Feed aggregator

Israeli Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich declared Sunday that the proposed Basic Law on Torah study will not provide an exemption from military service, insisting that he and his party successfully blocked earlier versions of the legislation that could have been interpreted that way. Speaking at the Yisroel Hayom Conference, Smotrich also launched a blistering attack on Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara and defended the government’s handling of both the economy and the war.

In an interview with Amit Segal, the Religious Zionism chairman accused Baharav-Miara of serious misconduct, saying, “Gali Baharav-Miara should be investigated criminally for breach of trust and abuse of her office. Zini and Gofman should file a personal defamation lawsuit against her for slandering them.”

Smotrich continued his criticism, arguing that the attorney general has become a political figure rather than an impartial legal official. “She is a political player, the chairwoman of an opposition party who is imposing her views and agenda through force and violence on the overwhelming majority of Israeli citizens,” he said. Turning to Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu’s criminal trial, Smotrich asserted that “Netanyahu’s acquittal is not nearly enough,” adding that “all those who framed him throughout the process in the police and the State Attorney’s Office, including Baharav-Miara, should be held accountable before the Israeli public and sent to prison.”

Addressing Israel’s economy, Smotrich argued that the country’s financial performance remains strong despite the ongoing war on seven fronts and said current economic indicators justify more substantial interest rate cuts. “Look at the shekel, the stock market, high-tech, the labor market, and inflation, which is within the target range,” he said. He added, “Our government has done an outstanding job on security and the war. We fought a war on seven fronts with fantastic results—not perfect, but our strategic, geopolitical, and security position is far better than it was on October 6.”

Asked about the proposed Basic Law on Torah study, Smotrich said he opposed earlier drafts because they could have been interpreted as exempting bnei yeshivah from military service. “There was a very bad Basic Law on Torah study that could have been understood to mean that Torah study exempts someone from military service. We opposed it and told the chareidim: ‘Over our dead bodies’—and we won.” He stressed that the current version “unequivocally does not allow draft evasion and does not come at the expense of other values.”

According to Smotrich, one of the law’s goals is to protect yeshivos hesder from legal challenges by opposition groups. He argued that Israel must balance competing national values, saying, “There is a value called equality, there is the value of military service, employment, core curriculum studies, and there is also the value of Torah study—and they must be balanced.” He dismissed warnings from Finance Ministry professionals about potential economic consequences as “complete ignorance.”

Discussing the war in Gaza, Smotrich said Israel has made substantial progress but has not yet completed its mission. “All the hostages have returned home, both the living and the deceased. We control between 60% and 70% of the Gaza Strip, and there is international commitment to dismantling Hamas and demilitarizing Gaza,” he said, adding, “There is no reconstruction without demilitarization.”

Smotrich also urged Prime Minister Netanyahu to authorize additional Jewish communities in the territories under Israeli control. “I call on the Prime Minister: Let us manage the settlement enterprise and establish at least three new communities.” He argued that territorial expansion is the key to defeating Israel’s enemies. “The enemy understands only territory. Want to instill a sense of defeat and the price of making a mistake in the enemy? Take territory. Want to instill a sense of victory among us? Take territory.” He concluded, “Take territory, build communities there, strengthen your security. That is the picture of victory.”

{Matzav.com}

The Badatz of the Eida Hachareidis has issued a formal ruling on a question that has recently generated discussion among the city’s rabbanim: Should the city’s name be written as “Tiveria” ending with an alef or “Tiveriah” ending with a hei? During the same gathering, the Badatz also released a sharply worded public proclamation protesting what it described as serious breaches of kedushah in areas near the city’s beaches and the tziyun of Rabi Meir Baal Hanes.

The special session was led by Rav Avrohom Yitzchok Ullman, a member of the Badatz and Rav of Yerushalayim’s Givat Shaul neighborhood. After reviewing the matter, the beis din ruled that the proper spelling is “Tiveriah,” ending with a hei. Rav Ullman based the decision on the teshuvos of the Minchas Yitzchok, which he cited as the authoritative source for the ruling.

The question is not merely academic. The spelling of a city’s name carries practical halachic significance, particularly in the preparation of gittin and kesubos. As a result, many had sought guidance from leading poskim regarding the correct form to use.

The issue has become increasingly relevant as the city’s chareidi population continues to grow amid Israel’s housing shortage. In recent years, communities affiliated with Toldos Aharon and Satmar—both under the umbrella of the Eida Hachareidis—have established a presence in Tiveriah, joining longstanding communities such as Sanz and Karlin, which have maintained educational institutions in the city for many years.

The meeting was convened following a delegation of rabbanim and community leaders from Tiveriah, including the local representative of the Toldos Aharon Rebbe, who appeared before the Badatz to express alarm over what they described as increasing michsholim near the city’s waterfront, particularly in the vicinity of the kever of Rabi Meir Baal Hanes.

Following the presentation, the members of the Badatz, under the leadership of Rav Moshe Sternbuch, issued a strongly worded kol korei addressed to the Torah-observant public.

The proclamation stated, in part: “The rabbanim and community leaders of the holy city of Tiveriah approached us to warn of a terrible stumbling block recently created by the municipality and its leadership through the opening of a mixed beach on the road leading to the grave of Rabi Meir Baal Hanes, may he protect us. Beyond the severe breach involved in establishing such a beach, the entire roadway has effectively become an extension of the beach, rachmana litzlan.”

The statement continued: “They have further worsened the situation by removing the partitions from portions of the recreational sites and beaches between the ancient cemetery and the Tiveriah hot springs, in the area surrounding the tziyun of the tanna Rabi Meir Baal Hanes. This creates a grave stumbling block for pedestrians and motorists alike, exposing them to forbidden sights and matters related to giluy arayos, while making it increasingly difficult for those who observe Torah and mitzvos.”

The members of the Badatz called on municipal officials to rectify the situation immediately, warning that “those responsible should fear the consequences of causing the public to sin, for the punishment for leading others astray is exceedingly severe.”

They also instructed the chareidi public to avoid traveling on the road stretching from the ancient cemetery to the traffic circle near the turnoff to the tziyun of Rabi Meir Baal Hanes, recommending alternative routes “so as not to stumble in the gravest of prohibitions… especially during the daytime and throughout the summer months, when the pritzus is especially shocking and severe, rachmana litzlan.”

The kol korei further warned Torah institutions, Talmudei Torah, and girls’ schools not to hold activities at attractions in the area, including Aqua Kef and Halom Olami, even during hours designated for separate use. According to the Badatz, doing so could undermine the spiritual development of young students and constitute a chilul Hashem by lending legitimacy to what they view as a serious michshol.

{Matzav.com}

A sweeping reform proposed by Israel’s Interior Ministry could make roughly 100,000 additional households eligible for municipal property tax (arnona) discounts beginning in 2026, while significantly increasing the value of existing benefits. The changes, however, are expected to reduce local government revenues by approximately NIS 1.1 billion.

According to a report in Maariv, an analysis by the Finance Ministry’s Chief Economist projects that the number of households qualifying for income-based arnona discounts will rise from approximately 740,000 to 840,000. At the same time, the total value of those discounts is expected to grow from about NIS 2.2 billion to roughly NIS 3.2 billion.

The reform would overhaul both the method used to calculate household income and the scale of discounts available. According to the Finance Ministry, the current system disproportionately favors larger households, while the proposed model broadens eligibility across additional segments of the population. Officials estimate that about 91 percent of households already receiving discounts will qualify for larger reductions, while only a small percentage are expected to receive less than they do today.

The expanded benefits are expected to come at a significant cost to local authorities. The Finance Ministry estimates municipalities collectively will lose approximately NIS 1.1 billion in revenue, with financially weaker communities bearing the greatest burden. In municipalities ranked in the lowest socioeconomic category, the reduction could amount to as much as 7 percent of their discretionary budgets—the portion of municipal funding available for local services.

The reform is also expected to extend benefits well beyond the lowest-income households. Eligibility among families in the second and third income deciles is projected to increase from 51 percent to 64 percent, while more modest gains are anticipated for households in the fourth through sixth income deciles. One reason for the broader eligibility is that the revised income calculation excludes several National Insurance benefits, including child allowances, old-age pensions, survivor benefits, and disability payments for children.

According to the analysis, chareidi households are expected to have the highest eligibility rate under the new formula. Under the current system, approximately 60 percent of chareidi households qualify for an arnona discount; under the proposed rules, that figure is expected to rise to 65 percent. The average annual discount for a chareidi household is projected to be approximately NIS 4,600. The Arab sector is expected to experience the largest increase in eligibility, with the percentage of qualifying households climbing to approximately 53 percent.

The proposal does not alter existing employment incentives. Eligibility for the discounts will continue to be based solely on financial criteria and will not require recipients to enter the workforce or maximize their earning capacity. Likewise, applicants will still be required to submit documentation manually rather than having eligibility verified automatically through direct data-sharing with Israel’s National Insurance Institute. According to the Finance Ministry, only about 40 percent of eligible households currently take advantage of the benefit.

{Matzav.com}

As protests over the military draft continue to intensify, criticism is increasingly coming not only from Israel’s secular public and government officials, but also from respected figures within the chareidi world. Over the weekend, Rav Doniel Wolfson, Rosh Yeshiva of Nesivos Chochmah, strongly condemned the conduct of some anti-draft demonstrators, warning that their tactics have strayed far from the values of authentic Torah.

Speaking at an event celebrating the publication of his new sefer, Rav Wolfson sharply criticized what he described as misplaced kana’us, arguing that some of the recent protests have crossed the line from principled opposition into behavior driven by emotion and confrontation.

Drawing a clear distinction between fighting for Torah and reacting out of anger, Rav Wolfson said that a genuine struggle on behalf of Yiddishkeit must remain completely free of personal feelings or a desire to retaliate.

“When natural emotions become part of the struggle-such as wanting to strike back or feeling that others are interfering with you-it is no longer a struggle for the sake of Heaven,” he said. “Such behavior ultimately leads to a desecration of Hashem’s name.”

Rav Wolfson also took aim at extremist groups responsible for recent violent demonstrations and road blockades, accusing them of using the draft issue as a vehicle to stir unrest. He said there are individuals who “wait for opportunities like these” to inflame tensions, emphasizing that such conduct “is not the way of the sons of Torah.”

{Matzav.com}

Iranian officials issued a series of defiant threats during the multi-day funeral ceremonies for former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, pledging to continue his policies and warning that those responsible for his death would not escape punishment. The extended mourning events are widely seen as an effort by the regime to project strength, stability, and unity following Khamenei’s death.

As funeral ceremonies continued across Iran, senior military and security leaders repeatedly emphasized their commitment to carrying on Khamenei’s legacy and maintaining a hardline stance against what they called the country’s enemies.

Iranian Army Commander Gen. Amir Hatami declared, “The Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, paved a path of honor and independence, and prepared all the tools for us to follow it. We will continue along the path laid out for us by the Leader, Mr. Mojtaba Khamenei, with unwavering strength and determination. We promise the Iranian people that we will not allow our enemies to escape punishment, and we will settle accounts with them for their crimes.”

Vice Chief of Staff Adm. Habibollah Sayyari echoed those remarks, saying, “Our leader will remain in our memory forever, and we will fulfill his instructions. We promised to stand beside our leader, and today we renew that promise. The idea of revenge is always present in our minds. We promise our leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba, that we will continue on his path with great self-confidence, strong resolve, and determination.”

Mohammad Mokhber, who served as Iran’s interim president following the death of Ebrahim Raisi, also addressed the funeral events, promising retaliation. “The murderers of our imam will not die a natural death, and the people and the regime will take revenge on them. We will certainly avenge our holy leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Millions of people participated in his funeral in Tehran.”

Mojtaba Khamenei, who succeeded his father as supreme leader, did not attend the funeral after Iranian security officials reportedly prevented him from appearing in public over fears that he could be targeted. According to reports, Iranian authorities were concerned that Israel might attempt to assassinate him or use a public appearance to determine his whereabouts after his wife and son were killed in the joint U.S.-Israeli strike that launched Operation Roaring Lion.

The funeral ceremonies drew many of Iran’s top political and military leaders, along with members of Khamenei’s immediate family. Among those in attendance were Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Commander Ahmad Vahidi and Quds Force Commander Esmail Qaani.

Also present were three of Khamenei’s sons—Mostafa, Masoud, and Maysam Hosseini—who were seen weeping during the ceremonies. It marked their first public appearance since their father’s death was announced.

Iran’s Jewish community in Shiraz also participated in the funeral and publicly expressed support for what it described as the continuation of Khamenei’s ideals. Amir Aala Salar, chairman of the Shiraz Jewish community, praised the late leader in remarks carried by Iranian state media, saying, “Our late leader, from the beginning of the era of the Islamic Republic, showed special regard for the Abrahamic religions, especially the Jewish community in Iran. Inspired by Ayatollah Khomeini of blessed memory, and by his wise words that ‘Judaism is separate from Zionism,’ he created a living environment for all followers of the Abrahamic faiths and for the Jewish community in Iran.”

{Matzav.com}

The Monsey community is mourning the petirah of Hugh (Chaim) Jacobson z”l, the longtime First Assistant Chief of the Monsey Fire Department’s Brewer Fire Engine Company No. 1, who was niftar after an illness at the age of 46.

Jacobson dedicated nearly 30 years to the Monsey Fire Department, joining the volunteer force approximately 28 years ago after following in the footsteps of his late father, who also served the department for many years. Over the course of his distinguished career, he advanced through the ranks, holding the positions of Lieutenant, Captain, Second Assistant Chief, and ultimately First Assistant Chief, becoming one of the department’s most respected leaders.

Born and raised in Monsey, Jacobson attended Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim in Suffern during his elementary school years before continuing his education at the Torah Academy of Bergen County. Friends recalled that he frequently expressed his deep affection for the Monsey community and viewed volunteer service as a way of giving back, a commitment inspired by the example set by his father.

Those who served alongside him described Jacobson as a steady and thoughtful leader who placed tremendous emphasis on firefighter safety while remaining unwavering in his mission to protect the community. He often spoke about the enormous responsibility of leading firefighters into hazardous situations, stressing that every operation had to balance aggressive firefighting with ensuring that every firefighter returned home safely.

Jacobson also took particular pride in the camaraderie within Brewer Fire Engine Company No. 1, often pointing to the way firefighters from diverse backgrounds worked side by side as one family in service to the community.

His passing leaves a profound void within both the Monsey Fire Department and the broader Monsey community, where he was admired for decades of selfless service and dedication.

The levayah was held Friday at Kehillas Sha’ar HaShamayim in Spring Valley. Following the levayah, a procession accompanied the aron to the Brewer Fire Engine Company No. 1 firehouse on Grove Street, where fellow firefighters paid tribute to Jacobson’s many years of devoted service. The aron was then taken to the Tahara Shteibel in New Square, where it remained until Motzoei Shabbos, before being flown to Eretz Yisroel for kevurah.

{Matzav.com}

“The last people who said the Jews are a ‘burden on humanity’ were Hitler and Goebbels,” said Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli of Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who had recently used the phrase to describe Israel in an interview with CNN Türk.

“You’re in excellent company, Mr. Fidan,” Chikli added in his tweet, accompanied by an AI-generated image of Fidan standing next to a Nazi flag.

Fidan on Thursday said Israel had become “a problem for the entire international community,” adding that “the Israeli authorities have become a burden that humanity can no longer bear.”

Fidan said Turkey had no intention of changing its position toward Israel and defended Ankara’s decision to halt trade with the Jewish state following the war against Hamas in Gaza.

Responding on social media, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar accused his Turkish counterpart of incitement to genocide, describing his remarks as “sickening.”

Likud Party lawmaker Dan Illouz told JNS on Sunday that Fidan’s remarks were “not just despicable; they are the words of a regime that has entirely lost its way.

“Erdoğan is rapidly dragging Turkey down the exact same path as Iran’s axis of terror. If he continues going in Khamenei’s ways, he very well might end up like Khamenei,” Illouz added. “Israel has made it perfectly clear what happens to those who seek our destruction.” JNS

{Matzav.com}

While New York City celebrated the nation’s 250th anniversary, Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s wife, Rama Duwaji, traveled to Spain to take part in an Islamic spiritual retreat, drawing criticism from political opponents who questioned her absence during one of the country’s most significant patriotic observances.

Duwaji, a Syrian-American artist who was raised in Dallas and educated in Dubai, was seen Monday at Newark Liberty International Airport boarding a flight to Palma, the capital of the Spanish island of Mallorca. According to reports, she traveled there to participate in a sold-out retreat organized by The Women’s Sanctuary, where she serves as the group’s artist-in-residence and one of the event’s hosts.

The retreat, titled “Plants Of The Quran,” carries a price tag of approximately $3,400 per attendee. Running from Wednesday through Monday, the program centers on plants referenced in the Quran through art, botanical instruction, and spiritual reflection.

Following the Mallorca event, Duwaji is expected to travel to Corsica, France, to help lead another sold-out Women’s Sanctuary retreat scheduled for July 9 through July 14. That gathering, titled “Mary In The Quran,” promises to “explore” in “depth” the legacy of Mary, described by organizers as “the most honored woman in the Qur’an.”

Conservative commentator and comedian Arynne Wexler posted photographs on X on Friday showing Duwaji seated at a United Airlines departure gate before her flight. Wexler criticized the timing of the trip, writing, “Funny how when @ZohranKMamdani was telling New Yorkers to lower their AC his wife Rama Duwaji was boarding a flight to party in Mallorca.”

Wexler added, “Reminder that I can’t tag her because she deleted her account after her insanely offensive tweets were discovered. Champagne socialists,” referring to controversial racial, homophobic, and other social media posts from more than a decade ago that resurfaced earlier this year.

According to Wexler’s publicist, the photographs were taken by an acquaintance who happened to be on the same flight and were shared so the public would be aware of Duwaji’s travel.

The cost of Duwaji’s airfare has not been disclosed. However, round-trip tickets between Newark and Palma later this month were listed at approximately $930 as of yesterday.

Her decision to leave the country during the America 250 celebrations quickly drew criticism from Republican officials in New York City.

“Nothing says ‘America 250’ quite like skipping the celebration for a Mediterranean vacation, but I am not surprised because she has made her hatred for America very evident,” said Councilwoman Joann Ariola of Queens.

Councilman Frank Morano of Staten Island also criticized the trip.

“It’s disappointing that the First Lady chose to be overseas instead of taking part in one of the biggest civic events our city and country will mark this year,” he said.

“No one is saying elected officials and their families can’t take vacations, but this was a moment to show up for the city and for the country, and she missed it.”

City Hall declined to respond directly to the criticism but confirmed that Duwaji was not accompanied by members of the NYPD security detail assigned to the mayor and his family.

Duwaji has previously faced scrutiny over deleted social media posts. According to a March report by the Washington Free Beacon, some of the posts praised Palestinian terrorist organizations, while others criticized American military personnel for supporting Israel.

One post she reposted on Tumblr in 2015 declared, “American soldiers fighting in imperialist wars are not brave nor are they fighting for anyone’s freedom. They are mercilessly slaughtering 3rd world civilians and fighting to maintain American hegemony.”

Mayor Mamdani, who has also been sharply critical of Israel, has defended his wife, arguing that her past online activity should not be treated as a political issue because she holds no official position in his administration. Duwaji has since apologized for many of her earlier posts.

While his wife was overseas, Mamdani remained in New York, where he faced criticism over his handling of the city’s first major heat wave since taking office. He urged residents to set their air conditioners to 78 degrees, even as temperatures inside portions of City Hall reportedly dropped as low as 54 degrees.

Mamdani also participated in the city’s America 250 observances, delivering a 15-minute speech from City Hall in which he criticized capitalism and America’s involvement in foreign conflicts while seated at the former desk of George Washington.

Yesterday, the mayor attended the Sail4th 250 International Parade of Sail on Governors Island and was later scheduled to preside over the Empire State Building’s Fourth of July lighting ceremony.

{Matzav.com}

The Social Security Administration announced Friday that parents will soon be able to enroll newborns in the new Trump Accounts program through the same paperwork used to obtain a Social Security number at birth, simplifying the process as the first federal deposits begin reaching eligible accounts.

Beginning next week, the agency will revise its instructions to hospitals and coordinate with states to update the Enumeration at Birth forms, allowing parents who apply for a Social Security number for their newborn to automatically initiate the creation of a Trump Account at the same time.

The Enumeration at Birth system, which has been in use since 1987, is the primary method by which American newborns receive Social Security numbers. By integrating Trump Account enrollment into that existing process, officials say parents will no longer need to complete a separate application.

Social Security Commissioner Frank J. Bisignano said the streamlined enrollment process is a key part of the program’s implementation.

“Social Security numbers are the backbone of Trump Accounts, and we will empower parents to enroll their newborns through the Enumeration at Birth program to take full advantage of this program from the day a child is born,” he said in the announcement.

The investment accounts were established under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law by President Donald Trump on July 4, 2025. Designed as custodial investment accounts similar to retirement savings plans, they are available for children under the age of 18.

Children born in the United States between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028, who are U.S. citizens and have valid Social Security numbers are eligible to receive a one-time $1,000 contribution from the U.S. Treasury.

In addition to the government’s initial deposit, families, employers, relatives, and charitable organizations may collectively contribute up to $5,000 each year. The funds are invested in low-cost U.S. stock index funds and generally remain inaccessible until the child reaches age 18.

Ahead of the official rollout, President Trump announced on Truth Social that demand for the program had already exceeded 6 million account requests. He also revealed that the Treasury Department will now permit publicly traded stock to be donated to Trump Accounts.

“This opens the door for GREAT American Businesses, Philanthropists, and Job Creators to invest directly in the future of our children, and help build a Generation of Savers, Investors, and Owners,” he wrote.

Parents of children who have already been born may still open a Trump Account by visiting TrumpAccounts.gov and submitting IRS Form 4547. The new Social Security enrollment process is intended to automatically register future newborns at birth, eliminating the need for parents to complete a second application later.

Eligible children whose accounts have already been established began receiving the $1,000 Treasury contribution today.

{Matzav.com}

The Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission are urging state attorneys general to investigate possible gasoline price gouging and anti-competitive conduct by oil companies, intensifying the Trump administration’s effort to bring fuel prices down as crude oil costs have fallen while prices at the pump remain relatively high.

In a letter sent Friday, Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward Jr. and FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson told state law enforcement officials that federal regulators are closely monitoring developments in the petroleum market and warned that fluctuations in the market do not exempt companies from antitrust laws or consumer protection requirements.

Although neither the Justice Department nor the FTC has direct authority to enforce price-gouging laws, the officials noted that more than 36 states, along with several U.S. territories and the District of Columbia, have statutes prohibiting excessive price increases during emergencies. The agencies encouraged those jurisdictions to use those laws when appropriate.

Gasoline prices have remained elevated since the U.S.-Iran conflict led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz for more than three and a half months beginning in late February, disrupting one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes, which typically carries about 20 percent of global oil supplies.

According to AAA, the national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline stood at $3.82 on Friday. While that is below the peak reached during the conflict, it remains significantly higher than the $2.98 national average recorded in the week before the fighting erupted.

President Trump has repeatedly criticized oil companies in recent days, arguing that consumers have not benefited from the sharp decline in crude oil prices.

In a Truth Social post on June 24, Trump accused the industry of keeping gasoline prices artificially high despite falling crude costs, writing that motorists were being “gouged” and announcing that he had directed the Justice Department to investigate the matter.

He renewed that demand Monday evening, writing that “Gasoline Retailers must get their Prices down, IMMEDIATELY!” while saying prices should be closer to $2.50 per gallon.

Oil industry executives, however, contend that reductions in crude oil prices are not immediately reflected at gas stations.

Chevron Chief Financial Officer Eimear Bonner told CNBC’s “Squawk Box Europe” that the adjustment takes time to work its way through the supply chain.

“It’s going to take time though,” she said, explaining that there is a delay between declining crude prices and lower retail gasoline prices. She added that consumers should see prices ease as market conditions stabilize.

The federal agencies also encouraged consumers who suspect unlawful pricing practices to file complaints through the Justice Department’s Citizen Complaint Center and the FTC’s online fraud reporting system, signaling increased scrutiny of gasoline prices as they remain a major issue for consumers ahead of November’s midterm elections.

{Matzav.com}

Paul Pelosi, the husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, is facing a recommended misdemeanor hit-and-run charge after authorities say he struck a parked vehicle in Napa County and drove away before his own damaged car came to a stop a short distance later.

According to the Napa County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a reported hit-and-run on Yount Street in Yountville at approximately 2:30 p.m. on July 3.

Investigators said a witness called 911 after seeing a northbound convertible crash into the rear of a parked vehicle on the side of the road. The impact caused extensive damage and forced one of the parked car’s tires onto the curb.

The witness told deputies that the driver briefly stopped after the collision before leaving the scene.

Authorities later located Pelosi, 86, who acknowledged that he had struck something but told officers he did not realize what he had hit. He continued driving until his vehicle became disabled because of the damage sustained in the crash.

Deputies found Pelosi’s brown convertible partially obstructing the roadway on Yountville Cross Road. Officers observed significant damage to the front passenger side of the vehicle.

Investigators determined that alcohol did not play a role in the incident. Pelosi voluntarily submitted to a preliminary alcohol screening test, which registered a blood alcohol content of 0.00. Police said that “therefore, Driving Under the Influence was ruled out.”

Pelosi was not taken into custody. The sheriff’s office explained that “is common for this type of offense, in accordance with misdemeanor arrest laws spelled out in 853.6 of the California Penal Code.”

The investigation has been forwarded to the Napa County District Attorney’s Office for review. Authorities also said they will submit a driver re-examination referral to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, a procedure commonly used in cases involving elderly motorists.

A spokesperson for the Napa County Sheriff’s Office told The California Post that investigators are recommending a misdemeanor charge of property-damage hit-and-run without injuries under California Vehicle Code 20002.

The Pelosi family owns a vineyard estate in nearby St. Helena, roughly 10 miles north of Yountville. The 16-acre Zinfandel Lane property includes a residence and a licensed winery and generates revenue through grape production.

In a statement to The California Post, a spokesperson for Pelosi said, “Mr. Paul Pelosi has personally apologized to the owner of the vehicle and assured them that he would take responsibility for the damage to their vehicle.”

The spokesperson added, “Speaker Pelosi will not be commenting further on this private matter.”

Pelosi has previously spoken publicly about issues affecting the area surrounding the family’s vineyard. According to the Los Angeles Times, he once opposed a neighboring winery’s proposed expansion and also raised concerns about speeding on the local roads.

“One thing I would like to say while here, though,” he said, “all of us are concerned about the speed limit on Zinfandel Lane.”

Pelosi first became the focus of national attention in 2022 after an intruder broke into the couple’s San Francisco home and assaulted him with a hammer, causing a fractured skull.

The attacker, David DePape, had been searching for Nancy Pelosi, who was away on official business at the time of the attack.

Earlier that same year, Pelosi was involved in another crash in Napa County while driving his Porsche. Responding officers reported that he appeared intoxicated, alleging that he smelled strongly of alcohol, had difficulty maintaining his balance, and slurred his speech.

A blood alcohol test later measured his blood alcohol concentration at 0.082%. Pelosi subsequently pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor DUI charge involving injuries.

Pelosi has also drawn public attention over financial transactions. In 2021, he reportedly earned approximately $5.3 million through Alphabet stock options that he had acquired on February 27, shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted the U.S. economy. The timing of the investment prompted questions from critics about possible insider trading because of his connection to a senior member of Congress.

{Matzav.com}

A series of suspected antisemitic attacks shook Montreal’s Outremont neighborhood over Shabbos night, as individuals riding in a vehicle allegedly targeted visibly Jewish pedestrians, stealing three shtreimlach and assaulting several victims in what authorities are investigating as a hate crime.

The incidents began at approximately 10:00 p.m. when a car carrying several suspects drove through the neighborhood, apparently seeking out chassidic Jews. According to reports, the group repeatedly stopped to harass pedestrians and snatch their shtreimlach before speeding away.

The first attack occurred near Mehudar, where one of the suspects exited the vehicle and struck a passerby’s shtreimel. When the victim shouted for help, nearby pedestrians rushed toward the scene, prompting the suspect to flee back into the waiting vehicle before he could take the fur hat. As the car sped away, it narrowly missed hitting another pedestrian.

The same vehicle was later linked to three additional attacks throughout the neighborhood. In three of the incidents, the suspects succeeded in stealing shtreimlach, while a fourth attempt was unsuccessful. During the spree, one victim was spat on, and another was struck by a thrown beverage can.

Members of the community pieced together the reports and concluded that the same vehicle and group of suspects were responsible for all of the incidents.

Police have launched an investigation and are treating the attacks as suspected hate crimes.

{Matzav.com}

A Bnei Brak resident was arrested Sunday after police discovered seven illegal aliens concealed inside his vehicle during a targeted enforcement operation at the Rantis crossing.

Detectives from the Ariel Police Station, operating under the Shomron District, stopped the vehicle as part of an operation aimed at preventing the illegal entry of unauthorized individuals into Israel.

According to police, the driver—a man in his 30s from Bnei Brak—was allegedly transporting seven illegal aliens who had been hidden inside the vehicle in an apparent attempt to evade detection. Several were concealed behind the rear seat, while others were found covered with a blanket in the trunk.

Police arrested both the driver and the seven passengers at the scene. All were taken to the Ariel Police Station for questioning.

In a statement, Israel Police stressed that it will continue aggressively enforcing laws against the illegal entry of unauthorized individuals into the country and against anyone who assists them.

“Israel Police will continue to act decisively and with zero tolerance against the entry of illegal aliens into the State of Israel and against anyone who assists them. Such individuals are often involved in criminal or security-related offenses. We remind the public that transporting illegal aliens is a serious criminal offense punishable by imprisonment,” the statement said.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu recently met with Yehoshua Sherman, a representative of the “Homeward – Returning to the Homeland” forum, who presented a sweeping proposal aimed at dramatically expanding Jewish settlement into portions of Judea and Samaria currently under Palestinian Authority control.

The initiative calls for the establishment of 100 new Jewish communities in Area A of Judea and Samaria, a region that, under the Oslo Accords, is under both the civil and security control of the Palestinian Authority.

The Oslo framework divided Judea and Samaria into three administrative zones. Area A falls under full Palestinian Authority control, Area B is administered civilly by the PA while remaining under Israeli security control, and Area C is under full Israeli civil and military authority. While Arabs are permitted to reside and work throughout all three areas, Jewish communities are currently limited to Area C, and Israelis who enter Area A face serious security risks.

During the meeting, Sherman outlined the details of the plan, explaining that the proposed communities would be built exclusively on undeveloped land, eliminating the need to evacuate existing residents.

Sherman also expressed appreciation to Netanyahu for what he described as the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen Jewish settlement throughout Judea and Samaria, including the establishment of new farms and communities, and urged the prime minister to adopt the broader initiative.

The “Homeward – Returning to the Homeland” forum was founded approximately two months ago by Eliav Libi, a pioneer in the Judea and Samaria agricultural settlement movement whose son, David Libi, was killed while fighting in Gaza, together with Yehoshua Sherman, whose son, Yehuda Shmuel Sherman, was murdered in a terrorist attack near the Shuva Israel farm in the Shomron approximately three months ago.

{Matzav.com}

Newly analyzed documents detailing communications between Hamas and Hezbollah leaders reveal that Yahya Sinwar spent years trying to orchestrate a coordinated regional assault on Israel, believing Hezbollah would launch a massive offensive alongside Hamas once the war began.

The documents, examined by researchers at the Amit Terrorism and Intelligence Research Institute and published Sunday by Doron Kadosh of Galei Tzahal, shed new light on Sinwar’s extensive strategic discussions with Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in the years preceding the October 7 massacre.

According to the documents, Sinwar presented Nasrallah with multiple operational plans for attacking Israel, not just a single proposal. Each envisioned cooperation among members of the Iranian-backed regional alliance, although the degree of participation varied from one scenario to another.

Even in the less ambitious proposals, one strategic objective remained unchanged. Sinwar consistently viewed Israel’s border with Jordan as a critical battlefield in any future conflict, alongside the traditional fronts in Gaza and Lebanon.

The correspondence indicates that as early as June 2022, Sinwar advocated for a coordinated assault in which guerrilla forces would infiltrate Israel simultaneously from Syria and Jordan. He believed opening multiple fronts at once would overwhelm Israel’s military and force it to divide its resources across several theaters of combat.

The exchanges also suggest that Nasrallah responded favorably to the proposals. According to the documents, he described one of the plans as a “realistic scenario that can be realized.” Nasrallah reportedly said he intended to present the proposal to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei for approval. Despite that, the plans did not envision direct Iranian military involvement, with Tehran expected to remain outside the fighting itself.

Researchers concluded that Sinwar became increasingly confident after each meeting with Hezbollah’s leadership. He came away believing that Nasrallah was committed to participating in a major war and that Hezbollah would assume a central role once hostilities began.

By June 2023, Sinwar was expressing that confidence publicly within Hamas leadership circles. During a meeting of Hamas’s political bureau in Gaza, he declared, “In recent months, we have succeeded in bringing Hezbollah and the Iranians out of their ‘psychological deterrence’ mindset that has existed since 2006 in the Dahieh. Now the Iranians and Hezbollah are prepared…” The documents indicate that Sinwar believed both Hezbollah and Iran had become increasingly willing to confront Israel directly.

His confidence only grew as October approached. Addressing Hamas’s Shura Council in August 2023—roughly six weeks before the attack—Sinwar predicted that the conflict would rapidly spread throughout the region.

“We are certain that if the great strategic battle breaks out, God willing, many fronts will be opened against this enemy,” he told the gathering.

Not everyone within Hamas shared that optimism. Internal military intelligence assessments painted a more cautious picture, warning that Hezbollah still faced a significant “psychological barrier” when it came to entering a large-scale war with Israel. The intelligence analysis suggested Hezbollah remained hesitant despite Sinwar’s assurances to Hamas’s leadership.

Nevertheless, the documents indicate that Sinwar never altered his expectations. He remained convinced that Nasrallah would honor their understandings and enter the war immediately once Hamas launched its offensive.

According to the report, at 6:29 a.m. on October 7, shortly after Hamas began its assault, Sinwar sent an urgent message to Nasrallah apologizing for not informing him beforehand of the exact timing of the operation while pleading for Hezbollah to join the battle without delay.

“We ask for support and assistance,” Sinwar wrote before urging Hezbollah to “hurry and take part… in concentrated rocket bombardments… and begin a major ground offensive.”

The report, first revealed by Israeli journalist Ben Caspit, indicates that one of Sinwar’s immediate priorities during the opening hours of the massacre was to transform the conflict into a broad regional war by bringing Hezbollah into the fighting at full strength.

That plan never materialized.

Although Hezbollah eventually entered the conflict a day later, its involvement remained far more limited than Sinwar had anticipated. Rather than launching the sweeping invasion he envisioned, Hezbollah confined its operations to a much narrower campaign along Israel’s northern border.

Researchers concluded that the documents highlight a striking disconnect between Sinwar’s expectations and reality. While he believed the October 7 assault would almost automatically trigger simultaneous attacks on multiple fronts, that scenario never fully developed.

The analysis concludes that although the October 7 massacre itself represented an unprecedented terrorist attack and intelligence failure, the consequences could have been substantially more devastating had Hezbollah executed the full-scale offensive Sinwar expected. According to the report, Hezbollah’s decision not to immediately launch a major assault likely spared communities throughout the Galilee from a far broader and more destructive attack.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Finance Committee Chairman MK Hanoch Milwidsky launched a scathing attack on Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, accusing her of waging a campaign against the Torah world through measures affecting yeshivos that enroll students whose military status has not been resolved.

Milwidsky’s comments came in response to reports that the Israel Tax Authority has begun implementing new procedures requiring dozens of yeshivos and Torah institutions to certify that none of their students have unresolved military obligations if they wish to retain tax benefits for donors. The move follows guidance issued earlier this year by Baharav-Miara.

Speaking with Kol Barama Radio, the Likud lawmaker claimed the policy was politically motivated.

“The Attorney General’s witch hunt against the Torah-learning community is intended to discourage it, harm it, and distance it from the ballot box.”

Milwidsky went on to accuse the attorney general of deliberately targeting one of Israel’s most vulnerable communities.

“She is abusing this community because it’s easy and because she can. She does not hesitate to harm children, she does not hesitate to harm the weak. She does not hesitate to support, if not participate in, the fabrication of cases against our soldiers during wartime.”

He concluded his remarks with a blistering personal condemnation of Baharav-Miara and predicted she would one day face consequences for her actions.

“She is a cursed woman, a terrible woman, and as for the damages she causes, I am certain she will ultimately be held accountable somewhere. I doubt it [will happen] here, because no one here will judge her until we carry out comprehensive judicial reform, but I am certain there are greater forces.”

{Matzav.com}

The Israeli government on Sunday approved a comprehensive new initiative proposed by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu that will provide continued assistance to survivors of the October 7, 2023, massacre at the southern music festivals, committing tens of millions of shekels toward their long-term rehabilitation, mental health care, and economic recovery.

The program allocates approximately NIS 60 million for the years 2026 through 2028 and is intended to ensure that thousands of survivors and their families continue receiving coordinated support as they rebuild their lives in the years following the Hamas attack.

The plan was developed under the direction of the Prime Minister’s Office following extensive work involving multiple government ministries, analysis of available data, consultations with survivors and their families, and discussions with medical, mental health, and rehabilitation professionals.

Officials said the new initiative reflects the transition from the immediate emergency response following the October 7 attack to a longer-term strategy focused on sustained recovery and rehabilitation.

Government data indicates that roughly 3,600 survivors of the southern festivals have been officially recognized as victims of hostile acts. According to the government, the high rates of physical injuries and long-term disabilities among survivors demonstrate the need for continued specialized treatment and support.

Under the approved plan, each survivor will have access to a centralized government support system that will help navigate available benefits, coordinate therapeutic services, and ensure continuity of rehabilitation through the Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs.

The initiative also expands assistance for family members, recognizing their critical role in helping survivors recover from the trauma.

Among the additional measures included in the program are specialized prevention, intervention, and treatment initiatives addressing substance abuse among survivors, expanded medical and mental health services, and improved access to emergency psychological care for both survivors and their families.

The government also plans to strengthen long-term continuity of care by better coordinating physical and mental health services and ensuring that treatment plans remain integrated across agencies.

To help survivors return to the workforce, the program calls for individualized rehabilitation and employment pathways developed in cooperation with the Ministry of Labor, the Employment Service, and Israel’s National Insurance Institute.

In addition, officials will continue expanding a centralized government digital platform designed to coordinate services among agencies, assist survivors in accessing their rights and benefits, manage data, and provide policymakers with updated information for future decisions.

The government also announced that the existing committee of ministry directors-general overseeing the recovery effort will continue its work. A dedicated official within the Prime Minister’s Office has been appointed to coordinate implementation of the program, monitor its progress, and ensure that government services continue evolving to meet the changing needs of survivors and their families.

Officials said the goal of the initiative is to provide long-term, coordinated, and accessible support so that survivors of the southern music festivals continue receiving the care and assistance they need as they work toward recovery and a return to normal life.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Transportation Minister Miri Regev disclosed Sunday that Israel transferred Iron Dome air defense batteries to the United Arab Emirates during the recent war, saying the systems were provided to help shield the Gulf nation from Iranian missile and drone attacks.

Speaking in an interview with Army Radio, Regev, who is a member of Israel’s Security Cabinet, confirmed that the defensive systems were deployed to protect civilians in the UAE from aerial threats during the conflict.

Regev also addressed President Donald Trump’s recent comment that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu “knows who the boss is,” dismissing it as characteristic of Trump’s outspoken style.

“That’s a typical Trump-style comment,” she said. “Netanyahu drew red lines and told him, ‘I will do what is necessary to protect the citizens of Israel, just as you would do what is necessary to protect the citizens of the United States.'”

The revelation comes after Iran fired two waves of cruise missiles at the United Arab Emirates in May. Approximately two hours before the attacks, residents throughout the country received emergency alerts on their cellphones warning of an imminent missile strike from Iran and instructing them to seek shelter. Authorities later issued an all-clear notice once the immediate danger had passed.

During the first barrage, three incoming cruise missiles were intercepted, while a fourth landed harmlessly in the sea. In the second attack, three people were reported wounded.

Iran also launched attack drones at the UAE during the conflict, with one drone reportedly striking a petrochemical facility.

Later in May, The Wall Street Journal reported that the UAE had quietly conducted dozens of airstrikes against targets inside Iran throughout the war, coordinating the operations with both Israel and the United States.

According to the newspaper, the strikes focused on military installations and energy infrastructure and continued even after a ceasefire had been announced.

The report further stated that the UAE adopted a far more aggressive posture toward Iran than neighboring Saudi Arabia, leading to friction between UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over how forcefully to confront Tehran and respond to the broader regional conflict.

{Matzav.com}

[COMMUNICATED]

When it comes to shidduchim, everyone has one. Maybe it’s a sibling you’re constantly davening for, a friend you always have in mind, or the shidduch that built your own home. Every shidduch begins with a connection: a conversation, an introduction, a shadchan who keeps thinking, a possibility revisited one more time. What people see is the engagement announcement. What they don’t see are the countless conversations and hours of thought behind it. 

That’s exactly what Kesher Shidduchim Lakewood, led by Rabbi Moshe Bender from Far Rockaway, is all about.

Perhaps the most powerful thing about Kesher is that the goal isn’t only engagements. It’s making sure girls are being thought about, that names are being discussed, that opportunities aren’t overlooked. No girl should be left behind. And unlike shadchanim who work independently, Kesher’s shadchanim function as a true family: sharing information, brainstorming together, celebrating each other’s simchos. Meaningful shidduchim are rarely built by one person working alone. They are built through connections.

The numbers tell part of the story: 

37 dedicated Kesher shadchanim 

275+ shidduchim facilitated since January 2025 

500+ girls connected to Kesher shadchanim. 

Behind each one is a new home, a family, a future, and none of it happens on its own. The challenges facing today’s singles are not a private issue; they are a Klal Yisrael issue.

Rabbanim and Roshei Yeshiva continue to speak openly about the need to create more shidduchim and support those navigating the process. Just recently, at Adirei HaTorah, Rav Dovid Schustal and other gedolim once again emphasized the importance of addressing this challenge and doing more for our singles.

Every day, Kesher is answering that call. 

Through dedicated shadchanim. Through meaningful meetings. Through collaboration. Through follow-up. Through an environment designed to help connections move forward.

That is what your support makes possible.

Because every shidduch starts with a connection.

And every connection has the power to change a life.

Click HERE to donate!

LISTEN:

https://matzav.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Bitachon4Life-Shiur-1813-Seiver-Part-13-List.mp3

​​For more info, email bitachon4life@gmail.com.