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.
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)
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 […]
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)
President Donald Trump on Friday floated cutting tariffs on China from 145% to 80% ahead of a weekend meeting as he looks to deescalate the trade war. Top U.S. officials are set to meet with a high-level Chinese delegation this weekend in Switzerland in the first major talks between the two nations since Trump sparked a trade war with stiff tariffs on imports. “80% Tariff on China seems right! Up to Scott B,” Trump wrote on his social media account on Friday morning, referring to Scott Bessent, his Treasury chief, who has been a point person on trade. Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer will meet with their counterparts in Geneva in the most-senior known conversations between the two countries in months, the Trump administration announced this week. It comes amid growing U.S. market worry over the impact of the tariffs on the prices and supply of consumer goods. No country has been hit harder by Trump’s trade war than China, the world’s biggest exporter and second largest economy. When Trump announced his “Liberation Day” tariffs on April 2, China retaliated with tariffs of its own, a move that Trump viewed as demonstrating a lack of respect. The tariffs on each other’s goods have been mounting since then, with the U.S. tariffs against China now at 145% and China tariffs on the U.S. at 125%. (AP)
Indian and Pakistani soldiers exchanged heavy volleys of shells and gunfire across their frontier in Kashmir overnight, killing at least five civilians in a growing military standoff that erupted following an attack on tourists in the India-controlled portion of the disputed region. In Pakistan, an unusually intense night of artillery exchanges left at least four civilians dead and wounded 12 others in areas near the Line of Control that divides Kashmir, local police official Adeel Ahmad said. People in border towns said the firing continued well into Friday morning. “We’re used to hearing exchange of fire between Pakistan and India at the Line of Control, but last night was different,” said Mohammad Shakil, who lives near the frontier in Chakothi sector. In India, military officials said Pakistani troops barraged their posts overnight with artillery, mortars and gunfire at multiple locations in Indian-controlled Kashmir. They said Indian soldiers responded, triggering fierce exchanges until early dawn. Two people were killed and four others injured in Uri and Poonch sectors, police said, taking the civilian death toll in Indian-controlled Kashmir to 18 since Wednesday. Pakistan said Indian mortar and artillery fire has killed 17 civilians in Pakistan-administered Kashmir in the same period. Indian authorities have evacuated tens of thousands of civilians from villages near the volatile frontier. Thousands of people slept in shelters for a second consecutive night. Rivals exchange strikes and allegations Tensions between the nuclear-armed rivals have soared since an attack on a popular tourist site in India-controlled Kashmir left 26 civilians dead, mostly Hindu Indian tourists, on April 22. New Delhi has blamed Pakistan for backing the attack, an accusation Islamabad rejects. On Wednesday, India conducted airstrikes on several sites in Pakistani territory it described as militant-related, killing 31 civilians according to Pakistani officials. Pakistan said it shot down five Indian fighter jets. On Thursday, India said it thwarted Pakistani drone and missile attacks at military targets in more than a dozen cities and towns, including Jammu city in Indian-controlled Kashmir. The army said no casualties were reported. Pakistan denied that it carried out drone attacks in Indian-controlled Kashmir. India said meanwhile it hit Pakistan’s air defense systems and radars close to the city of Lahore. The incidents could not be independently confirmed. India orders X to block thousands of accounts Meanwhile, social platform X in a statement on Thursday said the Indian government had ordered it to block users in the country from accessing more than 8,000 accounts, including a number of “international news organizations and other prominent users.” The social platform did not release the list of accounts it was blocking in India, but said the order “amounts to censorship of existing and future content, and is contrary to the fundamental right of free speech.” Later, X briefly blocked access to the Global Affairs Account from which it had posted the statement, also citing a legal demand from India. Crisis disrupts schools, sports and travel India’s biggest domestic cricket tournament, the Indian Premier League, which attracts top players from around the world, was suspended for one week. Pakistan also moved its own domestic tournament to the United Arab Emirates because of the tensions. Panic also spread during an evening cricket match in northern Dharamsala city, where a crowd of more than 10,000 people had to be evacuated from the stadium and the game called […]
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