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Tensions flared Sunday along Bar-Ilan Street in Yerushalayim as dozens of demonstrators protesting the construction of the city’s new light rail line entered the construction zone, prompting a large police response and leading to at least one arrest during chaotic confrontations.

According to reports from the scene, protesters breached the site’s security barriers and entered the active construction area, where they allegedly damaged engineering infrastructure and attempted to disrupt work while blocking major traffic routes.

As the situation escalated and concerns grew that one of Yerushalayim’s primary thoroughfares could be severely disrupted, large numbers of police officers were dispatched to the area. Forces from the Yerushalayim District, together with Border Police personnel and special patrol units, surrounded the construction site and worked to restore order.

A police officer at the scene formally declared the gathering an unlawful assembly and instructed the demonstrators to leave immediately. While some complied, others refused and continued protesting inside the construction zone.

The demonstrations are part of an ongoing campaign by members of the Eidah Hachareidis, who have repeatedly protested plans to route one of Yerushalayim’s new light rail lines through the Bar-Ilan neighborhood following a decision by the Yerushalayim Municipality.

Footage from the scene captured dramatic moments as police entered the excavation area, which contains deep trenches, loose sand, and large exposed infrastructure pipes. Video showed officers from the riot police and Border Police taking a protester into custody after he positioned himself among the massive pipes at the bottom of the construction site.

Additional footage showed officers dressed in black uniforms surrounding the suspect amid the dusty construction area, while dozens of chareidi residents and bystanders gathered behind the site’s fencing, loudly voicing their opposition as the arrest unfolded.

Police said they will not permit damage to critical infrastructure projects or interference with traffic throughout the city. Authorities confirmed that one suspect was arrested on suspicion of intentionally damaging construction equipment and actively participating in the disturbances.

Security forces remained heavily deployed along Bar-Ilan Street and surrounding roads following the incident in an effort to prevent further unrest and maintain public order.

Opponents of the project argue that the light rail’s planned route through the neighborhood presents religious concerns and should not proceed. The area has been the site of numerous large demonstrations in recent years, including mass protests led by the Gaavad of the Eidah Hachareidis, some of which ended in violent confrontations with police, including the burning of dumpsters and the use of water cannons by law enforcement.

{Matzav.com}

[COMMUNICATED]

Architect Liran Shukrun describes one of the most important moves in Givat Hashalvah with a kind of quiet simplicity: the cars went underground. On a mountain, that decision is anything but simple. Parking, access roads, and technical systems had to be buried into the hillside. It required engineering, cost, and persistence. But once that happened, the entire ground level changed meaning. It became available for families, movement, greenery, courtyards, and community life.

That is where the “spaces between” become the point. In many residential developments, the areas between buildings are leftover space. At Givat Hashalvah, they are part of the architecture. They are where children pass one another on the way home, where parents meet without scheduling it, where a walk to shul becomes part of the neighborhood rhythm, and where the project begins to feel familiar before anyone formally defines it as a kehilla.

The master plan is built around a sequence of courtyards connected from east to west, almost like walking through an old city. You move from one pod to the next, from home toward school, shul, park, daycare, or shared space, without needing the street to do the work. That matters because the community is not only created by those who live nearby. It is created by how often people naturally cross paths, how easy it is to walk, and how much the plan invites daily life to happen outside the front door.

In Liran’s view, this is the human work of urban planning. A neighborhood has to help people use their feet, see one another, and feel part of the place around them. Givat Hashalvah was planned with that belief at its center. The buildings matter, of course. But the life between the buildings may be what turns the project into a community.

Explore Givat Hashalvah → https://go.lyo.group/3LxM3tz

Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Sunday sharply criticized the government’s decision to reject a Supreme Court ruling concerning the Second Authority for Television and Radio, warning that refusing to comply with court decisions threatens the country’s unity and constitutional order.

In an official statement released by the President’s Office, Herzog addressed the growing standoff between the government and the judiciary after the cabinet instructed the Second Authority not to follow the High Court’s ruling.

“Statements about refusing to obey rulings of the Supreme Court strike at the heart of the unity of the nation,” Herzog wrote.

He continued, “I have said it before, and I will repeat it again and again—disobeying a court ruling is a red line that must not be crossed under any circumstances.”

The government, however, maintains that the Supreme Court itself has no authority to issue rulings that contradict explicit statutory law, as it argues occurred in the case involving the Second Authority. Ministers contend that the government’s authority derives from the law enacted by the Knesset and that the Court cannot invalidate clear legal provisions.

Earlier Sunday, in what many legal observers described as an unprecedented move in Israel’s judicial history, the cabinet unanimously approved a resolution declaring that it would not recognize the Supreme Court’s ruling regarding the Second Authority for Television and Radio. The proposal was jointly advanced by Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi and Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Yariv Levin, marking a dramatic escalation in the ongoing conflict between the executive and judicial branches.

Under the resolution, the government declared that because the Second Authority’s governing council no longer meets the minimum legal requirements established by law, all of its actions are considered legally void. The resolution stated, “You have no authority to trample the law,” adding, “A ruling that contradicts the law will not be recognized, and decisions made pursuant to it are null and void.”

The dispute stems from a Supreme Court decision issued in mid-June allowing the Second Authority’s council, headed by Mordechai Mordechai, to continue operating despite the collective resignation of six of its members. According to reports, those resignations followed pressure allegedly exerted by associates of the communications minister.

Government officials argue that the council’s remaining membership fell below the two-thirds quorum required under the law governing the Second Authority. Karhi and Levin signed a legal opinion asserting that the council’s current composition clearly violates the statute and that any decisions it makes therefore lack legal validity.

The government resolution further stated, “The government will use every legal tool at its disposal to overturn the court’s decision.” It added, “The rule of law binds all branches of government, including the court itself. A ruling that directly contradicts the clear language of the law cannot be considered binding.”

Although the confrontation has not yet produced immediate practical consequences, legal experts warn that if the Second Authority takes action under the authority of the Supreme Court’s ruling while the government refuses to recognize those actions, Israel could face a full-scale constitutional crisis, forcing government officials to choose whether to obey the cabinet or the Supreme Court.

{Matzav.com}

House Speaker Mike Johnson said Sunday that House Republicans are preparing another effort to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, expressing confidence that attaching the legislation to a budget reconciliation package will give it its best chance of becoming law. Johnson said both he and President Donald Trump consider the measure a top legislative priority.

Appearing on “Fox News Sunday,” Johnson explained that lawmakers were dismissed to spend the Independence Day holiday in their home districts before returning to focus on the election-integrity legislation.

“I just decided it was best to send everybody home to go celebrate July 4th in their districts. We’ll come back, get everybody together. The big urgency is to get SAVE America passed. The president has that as a top priority, and so do I. We passed it three times in the House. We’re going to try one more time on a budget reconciliation bill, and I think that will be the way to get it through the Senate, and finally, to the president’s desk so that is forthcoming.”

Johnson also discussed additional election reforms that President Trump would like to pursue, while acknowledging that some proposals may face greater obstacles than the SAVE Act.

“He would like to add, the prohibition of mail in ballots, except for exceptions, like if somebody is deployed overseas or they’re ill or can’t get to the polling place. But he understands that one is a bigger reach. If we can get proof of citizenship and photo ID to vote, that eliminates so much of the problem, all the fraud and everything that everybody’s concerned about in our elections, particularly, frankly, in these blue states. Look, California, they’re still counting ballots from an election that happened a month ago. It’s crazy, and everybody understands it.”

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

A major political and legal confrontation erupted on Sunday after the Israeli government unanimously approved an unprecedented decision refusing to recognize a ruling by the Supreme Court regarding the Second Authority for Television and Radio. The move has dramatically escalated tensions between Israel’s executive and judicial branches.

The government’s decision drew immediate and fierce criticism from Deputy Attorney General Dr. Gil Limon, who accused the coalition of attempting to undermine the rule of law. He described the measure as “an attempt to normalize a systematic violation of the law.”

According to Limon, “The government has submitted a proposed resolution that explicitly ignores an interim order of the Supreme Court, with the goal of declaring that it will not accept claims based on judicial decisions.”

‘A Red Line That Must Never Be Crossed’

President Isaac Herzog also strongly condemned the government’s decision, warning that defying the nation’s highest court threatens the country’s democratic foundations.

In an official statement, Herzog declared that “Noncompliance with a Supreme Court ruling is a red line that must never be crossed under any circumstances.” He added that “Statements advocating disobedience of Supreme Court rulings strike at the very heart of national unity.”

The controversial resolution was jointly introduced by Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi and Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Yariv Levin. It states that as long as the Second Authority Council does not meet the minimum legal requirements established by law, every decision, appointment, approval, or action taken by the council is to be considered legally void from the outset.

According to the government’s position, any court ruling that directly contradicts the clear language of the law is itself invalid.

Attorney General: ‘A Serious Attempt to Undermine the Court’

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara submitted her official response to the Supreme Court, sharply criticizing the government’s action. She argued that it represents “a serious attempt to thwart the decisions of the court and intimidate those who seek to carry them out.”

Israel Bar Association chairman Amit Becher also denounced the move, calling it “a complete destruction of the rule of law and democracy in Israel.”

“The attempt to ignore the court’s ruling comes alongside efforts to destroy freedom of the press,” Becher said. “A government cannot violate a court ruling, and a government that is not subject to the law betrays its duty and rebels against the state and its people.” He urged opponents to resist the decision “by every legal means.”

The dispute stems from a Supreme Court ruling issued in mid-June that reinstated the Second Authority Council appointed under the previous government. The court allowed the council to continue functioning even though its membership had fallen below the legal minimum of two-thirds of its full complement, as specified in the governing statute.

The government, however, maintains that once the council no longer satisfies the legal quorum required by law, it loses the authority to act. Ministers further argue that even the Supreme Court lacks the power to issue rulings that conflict with explicit legislation.

The resolution adopted Sunday emphasizes that the rule of law binds every branch of government, including, according to the government’s position, the judiciary itself.

{Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the passing of R’ Kalman Mendlowitz z”l, a beloved member of the Boro Park community whose name became synonymous with warmth, integrity, and making simchos run seamlessly.

For decades, generations of families celebrated their happiest moments in halls that he owned and operated, knowing they were in the hands of someone who cared as much about their joy as they did.

R’ Kalman was the driving force behind Ateres Shlomo Hall on New Utrecht Avenue and 77th Street, one of Brooklyn’s most well-known wedding halls. Together with his family, he also operated Sasson V’Simcha, a pair of halls that hosted everything from bar mitzvahs and sheva brachos to large weddings. Thousands of Yidden marked life’s milestones under his watchful eye, and countless families came away not only satisfied, but deeply appreciative of the way he treated them.

Those who worked with him or celebrated their simchos in his halls invariably described him in the same way: a true mentch. He was known for being gracious, accommodating, fair, and committed to providing excellent food and impeccable service. More than a businessman, he was someone who understood that behind every event was a family experiencing one of the most meaningful days of its life.

His extraordinary dedication was perhaps best illustrated in 2009, when Ateres Shlomo was unexpectedly shut down by authorities on the very day of a scheduled wedding. Faced with what could have been a devastating situation for the chosson and kallah, R’ Kalman sprang into action. He immediately contacted Ateres Chaya, arranged for the wedding to be relocated, and coordinated a remarkable logistical effort. Already-prepared food was transported across Boro Park, his own waiters accompanied it, and the staffs of both halls worked tirelessly throughout the day to recreate the wedding. Thanks to his quick thinking, determination, and refusal to let a family’s joy be ruined, the chasunah went forward successfully.

That episode reflected the values by which he lived. Solving problems quietly, easing the burdens of others, and doing whatever was necessary to preserve another person’s simcha came naturally to him.

One friend told Matzav.com, “Kalman was a prince of a man who allowed people to make simchos with the greatest of ease and totally stress-free.”

R’ Kalman came from a family that devoted its life to bringing joy to Klal Yisroel. His father, R’ Avrohom Abish Mendlowitz z”l, was an example of what an ehrliche Yid should be. “Not a bad word can be said about him, just as he never said a bad word about anyone else,” said a friend. Those qualities of humility, kindness, and respect for others were clearly passed down to the next generation.

His brother was the legendary Jewish music producer R’ Sheya Mendlowitz z”l, whose influence on contemporary Jewish music is immeasurable. He was niftar in 2023.

Together, the Mendlowitz family occupied a unique place in the lives of Yidden. The father embodied ehrlichkeit, one son elevated Jewish music, and another created the setting in which families celebrated their most cherished occasions. For decades, they helped bring happiness to the lives of others in different but complementary ways.

Those who knew R’ Kalman will remember not only the beautiful halls and delicious meals, but the calm reassurance he brought to every event. Families entrusted him with weddings, bar mitzvahs, and other milestones because they knew he would treat their simcha as though it were his own.

The levayah was held on Friday morning at Shomrei Hadas Chapels in Boro Park, just hours before Shabbos.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

The next round of negotiations between the United States and Iran is reportedly scheduled for July 11 in Pakistan, according to Al Arabiya. The meeting would mark the latest step in ongoing efforts to transform last month’s interim agreement into a broader, long-term deal between the two countries.

The report comes as Iran continues a six-day state funeral for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a joint U.S.-Israeli airstrike on February 28. The ceremonies began on Saturday and are expected to conclude with his burial on July 9.

According to Al Arabiya, the upcoming discussions are expected to center on U.S. sanctions, Iran’s frozen financial assets, and Tehran’s nuclear program. Iranian officials have reportedly not yet selected the head of their negotiating team, with that decision expected only after the funeral concludes.

If the meeting takes place, it would follow this week’s indirect technical talks in Doha, Qatar, where American and Iranian representatives met through mediators from Qatar and Pakistan to discuss implementation of the interim agreement reached last month.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly stated that any lasting agreement must resolve issues surrounding Iran’s nuclear ambitions, sanctions relief, and security in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian officials, meanwhile, have continued pressing for the gradual release of billions of dollars in frozen assets as part of a comprehensive settlement.

Neither the U.S. government nor the Iranian regime has officially confirmed the reported July 11 meeting. In recent months, Pakistan, together with Qatar, has taken on an increasingly significant role in facilitating indirect contacts as both sides work toward replacing the temporary accord with a permanent agreement.

{Matzav.com}

Hamas is reportedly preparing to dismantle the governing body that has effectively run the Gaza Strip for nearly 20 years, according to officials within the terrorist organization who spoke with Asharq Al-Awsat. The move is said to be part of a broader effort to replace Hamas’ governing structure with a civilian administrative body.

According to the report, Hamas plans to dissolve its Committee for Monitoring Government Activity, the organization that has functioned as Gaza’s de facto government since Hamas seized control of the territory. In its place, the group intends to hand responsibility to the Gaza Strip Administration Committee, headed by Ali Shaat, which is expected to consist of professional civilian technocrats rather than Hamas officials.

The new administrative committee was established approximately six months ago. However, Israeli authorities reportedly blocked its members from entering Gaza, preventing the body from beginning its operations.

A Hamas official told Asharq Al-Awsat that an announcement formally dissolving the Committee for Monitoring Government Activity could be made as early as Monday.

The report also said that representatives of various Palestinian factions are expected to meet again in Cairo in the coming days as negotiations continue over implementing the second phase of the ceasefire agreement. The discussions may also include senior members of the Peace Council as well as representatives of the Trump administration.

During recent negotiations held in Turkey with representatives from Qatar and Egypt, Hamas reportedly demanded that any disarmament process take place gradually, with its weapons ultimately transferred to a Palestinian governing body rather than surrendered outright. The terrorist organization also insisted that Israel commit to a complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip as part of any broader agreement.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu dismissed speculation of friction with President Donald Trump during an exclusive interview with Fox News on Sunday, insisting that the close partnership between Israel and the United States remains intact and that both leaders continue to stand united on the most critical issues, especially Iran.

Addressing reports of strained ties, Netanyahu said there is no meaningful disagreement between the two governments. “I don’t think there is a rift between us. Unlike other alliances, Israel and America fight shoulder to shoulder. Ninety-nine percent of the time, the president and I see eye to eye.”

Asked about Trump’s recent comment that Netanyahu “knows who the boss is,” the prime minister downplayed the remark, emphasizing that he and the president continue to enjoy “excellent relations” and remain fully aligned on the shared goal of preventing Iran from becoming a nuclear power.

Netanyahu also issued a firm warning to the Iranian regime following reports that Tehran has resumed reconstruction work and may have violated previous understandings at tunnel sites near Natanz.

“Deal or no deal, as long as I am prime minister of Israel, Iran will not have nuclear weapons,” he declared.

The conversation later shifted to developments in American politics, including what Netanyahu described as a weakening of support for Israel within certain sectors of the United States.

Responding to a question about Jewish elected officials who have criticized his government’s policies while facing mounting pressure from progressive activists, Netanyahu argued that they have allowed themselves to be influenced by political trends.

“They allow themselves to be dragged along by unreasonable protests and toxic ideology,” he said. “I don’t think this trend will last. America can try socialism. We tried it in Israel in the past, and it simply didn’t work. I chose to pursue a free-market economy, and it has worked much better.”

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu’s office is reportedly working to ensure the Knesset formally dissolves before the upcoming election campaign, amid concerns that failing to pass a dissolution law could leave him vulnerable to being replaced through a constructive vote of no confidence while Israelis are still heading to the polls.

According to reports, officials in Netanyahu’s office held discussions over the weekend with Knesset Legal Adviser Sagit Afik after raising concerns that if the Knesset merely enters election recess without formally dissolving itself, the current government would not automatically become a caretaker government.

Under such a scenario, legal officials were reportedly told, the Knesset could still convene during the election period and approve a constructive no-confidence motion, replacing the prime minister and installing a new government before the election is even held.

The Prime Minister’s Office is said to be particularly concerned about the period following the Likud primaries. Officials fear that MKs who receive unrealistic spots on the party’s electoral slate—or fail to secure a place altogether—could join efforts to topple Netanyahu, potentially alongside four coalition lawmakers who have already been acting more like members of the opposition.

To prevent that possibility, Likud is seeking to advance legislation formally dissolving the Knesset before the election campaign begins. Coalition officials believe that once the government assumes caretaker status, it would no longer be possible to remove the prime minister through a constructive vote of no confidence during the campaign.

At the same time, a dispute has emerged between coalition leaders and the Knesset’s legal advisers over when the election recess should begin. Afik maintains that, under the accepted legal interpretation, the recess must start 100 days before Election Day. Coalition leaders, however, are seeking several additional days to complete a series of legislative initiatives before lawmakers adjourn.

Meanwhile, officials in United Torah Judaism have indicated they may withhold support for a bill to dissolve the Knesset if the recess begins on July 17. Instead, the party is pressing to postpone the start of the recess until July 27.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich declared Sunday that the proposed Basic Law on Torah study will not provide an exemption from military service, insisting that he and his party successfully blocked earlier versions of the legislation that could have been interpreted that way. Speaking at the Yisroel Hayom Conference, Smotrich also launched a blistering attack on Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara and defended the government’s handling of both the economy and the war.

In an interview with Amit Segal, the Religious Zionism chairman accused Baharav-Miara of serious misconduct, saying, “Gali Baharav-Miara should be investigated criminally for breach of trust and abuse of her office. Zini and Gofman should file a personal defamation lawsuit against her for slandering them.”

Smotrich continued his criticism, arguing that the attorney general has become a political figure rather than an impartial legal official. “She is a political player, the chairwoman of an opposition party who is imposing her views and agenda through force and violence on the overwhelming majority of Israeli citizens,” he said. Turning to Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu’s criminal trial, Smotrich asserted that “Netanyahu’s acquittal is not nearly enough,” adding that “all those who framed him throughout the process in the police and the State Attorney’s Office, including Baharav-Miara, should be held accountable before the Israeli public and sent to prison.”

Addressing Israel’s economy, Smotrich argued that the country’s financial performance remains strong despite the ongoing war on seven fronts and said current economic indicators justify more substantial interest rate cuts. “Look at the shekel, the stock market, high-tech, the labor market, and inflation, which is within the target range,” he said. He added, “Our government has done an outstanding job on security and the war. We fought a war on seven fronts with fantastic results—not perfect, but our strategic, geopolitical, and security position is far better than it was on October 6.”

Asked about the proposed Basic Law on Torah study, Smotrich said he opposed earlier drafts because they could have been interpreted as exempting bnei yeshivah from military service. “There was a very bad Basic Law on Torah study that could have been understood to mean that Torah study exempts someone from military service. We opposed it and told the chareidim: ‘Over our dead bodies’—and we won.” He stressed that the current version “unequivocally does not allow draft evasion and does not come at the expense of other values.”

According to Smotrich, one of the law’s goals is to protect yeshivos hesder from legal challenges by opposition groups. He argued that Israel must balance competing national values, saying, “There is a value called equality, there is the value of military service, employment, core curriculum studies, and there is also the value of Torah study—and they must be balanced.” He dismissed warnings from Finance Ministry professionals about potential economic consequences as “complete ignorance.”

Discussing the war in Gaza, Smotrich said Israel has made substantial progress but has not yet completed its mission. “All the hostages have returned home, both the living and the deceased. We control between 60% and 70% of the Gaza Strip, and there is international commitment to dismantling Hamas and demilitarizing Gaza,” he said, adding, “There is no reconstruction without demilitarization.”

Smotrich also urged Prime Minister Netanyahu to authorize additional Jewish communities in the territories under Israeli control. “I call on the Prime Minister: Let us manage the settlement enterprise and establish at least three new communities.” He argued that territorial expansion is the key to defeating Israel’s enemies. “The enemy understands only territory. Want to instill a sense of defeat and the price of making a mistake in the enemy? Take territory. Want to instill a sense of victory among us? Take territory.” He concluded, “Take territory, build communities there, strengthen your security. That is the picture of victory.”

{Matzav.com}

The Badatz of the Eida Hachareidis has issued a formal ruling on a question that has recently generated discussion among the city’s rabbanim: Should the city’s name be written as “Tiveria” ending with an alef or “Tiveriah” ending with a hei? During the same gathering, the Badatz also released a sharply worded public proclamation protesting what it described as serious breaches of kedushah in areas near the city’s beaches and the tziyun of Rabi Meir Baal Hanes.

The special session was led by Rav Avrohom Yitzchok Ullman, a member of the Badatz and Rav of Yerushalayim’s Givat Shaul neighborhood. After reviewing the matter, the beis din ruled that the proper spelling is “Tiveriah,” ending with a hei. Rav Ullman based the decision on the teshuvos of the Minchas Yitzchok, which he cited as the authoritative source for the ruling.

The question is not merely academic. The spelling of a city’s name carries practical halachic significance, particularly in the preparation of gittin and kesubos. As a result, many had sought guidance from leading poskim regarding the correct form to use.

The issue has become increasingly relevant as the city’s chareidi population continues to grow amid Israel’s housing shortage. In recent years, communities affiliated with Toldos Aharon and Satmar—both under the umbrella of the Eida Hachareidis—have established a presence in Tiveriah, joining longstanding communities such as Sanz and Karlin, which have maintained educational institutions in the city for many years.

The meeting was convened following a delegation of rabbanim and community leaders from Tiveriah, including the local representative of the Toldos Aharon Rebbe, who appeared before the Badatz to express alarm over what they described as increasing michsholim near the city’s waterfront, particularly in the vicinity of the kever of Rabi Meir Baal Hanes.

Following the presentation, the members of the Badatz, under the leadership of Rav Moshe Sternbuch, issued a strongly worded kol korei addressed to the Torah-observant public.

The proclamation stated, in part: “The rabbanim and community leaders of the holy city of Tiveriah approached us to warn of a terrible stumbling block recently created by the municipality and its leadership through the opening of a mixed beach on the road leading to the grave of Rabi Meir Baal Hanes, may he protect us. Beyond the severe breach involved in establishing such a beach, the entire roadway has effectively become an extension of the beach, rachmana litzlan.”

The statement continued: “They have further worsened the situation by removing the partitions from portions of the recreational sites and beaches between the ancient cemetery and the Tiveriah hot springs, in the area surrounding the tziyun of the tanna Rabi Meir Baal Hanes. This creates a grave stumbling block for pedestrians and motorists alike, exposing them to forbidden sights and matters related to giluy arayos, while making it increasingly difficult for those who observe Torah and mitzvos.”

The members of the Badatz called on municipal officials to rectify the situation immediately, warning that “those responsible should fear the consequences of causing the public to sin, for the punishment for leading others astray is exceedingly severe.”

They also instructed the chareidi public to avoid traveling on the road stretching from the ancient cemetery to the traffic circle near the turnoff to the tziyun of Rabi Meir Baal Hanes, recommending alternative routes “so as not to stumble in the gravest of prohibitions… especially during the daytime and throughout the summer months, when the pritzus is especially shocking and severe, rachmana litzlan.”

The kol korei further warned Torah institutions, Talmudei Torah, and girls’ schools not to hold activities at attractions in the area, including Aqua Kef and Halom Olami, even during hours designated for separate use. According to the Badatz, doing so could undermine the spiritual development of young students and constitute a chilul Hashem by lending legitimacy to what they view as a serious michshol.

{Matzav.com}

A sweeping reform proposed by Israel’s Interior Ministry could make roughly 100,000 additional households eligible for municipal property tax (arnona) discounts beginning in 2026, while significantly increasing the value of existing benefits. The changes, however, are expected to reduce local government revenues by approximately NIS 1.1 billion.

According to a report in Maariv, an analysis by the Finance Ministry’s Chief Economist projects that the number of households qualifying for income-based arnona discounts will rise from approximately 740,000 to 840,000. At the same time, the total value of those discounts is expected to grow from about NIS 2.2 billion to roughly NIS 3.2 billion.

The reform would overhaul both the method used to calculate household income and the scale of discounts available. According to the Finance Ministry, the current system disproportionately favors larger households, while the proposed model broadens eligibility across additional segments of the population. Officials estimate that about 91 percent of households already receiving discounts will qualify for larger reductions, while only a small percentage are expected to receive less than they do today.

The expanded benefits are expected to come at a significant cost to local authorities. The Finance Ministry estimates municipalities collectively will lose approximately NIS 1.1 billion in revenue, with financially weaker communities bearing the greatest burden. In municipalities ranked in the lowest socioeconomic category, the reduction could amount to as much as 7 percent of their discretionary budgets—the portion of municipal funding available for local services.

The reform is also expected to extend benefits well beyond the lowest-income households. Eligibility among families in the second and third income deciles is projected to increase from 51 percent to 64 percent, while more modest gains are anticipated for households in the fourth through sixth income deciles. One reason for the broader eligibility is that the revised income calculation excludes several National Insurance benefits, including child allowances, old-age pensions, survivor benefits, and disability payments for children.

According to the analysis, chareidi households are expected to have the highest eligibility rate under the new formula. Under the current system, approximately 60 percent of chareidi households qualify for an arnona discount; under the proposed rules, that figure is expected to rise to 65 percent. The average annual discount for a chareidi household is projected to be approximately NIS 4,600. The Arab sector is expected to experience the largest increase in eligibility, with the percentage of qualifying households climbing to approximately 53 percent.

The proposal does not alter existing employment incentives. Eligibility for the discounts will continue to be based solely on financial criteria and will not require recipients to enter the workforce or maximize their earning capacity. Likewise, applicants will still be required to submit documentation manually rather than having eligibility verified automatically through direct data-sharing with Israel’s National Insurance Institute. According to the Finance Ministry, only about 40 percent of eligible households currently take advantage of the benefit.

{Matzav.com}

As protests over the military draft continue to intensify, criticism is increasingly coming not only from Israel’s secular public and government officials, but also from respected figures within the chareidi world. Over the weekend, Rav Doniel Wolfson, Rosh Yeshiva of Nesivos Chochmah, strongly condemned the conduct of some anti-draft demonstrators, warning that their tactics have strayed far from the values of authentic Torah.

Speaking at an event celebrating the publication of his new sefer, Rav Wolfson sharply criticized what he described as misplaced kana’us, arguing that some of the recent protests have crossed the line from principled opposition into behavior driven by emotion and confrontation.

Drawing a clear distinction between fighting for Torah and reacting out of anger, Rav Wolfson said that a genuine struggle on behalf of Yiddishkeit must remain completely free of personal feelings or a desire to retaliate.

“When natural emotions become part of the struggle-such as wanting to strike back or feeling that others are interfering with you-it is no longer a struggle for the sake of Heaven,” he said. “Such behavior ultimately leads to a desecration of Hashem’s name.”

Rav Wolfson also took aim at extremist groups responsible for recent violent demonstrations and road blockades, accusing them of using the draft issue as a vehicle to stir unrest. He said there are individuals who “wait for opportunities like these” to inflame tensions, emphasizing that such conduct “is not the way of the sons of Torah.”

{Matzav.com}

Iranian officials issued a series of defiant threats during the multi-day funeral ceremonies for former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, pledging to continue his policies and warning that those responsible for his death would not escape punishment. The extended mourning events are widely seen as an effort by the regime to project strength, stability, and unity following Khamenei’s death.

As funeral ceremonies continued across Iran, senior military and security leaders repeatedly emphasized their commitment to carrying on Khamenei’s legacy and maintaining a hardline stance against what they called the country’s enemies.

Iranian Army Commander Gen. Amir Hatami declared, “The Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, paved a path of honor and independence, and prepared all the tools for us to follow it. We will continue along the path laid out for us by the Leader, Mr. Mojtaba Khamenei, with unwavering strength and determination. We promise the Iranian people that we will not allow our enemies to escape punishment, and we will settle accounts with them for their crimes.”

Vice Chief of Staff Adm. Habibollah Sayyari echoed those remarks, saying, “Our leader will remain in our memory forever, and we will fulfill his instructions. We promised to stand beside our leader, and today we renew that promise. The idea of revenge is always present in our minds. We promise our leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba, that we will continue on his path with great self-confidence, strong resolve, and determination.”

Mohammad Mokhber, who served as Iran’s interim president following the death of Ebrahim Raisi, also addressed the funeral events, promising retaliation. “The murderers of our imam will not die a natural death, and the people and the regime will take revenge on them. We will certainly avenge our holy leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Millions of people participated in his funeral in Tehran.”

Mojtaba Khamenei, who succeeded his father as supreme leader, did not attend the funeral after Iranian security officials reportedly prevented him from appearing in public over fears that he could be targeted. According to reports, Iranian authorities were concerned that Israel might attempt to assassinate him or use a public appearance to determine his whereabouts after his wife and son were killed in the joint U.S.-Israeli strike that launched Operation Roaring Lion.

The funeral ceremonies drew many of Iran’s top political and military leaders, along with members of Khamenei’s immediate family. Among those in attendance were Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Commander Ahmad Vahidi and Quds Force Commander Esmail Qaani.

Also present were three of Khamenei’s sons—Mostafa, Masoud, and Maysam Hosseini—who were seen weeping during the ceremonies. It marked their first public appearance since their father’s death was announced.

Iran’s Jewish community in Shiraz also participated in the funeral and publicly expressed support for what it described as the continuation of Khamenei’s ideals. Amir Aala Salar, chairman of the Shiraz Jewish community, praised the late leader in remarks carried by Iranian state media, saying, “Our late leader, from the beginning of the era of the Islamic Republic, showed special regard for the Abrahamic religions, especially the Jewish community in Iran. Inspired by Ayatollah Khomeini of blessed memory, and by his wise words that ‘Judaism is separate from Zionism,’ he created a living environment for all followers of the Abrahamic faiths and for the Jewish community in Iran.”

{Matzav.com}

The Monsey community is mourning the petirah of Hugh (Chaim) Jacobson z”l, the longtime First Assistant Chief of the Monsey Fire Department’s Brewer Fire Engine Company No. 1, who was niftar after an illness at the age of 46.

Jacobson dedicated nearly 30 years to the Monsey Fire Department, joining the volunteer force approximately 28 years ago after following in the footsteps of his late father, who also served the department for many years. Over the course of his distinguished career, he advanced through the ranks, holding the positions of Lieutenant, Captain, Second Assistant Chief, and ultimately First Assistant Chief, becoming one of the department’s most respected leaders.

Born and raised in Monsey, Jacobson attended Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim in Suffern during his elementary school years before continuing his education at the Torah Academy of Bergen County. Friends recalled that he frequently expressed his deep affection for the Monsey community and viewed volunteer service as a way of giving back, a commitment inspired by the example set by his father.

Those who served alongside him described Jacobson as a steady and thoughtful leader who placed tremendous emphasis on firefighter safety while remaining unwavering in his mission to protect the community. He often spoke about the enormous responsibility of leading firefighters into hazardous situations, stressing that every operation had to balance aggressive firefighting with ensuring that every firefighter returned home safely.

Jacobson also took particular pride in the camaraderie within Brewer Fire Engine Company No. 1, often pointing to the way firefighters from diverse backgrounds worked side by side as one family in service to the community.

His passing leaves a profound void within both the Monsey Fire Department and the broader Monsey community, where he was admired for decades of selfless service and dedication.

The levayah was held Friday at Kehillas Sha’ar HaShamayim in Spring Valley. Following the levayah, a procession accompanied the aron to the Brewer Fire Engine Company No. 1 firehouse on Grove Street, where fellow firefighters paid tribute to Jacobson’s many years of devoted service. The aron was then taken to the Tahara Shteibel in New Square, where it remained until Motzoei Shabbos, before being flown to Eretz Yisroel for kevurah.

{Matzav.com}

“The last people who said the Jews are a ‘burden on humanity’ were Hitler and Goebbels,” said Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli of Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who had recently used the phrase to describe Israel in an interview with CNN Türk.

“You’re in excellent company, Mr. Fidan,” Chikli added in his tweet, accompanied by an AI-generated image of Fidan standing next to a Nazi flag.

Fidan on Thursday said Israel had become “a problem for the entire international community,” adding that “the Israeli authorities have become a burden that humanity can no longer bear.”

Fidan said Turkey had no intention of changing its position toward Israel and defended Ankara’s decision to halt trade with the Jewish state following the war against Hamas in Gaza.

Responding on social media, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar accused his Turkish counterpart of incitement to genocide, describing his remarks as “sickening.”

Likud Party lawmaker Dan Illouz told JNS on Sunday that Fidan’s remarks were “not just despicable; they are the words of a regime that has entirely lost its way.

“Erdoğan is rapidly dragging Turkey down the exact same path as Iran’s axis of terror. If he continues going in Khamenei’s ways, he very well might end up like Khamenei,” Illouz added. “Israel has made it perfectly clear what happens to those who seek our destruction.” JNS

{Matzav.com}

While New York City celebrated the nation’s 250th anniversary, Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s wife, Rama Duwaji, traveled to Spain to take part in an Islamic spiritual retreat, drawing criticism from political opponents who questioned her absence during one of the country’s most significant patriotic observances.

Duwaji, a Syrian-American artist who was raised in Dallas and educated in Dubai, was seen Monday at Newark Liberty International Airport boarding a flight to Palma, the capital of the Spanish island of Mallorca. According to reports, she traveled there to participate in a sold-out retreat organized by The Women’s Sanctuary, where she serves as the group’s artist-in-residence and one of the event’s hosts.

The retreat, titled “Plants Of The Quran,” carries a price tag of approximately $3,400 per attendee. Running from Wednesday through Monday, the program centers on plants referenced in the Quran through art, botanical instruction, and spiritual reflection.

Following the Mallorca event, Duwaji is expected to travel to Corsica, France, to help lead another sold-out Women’s Sanctuary retreat scheduled for July 9 through July 14. That gathering, titled “Mary In The Quran,” promises to “explore” in “depth” the legacy of Mary, described by organizers as “the most honored woman in the Qur’an.”

Conservative commentator and comedian Arynne Wexler posted photographs on X on Friday showing Duwaji seated at a United Airlines departure gate before her flight. Wexler criticized the timing of the trip, writing, “Funny how when @ZohranKMamdani was telling New Yorkers to lower their AC his wife Rama Duwaji was boarding a flight to party in Mallorca.”

Wexler added, “Reminder that I can’t tag her because she deleted her account after her insanely offensive tweets were discovered. Champagne socialists,” referring to controversial racial, homophobic, and other social media posts from more than a decade ago that resurfaced earlier this year.

According to Wexler’s publicist, the photographs were taken by an acquaintance who happened to be on the same flight and were shared so the public would be aware of Duwaji’s travel.

The cost of Duwaji’s airfare has not been disclosed. However, round-trip tickets between Newark and Palma later this month were listed at approximately $930 as of yesterday.

Her decision to leave the country during the America 250 celebrations quickly drew criticism from Republican officials in New York City.

“Nothing says ‘America 250’ quite like skipping the celebration for a Mediterranean vacation, but I am not surprised because she has made her hatred for America very evident,” said Councilwoman Joann Ariola of Queens.

Councilman Frank Morano of Staten Island also criticized the trip.

“It’s disappointing that the First Lady chose to be overseas instead of taking part in one of the biggest civic events our city and country will mark this year,” he said.

“No one is saying elected officials and their families can’t take vacations, but this was a moment to show up for the city and for the country, and she missed it.”

City Hall declined to respond directly to the criticism but confirmed that Duwaji was not accompanied by members of the NYPD security detail assigned to the mayor and his family.

Duwaji has previously faced scrutiny over deleted social media posts. According to a March report by the Washington Free Beacon, some of the posts praised Palestinian terrorist organizations, while others criticized American military personnel for supporting Israel.

One post she reposted on Tumblr in 2015 declared, “American soldiers fighting in imperialist wars are not brave nor are they fighting for anyone’s freedom. They are mercilessly slaughtering 3rd world civilians and fighting to maintain American hegemony.”

Mayor Mamdani, who has also been sharply critical of Israel, has defended his wife, arguing that her past online activity should not be treated as a political issue because she holds no official position in his administration. Duwaji has since apologized for many of her earlier posts.

While his wife was overseas, Mamdani remained in New York, where he faced criticism over his handling of the city’s first major heat wave since taking office. He urged residents to set their air conditioners to 78 degrees, even as temperatures inside portions of City Hall reportedly dropped as low as 54 degrees.

Mamdani also participated in the city’s America 250 observances, delivering a 15-minute speech from City Hall in which he criticized capitalism and America’s involvement in foreign conflicts while seated at the former desk of George Washington.

Yesterday, the mayor attended the Sail4th 250 International Parade of Sail on Governors Island and was later scheduled to preside over the Empire State Building’s Fourth of July lighting ceremony.

{Matzav.com}

The Social Security Administration announced Friday that parents will soon be able to enroll newborns in the new Trump Accounts program through the same paperwork used to obtain a Social Security number at birth, simplifying the process as the first federal deposits begin reaching eligible accounts.

Beginning next week, the agency will revise its instructions to hospitals and coordinate with states to update the Enumeration at Birth forms, allowing parents who apply for a Social Security number for their newborn to automatically initiate the creation of a Trump Account at the same time.

The Enumeration at Birth system, which has been in use since 1987, is the primary method by which American newborns receive Social Security numbers. By integrating Trump Account enrollment into that existing process, officials say parents will no longer need to complete a separate application.

Social Security Commissioner Frank J. Bisignano said the streamlined enrollment process is a key part of the program’s implementation.

“Social Security numbers are the backbone of Trump Accounts, and we will empower parents to enroll their newborns through the Enumeration at Birth program to take full advantage of this program from the day a child is born,” he said in the announcement.

The investment accounts were established under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law by President Donald Trump on July 4, 2025. Designed as custodial investment accounts similar to retirement savings plans, they are available for children under the age of 18.

Children born in the United States between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028, who are U.S. citizens and have valid Social Security numbers are eligible to receive a one-time $1,000 contribution from the U.S. Treasury.

In addition to the government’s initial deposit, families, employers, relatives, and charitable organizations may collectively contribute up to $5,000 each year. The funds are invested in low-cost U.S. stock index funds and generally remain inaccessible until the child reaches age 18.

Ahead of the official rollout, President Trump announced on Truth Social that demand for the program had already exceeded 6 million account requests. He also revealed that the Treasury Department will now permit publicly traded stock to be donated to Trump Accounts.

“This opens the door for GREAT American Businesses, Philanthropists, and Job Creators to invest directly in the future of our children, and help build a Generation of Savers, Investors, and Owners,” he wrote.

Parents of children who have already been born may still open a Trump Account by visiting TrumpAccounts.gov and submitting IRS Form 4547. The new Social Security enrollment process is intended to automatically register future newborns at birth, eliminating the need for parents to complete a second application later.

Eligible children whose accounts have already been established began receiving the $1,000 Treasury contribution today.

{Matzav.com}

The Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission are urging state attorneys general to investigate possible gasoline price gouging and anti-competitive conduct by oil companies, intensifying the Trump administration’s effort to bring fuel prices down as crude oil costs have fallen while prices at the pump remain relatively high.

In a letter sent Friday, Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward Jr. and FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson told state law enforcement officials that federal regulators are closely monitoring developments in the petroleum market and warned that fluctuations in the market do not exempt companies from antitrust laws or consumer protection requirements.

Although neither the Justice Department nor the FTC has direct authority to enforce price-gouging laws, the officials noted that more than 36 states, along with several U.S. territories and the District of Columbia, have statutes prohibiting excessive price increases during emergencies. The agencies encouraged those jurisdictions to use those laws when appropriate.

Gasoline prices have remained elevated since the U.S.-Iran conflict led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz for more than three and a half months beginning in late February, disrupting one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes, which typically carries about 20 percent of global oil supplies.

According to AAA, the national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline stood at $3.82 on Friday. While that is below the peak reached during the conflict, it remains significantly higher than the $2.98 national average recorded in the week before the fighting erupted.

President Trump has repeatedly criticized oil companies in recent days, arguing that consumers have not benefited from the sharp decline in crude oil prices.

In a Truth Social post on June 24, Trump accused the industry of keeping gasoline prices artificially high despite falling crude costs, writing that motorists were being “gouged” and announcing that he had directed the Justice Department to investigate the matter.

He renewed that demand Monday evening, writing that “Gasoline Retailers must get their Prices down, IMMEDIATELY!” while saying prices should be closer to $2.50 per gallon.

Oil industry executives, however, contend that reductions in crude oil prices are not immediately reflected at gas stations.

Chevron Chief Financial Officer Eimear Bonner told CNBC’s “Squawk Box Europe” that the adjustment takes time to work its way through the supply chain.

“It’s going to take time though,” she said, explaining that there is a delay between declining crude prices and lower retail gasoline prices. She added that consumers should see prices ease as market conditions stabilize.

The federal agencies also encouraged consumers who suspect unlawful pricing practices to file complaints through the Justice Department’s Citizen Complaint Center and the FTC’s online fraud reporting system, signaling increased scrutiny of gasoline prices as they remain a major issue for consumers ahead of November’s midterm elections.

{Matzav.com}