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The mayor of Amsterdam apologized Thursday for the role the Dutch capital played in the persecution of its Jewish citizens during World War II, saying the government at the time “let its Jewish residents down terribly.” Speaking at an event marking Israel’s Holocaust Remembrance Day, Mayor Femke Halsema said that civil servants in Amsterdam played an active role in the murder of some thousands of Jewish citizens of the city. Three-quarters of Dutch Jews were murdered during the Holocaust, a much higher percentage than in other Western European countries such as Belgium and France. Of the estimated 80,000 Jews who lived in Amsterdam at the outbreak of World War II, only some 20,000 survived, the highest number of victims in Western Europe. Among those deported was teenage diarist Anne Frank and her family. Only her father, Otto, survived. “The Amsterdam government, when it came down to it, was not heroic, not determined and not merciful. And it let its Jewish residents down terribly,” Halsema said. “On behalf of the city government, I offer my apologies for this,” she added. Halsema spoke at Hollandsche Schouwburg, a theater which operated as a collection point for Jews who were deported to extermination camps. She recalled how the municipality helped with the registration of Jewish citizens and the drawing up of cards where Jews lived. “Services were prepared to help enact one after the other anti-Jewish measure,” she said. “Step by step, the municipal machine became part of the machinery of evil.” Halsema’s apology — ahead of the 80th anniversary of the Netherlands’ liberation from the Nazis — was not the first from the Netherlands. Five years ago, on the eve of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz Nazi death camp, then-Prime Minister Mark Rutte apologized for the failure of the Dutch government during the war. Some Dutch organizations have also issued apologies for their own roles in the historic tragedy. The Dutch national railway company apologized in 2005 for its role in transporting Jews to camps and announced it would pay reparations. In 2020, the Dutch Protestant Church made a far-reaching recognition of guilt for its failure to do more to help Jews during and after World War II. Halsema’s apology comes six months after what she described as “an eruption of antisemitism” in which Israeli fans were assaulted after a soccer game in the Netherlands. The attacks garnered headlines worldwide and more than sixty suspects were arrested. (AP & YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

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The IDF reported  that Master Sergeant (res.) Asaf Kafri, a 26-year-old resident of Beit Hashmonai, lost his life during a battle in northern Gaza. Kafri had been serving as a tank operator in the 79th Battalion, which is part of the 14th Armored Brigade.

During the same confrontation, three other soldiers sustained injuries. Among the wounded were a Yahalom Unit officer and a reservist from the same battalion as Kafri, both of whom were critically hurt. “The wounded were evacuated to a hospital for medical treatment and their families were notified,” said the IDF spokesperson.

The death toll for Israeli soldiers since the war began now stands at 849.

The clash occurred at 1:45 p.m. on Thursday, when terrorists operating out of Beit Hanoun launched an anti-tank missile along with sniper fire at an Israeli force near Outpost 39. The area is adjacent to Outpost 40, where Warrant Officer G’haleb Sliman Alnasasra was killed just days earlier.

The sniper’s bullet killed the tank crewman, while three other troops were hit—two suffering grave injuries and one sustaining moderate wounds. The soldiers were carrying out a mission near the outpost when they came under heavy, multi-directional gunfire. The individuals behind the attack have not yet been found.

In response, Israeli forces launched strikes on positions in the vicinity to contain the threat and prepare for further operations against Hamas. The military specifically targeted assets tied to the Beit Hanoun Battalion, which was also the subject of a significant IDF operation in Jabaliya prior to the most recent ceasefire.

{Matzav.com Israel}

A large group of demonstrators hostile to Israel assembled outside Chabad-Lubavitch World Headquarters at 770 Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn’s Crown Heights neighborhood on Thursday evening.

The protesters, many of whom wore keffiyehs and covered their faces, were rallying against the arrival of Israel’s National Security Minister, Itamar Ben Gvir.

Ben Gvir’s visit to the U.S. includes stops in Florida, New York, and Washington, DC, where he has been engaging with both Jewish communities and political leaders.

Earlier in the day, Ben Gvir visited the main shul at 770 and was scheduled to return later in the evening to address attendees at a Siyum Harambam. In advance of his planned speech, demonstrators supporting the Palestinian cause gathered near the intersection of Eastern Parkway and Kingston Avenue, a central area in the Crown Heights Jewish community.

Protesters waved “Free Palestine” banners, and among them were several anti-Zionist Neturei Karta radicals who support the Palestinian cause.

Footage captured from the scene showed heated arguments between the demonstrators and local Jewish residents, who urged them to relocate away from the shul’s entrance to avoid obstructing access.

The NYPD responded by elevating their alert to a Level 2 mobilization, deploying additional officers and specialized units amid concerns of potential violence. A police helicopter circled above.

Meanwhile, a large number of neighborhood residents gathered to stage a counter-demonstration, blasting upbeat Israeli music over loudspeakers in an attempt to overpower the anti-Israel slogans.

Tensions escalated when several confrontations broke out, leading to the arrest of a few Israeli yeshiva students by police on the scene.

WATCH:

President Donald Trump voiced his belief on Thursday that he deserves global acclaim for playing a central role in the establishment of the Abraham Accords—historic agreements that opened diplomatic ties between Israel and several Arab nations.

“Maybe for the Abraham Accords,” Trump remarked when questioned about a potential Nobel Peace Prize nomination. “I don’t want to get ahead of myself in this one.”

His remarks came during a meeting at the White House with a visiting Norwegian delegation, which included Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg.

Trump noted that the push behind the Abraham Accords has not diminished and hinted at more countries expressing interest. “We’re going to be filling it up. A lot of countries want to come into the Abraham Accords.”

He also criticized the Biden administration for not capitalizing on the progress already achieved, implying they’ve missed chances to grow the initiative.

“They’re great countries and they were brave doing it and it’s worked out very well and we’re going to be filling up the Abraham Accords … very rapidly,” Trump added, commending the nations that initially joined for their boldness and foresight.

The Abraham Accords were formally signed at the White House in September 2020 by Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain. Later, Morocco and Sudan also became participants in the agreements.

While the Biden administration supported the framework of the Abraham Accords, its attempts to bring more countries, including Saudi Arabia, into the fold did not succeed.

Trump’s statements came on the heels of reports suggesting that Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa has shown willingness to consider joining the Abraham Accords—provided certain stipulations are met.

Congressman Cory Mills shared that Syria’s conditions would include lifting sanctions imposed by the United States and establishing peace between Syria and Israel.

Trump also addressed the ongoing nuclear talks with Iran, which are expected to resume over the weekend, highlighting the seriousness of the negotiations.

He referred to the discussions with Tehran as “very serious meetings,” indicating that a diplomatic solution is still the preferred course of action.

“There are only two options. One option is not a good option at all,” Trump said, implying that military conflict would be the alternative if diplomacy fails.

Still, he expressed hope about where things are headed. “We’re doing very well on an agreement with Iran… that one is well in its way. We could have a very, very good decision, and a lot of lives will be saved.”

{Matzav.com}

BREAKING: Hours before Luigi Mangione’s arraignment in federal court, prosecutors submitted formal notice that they intend to seek the death penalty if he’s convicted.

Ben Gvir is at Chabad World Headquarters, 770 Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights.

An upcoming exposé on the Israeli investigative program Hamakor, scheduled to air this Sunday on Channel 13, will reveal that members of President Joe Biden’s administration had considered ways to potentially oust Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the early days of the Gaza war. The broadcast includes testimonies from nine top officials within the administration, all sharing a glimpse into internal discussions that reportedly took place inside the White House.

Raviv Drucker, the host of Hamakor, said the episode will showcase comments from these officials describing what they perceived as a lack of appreciation from Netanyahu’s government, despite the extent of American support provided to Israel during the crisis. According to Drucker, this perceived ingratitude played a role in fueling conversations within the administration about Netanyahu’s future in office.

Among those interviewed was Ilan Goldenberg, who later served as Kamala Harris’s liaison to the Jewish community during her presidential run. Goldenberg recounted to Channel 13 that following the breakdown of the initial hostage agreement, the White House began informally exploring scenarios that could speed up Netanyahu’s political downfall. “There were a lot of people who were talking about, including in the Oval Office at times, the idea of the President going out and giving a speech…Benny Gantz was at like 37 [seats in the polls] and Bibi was at 15, he was very weak, Joe Biden was still incredibly popular in Israel,” Goldenberg said in a segment released Thursday ahead of the full program.

According to Goldenberg, the speech under consideration would have presented Israelis with a stark choice: “You can end the war, get all the hostages out, get a deal that includes having elements of Hamas leave, or you keep doing what you’re doing, Israel is in a forever war, your sons and daughters are going to keep fighting, most of the hostages are going to come home dead.” He explained that the hope was such a speech might either compel Netanyahu to embrace that path or destabilize the political landscape enough to prompt a shift in power. “The idea would be to either force Netanyahu to come on board with that, or scramble Israeli politics and see if you can trigger elections or God knows what…that’s what people were saying: ‘Let’s break this up because it’s not going anywhere good,’” Goldenberg told the channel.

{Matzav.com Israel}

The Department of Transportation announced on Thursday that it had reassigned the group of prosecutors who recently questioned the legality of the agency’s decision to put an end to New York’s congestion pricing plan. The move came after a misstep in which these concerns were unintentionally exposed in a court filing.

A spokesperson for the DOT confirmed that the original legal team from the Southern District of New York had been replaced by attorneys from the Justice Department’s Civil Division. The spokesperson harshly criticized the earlier legal team for what she described as a serious breach in handling sensitive information related to the tolling initiative.

“Are SDNY lawyers on this case incompetent or was this their attempt to RESIST? At the very least, it’s legal malpractice,” said spokeswoman Halee Dobbins. “It’s sad to see a premier legal organization continue to fall into such disgrace.”

She went on to dismiss the leaked memo’s assessment, framing the congestion toll plan as an ill-conceived initiative approved without proper scrutiny after Donald Trump won the presidency.

“SDNY’s memo doesn’t represent reality. Kathy Hochul’s congestion pricing war against the working class was hastily approved by the Biden Administration after Donald Trump was elected,” she added.

Dobbins contended that the plan unfairly penalizes drivers by closing off access to roads that taxpayers have already funded, and stressed that the lack of a free driving option renders the policy not only unjust but unlawful. She hinted that the DOT might consider cutting off funding for New York state infrastructure if the policy remains in place.

“Taxpayers already financed the highways that Hochul is now shutting down to the driving public and there is no free alternative. This is unprecedented and illegal. If New York doesn’t shut it down, the Department of Transportation is considering halting projects and funding for the state.”

In response to the controversy, SDNY spokesperson Nicholas Biase explained that the filing in question was submitted in error and that there was no intention to publicize internal evaluations.

Biase said the filing “was a completely honest error and was not intentional in any way.”

The internal 11-page document, submitted late Wednesday evening and quickly removed, expressed skepticism that the government would prevail in court, citing historical precedent for judges granting local authorities leeway to test new economic and societal policies.

“We have been unable to identify a compelling legal argument to support this position,” they wrote, referencing judicial tolerance for “novel social and economic experiments.”

Still, the memo floated other potential legal arguments — such as claiming a shift in priorities at the Office of Management and Budget or pointing to a lack of a toll-free route — but cast doubt on their strength.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy might assert that the MTA’s motivations are rooted more in revenue generation than traffic relief, or that the structure of the plan itself conflicts with federal requirements by not providing an untolled option for drivers.

But the attorneys noted: “Neither of these reasons … is likely to convince the court.”

Despite the legal cloud, Secretary Duffy had previously threatened Governor Hochul with serious repercussions, including cutting off billions in federal funding for transportation infrastructure, unless she stepped away from the tolling program.

On Thursday, Hochul’s office showed no signs of backing down. Her spokesman, Avi Small, stated that enforcement technology for congestion pricing was still active, even after the governor failed to meet a second deadline this week to suspend toll collections.

“The cameras are staying on,” said Hochul’s spokesman Avi Small.

Yet the legal filing also pushed back against Hochul’s insistence on the program’s permanence, noting that the agreement between the MTA and the Trump administration lacks clear exit clauses.

The memo added that any significant change in federal policy could warrant a new environmental review, potentially delaying any definitive ruling on the program’s future.

The Biden administration had signed off on the congestion pricing plan as part of a broader DOT trial initiative, giving it federal endorsement — at least for the time being.

{Matzav.com}

The United States is preparing to unveil a massive arms deal for Saudi Arabia valued at over $100 billion, according to six individuals with firsthand knowledge of the negotiations, Reuters reports. The proposed agreement is expected to be officially announced during President Donald Trump’s visit to the kingdom in May.

This planned deal follows the Biden administration’s failed attempt to secure a similar agreement with Riyadh, which was intended to be part of a larger initiative that included Saudi recognition of Israel. That effort ultimately stalled and did not reach finalization.

In its earlier attempt, the Biden administration offered Riyadh access to cutting-edge U.S. military equipment in exchange for ending its weapons transactions with China and reducing Chinese economic activity in the country. Reuters has not confirmed whether those same stipulations are part of the Trump administration’s proposal.

At the time of reporting, there had been no official statements from the White House, the Pentagon, or the Saudi government. During his first term, Trump frequently touted arms sales to Saudi Arabia as beneficial for the American economy and domestic employment.

Sources said that Lockheed Martin Corp is expected to contribute heavily to the deal, with the delivery of advanced military hardware, including C-130 transport planes. One insider noted that missiles and radar systems from Lockheed would also be part of the deal.

RTX Corp, previously known as Raytheon Technologies, is also projected to play a major role, along with other American defense giants such as Boeing Co, Northrop Grumman Corp, and General Atomics. Four of the sources mentioned these companies would be key contributors.

Due to the sensitivity surrounding the negotiations, all sources requested anonymity.

Lockheed Martin, RTX, Northrop, and General Atomics declined to issue any statements when contacted. Boeing had not responded to inquiries at the time of publication.

Reuters was unable to determine how many of the proposed transactions are newly developed versus long-standing discussions. Two sources indicated that many of the items had been on the table for years, including a 2018 inquiry from Saudi Arabia about drones manufactured by General Atomics.

According to one of the sources, discussions over a $20 billion deal for MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones and other aerial equipment from General Atomics have gained momentum over the past year.

Three sources noted that executives from the defense sector are weighing whether to accompany U.S. officials on the visit to the region as part of a larger delegation.

The United States has maintained a long-standing defense relationship with Saudi Arabia. In 2017, Trump proposed arms sales totaling approximately $110 billion to the kingdom.

By 2018, only $14.5 billion of those agreements had moved forward, and congressional scrutiny intensified following the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

In response to that incident, Congress imposed a ban on the sale of offensive weaponry to Riyadh in 2021 under the Biden administration, partly to push for an end to Saudi involvement in the war in Yemen, which had caused significant civilian harm.

All major U.S. weapons exports must undergo congressional review prior to final approval, as mandated by American law.

Washington’s approach to Saudi Arabia shifted again in 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which sent shockwaves through global oil markets. The restrictions on offensive arms sales were lifted in 2024, with U.S.-Saudi cooperation intensifying after Hamas’s October 7 attack, as both countries sought to coordinate plans for post-war Gaza.

There is also potential for renewed talks over Saudi Arabia’s long-standing interest in acquiring Lockheed’s F-35 fighter jets, although three sources said such a deal remains unlikely to be signed during the upcoming visit.

Despite the potential arms sales to Saudi Arabia, the U.S. maintains a commitment to preserving Israel’s strategic military superiority in the region. This doctrine, known as the “Qualitative Military Edge,” ensures that Israel continues to receive the most advanced American defense technology. Israel has operated the F-35 for nine years and has already built several squadrons.

{Matzav.com}

In a poignant message shared on social media Thursday, U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee expressed the emotional toll of a recent meeting with families of American citizens still held captive in Gaza by Hamas. Drawing a sharp contrast between Israel’s defense measures and Hamas’s tactics, Huckabee condemned the terror group for its disregard for human life.

“I had the opportunity to sit down with a number of hostage families, all of whom are related to Americans still held in Gaza,” Huckabee wrote. “We want them home now. And the only reason they are not already home is because of Hamas.”

He described the heart-wrenching conversations he had with relatives—some who know their family members were murdered, and others who live in anguished uncertainty, believing their loved ones are still alive but in captivity.

“The only reason they’re not already home is because of Hamas,” he stressed.

Huckabee drew attention to the moral disparity between the two sides in the ongoing conflict. He pointed to Israel’s Iron Dome system as a tool of protection for its citizens and condemned Hamas for using its own population as human shields—a tactic he referred to as a “Flesh Dome.”

“They (Hamas) put their people in front of the military targets rather than protecting their people,” Huckabee said. “They put their people in the most vulnerable positions.”

He concluded with a forceful appeal for the return of American hostages and a decisive end to Hamas’s reign of terror. “That’s why we need to get our hostages home. They don’t care about the individuals and that is the reason this war needs to end, but first, and foremost, Hamas [needs to be] …obliterated.”

{Matzav.com}

A video portraying the abduction of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu circulated on Iranian social media and was broadcast on Iranian state TV. The video, with Arabic and (poorly translated) Hebrew subtitles, begins with media reports that Netanyahu’s car was involved in an accident in Tel Aviv and he hasn’t been seen since. The scene then changes to a home in Iran, where the father of the family receives an urgent  call summoning him to serve as a Hebrew translator. When he arrives at the office, he sees the “non-official” guest – Netanyahu sitting in a chair. The scene moves to images of destruction in Gaza, as if the war in Gaza in response to the Iranian-funded Octboer 7 massacre is justification for the “abduction.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

On Holocaust Remembrance Day, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer publicly rebuked President Donald Trump, accusing him of exploiting antisemitism for political purposes in a scathing social media post. “Stop disgracefully weaponizing antisemitism to attack universities,” Schumer wrote, voicing his strong disapproval of the administration’s recent actions.

Schumer made it clear that his position was shared by other Jewish Democratic senators. Standing alongside colleagues Richard Blumenthal, Jacky Rosen, Adam Schiff, and Brian Schatz, he co-signed a letter to President Trump urging a halt to what they described as an inappropriate use of antisemitism as political cover. The letter was sent just before Schumer’s public remarks were posted.

“[Trump’s] failing to address the real problem of antisemitism—instead using this crisis as a pretext to attack those who disagree,” he wrote.

Earlier in the day, The New York Times reported that it had obtained the senators’ letter, which directly questions the Trump administration’s rationale for cutting off federal funding to universities such as Harvard. The senators are demanding a detailed account of the decision-making process behind the funding freezes.

In the letter, Schumer and his colleagues expressed alarm over what they see as a sweeping crackdown on academic institutions. They warned that Trump’s actions “seem to go far beyond combating antisemitism, using what is a real crisis as a pretext to attack people and institutions who do not agree with you,” according to the Times.

The letter argues that rather than sincerely addressing antisemitism, the administration is using it as a shield to justify political retaliation against higher education. The lawmakers posed eight pointed questions for President Trump, requesting a response by April 30.

This controversy erupted in the wake of a lawsuit filed by Harvard University, which is contesting the administration’s attempt to freeze $2 billion in federal funds. University president Alan Garber told NBC that Harvard had little alternative but to take legal action. He acknowledged the uncertainty of the case but emphasized its urgency: “the stakes are so high that we have no choice.”

Meanwhile, President Trump didn’t hold back in his own messaging. In a post on Truth Social, he condemned Harvard as “an antisemitic, far-left institution” and blasted the university’s culture. “The place is a liberal mess, allowing a certain group of crazed lunatics to enter and exit the classroom and spew fake anger and hate.”

Trump has also taken personal shots at Schumer in the past. In one inflammatory remark made in March, he questioned Schumer’s Jewish identity, saying, “Schumer is a Palestinian as far as I’m concerned. He’s become a Palestinian. He used to be Jewish. He’s not Jewish anymore. He’s a Palestinian.”

Schumer recently authored a book titled Antisemitism in America: A Warning, signaling his heightened focus on the issue and providing further backdrop to his clash with the administration.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir’s suggestion that Israel target food warehouses in Gaza to pressure Hamas into freeing hostages has drawn attention in Washington, where the Trump administration appears to be distancing itself from the proposal.

During a recent press briefing, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce was asked whether the Trump administration endorses the move. Ben Gvir had claimed that high-ranking Republicans he met at Mar-a-Lago supported the idea. Bruce initially refrained from addressing the matter, pointing out that the Israeli minister’s account had not been independently confirmed.

She later offered a pointed response, suggesting that such an approach conflicts with U.S. priorities. “The proposal is in complete contradiction to the nature of our commitment to getting food aid and assistance,” she said.

Bruce emphasized the intense diplomatic effort over recent months to facilitate humanitarian access to the Strip. “My goodness, the work over these 100 days to get that first ceasefire to get that aid into that area, it’s difficult,” she remarked.

It was unclear if Bruce’s comments were meant to signal an official rebuke of Ben Gvir’s position. Not long after, she appeared to walk back from further elaboration, emphasizing that she had no additional remarks on the Israeli official’s statement.

“What I will do is reiterate, certainly, our commitment to Israel, our commitment to creating a better framework in Gaza, stopping the slaughter, getting aid and food in — that has been a north star for this administration,” Bruce said, outlining the administration’s consistent policy objectives.

Pressed on whether the U.S. now aligns with the Israeli stance that humanitarian aid will only resume following a new ceasefire and hostage agreement, Bruce refused to provide a direct answer.

Instead, she turned to a clearly prepared response to affirm the administration’s broader humanitarian stance. “The United States supports the flow of humanitarian aid with safeguards to ensure assistance is not diverted, looted or misused by terrorist groups such as Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad,” Bruce said.

{Matzav.com}

On Yom HaShoah, as Jews across the world paused to remember the kedoshim who perished in the horrors of the Holocaust, a deeply moving moment unfolded thousands of miles away — in the very place where so many Yidden were taken from this world al kiddush Hashem. Y., a combat soldier from Yerushalayim serving in the Netzach Yehuda battalion — the IDF unit comprised of Orthodox Jews — flew to Poland on Wednesday as part of a special delegation marking Holocaust Remembrance Day. Just a few short months ago, on Chanukah, Y. was seriously injured during a brutal encounter with terrorists. An RPG struck the area where he and his fellow soldiers were operating, killing his friend Uriel Peretz Hy”d, and wounding nine others. Y. himself lost a leg in the attack. Since then, he has been undergoing a grueling process of rehabilitation — physically and emotionally. But Y. did not retreat. With inner strength and emunah, he chose to rise above the pain. Now, standing on one leg, he made his way to the grounds of Auschwitz, where so many of our ancestors met their end, to stand as a representative of Israel’s fighters. “I stand here today in the name of my comrades-in-arms,” Y. declared at the memorial gathering. “For Uriel Hy”d, for the injured, and for all those who have fallen — so that we can continue to be a free nation in our Land.” By his side was Mr. David Hager, a noted baal tzedakah who has stood behind Netzach Yehuda for over 25 years, supporting the soldiers who have taken up the mantle of defense. At the memorial ceremony, he joined Y. and other soldiers in lighting a ner zikaron in memory of the six million, offering tefillos for the safety of the soldiers and the future of Am Yisrael. “Standing here next to Y., a chareidi soldier who gave so much for Klal Yisrael, I feel the power of the connection between generations,” Mr. Hager said emotionally. “Between the kedoshim of the Shoah and the brave defenders of our people today. Y. is a true gibor — a walking testimony to the unbreakable spirit of Netzach Yehuda and of Am Yisrael.”   (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had an internet connection that bypassed the Pentagon’s security protocols set up in his office to use the Signal messaging app on a personal computer, two people familiar with the line told The Associated Press. The existence of the unsecured internet connection is the latest revelation about Hegseth’s use of the unclassified app and raises the possibility that sensitive defense information could have been put at risk of potential hacking or surveillance. Known as a “dirty” internet line by the IT industry, it connects directly to the public internet where the user’s information and the websites accessed do not have the same security filters or protocols that the Pentagon’s secured connections maintain. Other Pentagon offices have used them, particularly if there’s a need to monitor information or websites that would otherwise be blocked. But the biggest advantage of using such a line is that the user would not show up as one of the many IP addresses assigned to the Defense Department — essentially the user is masked, according to a senior U.S. official familiar with military network security. But it also can expose users to hacking and surveillance. A “dirty” line — just like any public internet connection — also may lack the recordkeeping compliance required by federal law, the official said. All three spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive matter. A ‘dirty’ internet line to use Signal The two people familiar with the line said Hegseth had it set up in his office to use the Signal app, which has become a flashpoint following revelations that he posted sensitive details about a military airstrike in two chats that each had more than a dozen people. One of the chats included his wife and brother, while the other included President Donald Trump’s top national security officials. Asked about Hegseth’s use of Signal in his office, which was first reported by The Washington Post, chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the defense secretary’s “use of communications systems and channels is classified.” “However, we can confirm that the Secretary has never used and does not currently use Signal on his government computer,” Parnell said in a statement. It’s the latest revelation to shake the Pentagon. Besides facing questions from both Democrats and Republicans about his handling of sensitive information, Hegseth has dismissed or transferred multiple close advisers, tightly narrowing his inner circle and adding to the turmoil following the firings of several senior military officers in recent months. Trump and other administration officials have given Hegseth their full support. They have blamed employees they say were disgruntled for leaking information to journalists, with Trump saying this week: “It’s just fake news. They just bring up stories.” “I have 100% confidence in the secretary,” Vice President JD Vance told reporters Wednesday about Hegseth. ”I know the president does and, really, the entire team does.” Secure ways to communicate at the Pentagon The Pentagon has a variety of secure ways that enable Hegseth and other military leaders to communicate: — The Non-classified Internet Protocol Router Network can handle the lowest levels of sensitive information. It allows some access to the internet but is firewalled and has levels of cybersecurity that a “dirty” line does not. It cannot handle information labeled as secret. — The Secure Internet Protocol Router Network is used for secret-level classified information. — […]

Ben Shapiro traveled to Ukraine to speak with President Zelensky at an inflection point in the Russian invasion.

WATCH:

Senator John Fetterman (D-Pa.) is urging President Donald Trump to abandon ongoing nuclear negotiations with Iran and instead launch military strikes to destroy the country’s nuclear facilities. “You’re never going to be able to negotiate with that kind of regime that has been destabilizing the region for decades already, and now we have an incredible window, I believe, to do that, to strike and destroy Iran’s nuclear facilities,” Fetterman told the Washington Free Beacon in an interview on Wednesday. Fetterman’s remarks come as the Trump administration prepares for a third round of talks with Iranian officials, scheduled for this weekend, aimed at dismantling Iran’s nuclear program. The talks, which began in Oman earlier this month, follow Trump’s withdrawal from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) during his first term in 2018, a move Fetterman supported. Since then, Iran has increased its uranium enrichment, with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reporting in March 2025 that Iran possesses 275 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% purity—close to the 90% needed for a nuclear weapon. The senator, a staunch supporter of Israel, dismissed concerns from foreign policy experts that a military strike could escalate into a broader regional conflict. He argued that Iran’s proxies, including Hamas and the Houthis, have been significantly weakened, saying, “The Houthis have been effectively neutered,” and describing Hamas as “a bunch of tunnel rats with low-quality rockets.” Fetterman also criticized the negotiation team led by Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff, calling their efforts “unimpressive and utterly bewildering.” He suggested that the negotiations should instead involve “30,000-pound bombs and the IDF.” Fetterman’s position aligns with his consistent advocacy for strong U.S. support for Israel and a hardline stance against Iran. In March 2025, during a visit to Jerusalem, he told JNS that he “fully supports partnering with Israel to bomb Iran’s nuclear facilities,” emphasizing his refusal to “turn my back on Israel.” He has also previously criticized the Biden administration’s approach, particularly its decision to withhold 2,000-pound bombs from Israel, a move reversed by Trump that Fetterman supported. The Trump administration has maintained that a diplomatic resolution is its primary goal but has not ruled out military action. President Trump has repeatedly warned Iran of severe consequences if a deal is not reached, warning that failure to agree could result in “bombing the likes of which they have never seen before.” National Security Adviser Mike Waltz has clarified that the administration seeks the “full dismantlement” of Iran’s nuclear program, including enrichment and weaponization capabilities. Israel has also been contemplating a limited strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, according to Reuters. Israeli officials have expressed dissatisfaction with the direction of the U.S.-Iran talks, with some comparing the emerging framework to the 2015 JCPOA, which they opposed. Iran, for its part, has signaled a willingness to engage in talks, with adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Ali Shamkhani, saying that Tehran would give the negotiations “a genuine chance” if the U.S. approaches with “sincere intentions.” However, Iran has rejected demands for complete dismantlement, seeking instead a deal that limits its program in exchange for sanctions relief. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)