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[Video below.] Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed cautious confidence Tuesday that negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program could move forward, even as renewed regional tensions and a fragile ceasefire have cast doubt on the prospects for broader diplomatic progress.

Appearing before lawmakers in his first public testimony since the outbreak of the Iran conflict, Rubio said Tehran has shown a new willingness to discuss elements of its nuclear activities that had previously been off limits during negotiations. However, he stopped short of predicting whether the talks would ultimately produce an agreement.

“They have agreed to negotiate aspects of their nuclear program that just a month ago, just a year ago, they were refusing to even mention,” Rubio told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He did not elaborate.

Rubio cautioned that progress at the negotiating table does not necessarily mean a final accord is within reach, noting that uncertainty and internal instability within Iran’s leadership continue to complicate efforts to secure a lasting arrangement.

He added, however, that it’s “not a guarantee that ultimately it will lead to a deal that’s acceptable” and that these negotiations have been made difficult by the instability of Iran’s leadership.

Those comments came as reports emerged from two semi-official Iranian news agencies claiming that Tehran had suspended contacts with mediators after Israel warned it could target Beirut amid its ongoing military campaign against Hezbollah.

The developments coincided with a new round of State Department-sponsored discussions between Israel and Lebanon. Those talks are taking place against a backdrop of escalating clashes between Israel and Hezbollah, further clouding hopes of preserving an already tenuous ceasefire.

Rubio’s appearance before Congress quickly turned into a broad examination of the Trump administration’s foreign policy challenges. Lawmakers pressed him on a range of issues, including reductions in foreign aid programs, anti-drug operations in Latin America, and diplomatic initiatives in several global hotspots.

Although the hearings were formally intended to address the State Department’s annual budget request, much of the attention centered on the ongoing conflict with Iran and the increasingly uncertain truce that has been tested by continued exchanges of attacks.

Rubio and other administration officials have repeatedly defended President Donald Trump’s decision to enter the conflict, despite longstanding pledges to avoid prolonged military entanglements in the Middle East. At the same time, critics have pointed to shifting administration objectives as a source of confusion and concern.

The secretary’s testimony marked his first public appearance before Congress since fighting erupted on February 28. Shortly after the initial American and Israeli strikes, Rubio participated in classified briefings for lawmakers, where Democrats criticized the lack of congressional authorization while most Republicans voiced support for the military action.

As the war enters its third month, questions about its cost and long-term economic impact have begun to attract bipartisan attention. A growing number of Republicans have joined Democrats in raising concerns about the conflict’s financial burden as the midterm election season approaches.

One of the most significant economic consequences has been disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of globally traded oil and natural gas normally passes. Reduced tanker traffic has contributed to higher fuel prices and broader concerns about energy markets.

Last month, momentum against the war reached a new level when the Senate advanced legislation that would have required Trump to end U.S. involvement in the conflict. The measure gained support after Louisiana Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy sided with Democrats shortly after losing a primary contest in which Trump had backed his challenger.

A similar effort in the House never reached the floor. Republican leaders blocked a vote on a war powers resolution after concluding they lacked sufficient support within their own ranks to defeat it.

The episode underscored growing divisions within the GOP, as increasing numbers of Republican lawmakers have shown a willingness to break with Trump over the handling of the conflict.

After testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and a House Appropriations subcommittee on Tuesday, Rubio is scheduled to return to Capitol Hill on Wednesday for appearances before the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Senate Appropriations subcommittee overseeing State Department funding.

Rubio, whose parents emigrated from Cuba, is also expected to face questions about the administration’s increasingly confrontational posture toward Havana. The issue has drawn heightened attention after Trump suggested Cuba could become a future target once operations involving Iran conclude.

As Rubio entered a Senate briefing room, protesters interrupted the proceedings with chants urging him to “stop killing Cubans.” Security personnel quickly removed the demonstrators from the chamber.

The protesters were quickly pulled from the room. Their chants also included “Let Cuba live!”

Tensions between Washington and Havana have intensified despite ongoing contacts between officials from both countries. The administration recently escalated the dispute by announcing criminal charges against former Cuban President Raúl Castro.

Responding to the indictment, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel accused Washington of manufacturing a pretext for future military action, condemning the charges as a political maneuver designed only to “justify the folly of a military aggression against Cuba.”

Throughout his years in Congress and now as America’s chief diplomat, Rubio has consistently argued that Cuba poses a national security concern because of its relationships with U.S. adversaries. He has maintained that the Trump administration remains committed to confronting that challenge.

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{Matzav.com}

As Israel continues its military campaign and ground operations in Lebanon, former Prime Minister and former IDF Chief of Staff Ehud Barak delivered a blistering critique of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and his government, accusing them of deceiving the public about the war’s progress and achievements.

Barak argued that Israeli leaders are presenting a distorted picture of the campaign against Hezbollah while the country faces what he described as an unprecedented political and security crisis. He maintained that the military is being pushed beyond its limits and that the government is fostering unrealistic expectations regarding the impact of its actions in Lebanon.

“This is a government that misleads the public; Netanyahu is counting bodies,” Barak claimed without evidence. “They didn’t kill 800 terrorists, nor 400 terrorists-it’s all nonsense. During funerals in Israel, Netanyahu said that we were delivering a crushing blow to Hezbollah. He said that Hezbollah had been pushed back by decades.”

Rejecting the government’s portrayal of the campaign, Barak contended that claims of significantly weakening Hezbollah are detached from reality. He said the organization cannot be eliminated without a full conquest of Lebanon, a scenario he described as neither practical nor achievable.

Barak also criticized the destruction of Lebanese villages and statements suggesting a prolonged Israeli presence in southern Lebanon. In his view, such actions do not diminish Hezbollah’s influence. Instead, he argued, they strengthen the group’s standing within Lebanon and weaken opportunities for diplomatic progress.

According to Barak, every Israeli military operation inside Lebanese territory enhances Hezbollah’s image among segments of the Lebanese population, who increasingly view the organization as “the defender of Lebanon.”

The former premier further asserted that Iran and its regional allies have been successful in applying pressure on Washington. He said the only viable path forward is a coordinated international effort involving Israel, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, France, the United States, and Syria to strip Hezbollah of any legitimacy for maintaining an armed force.

Drawing on Israel’s past experience in southern Lebanon, Barak questioned the rationale behind the current military strategy and warned against repeating mistakes made during Israel’s previous presence in the security zone.

“There is a deep concern that going there is not connected to practical considerations,” Barak said. “The real question regarding the withdrawal from Lebanon is not why it took place in 2000, but why it did not take place 15 years earlier. Hezbollah developed because we were inside Lebanon.”

Barak concluded by arguing that Israel’s leadership has lost sight of the broader purpose of military action. He said warfare must ultimately serve diplomatic and political objectives, and asserted that either Naftali Bennett or Gadi Eisenkot would be better suited than Netanyahu to lead the country.

{Matzav.com}

The Israeli government has approved a sweeping initiative to prosecute the Hamas Nukhba terrorists who participated in the October 7 massacre, setting aside more than NIS 1 billion over the coming years to establish the legal and logistical framework needed for the trials.

The plan, advanced jointly by Defense Minister Yisroel Katz and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, received government approval and assigns responsibility to the Defense Ministry and the IDF for carrying out the prosecution effort. Funding will be distributed between 2026 and 2029.

The allocated budget, totaling more than NIS 1 billion—roughly $350 million—will finance the creation of the infrastructure necessary to conduct the proceedings. This includes the construction of a dedicated courthouse, prosecution offices, and an IDF command center connected to the project.

In addition to building facilities, the funding will support the recruitment of personnel and cover ongoing operational expenses. These include salaries, maintenance costs, computer and communications networks, broadcasting capabilities, transportation, medical services, food provisions, and other administrative needs associated with the trials.

With the government’s approval secured and the funding in place, the defense establishment is expected to begin preparations immediately to launch the judicial process against those accused of carrying out the October 7 atrocities.

Defense Minister Israel Katz said: “As we promised, we are working to ensure that every murderer, rapist, and kidnapper who took part in the murderous terrorist attack against the citizens of Israel bears full responsibility for his actions. Bringing them to trial is our moral and national duty toward those who were murdered, the bereaved families, the survivors, the hostages and their families, and all the citizens of Israel. The State of Israel will exact justice from the perpetrators of the most brutal massacre committed against the Jewish people since the Holocaust, and will send a clear and unequivocal message to all our enemies: whoever slaughters, murders, rapes, and kidnaps Israeli civilians will pay the full price.”

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich added: “The State of Israel is committed to delivering justice to those who dared threaten our existence and massacre our citizens. We are now providing the full budget necessary to advance this moral obligation, so that all those who plot harm against us will know their fate and what awaits them.”

{Matzav.com}

The IDF announced on Tuesday that it had killed a Hamas terrorist involved in the October 7 massacre and hostage kidnappings during a targeted operation in the central Gaza Strip.

According to the military, Yousef Ayesh Awad Ramadan, deputy commander of a Hamas Nukhba terrorist cell, was eliminated in a strike carried out on Monday. The IDF said Ramadan was among the terrorists who infiltrated Israel during the October 7 attack.

Military officials stated that Ramadan participated in the abduction of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eliya Cohen, Alon Ohel, and Or Levy from the bomb shelter at the Re’im Junction during the Hamas-led assault.

The IDF said Ramadan continued to play an active role in Hamas operations throughout the war. In recent weeks, he was involved in advancing plans for attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF personnel, according to the military.

Because of his ongoing involvement in terror activities, the IDF said Ramadan posed an immediate threat to troops operating in Gaza and was therefore targeted.

The military added that a number of precautions were taken before the strike in an effort to minimize civilian casualties. Those measures included the use of precision-guided munitions and aerial surveillance to improve the accuracy of the operation.

{Matzav.com}

As tensions over the draft crisis continue to escalate, with protests, arrests, and even attempts to storm police stations dominating headlines, thousands of bnei yeshiva are grappling with uncertainty over their legal status and rights. Against that backdrop, attorney Shlomo Chadad, a specialist in military and criminal law who has been closely involved in recent arrest cases, is offering guidance to those caught in the growing turmoil.

Chadad, who works with organizations including Chayei Olam, Ezram U’Magenam, and other assistance groups, says confusion on the ground has reached unprecedented levels. With tens of thousands of bnei yeshiva now classified as draft evaders or deserters, fear of arrest has become a daily reality for many.

One of the most pressing questions concerns whether a ben yeshiva can safely enter a police station to file a complaint or testify as a victim of a crime. Just last week, Police Commissioner Dani Levy issued a directive instructing officers not to arrest crime victims who come to police stations, even if they are classified as draft evaders.

According to Chadad, however, events on the ground have not always reflected that policy. He pointed to a recent case in which a ben yeshiva who arrived at a police station to report a serious crime was arrested and transferred directly to military authorities, despite the commissioner’s instructions. The incident sparked widespread outrage in chareidi circles.

“Crime victims should be excluded from all of this,” Chadad said, explaining that he receives calls daily from frightened young men asking whether it is safe to approach the police. Some cases involve witnesses to serious offenses, others involve burglaries or traffic accidents.

He described a recent case involving a ben yeshiva who was injured in a serious automobile accident. Rather than seeking medical treatment, the young man’s first instinct was to flee the scene out of fear that police would arrive and arrest him for draft-related issues.

According to Chadad, such situations reflect a growing breakdown of trust between the police and sections of the chareidi community.

In practice, he said, there have been instances in which individuals were handed over to military authorities, though not in large numbers. Much of that is because many bnei yeshiva have become increasingly cautious about entering police stations at all.

As a result, many have turned to alternative methods, such as filing complaints online or sending representatives to handle matters on their behalf. Chadad believes the primary challenge lies with individual officers in the field.

While most officers are familiar with the current guidelines requiring only temporary detention and release with a summons, he warned that some officers either disagree with the policy or are unfamiliar with it. In such cases, he claims, delays can intentionally extend beyond the permitted period, resulting in transfers to military authorities.

Chadad also issued an urgent warning to young men who may qualify for medical or psychological exemptions but have neglected to pursue them.

He stressed that anyone with a legitimate medical or mental-health condition should address the issue before being formally classified as a draft evader. According to Chadad, military authorities become increasingly skeptical as time passes, making exemptions more difficult to obtain.

He recounted a recent case involving a young man suffering from a severe physical illness who clearly qualified for a Profile 21 exemption. Because he delayed addressing the matter for more than a year, he was ultimately arrested. Although military doctors immediately determined that he was unfit for service, he was nevertheless required to remain in prison for two weeks because of the lengthy period during which he had failed to resolve his status.

According to Chadad, had the issue been addressed just a few months earlier, the young man likely would not have spent a single day behind bars.

Another major concern, he said, is a new policy change instituted by Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara that significantly lowers the threshold for criminal prosecution.

Until recently, only individuals who had evaded military service for more than 540 days were classified as criminal draft evaders subject to prosecution in military court. Under the revised guidelines, that threshold has been reduced to just one year, or 365 days.

Chadad warned that the implications are substantial.

Those whose status extends for less than a year generally face disciplinary proceedings before a military officer and may receive sentences of approximately 20 to 30 days in military prison. Such proceedings typically do not involve in-person legal representation.

However, once an individual crosses the one-year mark, the case can move into the criminal realm. Those defendants may face military court proceedings, lengthy prison sentences, and a criminal record that could follow them long after the case concludes.

Chadad said thousands of people may already fall into this category and predicted that military authorities will soon face a wave of far more complex criminal cases than they have handled in the past.

Asked what a ben yeshiva should do if arrested in the middle of the night and transferred to detention or Military Prison 10, Chadad offered what he described as the most important piece of advice.

According to him, the first words out of a detainee’s mouth should be a request to speak with an attorney.

He stressed the importance of exercising the right to remain silent until receiving legal counsel.

“A professional can, in a short conversation, help organize his thoughts, explain his rights, and clarify what he may and may not say,” Chadad advised.

He cautioned detainees against making statements that could later complicate their cases and emphasized that many prisoners are unaware of their rights regarding religious accommodations, kashrus, appeals procedures, and requests for sentence reductions.

“We are living through ongoing chaos,” Chadad said, urging bnei yeshiva not to make decisions on their own. His advice, he said, is simple: always seek guidance from a qualified professional before taking any action.

{Matzav.com}

An unprecedented delegation of leading gedolei Torah from Eretz Yisroel is set to arrive in the United States next week on behalf of Keren Olam HaTorah, undertaking a seven-city mission aimed at strengthening support for the olam haTorah and rallying Klal Yisroel behind the thousands of lomdei Torah facing mounting challenges in Eretz Yisroel.

Participating in the mission will be Rav Dov Landau, Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, Rav Yaakov Hillel, Rav Don Segal, Rav Shimon Galei, Rav Avrohom Salim, Rav Asher Weiss, Rav Yosef Chevroni, Rav Yisroel Bunim Schreiber, the Rachmastrivka Rebbe, and Rav Chaim Mordechai Ausband.

According to the current schedule, the mission will begin in Baltimore on Sunday, June 7, followed by Lakewood on Monday, June 8. The delegation will then travel to Chicago on Tuesday, June 9, and Brooklyn on Wednesday, June 10. A second gathering is scheduled for Lakewood on Thursday, June 11, followed by Monsey on Friday, June 12. The mission will conclude with events in Florida on Sunday, June 14.

{Matzav.com}

Organizers of President Donald Trump’s Freedom 250 celebration say vandals deliberately damaged event equipment, causing a fuel leak that contaminated underground rainwater collection tanks beneath the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

According to Freedom 250 spokeswoman Rachel Reisner, the incident occurred after someone cut a fuel line connected to a generator powering temporary lighting installed for a May 17 event. The damaged line allowed fuel to escape and enter underground cisterns used to collect rainwater.

“Following the Freedom 250 team’s installation of temporary lighting on the National Mall, our equipment has been repeatedly targeted by vandals. The recent fuel leak was the direct result of that tampering,” she said.

Reisner said organizers responded immediately after discovering the problem and worked with federal authorities and contractors to address the contamination.

“Upon discovering damage to a generator fuel line, Freedom 250 and our vendors mobilized within minutes, coordinated an immediate cleanup response, and fully remediated the site in close partnership with the National Park Service,” Reisner went on.

She added that the organization is treating the incident seriously and is cooperating with investigators.

“We take our responsibility as stewards of the National Mall seriously and are working closely with the appropriate law enforcement authorities regarding these acts of vandalism.”

Initial reports suggested that approximately 30 gallons of fuel may have spilled beneath the National Mall. However, sources later indicated that the actual amount appears to have been significantly smaller.

Officials said the leak did not affect any drinking water supplies.

The lighting equipment had been installed in preparation for “Rededicate 250,” a large gathering featuring prayer services and musical performances, along with appearances by religious and political leaders, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and House Speaker Mike Johnson.

Cleanup efforts remained visible this week. On Monday, a mobile command vehicle operated by an environmental remediation company was stationed on the National Mall near the affected area.

Freedom 250 was created by the Trump administration as a public-private partnership to help coordinate events leading up to the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

The initiative is distinct from America250, a congressionally established nonprofit organization launched a decade ago and overseen by a bipartisan coalition of elected officials and private citizens.

Administration officials said concerns about vandalism have prompted heightened vigilance as preparations continue for upcoming semiquincentennial celebrations.

“Just last week, an individual cut a fuel line to a light tower in an attempt to stop the great work being done to celebrate our nation’s 250th,” a spokesperson for the US Department of the Interior told The NY Post.

Federal officials vowed that such actions would not derail the anniversary events or broader efforts underway in the nation’s capital.

“This is unhinged behavior that will not be tolerated. To be crystal clear: We will not be stopped,” the DOI spokesperson added. “This administration continues to revitalize the city at record speed. Our nation’s capital has never been this safe and beautiful, and it’s all thanks to President Donald J. Trump.”

{Matzav.com}

A prominent conservative healthcare policy organization is raising concerns that millions of Americans may be enrolled in subsidized Obamacare plans without meeting eligibility requirements, a situation it says could cost taxpayers up to $25 billion this year alone.

In a newly released study, the Paragon Health Institute, headed by former Trump economic adviser Brian Blase, estimates that approximately 6.2 million individuals who obtained coverage through Affordable Care Act exchanges in 2025 may not qualify for the subsidies they received.

According to the report, those potentially ineligible enrollees account for roughly 25 percent of all people currently covered through ACA marketplace plans.

The findings arrive as the Trump administration continues its campaign to identify waste, fraud, and abuse in federal programs. The report is likely to intensify scrutiny of Obamacare, a law President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized.

Drawing on federal enrollment figures and Census Bureau data, Paragon argues that the number of Americans receiving subsidized marketplace coverage substantially exceeds the number who appear eligible based on income information.

“Obamacare enrollment over the last few years has been inflated by improper and phantom enrollees, and those enrollees are expensive to the taxpayer,” Blase told The Washington Post.

Blase said the issue appears especially pronounced in certain states, including Florida and Texas.

“The problem is more severe in states that did not expand Medicaid, because in those states there’s incentives to overestimate income and claim a subsidy,” Blase said.

Federal health officials have previously acknowledged concerns about enrollment accuracy within the ACA system.

A spokesman for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services told The Washington Post that agency estimates indicated as many as 4.4 million enrollments during 2024 may have been improper.

The Government Accountability Office has also highlighted vulnerabilities in the program. In a report released in December, investigators said they were able to exploit weaknesses in the system.

“For example, we were able to get subsidized insurance for fake enrollees.”

Even experts who question some of Paragon’s conclusions have acknowledged that abuse of the enrollment process exists.

“There is clear evidence that, in 2024, rogue brokers improperly enrolled or switched the enrollment of a few hundred thousand people without their permission,” Jason Levitis of the Urban Institute testified before the Senate Finance Committee.

The Trump administration has already begun implementing measures intended to tighten eligibility standards and improve oversight of ACA enrollment.

During an April interview with Blase, CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz commended Paragon’s work investigating potential fraud and abuse within the healthcare program.

“I like using a scalpel, but there are some times you have to use a meat cleaver because the whole system is in such shock that you need to be able to fix it,” Oz said at the time.

Blase credited the administration with taking meaningful steps to address weaknesses in the system and remove questionable enrollments.

“The Trump administration has come in and is trying to clean up some of the obvious stuff,” Blase said.

As part of a broader effort to protect taxpayer funds, the White House’s fraud task force is also expected to review enrollment practices within the Affordable Care Act marketplace and examine whether additional safeguards are needed.

{Matzav.com}

As Russia’s war in Ukraine drags on, new reports suggest that senior economic officials in Moscow are raising alarms over the mounting financial burden of the conflict, creating rare signs of disagreement within Vladimir Putin’s government.

According to a Bloomberg report published Tuesday, officials from Russia’s Finance Ministry and central bank have urged the Kremlin to consider reducing military expenditures as budget pressures intensify and economic performance weakens.

The concerns are emerging as Russia moves deeper into the fifth year of its large-scale war against Ukraine. Official figures indicate that by the close of 2025, the federal budget deficit had climbed to 5.9 trillion rubles, or approximately $81 billion, far exceeding original projections. At the same time, expectations for economic growth have been significantly lowered.

Economic policymakers reportedly fear that continuing to pour resources into the war effort will worsen long-term challenges, including inflation, sluggish growth, and increasing strain on Russia’s financial system.

Despite those warnings, the Defense Ministry is reportedly pushing in the opposite direction, seeking up to 3 trillion additional rubles—about $41 billion—to maintain and expand military operations.

Putin has thus far shown little willingness to reduce defense spending and has instead directed government officials to find cuts elsewhere in the federal budget.

The debate over wartime spending comes as Russian forces launched another major assault on Kyiv early Tuesday. Ukrainian officials said the attack killed at least 18 people, including children.

The latest strike signaled that Moscow remains committed to pursuing its military objectives despite growing economic pressures at home.

Authorities in Ukraine reported a barrage of drones and missiles targeting Kyiv and other locations across the country. The attacks were part of an ongoing campaign aimed at weakening Ukraine’s air-defense capabilities, damaging critical infrastructure, and undermining civilian morale.

The developments have highlighted an increasingly difficult balancing act for the Kremlin. While Russian forces continue to intensify operations on several fronts, economic officials are becoming more vocal about the long-term cost of sustaining the war.

Although there is no indication that Putin is considering a change in strategy, the internal discussion suggests that Russian leaders are increasingly grappling with the consequences of funding a lengthy military campaign while operating under sanctions and economic restrictions.

The war has largely settled into a prolonged battle of endurance for both countries.

Ukraine continues to depend heavily on military and financial assistance from Western allies, particularly the United States, while Russia has relied on massive government spending and defense manufacturing to support both the war effort and broader economic activity.

{Matzav.com}

The White House Correspondents’ Association announced Tuesday that its annual dinner has been rescheduled for July 24, nearly three months after the event was postponed following a violent security incident that rattled Washington.

The prestigious black-tie event had originally been set for April 25. Organizers delayed the gathering after alleged would-be assassin Cole Tomas Allen reportedly charged a security checkpoint carrying a rifle and shot a Secret Service agent, whose bulletproof vest prevented a more serious injury.

According to investigators, Allen later outlined his intentions in a manifesto, stating that he sought to assassinate President Donald Trump along with as many members of his Cabinet as possible. He remains in custody while awaiting trial.

In a message sent to members of the White House press corps, WHCA President Weijia Jiang said the organization remains committed to the principles the event is meant to honor.

“The White House Correspondents’ Dinner has served as a celebration of a free press and the vital role of journalism in our democracy for over a century,” WHCA president Weijia Jiang said in an email to members of the press corps.

Jiang said the violence surrounding the original event date only reinforced the importance of the organization’s mission and the constitutional protections journalists rely upon.

“When gunfire interrupted this year’s event, it further clarified the WHCA’s mission to advocate for the freedoms that are protected in the First Amendment. We will not allow an act of violence to have the last word, especially during a year when we are reflecting on the 250th anniversary of America and everything we stand for.”

It remains unclear whether President Trump will attend the rescheduled dinner, as no announcement regarding his plans has yet been made.

{Matzav.com}

Singer and composer Bentzi Stein found himself at the center of a humorous radio prank after receiving an unexpected phone call from someone claiming to be a senior police officer investigating him over songs he performed in support of lomdei Torah and opposition to the enlistment and imprisonment of bnei yeshiva.

The prank aired on Menachem Toker’s popular Kol Chai radio program Zman Avir and provided listeners with an entertaining segment that quickly became a topic of conversation.

To carry out the stunt, Kol Chai broadcaster and impressionist Yehuda Shukrun posed as “Chief Superintendent Avner Moualem,” allegedly the head of a cybercrime and incitement unit within the Israel Police.

During the call, Shukrun informed Stein that he was being investigated for remarks and songs he had performed at a recent event.

According to the fake officer, “Yesterday you made statements that constitute incitement,” and as a result, Stein was required to report for questioning.

At the time of the call, Stein was reportedly busy picking up his children from an educational program. Although surprised by the conversation, he remained calm and good-natured throughout the exchange.

When the supposed police commander attempted to schedule an interrogation and asked what time would be convenient for him to appear, Stein jokingly suggested “7:30 in the morning.”

As the conversation continued, Stein hinted that he suspected something was amiss and suggested that the caller might be using artificial intelligence or participating in a prank, indicating that he was not entirely convinced by the officer’s story.

A short time later, Toker revealed the truth live on the air, informing Stein that the call had actually been a prank orchestrated by Yehuda Shukrun.

The revelation triggered laughter in the studio, with Toker complimenting Stein for recognizing the joke almost immediately.

“Bentzi figured you out from the very beginning,” Toker told Shukrun as the participants laughed about the failed attempt to fool the singer.

Even after the prank was exposed, the conversation continued in a lighthearted atmosphere. Toker, Shukrun, and Stein exchanged friendly jokes and playful barbs, providing listeners with an unusual and memorable radio moment that ended with laughter and mutual compliments all around.

{Matzav.com}

A senior Shas official says the party is abandoning its previous approach to the draft crisis and preparing for a much more aggressive campaign on behalf of bnei yeshiva, following what he described as a breakdown in efforts to reach an agreement with coalition partners.

Speaking after a Shas faction meeting that lasted nearly four hours, MK Chaim Biton said party leaders concluded that existing strategies had run their course amid mounting arrests of yeshiva students and growing pressure on the Torah world.

“I don’t remember such a long faction meeting,” Biton said, explaining that the discussion focused almost entirely on the challenges facing the chareidi community and the detention of bnei yeshiva.

According to Biton, Shas chairman Aryeh Deri spent years attempting to resolve the issue from within the government and the right-wing coalition framework. However, he said recent developments have convinced party leaders that a new approach is necessary.

“I think this is where the realization finally came that this is no longer possible, and that we need to go out and pursue new courses of action,” he said.

Biton stressed that the effort to advance a Basic Law protecting Torah study is not merely symbolic but part of what he described as a comprehensive strategy designed to strengthen the status of lomdei Torah in Israeli society.

He acknowledged that many within the chareidi public feel frustrated with political leadership, but argued that much of the struggle has taken place behind closed doors and therefore remained invisible to the public.

“The most frustrating thing is when something is happening in a closed room and you want to scream about it, but you can’t,” Biton said.

According to him, concerns over legal intervention and actions by the Attorney General frequently prevented public disclosure of efforts being made to find solutions.

“Only a few days ago it was decided that there will be no draft law, period.”

One of the most significant announcements during the interview involved plans for a broader and more coordinated public campaign.

Biton revealed that Shas is working with United Torah Judaism to establish a joint command center that would coordinate future responses to the crisis.

“We want to establish a joint command center together, and that command center will deal with all of these issues,” he said.

He indicated that the public should expect concrete action in the coming days rather than additional statements or declarations.

“From now on, you are going to see a determined, tough struggle here that, with Hashem’s help, will also produce results.”

Biton also leveled sharp criticism at law-enforcement authorities over the handling of arrests involving yeshiva students.

He described a reality in which avreichim fear even routine interactions with police officers because of concerns that such encounters could lead to detention.

“He is afraid that a police officer will stop him for a traffic violation, because then he will arrest him for learning Torah,” Biton claimed.

At the same time, he praised several Likud lawmakers—including Dudi Amsalem, Tally Gotliv, Galit Distel, and Avichai Boaron—for what he said has been their consistent support for lomdei Torah and their willingness to defend the Torah world publicly.

Concluding the interview, Biton delivered a direct message both to the chareidi public and to coalition partners.

While acknowledging that the chareidi parties have thus far failed to achieve their objectives regarding the draft issue, he insisted that a new phase has now begun.

“There will never be a situation in which we abandon our bochurim,” he declared.

“We tried everything. It’s over. Now we are working with a new method, a new path.”

Biton said the decisions reached during the lengthy faction meeting mark the beginning of a broader campaign aimed at restoring what he described as the dignity and sense of security of lomdei Torah, which he believes have been severely damaged in recent months.

{Matzav.com}

The father of a yeshiva bochur who has been held in military prison for more than a week says his family continues to live with uncertainty and anxiety as they await news of when their son will finally appear before a military court.

Meir Levy, whose son Yosef Levy remains incarcerated, spoke Monday night in an interview with Kol Chai Radio, describing the emotional toll the detention has taken on the family and recounting a recent visit with his son inside the prison.

According to Levy, family members have maintained regular contact with Yosef since his arrest and were recently granted an in-person visit after eight days in custody.

“We met with him, spoke with him, talked together, and strengthened one another. His nephew also came to cheer him up,” Levy said.

The father described the difficult conditions faced by many bnei yeshiva in military detention, saying the environment is far removed from the atmosphere to which they are accustomed.

“There is a lot of shouting, a style that is not suitable for a ben Torah,” he said.

Levy explained that after the initial shock of imprisonment wore off, the detainees have been trying to adapt by maintaining learning schedules and preserving as much normalcy as possible.

“After the initial shock, they try to adjust, learn, and continue their routine as much as they can,” he said, adding that “it is not easy at all.”

Discussing the circumstances of the arrest, Levy said military authorities arrived at the family home with a formal arrest warrant and took his son into custody there.

“They came to him with a proper arrest warrant,” he said.

News of the arrest spread quickly through the community, and within a short time hundreds of bnei yeshiva and avreichim reportedly gathered outside the police station where Yosef was initially being held.

“Within 20 minutes, 500 bochurim and avreichim arrived,” Levy recalled.

The father said he has been spending much of his time near the prison and has become acquainted with the families of other detainees being held there.

According to Levy, the prison population includes Sephardic, Chassidic, and Litvish yeshiva students, all facing similar uncertainty regarding their legal proceedings.

He said the lack of information about when Yosef will appear before a judge has been among the most difficult aspects of the ordeal.

“We are simply waiting,” Levy said, noting that the family still has not been informed when a hearing will take place.

Toward the end of the interview, Levy described the atmosphere of anxiety that now hangs over his household.

He said his wife recently told him, “Every knock on the door makes my heart tremble.”

Levy also called for unity within the chareidi community and expressed gratitude to the organizations, activists, and public officials who have been assisting families of detained bnei yeshiva.

He singled out MK Moshe Abutbul for special appreciation after the Knesset member visited him near the prison to offer support and encouragement.

“It really lifted my spirits,” Levy said.

Abutbul later raised the family’s situation during remarks in the Knesset, where he publicly shared Yosef Levy’s story and offered words of support to the family as they continue waiting for his release.

{Matzav.com}

As the wave of arrests involving yeshiva bochurim continues to stir concern throughout the Torah world, Rav Avraham Salim, a member of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah of Shas, personally reached out to the mother of a bochur currently being held in military prison, offering words of encouragement and support during a difficult time.

The phone call was made to the mother of Meir Sabag, a talmid of Yeshivas Darchei Ish in Moshav Tirosh, who is presently incarcerated in a military detention facility. According to reports, the conversation was arranged through the Chayei Olam organization.

During the call, Rav Salim sought not only to be mechazeik the family, but also to convey what he described as the importance of the sacrifices being made by lomdei Torah in the current climate.

Earlier, speaking at a gathering focused on the challenges facing the Torah world, Rav Salim sharply criticized government policy regarding the draft issue.

“Israel’s government has surrendered to the left because of political considerations and is persecuting Torah learners in every possible way. Haba litamei poschin lo—they have chosen to descend to the point of causing others to sin.”

He continued with an emotional appeal directed at government and law-enforcement leaders.

“I say from here to the leaders of the government and the police: It shall not be. Chas v’shalom, not a single hair from the head of a Torah learner should fall to the ground.”

Rav Salim also emphasized what he sees as the unique role of Torah learners within Klal Yisroel.

“Although we are citizens living in the State of Israel, we are not the property of the State of Israel. Those who learn the holy Torah are the spiritual treasure of all of Klal Yisroel throughout the world. From this wellspring people draw Torah, yiras Shamayim, and the mesorah of Israel. The Torah is our life. It preserved us and accompanied us throughout the long years of exile, and through its light we continue forward. Torah learners are a permanent possession of Klal Yisroel everywhere, and this has been demonstrated by the generosity of Jews throughout the world who have dedicated their resources to support the holy Torah in Eretz Yisroel so that it should never, chas v’shalom, fall.”

During his conversation with Sabag’s mother, Rav Salim stressed that her son’s imprisonment should be viewed within the broader context of what he called the struggle of Torah learners throughout the country.

“Your son and all the Torah learners who have been arrested are making a great Kiddush Hashem.”

The rav added that at a recent gathering dedicated to strengthening the Torah world, he spoke at length about what he described as the extraordinary mesirus nefesh being displayed by Sephardic yeshiva bochurim.

He said that rather than weakening their resolve, the current pressures have only strengthened their commitment.

“Even when they are arrested and all these decrees are directed against them, nothing moves them. They are giving up of themselves so that Torah can continue and endure.”

Rav Salim concluded the conversation with words of encouragement and a heartfelt tefillah for Meir Sabag and other detained yeshiva students.

“The entire Torah world is davening for him and for all the yeshiva bochurim who have been arrested. B’ezras Hashem, Meir will be released soon. May you merit a complete recovery, much nachas, and may the salvation come במהרה.”

Sabag was arrested last week during what supporters described as a planned police operation on the road between Beit Shemesh and Moshav Tirosh. According to accounts from those involved, officers initially told the bochurim that no arrests would take place and that only summonses would be issued. Approximately fifteen minutes later, detectives reportedly arrived, placed Sabag in handcuffs, and transferred him to military custody.

Rav Salim’s phone call joins a series of recent efforts by senior Torah leaders to support arrested yeshiva bochurim and their families.

Several months ago, Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch and members of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah visited Military Prison 10 to encourage imprisoned bnei Torah, a visit that left a strong impression on many participants.

More recently, Rav Moshe Sternbuch warmly received a bochur who had been released after serving twenty days in military prison, referring to him as a “partner of the Ribbono Shel Olam” and offering him special words of blessing.

Within the yeshiva world, many viewed Rav Salim’s personal outreach as a powerful expression of leadership and responsibility toward the families of detained bnei yeshiva. Community leaders said the conversation provided significant encouragement not only to the Sabag family, but also to many others facing similar challenges.

The call comes amid a noticeable increase in arrests involving yeshiva students. Last Friday, two talmidim from Yeshivas Maalos HaTorah were detained on Route 6, an incident that sparked widespread concern throughout the chareidi community and led to calls for emergency gatherings and additional public action.

{Matzav.com}

Conservative commentator Mark Levin is calling for a federal investigation into the leak of details from a reported phone conversation between President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu, arguing that the disclosure harmed U.S. and Israeli interests while benefiting Iran and Hezbollah.

The controversy erupted after Axios reported Monday that Trump had a heated phone exchange with Netanyahu. According to the report, which cited anonymous sources, the president expressed anger over Israel’s actions in Lebanon and reportedly accused Netanyahu of acting recklessly and showing a lack of appreciation. The report claimed Trump demanded to know, “What …. are you doing?” during the conversation.

The article appeared shortly after Iranian state media reported that Tehran had suspended negotiations with the United States, blaming Israel’s military activity in Lebanon following Hezbollah rocket attacks against Israel.

Levin responded forcefully on X, directing his criticism at the leak itself and the individuals who provided information to Axios reporter Barak Ravid.

“THE LEAK IN AXIOS WAS A VIOLATION OF FEDERAL LAW AND PROVIDED SUPPORT TO THE IRANIAN REGIME AND ITS HEZBOLLAH PROXY,” he wrote. “Whomever leaked that story to [Barak] Ravid at Axios did a grave disservice to our country, to our president, to Israel, and to Israel’s prime minister. The Iranian regime will benefit from that leak, viewing us as weak and desperate for a deal — even coming to Hezbollah’s defense. The Israeli people will also be furious. The missiles are aimed at them, not Washington.”

Levin further argued that the publication of details from a private discussion between world leaders could undermine both military and diplomatic objectives. He maintained that the fallout extends beyond Israel and could negatively affect American strategic interests as well.

“And for 100 other reasons, what was thought to be a devastating political hit on Netanyahu by the leakers about a private call between heads of state has done much damage to us and our military and our diplomatic strategy,” Levin continued. “And if the leakers or others believe Israel should abandon its survival for some deal, they will have a very hard lesson to learn. If the substance of the call is accurate, it is bad enough in my view. Will there be an FBI investigation to determine who leaked? If not, why not?”

{Matzav.com}

President Trump announced Tuesday that Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte will serve as acting director of national intelligence, replacing Tulsi Gabbard, who is set to leave the position at the end of June.

Trump revealed the appointment in a Truth Social post, highlighting Pulte’s experience overseeing major financial institutions and government-backed mortgage enterprises.

“William has deep experience managing the most sensitive matters in America, the safety and soundness of the Markets, and over 10 Trillion Dollars at Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac, a substantial increase from where it was just 12 months ago,” Trump wrote on Truth Social in revealing the surprise pick.

“During this period, he will remain Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, and Chairman of Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac. Congratulations to Director Pulte!”

The selection caught many by surprise, as Pulte’s background is rooted primarily in finance and housing oversight rather than intelligence or national security. Even while taking on the temporary intelligence post, he will continue leading the Federal Housing Finance Agency and serving as chairman of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

If Trump ultimately chooses to nominate Pulte to hold the intelligence position permanently, the appointment would require confirmation by the U.S. Senate.

Gabbard’s tenure as director of national intelligence is scheduled to conclude on June 30. She announced last month that she would be stepping down after her husband, Abraham, was diagnosed with bone cancer.

At 38, Pulte is best known as the founder of Twitter Philanthropy, the CEO of Pulte Capital, and the grandson of renowned homebuilding and real estate businessman William J. Pulte.

Pulte has also drawn attention during his time at the housing agency for aggressively pursuing allegations against several political figures aligned against Trump. Among those actions were criminal referrals involving New York Attorney General Letitia James and Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook over claims of mortgage fraud.

{Matzav.com}

A newly released national survey points to a significant transformation in how Israelis view themselves, with a growing majority now identifying first and foremost as Jews rather than simply as Israelis.

The findings, contained in the 2026 Diaspora Index presented this week to President Isaac Herzog, indicate a sharp strengthening of Jewish identity across Israeli society. According to the survey, 57 percent of Israelis now say they view themselves as Jewish before they view themselves as Israeli, a substantial increase from 34 percent who gave that answer just one year ago.

The report also found widespread pride in Jewish identity among the Israeli public. Eighty-seven percent of respondents said they are proud of their Jewish identity, while 85 percent said they view Judaism as belonging to a people united by a shared history and collective heritage.

Perhaps most notably, the trend extends well beyond the traditionally religious sectors. According to the survey, 82 percent of secular Israelis view Judaism as an important source of identity and values.

Researchers behind the study described the phenomenon as a process of “identity convergence,” arguing that many Israelis are reconnecting with their historical and national roots while simultaneously feeling a stronger bond with Jewish communities around the world.

Presenting the report, President Isaac Herzog emphasized the importance of maintaining strong ties between Israel and Diaspora Jewry.

He described the relationship with Jewish communities abroad as “a value of the highest order” and an inseparable part of the Jewish people’s collective future.

In an effort to strengthen those connections, the Israeli government has already approved programs totaling more than 100 million shekels aimed at expanding Jewish education and deepening engagement with Jewish communities throughout the world.

Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli said the survey’s findings underscore the importance of investing in Jewish identity for future generations.

“The most important investment is in Jewish education—the foundation of identity and the future of the Jewish people,” Shikli said.

{Matzav.com}

A yeshiva bochur who was recently released from military detention visited leading Torah figures this week to receive their brachos, including a widely discussed meeting with Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, during which the rosh yeshiva questioned him extensively about the circumstances surrounding his arrest and release.

Reuven Lamnatzeach, a talmid of Yeshivas Kibbutz Givat Ze’ev, was detained late last week while traveling to yeshiva on Route 1. After being stopped by police, he was transferred to military authorities and held in military prison until his release on Sunday.

Immediately after leaving custody, Lamnatzeach traveled to Bnei Brak together with his rosh yeshiva, Rav Dovid Boaron, to seek the blessings of senior Torah leaders.

Their first stop was the home of Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, where the rosh yeshiva listened carefully as Lamnatzeach described the details of his arrest.

During a conversation that was recorded and later circulated widely, Rav Hirsch sought to understand exactly how the incident unfolded.

“Where did they catch you?” the rosh yeshiva asked.

“On the way to yeshiva,” Lamnatzeach replied.

Rav Boaron added that the arrest occurred on Route 1 and involved an unmarked vehicle.

“On Route 1, an undercover car—you couldn’t tell it was police,” he explained.

Lamnatzeach then described the arrest itself.

“I was in a car with a friend. Suddenly they stopped us and then they took me away in handcuffs.”

Rav Hirsch immediately asked what had happened to the other passenger.

“And what about your friend?”

“No, they released my friend,” the bochur responded.

The exchange then took an unexpected turn.

“Is your friend Ashkenazi?” Rav Hirsch asked.

The bochur answered: “No, he looks Ashkenazi, and because of that they released him.”

Rav Boaron responded with a sigh, saying, “Unfortunately, that’s what is happening. When will this end?”

Rav Hirsch continued asking about the arrest and sought additional details regarding the officer involved.

“The police officer who arrested you, was he Sephardi or Ashkenazi?”

“I think Sephardi,” the bochur replied.

Rav Boaron again asked emotionally, “Until when, Rosh Yeshiva? When will this end?”

Rav Hirsch’s answer was brief but striking.

“It has not even begun yet.”

The conversation took place amid a series of recent arrests involving yeshiva students. Last week, two talmidim from Yeshivas Maalos HaTorah were detained on Route 6, including Michoel Petrov, the son of the yeshiva’s rosh yeshiva, Rav Yosef Petrov.

In a separate incident, two additional yeshiva bochurim from Yeshivas Mishkan Dovid were reportedly transferred to military authorities after being detained by officers from the Shaar Binyamin police station.

After meeting with Rav Hirsch, Lamnatzeach and Rav Boaron continued their visits to other leading Torah figures, including the Belzer Rebbe, to receive additional brachos.

The arrests have prompted increasingly forceful responses from rabbinic leaders. Rav Ezriel Auerbach, leader of the Yerushalmi faction, recently issued a public call urging protests against the arrests.

“It is not a time to remain silent, and every ben Torah has a doubled and redoubled obligation to protest the humiliation of Torah and its learners,” Rav Auerbach wrote.

Large demonstrations organized by the Yerushalmi faction were held Sunday in Yerushalayim, Bnei Brak, and other locations across the country in protest of the recent arrests.

At the same time, reports have emerged that the Military Police are preparing for another large-scale arrest operation in the Gush Dan area in the coming days. According to reports, Israel Police requested that the operation be delayed because of operational demands and ongoing security concerns in northern Israel.

Rav Boaron previously delivered an emotional address in which he described learning of his talmid’s arrest only hours after parting from him at the end of the evening seder.

“I said goodbye to him at the end of third seder around 11:00 at night,” the rosh yeshiva recalled. “The next morning I woke up to a phone call from activists informing me that my student had been arrested.”

“We are living through the darkest of times, like the period of the Romans,” he declared in remarks that generated significant discussion throughout the yeshiva world.

{Matzav.com}

Shas chairman Aryeh Deri has called on United Torah Judaism to establish a joint command center to coordinate the chareidi parties’ response to the ongoing draft crisis and the growing pressure facing bnei yeshiva.

In a message directed to UTJ leaders, Deri urged the parties to work together in a unified effort to defend the interests of the olam haTorah.

“Let us join hands, establish a joint command center, and together handle all the operational steps and management of the struggle in order to achieve real results for the Torah world,” Deri said.

According to the proposal, the two parties would launch a broad public-relations and advocacy campaign aimed at strengthening support for bnei yeshiva and improving public understanding of the Torah world’s position. The initiative would seek to ensure that every ben yeshiva can continue to walk proudly and confidently despite the current atmosphere.

Deri expressed confidence that the present tensions are temporary and would eventually pass.

“What is happening in the streets right now is only a temporary period of hester panim, and very soon matters will return to their proper place,” he said.

In an official communication sent by Shas to United Torah Judaism, the party described the current situation as an unprecedented challenge facing lomdei Torah throughout the country.

“Due to the grave situation facing Torah learners in our country and their daily persecution by the dismissed Attorney General through increasingly harsh sanctions and the arrest of cherished yeshiva students who are engaged in Torah study, the Shas faction held a lengthy and in-depth meeting on the matter today and, in light of the complexity of the situation, decided to call upon your faction to establish a joint command center for the struggle and for operational solutions to the situation. Our strength lies in our unity.”

The proposal comes amid escalating tensions over the arrest of bnei yeshiva classified as draft evaders and growing calls within the chareidi community for a coordinated political and public response.

UTJ chairman MK Yitzchok Goldknopf responded to Deri’s proposal with a pointed statement, welcoming the initiative while criticizing what he described as years of delay by Shas.

“We welcome Aryeh Deri’s blessed awakening, which comes three years late. It is good that Shas has finally reached the painful conclusion that United Torah Judaism has been warning about for a long time: Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu must understand that commitments must be honored, and that he cannot continue with delays and repeated excuses while the Torah world is forced to pay the price.”

{Matzav.com}

Yanky Goldhaber, a popular social media personality and a chareidi soldier serving in a special IDF unit that encourages chareidi enlistment, says he was spat on by a chareidi man while traveling on a bus. Goldhaber shared details of the encounter in a post on social media, describing what he said was a painful experience that reflected the deep tensions surrounding the draft issue within the chareidi community.

According to Goldhaber, the incident occurred while he was traveling to central Israel in uniform.

“I was sitting in my uniform on the way to the center of the country, and he spat on me. Literally.”

Despite the encounter, Goldhaber said he did not view the individual who spat on him as an extremist and expressed sympathy for the environment that may have shaped his views.

“The truth is that I have no complaints against him. He didn’t seem like one of the extremists,” Goldhaber wrote.

He argued that many people have come to view soldiers negatively because of the broader conflict surrounding the enlistment of bnei yeshiva.

“Still, he spat on me because we, as a country, as an army, and as citizens, have caused him to hate every type of soldier.”

Goldhaber said that in the eyes of some within the community, every chareidi soldier is automatically labeled a Chardak and viewed as part of a system perceived as hostile to lomdei Torah.

“Every soldier to him is a Chardak (chareidi kal daas),” he wrote.

He continued by explaining what he believes motivates such hostility.

“He thinks that we are persecuting Torah learners, chas v’shalom, sending some of them to detention and prison, so is it any wonder that they hate us?”

Addressing the broader debate over the enlistment of chareidim, Goldhaber said the issue is complex but stressed that the animosity he witnessed was rooted in larger societal tensions rather than personal hatred.

“Should a solution be found for the enlistment of chareidim? Maybe yes and maybe not, but the hatred that I saw in his eyes was definitely not personal hatred. It’s only because a tango requires two sides.”

Goldhaber concluded by calling for an end to hostility and emphasizing that violence will not resolve the dispute.

“Let’s just say that nothing will be accomplished through violence. I promise!”

{Matzav.com}