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China’s exports to the United States tumbled in April while its trade with other economies surged, suggesting that President Donald Trump’s tariffs offensive is hastening a shakeup in global supply chains. Total exports from China rose 8.1% last month from a year earlier, much faster than the 2% pace most economists had been expecting. That was much slower than the 12.4% year-on-year increase in March. Imports fell 0.2% in April from the year before. Shipments to the U.S. sank 21% in dollar terms as Trump’s tariffs on most Chinese exports rose to as high as 145%. With Chinese tariffs on U.S. goods at 125%, business between the two biggest economies has grown increasingly uncertain. China’s imports from the U.S. dropped more than 13% from a year earlier, while its politically sensitive trade surplus with the United States was nearly $20.5 billion in April, down from about $27.2 billion a year earlier. In the first four months of the year, China’s exports to the United States fell 2.5% from a year earlier, while imports from the U.S. fell 4.7%. A potential break in the tariffs stalemate could come as soon as this weekend. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and other senior trade officials are due to meet with Chinese officials in Geneva on Saturday. But Beijing and Washington are at odds over a raft of issues, including colliding strategic interests that will may impede progress in the talks. Some of the punitive tariffs, including Beijing’s retaliatory 125% tariffs on U.S. exports, could be rolled back, but a full reversal is unlikely, Zichun Huang of Capital Economics said in a report. “This means China’s exports to the U.S. are set for further declines over the coming months, not all of which will be offset by increased trade with other countries. We still expect export growth to turn negative later this year,” Huang said. Whatever the outcome of those discussions, the rapid increase in Chinese exports to other countries reflects a restructuring that began years ago but has gained momentum as Trump has raised barriers to exporting to the U.S. Global manufacturers have been looking for alternatives to a near total reliance on manufacturing in China after disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for more diverse options. The need for more versatile supply chains grew more apparent as Trump hiked tariffs on Chinese exports during his first term in office. Most of those remained during former President Joe Biden’s term. Exports to the United States accounted for about a tenth of China’s total exports in April and the U.S. is still China’s largest single-country market. But the European Union and Southeast Asia are larger regional export markets. Trade with a broader grouping, the 15-nation Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which does not include the United States, is still bigger. And exports to countries participating in China’s “Belt and Road Initiative,” a vast network of Beijing-supported infrastructure projects, are bigger still. In the first four months of the year, exports to the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations rose 11.5% from a year earlier, and those to Latin America also climbed 11.5%. Shipments to India jumped nearly 16% by value, and exports to Africa surged 15%. Some of the fastest growth was in Asia, reflecting moves by Chinese and other manufacturers to diversify […]

Travelers seen pensively waiting out the sirens at Ben Gurion Airport during the Houthi missile minutes ago.

In a rare appearance before the United Nations Security Council on Thursday, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff introduced a bold American-led strategy to restart humanitarian operations in Gaza through a new organization called the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).

Outlined in a 14-page proposal reviewed by Ynet, the effort is designed to overcome obstacles that have historically weakened international donor confidence and obstructed the delivery of assistance. Witkoff stressed the initiative’s key values of “transparency, independence and security,” underlining its commitment to keeping aid out of the hands of Hamas.

The plan outlines the establishment of four strategically located Secure Distribution Sites across Gaza, each intended to assist approximately 300,000 people. The initial goal is to serve 1.2 million residents, with the potential to scale up to 2 million. These hubs will be civilian-run and managed by independent security teams, completely free of military involvement. Aid packages — including essentials such as food, hygiene supplies, medication, and drinking water — will be provided strictly based on humanitarian need and distributed equitably.

Although the proposal emphasizes neutrality and a nonpartisan approach, the United Nations and several relief organizations have rejected participation. Their refusal comes amid increasing claims that Israel is purposely restricting access to food in Gaza as a form of pressure.

Despite pushback from international bodies, Witkoff remained resolute during the closed-door session at the Security Council, reiterating that a core objective of the project is to block aid from being siphoned off by Hamas. Nonetheless, some delegates strongly objected, warning that excluding the UN from the process could deepen the humanitarian crisis instead of easing it.

According to GHF, each 1,750-calorie aid meal will cost only $1.31, which includes transportation, protective logistics, and delivery. A single family food box, comprising 50 complete meals, will carry a price tag of $65 and will be brought straight to at-risk households.

The foundation is helmed by respected leaders in the aid and finance industries: Nate Mook, who previously led World Central Kitchen; Jake Wood, founder of the disaster-response group Team Rubicon; and David Beasley, former head of the UN World Food Program. Oversight responsibilities will fall to a renowned international auditing firm and a legal team well-versed in humanitarian law.

The report also acknowledges widespread concerns among global stakeholders regarding armed factions hijacking aid, black-market diversion, and the opaque behavior of local leadership. GHF claims its operations will follow the pillars of humanitarian ethics: neutrality, universality, independence, and measurable transparency on the ground.

Though the U.S. is backing the project, the foundation intends to remain completely detached from political or military agendas. While the Israeli military will not be stationed at distribution points, logistical coordination will be maintained to ensure unhindered access for aid convoys. GHF has also extended an invitation to NGOs — both local and global — to use its secure network for delivering relief.

“GHF sets a new standard for humanitarian aid in conflict zones,” the document concludes. “If it can fulfill its promise, it may become a global model for restoring trust in humanitarian assistance in crisis areas worldwide.”

President Donald Trump announced earlier this week that he plans to make a “very important” and “very positive” declaration in the near future, ahead of his upcoming trip to the Middle East. While he didn’t specify the subject, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce later suggested the announcement could be tied to aid distribution efforts in Gaza.

Last month, Trump disclosed that he had urged Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu to allow greater humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip during one of their recent discussions.

“Gaza came up in the conversation, and I said, ‘We need to do right by Gaza. The people there are suffering,’” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One before taking off for the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome.

When questioned about whether he had brought up the idea of reopening crossings for humanitarian purposes, Trump confirmed: “We’re going to take care of it. There is a very serious need for medicine and food, and we’ll make sure it gets there,” he said.

When asked how Netanyahu responded, Trump replied, “Felt good about it”—though it was unclear whether he meant his own assessment or Netanyahu’s reaction.

{Matzav.com}

Retired Supreme Court Justice David H. Souter, who was appointed by Republican president George H.W. Bush but became an extreme liberal once on the court, has died at 85. He retired in 2009, giving President Obama his first Supreme Court vacancy, which he filled with Justice Sonia Sotomayor.

Friends of Yishai Elyakim Auerbach hy”d, murdered in Gaza on Thursday, sing “V’yihyu Rachamecha” at his levaya – taking place just weeks after he got married r”l.

The IDF and Shin Bet release a joint statement stating that a terrorist cell responsible for a Molotov cocktail and stone-throwing attack that injured anIsraeli civilian was apprehended after multiple counterterrorism operations in Judea and Samaria.

Emergency crews are currently battling a fire in an open area in Southern Israel near the Bnei Dekalim area.

President Trump says he would support raising taxes on wealthy people to “help the lower and middle income workers.”

Russia marks the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II with a massive military parade, attended by President Vladimir Putin and a slew of foreign leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The IDF has successfully intercepted a ballistic missile this morning fired by Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen targeting Israel, the military announced. No injuries or damage were reported. Sirens blared across central Israel, preceded by a three-minute early warning push notification sent to residents’ phones, alerting them of the incoming long-range missile. Since the IDF’s renewed offensive against Hamas in Gaza on March 18, the Houthis have launched 28 ballistic missiles and numerous drones at Israel.

In recent days, several Israeli cabinet members have begun speculating that Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu might opt to dissolve the current coalition and call for early elections if he becomes convinced that the chareidi factions truly plan to bring down the government over the contentious draft issue, Times of Israel report.

“Netanyahu knows there is no solution to the chareidi enlistment matter,” a senior minister told Zeman Yisrael. “He is bidding for time and will eventually say that ‘on this important matter, I didn’t cave.’ This way, he’ll at least win the election with the support of reservists and civilians who can’t live with the inequality in military conscription.”

The conscription of yeshiva students has long been a flashpoint in Israeli politics.

Attempts to legislate a balanced framework on this issue have consistently failed, with the High Court striking down any version that aligns with chareidi expectations, citing violations of equality under the law.

In a landmark ruling last year, the High Court declared the widespread exemptions long enjoyed by the chareidi population to be unconstitutional. Since then, chareidi parties have insisted on a new law that would formally codify exemptions for most yeshiva students.

Prime Minister Netanyahu has managed to stall the debate, delaying decisions and neutralizing coalition tensions even in the midst of war. But this time, the standoff appears more volatile, with pressure mounting from inside and outside the coalition and no clear resolution on the horizon.

{Matzav.com Israel}

President Donald Trump abruptly fired Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden on Thursday as the White House continues to purge the federal government of those perceived to oppose the president and his agenda. Hayden was notified in an email late Thursday from the White House’s Presidential Personnel Office, according to an email obtained by The Associated Press. Confirmed by the Senate to the job in 2016, Hayden was the first woman and the first African American to be librarian of Congress. “Carla,” the email began. “On behalf of President Donald J. Trump, I am writing to inform you that your position as the Librarian of Congress is terminated effective immediately. Thank you for your service.” A spokesperson for the Library of Congress confirmed that the White House told Hayden she was dismissed. Hayden, whose 10-year term was set to expire next year, had come under backlash from a conservative advocacy group that had vowed to root out those standing in the way of Trump’s agenda. The group, American Accountability Foundation, accused her and other library leaders of promoting children’s books with “radical” content and literary material authored by Trump opponents. “The current #LibrarianOfCongress Carla Hayden is woke, anti-Trump, and promotes trans-ing kids,” AAF said on its X account earlier Thursday, just hours before the firing was made public. “It’s time to get her OUT and hire a new guy for the job!” All around the government, Trump has been weeding out officials who he believes don’t align with his agenda, from the Justice Department to the Pentagon and beyond. At times, the firings come after conservative voices single out officials for criticism. Earlier Thursday, the acting administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency was pushed out one day after he had testified that he did not agree with proposals to dismantle the organization. Trump has suggested that individual states, not FEMA, should take the lead on responding to hurricanes, tornadoes and other crises. At the Pentagon, more than a half-dozen top general officers have been fired since January, including the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. CQ Brown Jr. The only two women serving as four-star officers, as well as a disproportionate number of other senior female officers, have also been fired. The unexpected move Thursday against Hayden infuriated congressional Democrats, who initially disclosed the firing. “Enough is enough,” said Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, who called Hayden “a “trailblazer, a scholar, and a public servant of the highest order.” Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, said Hayden was “callously fired” by Trump and demanded an explanation from the administration as to why she was dismissed. “Hayden, has spent her entire career serving people — from helping kids learn to read to protecting some of our nation’s most precious treasures,” said Rep. Joseph Morelle of New York, the top Democrat on the House Administration Committee that oversees the Library. “She is an American hero,” he said. The Library of Congress, with its stately buildings across from the U.S. Capitol, holds a vast collection of the nation’s books and history, which it makes available to the public and lawmakers. It houses the papers of nearly two dozen presidents and more than three dozen Supreme Court justices. It also has collections of […]

Brig. Gen. Shay Tayeb briefed officials on data regarding Chareidi recruitment in a meeting of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Wednesday. During the meeting, Labor MK Efrat Rayten asked Tayeb: “Why hasn’t the IDF Chief of Staff met with women’s organizations regarding the recruitment of Chareidim? Tayeb responded: “Women are not a target population in the process.” But Rayten wasn’t referring to the recruitment of Chareidi women; she was referring to secular women whom she claims will be discriminated against due to Chareidi recruitment. She responded to Tayeb: “In other words, female soldiers, who are excluded and harmed by the demands for separate-gender spaces, are not even being considered.” Tal Hochman, the head of the Women’s Lobby, quoted Tayeb’s statement on X, adding: “The Women’s Lobby understands the security challenges facing the IDF, and certainly at this time, and supports the recruitment of Chareidim to the IDF as part of it being the people’s army. However, we warn against a serious danger to the equality of female soldiers and commanders. Women have proven their courage and contribution in the war and their significant role in the army. It is absurd that these women, who defended the borders of the country with their bodies, will now be excluded and discriminated against simply because they are women.” “We have turned to the Chief of Staff with an unequivocal demand to ensure that the recruitment of Chareidim does not lead to the creation of separate gender spaces—a situation that will take the IDF backwards and severely damage the principles of equality in the IDF.” Labor MK Merav Michaeli wrote: “The more Chareidim who enlist, the more built-in discrimination in the advancement of women there will be. Separation between women and men in academia has caused discrimination against women,” she falsely claimed. “It has spilled over into the public space, into dress codes, in the library. It harmed lecturers who cannot teach men. This is the process I fear will happen in the army. It’s already happening under the radar.” “The marking of women as something that men can say, ‘I won’t be where that creature is’ is destructive to any society. It legitimizes continuing to exclude women. This is a great danger to the IDF,” she concluded. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party announced Thursday that its recent airstrikes under the banner of “Operation Sindhoor” successfully targeted and killed Abdul Rauf Azhar, a top commander in the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror network. Rauf was known for orchestrating several deadly plots, including the 2002 abduction and execution of Wall Street Journal journalist Daniel Pearl.

Rauf Azhar, who played a central role in JeM’s terror activities, was the younger sibling of the group’s founder, Masood Azhar. Indian forces also targeted Masood in Tuesday night’s operation, which reportedly claimed the lives of ten of his relatives, though Rauf was not among those initially named as dead.

Masood Azhar created JeM in 2000 after being freed from an Indian prison where he was jailed for terror offenses. Before founding JeM, he held a leadership position in the Harakat-ul-Mujahideen organization, another Pakistani jihadist group.

Masood’s release came after Harakat-ul-Mujahideen hijacked an Indian passenger plane, forcing India to meet the group’s demands. Indian intelligence later identified Rauf Azhar as a key player in planning that hijacking, further linking him to JeM’s early formation.

Following disputes within Harakat-ul-Mujahideen, Masood Azhar established JeM, which quickly gained infamy for launching large-scale and lethal terrorist strikes in India, Kashmir, Pakistan, and elsewhere. The group became known for its unrelenting extremism.

Despite its splinter origins, JeM has maintained connections to both al-Qaeda and the Taliban. In 2008, JeM reportedly partnered with the Taliban to assist in attacks against U.S.-led coalition forces in Afghanistan. The infamous 1999 hijacked flight that freed Masood was diverted to Kandahar, then governed by the Taliban.

Though Pakistan officially banned JeM in 2002, India has long accused Islamabad of enabling the organization’s continued activity. Tensions rose further in November 2024 when Masood Azhar surfaced publicly at a madrassa in Bahawalpur, delivering a fiery sermon in which he threatened more violence against India. That same madrassa was among the locations bombed by Indian aircraft during Tuesday’s operation.

Beijing has also acted as a shield for JeM at the international level. In 2022, China used procedural means at the United Nations to block a U.S.- and India-backed proposal to sanction Rauf Azhar.

JeM’s role in the kidnapping and killing of Daniel Pearl is one of its most notorious crimes. Pearl, a journalist for the Wall Street Journal, was abducted in January 2002 while staying in Karachi. He had traveled from India to Pakistan to investigate terrorism links following the September 11 attacks.

Rauf Azhar was implicated in the plot and worked alongside a group calling themselves “The National Movement for the Restoration of Pakistani Sovereignty.” The kidnappers falsely accused Pearl of being an Israeli intelligence agent and sent a list of demands to the U.S. When their demands were ignored, they forced Pearl to declare in a recorded statement that he was a “Jewish American,” after which they brutally murdered him.

The terrorists circulated the execution video under the chilling title, “The Slaughter of the Spy-Journalist, the Jew Daniel Pearl,” and disposed of his remains in a makeshift grave near Karachi.

In 2021, outrage erupted in both America and Pearl’s family when Pakistan’s Supreme Court ordered the release of Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, the prime suspect in the case. Though a lower court had convicted him of abduction, it cleared him of murder charges and declared the sentence already served was adequate.

By 2007, with his brother lying low, Rauf Azhar assumed greater control within JeM. The U.S. Treasury officially designated him a global terrorist in 2010, citing his role in “recruiting operatives and planning attacks in India and Afghanistan.”

{Matzav.com}

The Israeli government confirmed there are no signs of life from three of the 59 remaining hostages held by Hamas, sparking a new wave of grief and frustration among families. Two of the captives are foreign nationals—Bipin Joshi of Nepal and Pinta Nattapong of Thailand—and one is an Israeli soldier, Tamir Nimrodi. An Israeli official speaking Thursday said, “No signs of life have been received from them since shortly after the outbreak of the war.” The confirmation came just a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged that, while 21 hostages are definitively alive, the status of three others is now in serious doubt. The statement, following remarks by both Netanyahu and President Donald Trump, shattered the fragile hope held by many families. Trump, speaking from the Oval Office earlier this week, remarked that three hostages had died—appearing to contradict Israel’s official count. At a press briefing Thursday, the Prime Minister’s Office reiterated that “Israel will never give up” on retrieving all its citizens. Yet families say the government’s rhetoric does not match its priorities. A leaked IDF document ranking the return of the hostages last among six military goals in Gaza has only intensified public outcry. For Cherut Nimrodi, mother of captive IDF soldier Tamir Nimrodi, the silence has been unbearable. “There’s no new information,” she said. “But now, after Sara Netanyahu and Trump both raised the issue, the fear is back in full force. I’m very worried. I can’t even describe what that means to me.” Hostage families have called on Netanyahu to pause the military offensive until all hostages are released, labeling their return as Israel’s “most urgent national mission.” But the IDF is pressing ahead with a large-scale ground campaign in Gaza, having received cabinet approval to fully conquer and hold the Strip. Meanwhile, diplomatic channels remain active. Arab nations, including Jordan, are reportedly pressuring Hamas to accept a deal, and Israeli officials hope U.S. President Trump’s upcoming visit to the region will tip the balance. “We are saying: take this deal now,” an official told The Times of Israel. “Because if war resumes, the terms will be far worse.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

In a late-night vote, New York lawmakers passed the FY2026 state budget, delivering a win for yeshivos and nonpublic schools across the state. The budget includes significant increases in funding and expands key programs that support thousands of students in Jewish day schools and other nonpublic institutions. One of the most significant achievements is a $10 million increase to the state’s innovative STEM reimbursement program, bringing the total allocation to $85.5 million. This boost will enable more nonpublic school students to access high-quality instruction in science, technology, engineering, and math. Additionally, nonpublic schools will now be included in the state’s newly created Universal Free Meals program. This landmark policy ensures that all students, regardless of the school they attend, will receive free, nutritious meals each day—a long-standing goal of education advocates who have fought for equal treatment. Security funding for nonpublic schools was also renewed and expanded, with $70 million allocated for the Nonpublic School Safety Equipment (NPSE) program and $35 million set aside for the Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes (SCAHC) initiative. The state also maintained funding for other vital programs, including $230 million for mandated services reimbursement (CAP/MSR) and $5 million to support arts and music instruction in nonpublic schools. “This is a monumental moment,” said Sydney Altfield, Executive Director of Teach NYS. “It proves that when our community advocates loudly and clearly on behalf of our children, our leaders respond.” Teach NYS extended its gratitude to Governor Hochul, the State Senate, and the Assembly for recognizing the needs of nonpublic school students. The organization also acknowledged its coalition partners—Agudath Israel of America, the Catholic Conference, the Islamic School Association, and the UJA Federation of New York—for their collaboration in securing this funding. But the biggest thanks, Altfield emphasized, goes to the families, students, and member schools who rallied, spoke out, and helped shape the outcome. “Your advocacy made this possible. Now it’s time to thank our elected officials and let them know this support is noticed—and deeply appreciated.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has confirmed that American military action against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels will hinge not on attacks against Israel, but on whether American citizens are harmed. Speaking to Israel’s Channel 12 News, Huckabee defended the recent surprise ceasefire agreement between the United States and the Houthis—brokered without Israeli input—just days after a Houthi ballistic missile struck the grounds of Ben Gurion Airport, injuring six and prompting international flight suspensions. “The United States isn’t required to get permission from Israel to make arrangements to stop Houthi fire on our ships,” he said, brushing aside concerns of coordination with America’s key Middle East ally. Ambassador Huckabee emphasized that U.S. retaliation would only come into play “if they hurt an American.” With approximately 700,000 U.S. citizens living in Israel, the ambassador acknowledged the risk but drew a stark line: attacks on Israel alone do not automatically warrant American military response. The ceasefire, announced by President Donald Trump earlier this week, caught Israeli officials off guard and drew fierce criticism in Jerusalem. The Houthis, undeterred, declared their campaign against Israel would continue—an assertion Trump dismissed with indifference: “I’ll discuss that if something happens.” The developments come amid a fresh wave of Houthi hostilities, including a drone attack intercepted over Israel and a missile strike on Ben Gurion Airport. In response, Israel launched a punishing series of airstrikes against Houthi assets in Yemen, culminating in what the IDF called the complete disabling of Sanaa International Airport. The Houthis, whose slogan includes “Death to America, Death to Israel,” have vowed to escalate retaliation for the Israeli strikes. Meanwhile, their continued aggression—paired with America’s calculated detachment—has sparked alarm among Israeli defense officials who fear a dangerous new chapter of strategic divergence between the longtime allies. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Back in November, Yeshiva World News published a controversial mailbag article titled “Why I’m Voting For Kamala Harris Over Donald Trump, And Why You Should Too.” Many of you will remember it—not necessarily for its content, but for the uproar it caused. The writer made a compelling, if unpopular, case: that Kamala Harris represents a steadier and more principled approach to foreign policy, while Donald Trump’s decisions are more impulsive, more ego-driven, and more transactional than ideological. He warned that Trump’s alliance with Israel wasn’t based on shared values, mutual respect, or any enduring strategy—but rather on whether leaders “like him” or not. And he concluded, quite boldly, that this type of relationship was risky and unsustainable. The backlash was instant and brutal. The comments flooded in: “What did you smoke before writing this article?” … “Utter fool” … “Trash” … “I can’t believe YWN published this.” The outrage was deafening. The reaction wasn’t just disagreement—it was dismissal. Condescension. Derision. As if the very possibility of Trump being anything other than Israel’s best friend was laughable. And yet, here we are. Today, Yeshiva World News reported that Trump’s relationship with Prime Minister Netanyahu has reached a low point. Trump has reportedly “run out of patience,” and is moving ahead with his Middle East agenda without Israel. The shocker? He’s now pushing a deal with Saudi Arabia—even if it means leaving Israel out of the picture entirely. Let that sink in. Trump, the supposed “best friend Israel ever had,” is now ready to cut a nuclear deal with Riyadh—even if it doesn’t include normalization with Israel. Under Biden, those nuclear talks were tied to a broader package that required Saudi recognition of Israel. Trump? He’s done waiting. He wants the deal, Israel or no Israel. Now let’s be honest: this should not be shocking. It’s exactly what that November mailbag writer predicted. His warning was never that Trump was anti-Israel—it was that Trump is pro-Trump, and that our community’s trust in him is built more on emotion and campaign slogans than any stable, ethical framework. That writer was mocked for saying Trump’s foreign policy was based on personal loyalty rather than democratic values or long-term vision. Today’s news proves his point. And it forces us to ask hard questions: Did we put our trust in someone who saw our support as a tool to be used and discarded? Were we seduced by slogans and photo ops, while ignoring the real risks of hitching ourselves to a man with no consistent principles? It’s time we recognize that short-sighted loyalty can be dangerous. Trump knew how to speak our language. He gave us embassy moves and peace deals that felt good. But now, when the politics shift, he walks away—and expects us to follow anyway. This isn’t about Kamala Harris anymore. It’s not even about left or right. It’s about learning to distinguish between performative friendship and real strategic alliance. In hindsight, that “ridiculous” mailbag article might’ve been one of the most prescient pieces published on this site in a long time. Maybe we owe that anonymous writer an apology. Or at least… a second read. Signed, Shlomo Zalman Rabinowitz The views expressed in this letter are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of YWN. Have an opinion you […]

U.S. policy toward Houthi-led aggression against Israel is guided by the potential risk posed to American nationals, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee explained in a televised interview excerpt aired by Channel 12 on Thursday.

“The United States isn’t required to get permission from Israel to make some type of arrangement that would get the Houthis from firing on our ships,” Huckabee stated in a segment of the conversation that will be fully aired over the weekend.

His remarks came in the wake of President Donald Trump’s unexpected revelation earlier in the week that the U.S. had reached a direct ceasefire understanding with the Houthi rebels in Yemen, despite the group’s insistence that it will persist in attacking Israel.

Israeli officials reported that they were not given advance notice about the agreement. The announcement was made just 48 hours after a Houthi-launched missile exploded within the vicinity of Ben Gurion Airport, dangerously close to the air traffic control tower. The attack caused minor injuries and led several international airlines to suspend flights into Israel.

Ambassador Huckabee, who previously served as governor of Arkansas, said his interpretation of Washington’s strategy was informed by discussions he held with President Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

“Here’s what I can tell you, because I had a conversation with both the president and the vice president last night,” Huckabee said. He added: “There’s 700,000 Americans living in Israel. If the Houthis want to continue doing things to Israel and they hurt an American, then it becomes our business.”

When pressed by Channel 12 to specify whether U.S. military involvement would hinge solely on whether an American is harmed in a Houthi attack, Huckabee responded, “It’s a matter of what becomes our immediate business.”

His stance closely mirrors that of President Trump, who, when questioned about the Houthis’ commitment to continuing strikes on Israel despite the truce with the U.S., remarked, “I’ll discuss that if something happens.”

On Wednesday, the Houthis launched a drone targeting Israel, which was successfully intercepted before reaching its destination.

The Houthis—who operate under the slogan “death to America, death to Israel, a curse on the Jews”—have consistently targeted Israeli territory and maritime activity in the Red Sea since November 2023. Their actions have been framed as a gesture of support for Palestinians in Gaza, following the Hamas-led assault on Israel on October 7, 2023, in which roughly 1,200 people were murdered and 251 individuals abducted.

Though the Houthis halted most attacks on commercial vessels around six months ago, this pause followed widespread rerouting of international shipping to avoid the region. While military strikes and rocket attacks paused temporarily earlier this year, hostilities resumed after Gaza ceasefire efforts collapsed in March.

In response to the resurgence of these threats, the U.S. ramped up its military campaign against the Iran-aligned group, launching a series of strikes across Yemen to deter attacks on maritime traffic. The Houthis had declared intentions to renew attacks on vessels linked to Israel across several maritime corridors, including the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, and Bab al-Mandab Strait.

The U.S. military has reported that since initiating “Operation Rough Rider” on March 15, it has conducted strikes on more than 1,000 Houthi targets. According to official statements, the operation has eliminated “hundreds of Houthi fighters and numerous Houthi leaders.”

{Matzav.com}

A political firestorm is engulfing Israel’s security and political elite as two former Mossad operatives are now under investigation for allegedly working with Qatari intelligence, dramatically escalating the so-called “Qatargate” scandal that has already ensnared close advisers to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The suspects—both once senior figures in Israel’s vaunted intelligence community—are believed to have maintained ties with Qatari officials and engaged in business dealings that may have compromised national security, Channel 12 reported Thursday. One of the former agents, known by the codename “Shin,” reportedly cooperated with Qatari intelligence while still serving in the Mossad and now operates in Qatar’s business sector. The other is David Saig, a longtime associate and former subordinate of “Shin” in the Mossad. The revelation adds a new layer to the already explosive investigation, which centers on Netanyahu aides Jonatan Urich and Eli Feldstein. Both are suspected of secretly working for a pro-Qatar lobbying firm while simultaneously serving as media consultants to the prime minister—allegedly helping Doha improve its image in Israel, particularly in the context of hostage negotiations with Hamas. Reports indicate retired IDF General Yoav Mordechai—formerly the Defense Ministry’s top liaison to Palestinian territories—may have connected key Qatargate figures to Doha. The company he co-owns with “Shin” is reportedly tied to German-Israeli businessman Gil Birger, who allegedly funneled funds from Qatar-linked lobbyist Jay Footlik to Feldstein. Judge Menachem Mizrahi initially struck down police efforts to extend Urich’s detention, blasting investigators for acting “unlawfully” and accusing them of arresting suspects without clear evidence. But the Lod District Court overturned the decision and ordered Urich held until Monday. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)