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The Gerer chassidus will hold a large tefillah and protest rally Monday night outside Israel’s Military Prison No. 10 following the arrest of a Gerer yeshiva bochur over military draft-related issues. The gathering will be led by the Gerer Rebbe after receiving approval from Israeli police.

The rally is scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m. and will include Maariv, the recitation of Tehillim, and inspirational addresses on behalf of Yisrael Yehuda Fein, a talmid of Yeshivas Sefas Emes in Yerushalayim, who is currently serving a military prison sentence.

The demonstration comes in response to Fein’s arrest after he appeared at a military induction office on his scheduled reporting date in an effort to regularize his draft status and obtain a medical exemption.

According to sources within the Gerer community, Fein initially reported to the military draft office in Yerushalayim but was informed that his file was registered in Haifa and that he needed to report there immediately.

Family members and associates say Fein asked officials whether traveling to Haifa that same day could result in his arrest. He was allegedly told that because it was his official induction date, he had nothing to worry about.

However, after arriving at the Haifa draft office, Fein was informed that he had arrived too late and was transferred to the military induction base at Tel Hashomer.

He was subsequently brought before a military officer, convicted in a disciplinary proceeding, and sentenced to 20 days in Military Prison No. 10.

Gerer officials contend that the decision failed to take into account Fein’s medical condition or the fact that he had voluntarily appeared in an effort to complete the process of obtaining a medical exemption.

Members of the chassidus also pointed to the student’s difficult family circumstances, noting that his father is currently under house arrest in the United States following extradition, leaving the family to cope with an especially painful situation.

In recent days, Gerer community leaders, together with veteran prison advocate Rabbi Shimon Shisha, have been working with the relevant authorities in an effort to secure Fein’s early release.

Israel is preparing for the possibility of a significant escalation with Iran after the United States informed the Israeli government that it intends to broaden its military campaign against Iranian targets in the coming days, according to Israeli and American security officials.

Despite the planned expansion of the U.S. operation, Washington has made clear that it prefers to keep Israel out of the current phase of the conflict and avoid drawing it directly into the fighting.

During recent strategic discussions between Israeli and American officials, the possibility was raised that Iran could decide to “break the rules” by launching missile attacks against Israel, a move that would almost certainly trigger an Israeli military response. U.S. officials have indicated that they are seeking to prevent such a scenario and keep the conflict centered in the Gulf region.

Over the past 24 hours, the United States has transferred additional equipment and munitions to support American fighter aircraft operating in the region. At the same time, 10 more U.S. aerial refueling aircraft arrived in Israel from Europe and from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar as part of preparations for potential Iranian attacks on American military installations throughout the Gulf.

According to senior Israeli officials, Turkey also warned that it could provide air support to Iran if Kurdish forces entered the country as part of a reported Mossad-backed ground operation. The officials said this was the scenario President Donald Trump was referring to when he recently stated that Turkey had come close to becoming directly involved in the conflict. Under the alleged Mossad plan, Kurdish fighters would have received aerial protection from the Israeli Air Force during the operation.

Meanwhile, Channel 13 News reported that Qatar has presented a new proposal aimed at easing tensions between Washington and Tehran.

Under the Qatari initiative, the United States would suspend its airstrikes, while Iran would commit to reopening two shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz for a period of 10 days.

Israeli officials are also evaluating several scenarios that could pull Israel into a broader war, including a direct Iranian missile attack, intelligence indicating preparations for an imminent strike that would require a preemptive Israeli attack, or a request from President Trump for Israeli military participation. One senior Israeli official said the likelihood of escalation “has increased significantly over the past 24 hours.”

The heightened concerns come after Iran fired four missiles Sunday toward Jordan and other areas in the Gulf following overnight U.S. strikes inside Iranian territory.

According to reports, President Trump has informed mediators that unless a ceasefire is reached this week, they should prepare for a further escalation of military operations.

A senior Israeli military officer told Channel 13 News that had any of the Iranian missiles struck Eilat, Israel would have been obligated to respond militarily.

In the meantime, Israel is increasing its preparedness for the possibility of Iranian missile attacks while sending a clear warning to Tehran.

“Our strike plans are ready,” Israeli officials said.

Senior Israeli officials also told Channel 14 News that the confrontation with Iran appears to be on a course toward an almost unavoidable collision. They believe key decisions could be made within days, raising the possibility of renewed high-intensity fighting with Iran as early as this week.

Even as Iran’s confrontation with the United States intensifies, Tehran has not yet decided whether to expand the conflict by attacking Israel directly. Israeli assessments indicate that Iranian leaders have not reached a final decision but could do so in the near future.

Israel’s political and security leadership has already determined that if Iran launches attacks against Israeli territory, the country will respond aggressively to eliminate the threat.

Another possibility under discussion is that the United States could decide to broaden its military campaign and ask Israel to join the operation. Israeli officials indicated that Jerusalem would welcome such a request and view it as an opportunity to conduct coordinated military action against Iran.

Israeli officials continue to monitor U.S. decisions closely, acknowledging that uncertainty currently outweighs certainty and warning that the growing number of unanswered questions may itself point to an increasing risk of escalation.

A senior Israeli official told Channel 12 News that while coordination with Washington remains constant, President Trump remains difficult to predict.

“We are in continuous dialogue with the Americans, but one thing is clear: Trump is unpredictable. Right now it appears that the decision to increase the intensity of the strikes against Iran will indeed be carried out,” the official said.

At the same time, Israeli intelligence believes Trump’s envoys—particularly Steve Witkoff—are still attempting to halt the cycle of escalation and revive negotiations aimed at reaching a diplomatic agreement.

Israeli leaders were also informed in recent hours that Iran does not currently appear interested in launching missiles at Israel, recognizing the consequences such an attack would bring. However, officials cautioned that the situation could change quickly as Iranian military activity continues moving closer to Israel.

“We are preparing for every possible scenario and developing both immediate operational options and long-term strategic plans,” one senior Israeli official said. “If the Americans decide to escalate or involve Israel, or if the Iranians take an unexpected and reckless step against us, we will be ready.”

{Matzav.com}

Qatar is working to secure the release of members of Iran’s Jewish community who have been detained by Iranian authorities, serving as an intermediary between the United States and Tehran, according to officials familiar with the matter.

Several members of Iran’s Jewish community were recently arrested after criticizing the Iranian regime during the country’s confrontation with the United States and Israel. Sources familiar with the negotiations told Kan News correspondent Roi Kais that Qatar has been engaging with senior Iranian officials in an effort to obtain their release.

The mediation comes just days after Iran released an American citizen who had been detained in the country since 2024. President Donald Trump publicly thanked the Iranian government following her release.

According to the report, Qatar’s involvement extends beyond efforts to free American citizens and also includes negotiations on behalf of the detained members of Iran’s Jewish community.

Officials noted that Qatar’s motivation is not purely humanitarian. Rather, the Gulf state is seeking to demonstrate to Washington that it is the most effective and reliable mediator in the region, outperforming rival countries in facilitating sensitive negotiations.

A total of five members of Iran’s Jewish community are currently being held on various charges, according to the report.

Despite coming under attack from Iran in recent months, Qatar continues to push for renewed diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran, hoping to bring the two sides back to the negotiating table.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu’s office issued a scathing response Sunday after New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he would seek Netanyahu’s arrest if the Israeli leader visits New York for the United Nations General Assembly in September.

In a statement released Sunday evening, the Prime Minister’s Office sharply criticized both Mamdani and the International Criminal Court (ICC), accusing the mayor of trying to divert attention from his own record while denouncing the court as illegitimate.

The statement described the ICC as “a kangaroo court that has no jurisdiction over Americans or Israelis.” It further asserted that the “bogus arrest warrant” issued against Netanyahu was approved by former ICC prosecutor Karim Khan “just days before allegations of sexual misconduct against him became public.” According to the statement, “it was a clear attempt by Khan to divert public attention and seek protection from scrutiny.”

The Prime Minister’s Office also defended Israel’s wartime conduct under Netanyahu’s leadership, saying that “under Prime Minister Netanyahu’s leadership, Israel has taken unprecedented measures during wartime to minimize harm to civilians.” The statement accused Hamas of “using Palestinians as human shields while deliberately targeting innocent Israeli civilians.”

The response also took direct aim at Mamdani personally.

“Instead of supporting Khan’s criminal conduct, Mr. Mamdani should focus on repairing the damage his policies have caused New York City,” the statement said. It added that “like Karim Khan, Mamdani appears interested in diverting public attention away from his own failures by attacking the leader of the Jewish state and the only democracy in the Middle East.”

The exchange follows remarks Mamdani made in an interview with The New York Times, in which he reiterated that he wants Netanyahu arrested if the prime minister visits New York.

“Whatever the law allows me to do in New York City, that’s what we’ll do,” Mamdani said. “But we’re not going to write our own laws for that purpose.”

He also declared, “I believe Prime Minister Netanyahu belongs in The Hague. He is a war criminal who has been charged by the International Criminal Court. That is a view many people hold simply because of what his actions have brought about over many years.”

{Matzav.com}

A new report claims the FBI has instructed agents that it will no longer investigate allegations that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers were assaulted, a move that critics warn could reduce independent oversight of immigration enforcement. The Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security, however, insist no such policy change has occurred.

According to The New York Times, FBI managers received written notification of the reported change on Thursday. Sources told the newspaper that FBI personnel also informed ICE agents in various parts of the country about the new guidance.

Previously, when ICE agents were involved in fatal shootings, the FBI was responsible for determining whether the officers had been assaulted before using deadly force. Information uncovered during those investigations could later be used in civil rights inquiries or criminal prosecutions involving the agents.

The Times reported that under the new guidance, Homeland Security Investigations—the investigative branch of ICE—would likely assume responsibility for examining assault allegations involving its own personnel. Sources told the newspaper that such an arrangement could reduce independent accountability for immigration officers.

Because the Department of Homeland Security does not have authority to investigate federal civil rights violations, critics cited by the report argued the change could make it less likely that ICE agents who fatally shoot unarmed individuals would face federal civil rights investigations.

Both the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security strongly disputed the report, maintaining that no changes have been made to the existing oversight structure.

In a joint statement provided to CNBC, the agencies said, “The Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security are partners in addressing crime and upholding the rule of law, while securing the safety and security of American communities.”

The statement added, “The relationship between DHS and DOJ in investigating assault on federal officer cases has not changed, and FBI will continue to investigate in accordance with agency policy.”

The report surfaced only days after an ICE agent fatally shot Colombian national Joan Sebastian Guerrero in Biddeford, Maine. According to the report, the incident marked at least the seventh fatal shooting involving ICE agents since January 2025 and the second this month, following the July 7 shooting death of Mexican immigrant Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston.

{Matzav.com}

The Mamdani administration has permanently adopted a controversial initiative that pays people cash for turning in used syringes, prompting critics to argue the policy rewards drug users instead of helping them overcome addiction.

The program, which had previously operated as a pilot, is now a permanent part of New York City’s budget. The city’s $126 billion spending plan for the fiscal year that began July 1 earmarks $3 million for the Health Department’s Community Syringe Redemption Program, which pays participants 20 cents for every used syringe they return.

The decision received little public attention. It was disclosed in budget documents submitted by the Health Department to the New York City Council on June 30, just before lawmakers approved Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s first budget.

The program will continue to be managed by Addiction Response Resources, a nonprofit organization that introduced a similar syringe buyback initiative in Boston in 2020. The group is operating New York City’s program under an $11.1 million contract that extends through the end of next year.

Participants are permitted to turn in as many as 50 used syringes each day, allowing them to earn up to $10 daily. Collections are accepted at eight designated locations across the city, including five in The Bronx and one site each in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens.

City officials say there are no plans to expand the initiative beyond its current footprint. The program was first authorized in 2022 through legislation backed by progressive members of the City Council and officially launched in March 2025 with the stated goal of removing hazardous needles from streets, parks, and other public areas.

Funding for the initiative comes from more than $189 million New York City received through legal settlements with opioid manufacturers and distributors.

Councilwoman Joann Ariola, R-Queens, blasted the program, arguing the settlement money is being spent in the wrong place.

“should all be going toward addiction treatment services — not for paying users to turn in their needles for cash.

“All this is doing is putting money in the pockets of addicts, so they can continue to fuel their habits, rather than helping them break free of their disease.”

According to the Health Department, the program has collected more than 2.3 million used syringes since launching nearly 16 months ago. During its first year, officials said more than 1,700 participants received a combined $292,000 in cash payments.

The Department of Sanitation has reported a dramatic decline in the number of discarded syringes its crews are collecting, although officials say staffing and cleanup efforts have remained unchanged despite the reduced volume.

As of Wednesday, sanitation workers had picked up 26,229 needles in 2026, compared to 64,560 during the same period last year—nearly three times as many.

Councilman Oswald Feliz, a Bronx Democrat whose district includes two of the collection sites in Fordham Heights and Tremont, acknowledged the improvements in street cleanliness while expressing concern about the broader message the program sends.

“Too often, used syringes end up in front of schools and children’s parks, and this is an issue that should be treated with the seriousness it deserves,” he said. “We should not recklessly create conditions that can threaten the safety of vulnerable communities.”

Some participants welcomed the continuation of the program and said they wished the city would increase the number of collection sites and eliminate the daily cap on syringe returns.

“It’s definitely a side hustle for me. Yeah, definitely!” crowed Tamia Wright, 43, after returning needles at Walter Gladwin Park in The Bronx on Thursday. “Right now, I’m gonna buy some weed with [the earnings] and cigarettes.”

Health Department spokeswoman Rachel Vick defended the initiative, saying it provides cleaner neighborhoods while connecting participants with services.

“everyone deserves to live in a community free of syringe litter” in public spaces.

“The city’s syringe redemption program allows New Yorkers in neighborhoods where we see the most complaints to help keep their communities clean, while safely disposing of medical waste and connecting people in need to nearby care,” said Vick.

“We look forward to continuing this important work in the years to come.”

{Matzav.com}