaries and allies, leaving foreign governments grappling with how to respond. Some have already announced retaliatory actions, while others are signaling a willingness to negotiate. “There is concern, and there’s concern across the country. People are watching the markets,” admitted Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming, the second-ranking Republican in the Senate. “There’ll be a discussion in the Senate. We’ll see which way the discussion goes.”

Vietnam, a key U.S. trading partner in textiles, has also reached out to the administration. Trump revealed that during a recent phone conversation, the country’s leader expressed interest in reaching a deal. “Wants to cut their Tariffs down to ZERO if they are able to make an agreement with the U.S.,” Trump said.

Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are weighing their response. Although many Republicans have traditionally backed free trade, some are now pushing for a legislative check on executive tariff authority. Nebraska Representative Don Bacon announced plans to introduce a bill in the House requiring congressional approval for any future tariff actions. “We gave some of that power to the executive branch. I think, in hindsight, that was a mistake,” Bacon said, while noting that passing the measure could prove difficult unless economic indicators worsen.

White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett pointed to the wide interest in negotiations as proof the policy is having its intended effect. “Angry and retaliating,” he acknowledged of other nations, but added, “by the way, coming to the table.” He cited information from the U.S. Trade Representative indicating that over 50 countries had expressed a desire to begin trade talks.

Scott Bessent emphasized the complexity of the negotiations ahead. “The kind of thing you can’t negotiate away in days or weeks,” he said. The U.S., he noted, must assess “what the countries offer and whether it’s believable.”

Meanwhile, Trump’s point man for government cost-efficiency, Elon Musk, finally weighed in at a conference in Italy. Though previously quiet on the tariff issue, Musk called for a mutual dismantling of trade barriers. He said he’d like to see the U.S. and Europe transition to “a zero-tariff situation.” The remarks drew criticism from Trump trade adviser Peter Navarro, who pushed back. “Elon, when he is on his DOGE lane, is great. But we understand what’s going on here. We just have to understand. Elon sells cars,” Navarro said. “He’s simply protecting his own interest as any business person would do.”

Former Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers also raised concerns about the administration’s strategy. If the U.S. intends to simultaneously encourage domestic manufacturing and eliminate tariffs through deals, he warned, that contradiction could prove counterproductive. “If it’s a permanent revenue source and trying to get businesses to relocate to the United States, then we’re going to have these tariffs permanently. So the president can’t have it both ways,” Summers said.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni voiced her disapproval of the U.S. tariffs but signaled her willingness to respond constructively. “Ready to deploy all the tools — negotiating and economic — necessary to support our businesses and our sectors that may be penalized,” she said.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump has claimed that recent U.S. airstrikes in Yemen have “decimated” the Iran-backed Houthi terrorist group, but officials behind closed doors are painting a very different picture. According to a New York Times report published Friday, Pentagon officials have quietly acknowledged that the strikes have fallen short of expectations, failing to dismantle the Houthis’ fortified underground weapons infrastructure. The report reveals growing frustration within the Defense Department, where sources admit that U.S. forces are struggling to inflict lasting damage on the Iran-backed group’s deeply embedded arsenal. Despite increasingly intense operations ordered under the Trump administration, the Pentagon has reportedly refrained from publicly disclosing the full scale of the strikes or their limited effectiveness. “The underground bunkers are well-fortified,” said one official quoted in the Times. “We underestimated how prepared they were.” Behind the scenes, the cost of the campaign is mounting. The U.S. has already spent an estimated $200 million in munitions alone, a figure that excludes the deployment of two aircraft carriers, personnel, and other military assets in the region. One congressional source told the Times that total expenses could hit $1 billion by next week. The United States has also dedicated substantial resources to protecting Israel, its key ally in the region, from Houthi aerial threats. The use of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system to intercept incoming missiles can cost between $12 million and $15 million per use, according to Israeli media outlet Walla. Despite the pressure on Israel from frequent Houthi missile fire, a source told the Jerusalem Post that the U.S. had advised Israel against striking Houthi positions, instead opting to take the lead in the sustained offensive. While Israeli Air Force strikes have successfully targeted Houthi sites in the past, U.S. officials believe American forces—bolstered by aircraft carriers and long-range precision weapons—are better equipped for prolonged engagement. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

A poignant ceremony took place on Sunday in Plainview, Long Island, as a section of Manetto Hill Road was officially renamed in honor of the late Captain Omer Neutra. An American-Israeli IDF soldier whose body remains in the hands of Hamas, Omer was remembered through the dedication of the newly named “Captain Omer Neutra’s Way.”

After the street was renamed, Omer’s family recorded a heartfelt video message ahead of an upcoming meeting between President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Standing in solidarity with them were Adi and Yael Alexander, the parents of Edan Alexander, another American-Israeli soldier.

“We’re standing here in Plainview, Long Island, New York, dedicating this street, Manetto Hill Road. It is now dedicated to Omer Neutra, after our son: Captain Omer Neutra’s Way. And it’s a tribute to his dedication to Israel, to the Jewish people. We’re very blessed to have such a community,” Omer’s parents said.

They added a direct plea to the American and Israeli leaders: “We’re here calling on President Trump to do everything in his power, together, tomorrow, with his meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu, to do everything to bring the 59 hostages home. Among them, Edan Alexander – his parents are here – a brave IDF soldier that is known to be alive, and Omer Neutra, our son, to come and to get a proper burial in the land of Israel. It has to happen now. And we’re calling on them to act swiftly and bring all the 59 hostages back home.”

{Matzav.com}

On Sunday night, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu held a phone call with Defense Minister Yisroel Katz from the Wing of Zion aircraft, during which he was briefed on the rocket attacks launched from Gaza.

In a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office, it was noted, “The Prime Minister instructed that a vigorous response be carried out and approved the continuation of the intensive IDF activity in the Strip against Hamas.”

Later, Defense Minister Katz addressed the escalation involving rockets fired toward the Ashkelon region.

“I have instructed the IDF to continue and expand Operation ‘Might and Sword’ and to deliver a very powerful blow against Hamas in Gaza in response to the firing. For every piece of shrapnel that hit an Ashkelon resident, Hamas murderers must pay the heaviest price. We will not tolerate missile fire toward Israel,” Katz said.

In response, the IDF carried out airstrikes against the rocket launchers in Gaza that were used to fire at Israeli targets earlier in the day.

“The IDF will continue to operate to remove any threat to Israeli civilians,” said the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit.

Earlier in the evening, a barrage of ten rockets was fired from Gaza, triggering alert sirens in Ashkelon, Ashdod, and nearby communities.

According to the IDF, approximately five of the rockets were intercepted by Israeli Air Force systems. The military added, “Falls were identified in several areas. IDF Home Front Command soldiers are dispatched to the scenes and are operating in cooperation with Israeli security forces.”

Fragments from the rockets landed in Ashkelon, causing damage to multiple vehicles. Security personnel were sent to the impacted locations to manage the aftermath.

{Matzav.com Israel}

President Donald Trump’s sweeping new tariffs are drawing blistering criticism from economists and market analysts, with CNBC’s Steve Liesman calling the move a “self-inflicted catastrophe” that could plunge the country into recession. Appearing on MSNBC’s All In with Chris Hayes Friday night, Liesman warned that the markets are reacting to a grim economic outlook sparked by Trump’s latest trade actions. “If you take a step back, what’s really happening here, Chris, is the market is pricing in the high probability of a recession,” Liesman said. “That’s really what this is all about right now.” On Wednesday, Trump announced a new tariff structure that imposes a 10% baseline tariff on nearly all imported goods. Certain countries were hit with significantly higher rates, and a 25% tariff was placed on all automobile imports, igniting fears of a full-blown trade war. The markets reacted quickly: the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped nearly 4,000 points over two days, and JPMorgan analysts now place the odds of a tariff-induced recession at 60%. “The Titanic hit an iceberg by accident,” Liesman said. “This is the equivalent of steering the Titanic toward the iceberg.” He added that the market is not anticipating any long-term economic benefit from the tariffs: “The market prices in future values, and that’s not happening. What’s not happening is the market pricing in some form of ‘golden age’ where manufacturing comes back to America.” Liesman pointed out that between $7 trillion and $10 trillion in stock market value has been lost since Trump took office in January. Adding to the unease, Liesman noted that many investors had hoped Trump’s aides would act as a moderating force on policy — a hope he now believes is unfounded. “Well, that’s gone,” he said. “The adults have left the room, is maybe one way to put it.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

A dramatic surge in iPhone prices may be on the horizon for American consumers, with some models potentially hitting $2,300, as a result of steep new tariffs unveiled by President Trump targeting imports from China and other major trade partners, industry experts caution.

The production cost for the iPhone 16 Pro with 256GB of storage is expected to leap from $550 to $820, TechInsights analyst Wayne Lam revealed to The Wall Street Journal.

That dramatic rise stems from a 54% tariff imposed on Chinese imports — a significant blow to Apple, which relies on China for assembling most of its devices, though components are sourced globally.

While Apple was granted a waiver on China tariffs during Trump’s previous term, no such exceptions have been granted for individual products this time around.

Factoring in manufacturing, quality checks, and other operating expenses, the total cost of producing an iPhone could climb by about 43%, analysts at Rosenblatt Securities told Reuters.

Should Apple choose to shift the added burden to its American buyers, the standard iPhone 16, currently priced at $799, could spike to approximately $1,500.

Meanwhile, the flagship iPhone 16 Pro Max, which boasts a 6.9-inch screen and one-terabyte of storage, may see its price jump from $1,599 to $2,300.

For that amount, a consumer could hang on to their existing device and enjoy a four-night Disney Cruise to the Bahamas — with spare change.

The iPhone 16 does bring new perks to the table, like an improved chip, better battery, enhanced camera, and the addition of Apple Intelligence, but those upgrades might not justify the massive price tag for many shoppers.

The Wall Street Journal also broke down where Apple sources key parts: the rear camera, priced at about $127, is made in Japan. Taiwan supplies the $90 processor. The screen comes from South Korea and costs $38. The memory, one of the few American-made elements, adds just $22 to the bill.

While many customers in the U.S. purchase iPhones through installment plans baked into wireless service contracts, analysts told Reuters that global iPhone sales have been on the decline.

Still, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick floated an alternative solution: shift iPhone production to the U.S.

“The army of millions and millions of human beings screwing in little screws to make iPhones — that kind of thing is going to come to America,” Lutnick said during a Face the Nation appearance.

However, manufacturing iPhones stateside would mean a steep increase in labor costs — from $30 per phone in China to $300 in the U.S., according to Wayne Lam’s comments to the Journal.

And unless Apple also figures out how to locally produce all the individual components, the company would continue to face inflated costs for imported parts.

{Matzav.com}

Armed settlers stormed the Palestinian village of Tuba in the South Chevron Hills area of the West Bank in what appeared to be a calculated attempt to pressure local residents to abandon their homes and land, according to village witnesses.

Residents said that although police were called to the area, they only arrived after the settlers had already departed.

According to Beyond the Herd, an Israeli activist group that supports Palestinians in the South Chevron Hills, the incursion was intended to incite local Palestinians into reacting violently, thereby giving settlers a “pretext” for further aggression. The group said such provocations are a common tactic used by extremists in the area.

One of the settlers identified in the raid was Yissochor Manne, a dual US-Israeli citizen who had previously been sanctioned by the Biden administration for his involvement in attacks on Palestinians. Manne and another American had challenged those sanctions in court, but the penalties were eventually lifted when the Trump administration took office.

Tuba is part of the Masafer Yatta region, a collection of Palestinian villages featured in the Academy Award-winning documentary No Other Land, which focused on settler violence and demolitions carried out by the Israeli military. Since the film’s release, residents say settler harassment has intensified.

Community members maintain that these attacks are part of a broader strategy to displace Palestinians and are often carried out with impunity, as arrests or prosecutions are rare.

Just days earlier, a group of about 50 settlers launched an assault on the village of Duma in the northern West Bank. According to reports, three Palestinians were injured, homes were damaged, and property was set on fire during the attack.

In response to the Duma incident, Defense Minister Yisroel Katz declined to call the violence an act of terrorism. “I don’t define this as ‘terror.’ This is my perspective,” he said.

“There was lawbreaking here, and we must deal with it. We must enforce [the law] against whoever did this,” Katz stated. He continued, “I am against violence, I support enforcing the law,” emphasizing that such behavior cannot be tolerated.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu arrived in Hungary last week, officials from the International Criminal Court submitted a formal request to the Hungarian authorities, urging them to hand him over.

According to a report from Channel 12, the ICC’s appeal included a call for Netanyahu’s temporary detention in accordance with the Rome Statute, the treaty that governs the court. The request cited several controversial allegations, among them: “use of starvation as a weapon of war,” “crimes against humanity,” and “attacking civilian areas.”

The court insisted that the request remain strictly confidential in order to preserve the integrity of the judicial process leading up to a possible arrest.

But Hungary went further than simply declining to act on the ICC’s demand. In a bold move timed with Netanyahu’s visit, the government announced its decision to exit the treaty and renounce its participation in the Rome Statute altogether.

The ICC had previously issued arrest warrants for both Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Prior to Netanyahu’s arrival, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban provided assurances that Netanyahu would not face detention while visiting the country.

This marks the first time a nation belonging to the ICC has hosted Netanyahu since the court’s warrants were issued.

{Matzav.com}

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) on Sunday reported a steady increase in the number of Charedi employees within its ranks. According to the company, over 400 Charedi men and women are now employed at IAI — a notable figure for one of the country’s most prestigious technological firms. At a recent conference dedicated to integrating Charedi professionals into technological and engineering roles, IAI highlighted its broad-based efforts to make its workforce more inclusive while respecting the values and lifestyle of the Charedi tzibbur. “At IAI, we run various programs throughout the year to recruit employees from a range of backgrounds, including the Charedi community,” said Nir Reis, Vice President of Human Resources at IAI. He credited the company’s success in this area to “wide-ranging recruitment initiatives, exposure events tailored for Charedi engineers, partnerships with Charedi training organizations, and job postings specifically targeted to Charedi neighborhoods.” In 2024 alone, 48 new Charedi employees joined IAI — part of a broader trend that has seen a 45% increase in Charedi hiring over the past two years. In addition to recruitment, IAI has taken meaningful steps to ensure that frum employees feel comfortable and supported in their work environment. The company has implemented internal web-filtering systems, hosts family-friendly events with sensitivity to the community’s standards, and provides a fully functioning on-site bais medrash. “IAI is proud to be a place where all segments of Jewry can find a professional home,” said Boaz Levy, CEO of IAI. “We are deeply committed to increasing the representation of diverse communities — including Charedi men and women — within our workforce.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

A 13-year-old child suddenly lost consciousness on Sunday while on the pedestrian bridge located on Route 4, directly across from Bar Ilan University. The incident occurred near a demonstration held by the Peleg Yerushalmi faction.

Emergency responders from Magen David Adom rushed to the location, provided immediate medical attention, and transported the boy in critical condition to Schneider Children’s Medical Center in Petach Tikva.

Upon arrival at the hospital, medical staff did all they could to stabilize him. Despite prolonged efforts, they were ultimately forced to pronounce him dead.

Jonathan Yisraeli, a volunteer with ZAKA, shared: “I arrived at the scene on the Givat Shmuel bridge following a report about a 13-year-old boy who collapsed and was seriously injured in the head. Unfortunately, he was declared dead in hospital care. With the assistance of additional volunteers, we are collecting the evidence left at the scene and helping the family in their difficult time with whatever is needed.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

A barrage of ten rockets was fired from the Gaza Strip on Sunday night, triggering warning sirens across Ashkelon, Ashdod, and nearby towns.

The attack was claimed by Hamas, which said the rockets were launched from Deir al-Balah, a central Gaza location where Israeli forces have not yet conducted operations.

According to the IDF, “Following the sirens that sounded at 21:01-21:02 in the Lakhish area, approximately ten projectiles were identified crossing into Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip. Most of them were successfully intercepted. The details are under review.”

In a subsequent update, the military added, “Approximately five projectiles were successfully intercepted by the IAF. Falls were identified in several areas. IDF Home Front Command soldiers are dispatched to the scenes and are operating in cooperation with Israeli security forces.”

Fragments from the intercepted missiles fell in Ashkelon, leading to damage to multiple cars. Emergency teams arrived quickly to secure the locations.

Police released a statement saying: “The police are currently tending to fallen shrapnel at a scene in the Ashkelon area, without injuries at the moment. Police sappers from the Southern District and officers from the Ashkelon police station are searching for additional remnants to remove threats to the public.”

A local government update from the Ashkelon Municipality reported: “One rocket fell in the city limits – damage was caused to property. One individual was apparently lightly wounded.”

Magen David Adom said its medics assisted several people suffering from emotional trauma and transported three individuals with minor injuries to Assuta Hospital.

{Matzav.com Israel}

The Academy of the Hebrew Languages has announced that it has changed the Hebrew name of the spotted orange butterfly in honor of murdered Israeli hostage Ariel Bibas, 4.

The name was changed from Kitmit Yerushalayim (Orange Yerushalayim) to Kitmit Ariel (Orange Ariel) in memory of Ariel, who was killed by Palestinian terrorists along with his mother and nine-month old brother shortly after the family was abducted from their homes in southern Israel during the Hamas-led massacre on Oct. 7, 2023.

The Hebrew word Ariel is one of the 70 names of Yerushalayim.

“May this be some consolation in your grief, and may his memory be a remembrance for all those who perished and fell in this great disaster,” the academy wrote to the child’s father, Yarden, who was released from captivity in February.

The decision to rename the Melitaea ornata (eastern knapweed fritillary) butterfly was taken unanimously by the Academy after securing the permission of Yarden Bibas.

The Bibas family became a symbol of the Oct. 7 massacre, while the color orange became associated with the effort to free them, inspired by the vivid reddish orange hair of Ariel and his younger brother, Kfir. The two siblings were brutally murdered by their Palestinian captors with “bare hands,” according to the Israeli military. JNS

{Matzav.com}

Fox News host Sean Hannity praised President Donald Trump’s recent musings about a potential third term in office, calling the remarks a savvy psychological tactic that keeps Trump “living rent-free” in his critics’ minds. Appearing on a podcast, Hannity downplayed any serious intent behind Trump’s remarks, describing the idea of a third term as “ultimately a constitutional issue,” but applauded the former president’s ability to provoke strong reactions. “I love it because they bubble and fizz like Alka-Seltzer,” Hannity said, referring to media and political opponents who react to Trump’s controversial comments. “He’s taking up space in people’s minds, which I find funny.” The comments come after Trump recently joked during a speech at the White House about the possibility of facing off against former President Barack Obama in a race that would see both seeking constitutionally prohibited third terms. While seemingly made in jest, Trump’s remarks sparked fresh speculation about his long-term political ambitions. A new YouGov poll found that nearly 60% of respondents believe Trump will either “definitely” or “probably” try to run for a third term—despite the constitutional prohibition. When asked directly whether such a third-term bid is possible, Hannity acknowledged the constitutional limit of two terms but left the door open rhetorically. “Well, not according to the actual wording of it—two terms,” Hannity said. “But would that be a possibility maybe in some other respect? Yeah. But I’m telling you, he takes up space on people’s heads. He’s great at it.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

WATCH: Footage captures the moment of the rocket impact in Ashkelon.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick tells “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” that the new tariffs announced by President Trump are not going anywhere as they will help “reset the power of the United States of America,” calling it a “national security issue.”

WATCH:

Authorities from Ashkolon reported that a rocket made direct impact with a road causing damage to surrounding vehicles. Initial reports suggest that 1 person had been slightly injured.