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NEC Director Kevin Hassett: “Intel is going to get the CHIPS money, but in exchange, we’re going to get some equity — and the equity is not voting, so there’s not going to be government intrusion into the business of Intel.”

Georgia National Guard to support ICE as arrests have “exploded” in a 367% increase under President Trump.

President Trump is expected to sign an executive order on Monday cracking down on suspects who desecrate the American flag, including burning it, by mandating they face prosecution.

BREAKING: Florida will be arresting commercial truck drivers who are not able to speak English: “If you are driving a commercial vehicle and are not proficient in English, we will comply with the president’s executive order.”

UPDATE ON TRUMP CLEANUP IN D.C. Over 1,000 arrests and more than 100 illegal guns seized. Last night, another 86 arrests including multiple suspects accused of assaulting law enforcement and National Guard — and a suspected Tren de Aragua gang member.

An IDF soldier blowing Shofar this morning, the second day of Rosh Chodesh Elul, in Gaza.

Gazan media reported Monday that at least 15 people were killed in an IDF-attributed strike on Nassar Hospital in Khan Younis, including several journalists and photographers such as Al Jazeera’s Muhammad Salama and Reuters contributor Hossam Al-Masri, while the IDF has not responded, though a security official told Army Radio the incident was not an Israeli Air Force strike without giving further details.

Israel issued an unusual statement of support for the Lebanese government on Monday in wake of its efforts to work toward the disarmament of Hezbollah.

A new Daily Mail report highlights a sharp surge in the popularity of the name “Mohammed” and its variations across Europe, linking the trend to significant demographic changes driven by immigration.

According to the analysis, the number of babies given the name has skyrocketed in several countries over the past 25 years. Austria recorded a remarkable 732% increase, Ireland saw a 372% rise, and France reported a 127% jump. The Netherlands showed a smaller but noticeable increase of 13%.

The report attributes these trends largely to ongoing population shifts fueled by immigration, particularly from Muslim-majority nations.

The UK-based publication examined naming data from 11 European countries, including Austria, Ireland, Poland, Italy, France, Belgium, parts of England and Wales, Sweden, Switzerland, Denmark, and the Netherlands. The statistics were compiled from national bureaus of statistics. Germany was not included, as comparable data was unavailable, partly due to the massive migration influx following the 2015 refugee crisis.

The study tracked five common spellings of the name: Muhammad, Mohammed, Mohammad, Mohamed, and Mohamad. In Austria, newborns with the name increased by 732% since 2000, while Ireland saw a 372% rise and France 127%. In the Netherlands, the growth was more modest at 13%.

England and Wales experienced the most dramatic shift, where nearly 3% of all babies born were named Mohammed. Britain’s Office for National Statistics reported that the name was the most popular in the country for the second year in a row in 2024. In 2023, 4,661 babies were given the name, overtaking Noah as the top choice for the first time. That figure rose 23% to 5,721 in 2024.

Belgium ranked second, with more than 1% of newborns given the name last year — double the proportion recorded 25 years ago. In Austria, one out of every 200 babies was named Mohammed in 2023, compared to one in 1,670 back in 2000. France reported that 0.87% of babies received the name, while the Netherlands stood at 0.7%.

Poland showed a 217% increase in babies named Mohammed since 2000, though the actual percentage remains very small, at just 0.1% in 2023. Analysts link this limited growth to Poland’s restrictive immigration policies. At the end of his term in 2023, then-Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki of the right-wing Law and Justice Party warned that Polish culture risked being “destroyed” by an influx of Muslim migrants from the Middle East and Africa.

In addition to large-scale immigration, experts note that the rising popularity of the name has also been influenced by admiration for global Muslim athletes and celebrities such as Olympic champion Mo Farah, Liverpool football star Mohamed Salah, and boxing legend Muhammad Ali. However, the rapid increase also highlights broader demographic shifts reshaping Europe — changes that have fueled the rise of nationalist and far-right political movements pushing for stricter immigration controls and the deportation of undocumented migrants.

Exact figures on Europe’s Muslim population remain uncertain. The Pew Research Center estimated in 2020 that Muslims made up roughly 6% of Europe’s population, up from 4.9% in 2017. Pew projected that under a “medium” migration scenario, the share would reach 11.2% by 2025. For the purposes of the study, Europe included EU member states as well as Norway and Switzerland. (The United Kingdom has since left the EU.)

{Matzav.com}

Around 3:15 a.m. on Sunday, three military police officers in civilian clothes tried to arrest a 22-year-old newly married avreich at his family’s home in the Ganei Hadar neighborhood of Petah Tikva, but after arguing with his father, who refused them entry since the son no longer lived there, the officers eventually left.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) said Sunday on CNN’s State of the Union that Republicans will not be able to manipulate congressional maps enough to block Democrats from reclaiming control of the House in the 2026 midterm elections.

Jeffries stated, “As Democrats, we’re going to focus as well on fixing our broken health care system and cleaning up corruption. So we have an affirmative agenda that is compelling that we will continue to present to the American people. The Republicans have failed. That is why they are running scared.”

Host Dana Bash pressed Jeffries on the issue of redistricting, pointing out that Democrats have also pushed for changes in states like New York. “I want to move on to other issues, but first, I do just have to ask you to talk a lot about Texas, as do other Democrats. You supported a move in your state of New York where Democrats you wanted to throw out congressional maps that were drawn by the state’s independent redistricting commission. You praised New York’s state legislature for redrawing new ones. Is criticizing Texas hypocritical, given what you push for in your own state?”

Jeffries defended his stance, saying, “What’s important is that in New York, the redrawn map that was actually adopted by the legislature was adopted on a bipartisan basis. Democrats and Republicans in the assembly voted for the map because the redraw was fair. That’s not what’s happening in Texas. In Texas, this is a racial partisan gerrymander ordered by Donald Trump as part of an effort to rig the midterm elections. We’re not going to let it happen. And at the end of the day, we were 24 seats down during Donald Trump’s first midterm election in 2018. We won 40 seats in 2018. There’s no way that Republicans can mathematically gerrymander their way to an artificial victory next year.”

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy Keith Kellogg said in Kyiv on Monday that officials are “working very, very hard” on efforts to end the three-year war between Russia and Ukraine, as a lack of progress fuels doubts about whether a peace settlement could be on the horizon. Officials are “hoping to get to a position where, in the near term, we have, with a lack of a better term, security guarantees” that address Ukraine’s fears of another invasion by Russia in the future, Kellogg said. “That’s a work in progress,” Kellogg said of the potential security guarantees after attending Ukraine’s annual National Prayer Breakfast along with politicians, business leaders and diplomats. A week ago, Trump said he had set in motion arrangements for direct peace talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelenskyy. But Russian officials have signaled that such a summit won’t happen any time soon. Trump said Friday he expects to decide on next steps in two weeks if direct talks aren’t scheduled. A stream of high-ranking visitors to Kyiv in recent days reflects concerns around the U.S.-led peace drive. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visited Kyiv on Sunday for meetings with Zelenskyy, pledging 2 billion Canadian dollars in aid, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte was in the Ukrainian capital on Friday. Germany’s vice chancellor and finance minister, Lars Klingbeil, arrived in Kyiv on Monday to discuss “how Germany can best support Ukraine in a possible peace process.” Putin spoke on the phone with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday, the Kremlin said. Russia and Iran have close relations, and Putin has also deepened ties with China, India and North Korea as Western countries have sided with Ukraine in the war. Putin and Pezeshkian are expected to meet next week when China hosts the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s annual summit, in Tianjin. Germany, Norway vow more help for Ukraine Klingbeil, the German vice chancellor, told Zelenskyy that Ukraine’s allies have to “talk about what happens if President Putin does not relent, if he wants to continue the war.” Germany will continue to stand by Ukraine, he said, echoing sentiments by Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store earlier in the day. Norway’s multibillion-dollar military and civilian support for Ukraine’s fight to defeat Russia’s invasion will stretch into next year, Store said in Kyiv. Store, whose country borders Russia, told a news conference with Zelenskyy that Ukraine is “defending a critical principle on the European level” by refusing to accept Russia’s seizure of territory. Analysts say Putin thinks he can outlast Western governments’ commitment to Ukraine and use his bigger army to capture more Ukrainian land while peace efforts are under discussion. Norway on Sunday pledged about 7 billion kroner ($695 million) toward air defense systems for Ukraine. Norway and Germany are jointly funding two U.S.-made Patriot anti-missile systems, including missiles, with Norway also helping procure air defense radar, Store said. Drone strikes continue Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia launched 104 strike and decoy drones overnight, targeting the country’s north and east. There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties. Ukraine has continued long-range drone attacks on Russia, hitting oil refineries, armories and transport hubs and causing commercial flight disruption during the summer vacation period. On Sunday, an Egyptian plane carrying Russian tourists from Sharm El Sheikh to St. Petersburg diverted to Tallinn because the Russian city’s international airport had temporarily closed […]

For the full video click hereIt’s not just remarkable -it’s incredible! On his website, there are hundreds of documented cases where Rav Hool has told people- he has never met- or even seen-exactly what physical ailments they have, just by doing the procedure! There are also -as of this writing- 272 (!) documented cases- (almost all cases where people have sent him emails) confirming the yeshuoh they had after the procedure! Some of these yeshuos are literally staggering, like a woman who couldn’t lift her arm for two years, or a man who found parnossoh 72 hours after the procedure after 10 years of unemployment!   For years Rav Doniel Hool has been helping Yeiden around the world in matters like shidduchim, parnossoh, medical issues and so on-by doing the pouring of the lead procedure or Blei Gissen, to remove ayin horah.   Rav Hool only agrees to do the procedure if the client accepts upon himself to strengthen in a certain very small mitzvah of their choice.   Rav Hool says: “They don’t need to tell me what their kabolloh is, and it is not a verbal promise- just a 100% intention to carry on this mitzvah. Preferably, it is something they should be doing anyway, and it is easy to do. For example, many people have undertaken to be makpid to say modeh ani before getting out of bed in the morning. I feel I need this mitzvah so we can have Siyyatah Dishmayoh for the procedure to be effective, and also for my own protection!”   Rav Hool’s clients include Roshey Yeshivah and dayyonim from all over the world. One Rosh Yeshivah had trouble in finding a mitzvah he could take on, as he thought he was already doing everything. Rav Hool suggested he says Mizmor LeDavid at every meal as brought in the Mishna Brurah, and the Rosh Yeshiva said “That’s a great idea- I will take that on!” So in the last year alone, there are thousands of mitzvos being done! Rav Hool says, “As the mitzvos keep on building up, we have a more and more powerful zechus for the next procedure to bring a yeshuoh! It is no small matter that a prominent rav has given his full endorsement! Here is the written endorsement he has from Hagaon Rav Mattisyahu Doitch Shlita Dayan of the Badatz eidah Chareides and Moreh D’asrah of Ramat Shlomo. Rav Hool relates: “In order to obtain Hagaon Rav Mattissyahu Doitch’s written haskomoh- he tested me out! He gave me the name of a female and her mother’s name and asked if I could identify her problem. Without knowing anything at all about her, Boruch Hashem I told him where her problem was and the rav confirmed that he was told by her family about it and that this problem was preventing her getting a shidduch. B’Chasdey Hashem-two months later I was dancing at her chasunah!”   A talmid of Yeshivas Ponevez (12 years) and Mir (16 years), it is intriguing Rav Hool has gotten into such a thing. But he says “I saw the procedure works, and I know Hagaon Rav Yisroel Yaakov Fisher ztz’l sent hundreds of people to do the procedure. The Tzemach Tzeddek ztz’l even has a teshuvoh allowing the lead to be heated up on shabbos to try and save someone’s life! I was also told by a prominent Rosh Yeshiva’s wife that she knows for a fact Rav Elyashiv ztz’l had the procedure done for himself numerous times”. […]

At just 26 years old, Lt. G., a graduate of a yeshiva tichonit and resident of the Gaza-envelope region, already holds one of the most sensitive and strategic positions in the IDF, serving as a combat navigator on the advanced F-15I “Ra’am.” Last night, he completed his first long-range operational flight, taking him all the way to the skies over Yemen.

In an exclusive interview with Kikar HaShabbat, he shares his journey from a yeshiva classroom to planning complex strike missions, the tense hours spent deep over enemy territory, and the unique balance between emunah and military precision inside the Israeli Air Force.

“A Navigator Doesn’t Navigate”

“When people hear ‘combat navigator,’ they often picture old maps and compasses,” Lt. G. says with a smile. “But here’s the scoop people need to know — a navigator doesn’t navigate. We’ve got Waze, so to speak.”

His role, he explains, goes far beyond directions. “The simplest way to put it is that the pilot is the commander of the plane, and the navigator is the commander of the mission. The pilot focuses on flying — speed, altitude, positioning. I handle the mission: data integration, target selection, managing weapons systems, and making sure we understand every detail of how the strike will be executed — what munitions we’ll use, what threats we might face, and how we’re going to neutralize them.”

This division of responsibility, he says, explains why two crew members remain essential even in today’s most advanced jets. “The F-35 is single-seater, yes, but that’s because its missions are structured differently. On long-range, complex operations like ours — carrying heavy payloads and managing dozens of systems — the cognitive and operational load is enormous. Splitting the work between pilot and navigator isn’t just efficient — it creates perfect synergy.”

A Five-Hour Flight into Hostile Skies

Since October 7, Lt. G. and his squadron have been in near-constant activity. “For almost two years now, we’ve been in nonstop combat — missions over Lebanon, Syria, Gaza. The tempo hasn’t slowed,” he says. “But Yemen was different. It was my first long-range operational flight — an initiation into Israel’s most distant theater of conflict.”

The numbers speak for themselves: two and a half hours of flying each way — nearly five straight hours in a cramped, noisy cockpit, all above hostile territory. “And that’s before you even count the hours of briefings, rehearsals, and the long debrief afterward,” he adds.

“150 Percent Alertness — Always”

So what happens during those five hours in the air? Is there time to breathe? Lt. G. shakes his head. “Your alertness is at 150 percent, all the time. In a fighter jet, nothing ever slows down. You never really ‘relax,’ and I doubt anyone ever has while sitting in one. But there are different peaks of intensity. The outbound leg — toward the target — always feels faster. Every second, you’re checking systems, arming weapons, coordinating with the formation, and preparing for the exact moment of the strike. The return trip, even though it still demands full focus, comes after the mission’s peak.”

The Most Nerve-Racking Moment: Air-to-Air Refueling

One of the riskiest challenges on a mission like this is midair refueling. The process requires surgical precision — maneuvering a heavy fighter jet into contact with a fuel boom dangling from a massive tanker aircraft, all at high altitude and incredible speed, often above hostile zones.

“I wouldn’t call it ‘stress,’ exactly,” he explains, “but ‘intense focus’ for sure. In flight school, they define this maneuver as a ‘controlled collision.’ That’s what it is — you’re literally connecting with another aircraft, safely but physically. It demands absolute professionalism.”

The refueling process takes around 20 to 30 minutes, but it’s much more than simply plugging in. “You’ve got to get to the rendezvous point, stabilize, connect, fill up, and separate safely — all while preparing to continue the mission. You feel it physically too: the jet gets heavier with every liter of fuel, and you have to adapt instantly. It’s one of the most demanding moments of the entire flight.”

Are the Missions Always Perfect?

Israelis are used to hearing about pinpoint strikes and flawless results. Is that really the case? Lt. G. answers candidly. “I think everyone understands — no person, no organization, no military in the world is perfect. We strive to execute every mission to the highest standard, but after every single sortie, we sit through detailed debriefs to analyze everything we could’ve done better. That’s how we improve.”

And when it comes to mistakes, he doesn’t hesitate to acknowledge them. “If we’re talking about October 7, there’s nothing more to add. Human beings make mistakes — it’s part of our nature. The real wisdom is admitting where you went wrong, understanding why, and making sure it doesn’t happen again.”

Endurance, Pressure, and Motivation

Nearly two years of unrelenting conflict have taken their toll, but Lt. G. says there’s no room for burnout. “We don’t have the privilege of feeling fatigued. We’ve learned that lesson the hard way. We have to be ready — whether the mission surprises us or we’ve prepared for it for weeks. On this Yemen strike, we had reservists alongside us, both in the air and on the ground. Everyone knows how critical this moment is. When we’re called — we show up.”

A Message to the Young Chareidi

The Air Force, often seen as an isolated, “secular” bubble, is not as detached as many think. “From my experience, I’ve never once felt alienation from anyone in the system,” he stresses. “What we all care about most is supporting the guys on the ground — our brothers, friends, and sometimes literally our neighbors sitting in tanks and APCs. That’s our biggest motivation.”

As a graduate of a yeshiva tichonit, Lt. G. represents a growing number of religious soldiers filling key Air Force roles. He knows many young bochurim want to serve meaningfully but worry about spiritual challenges. His message to them is clear:

“I never dreamed of being a pilot,” he admits. “I enlisted with one mindset — to defend my people and my country. That value, I think, is already deep inside every young bochur. It doesn’t conflict with Torah learning or living a life of emunah. For me, this is a tremendous shlichus — dealing with pikuach nefesh on a daily basis.”

He also reassures them about fears of a purely secular environment. “From my personal experience, this is a place of respect and inclusivity. Of course there are challenges, but they refine you — that’s part of what it means to live as a believing Jew in the modern world. The Air Force today values faith and spirituality. People like us are no longer on the margins — we’re at the center, in key positions. There’s nothing to fear.”

“Davening Mincha at 30,000 Feet”

Finally, Lt. G. shares a thought that captures the heart of his journey. “I haven’t yet flown straight through the entire Mincha window, but when that moment comes, I believe there’s no greater privilege than davening Mincha in a fighter jet, performing a mission for Am Yisroel and Eretz Yisroel.”

When the engines power down and his boots touch the ground, Lt. G. returns to being a 26-year-old young man of faith, rooted deeply in the Negev soil. But up there — above the clouds, on the edge of darkness and light — he is something more: a mission commander, a protector, and living proof that courage, emunah, and dedication can merge into one powerful force, as seamless and formidable as the F-15I “Ra’am” he flies.

{Matzav.com Israel}

The IDF has decided to suspend Rabbi Aviad Gadot, the head of the Torat Lechima organization, from reserve duty after he published a statement against Military Advocate General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, Army Radio reporter Doron Kadosh reported. It should be noted that many soldiers and organizations have accused Tomer-Yerushalmi of placing IDF soldiers in danger by imposing multiple legal restraints on their actions against terrorists. According to the report, the decision was made following a statement published on the organization’s Twitter account in June against Tomer-Yerushalmi. “What do you think about a foot patrol for the Military Advocate General through the Old City of Shechem during high friction with the city’s terror population before she distributes orders to soldiers in the Shomron?” the statement said. Following an inquiry from Army Radio in recent weeks, IDF Chief Rabbi Brig.-Gen. Eyal Karim reviewed Gadot’s status, which showed that he wasn’t serving as a military rabbi in a unit but rather holding a rear-position role at the Military Rabbinate Headquarters. After an examination, it was decided that Gadot would be suspended from reserve duty. The IDF will later consider whether to terminate his service completely. An IDF spokesperson stated, “The IDF includes citizens from all sectors and viewpoints, while maintaining IDF orders and values. The IDF condemns such statements directed against commanders and soldiers.” Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi expressed support for Rabbi Gadot, writing, “If indeed the Military Advocate General did not go out to the field before deciding to impose restrictive orders on our soldiers, that is very serious in my view. This should be basic training for legal officials involved in issuing orders to IDF soldiers. I do not understand the IDF spokesperson’s condemnation. I did not hear any condemnation from the IDF spokesperson against the leaking of the false and inciting video from Sde Teiman.” Gadot responded on his X account, stating, “Hello Doron Kadosh. I understand your efforts as part of your role in the Kaplan protest after you encouraged refusal [to serve] while earning a salary from the defense budget. My response: A. You are welcome to serve in the IDF in general and in the reserves in particular. We are short on people. B. Your claim is unknown to me and to my commanders.” (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Sunday accused President Donald Trump of attempting to “steal” and “rig” the 2026 midterms through gerrymandering, but he avoided answering whether Democrats in New York plan to redraw their own congressional map. Speaking on CNN’s State of the Union, Jeffries said, “House Democrats are going to respond from coast to coast and at all points in between, as has been done in California, as has been done forcefully, immediately and appropriately to ensure that Donald Trump cannot steal the midterm elections.” When pressed by host Dana Bash on whether Democrats would move to rejigger New York’s map, Jeffries dodged, instead criticizing Republican redistricting in Texas and praising Democratic countermeasures in California. “There’s a plan to respond as appropriately in New York and in other parts of the country as the circumstances dictate,” he said. The remarks came after Texas Republicans, pushed by Trump, approved a new congressional map that could flip as many as five House seats for the GOP in 2026. Democrats immediately condemned the move as voter suppression, while California Gov. Gavin Newsom advanced his own map designed to counterbalance Texas by potentially handing Democrats five seats of their own. Similar fights are playing out in other states, with Republicans in Florida, Missouri, and Indiana floating redrawn maps and Democrats in Illinois, Maryland, and New York weighing the same. In New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul has been far more outspoken than Jeffries, openly calling for Democrats to fight fire with fire. “I’m tired of fighting this fight with my hand tied behind my back,” she said earlier this month. “Politics is a political process. The playing field has changed dramatically, and shame on us if we ignore that fact. That era is over — Donald Trump eliminated it forever.” New York Democrats introduced a constitutional amendment in July that would permit lawmakers to revise the state’s congressional map before 2028, though it formally bars partisan gerrymandering. With Republicans holding just a three-seat majority in the House, the fight over redistricting could decide control of Congress. Trump and his allies are using state maps to lock in gains, while Democrats face growing pressure to adopt the same tactics despite their public denunciations of gerrymandering. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

As Elul zeman begins, excitement is running high at Ponovezh Yeshiva in Bnei Brak, where thousands of talmidim are preparing to begin the new zeman, including hundreds of incoming bochurim from Shiur Alef.

Following the yeshiva’s long-standing tradition, the new Shiur Alef students began the Elul zeman ahead of everyone else. On Sunday night, immediately after Maariv, the yeshiva’s nasi, Rav Eliezer Kahaneman, delivered the official pesicha for the incoming talmidim in the main bais medrash.

This zeman, the yeshiva will be learning Perek Tamid Nishchat in Maseches Pesachim, a perek that includes foundational sugyos in Seder Kodshim.

In the weeks leading up to the zeman, the yeshiva’s administration carried out extensive renovations and upgrades throughout the entire campus. The road running between the main Beis Medrash and the Ohel Kedoshim building was completely resurfaced, and significant funds were invested in new beds, benches, and hundreds of brand-new shtenders to enhance the comfort and learning environment for the talmidim.

Additionally, the yeshiva has prepared a new dormitory building above the Vizhnitzer Beis Medrash on Rechov Maharshal. A specially constructed bridge now connects the new dorm directly to the Ponovezh campus, enabling bochurim to walk straight from the dormitory into the Beis Medrash with ease.

Given the tremendous growth of the yeshiva — which now boasts more than 2,200 talmidim — the administration has also expanded the galleries inside the Ohel Kedoshim building to their maximum capacity. The new galleries now extend all the way to the edge of the Aron Kodesh, allowing for the addition of hundreds of extra seats to accommodate the growing student body.

There has also been increasing talk within the yeshiva regarding the possible appointment of additional ramim. Last summer, Rav Refoel Shmuelevitz was appointed as a ram and has quickly gained widespread admiration for his daily shiur to Shiur Beis talmidim, as well as for his renowned chaburos delivered to the kibbutz bochurim. Rav Refoel is known for his unique approach, as he sits in the main Beis Medrash during first seder, giving talmidim direct access to him to discuss their learning and clarify sugyos during the seder itself.

Elul zeman at Ponovezh is also marked by an intensified focus on mussar learning as the Yemei HaRachamim VeHaSlichos approach. Each week, two shmuessen are delivered by the yeshiva’s mashgichim, Rav Eliyahu Eliezer Kellerman and Rav Ezra Rothschild. While during the rest of the year the shmuessen rotate between the mashgichim on Tuesdays, during Elul an additional shmuess is delivered every Thursday. Furthermore, a special daily seder mussar takes place at 1:15 p.m. before Mincha, in addition to the regular seder mussar held half an hour before Maariv.

Many bochurim in Ponovezh continue to follow the directive of the late rosh yeshiva, Rav Gershon Edelstein zt”l, remaining in the yeshiva throughout the entirety of Elul zeman and not returning home until after Yom Kippur. For these talmidim, the weeks of Elul represent one uninterrupted period of spiritual elevation and immersion in Torah on the Ponovezh campus, without any break or distraction.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Ken Martin is in the fight of his life. The low-profile political operative from Minnesota, just six months on the job as chairman of the Democratic National Committee, is charged with leading his party’s formal resistance to President Donald Trump and fixing the Democratic brand. “I think the greatest divide right now in our party, frankly, is not ideological,” Martin told The Associated Press. “The greatest divide is those people who are standing up and fighting and those who are sitting on the sidelines.” “We’re using every single lever of power we have to take the fight to Donald Trump,” he said of the DNC. And yet, as hundreds of Democratic officials gather in Martin’s Minneapolis hometown on Monday for the first official DNC meeting since he became chair, there is evidence that Martin’s fight may extend well beyond the current occupant of the Oval Office. Big Democratic donors are unhappy with the direction of their own party and not writing checks. Political factions are fragmented over issues such as the Israel-Hamas war. The party’s message is murky. Key segments of the Democratic base — working-class voters and young people, among them — have drifted away. And there is deep frustration that the Democratic Party under Martin’s leadership is not doing enough to stop the Republican president — no matter how tough his rhetoric may be. “There are no magic fixes,” said Jeanna Repass, the chair of the Kansas Democratic Party, who praised Martin’s performance so far. “He is trying to lead at a time where everyone wants it to be fixed right now. And it’s just not going to happen.” At this week’s three-day summer meeting, DNC officials hope to make real progress in reversing the sense of pessimism and frustration that has consumed Democrats since Republicans seized the White House and control of Congress last fall. It may not be so easy. Confidence questions and money trouble At least a couple of DNC members privately considered bringing a vote of no confidence against Martin last week in part because of the committee’s underwhelming fundraising, according to a person with direct knowledge of the situation who was granted anonymity to share internal discussions. Ultimately, the no confidence vote will not move forward because Martin’s critics couldn’t get sufficient support from the party’s broader membership, which includes more than 400 elected officials from every state and several territories. Still, the committee’s financial situation is weak compared with the opposition’s. The most recent federal filings reveal that the DNC has $14 million in the bank at the end of July compared with the Republican National Committee’s $84 million. The Democrats’ figure represents its lowest level of cash on hand in at least the last five years. Martin and his allies, including his predecessor Jaime Harrison, insist it’s not fair to compare the party’s current financial health with recent years, when Democratic President Joe Biden was in the White House. Harrison pointed to 2017 as a more accurate comparison. That year, the committee struggled to raise money in the months after losing to Trump the first time. And in the 2018 midterm elections that followed, Harrison noted, Democrats overcame their fundraising problems and won the House majority and several Senate seats. “These are just the normal pains of being a Democrat when we don’t have the White […]

Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s Office (PMO) informed coalition partners over the past day that Netanyahu has no intention of “dismantling the bloc for [Benny] Gantz,” according to a report by Israeli public broadcaster KAN on Sunday.

The report noted that some coalition members are worried that bringing Gantz into the government could pave the way for Netanyahu to push forward with a hostage deal and bring an end to the fighting in the Gaza Strip. Such a move, they fear, could lead hard-line members of the coalition — National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich — to withdraw from the bloc entirely.

Over the weekend, Gantz publicly called on Netanyahu, Opposition Leader MK Yair Lapid, and Yisrael Beytenu chairman MK Avigdor Liberman to come together and establish a temporary “government of redemption for the hostages” that would serve for a period of six months.

Gantz explained that this proposed interim government should prioritize two main objectives: negotiating the release of hostages currently held by Hamas and passing the long-debated chareidi draft law.

He also stated that once these goals are achieved, new elections should be scheduled to determine the country’s leadership moving forward.

{Matzav.com}

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