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Two Palestinian terrorists who were freed by Israel during temporary ceasefires with Hamas are expected to speak at a pro-Palestinian conference scheduled for late August in Detroit, Michigan, according to a report from the Jerusalem Post.

The report states that the Detroit People’s Conference for Palestine will feature two controversial speakers: one is a Tanzim operative who was released in February as part of a deal to secure hostages held by Hamas, and the other is a former senior figure in the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP).

One of the speakers, Hussam Shaheen, was once a prominent leader and international coordinator for Fatah’s youth movement before shifting his activities to the organization’s militant wings. According to the book The Rise and Fall of Arab Jerusalem: Palestinian Politics and the City since 1967, Shaheen established a cell of the al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigade in Jebl Mukaber and obtained weapons for a planned 2001 attack that was ultimately foiled.

The second speaker, Omar Assaf, has also been tied to terrorism. According to reports from Haaretz and Al Araby, Assaf was an official in the DFLP terrorist organization. The PLO’s own website lists someone by the same name as one of the faction’s original founders. Today, Assaf serves as the coordinator of the executive committees of the Palestinian Popular Conference, a group pushing to restructure the PLO into a far more radical and militant organization.

A campaign in support of Shaheen refers to him as a “political prisoner,” despite his documented ties to violent activity.

Pro-Palestinian gatherings have frequently provided platforms for individuals connected to terrorism. At a 2017 conference in Chicago, Rasmea Odeh, a convicted terrorist, received a standing ovation from attendees. She was later deported from the United States for lying on immigration documents.

Tensions surrounding these events have only deepened since October 7. At a post-attack rally in Dearborn, Michigan, an Arab speaker who mentioned the word “peace” was loudly heckled by the crowd — despite the fact that he was just as openly anti-Israel as the other participants on stage.

{Matzav.com}

The Democrat Party is facing a severe collapse in voter support, according to a startling new analysis of national voter registration trends, Breitbart reports.

A report from the New York Times, based on data from L2, a nonpartisan analytics firm, shows that for the first time since 2018, more newly registered voters across the country aligned with the Republican Party than the Democratic Party. The surge has been fueled largely by President Donald Trump’s growing strength among men, younger voters, and Latinos during the 2024 election cycle.

The findings paint a grim picture for Democrats, suggesting that traditional strategies to boost registration and reverse losses are no longer working. Party strategists and political commentators appear increasingly uncertain about how to restore momentum heading into future elections.

“Of the 30 states that track voter registration by political party, Democrats lost ground to Republicans in every single one between the 2020 and 2024 elections — and often by a lot,” the report states. “That four-year swing toward the Republicans adds up to 4.5 million voters, a deep political hole that could take years for Democrats to climb out from.”

The shift spans the entire political map, affecting red, blue, and battleground states alike.

Overall, Republicans gained substantial ground in voter registrations. “All told, Democrats lost about 2.1 million registered voters between the 2020 and 2024 elections in the 30 states, along with Washington, D.C., that allow people to register with a political party,” the report notes. “(In the remaining 20 states, voters do not register with a political party.) Republicans gained 2.4 million.”

The registration imbalance has also significantly reshaped the political landscape. Among the 30 states that register voters by party, Democrats’ advantage over Republicans — once an 11-point lead in 2020 — has dwindled to just over six points in 2024. That steep decline underscores the severity of the situation for the party heading into upcoming contests.

Michael Pruser, director of data science at Decision Desk HQ, summarized the bleak outlook: “I don’t want to say, ‘The death cycle of the Democratic Party,’ but there seems to be no end to this. There is no silver lining or cavalry coming across the hill. This is month after month, year after year.”

Additional figures reinforce the depth of the problem. By 2024, Republicans had overtaken Democrats in the share of new registered voters nationally, improving by nine percentage points since 2018. In the same period, Democrats’ share dropped nearly eight points, further widening the gap between the parties.

This shift is especially pronounced in four key battleground states — North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Arizona, and Nevada — where Republican registration numbers have grown significantly while Democrats have seen sharp declines.

Analysts believe diagnosing the issue will be far easier than solving it. Much of the Democrats’ previous success relied on boosting turnout among racial minorities and young voters, typically through extensive nonprofit registration drives. But as the Times highlights, “For years, the left has relied on a sprawling network of nonprofits — which solicit donations from people whose identities they need not disclose — to register Black, Latino and younger voters. Though the groups are technically nonpartisan, the underlying assumption has been that most new voters registering would vote Democratic.”

Mr. Trump’s growing appeal among working-class minority voters has upended that formula, dismantling Democrats’ assumption that blind registration automatically translates to Democratic votes.

Unlike nonprofit voter registration drives — which are cheap, fast, and tax-advantaged for donors — partisan efforts to locate and recruit specific Democratic voters are significantly more complicated and expensive. Donors who contribute to nonprofits receive tax benefits, but contributions to political action committees or party operations do not qualify for the same write-offs, making sustained funding more difficult.

Even when funding is secured, partisan voter outreach is extremely costly. Locating, contacting, registering, and mobilizing likely Democratic voters requires far more time and money, with estimates showing the cost per additional vote can climb into the hundreds of dollars.

Pouring money into existing infrastructure is unlikely to reverse the trend, and Democrats are struggling without a clear message or unifying leader. Without a significant change in strategy, the party risks falling even further behind.

If President Trump and his allies continue expanding the MAGA coalition across multiple demographic groups, the Democrat Party’s electoral challenges are likely to deepen in the years ahead.

{Matzav.com}

Smartmatic, the elections-technology company suing Fox News for defamation, is now contending with a growing list of criminal allegations against some of its executives — including a new claim by federal prosecutors that a “slush fund” for bribing foreign officials was financed partly with proceeds from the sale of voting machines in Los Angeles. The new details about the criminal case surfaced this month in court filings in Miami, where the company’s co-founder, Roger Pinate, and two Venezuelan colleagues were charged last year with bribing officials in the Philippines in exchange for a contract to help run that country’s 2016 presidential elections. Pinate, who no longer works for Smartmatic, has pleaded not guilty. To buttress the case, federal prosecutors are seeking to introduce evidence they argue shows that some of the nearly $300 million the company was paid by Los Angeles County to help modernize its voting systems was diverted to a fund controlled by Pinate through the use of overseas shell companies, fake invoices and other means. Smartmatic itself hasn’t been charged with breaking any laws, nor have U.S. prosecutors accused Smartmatic or its executives of tampering with election results. Similarly, they haven’t accused Los Angeles County officials of wrongdoing, or said whether they were even aware of the alleged bribery scheme. County officials say they weren’t. But the case against Pinate is unfolding as Smartmatic is pursuing a $2.7 billion lawsuit accusing Fox of defamation for airing false claims that the company helped rig the 2020 U.S. presidential election. Fox says it was legitimately reporting newsworthy allegations. Smartmatic said the Justice Department’s new filing was filled with “misrepresentations” and is “untethered from reality.” “Let us be clear: Smartmatic wins business because we’re the best at what we do,” the company said in a statement. “We operate ethically and abide by all laws always, both in Los Angeles County and every jurisdiction where we operate.” Fox questions Smartmatic’s dealings in LA Still, Fox has gone to court to try to get more information about L.A. County’s dealings with Smartmatic. The network has long tried to leverage the bribery allegations to undermine Smartmatic’s narrative about its business prospects – a key component in calculating any potential damages — and portray it as a scandal-plagued company brought low by its own legal problems, not Fox’s broadcasts. South Florida-based Smartmatic was founded more than two decades ago by a group of Venezuelans who found early success working for the government of the late Hugo Chavez, a devotee of electronic voting. The company later expanded globally, providing voting machines and other technology to help carry out elections in 25 countries, from Argentina to Zambia. It was awarded its contract to help with Los Angeles County elections in 2018. The contract, which Smartmatic continues to service, gave the company an important foothold in what was then a fast-expanding U.S. voting-technology market. But Smartmatic has said its business tanked after Fox News gave President Donald Trump’s lawyers a platform to paint the company as part of a conspiracy to steal the 2020 election. Fox itself eventually aired a piece refuting the allegations after Smartmatic’s lawyers complained, but it has aggressively defended itself against the defamation lawsuit in New York. “Facing imminent financial collapse and indictment, Smartmatic saw a litigation lottery ticket in Fox News’s coverage of the 2020 election,” the network’s lawyers said in a court […]

A rare opportunity just opened in Ramat Eshkol. For years, the idea of owning an apartment in Yerushalayim felt out of reach for many families—especially those looking for something central, calm, and community-oriented. Most new projects are either massive, overcrowded, under construction for years—or far from where you actually want to live. But this is different. In the heart of Ramat Eshkol, two boutique buildings—at 12 Sderot Eshkol and 4 Mishmar HaGvul—offer a smarter, more livable option. You’re walking distance from the light rail, minutes from Geula, near top schools, parks, and shuls—and yet still nestled in a quiet, residential street. This project was designed for Anglo families who want quality, not quantity. Modern layouts. Upgraded finishes. A strong, established community. And the kind of building where neighbors feel like neighbors—not strangers. What’s available right now: – Only 2 apartments still on the market at 12 Sderot Eshkol – Boutique, finished buildings (no construction noise or waiting) – Prime location in one of the most in-demand areas of Yerushalayim Whether you’re planning to move soon, looking for a future home, or want to invest wisely in Israel’s capital—this is the opportunity people have been waiting for. Projects like this don’t sit on the market long. And when they’re gone, they’re gone. Click here now! https://sderoteshkol.co.il/?publisher=YWNA2108Your place in Yerushalayim might be closer than you think.

Elon Musk was ordered on Wednesday by a federal judge to defend himself against a lawsuit filed by voters who claim he misled them into signing a petition supporting the U.S. Constitution in exchange for a chance to win his $1 million-per-day giveaway.

U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman, based in Austin, Texas, ruled that Jacqueline McAferty had provided sufficient claims in her proposed class-action lawsuit, alleging that Musk and his political organization, America PAC, persuaded her to give personal identifying details as part of the promotion during the final stretch of the 2024 election season.

Attorneys representing Musk and America PAC did not immediately issue any statements regarding the case.

Musk created America PAC to assist Donald Trump during his successful 2024 presidential campaign.

McAferty, who resides in Arizona, alleges that Musk and America PAC targeted voters in seven key swing states, encouraging them to sign the petition by advertising that $1 million winners would be chosen “randomly,” resembling a lottery — even though participants had little to no genuine chance of receiving the money.

According to her claims, those who signed the petition were also required to provide full names, mailing addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers.

In an effort to have the lawsuit thrown out, Musk pointed to several “red flags” that he argued proved the promotion was not an illegal lottery.

He said this included the fact that the advertisements stated recipients of the $1 million were “selected to earn” the funds and were expected to act as spokespeople for America PAC, which he claimed contradicted the idea that the payment was a “prize.”

However, Judge Pitman pointed to other promotional language suggesting that the defendants were “awarding” $1 million and that the funds could, in fact, be “won.”

“It is plausible that plaintiff justifiably relied on those statements to believe that defendants were objectively offering her the chance to enter a random lottery — even if that is not what they subjectively intended to do,” Pitman wrote in his ruling.

Pitman was appointed to the federal bench by President Barack Obama in 2014.

Musk also disputed the notion that participants suffered harm simply by sharing their personal contact details. However, the judge noted that an expert specializing in political data brokerage could testify regarding the monetary value of voter information collected from battleground states.

The lawsuit was officially filed on Election Day, November 5, 2024.

Just one day earlier, a Philadelphia judge denied a motion to halt Musk’s giveaway, ruling that the city’s top prosecutor had failed to demonstrate that the promotion constituted an illegal lottery.

Musk resides in Texas, and his electric vehicle company, Tesla, operates its headquarters out of Austin.

{Matzav.com}

Immigrants applying to live and work in the United States will now face a new layer of scrutiny, as federal officials announced Tuesday that immigration officers will consider whether applicants have promoted anti-American, antisemitic, or extremist ideologies. The updated guidance from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reflects the administration’s commitment to ensuring that those granted the privilege of living in America embrace its values and freedoms rather than undermine them. “Immigration benefits—including to live and work in the United States—remain a privilege, not a right,” said Matthew Tragesser, a USCIS spokesman. “America’s benefits should not be given to those who despise the country and promote anti-American ideologies.” Officials emphasized that the policy is not about silencing opinions but about protecting the nation’s institutions and security. Applicants found to have endorsed or supported hostile views toward the United States, its allies, or Jewish communities may now see those actions weighed against their eligibility for green cards, visas, or other benefits. Elizabeth Jacobs, director of regulatory affairs and policy at the Center for Immigration Studies, praised the move, noting that it “sends a clear message that the U.S. will be less tolerant of anti-Americanism or antisemitism when making immigration decisions.” She added that officers still retain discretion, but the new policy provides clearer guidance on behaviors that demonstrate hostility to America’s core principles. Critics have voiced concern that the change could lead to subjective decisions. But supporters argue that immigration officers have long been required to make judgment calls, and this policy ensures those judgments are better aligned with American values. “Distance no longer provides the United States the protection it once did,” said one senior official. “This measure helps ensure that people coming into our country are here to contribute, not to tear down.” The change follows earlier reforms such as expanded social media vetting and new standards for determining “good moral character” in naturalization cases—updates that emphasize not just the absence of misconduct but also positive contributions and alignment with America’s principles. While some legal activists are preparing to challenge the policy, immigration attorneys acknowledge the rules are part of a broader effort to safeguard the system from abuse. “This is what was elected,” said Jonathan Grode, managing partner of Green and Spiegel immigration law firm. “The government has every right to interpret immigration policy to ensure our system welcomes people who believe in what this country stands for.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Rav Chaim Peretz Berman, Rosh Yeshiva of Ponevezh, addressed widespread criticism in recent days surrounding yeshiva students who continue learning Torah instead of enlisting in the IDF. The remarks, delivered at a special gathering for bnei yeshiva, come in response to growing claims — mainly from within the dati leumi (religious Zionist) community — that their sons are dying in battle while yeshiva bochurim remain immersed in Torah study.

“They Don’t Believe in Hashem or Torah”

Rav Berman began by challenging the very premise of the criticism: “In what name do they come? If they come and they do not believe in Hakadosh Baruch Hu, and they do not believe in the Torah — people who will soon face Rosh Hashanah and don’t even know that on that day Hashem decrees judgment upon the world — these are people walking blind in this world. If someone who has never sat in a government meeting would suddenly be told to handle budgets, he would not know how money reaches the schools, where to act, or what to do. Complete ignorance! We must daven for them, that Hashem should grant them seichel.”

He continued, blasting the so-called “wisdom” of those who mock the yeshiva world: “But what separates man from animal if they behave like this? They claim to be brilliant, saying they know how to protect us, that they had beepers, that they had strategies in Iran — but where was their intelligence on Simchas Torah? Such ‘wise’ people — yet where was their wisdom then? Nothing! So suddenly, here they act clever, and there they failed completely? It’s not them. They cannot do anything on their own.”

“It Was Hashem Who Saved Us”

Rav Berman described the recent security failures, attributing survival to Divine intervention rather than human ingenuity: “They made plans like some imaginary children’s author, preparing for twenty years that everyone would have a phone and that bombs would be hidden inside everything, and hundreds here knew — but none of them there knew. They thought that in the exact moment they wished, they could activate everything and succeed. Even the most foolish person would never plan something so absurd! This was nonsense, and Hakadosh Baruch Hu placed this foolishness into them — and through that, He saved us.”

He dismissed claims that Israeli security forces are solely responsible for victories: “Great heroes, yes, in a country of a hundred million people, full of power, everything exposed, and yet nobody detected anything — and we think they are geniuses and we are fools? No! They don’t understand, and the so-called ‘experts’ don’t think for a moment that perhaps others also have seichel. These are people with no understanding at all, and all we can do is pity them.”

“Their Goal Is to Uproot Torah”

Rav Berman then turned his criticism directly toward those demanding yeshiva students enlist: “There is a group of people who hate Hakadosh Baruch Hu, who hate the Torah, who know their Creator and deliberately rebel against Him. They lie when they say they want us to join the army. They themselves do not risk their lives! They arrange comfortable positions for themselves in Unit 8200, at Galei Tzahal, and other places. Liars and frauds! They want to uproot Torah from Yisroel, uproot kedusha from Yisroel, and increase tumah among us.”

He recalled a statement from his shver, Rav Berel Povarsky, Rosh Yeshiva of Ponevezh: “On Yom Kippur, less than two years ago, my shver returned home and said, ‘How much patience does Hashem have that Jews go out on Dizengoff Square on this holy day to fight to spread tumah — and yet Hashem, in His mercy, still decrees good.’”

“Ashreinu She’Anu Lo Kamohem”

The Rosh Yeshiva contrasted bnei Torah with those he accused of seeking to destroy kedusha: “These foolish people did it again on Simchas Torah. These are wicked people, teme’im, and ashreinu she’anu lo kamoihem — fortunate are we that we are not like them! I don’t believe anyone here would even be tested whether to live like them or die. No one would choose their life, not for a single moment. These are people who hate us, who want to corrupt us and destroy us. Their entire ambition is to increase tumah in the world. Should we care what such people say?”

“Some Have Kippot but No Daas”

Rav Berman added that even within the dati leumi community, many critics lack true Torah understanding: “And then there’s another group — they wear kippot, but they are amei ha’aretz. They suffer from what Chazal say, ‘sinas amei ha’aretz l’talmidei chachamim’ — as Rabi Akiva said, ‘Anashchenu kachamor.’ They come and tell us what the Chazon Ish or the Brisker Rav would say, as if they understand what it means to serve Hashem! Should we even debate with them? Should we respond to them?”

“Our Path Is Clear: Learn More Torah”

Rav Berman concluded his remarks with a powerful message to bnei yeshiva: “We are amcha bnei brisecha, the children of Avrohom ohavcha. Why should we care what they say? The only thing that matters to us is knowing that if they are fighting against Hakadosh Baruch Hu, we understand exactly what we must do. They are showing us where the tumah wants to go, where the forces of destruction are trying to lead us — and that tells us what our job is. Until now we learned Torah because our fathers and grandfathers learned Torah. But today, when we see that there is a war being waged against Hakadosh Baruch Hu, we know exactly what to do: learn even more.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Giraffes are a majestic sight in Africa with their long necks and distinctive spots. Now it turns out there are four different giraffe species on the continent, according to a new scientific analysis released Thursday. Researchers previously considered all giraffes across Africa to belong to a single species. New data and genetic studies have led a task force of the International Union for Conservation of Nature to split the tallest mammal on land into four groups — Northern giraffes, reticulated giraffes, Masai giraffes and Southern giraffes. Key studies have emerged in the past decade highlighting significant differences between the four species, said the IUCN’s Michael Brown, a researcher in Windhoek, Namibia, who led the assessment. Naming different giraffes matters because “each species has different population sizes, threats and conservation needs,” he said. “When you lump giraffes all together, it muddies the narrative.” Northern giraffes — whose range includes parts of Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and Central African Republic – face threats from political instability and poaching. Masai giraffes in Kenya and Tanzania face pressure from habitat loss, as open savannas are converted to cattle pastures and fields. Considering four giraffe species “is absolutely the right decision, and it’s long overdue,” said Stuart Pimm, a Duke University ecologist who wasn’t involved in the analysis. While in the past researchers scrutinized giraffes’ spots, the new categories made use of newer methods including extensive analysis of genetic data and studies highlighting key anatomical differences, such as skull shape. What appear like horns sticking up from the foreheads of giraffes are actually permanent bony protrusions from the skull, different from deer antlers that are shed annually. Over the past 20 years, scientists have also gathered genetic samples from more than 2,000 giraffes across Africa to study the differences, said Stephanie Fennessy at the nonprofit Giraffe Conservation Foundation, who helped in the research. It used to cost tens of thousands of dollars to sequence each genome, but advances in technology have brought the cost down to about $100, making it more accessible to nonprofit and conservation groups, she said. According to population estimates from the foundation, the most endangered giraffe is the Northern giraffe, with only about 7,000 individuals left in the wild. “It’s one of the most threatened large mammals in the world,” said Fennessy. Southern giraffes are the most populous species, with around 69,000 individuals. There are around 21,000 reticulated giraffes left in the wild, and 44,000 Masai giraffes, according to the foundation. “If not all giraffes are the same, then we have to protect them individually,” said Fennessy. (AP)

Israeli forces have seized control of more than three-quarters of the Gaza Strip, killing over 2,000 terrorists and dismantling swaths of Hamas infrastructure since resuming ground operations five months ago, the military announced Wednesday. The IDF reported striking 10,000 terror targets since March, including weapons depots, command centers, and underground networks. Five divisions are now operating across Gaza, dismantling tunnels and eliminating cells in what the army calls Operation Gideon’s Chariots. One of the most consequential operations occurred May 13, when Israeli aircraft eliminated Mohammed Sinwar—brother of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and commander of the group’s “military wing”—alongside Rafah Brigade commander Mohammad Sabaneh and South Khan Yunis Battalion commander Mahdi Quara. “The damage to Hamas’s command structure is unprecedented,” the IDF said, emphasizing that the movement is being reduced from a standing army to a “battered guerrilla force. Defense Minister Yisrael Katz authorized the mobilization of 60,000 reservists to pave the way for the next phase—an assault on Hamas’s last major stronghold, Gaza City. Another 20,000 soldiers already in service will have their terms extended to sustain the effort. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu urged commanders to “shorten the timeline” for Hamas’s defeat. “Together we will prevail,” his office said in a statement. Troops are already operating on Gaza City’s outskirts in Zeitoun and Jabalia, with preliminary tunnel-clearing underway. Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin said forces recently uncovered a tunnel packed with weapons, underscoring the entrenched threat. Ahead of the operation, Israel is preparing a mass evacuation of 800,000 to 1 million civilians to the al-Mawasi humanitarian zone in Rafah. COGAT is expanding aid sites and field hospitals, with support from U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, who said plans are underway to double Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) aid centers from eight to 16. “This approach will sever the population’s dependence on Hamas,” Defrin said. On Wednesday, Kfir Brigade troops thwarted a major tunnel raid near Khan Yunis, killing nine terrorists and wounding several others after militants stormed a brigade post with rifles and RPGs. One Israeli soldier was seriously wounded in the clash. Since the war began following Hamas’s October 7 massacre in southern Israel, 898 IDF soldiers have fallen. Yet the military insists Hamas’s power is being systematically dismantled. Defrin pledged the upcoming Gaza City offensive would “deepen the damage to Hamas, both above and below ground, and strike at the last remnants of its terror rule.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

During the annual summer camp for hundreds of students of Yeshivas Orchos Torah, the Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Baruch Dov Diskin, delivered an extensive shiur and Q&A session addressing how a ben yeshiva should grow spiritually — and how to face the current wave of arrests of yeshiva bochurim for dedicating their lives to Torah study.

The session was moderated by Rav Yitzchak Schreiber, one of the senior rabbonim of the yeshiva.

“There Is No Reason to Fear”

At the start of his remarks, Rav Diskin reassured the talmidim, emphasizing calmness and stability: “Of course, everyone is waiting to hear about the draft decree. We won’t discuss the decree itself, only one thing — we are not worried. We know the bnei hayeshiva of Orchos Torah. Baruch Hashem, they know how to control themselves in every situation. There is no reason to be afraid. Wherever a bochur of Orchos Torah is, in any situation, he does not need to panic. If there’s a knock at the door or there isn’t, nothing changes. Whoever has yeshuv hadaas remains steady, learns, and does what he must. He has no need to fear anything.”

The Rosh Yeshiva used a parable attributed to the Rogatchover Gaon to illustrate that worry achieves nothing: “They say the Rogatchover once told a story: A woman was on her way to selichos, holding a machzor in one hand and a chicken for kapparos in the other. Along the way, her glasses fell. So what now? She can’t bend down — both hands are full! The Rogatchover said, ‘I don’t know what she did, but I guarantee one thing — she’s no longer there!’ That’s the answer to all those asking, ‘What will be?’ Somehow, we’ll manage. It will settle itself.”

“We Don’t Run the World — Hashem Does”

Rav Diskin recalled words he once heard from Rav Shach zt”l during a time of great difficulty: “Baruch Hashem, we heard this from Rav Shach himself when the situation seemed impossible. We spoke to him about a particular crisis, and he said, ‘It will settle. It will be okay.’ We don’t need to manage the world. Our job is to sit where we are, learn, and do what is required — without fear.”

He added that much of the anxiety comes from outside noise and overexposure to constant updates: “Many fears are born from hearing too much. As Maran Rav Dov Landau shlit”a said, ‘The less you listen, the less you fear.’ We must remember: Heim b’didam v’anachnu b’didan — they are in their world, we are in ours. Baruch Hashem, here in the yeshiva, the framework remains intact, and we continue learning without interruption.”

“This Is a Nisayon, Not a G’zeirah of Destruction”

During the session, Rav Schreiber posed an emotional question: why bnei yeshiva today seem so calm about the draft compared to the past, when the Chofetz Chaim’s generation was terrified by conscription decrees.

Rav Diskin explained: “We cannot compare today’s situation to the decrees of the past. Back then, it was a real danger — both to physical life and to ruchniyus. Great men sat in prison — the Maharam MiRotenburg, the Baal HaTanya, the Maharil Diskin. The real fear was not prison; the real fear was that one who went in would lose everything, physically and spiritually. Baruch Hashem, today is different. Today, this is a nisayon, nothing more than a test.

“But we must understand something deeper: if there is a decree on lomdei Torah, it’s a sign from Shamayim that there is a ta’anah, a Heavenly claim. That is what we should truly fear — not the army itself, but the reason behind it. For fifty or sixty years, things were quiet. And now they have awakened. Why now? There is a reason, and we must take this as a call to strengthen ourselves in Torah and yiras Shamayim. Fear should not paralyze us — it should inspire us to grow.”

“What to Do If Police Come to the Yeshiva”

In one of the most practical moments of the Q&A, Rav Schreiber asked the Rosh Yeshiva directly what to do if, chas v’shalom, police were to arrive at the yeshiva in the middle of the night and attempt to arrest students:

“Let us imagine,” Rav Schreiber said, “it’s the 7th of Elul, in the middle of the night, and suddenly eight police vans arrive at Orchos Torah to arrest five bochurim for the ‘crime’ of learning Torah. What do we do? Do we protest? Do we fight? Do we resist? Or do we let them take them?”

Rav Diskin responded with calm reassurance: “First of all, it seems unlikely they would come here. The last place they will go is Orchos Torah — don’t think otherwise. There isn’t a single bochur here who knows how to hold a rifle, so we’re not their first concern. There are other yeshivos that interest them more.

“But aside from that, we know what our rabbonim taught us. Of course, we must make every effort to resist the decree — but not here, not physically. Our power is not in force; our power is in our mouths, in our Torah, in our tefillah. We oppose, but we don’t fight with violence. That is not our way, and it will not succeed. Beyond that, there is much more to discuss, but not for now.”

“Our Strength Is in Torah and Tefillah”

Rav Diskin concluded by reiterating that bnei Torah must not allow fear or panic to shake their commitment: “This is a test, not a punishment. We have nothing to fear in our personal lives. But on the collective level, yes — it is a wake-up call from Shamayim. We must strengthen our learning, deepen our emunah, and know that everything is in the hands of Hashem. Our power is not in demonstrations or physical resistance — it is in Torah and tefillah. That is where Klal Yisroel’s strength lies.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said Wednesday that recent moves by European leaders to unilaterally recognize Palestinian statehood have undermined sensitive ceasefire negotiations with Hamas, making peace even harder to achieve. Huckabee, a longtime opponent of one-sided recognition, said European governments such as France and Britain had sent the wrong signal at a critical moment. “If they believe that unilaterally calling for a Palestinian state immediately brings them closer, the sad truth is it’s taking them further away,” Huckabee told the Associated Press. According to Huckabee, by rushing to recognize Palestinian statehood while Hamas still holds hostages and continues its attacks, Europe has emboldened the terror group to dig in its heels rather than compromise. The ambassador said the “noise” created by these announcements was having a “counterproductive effect,” reducing the chances for progress at the negotiating table. The ambassador’s warning reflects the Trump administration’s position that Hamas must be defeated militarily before any lasting peace can take root. President Trump reiterated this stance earlier in the week, declaring: “We will only see the return of the remaining hostages when Hamas is confronted and destroyed!!!” Huckabee’s comments underscore a broader difference in approach between Washington and some European allies. While Europe has tried to pressure Israel into concessions, the Trump administration has backed Israel’s right to defend itself and rejected shortcuts that would reward Hamas’s October 7 massacre with international legitimacy. Israel has already rejected symbolic recognition efforts, saying they send exactly the wrong message: that violence can win Palestinians a state. Huckabee’s remarks reinforce that view, arguing that only a strong stance against Hamas will ultimately secure both Israel’s safety and the return of hostages. Though negotiations have continued with Arab mediators, Huckabee said Hamas cannot be trusted until it makes binding commitments. He suggested that recent claims of progress may simply be Hamas “stringing this along,” a tactic it has used before. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

A little-known group in Gaza has released a video claiming it received humanitarian aid from Al-Qaeda’s branch in Yemen. The footage, circulated Monday on social media, shows members of the group, which calls itself Ahrar Bayt al-Maqdis, displaying boxes of food they say were provided through donations from Al-Qaeda in Yemen. The group is not previously known, but its name suggests it may be a Salafi organization active in Gaza. It remains unclear whether the claim is credible or how such aid could have been transported into the Gaza Strip, which is tightly controlled at its border crossings. YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has firmly pledged that the annual “Celebrate Israel Parade” will remain a permanent part of the city’s calendar, dismissing any speculation about its cancellation, according to JNS.

During a discussion with Rabbi Marc Schneier of the Hampton Synagogue, Hochul was directly asked whether she would allow New York Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani to “mess” with the parade. Her response left no room for doubt.

“Rabbi, that will never happen. Never, never, never happen. That parade will always continue,” Hochul declared.

While Mamdani’s campaign insists he has no plans to cancel or restrict the parade, the candidate has faced sharp criticism over his positions and actions regarding Israel, including his decision not to sign a May resolution commemorating Israel’s 77th Independence Day.

Mamdani has also drawn backlash for refusing to denounce the slogan “globalize the intifada,” a phrase widely viewed as inflammatory.

Additionally, Mamdani has stated that if elected, he would ensure New York complies with international law, which would include enforcing potential arrest warrants from the International Criminal Court against figures such as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

When questioned about his stance on the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, Mamdani avoided a clear position but maintained that he would ensure his actions do not conflict with international law.

Critics have also condemned Mamdani for his response following the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, pointing out that on October 8, 2023, he criticized Israel rather than denouncing the terrorist organization responsible for the assault.

US President Donald Trump weighed in on the controversy, declaring that he would not allow “communist lunatic” Mamdani to “destroy New York.”

Earlier, Trump said of Mamdani, “I think he’s terrible. He’s a communist. The last thing we need is a communist. I think I’m going to have a lot of fun watching him because he has to come right through this building to get his money.”

Hochul, meanwhile, revealed last month that she personally confronted Mamdani, urging him to repair his relationship with New York’s Jewish community.

Speaking during an interview on MSNBC, Hochul recalled telling him, “‘You have a lot of healing to do with the Jewish community. Many of your words have been hurtful and hateful to people in their interpretation.”

She added, “No one should have to worry about being in the city and feeling less safe because of who the mayor is and their religious beliefs. So that was important. I raised that concern.”

{Matzav.com}

Want to keep your mind sharp as you age? Spend a few hours each week helping others, a new study suggests. Research published in the upcoming October issue of Social Science & Medicine finds that older adults who regularly volunteer — whether through formal organizations or informal acts of support — experience 15% to 20% slower cognitive decline compared to those who don’t. The benefits were most consistent among people who devoted just two to four hours per week to helping others. That included organized activities like working at a food bank or cleaning up a park, as well as informal acts such as giving a neighbor a ride to the doctor, babysitting grandchildren, mowing a lawn, or helping with taxes. “Everyday acts of support — whether organized or personal — can have lasting cognitive impact,” said Sae Hwang Han, lead researcher and assistant professor of human development and family sciences at the University of Texas at Austin. “The benefits weren’t just short-term boosts but cumulative over time with sustained engagement.” The study analyzed data from more than 31,000 Americans age 51 and older, who were followed through the federal Health and Retirement Survey from 1998 to 2020. Researchers found that those who took up volunteering — formally or informally — saw measurable cognitive benefits. Conversely, withdrawing from helping others altogether was linked with sharper declines in brain health. The findings suggest that the protective effect may come from building social connections and lowering everyday stress, both of which have been shown to slow age-related brain decline. “Informal helping is sometimes assumed to offer fewer health benefits due to its lack of social recognition,” Han said. “It was a pleasant surprise to find that it provides cognitive benefits comparable to formal volunteering.” About one in three older Americans currently volunteer formally, while more than half offer help informally. Han said policies that encourage and support opportunities for older adults to remain engaged could extend these benefits further. “Many older adults in suboptimal health continue to make valuable contributions to those around them,” Han noted. “They may be the ones to especially benefit from being provided with opportunities to help.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Iran launched its first military exercise since the end of its 12-day war with Israel, state television reported Thursday, with navy vessels launching missiles at targets at sea in the Gulf of Oman and the Indian Ocean. While such drills are routine in the Islamic Republic, the “Sustainable Power 1404″ exercise comes as authorities in Iran are trying to project strength in the wake of a war that saw Israel destroy air defense systems and bomb nuclear facilities and other sites. The state TV report said the frigate IRIS Sabalan and a smaller vessel, the IRIS Ganaveh, launched Nasir and Qadir cruise missiles at targets in the sea, striking them. Coastal batteries also opened fire as part of the exercise. Iran’s navy, estimated to have some 18,000 personnel, apparently avoided any major attack during the June war. The navy, based out of the port city of Bandar Abbas, patrols the Gulf of Oman, the Indian Ocean and the Caspian Sea, and broadly leaves the Persian Gulf and its narrow mouth, the Strait of Hormuz, to Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard. The Guard’s naval forces are known for seizures of Western vessels during the breakdown of Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, as well as closely shadowing passing U.S. Navy vessels coming into the region. Since the end of the war, Iran has increasingly insisted that it is ready to counter any future Israeli attack. Defense Minister Brig. Gen. Aziz Nasirzadeh said that the country has equipped its forces with new missile, in remarks reported Wednesday by the state-run IRNA news agency. “In response to any potential enemy adventurism, our forces are prepared to use these new missiles effectively.” Meanwhile, Iran has suspended its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, which has been monitoring its nuclear sites as Tehran enriched uranium to near weapons-grade levels amid the tensions. France, Germany and the United Kingdom, the European parties to Iran’s nuclear deal, have warned that if Tehran doesn’t reach a “satisfactory solution” to its dispute with the IAEA by Aug. 31, they will trigger a “snapback” reimposition of all United Nations sanctions on it previously lifted by the accord. While already stung by American sanctions since 2018, analysts warn that renewed U.N. sanctions could further weaken the country’s ailing economy. (AP)

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy on Wednesday strongly criticized Israel’s decision to move forward with housing construction in the E-1 corridor, the area linking Jerusalem to Ma’ale Adumim, calling the plan “a flagrant breach of international law.”

In a statement, Lammy warned that the development of E-1 “would divide a Palestinian state in two, mark a flagrant breach of international law and critically undermine the two-state solution.” He urged, “The Israeli government must reverse this decision.”

Echoing Lammy’s position, a spokesperson for the German government stated that the expansion of “settlement construction” violates international law and “hinders a negotiated two-state solution and an end to the Israeli occupation of the West Bank.”

These reactions followed the Civil Administration’s approval to advance the E-1 project alongside steps to officially recognize the town of Asael. The E-1 plans were formally announced last Thursday during a press conference led by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

The E-1 project, debated for decades, involves roughly 3,400 housing units and represents a significant milestone toward implementing long-standing development proposals in the strategic area.

At the same time, the committee gave the green light to move Asael’s planning into the deposit stage, enabling further progress toward its legalization. The blueprint for Asael includes 342 homes, public amenities, and supporting infrastructure — all viewed as necessary components for establishing the community on a permanent basis.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich celebrated the approvals, describing them as “historic.” He said, “In E1, we are finally fulfilling promises made years ago. This is a defining moment for settlement, for national security, and for the State of Israel.”

Despite the criticism from European leaders, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee defended the move, insisting that “this is not a violation of international law.”

In an interview with Galei Tzahal (IDF Radio), Huckabee added, “We will not dictate to Israel what to do, we will not interfere in the running of the country. It would be very strange to say that others can live in this area but Israelis cannot.”

The US State Department similarly backed Israel’s stance, emphasizing that the construction of Jewish housing in the E-1 corridor enhances the country’s security and aligns with the administration’s overall policy objectives.

{Matzav.com}

Mendy and Yoel Levy bravely fled the Lev Tahor cult in Guatemala at the young ages of 16 and 15 seven years ago. Since then, they have dedicated themselves to exposing the abuse within Lev Tahor, including medical neglect and malnutrition, and even the death of babies as a result of the poor conditions. Their father, Yehoshua Levy, z’l, passed away seven and a half years ago in Guatemala. According to the sons, his death was caused by the denial of necessary medical treatment.  On the cruel orders of then-Lev Tahor leader Nachman Helbrans, who is currently serving a prison sentence in the US for kidnapping and child abuse, their ailing father was only taken to the hospital when he was already on the verge of death and it was too late to save him. After his death, he was buried in a forest not far from the huts where the cult families lived. Time and again, the Levy brothers risked their lives by returning to Guatemala. Their relentless efforts played a key role in exposing the cult and disrupting its financial support. More recently, Yoel stepped up his efforts to rescue his family—his mother, stepfather and nine children—including two toddlers and a baby. Eight months ago, after the authorities in Guatemala raided the cult compound and transferred all the minors to a welfare facility, Yoel flew to Guatemala and did everything he could to free his family and bring them back to Israel.  He provided testimony to the police and welfare authorities, including showing them video footage he had obtained of the children inside the compound before being rescued, appearing beaten, bruised and dressed in rags. He explained to the authorities about the poor conditions the children suffered in the cult, including receiving no dental or medical treatment, no vaccinations, and a diet consisting of only fruit and vegetables. He described how the cult leaders forced teens as young as 13 or 14 to get married and have children and convinced them to record testimony from one of the minor couples. The minor couple shocked the welfare authorities by revealing that over the past five years, at least nine babies died, both before and after birth, due to the lack of nutrition and the young ages of the teen mothers. During this time, the welfare services decided to search for the babies buried within the cult’s compound. Sniffer dogs were brought to the site and uncovered the graves. A welfare official told the local media that the dogs discovered the graves quickly because they were fresh. Yoel was joined in his efforts to rescue his family by Arieh Spiner, a fellow cult survivor. Spiner, whose mother moved from Israel to join Lev Tahor (in Canada) when he was 14, later rebelled against the cult and moved back to Israel 20 years ago. Spiner was the first to expose the cult’s abuse to the media, which led to their expulsion from Canada. Over the years, he worked to raise public awareness about the cult through numerous media interviews, advocacy on social networks, and lectures. Arieh met Yoel after he fled the cult, and the two realized they were now bound by family ties, as Yoel’s mother had remarried to Arieh’s brother, meaning that he was now Yoel’s stepfather, and Arieh […]

The New York Yankees are facing backlash after reports surfaced that their fifth-round MLB draft pick, Core Jackson, was involved in a 2021 incident where he drew a swastika on the door of a Jewish student’s dorm room.

The incident, which occurred during Jackson’s freshman year at the University of Nebraska, has raised questions about the team’s decision to select him.

Jackson, now a shortstop from the University of Utah, told The Athletic that he had been “blackout drunk” and couldn’t remember the event. “I felt like the worst person in the world,” he said. Following the episode, the university fined him and assigned community service but did not suspend him from the baseball team.

Despite the controversy, the Yankees are defending their decision. According to The Athletic, Damon Oppenheimer, the team’s amateur scouting director, explained that they carried out the most comprehensive background check of his 23-year career before making the selection.

The choice to draft Jackson was signed off by team owner Hal Steinbrenner and was also backed by Jewish executives in the organization, including team president Randy Levine.

Jackson has signed a contract worth $147,500, significantly below the typical value for his draft position, and has already joined the Yankees’ High-A affiliate.

According to The Guardian, Jackson’s agent, Blake Corosky, initially considered ending their professional relationship but ultimately decided to keep representing him under two strict conditions. First, Jackson had to disclose the incident to every MLB team ahead of the 2024 draft. Second, he was required to work with Arizona Diamondbacks prospect Jacob Steinmetz, the first practicing Orthodox Jewish player ever drafted.

Raised in a Christian household, Jackson admitted he had very little understanding of Judaism or the symbolism of the swastika at the time. “That doesn’t excuse it,” he said, “But it shows how much I had to learn.”

Now, Jackson says he is focused on rebuilding his reputation and moving forward both personally and professionally. “I think it’s important that this is part of my story,” he said. “God has given me this platform, and I want to use it to show forgiveness and growth.”

{Matzav.com}

A Ukrainian citizen man suspected to be one of the coordinators of the undersea explosions in 2022 that damaged the Nord Stream gas pipelines between Russia and Germany has been arrested, German prosecutors said Thursday. The suspect, identified only as Serhii K. in line with German privacy rules, was arrested overnight by officers from a police station in Misano Adriatrico, near the Italian city of Rimini, federal prosecutors said. Explosions on Sept. 26, 2022, damaged the pipelines, which were built to carry Russian natural gas to Germany under the Baltic Sea. The damage added to tensions over the war in Ukraine as European countries moved to wean themselves off Russian energy sources, following the Kremlin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Investigators have been largely tightlipped on their investigation, but said two years ago they found traces of undersea explosives in samples taken from a yacht that was searched as part of the probe. In a statement Thursday, prosecutors said Serhii K. was one of a group of people who placed explosives on the pipelines and is believed to have been one of the coordinators. They said he is suspected of causing explosions, anti-constitutional sabotage and the destruction of structures. He was arrested on a European arrest warrant that was issued on Monday. The suspect and others used a yacht that set off from the German port of Rostock, which had been hired from a German company using forged IDs and with the help of intermediaries, prosecutors said. They didn’t give any information on the other people aboard the yacht or say anything about who else might have been involved in coordinating the suspected sabotage, or about a possible motive. German Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig praised what she called “a very impressive investigative success.” She said in a statement that the explosions must be cleared up, “so it is good that we are making progress.” The explosions ruptured the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, which was Russia’s main natural gas supply route to Germany until Moscow cut off supplies at the end of August 2022. They also damaged the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which never entered service because Germany suspended its certification process shortly before Russia invaded Ukraine in February of that year. Russia has accused the U.S. of staging the explosions, a charge Washington has denied. The pipelines were long a target of criticism by the U.S. and some of its allies, who warned that they posed a risk to Europe’s energy security by increasing dependence on Russian gas. In 2023, German media reported that a pro-Ukraine group was involved in the sabotage. Ukraine rejected suggestions it might have ordered the attack and German officials voiced caution over the accusation. German prosecutors didn’t say when they expect Serhii K. to be handed over to German authorities. Swedish and Danish authorities closed their investigations in February 2024, leaving the German prosecutors’ case as the sole probe. (AP)

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