U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham said Monday that President Trump is expected to determine in the coming weeks whether the United States will pursue a military response to Iran’s violent crackdown on its own citizens and its continued destabilizing actions across the region. Speaking at a press conference during a visit to Israel, the South Carolina Republican described the current moment as pivotal for both Iran and the broader Middle East.
“I’m back. I come here every two weeks, whether I need to or not. Why did I come this time? To put a fine point of where we’re at as a world regarding the Iranian regime,” Graham began.
He argued that Iran’s ruling leadership is facing unprecedented internal and external pressure. “The Iranian Ayatollah, and his murderous regime are at their weakest point since 1979. Their economy is in shambles, their military has been degraded, there are people in the streets, Iranian people in the streets, demanding an end to oppression. All these forces are coming together,” he stated.
Graham pointed to Israel’s response to the October 7 massacre carried out by Hamas, which he described as a key factor in weakening Tehran’s grip on power. “We must beat the moment. If this regime falls in the coming weeks or months, two things will [be] attributed to it: October 7th. Without October 7th, I do not believe this regime would be as weak as it is today. What happened on October 7th was horrible, and it will be part of the Israeli, the people of Israel’s history as long as they’re the people of Israel. But your determination out of the ashes of October 7th to give new meaning to never again, to go on the offensive to weaken the Iranian regime and their proxies, is paying dividends. The response of Israel after October 7th to make sure never again was credible has led to the weakest regime in Iran since 1979.”
He identified a second major factor: widespread protests inside Iran. “The second event, the rise of the people [of Iran]. The people in Iran have gone to the streets without weapons, maybe 30,000 or more have been killed to demand an end to their oppression,” he added. “These two events, the bravery of the people of Iran who are saying, I’ve had it, I won’t change, and the response of Israel to October 7th have led to the potential demise of the Ayatollah. I can’t think of a more satisfying event for me personally than seeing the good people of Iran to be able to get their country back, to live in a place where they didn’t have to worry about their daughter being murdered because she didn’t wear the headscarf right on bus, being able to be part of the world, not isolated from the world, being able to embrace the light and not be overshadowed by the darkness. I look forward to a day when Israel no longer has to fear a nuclear weapon being developed by the Iranian regime.”
Graham made clear that he believes a change in leadership in Tehran would be the most effective solution to the crisis. “The best answer to all the problems created by Iran is regime change. The best answer is for the people to take the place of the Ayatollah. I do not believe they’re in the streets to build more nuclear weapons. I think they’re in the streets to have a better life. I don’t think they’re in the streets to purify Islam and destroy Israel and come after us to praise Satan. They’re in the streets to have normalcy and a life that’s not normal. So my view is the risk of regime change is real. There are unknowns, but let me just say this. I’m willing to take that risk.”
He expressed confidence that a post-Ayatollah Iran could align with Washington and Jerusalem. “I think the Iranian people have the potential to be a great ally of the United States, Israel, and the region. I think the Ayatollah, as long as he’s alive and around, will be chaining death to America and will be trying to enact a religious agenda of purifying Islam and destroy Israel and come after us. He’s a religious Nazi,” he said. “Hitler wanted a master race. The Ayatollah wants a master religion, and we’re not going to give it to him. We’re going to fight back.”
Turning directly to Israelis, Graham voiced solidarity and encouragement. Addressing “the brave people of Israel,” Sen. Graham said: “I know you were hurt very hard, very wide and very deep on October 7th. I’m here to tell you we’re on the verge of eliminating the largest state-sponsored terrorism in the region. And with the fall of Iran comes the fall of Hezbollah, Hamas, and Houthis. The real effect is [that] normalization becomes far more likely. If the Ayatollah survives, God help the region. So my presence here today is to reassure the Israeli people.”
He emphasized that Washington and Jerusalem are operating in close coordination. “There is no light or gaps between President Trump and Bibi about what to do and how to do it. There are two lines in the water right now. One’s the diplomatic line, trying to find a way to end this regime diplomatically that will advance our national security interests,” he said. “The other line is the military option. I think President Trump is looking for which line can catch the biggest fish. The bottom line is we’re into weeks, not months, in terms of decision-making.”
Graham added that he hopes diplomacy will succeed, but said the United States and Israel are prepared for stronger measures if necessary. Sen. Graham stated that his hope is that “in the coming weeks, if we can’t find a diplomatic solution, that we engage in a great endeavor, supporting the people of Iran, demanding their freedom and the end of their oppression. We have military capabilities second to none. There is no more clever nation on the planet than Israel. There is no more powerful nation on the planet than the United States.”
In a message aimed at Tehran’s leadership, he delivered a blunt warning. Addressing the Iranian regime, he said: “You’re weak because of your ideas. You’re weak because of the way you’ve treated your people. You’re weak because you’re evil. Eventually, good will replace evil in Iran. To those who may participate in this endeavor, God bless you. God keep you safe if that day does come.”
Concluding his remarks, Graham described the current period as potentially historic for the region. “If the regime falls as a result of the pressure put on the regime by Israel and the United States after October 7th, combined with the uprising of the people demanding a better life, then that would be the biggest change in the Mideast in a thousand years. I am leaving here confident of the capability the United States and Israel have called upon to deliver a decisive blow to the Iranian regime. I am hopeful that diplomacy may prevail yet. Either way, our date with history, our date with a new destiny for the Mideast, is upon us,” the Senator concluded.
ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith says he is seriously considering entering the race for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028, signaling that what once sounded like a joke may now be evolving into a possible campaign.
Over the weekend, Smith revealed that he is “giving strong consideration” to pursuing the White House. His remarks came during an interview broadcast on “CBS Sunday Morning,” where he outlined his current thinking about a potential run.
“I will confess to you, I’m giving strong consideration to being on that debate stage for 2027,” Smith said. “I’ve got this year coming up, 2026, to think about it, to study, to know the issues.”
Smith’s public musings about a presidential campaign stretch back to early 2025. In March of that year, he appeared on “The View” and characterized the idea as only partly serious, though he did not dismiss it outright.
“If you came to me and you told me I had a legitimate shot to win the presidency of the United States of America, I would definitely consider it,” he said then.
Not long after that appearance, Smith indicated that conversations with influential figures had prompted him to reflect more deeply on the possibility of running. He said he had heard from “billionaires,” “elected officials,” “pundits,” and, in particular, his “pastor,” all encouraging him to think about a campaign.
Although Smith has expressed a preference for another candidate to emerge, he has also made clear that he would not rule himself out. Speaking on ABC’s “This Week,” he said he hoped “somebody else would step up that’s more qualified,” but acknowledged that if it ultimately fell to him, “it is something I would consider. Yes, I would,” he said on ABC’s “This Week.”
President Donald Trump even weighed in on the idea during an April 30, 2025, town hall, offering praise for the sports commentator’s on-air presence.
“I love watching him. He’s got great entertainment skills, which is very important. People watch him,” Trump said. “I’ve been pretty good at picking people and picking candidates, and I will tell you, I’d love to see him run.”
Smith responded by saying he appreciated the president’s comments but emphasized that he was not seeking political backing from anyone.
“I wasn’t looking for any kind of endorsement from anybody, especially him,” he said, “but he is the president of the United States. There is a bit of flattery that comes with getting such words from the man who holds the highest office in the land, and I can appreciate that.”
Smith has built a national profile as a longtime ESPN figure and as the outspoken host of “First Take.” Known for his animated delivery and sharp debate style, he has become one of the most recognizable personalities in sports media across television and radio.
The United States has come out forcefully in defense of three mohalim in Antwerp who are facing criminal proceedings, with the U.S. ambassador to Belgium denouncing the case as “absurd and antisemitic” and urging immediate action to safeguard religious freedom.
U.S. Ambassador to Belgium Bill White sharply criticized the ongoing legal case in Antwerp against the three mohalim, who allegedly performed brisos without official state certification.
The case centers on three mohalim who were arrested and later released in May 2024 after a complaint was filed accusing them of conducting circumcisions without formal government authorization. Their circumcision instruments were confiscated, and they were barred from continuing their work pending a final ruling.
Writing on X, White declared that “antisemitism is unacceptable in any form and must be rooted out of our society,” and called on Belgium “to do a far better job on this issue.” He went on to describe the proceedings as “the absurd and antisemitic prosecution of three Jewish religious figures in Antwerp,” stressing that the men are clergy performing an ancient religious tradition.
The ambassador addressed Belgian Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke directly, demanding that legal provisions be established to allow Jewish mohalim to carry out circumcisions in accordance with the law. “This is done in all civilized countries,” White stated, adding that Belgium must ensure religious freedom for Jewish families in the country.
In a separate post, White personally criticized the minister, claiming that during their first meeting Vandenbroucke refused to shake his hand or pose for a photograph with him. The ambassador also referenced America’s role in liberating Belgium during the World Wars and called for the proceedings to be brought to an immediate end. He announced that he plans to travel to Antwerp next week to meet with the mohalim and their families.
The case has stirred strong reactions among Antwerp’s Jewish residents and revived memories of previous European disputes over circumcision, sometimes framed as matters of “the best interest of the child,” but often accompanied by concerns about infringements on religious freedom.
At this stage, however, community leaders — acting on legal advice — have chosen not to launch a public campaign against the individual who filed the complaint. Their stated goal is to resolve the matter without unnecessary damage and to ensure the continued practice of bris milah for generations to come.
{Matzav.com}Israeli Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Chairman MK Boaz Bismuth responded to the violent incidents in Bnei Brak, urging decisive progress on the long-stalled enlistment law. He described the events as a “wake-up call” and cautioned that prolonged failure to resolve a major national issue exacts a public price.
“This is a wake-up call. Today we received yet another troubling reminder of the price a country pays when a deep national issue remains unresolved for many long years. Many have spoken about it. Few have truly tried to take responsibility and regulate it,” Bismuth said.
He added that the current reality requires firm decision-making and responsible leadership.
“The gravity of the moment requires resolution. There are times when a multitude of reservations is not a guarantee of responsibility, and professional judgment is measured not only by its caution, but also by its ability to allow for a decision.”
Although Bismuth did not explicitly name any legal or political actors, his remarks appeared directed at all parties involved — both elected officials and professional authorities — to enable movement toward agreed-upon legislation.
He concluded with a symbolic message: “Until white smoke emerges.”
New findings from the scene appear to contradict the IDF’s initial denial regarding the activities of two female soldiers who were attacked in Bnei Brak, with reports indicating that recruitment flyers were in fact distributed at several addresses in the city.
A disturbance broke out Sunday afternoon in Bnei Brak after two female soldiers arrived at multiple locations in the city. According to a report on Army Radio, despite an earlier statement from the IDF Spokesperson denying any flyer distribution, detailed recruitment leaflets were left at at least four addresses. The materials were directed at candidates for military service ahead of their upcoming enlistment at the Chavat HaShomer base.
In a response, the IDF Spokesperson firmly rejected the claims, stating: “The claim that the commanders who were attacked in Bnei Brak arrived in order to distribute recruitment flyers is incorrect. The commanders arrived for a home visit to a candidate for service prior to his enlistment.”
However, documentation from the scene indicates that the flyers addressed prospective recruits scheduled to enlist in March and included extensive information about training conditions, the base’s location, and a list of required equipment — ranging from personal hygiene items to instructions on arranging a bank account and redeeming purchase credits.
The flyer left at the homes also contained detailed social and financial information intended to ease the enlistment process, including guidance related to personal status and eligibility for assistance. Among other things, the young men were asked to prepare medical documentation for family members, proof of financial status, and bank statements from the previous three months.
The unrest began after rumors spread that the soldiers had arrived to distribute draft orders to chareidi youths. The incident escalated on Chaggai Street during the afternoon hours.
Subsequently, the IDF updated its version of events, stating that three female non-commissioned officers serving at the Chavat HaShomer base had come to Bnei Brak to visit a candidate who is expected to enlist soon and serve at the facility. According to the military, the visit was intended as a preliminary meeting to establish familiarity and assess any potential need for social support.
{Matzav.com}
Israeli Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs on Monday outlined a firm diplomatic and security position regarding Gaza, declaring that Israel will not tolerate continued Hamas rearmament and setting a 60-day deadline for the terror group to fully disarm.
Speaking at the Besheva Conference, Fuchs said Hamas must dismantle “all” of its weapons within two months. If it fails to do so, he warned, Israel will take military action.
“Hamas must disarm from all its weapons — everything. If that does not happen, the IDF will be required to ensure that it does,” Fuchs stated. He made clear that absent full disarmament, Israel would resume large-scale military operations in the Gaza Strip.
Addressing the recent unrest in Bnei Brak connected to the ongoing draft law crisis, Fuchs sought to lower the public rhetoric. He argued that the current tensions stem from the expiration of previous legal arrangements and emphasized that for years there had been an agreed-upon framework regulating the status of yeshiva students.
“If we label a ציבור of one and a half million people as criminals, we will push it toward extremism,” he said, adding that in his view the situation reflects a legal vacuum rather than a failure of governance.
Fuchs also commented on negotiations surrounding the draft law, noting that efforts are underway to formulate a version that will receive the backing of the Knesset’s legal advisers, in order to prevent an interim injunction that could freeze the legislation upon passage.
He indicated that from the coalition’s standpoint, a central objective is for the chareidi factions to actively support the bill, as part of a broad agreement that would ensure both its legal durability and political stability.
When asked whether Israel might one day return to reestablish Jewish communities in Gush Katif, which were evacuated under the 2005 Disengagement Plan, Fuchs responded briefly: “With Hashem’s help.”
{Matzav.com}