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In his newly released book, Ben Shapiro claims that Western civilization is being systematically dismantled by what he describes as “scavengers.”

As a prime example, Shapiro points to Zohran Mamdani, a progressive Democratic politician whose platform he sees as emblematic of the problem.

“Mamdani is sort of a platonic example of a scavenger instinct at work — his entire campaign is rooted in envy,” Shapiro told The New York Post. “It’s rooted in the idea that everyone is a victim of systems.”

In his book “Lions and Scavengers: The True Story of America (and Her Critics),” which hit shelves Tuesday, Shapiro argues that society is divided between “lions,” who defend the principles that uphold freedom, and “scavengers,” who seek to dismantle those very foundations.

“The Scavengers are those who produce nothing, and demand everything,” Shapiro writes. “The Scavengers are those … who blame their own miseries, in free societies, on ‘systems of power’ that supposedly rob them of autonomy; who claim that failure is a virtue and success a sin.”

He singles out Mamdani, the Democratic contender in New York City’s mayoral race, and his supporters as embodying this destructive mindset.

“The Mamdani campaign is a great example of this — the sort of unification of disparate factions that really have very little in common with one another other than hatred of the system and desire to tear it down,” Shapiro explained.

According to Shapiro, defending freedom depends on the “lions” — those willing to preserve the values that sustain a healthy society.

He writes that the worldview of these lions is grounded in three biblical principles: belief in a divine plan guiding the universe, recognition that every individual is created in the image of God, and acceptance of genuine moral responsibility in life.

By contrast, Shapiro argues, scavengers see life as meaningless, viewing personal failures as inevitable results of corrupt systems and often embracing violence as a justified response.

“You can see that over and over and over, from the BLM riots to the campus protests-slash-riots,” Shapiro said.

Shapiro also identifies another “scavenger” figure: alleged United Healthcare CEO shooter Luigi Mangione.

“He grew up rich,” Shapiro said. “And then he basically decided that he was a victim of the system and that, because the system itself was deeply flawed, that gave him the excuse to commit murder of a person he had never met.”

One of the greatest ironies, Shapiro notes, is that many scavengers come from privileged backgrounds, often the children of the very “lions” who helped build and sustain prosperous societies.

“So many people build community, build family, make the systems that make the West great stronger, and then they don’t pass that on to their kids in any way, shape or form,” he lamented. “They seem to think that … their kids will somehow imbibe the correct values from the water or from the air.”

He points to the student protests at Columbia University last year, where wealthy students camped out in solidarity with Palestine, as a perfect example of this generational shift.

“They’re being told by people online, by their friends, that their parents did something wrong, and that the system that they grew up in is deeply flawed,” Shapiro said.

Shapiro warns that the danger posed by scavengers is far-reaching and potentially catastrophic.

“It does not require a majority of a population of Scavengers for the Scavengers to take control,” he writes. “It requires only a dedicated core group and a large majority of vacillating Lions unwilling to stand up and roar. All too often, the conditions for such coups are ripe.”

Still, Shapiro expresses optimism that resistance is growing.

“In the aftermath of BLM and October 7th and the riots on campus,” Shapiro said, “I do think that the Trump victory was a manifestation of the American people basically saying, ‘We’re done with this sort of envious view of how the world works.’”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he will direct federal law enforcement intervention to combat crime in Chicago and Baltimore, despite staunch opposition from state and local officials in both cities. Asked by reporters in the Oval Office about sending National Guard troops to Chicago, Trump said, “We’re going in,” but added, “I didn’t say when.” “I have an obligation, the president said. ”This isn’t a political thing.” Trump has already sent National Guard troops into Washington and federalized the police force in the nation’s capital. More recently, he has said he plans similar moves in other cities, particularly those run by Democratic officials. Trump said his efforts in Washington have ensured it “is now a safe zone. We have no crime.” The White House announced separately Tuesday that more than 1,650 people have been arrested since the Trump administration first mobilized federal officials on Aug. 7. “And this city was really bad,” Trump said. He said, “we’re really proud of” federal efforts to curb crime in Washington. The president also used his Oval Office comments to praise Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser for working with federal forces, but criticized Democratic Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, who has said crime in Chicago doesn’t require federal intervention. Trump said he’d love to have Pritzker call and say, “Send in the troops” — even though the governor has repeatedly said he won’t be doing that. “If the governor of Illinois would call up, call me up, I would love to do it,” Trump said. “Now, we’re going to do it anyway. We have the right to do it.” Trump also said he has an “obligation to protect this country, and that includes Baltimore.” Local officials there have joined Democratic Maryland Gov. Wes Moore in similarly opposing federal law enforcement intervention. (AP)

On Tuesday, former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio officially endorsed socialist Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani in the upcoming mayoral race, praising the candidate’s “bold, sweeping” vision and asserting that his platform could transform the city’s future.

“We don’t just need Zohran Mamdani to be our mayor because he has the right ideas, or because they can be achieved,” de Blasio wrote in an op-ed for the New York Daily News, formally backing the progressive front-runner.

“We need him because in his heart and in his bones he cannot accept a city that prices out the people who built it and keep it running.”

De Blasio, who led the city from 2014 through 2021, said Mamdani’s focus on making New York more affordable — including proposals like rent freezes, free childcare, and fare-free city buses — was a key reason for his decisive win in the June Democratic primary.

“Yet, though many New Yorkers agree with him — many others are skeptical. Still others have lost faith in the city government’s ability to not only talk, but deliver. They want to know one fundamental truth: can it be done?” he wrote.

“I can say definitely — and I know better than anyone — that the answer is yes.”

The former mayor also reflected on his own administration’s policies, recalling how critics had labeled initiatives like affordable housing expansion, universal pre-K, and paid sick leave as “recklessly idealistic.”

“Often, these critiques were lodged by politicians and special interest groups who had a vested interest in maintaining the broken status quo. In short, labeling my agenda as infeasible masked their true problem with it: an unwillingness to cede power and opportunity to working people,” de Blasio said.

“In 2025, the same overheated condemnations yield the same result as in 2013: not only does the public want what Mamdani is proposing, it actually all can be done.”

De Blasio, who endorsed Eric Adams in the 2021 mayoral race, argued that President Trump’s budget cuts make it even more critical to elect a progressive like Mamdani in November.

“At a time when Donald Trump is cutting SNAP benefits, gutting Medicaid, and once again leaving working people out to dry, the need for an unwavering fighter in City Hall has never been higher,” he wrote.

“It’s not enough to have a ‘leader’ unwilling to be bold in their pursuit for economic opportunity, or hiding behind this so-called question of feasibility.”

Mamdani is set to face incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who is seeking re-election as an independent, along with former Governor Andrew Cuomo, Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa, and attorney Jim Walden on the November ballot.

{Matzav.com}

One lucky Powerball participant came painfully close to making history, missing out on the record-breaking jackpot by a single number, as the grand prize has now climbed to an incredible $1.3 billion following Monday night’s drawing with no top winner.

Despite missing the jackpot, the player still walked away with a hefty $2 million payout after opting to spend an extra dollar for the Power Play feature, which doubled their prize amount.

According to the NC Education Lottery, the winning ticket — which was purchased online — was sold to a player based in Clayton, North Carolina.

Monday’s winning numbers for what was then a staggering $1.2 billion jackpot were 9, 23, 25, 40, and 53, with the red Powerball number 5.

By Tuesday morning, officials confirmed that no one had yet stepped forward to claim the $2 million prize. Under state regulations, Powerball winners in North Carolina have 180 days from the drawing date to collect their winnings.

The spotlight now shifts to the upcoming drawing scheduled for Wednesday at 10:59 p.m. ET, which will be broadcast live and streamed online.

To win the jackpot, a ticket must correctly match all five white balls plus the red Powerball — odds that stand at a staggering one in over 290 million.

Powerball is available in 45 states as well as Washington, DC, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands, with Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah being the only states where the game isn’t offered.

While tickets can be purchased on the day of the drawing, sales cutoff times vary by state and local regulations.

{Matzav.com}

A federal grand jury has refused to indict an Indiana woman accused of threatening to kill President Donald Trump, another sign of a growing backlash against Trump’s law enforcement crackdown in the nation’s capital. Nathalie Rose Jones was arrested on Aug. 16 in Washington, D.C., on charges that she made death threats against Trump on social media and during an interview with Secret Service agents. But a grand jury composed of Washington residents refused to indict her based on evidence presented by Justice Department prosecutors, according to her attorney, assistant federal public defender Mary Manning Petras. “Given that finding, the weight of the evidence is weak,” Petras wrote in a court filing. “The government may intend to try again to obtain an indictment, but the evidence has not changed and no indictment is likely.” It is extraordinarily rare for a grand jury to refuse to return an indictment, but that has happened in other cases prosecuted by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro’s office since Trump ordered a surge in patrols by federal agents and troops in the District of Columbia. A grand jury refused to indict a government attorney who was facing a felony assault charge for throwing a “sub-style” sandwich at a Customs and Border Protection agent — a confrontation captured on a viral video. Three grand juries voted separately against indicting a woman accused of assaulting an FBI agent outside the city’s jail in July, where she was recording video of the transfer of inmates into the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. A grand jury also rejected an indictment against a man who was arrested on an assault charge by a U.S. Park Police officer with the assistance of National Guard members. Grand jury proceedings are secret, so the reasons for their decisions don’t become public. But the string of rebukes has fueled speculation that residents serving on grand juries are using their votes to protest against the White House’s surge. “Grand juries, judges, we will not simply go along with the flow,” U.S. Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui said during a hearing last week for a surge-related criminal case. A spokesperson for Pirro’s office didn’t immediately respond to an email seeking comment. Pirro posted a comment on Jones’ case two days after her arrest. “Threatening the life of the President is one of the most serious crimes and one that will be met with swift and unwavering prosecution. Make no mistake — justice will be served,” Pirro wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. Prosecutors said Jones, 50, of Lafayette, Indiana, posted a Aug. 6 message on Facebook that she was “willing to sacrificially kill this POTUS by disemboweling him and cutting out his trachea.” When Secret Service agents questioned her on Aug. 15, Jones said she hoped to peacefully remove Trump from office but “will kill him out at the compound if I have to,” according to prosecutors. Jones was arrested a day later in Washington, where she joined a protest near the White House. Petras said Jones repeatedly told Secret Service agents that she had no intent to harm anyone, didn’t own any weapons and went to Washington to peacefully protest. (AP)

President Trump dismissed bizarre online claims about his supposed death on Tuesday, telling reporters in the Oval Office that he was “very active” over the Labor Day weekend and calling the morbid chatter “fake news.”

The rumors began circulating after the White House released a schedule showing that Trump had no public appearances planned over the holiday weekend, causing hashtags like “#TrumpIsDead” and “#WhereIsTrump” to trend on X.

The speculation intensified because the president hadn’t made a public appearance since a cabinet meeting the previous Tuesday, four days before the holiday.

“I didn’t do anything for two days, and they said ‘there must be something wrong with him,’” Trump said with a laugh, responding to a question from reporters about the conspiracy theories.

“I was very active over the weekend. I went out to visit some people at the club that I own pretty nearby on the Potomac River. No — I’ve been very active, actually,” he added, dismissing the speculation.

A photograph taken Saturday showed Trump in golf attire, sporting his trademark red MAGA hat, as he headed to Trump National Golf Club in Virginia with his granddaughter, Kai Trump, 18.

During his remarks, the 79-year-old president also used the moment to criticize his 82-year-old rival, Joe Biden.

“You wouldn’t see [Biden] and nobody ever said there was ever anything wrong with him,” Trump remarked while standing alongside Vice President JD Vance and Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.), both of whom chuckled.

“And we know he wasn’t in the greatest of shape,” he added.

Speculation about Trump’s health has been fueled in recent months by photos showing what appeared to be bruises on his hands and swelling in his legs.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the concerns, explaining that Trump has a “benign and common condition” known as chronic vascular insufficiency (CVI), which occurs when the veins in the legs have difficulty returning blood to the heart.

She also clarified that the bruising on his hands was caused by “frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump said Tuesday the U.S. has carried out a strike in the southern Caribbean against a drug-carrying vessel that departed from Venezuela and was operated by the Tren de Aragua gang. The president said in a social media posting that 11 people were killed in the military operation and he posted a video of a small vessel appearing to explode in flames. “The strike occurred while the terrorists were at sea in International waters transporting illegal narcotics, heading to the United States,” Trump said in the post. “No U.S. Forces were harmed in this strike. Please let this serve as notice to anybody even thinking about bringing drugs into the United States of America.” The video appears to show a long, multi-engine speedboat traveling at sea when a bright flash of light busts over the craft. The boat is then briefly seen covered in flames. The video, which is largely in black and white, is not clear enough to see if the craft is carrying as many as 11 people. The video also did not show any large or clear stashes of drugs inside the boat. Tren de Aragua originated more than a decade ago at an infamously lawless prison with hardened criminals in Venezuela’s central state of Aragua. The gang has expanded in recent years as more than 7.7 million Venezuelans fled economic turmoil and migrated to other Latin American countries or the U.S. Trump and administration officials have repeatedly blamed the gang for being at the root of the violence and illicit drug dealing that plague some cities. The White House did not immediately explain how the military determined that those aboard the vessel were Tren de Aragua members. The size of the gang is unclear, as is the extent to which its actions are coordinated across state lines and national borders. After Trump announced the strike, Venezuelan state television showed President Nicolas Maduro and first lady Cilia Flores walking the streets of his childhood neighborhood. A television presenter said Maduro was “bathing in patriotic love” as he interacted with supporters. “In the face of imperialist threats, God (is) with us,” Maduro told supporters. Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio had first announced the strike earlier Tuesday, shortly before Rubio left on a trip to Mexico and Ecuador for talks on drug cartels, security, tariffs and more. In a brief exchange with reporters before departing Miami for Mexico City, Rubio deferred questions about the specifics of the strike to the Pentagon. He said the drugs on the vessel were likely headed to Trinidad or elsewhere in the Caribbean. The U.S. recently announced plans to boost its maritime force in the waters off Venezuela to combat threats from Latin American drug cartels. The U.S. has not signaled any planned land incursion by the thousands of personnel being deployed. Still, Maduro’s government has responded by deploying troops along Venezuela’s coast and border with neighboring Colombia, as well as by urging Venezuelans to enlist in a civilian militia. Maduro has insisted that the U.S. is building a false drug-trafficking narrative to try to force him out of office. He and other government officials have repeatedly cited a United Nations report that they say shows traffickers attempt to move only 5% of the cocaine produced in Colombia through Venezuela. […]

After a recent U.S. military strike on a Venezuelan drug trafficking ship operated by the “Cartel de los Soles,” the Dominican Republic has officially labeled the cartel as an international terrorist organization.

Dear Matzav Inbox,

This week on Matzav, we all read with heavy hearts how Rav Dov Landau shlita announced that schools in Yerushalayim cannot open because not every single girl has a place. His words were a cry from the depths — a demand that Klal Yisroel pause everything until every bas Yisroel has a desk, a chair, a classroom, and a place where she belongs.

And yet, in Lakewood, NJ, we march forward. Schools are scheduled to open as if nothing is wrong. The buses will roll, the classrooms will buzz, the lessons will begin — while there are girls sitting at home, crushed, confused, and broken, with no idea where they will be learning this year.

How can this be? How can we, a community built on Torah, achdus, and areivus, allow the year to begin when our own daughters, our sisters, our Bnos Yisroel, our neshamos are left out in the cold?

Every day, parents are pleading, fighting, crying with roshei mosdos, making phone call after phone call, begging for a yes. Behind every spreadsheet of “available slots” is a shattered girl and a desperate mother davening for salvation. Behind every rejected application is a home full of tears. These are not statistics. These are neshamos.

Do we understand what message we send when schools open their doors knowing there are girls still on the outside? What are we saying to them? To their families? To ourselves? How can we allow the buses to pull away while some girls stand at the window, watching them leave, knowing they are unwanted, uncounted, unseen?

Is our system so broken, so complacent, that we have stopped feeling? That we accept this as “the way it is”? If Rav Dov Landau shlita can demand that an entire city halt until every girl is placed, how can Lakewood — a city built on Torah and chessed — do less?

Do we have leadership anymore?

This is not just logistics. This is not just policy.

This is the heart of our future.

I beg that our leaders, our rabbonim, our roshei mosdos, our askanim, rise to the moment. Do not allow a single school to open its doors until every bas Yisroel has one. Stop everything. Solve this. Make it happen. Because anything less is unthinkable.

If we can’t unite for this, what are we doing? If we can’t feel the pain of our sisters and daughters, what does that say about us?

Bnos Yisroel are waiting.
Neshamos are waiting.
And Hashem is watching.

With a broken heart,

A Concerned and Pained Yid

To submit a letter to appear on Matzav.com, email MatzavInbox@gmail.com

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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has approved sending up to 600 military lawyers to the Justice Department to serve as temporary immigration judges, according to a memo reviewed by The Associated Press. The military will begin sending groups of 150 attorneys — both military and civilians — to the Justice Department “as soon as practicable,” and the military services should have the first round of people identified by next week, according to the Aug. 27 memo. The effort comes as the Trump administration is cracking down on illegal immigration by ramping up arrests and deportations. And immigration courts already are dealing with a massive backlog of roughly 3.5 million cases that has ballooned in recent years. At the same time, more than 100 immigration judges have been fired or left voluntarily after taking deferred resignations offered by the Trump administration, their union says. In the most recent round of terminations, the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers said in July that at least 17 immigration judges had been fired “without cause” in courts across the country. That has left about 600 immigration judges, union figures show, meaning the Pentagon move would double their ranks. The Justice Department, which oversees the immigration courts, requested the assistance from the Defense Department, according to the memo sent by the Pentagon’s executive secretary to his DOJ counterpart. The military lawyers’ duties as immigration judges will initially last no more than 179 days but can be renewed, it said. A DOJ spokesperson referred questions about the plan to the Defense Department, where officials directed questions to the White House. A White House official said Tuesday that the administration is looking at a variety of options to help resolve the significant backlog of immigration cases, including hiring additional immigration judges. The official said the matter should be “a priority that everyone — including those waiting for adjudication — can rally around.” The memo stressed that the additional attorneys are contingent on availability and that mobilizing reserve officers may be necessary. Plus, the document said DOJ would be responsible for ensuring that anyone sent from the Pentagon does not violate the federal prohibition on using the military as domestic law enforcement, known as the Posse Comitatus Act. The administration faced a setback on its efforts to use the military in unique ways to combat illegal immigration and crime, with a court ruling Tuesday that it “willfully” violated federal law by sending National Guard troops to Los Angeles in early June. Cases in immigration court can take years to weave their way to a final determination, with judges and lawyers frequently scheduling final hearings on the merits of a case over a year out. (AP)

BORO PARK: FDNY firefighters responded to a fire at 430 Ocean Parkway, near Ditmas Avenue, inside a six-story building. The blaze, which started in a kitchen, was quickly brought under control.

The U.S. military struck a smuggling vessel in the Southern Caribbean, killing 11 members of the Tren de Aragua gang, which Washington designates as a Maduro-backed terror group.

The Israeli Ministry of Defense, together with the IDF and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), announced tonight the successful launch of the Ofek-19 military reconnaissance satellite into orbit from Palmachim Airbase in central Israel.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to visit Israel in roughly two weeks.

The planned date for Rubio’s arrival is during the week of September 14, and he is expected to remain in the country for several days. While there, he will meet with senior Israeli leaders. His trip comes following remarks made by US President Donald Trump, who emphasized that the fighting in Gaza must come to an end soon, warning that Israel is facing challenges in global public opinion.

“Israel is going to have to end this war [in Gaza]. It’s hurting Israel; there’s no question about it. They may be winning the war, but they are not winning in the arena of public opinion,” Trump said in an interview with the Daily Caller. “Fifteen years ago, Israel was the strongest lobbying force that ever existed. Now… it has been weakened, especially in Congress.”

During his stay, Rubio is also expected to take part in the inauguration ceremony of the “Pilgrims’ Road” at the City of David, an archaeological site linked to ancient Yerushalayim. The ceremony, set to unveil the restored 2,000-year-old main street of Yerushalayim, will bring together top Israeli and American officials.

Trump had considered joining the September 15 ceremony but ultimately decided not to attend.

The event comes just days before the United Nations General Assembly convenes in New York, where France and several other nations are expected to formally announce their recognition of a Palestinian state.

In preparation for the developments at the UN, Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu is expected to hold a meeting on Thursday with several ministers to discuss extending Israeli sovereignty over parts of Judea and Samaria and to evaluate the security ramifications of such a move.

Rubio last visited Israel in February, marking his first trip to the Middle East. That visit took place while US and Israeli officials were working closely together to secure the release of the remaining six living hostages as part of the initial phase of the ceasefire agreement.

{Matzav.com}

[COMMUNICATED]

I’ll get right to the point.

Every year, I receive hundreds of phone calls from chassanim in need.

These are chassanim who don’t take anything for granted:

– They don’t take for granted that they will have a new hat to wear to the chasunah.

– They don’t take for granted that they will be able to buy gifts for the kallah.

– They don’t take for granted that they will be wearing a new suit to the wedding.

Together with my fellow shadchanim R’ Meir Levi and R’ Tzodek Katz, I have the zchus of helping these chassanim get married with a sense of dignity.

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French President Emmanuel Macron criticized the United States on Tuesday for its decision to deny visas to Palestinian officials ahead of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly, calling the move “unacceptable.” Following a conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Macron urged Washington to reverse the decision, stating, “We call for this measure to be reversed and for Palestinian representation to be ensured in accordance with the Host Country Agreement.”

France and Saudi Arabia are jointly organizing a conference on September 22 focused on advancing discussions around a two-state solution.

In a statement posted on X, Macron outlined France’s position, emphasizing the need for a “permanent ceasefire, the release of all hostages, the large-scale delivery of humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza, and the deployment of a stabilization mission in Gaza.”

Macron also highlighted France’s broader objectives, explaining that the country is working to “ensure that, the day after, Hamas is disarmed and excluded from any governance of Gaza, that the Palestinian Authority is reformed and strengthened, and that the Gaza Strip is fully reconstructed.”

He concluded by underscoring France’s determination to continue its efforts, writing, “No offensive, annexation attempt, or forced displacement of populations will derail the momentum we have created with the Crown Prince—momentum that many partners have already joined.”

{Matzav.com}

U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst said Tuesday that she will not seek reelection next year, confirming in a video post on social media that she will retire after months of speculation about her plans. Ernst’s departure opens up a Senate seat in the state known for its long-serving incumbents. Ernst was first elected in 2014 to the open seat previously held by Tom Harkin, a Democrat who served for 30 years. Republican Chuck Grassley, Iowa’s senior U.S. senator, was first elected to the Senate in 1980. Her announcement Tuesday followed reports last week that she was expected to announce her retirement in September. It is the second unexpected retirement for Senate Republicans as they work to maintain their majority in the chamber, with Ernst joining Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who turned down a reelection bid after clashing with President Donald Trump. It also could have ripple effects down the ballot if third-term Rep. Ashley Hinson from the Cedar Rapids area in eastern Iowa jumps into the race, as is widely expected. Hinson’s decision could also complicate House Republicans’ efforts to keep control as Democrats look for opportunities to flip seats in once-competitive Iowa, where two of Iowa’s four congressional districts have been among the country’s most competitive in recent elections. Several Democrats are seeking the party’s nomination for the seat, including state Sen. Zach Wahls; state Rep. Josh Turek; Jackie Norris, chair of the Des Moines School Board; and Nathan Sage, a former chamber of commerce president. Two Republicans — former state Sen. Jim Carlin and veteran Joshua Smith — had already entered the primary to challenge Ernst. Ernst, Iowa’s first woman elected to Congress, is an Iraq War combat veteran and retired from the Army National Guard as a lieutenant colonel. She served for several years in Senate GOP leadership and was considered a vice presidential contender for Trump’s first White House run. But Ernst has faced pressure from all sides in the last year. She took heat after signaling a hesitance to support one of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet picks. She’s also been one of the faces of Democrats’ campaign against the sprawling tax and spending package after she made a retort about Medicaid cuts at a town hall. (AP)

On Tuesday, families of hostages, bereaved relatives, reservists, and residents from communities near the Gaza border shut down the water pipeline supplying Gaza. The action was taken as a protest against what they described as Israel’s failed approach in dealing with Hamas and as a direct demand for the prime minister to take stronger, decisive measures to end the ongoing conflict.

The shutdown was part of a wider campaign aimed at pushing the government to change its strategy and ensure Hamas’ complete defeat. Organizers of the protest stressed that Israel must enforce a real blockade on Gaza — cutting off water and all humanitarian aid — while also requiring the evacuation of civilians from Gaza City before initiating any significant ground operation.

Families of hostages and soldiers who fell in battle explained that shutting the pipeline was a necessary act meant to demonstrate their determination. They emphasized that only the full destruction of Hamas would create the conditions needed to secure the hostages’ release.

One of the protest leaders, Tzvika Mor — whose son, Eitan Mor, is being held hostage — stated: “To bring all the hostages home, Israel must deliver a decisive blow. No more partial deals, no more temporary rounds. Only a true defeat of Hamas will free them.”

Col. (res.) Hezi Nechama, a founding member of the “Forum of Reserve Commanders and Fighters,” echoed the same sentiment, saying: “It’s time to stop this war of attrition and shut off Hamas’s water supply. Only then will Hamas be defeated and the hostages returned.”

Yitzhak Fitusi, whose son Yishay was killed in battle, expressed deep frustration over the ongoing situation: “Since the war began, our loved ones fought and sacrificed their lives for the goal of defeating Hamas. For 23 months their comrades have kept fighting, yet Hamas still rules Gaza and our hostages rot in captivity.”

Reut Ben Chaim, a resident of the Gaza border area and a leader of the “Tzav 9” movement, concluded: “Our demand is simple: the flow of food, electricity, and water into Gaza strengthens Hamas, giving it breathing space, power, and capability. Closing the water pipeline to northern Gaza is a necessary step to subdue Hamas and bring our hostages home.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker: We have reason to believe that the Trump administration has already begun staging the Texas National Guard for deployment in Illinois.

On Tuesday evening, the IDF announced that on August 28, 2025, its forces, working alongside the ISA, successfully eliminated senior terrorist Hazem Awni Naeem in the Gaza City region.

According to the military, Naeem had served in several positions within Hamas’ Gaza City brigade. During the ongoing conflict, he operated as a high-ranking figure in the brigade’s military intelligence division and maintained close ties with Ezz al-Din Haddad, the commander overseeing the Gaza City brigade.

Naeem was directly involved in holding hostages in Gaza, including Emily Damari, Romi Gonen, and Naama Levy, during their period of captivity.

“The IDF and the ISA will continue to operate against the terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip and to remove any threat posed to the State of Israel,” the military stated following the announcement.

Roughly two months earlier, the IDF confirmed the elimination of Muhammad Nasr Ali Quneita, another Hamas operative who was also responsible for holding Damari captive in Gaza.

After Quneita’s death was reported, Damari reacted on Instagram, writing: “One of many. Yes, there should be many more good news like this and we will hold them accountable for it all, God willing. But the real victory will be when Gali, Ziv and the other 48 hostages return.”

In an emotional reflection, Damari shared her memory of Quneita: “I remember his face that day when he transferred me to the tunnels deep beneath the ground. Where there’s no air, no light, and no will to live. Above us, we could hear planes, bombs, and an entire war unfolding. Then he looked at me with the smile of a deceiver and told me ‘That’s it, tomorrow you’re going home.'”

She explained the cruelty behind his words: “And no, he didn’t say that because it was true. He said it so I would start to have hope. So I would wait and wait, and nothing would happen. I looked at him and told him he was a liar (and if you knew what it’s like to tell a terrorist the word liar…). He looked at me angrily and asked, ‘Me? A liar? Why do you think that?’ And I said to him, ‘Because I hear the planes. There’s no ceasefire and no deal close.’ And sadly, between the two of us, I was right,” Damari wrote.

{Matzav.com}