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A militant antisemitic organization has claimed responsibility for the torching of Jewish community ambulances in London, following a recent report linking the group to a series of coordinated attacks across Europe.

In the early hours of Monday morning, four ambulances belonging to Hatzolah were deliberately set on fire in Golders Green, a heavily Jewish neighborhood in North London. The incident comes after Israel’s Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism identified the group “Ashab Al-Yamim” as being behind a wave of antisemitic attacks over the past two weeks. The organization, which is believed to have ties to Iran, later took responsibility for the London attack.

The arson took place at approximately 1:40 a.m. on Highfield Avenue, near a shul. During the blaze, several explosions were reported due to gas canisters inside the ambulances, shattering windows in nearby residential buildings and forcing local residents to evacuate.

Emergency services responded with six fire engines and around 40 firefighters, eventually bringing the fire under control after several hours. Dozens of residents were displaced, with about 30 individuals relocated to temporary shelter. Despite the intensity of the explosions and fire, no injuries were reported.

Security footage and eyewitness accounts circulating online indicate that several masked individuals poured flammable liquid, believed to be gasoline, onto the vehicles before fleeing the scene. Authorities are currently searching for approximately three suspects, and no arrests have been made so far.

London’s Metropolitan Police have classified the incident as an antisemitic hate crime and confirmed that the investigation is being conducted accordingly. The pro-Iranian militant group identifying itself as the “Islamic Right Movement” (Ashab Al-Yamim) claimed responsibility in a message posted on Telegram, stating that “prominent Zionist centers in London” were the intended targets.

The attack is part of a broader pattern of antisemitic incidents across Europe, including similar acts of arson and violence in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Greece, all of which have been attributed to the same organization.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the incident, calling it a “particularly shocking antisemitic arson attack” and a “serious” act of violence. He expressed solidarity with the Jewish community and stressed that antisemitism has no place in British society.

In recent days, Israel’s Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism revealed the emergence of a new militant group, Harakat Ashab Al-Yamim al-Islamiyya (“Ashab Al-Yamim”), which has issued threats against Jewish communities in Europe and claimed responsibility for multiple attacks on Jewish institutions.

According to the ministry’s report, between March 9 and March 14, 2026, several coordinated attacks were carried out against Jewish targets across Europe. These included an explosion near a synagogue in Liège, Belgium; an attack on a Jewish site in Greece; the arson of a synagogue in Rotterdam, Netherlands; and an explosion outside a Jewish school in Amsterdam.

While most of the incidents resulted in property damage without casualties, officials emphasized that the pattern points to a coordinated campaign aimed at intimidation, psychological warfare, and spreading fear among Jewish communities across the continent.

The ministry warned that the rapid spread of attacks across multiple countries suggests the involvement of organized international networks and that the threat of further assaults on Jewish institutions in Europe remains high.

Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Minister Amichai Chikli said, “Jewish communities are not legitimate targets for threats, and the international community must act decisively against any entity attempting to carry out acts of terror and antisemitism. The incident in London joins recent events across Europe and continues to reflect a pattern in which terror networks associated with the Iranian axis are attempting to expand their sphere of activity into cities and Jewish communities across Europe.”

Ministry Director General Avi Cohen Scali added, “The emergence of the group Harakat Ashab Al-Yamim al-Islamiyya illustrates the evolving threat to Jewish communities worldwide. It combines online propaganda, local operational cells, and regional terror networks — all designed to instill fear in Jewish communities and project power beyond the Middle East. The ministry will continue working with governments and Jewish communities around the world to monitor, expose, and thwart such threats.”

{Matzav.com}

Dear Matzav Inbox,

What is happening with Pesach pricing is not merely frustrating, but outrageous, excessive, and deeply troubling.

Every year, we go through this cycle, bracing ourselves for higher costs and tightening our belts in preparation for Yom Tov. But what we are witnessing now has gone far beyond what can reasonably be explained by increased production costs or seasonal demand. This is no longer about expense; it is about a system that has spiraled completely out of control.

There is simply no logical justification for the staggering prices being charged for basic Pesach necessities. We are not talking about luxury items or optional indulgences. We are talking about fundamental staples — mayo, chicken, oil, and so on — the very building blocks of a Yom Tov table. Yet these items are priced in a way that forces families to hesitate, to calculate, and in many cases, to forgo even modest purchases. The moment a product is labeled “Kosher for Pesach,” its price often doubles or triples, as if the label itself grants permission to charge whatever the market will bear.

The numbers being discussed in our community are staggering, and they should alarm anyone paying attention. Families are routinely spending five, seven, even ten thousand dollars to make Pesach. How did we arrive at a point where Pesach has become such a crushing financial burden? Instead of approaching the Yom Tov with anticipation and joy, many approach it with anxiety, dread, and a sense of being overwhelmed.

What makes this even more difficult to accept is the sense that this situation is being tolerated rather than addressed. We are a community that prides itself on chesed, on achrayus, on sensitivity to the needs of others. We mobilize quickly to help individuals in crisis, we give generously, and we speak often about caring for the tzibbur. Yet when it comes to Pesach pricing, there seems to be a collective shrug, as though this is simply an unavoidable reality. It is not. When companies and retailers know that an entire community has no choice but to purchase these items, and prices are raised accordingly, it ceases to be standard business practice and begins to look very much like exploitation.

Behind these numbers are real families dealing with real strain. Parents are losing sleep trying to figure out how to cover the cost of Yom Tov without falling behind on other obligations. There are households quietly going into debt, relying on credit, or cutting back in ways that affect their dignity. There are conversations taking place at kitchen tables where every purchase is weighed and reconsidered, where the joy of preparing for Pesach is replaced by stress and pressure. This is not what Yom Tov should feel like.

Pesach is meant to celebrate cheirus, yet for many, the financial reality creates the opposite experience. Instead of feeling uplifted, people feel trapped by the cost, burdened by expectations, and unsure how to keep up. That should concern all of us.

At the very least, there needs to be a conversation about accountability and responsibility within the system. Pricing should not be treated as an untouchable reality. Community leaders, rabbonim, and those in positions of influence should be asking hard questions and advocating for change. Consumers, too, need to recognize the power they hold and the importance of speaking up rather than quietly accepting the situation year after year.

If nothing changes, the problem will only worsen. Each year will bring higher prices, greater strain, and a deeper sense of frustration. Pesach should be a time of simcha, of dignity, and of connection — not a time associated with financial anxiety and pressure.

It is time to say clearly that this situation is not acceptable. It is time to stop normalizing what has become completely abnormal. And it is time, finally, to demand better.

Sincerely,
Sickened By $8 Mayonnaise

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Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu publicly addressed comments made by President Donald Trump regarding possible diplomatic efforts to end the ongoing conflict, while emphasizing that Israel’s military operations remain active.

“Earlier today, I spoke with our friend, President Trump. He believes there is an opportunity to leverage the tremendous achievements of the IDF and the US military in order to achieve the objectives of the war through an agreement that will preserve our vital interests,” Netanyahu said.

Even as discussions about a potential agreement take shape, Netanyahu made clear that Israel is continuing its offensive operations across multiple fronts.

He added, “At the same time, we continue to strike both in Iran and in Lebanon, dismantling the missile and nuclear program piece by piece, and continuing to deal severe blows to Hezbollah.”

The prime minister also pointed to recent targeted actions against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and personnel, signaling that further steps are expected.

“Just a few days ago, we eliminated two more nuclear scientists, and more actions are forthcoming. We will safeguard our vital interests under all circumstances,” the Prime Minister concluded.

Trump, earlier on Monday, revealed that Washington and Tehran had engaged in direct discussions aimed at de-escalating the conflict, sharing details in a statement posted to his Truth Social platform.

“I AM PLEASE TO REPORT THAT THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND THE COUNTRY OF IRAN, HAVE HAD, OVER THE LAST TWO DAYS, VERY GOOD AND PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS REGARDING A COMPLETE AND TOTAL RESOLUTION OF OUR HOSTILITIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST.”

He went on to say that the tone of those talks had led to a temporary pause in certain military plans, contingent on continued progress in negotiations.

“BASED ON THE TENOR AND TONE OF THESE IN DEPTH, DETAILED, AND CONSTRUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS, WITCH WILL CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE WEEK, I HAVE INSTRUCTED THE DEPARTMENT OF WAR TO POSTPONE ANY AND ALL MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST IRANIAN POWER PLANTS AND ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE FOR A FIVE DAY PERIOD, SUBJECT TO THE SUCCESS OF THE ONGOING MEETINGS AND DISCUSSIONS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER!”

Regulatory hurdles have cast doubt on whether the proposed merger between Maimonides Medical Center and NYC Health+Hospitals will be completed by its scheduled April 1 deadline.

The New York State Attorney General’s office has declined to grant administrative approval for the transaction, instead directing that the matter be reviewed by the Brooklyn Supreme Court. Because the deal cannot move forward without a court ruling, the process could be delayed for months.

The merger was first announced late last year by then-mayor Eric Adams, with city officials presenting it as a critical step to stabilize Maimonides, which has faced ongoing financial strain, by incorporating it into the municipal hospital system.

As a nonprofit institution, Maimonides requires approval from both the Attorney General’s Charities Bureau and the state Department of Health before any sale can proceed.

At a City Council hearing earlier this month, NYC Health+Hospitals CEO Dr. Mitchell Katz said the agreement was still on track for completion by April 1, despite incomplete paperwork and a legal challenge filed by members of Maimonides’ Board of Trustees seeking to block the deal.

However, roughly two weeks before that anticipated closing date, the Attorney General’s office determined that judicial review — rather than administrative approval — was necessary.

“In this matter, since there is a pending lawsuit about the transaction and significant community engagement, we concluded and advised that court review would be most appropriate,” said a spokesperson for the AG’s office.

According to the office, Maimonides must now file a petition with the Brooklyn Supreme Court. A judge will then hold a hearing and decide “whether the consideration and terms of the transaction are fair and reasonable, and that the purposes of the corporation will be promoted by the transaction.”

It remains unclear how long the court process will take or how Maimonides and NYC Health+Hospitals will proceed while awaiting a decision.

As part of the planned transition, Maimonides CEO Ken Gibbs had been expected to step down upon completion of the merger, with NYC Health+Hospitals executive Svetlana Lipyanskaya set to assume leadership.

Opponents of the merger say the Attorney General’s move validates their concerns. “The Attorney General’s office has now confirmed what we have been saying for months: this transaction cannot simply be rubber-stamped and must instead be reviewed by the courts,” said lawyer Martin Bienstock, who is representing plaintiffs in two separate cases against the merger. “The transfer of a multi-billion-dollar hospital to the City of New York demands full judicial scrutiny.”

Representatives for Maimonides and NYC Health+Hospitals did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the development or the merger’s outlook.

Supporters of the deal argue that the merger would provide much-needed financial stability for Maimonides, a private safety-net hospital that treated nearly 100,000 patients in 2024, including approximately 34,000 inpatient cases. About 80% of its patients are covered by Medicaid or Medicare.

The hospital has faced persistent financial challenges, reporting a $15 million loss through the first three quarters of 2025 while generating just $1.5 million in revenue. Katz told council members that Maimonides had been seeking a merger partner for years before turning to NYC Health+Hospitals.

By joining the city’s public system, Maimonides would benefit from higher Medicaid reimbursement rates, expected to bring in roughly $9 million per month, according to Katz. The agreement also includes a $2.2 billion state grant to support the transition and fund infrastructure improvements.

“By joining our system, Maimonides will be able to offer New Yorkers expanded access to high-quality care, seamless digital access to health records through MyChart, and ongoing financial stability,” Katz said at the hearing.

Still, the proposal has generated concern within the local community. Maimonides serves a significant Orthodox Jewish population, and critics fear the merger could compromise the culturally sensitive care the hospital provides. Hatzalah organizations in Borough Park, Crown Heights, Flatbush, and Mill Basin have voiced opposition, and Katz acknowledged that public opinion has been divided.

One lawsuit, filed last fall by seven members of Maimonides’ Board of Trustees and later amended, argues that the merger was rushed and could negatively affect patient care while undermining services tailored to the Orthodox Jewish community. The suit also contends that seeking approval from the Attorney General rather than the Brooklyn Supreme Court was unlawful.

A separate lawsuit filed on March 9 by a group of Brooklyn residents targets Maimonides, NYC Health+Hospitals, and the state health commissioner, aiming to halt the transaction.

That complaint alleges that Maimonides and the Department of Health attempted to bypass legal requirements governing nonprofit hospital sales and asks the court to block the merger until the case is resolved. Both legal challenges remain active.

President Donald Trump sharply criticized Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on Monday, likening the New York Democrat to a “Palestinian leader” and suggesting he is vulnerable to a primary challenge, while also addressing airport security concerns and the use of federal agents.

Speaking in Memphis, Tennessee, during a visit alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Attorney General Pam Bondi, Trump took aim at Democratic leadership during a roundtable focused on the Memphis Safe Task Force. He argued that Democrats are mishandling the current conflict involving Iran.

“The Democrats are putting our country at great risk during this period of time, a period that they call a war. They call it a war, we call it a military operation,” Trump said about the situation with Iran. “Their leaders, during this time, are, as you know, as you want to say — they’re in a never-never land.”

Trump then turned his focus to Schumer, escalating his rhetoric with a line he has used before.

“Schumer is gone, he’s a Palestinian. He should be fighting on the side of Palestine. He’s actually become a Palestinian leader,” Trump said of Schumer, a Jew — a jab he has used repeatedly in the past.

He continued by accusing Schumer of shifting his political stance and acting out of concern for his electoral future.

“I’ve never seen a man change so much,” Trump continued. “He used to be pro-Israel, now he’s pro-Palestinian, I’ve never seen anything like it. He’s worried he’s going to lose his next election, which it only depends, if anybody runs against him. If anybody runs against him he’ll lose. But he’s gone very whacky and very dangerous for our country.”

Earlier in his remarks, Trump also addressed staffing issues at airport security checkpoints, placing responsibility on Democrats for shortages within the Transportation Security Administration and pointing to steps his administration has taken in response.

“They’re helping TSA, the agents, and they’re working together, so far very well,” Trump said, continuing.

“I actually suggested that in the airports they take off their masks and they did that. In the airports I didn’t like — I’m a big believer in the mask because we have — you know, Biden allowed hundreds of thousands of killers into our country. We’re rapidly getting them out, by the way. But they would go after these people if they knew exactly who they were. But in the airports it’s different. I didn’t love the look in the airport as you get off the plane. So, I made a request, and they agreed to it. So, they’re not going to be doing that. We will also bring out, if we don’t have enough, we will bring out the National Guard where we need it to help out at the airports.”

{Matzav.com}