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ATTACKING THE WAFER: Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Claim Cyber Attack on Israeli Wafer Factory

Matzav -

Iran’s cyber campaign has reportedly reached an unusual target — an Israeli wafer factory. In a radio interview, the manager of the Menamim wafer factory said Iranian hackers attempted to create panic by circulating old security footage online as part of psychological warfare.

During a conversation on the radio program Zman Avir, host Menachem Toker spoke with Tom Marcus, manager of the Menamim factory and a fourth-generation member of the family business, after Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed they had taken control of the company’s systems.

“A friend sent me screenshots from a reserve-duty WhatsApp group,” Marcus said. “An Iranian cyber group posted that they had taken control of a Zionist factory that produces for the Zionist army and had halted production.”

Initial concerns quickly subsided when it became clear that the claims were based on recycled material. Marcus explained that the images circulating on social media accounts with millions of followers were taken from a breach of the factory’s security cameras that had occurred roughly two and a half years ago.

“We realized this was psychological warfare,” Marcus said. “We’re continuing production at full speed. They didn’t find anything in our computers. We don’t have state secrets — maybe only the family recipe.”

Toker, known for his humorous style, suggested half-jokingly that the Iranians might be attempting to weaken Israel through its snack supply. “If the guys don’t snack on wafers, Israel will lose,” he said.

The factory, located in the Haifa Bay area, sits in a region considered strategically sensitive. Marcus, however, said with a smile that it was hard to believe the facility would be considered a real military target.

Despite the tense moment, Marcus said he remains confident in Israel’s resilience — and in the factory’s closely guarded recipe.

By the end of the interview, Marcus even turned the incident into a marketing opportunity. “My wife said we should turn the lemon wafer into lemonade,” he joked, referring to the unexpected publicity the long-standing brand received after appearing on the Revolutionary Guards’ social media accounts.

While Iranian operatives were busy promoting old security footage, workers at the Menamim factory were already focused on preparing for Pesach and continuing large-scale production of what Marcus jokingly called Israel’s “national weapon” — the Israeli wafer.

{Matzav.com}

Radio Rabbi Rules Phones Should Not Be Carried on Shabbos Despite Security Alerts

Matzav -

Amid the current security situation, Rabbi Ofir Malka clarified that carrying a phone on Shabbos is generally not permitted, even for the purpose of receiving Home Front Command alerts. The question arose in connection with people walking to a Shabbos meal in another location or heading to shul and wanting advance warning of incoming rocket sirens.

During the Halacha Lemaaseh radio program, a caller asked Rabbi Malka whether it would be permissible to carry a phone on the upcoming Shabbos while walking to a Shabbos meal elsewhere or going to daven, in order to receive alerts from the Home Front Command.

Rabbi Malka explained that in most situations there is no need for such a measure. When a person is in shul or outside on the street, the siren itself can usually be heard. The main concern arises only if someone is inside a closed building where the siren cannot be heard clearly. In most cases, however, sirens are audible in homes and shuls, and even if an individual does not hear it personally, others nearby will. As a result, there is typically sufficient time to reach a protected area.

He noted that the phone alert usually serves only as an early warning that comes a few minutes before the siren. Someone walking to shul generally does not need the alert because protected spaces are typically available nearby.

Rabbi Malka added that in more extreme cases, where a person genuinely needs the early alert because otherwise he would not be able to reach a protected area in time, there may be limited room for leniency. In such a situation, the phone may be placed in a jacket or pants pocket before Shabbos begins so that the person can receive the alert.

The caller suggested that having the phone would allow him more time to prepare. Rabbi Malka responded that one should simply act quickly rather than rely on the device. He emphasized that not everything becomes permissible due to the situation, and only actions that are truly necessary may be allowed.

“If because of this you will be able to reach the protected area, and without it you would not, then it is necessary,” the rabbi explained. “But if it is only so that you will hurry, then you should hurry from the outset.”

{Matzav.com}

FDA Finds Little Evidence Autism Drug Promoted by White House Works

Yeshiva World News -

The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday approved a generic medication for a rare brain disorder, while walking back suggestions by President Donald Trump and other administration officials that the drug showed great promise for people with autism. The agency said it approved leucovorin for children and adults with a genetic condition that limits delivery […]

Israel Says 80% of Iran’s Missile Launchers Destroyed, Israelis Could Soon Resume Normal Life As Operation Continues

Yeshiva World News -

A senior Israeli official said Tuesday that the IDF has already destroyed the vast majority of Iran’s missile launchers and is moving rapidly toward a point where daily life in Israel could begin returning to normal. In an interview with the Israeli outlet Walla, the official said the Israeli Air Force has eliminated roughly 80% […]

MAMDANISTAN: Notorious Pro-Hamas Activist Mahmoud Khalil Gets Royal Welcome At NYC Mayor’s Residence

Yeshiva World News -

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani hosted anti-Israel activist Mahmoud Khalil for a Ramadan iftar meal at the mayor’s official residence on Monday night, publicly signaling his sympathy for a figure accused by federal officials of supporting extremist causes – just two days after ISIS-inspired suspects threw homemade bombs nearby. Mamdani and his wife – […]

Hegseth Vows ‘Most Intense Day’ of Iran Strikes

Matzav -

War Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday that American forces were preparing to launch what he called the most powerful round of strikes so far in the ongoing military campaign targeting Iran.

Hegseth delivered the remarks during a Pentagon briefing alongside Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine.

According to Hegseth, the upcoming phase of the operation will significantly increase both the scope and the tempo of the air assault that has been underway since the United States began leading attacks against Iranian military infrastructure.

He explained that Tuesday’s strikes are intended to further damage Iran’s missile capabilities, naval assets, and weapons manufacturing facilities.

“Today will be the most intense day of bombing so far,” Hegseth said, emphasizing that U.S. forces were prepared to carry out a large number of coordinated strikes across multiple targets inside Iran.

Hegseth told reporters that the campaign — which the Pentagon has described as a focused military effort — aims to dismantle Iran’s ability to launch missile and drone attacks and prevent the country from advancing toward nuclear weapons capabilities.

He insisted the United States is making significant progress in achieving those objectives.

Caine then outlined the military results of the operation to date, stating that Iran’s offensive capacity has been dramatically weakened since the campaign began.

According to Caine, Iranian ballistic missile launches have dropped by roughly 90% and drone attacks have declined by more than 80% as coalition forces have targeted key military infrastructure.

Caine said Iran’s military response so far has not exceeded what U.S. officials expected when the campaign began.

“They’re fighting, and I respect that,” he said. “I don’t think they’re more formidable than we thought.”

Caine said U.S. forces have also struck naval assets and weapons manufacturing sites, including missile and drone production facilities, as part of a broader effort to limit Iran’s ability to sustain attacks across the region.

He added that the campaign has already destroyed dozens of Iranian ships and significantly weakened Tehran’s naval operations.

Even as the air campaign intensifies, Hegseth stressed that the United States is not attempting to topple Iran’s leadership, describing the mission as a limited military operation rather than a war aimed at regime change.

The Pentagon briefing came amid a widening regional confrontation. Iran has fired missiles and launched drones toward Israel and several Gulf countries, heightening concerns that the conflict could spread further across the Middle East while also shaking global energy markets.

Hegseth said the United States intends to continue the offensive until Iran’s ability to threaten the region is substantially diminished, noting that the duration of the campaign will depend on when U.S. strategic goals are met.

{Matzav.com}

Gunfire Near Agudah of Baltimore Leaves Several Officers Wounded

Matzav -

Several police officers were injured Tuesday after a gunman opened fire near a shul in Baltimore, Maryland.

Authorities rushed to the scene on a block along Park Heights Avenue in the city’s northwest section after receiving reports of a suspect shooting from a window in a building located near the Agudah of Baltimore.

Two officers were struck during the incident. One was transported to Shock Trauma in serious condition, while the second officer sustained injuries that authorities said were not life-threatening.

Police said the suspect was also shot during the confrontation, though officials did not release further details regarding the individual’s condition.

{Matzav.com}

Lawsuit Claims OpenAI Knew Shooter Was Planning Canada School Attack

Yeshiva World News -

The parents of a girl critically wounded in a school shooting in Canada alleged in a civil lawsuit Monday that ChatGPT-maker OpenAI knew the shooter was planning a mass attack. OpenAI has said it considered but didn’t alert police about the activities of the person who months later committed one of Canada’s worst school shootings […]

Emes Travel Says Hundreds Have Left Israel Safely Through Egypt, Rejects Unverified Security Claims

Matzav -

Emes Travel says that it has assisted hundreds of passengers in leaving Israel through Egypt during the current crisis, and stated that all travelers using its arrangements have completed the trip safely.

In a letter dated today, the company wrote, “Since the beginning of this time of need, Emes Travel has helped hundreds of passengers arrange and complete travel packages via Egypt for those departing Israel — including coordinated ground transportation, guided border crossings, and onward international flights through Sharm el-Sheikh Airport.”

The company said the departures were handled with extensive support from staff and local teams. “Each departure was carefully managed in partnership with experienced local teams, with our staff available around the clock to answer questions and guide travelers through every step of the process,” the letter stated.

Emes Travel also addressed concerns that have reportedly been circulating about the route, saying that those claims have not been borne out by its own experience. “Baruch Hashem, all travelers have completed their trips safely, with no injuries and no substantiated security incidents reported,” the company wrote.

The letter continued, “We are aware that unsubstantiated claims regarding security concerns along this route have been circulating. To date, none of these claims have been verified, and they are not reflective of the experience of any of our travelers.”

According to the company, those who have used the service have responded positively. “The feedback we have received has been overwhelmingly positive, with travelers expressing appreciation for the attentiveness of our staff and the peace of mind that came from having a dedicated team in their corner,” the statement said.

Emes Travel said additional options remain available for those still seeking to leave Israel. “For anyone still in need of assistance, we encourage you to visit emestravel.com/marketplace to view our current offerings — including departures on Wednesday, March 11 and Sunday, March 15,” the company wrote.

The agency added that travelers whose needs are not met by the currently scheduled departures can join a waiting list. “If these don’t meet your needs, you can sign up for our waitlist to be notified as soon as new options become available,” the letter said.

Emes Travel closed by reaffirming its focus on passenger safety. “Emes Travel remains committed to providing responsible, well-supervised travel solutions, with the safety and well-being of every passenger as our highest priority,” the letter concluded.

{Matzav.com}

Hannity Says He No Longer Speaks With Tucker Carlson, Rejects His Recent Commentary

Matzav -

Fox News host Sean Hannity revealed in a new interview that he no longer has contact with Tucker Carlson and strongly disagrees with much of Carlson’s recent public commentary, marking a clear break between the two longtime conservative media figures.

Speaking on “The Katie Miller Podcast,” Hannity addressed the current state of his relationship with Carlson and indicated that the two have not communicated since Carlson’s departure from Fox News in 2023.

Carlson’s exit from the network two years ago marked a turning point in his media career, after which he began publishing content on alternative platforms such as X and YouTube.

Since leaving Fox News, Carlson has used those platforms to conduct a series of high-profile and often controversial interviews. Among them were discussions with Russian president Vladimir Putin and Nick Fuentes, a white nationalist and Holocaust denier who has expressed admiration for Adolf Hitler.

Those appearances drew significant criticism, particularly because Carlson was accused of giving a platform to figures widely described as Holocaust revisionists and white nationalists, including Fuentes.

The controversy intensified in 2024 when Carlson hosted podcaster Darryl Cooper, whom he called the “best and most honest popular historian” in the U.S.

During that interview, Cooper sparked outrage by portraying the Holocaust as an “unintended consequence” of logistical failures rather than a planned genocide. He also described Winston Churchill, Allied Prime Minister from 1940 to 1945, as the “chief villain” of WWII.

Following Carlson’s comments and the broadcast of that interview, both the White House and several Jewish organizations publicly criticized him, accusing him of amplifying Nazi propaganda. The backlash added to the scrutiny Carlson has faced since leaving Fox News.

Against this backdrop, Hannity said the views Carlson has recently expressed are far removed from the colleague he once worked alongside during their years together at Fox.

“I don’t ever talk to him, ever,” Hannity said. “I wish him well. I’ve read a lot of what he says. I just completely disagree with it. And it’s not the person that I knew when he was at Fox.”

Carlson’s positions have also contributed to growing tensions within the broader MAGA movement, particularly over his strong criticism of President Donald Trump’s military strikes against Iran.

During the podcast interview, host Katie Miller asked Hannity whether he believed conservative media figures had been spending too much time attacking one another. Hannity said he shares that concern and explained that he deliberately avoids participating in such conflicts.

“I do . . . And I’ve stayed out of it, if you’ve noticed . . . That’s by design. To me, the big fight in this country is against the radical left. And [if] they all want to kill each other, have at it,” he continued.

Hannity, who has been with Fox News since 1996, also discussed personal changes in his life. He recently relocated his home and his broadcasting base from Long Island, New York, to Florida, where he now lives.

Reflecting on the controversies and disputes that have emerged in conservative media circles, Hannity said he no longer feels compelled to engage in public feuds.

“I’m way past the point in my career, Katie, that I care at all about what other people are doing or saying,” Hannity added. “I watch it ’cause I have to be aware — and I read so much news, I can’t miss it. However, my interest in involving myself in it is zero. I don’t believe my success is predicated on tearing somebody else down, or their failure.”

{Matzav.com}

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