The Knesset overnight approved in its second and third readings a bill amending the Police Ordinance to prohibit the police from using skunk spray at protests.

The bill was originally initiated and advanced by former UTJ MK Eliyahu Baruchi. After Baruchi left the Knesset under the Norwegian Law and the Chareidi parties exited the government, the bill was advanced by Degel HaTorah chairman MK Moshe Gafni in coordination with the Israel Police, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, and the ministry’s legal team. MKs from across the political spectrum—coalition and opposition—joined the bill, and it passed 11-O.

The law regulates, for the first time, the use of water cannons to disperse protests, conditioning their use on clean water only, without the addition of any substances, including dye, odor agents (skunk), or other substances.

The bill also requires the police to video every use of water cannons and to retain the footage for at least one year. The footage will be made available to any citizen who claims to have been harmed by its use and seeks to pursue legal action against the police.

Disturbing data were presented showing unequal use of water cannons against protesters in Israel during the committee deliberations in the National Security Committee. The committee also received a special report prepared by the Knesset Research and Information Center at the request of former MK Baruchi, stating that Israel is the only country in the world that uses skunk for crowd dispersal. The report noted that the active ingredient in the substance is produced by a lone supplier, the private Israeli Odortec company, and its components remain classified even from government ministries such as the Health Ministry and the Environmental Protection Ministry.

In November 2024, Prof. Shlomo Magdassi of the Hebrew University’s Institute of Chemistry conducted laboratory tests on skunk spray. His findings showed that skunk contains toxic, flammable, and hazardous materials that can cause significant short‑term health effects, including damage to the central nervous system, eye and respiratory irritation, and—if ingested—vomiting and pneumonia.

Former MK Baruchi led, together with UTJ and opposition MKs, a prolonged campaign to regulate police use of water cannons, calling them at times “a tool for dispersing Chareidim.”

In one of his speeches on the issue, Baruchi said: “It is no secret that in Israel, the water‑cannon has long since shifted from its original purpose of maintaining public order to becoming a violent tool used without proper regulation, with skunk liquid used only in Israel, under complete secrecy regarding its chemical composition, applied unequally, without documentation or oversight, and causing severe economic and physical harm to hundreds and thousands of citizens and to infrastructure unrelated to public disturbances.”

He added: “This bill seeks to restore the water cannon to its original purpose, enabling the police to maintain public order…”

The explanatory notes to the bill state: “Although police procedures regulate the use of water cannons to prevent unnecessary harm to people, over the years demonstrators and bystanders have been injured during their use.”

“In certain cases, substances other than water were sprayed, including dye, pepper mist, or pepper liquid, and at times even a foul-smelling liquid, known as “skunk,” is deployed, which lingers in the air and on the clothing of demonstrators at whom it is sprayed. It should be noted that skunk spray is not used in any other countries.”

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

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The United Arab Emirates carried out covert military strikes against Iran during the recent war after it became Iran’s primary Gulf target during the conflict, sources familiar with the matter told The Wall Street Journal.

The attack, which the UAE has not publicly acknowledged, included a strike on Iran’s refinery at Lavan Island in the Persian Gulf in early April, around the same time President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire, the sources said.

The strike caused a major fire, disabling a significant portion of the refinery’s production capacity.

Following the strike, Iran announced that the refinery had been targeted in an enemy attack and responded with a barrage of missiles and drones toward the UAE and Kuwait.

One source said that Washington quietly welcomed the Emirati strike, which took place before the ceasefire officially took effect.

The UAE Foreign Ministry declined to comment directly to the WSJ on the strike, but referred to previous statements asserting the country’s right to respond, including militarily, to hostile actions.

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

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Special forces crossed north of the Litani River last week and carried out a daring operation near the Shiite village of Zawtar al-Sharqiya, about 10 kilometers (6.21 miles) from the Israeli border, the IDF revealed on Tuesday.

The week-long operation was one of the boldest and most significant since the start of ground operations in Lebanon, as it effectively shattered the “Litani barrier,” viewed as a strategic line in the conflict. The operation took place at one of the deepest points IDF forces have advanced so far.

According to a report by Army Radio, troops from the Egoz and Golani Reconnaissance Units crossed the Litani River in heavy armored vehicles, including Golani reconnaissance unit Namer APCs. After crossing north of the river, they continued until arriving at an area used by Hezbollah as a launching pad, from which numerous rocket and mortar barrages were fired at Israeli forces in southern Lebanon in recent weeks.

During the operation—which previously was under a gag order—several face-to-face battles took place between IDF soldiers and Hezbollah terrorists, and eight IDF soldiers were lightly wounded.

In one dramatic incident, terrorists emerged from a tunnel shaft north of the Litani River and opened fire, leading to an intense gun battle at extremely close range.

During the operation, dozens of Hezbollah terrorists were killed in gun battles and by airstrikes.

The IDF forces successfully crossed back over the Litani at the conclusion of the operation.

Weapons found by IDF forces in the Litani River area (Photo: IDF spokesperson)

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

In a historic 93-0 vote, the Knesset on Monday evening passed, in its second and third readings, a law establishing a legal framework for prosecuting the terrorists responsible for the October 7 massacre.

The law, proposed by MKs Simcha Rothman and Yulia Malinovsky, established the legal basis for unprecedented trials of Hamas terrorists and their accomplices for the gravest crimes committed during the deadly assault.

Under the law, the maximum possible sentence is death. However, it should be noted that his law differs from a separate death penalty proposal for terrorists promoted by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

One of the law’s central provisions authorizes courts to impose the death penalty not only for the murder of 1,164 civilians and soldiers on October 7, but also for other grave offenses, including rape, under existing legislation such as the Genocide Prevention Law and the Counterterrorism Law.

The bill stipulates that terrorists convicted under this law will never be released from prison, including as part of future hostage-release deals.

A special military tribunal will be established in Jerusalem, where indictments are expected to be filed against over 400 suspects. The trials will be divided according to geographic locations, such as the massacres in Be’eri, Nir Oz, and the Nova music festival.

Each judicial panel will consist of three judges, including at least one military court president or a district court judge serving in reserve duty. Defendants convicted under the law will automatically be entitled to appeal, with the appellate panel headed by a retired Supreme Court justice.

The trials are expected to be the largest and most significant in Israel since the trial of Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann in 1961.

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

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US President Donald Trump is now “more seriously considering a resumption of major combat operations in Iran,” CNN reported overnight Monday, citing some of Trump’s aides.

Israel’s Channel 12 News previously reported on Monday evening that Trump is leaning toward resuming the war with Iran in some capacity, quoting two senior US officials.

According to the sources, Trump has become impatient with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and with divisions within Iran’s leadership, which he believes are preventing Tehran from agreeing to concessions on the nuclear issue.

Trump’s frustrations may also stem from Pakistan’s role as mediator between the US and Iran. Two sources told CNN that officials close to Trump believe Pakistan frequently presents the US with a more favorable interpretation of Iran’s position than what actually reflects reality.

Additionally, CBS News reported on Monday that while Pakistan was mediating between Washington and Tehran, it also allowed Iranian military aircraft to shelter on its territory to avoid U.S. airstrikes.

According to US officials quoted by CBS, the Iranian aircraft were transferred to Pakistan just days after President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire at the beginning of April.

The disclosure triggered immediate backlash in U.S. political circles. Senior Republican Senator Lindsey Graham responded to the report on X, saying that if the information is accurate, it would require a complete reassessment of Pakistan’s role as a mediator between Iran, the United States, and other parties.

Graham added that, given previous statements by senior Pakistani security officials regarding Israel, he would not be shocked if the report was true.

Diplomatic tensions are expected to escalate in the coming hours, with officials at the White House reportedly demanding clarifications from Islamabad.

The report about Trump mulling a resumption of combat operations comes after the Pentagon—in a rare move—revealed the location of a U.S. Navy nuclear-armed submarine.

The U.S. Sixth Fleet stated on Monday that the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine arrived in Gibraltar, a British territory on Spain’s south coast.

“The port visit demonstrates U.S. capability, flexibility, and continuing commitment to its NATO allies,” the Sixth Fleet said in a press release. “Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines are undetectable launch platforms for submarine-launched ballistic missiles, providing the U.S. with its most survivable leg of the nuclear triad.”

The Ohio-class fleet consists of 14 ballistic missile submarines and four guided-missile submarines. Designed for stealth operations, the submarines can carry Trident II ballistic missiles and conduct prolonged strategic deterrence patrols. The guided-missile variants of the Ohio-class are capable of carrying more than 150 Tomahawk cruise missiles.

The surprise Pentagon announcement was made after Trump told reporters that the US-Iran ceasefire is “on life support.”

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

The historic Keren Olam HaTorah mission to South America officially began Monday morning with the arrival of a delegation of leading gedolei Yisroel in Sao Paulo, Brazil, ahead of a series of major dinner events and maamadei chizuk on behalf of lomdei Torah in Eretz Yisroel.

Participating in the delegation are Rav Yaakov Hillel, Rav Avrohom Salim, Rav Shimon Galei, Rav Chaim Peretz Berman, Rav Malkiel Kotler, and Rav Yosef Chevroni, rosh yeshiva of Chevron.

On their way from Eretz Yisroel, the rabbonim made a stopover in Paris, where they were hosted at the home of philanthropist Reb Johaquim Cohen. During the visit, the delegation davened Shacharis and was served breakfast before continuing on to Brazil.

Upon arriving in Sao Paulo, the gedolim immediately began a packed schedule of visits and fundraising events within the local Jewish community. The central gathering was held at the home of philanthropist Reb Yaakov Stern and was attended by prominent supporters of Torah, local roshei mosdos, and guests who traveled specially from Deal, New Jersey.

During the dinner, Rav Yaakov Hillel spoke passionately about the urgent need to strengthen support for the olam haTorah during this difficult period. “If we make efforts and push ourselves beyond our natural abilities, Hakadosh Boruch Hu will repay us many times over,” he said.

Rav Shimon Galei followed with emotional remarks describing the amal haTorah and mesirus nefesh displayed by bnei Torah in Eretz Yisroel. He called upon the assembled nedivim to answer the call of “Mi LaHashem Eilai” and partner in sustaining the world of Torah.

Philanthropist Reb Ezra Irani also addressed the gathering and outlined the background and purpose behind the establishment of Keren Olam HaTorah. He emphasized that the gedolei Yisroel view the work of the fund as a matter of literal hatzolas nefashos.

Later, the delegation paid a special visit to the Talmud Torah Hamaor in Sao Paulo, where the gedolim were welcomed enthusiastically by the children with singing and dancing in honor of the rare visit.

Rav Chaim Peretz Berman addressed the students and expressed amazement at the flourishing growth of Torah around the globe. “One can clearly see how Hakadosh Boruch Hu ensures that in every corner of the world, Torah continues to thrive and blossom,” he said.

At the conclusion of the event, the gedolei Yisroel signed special certificates of recognition for students who completed Maseches Kiddushin and successfully passed examinations on the masechta.

The Keren Olam HaTorah mission is expected to continue in the coming days as the delegation travels onward to Argentina for additional dinners and meetings aimed at strengthening support for the olam haTorah in Eretz Yisroel.

Hundreds of people arrived on both sides of the issue, with pro-Palestinian activists protesting the sale of properties they claim are located on land taken from Palestinians, including homes in communities in Yehuda and Shomron.

Organizers of the protest said the gathering was intended to pressure city officials and challenge the legitimacy of such events taking place in New York.

“We’re here today to send a message to the city and to send a message to the organizers that these kinds of events cannot and will not stand in New York City,” Taher Dahleh, the organizer with the Palestinian Youth movement, said.

The event itself featured Israeli real estate listings and agents offering assistance to prospective buyers interested in purchasing homes and navigating the buying process in Israel.

Some protesters waved Hezbollah flags overhead and chanted, “Globalize the intifada.”

The anti-Semites chanted, “Brick by brick, wall by wall, Israel will fall,” “Baby killers,” and, “Death to the IDF.” They held orange banners that read, “Israel is killing children.

Handful of protesters leaving scene of rally in Midwood pic.twitter.com/T41FtelfUp

— Luke Tress (@luketress) May 11, 2026

Those who came to support the event or oppose the protests argued that the pro-Hamas demonstrators were unfairly targeting a Jewish neighborhood and disrupting a community trying to go about daily life.

“There’s a synagogue here. This is clearly a [predominantly] Jewish neighborhood, and they deserve the right to worship in peace,” counterprotester Kasondra Watkins said.

The demonstrations unfolded as the New York City Council continues debating legislation related to protest “buffer zones.” Council members are currently considering whether to override Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s veto of a bill involving educational institutions.

Another measure creating buffer zones around houses of worship, however, was allowed to stand and was not vetoed by the mayor.

Local residents expressed concern that bringing the conflict into the center of Midwood has heightened anxiety and created tension in the neighborhood.

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{Matzav.com}

Rav Avrohom Yosef, son of Rav Ovadia Yosef, delivered sharp words regarding the growing trend of haircuts that remove the peyos entirely, warning that such practices are a serious breach of halacha.

Speaking on Kol Chai radio, Rav Yosef described the pain he feels witnessing what has become common practice in many barber shops. “I look to the right and to the left at all the barbers of various kinds and my heart aches,” Rav Yosef said.

At the same time, he made clear that the blame cannot be placed solely on the barbers themselves, stressing that those getting the haircuts bear responsibility as well. “They put everything on the barber, and that’s not correct,” he said.

Rav Yosef went on to stress the severity of the matter, comparing it to eating maachalos assuros, forbidden foods. “A person who goes this way transgressed two prohibitions, as if he ate two portions of pork.” He explained that failing to leave kedei achiza—enough hair to grasp—in the peyos constitutes a serious violation of a lav in Vayikra 19:27: “Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard.”

He further clarified the distinction between the prohibition of removing the beard and that of cutting the peyos. In the case of the beard, the issur is dependent on an act of “hashchasa,” destruction, which is why “misparayim k’ein taar – scissors like a razor” may be permitted. By contrast, the prohibition regarding the hair on the head relates to “hakafah,” rounding the corners. “If there is not hair left to grasp, he has transgressed ‘do not round off the corners of your heads.’”

Concluding his remarks, Rav Yosef called on parents and the broader tzibbur to take a more active role in addressing the issue and ensuring that standards are upheld. “Parents should insist that their children present a Jewish appearance. Every God-fearing person should try to admonish, not to be silent, not to tolerate. Wake up, pay attention and urge people to walk in the way of the Torah.”

{Matzav.com}

[Video below.] Rabbi Liraz Zeira, a Chabad shliach working with college students in Yerushalayim, celebrated the birth of his sixth child on Monday, less than a year after he was critically injured by a landmine explosion during reserve duty in southern Syria.

As a result of those injuries, Rabbi Zeira lost both of his legs. On Monday morning, however, he stood upright on prosthetic limbs and held his newborn son, his arms trembling with emotion as he embraced the child.

In a video he shared on Instagram, Rabbi Zeira is seen cradling the baby while reciting a brachah of thanks.

“In good time, we had a son, a little brother for our five sweet sons,” he wrote.

“There is no better rehabilitation and no better healing than this. May we merit to raise him to Torah, chupah, and maasim tovim with happiness and good-heartedness. May he bring healing to all people of Israel and our heroic soldiers.”

Shaare Zedek Medical Center also marked the occasion with a message posted on Facebook: “Great excitement in our delivery room: Mazel tov to Rabbi Liraz and Anat Zeira on the birth of their sixth son at Shaare Zedek. Rabbi Maj. Liraz Zeira, a reservist fighter and military rabbi, was seriously wounded and lost both his legs in a grenade explosion in October 2025. Rabbi Liraz underwent a long rehabilitation process and continues to encourage students and spread joy. Yesterday, Rabbi Liraz had the privilege of embracing a wonderful baby boy born weighing 3.600 kilograms. The sweet baby joins four other children whom Rabbi Liraz and his wife, Anat, chose to deliver with us.”

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{Matzav.com}

Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) sharply criticized members of his own party on Monday after polling data showed that a significant share of Democrats believe the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner was staged.

“Assassinations + political violence are real. My party can’t be the tin foil hat brigade,” Fetterman wrote in a post on X.

“I was there a table away and I promise you, this was not staged,” he added.

The comments followed the release of a survey conducted by NewsGuard, which found that 34 percent of Democrats and 13 percent of Republicans said they believe the WHCA dinner shooting was staged.

The same poll indicated that 56 percent of respondents overall believe the Washington Hilton shooting was staged, while 45 percent said they do not.

In total, 30 percent of those surveyed said they believe at least one of the assassination attempts targeting President Trump was staged.

NewsGuard commissioned the poll in partnership with YouGov, surveying 1,000 Americans aged 18 and older between April 28 and May 4.

According to NewsGuard, the findings were so unexpected that the firm asked YouGov to review the data again, after which the results were reaffirmed.

The WHCA dinner shooting last month came amid a string of politically motivated violent incidents, including the public killing of Charlie Kirk, the fatal shooting of Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortmann (D), and an attempted arson attack at the Pennsylvania governor’s residence where Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) lives.

In response to the rise in such incidents, lawmakers have urged a reduction in heated political rhetoric, even as both parties have continued to fault one another for the escalation in violence.

President Trump has said that repeated attempts on his life are tied to the major policy decisions being carried out during his time in office.

Meanwhile, Cole Allen, who is accused of carrying out the WHCA dinner shooting, entered a not guilty plea on Tuesday to four federal charges, including attempting to assassinate Trump.

{Matzav.com}

The Trump administration is moving to make fertility treatment, including in vitro fertilization, more accessible and affordable by creating a new way for employers to offer fertility benefits to workers.

The proposal, announced by the Departments of Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services, follows President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14216, “Expanding Access to In Vitro Fertilization,” which he signed on Monday. The order declared that it is the policy of the administration to ensure reliable access to IVF treatment and to reduce unnecessary legal and regulatory barriers that can make fertility care more expensive.

Under the new proposal, employers would be allowed to offer fertility benefits as a separate “limited excepted benefit,” similar in concept to standalone dental or vision coverage. That means employees could potentially sign up for fertility coverage even if they are not enrolled in their employer’s main health insurance plan.

The change could be especially helpful for workers who receive their regular medical coverage elsewhere, such as through a spouse, but still want access to fertility benefits through their own employer. It could also give employers more flexibility to offer fertility coverage without having to include it only as part of a full major medical plan.

Tzedek, which has strongly advocated for expanded access to fertility care, played a major role in pushing for this action. The organization was also invited to the White House for the executive order signing, where Mrs. Weiss, Tzedek’s Infertility Policy Advisor and daughter of Sholom Mordechai Rubashkin, stood behind President Donald Trump as he signed the order.

The proposed benefit could cover a wide range of fertility-related care, including diagnosis, counseling, medications, surgical treatment, IVF, non-IVF fertility services, and treatment of underlying infertility-related medical conditions. The proposal would allow coverage up to a combined lifetime limit of $120,000 for the participant and covered beneficiaries, with inflation adjustments beginning after 2028.

For employers, the proposal could reduce regulatory burdens because excepted benefits are generally not subject to many of the same federal health coverage requirements that apply to major medical plans, including certain requirements under HIPAA, the Affordable Care Act, the No Surprises Act, and related laws. Supporters say that could make it easier for businesses to offer fertility benefits as part of their employee benefit packages.

For workers, the proposal could lower out-of-pocket costs for expensive fertility treatments, particularly IVF, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars per cycle. The Federal Register notice for Trump’s IVF order noted that IVF treatment can range from $12,000 to $25,000 per cycle.

The rule would also require plans and insurers to provide workers with a clear notice explaining what is covered, what limits apply, how to access providers, and how claims are handled. Federal officials said public comments on the proposal are due 60 days after publication in the Federal Register.

The proposal is not yet final, but if adopted, it would mark a significant shift in how fertility benefits can be offered in the workplace, giving employers a new option to help employees struggling with infertility and seeking to build families.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

The price tag for renovations to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool has risen sharply, increasing by $11.3 million since President Donald Trump first introduced the project, which is being carried out ahead of the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary celebrations.

When the work was initially announced, Trump estimated the effort would cost about $1.8 million to repaint the pool, seal its base, and fix leaking joints.

New filings released Friday show the projected cost has now reached $13.1 million, according to a report by the New York Times.

The Interior Department last week added $6.2 million to the contract, bringing the total from its earlier value of $6.9 million.

The project is being handled by Atlantic Industrial Coatings, a Virginia-based company that received the contract in April without a competitive bidding process.

The firm has previously worked on swimming pools at Trump National Golf Club Washington DC in Sterling, Virginia, and was selected for the reflecting pool project after the government cited an urgent need to proceed. Officials said that delaying the work would result in “serious injury,” according to the Times.

No further details were provided about the nature of that potential harm, though the project’s target completion date has been set for July 4.

“The contract price reflects the effort necessary to expedite the timeline of completing the leak prevention coating project—more people, more materials, more equipment and longer hours ahead of our 250th,” an Interior Department spokesperson told The Hill.

The spokesperson also said that the National Park Service is investing in an ozone nanobubbler filtration system and will assign a dedicated crew to maintain the site moving forward.

The renovation effort has drawn criticism from preservation advocates and a local nonprofit group concerned about changes to the historic landmark.

The Cultural Landscape Foundation and its founder, Charles Birnbaum, filed a lawsuit last week arguing that the application of a blue coating to the pool is “altering the historic character” without proper authorization.

According to the lawsuit, the National Historic Preservation Act requires government agencies to consult before making changes to historic properties, and the complaint also alleges the project fails to meet obligations under the National Environmental Policy Act.

The Trump administration has defended the initiative, saying the upgrades will enhance the experience for visitors to the National Mall while reducing long-term maintenance costs tied to significant water loss, with the pool currently leaking an estimated 16 million gallons each year.

“You’re going to end up with a beautiful, beautiful Reflecting Pool, the way it’s supposed to be,” Trump said during remarks in the Oval last month.

“Much better than it ever was, actually,” he continued.

The reflecting pool, first completed in 1922, has undergone multiple restoration efforts over the years.

{Matzav.com}

The mayor of Arcadia, a city in Los Angeles County’s San Gabriel Valley, admitted Monday that she acted as an illegal agent for Communist China and agreed to resign from office as part of a stunning federal plea agreement unsealed by prosecutors.

According to court filings, Eileen Wang acknowledged that she worked with officials tied to the People’s Republic of China to spread propaganda through a fake news website operating in the United States between 2020 and 2022. Wang was later elected to the Arcadia City Council in November 2022.

Federal prosecutors said Wang, 58, partnered with her former fiancé, Yaoning “Mike” Sun, to run a website called “U.S. News Center,” which presented itself as a legitimate news outlet serving Chinese Americans.

Authorities said the website was actually being used to carry out directives from Beijing.

Court documents state that Wang and Sun “executed directives” from Chinese government officials by publishing propaganda favorable to China while also sending screenshots and analytics back to their handlers to show how many readers viewed the articles.

In one instance described in the plea deal, Wang’s Chinese handler instructed her to publish pre-written propaganda pieces, including an essay authored by a PRC official that had appeared in the Los Angeles Times.

“There is no genocide in Xinjiang; there is no such thing as ‘forced labor’ in any production activity, including cotton production. Spreading such rumor is to defame China, destroy Xinjiang’s safety and stability,” wrote Wang’s master, according to the plea agreement.

Prosecutors said Wang quickly complied with the request, after which her handler responded, “So fast, thank you everyone.”

In another exchange detailed by investigators, Wang’s PRC contact praised the online traffic generated by one propaganda article. Wang allegedly responded, “Thank you leader.”

Wang pleaded guilty Monday afternoon during an arraignment hearing in downtown Los Angeles. She now faces up to 10 years in federal prison.

Bill Essayli, the top federal prosecutor in Los Angeles, said the case highlights China’s ongoing efforts to infiltrate and influence American institutions.

“Ms. Wang is just the latest to act as an agent for the PRC and it should terrify Americans that she was able to rise to the highest levels of local office in her city,” Essayli said.

As part of the plea agreement, Wang admitted she operated under the direction and control of Chinese officials to distribute propaganda inside the United States.

Sun was previously charged in 2024 with conspiracy and acting as an unregistered foreign agent on behalf of China.

Wang said her relationship with Sun ended that same year. Sun had also managed her City Council campaign. In Arcadia, the mayoral position rotates among members of the council.

In 2025, Wang attempted to separate herself from Sun’s legal troubles, stating she was “not responsible for the action of others,” while refusing calls to resign from the City Council.

Sun was sentenced in February to four years in federal prison for secretly working as an agent of the PRC.

“For years, Sun received and executed taskings from Chinese government officials, distorted our public discourse by disseminating Chinese propaganda, and surveilled groups in the United States that China viewed as threatening,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg.

Federal prosecutors allege Sun and Chinese officials hoped to transform Wang into a rising political figure who could eventually help advance Beijing’s interests in California politics.

In a 2024 interview with the Los Angeles Times, Wang said she moved from China to Southern California roughly 30 years ago.

She also said her mother practiced Chinese medicine and acupuncture, while her father worked as a physician in Sichuan province before later joining the University of Southern California.

The Chinese government has spent years attempting to shape American policymaking and public opinion through espionage and propaganda campaigns. U.S. counterintelligence officials warned in 2022 that Beijing was increasingly relying on both covert and overt influence operations.

That same year, the House Ethics Committee concluded a two-year investigation into allegations involving former Congressman Eric Swalwell and suspected Chinese spy Christine Fang, who had volunteered on his congressional campaign.

The committee ultimately warned Swalwell “of the possibility that foreign governments may attempt to secure improper influence through gifts and other interactions,” according to a letter issued at the close of the investigation.

Federal agents also carried out raids last month at Lancaster City Hall and at the homes of two local politicians as part of an investigation into ties between the officials and Chinese electric vehicle company BYD, which is conducting America’s first electric bus pilot program in the city.

“The concern was that the buses could be used for spying,” said a person with knowledge of the investigation.

The Pentagon is considering a long-term or even permanent military presence in Israel, according to Israeli security officials, as the two allies draw closer after an unprecedented joint exercise that offered a deep look into each other’s capabilities and command centers.

The assessment, shared with Yisrael Hayom, comes on the heels of “Operation Roaring Lion/Epic Fury,” which saw U.S. personnel embedded in the IDF’s underground “pit” command center and senior Israeli Air Force officials in the U.S. — an exchange that removed long-standing barriers between the two militaries.

“There are American forces here that will not be moving in the near or even distant future,” a senior Israeli official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive diplomatic matter. “They have learned that Israel is a convenient fortress for operations, a country relatively far from the main threats and well protected by air defense systems.”

The official pointed to another key advantage: Israel, unlike other regional partners, imposes no restrictions on U.S. military activity or offensive operations.

The discussions reflect a broader realignment in the region as the U.S. looks to reposition forces amid tensions with Iran and uncertainty about the Pentagon’s future footprint.

Israeli officials believe that the U.S. is currently drafting new Middle East policy documents that include a recommendation for a permanent military presence in the country. “It is still unclear whether this means defense batteries, fighter squadrons or other components,” one Israeli security official said, “but it is not inconceivable that the U.S.’s next base in the region will be in Israel.”

Both sides stress that even as the U.S. contemplates a larger presence, coordination between the IDF and the American military remains ironclad despite some policy gaps. “There is no scenario in which one side would be surprised by the other’s activity,” Israeli defense officials said.

That unity was on display during the change of command ceremony for the Israeli Air Force on May 5, when Lt. Gen. Derek France, commander of U.S. Air Forces Central Command, made clear that the current level of cooperation is the “baseline” and that there is no going back.

Still, the growing military ties have not translated into lockstep agreement on every front. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump, while closely coordinating, do not see precisely eye-to-eye on how to approach challenges in Lebanon and Iran, according to the Israeli officials.

But as the U.S. eyes a potentially unprecedented permanent base in the heart of the Middle East’s most volatile region, both sides appear to be betting that their military bond will only grow tighter.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

President Donald Trump said Monday that he is “seriously considering” making Venezuela the 51st U.S. state, a suggestion that was swiftly dismissed by the country’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez.

Speaking to Fox News, Trump expressed his interest in potentially annexing the South American nation, according to a social media post by the network’s co-anchor John Roberts. The White House has not yet responded to requests for comment on the matter.

Rodríguez, who assumed power in January following a U.S. military operation that ousted then-President Nicolás Maduro, firmly rejected the idea while speaking to journalists at the International Court of Justice in The Hague. Venezuela is currently engaged in a dispute with neighboring Guyana over the mineral- and oil-rich Essequibo region.

“We will continue to defend our integrity, our sovereignty, our independence, our history,” Rodríguez declared, emphasizing that Venezuela is “not a colony, but a free country.” She went on to say that Venezuelan and U.S. officials have been in contact and are working on “cooperation and understanding.”

The acting president’s comments come as tensions between the two countries have eased somewhat since the U.S. military operation that led to Maduro’s capture and extradition to New York on drug trafficking charges. Maduro has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Rodríguez’s remarks at the U.N.’s highest court focused primarily on defending Venezuela’s claim to the Essequibo region, which makes up two-thirds of Guyana and is rich in natural resources, including gold, diamonds, timber, and offshore oil deposits. Venezuela has long considered the territory its own, but an 1899 arbitration decision largely favored Guyana.

The acting president argued that a 1966 agreement sealed in Geneva effectively nullified the 19th-century ruling and that political negotiations, rather than a judicial decision, should resolve the century-old territorial dispute. She accused Guyana’s government of undermining the agreement by seeking a court ruling on the matter following ExxonMobil’s significant oil discovery off the Essequibo coast in 2015.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

A senior White House official said the prolonged conflict with Iran is the result of U.S. effectiveness on the battlefield, pushing back on questions about why the war has lasted far longer than President Donald Trump initially projected.

Sebastian Gorka, the National Security Council’s senior counterterrorism director, addressed the issue during a Sunday appearance on News Nation, responding to concerns about the gap between the administration’s early estimate of a four-to-five-week campaign and the current reality of an eleven-week war.

“There’s a very simple answer to your question — we’ve just been too effective,” Gorka said on News Nation on Sunday.

Gorka attributed the extended timeline to complications arising from the weakening of Iran’s leadership, arguing that the collapse at the top has made it more difficult to finalize a surrender agreement.

“This is a regime in ultimate collapse at the top. As a result, it makes communicating and getting that final deal, that acquiesces, that surrender a little bit more complicated. But rest assured, it is coming imminently,” he said.

The United States and Iran are currently observing a ceasefire as the administration seeks a negotiated end to the conflict, which began Feb. 28 and led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route.

Despite the temporary halt in hostilities, Trump said Monday that the ceasefire is fragile, describing it as being on “life support” after rejecting Iran’s latest proposal in nuclear negotiations.

“It’s unbelievably weak,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office when asked if the ceasefire remains in place for the time being.

Negotiators on both sides are continuing efforts to reach a comprehensive agreement, though Trump on Sunday dismissed Tehran’s demands, which reportedly include financial compensation, recognition of Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz, the lifting of U.S. sanctions, and the release of frozen assets.

Trump on Monday called the counteroffer a “piece of garbage” and that he did not even finish reading.

Iran has so far resisted committing to dismantle its nuclear program as part of the talks, creating a significant obstacle to any potential agreement.

As the conflict drags on, the administration has faced mounting criticism over rising fuel costs and broader economic fallout. Critics have also questioned the shifting justifications for entering the war, arguing that the extended timeline reflects a failure to anticipate the Strait of Hormuz shutdown and overestimates about how quickly the U.S. could neutralize Iran’s nuclear capabilities or bring about a regime collapse.

Gorka dismissed those claims, reiterating his defense of the administration’s strategy.

“This action has been planned for decades by the president. Now he is in the chair,” he said. “Everything you see has been planned out to the last scintilla. . . . Everything is happening exactly to plan.”

{Matzav.com}

A fresh Reuters/Ipsos poll completed Monday reveals that a strong majority of Americans believe President Donald Trump has failed to clearly articulate the rationale behind the nation’s war with Iran, even as the commander-in-chief’s approval rating edges up from record lows.

The four-day survey, which comes more than two months into a conflict launched by a joint US-Israeli bombing campaign on February 28, found that 66% of respondents – including a third of Republicans and nearly all Democrats – feel Trump has not adequately explained the objectives of America’s military engagement in Iran.

The poll also found growing economic anxiety gripping the country, with 63% of Americans reporting that their household finances have been strained by the recent surge in gas prices, a notable jump from the 55% who expressed such concerns in a similar Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted in mid-March.

As voters grapple with pain at the pump, many appear to be directing their ire at Trump’s GOP allies, who face an uphill battle to maintain their congressional majorities in November’s midterm elections. The political headwinds for Republicans come as Trump’s own approval rating ticks up to 36%, just two points above the lowest level of his current term.

The modest uptick in Trump’s numbers may provide scant comfort to the White House as it navigates an increasingly unpopular conflict that has yet to achieve its stated aims.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

As parents know, a baby who struggles to fall asleep or wakes frequently throughout the night can be exhausting. The good news is that many sleep challenges in young babies stem from subtle tensions in their bodies that began during pregnancy or birth. When these tensions are gently addressed, babies often sleep more peacefully—and the whole family benefits.  

One gentle approach that is helping many infants find better sleep is Craniosacral Therapy (CST). This light-touch method works with the body’s natural rhythms to support comfort and relaxation, often leading to noticeable improvements in sleep.  

What Is Craniosacral Therapy? 

Craniosacral Therapy is a very gentle, non-invasive form of support. Using only the lightest touch, it helps release minor restrictions in the membranes and fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Because a baby’s skull bones are still soft and flexible, even normal birth pressures can create small areas of tightness that affect the nervous system. Sessions are calm and soothing; many babies actually relax deeply or fall asleep during the session.  

How Craniosacral Therapy Supports Better Sleep 

Sleep depends on a calm nervous system. When subtle tensions are present, babies can feel uncomfortable lying down, startle easily, or have trouble transitioning into deep sleep. CST helps the nervous system shift into a more balanced, relaxed state. Parents frequently notice these positive changes:  

• Babies fall asleep more easily and stay asleep longer  

• Fewer night wakings and less restlessness  

• Reduced arching, startling, or fussing during sleep  

• Improved ability to self-soothe and settle back to sleep  

Many families also see that when feeding becomes easier and reflux or digestive discomfort decreases, nighttime sleep naturally improves as well. Better daytime comfort often leads to longer, more restorative nighttime rest.  

Common Sleep-Related Issues CST May Help 

Craniosacral Therapy is especially supportive when sleep difficulties are connected to: 

• Reflux or digestive discomfort that wakes babies shortly after falling asleep  

• Neck tightness or torticollis that makes lying flat uncomfortable  

• General fussiness or colic-like patterns that delay bedtime  

• Feeding challenges that lead to shorter, more frequent feeds at night  

Simple Steps You Can Take at Home 

While exploring professional support, these gentle strategies can also help: 

• Establish a consistent, calming bedtime routine (warm bath, soft singing)  

• Hold your baby upright for 10–15 minutes after feeds  

• Offer short, supervised tummy time during the day to encourage balanced neck movement and developmental milestones  

• Use gentle rocking for calming vestibular input  

Every baby is unique, and sleep in the early months is rarely perfect. The important thing is knowing that small, gentle support can make a real difference. If your baby is struggling with sleep, know that you are not alone and that there are compassionate, non-invasive ways to help.  

————-  

Rachel Stein, OTR/L, CST 

Craniosacral Therapy for Babies 

Rachel Stein is a dedicated specialist who combines her clinical expertise in occupational therapy with a gentle, light touch approach to help infants and families thrive. 

20 Highland Drive, Jackson, NJ 08527  

314-504-5352 | cstforbabies.com

The European Union will impose sanctions on Jewish settlers in Yehuda and Shomron, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced on Monday.

The new sanctions package was approved unanimously after Hungary — previously the only EU member state blocking measures against Israel — withdrew its opposition after the new prime minister, Peter Magyar, entered his position.

The sanctions are expected to target Jews accused of involvement in violent activity against Palestinians in Yehuda and Shomron and may also apply to organizations connected to those settlers. The European Union has previously imposed sanctions on several individuals and entities linked to settlements.

Kallas clarified in a post on X that, alongside settlers, sanctions would also be imposed on “senior Hamas terrorists.”

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar strongly condemned the EU decision, writing on X: “Israel firmly rejects the decision to impose sanctions on Israeli citizens and organizations.”

“The European Union has chosen, in an arbitrary and political manner, to impose sanctions on Israeli citizens and entities because of their political views and without any basis.

“Equally outrageous is the unacceptable comparison the European Union has chosen to make between Israeli citizens and Hamas terrorists. This is a completely distorted moral equivalence.

“Israel has stood, stands, and will continue to stand for the right of Jews to settle in the heart of our homeland. No other people in the world has such a documented and longstanding right to its land as the Jewish people have to the Land of Israel. This is a moral and historical right that has also been recognized by the law of nations, and no actor can take it away from the Jewish people. The attempt to impose political views through sanctions is unacceptable and will not succeed.”

Yossi Dagan, head of the Shomron Regional Council, sharply attacked the European Union following the announcement.

“There are not two violent sides,” Dagan said. “There is one side that murders babies in their beds and rapes women, and another side that chooses life.”

He argued that Palestinian terrorism against Jews is “hundreds of percent higher” than the isolated incidents of violence by Jews against innocent Palestinians, which he said he opposes completely.

Dagan also criticized the very use of the term “settler violence,” calling it “a form of dehumanization” and “an attempt to erase the faces of half a million people living in Yehuda and Shomron, almost all of whom are law-abiding.”

“The few who commit acts that should not be committed should be dealt with through the accepted legal channels,” he said.

He further accused European leaders of hypocrisy and antisemitism, saying: “As always, antisemitism speaks through the throats of European Union leaders. There is a double standard here. The treatment toward Jews will always be different from the treatment toward Palestinian Authority terrorism.”

Dagan also pointed to what he described as Europe’s silence regarding official Palestinian incitement.

“We have not heard of sanctions against organizations encouraging terrorism within the Palestinian Authority, including Fatah itself, which recently published a notice calling for harm against me,” he said. “I don’t want to imagine what would happen if the Shomron Regional Council published a notice calling for harm against Mahmoud Abbas.”

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

We regret to inform you of the Petirah of Reb Dovid Shlomo Hirsch Z”L, father of Rav Mordechai Hirsch, Rav of Bais Medrash Nachlas Avos, Jackson.

[Video below.] Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said Monday that U.S. authorities have the hantavirus situation “under control” following the outbreak linked to a cruise ship carrying American passengers.

The remarks came during an Oval Office press conference focused on mental health, where a reporter asked President Donald Trump whether he regretted withdrawing from the World Health Organization in light of the incident involving a hantavirus-stricken vessel with more than a dozen Americans on board.

Trump responded that he was “glad” the United States had exited the WHO and reiterated his position that the country had been contributing excessive funding to the organization.

When pressed on whether U.S. health agencies are equipped to respond to a potential hantavirus outbreak despite staffing and budget reductions during Trump’s second term, Kennedy pointed to an immediate federal response.

“We’ve had CDC teams on it from day one.”

“I was speaking with the University of Nebraska since the second day of the outbreak. I was speaking with Gov. Pillen of Nebraska. We had a CDC team at Tenerife. We had airplanes ready to take the patients, the 17 patients off the vessel and transport,” Kennedy continued. “Two of them went to Atlanta. One of those was symptomatic. They’re in a biocontainment lab in Atlanta. The other 16 are now in Nebraska. One of them is symptomatic.”

“We have this under control, and we’re not worried about it,” he added.

Kennedy’s comments align with assessments from other public health officials regarding the hantavirus cases connected to the MV Hondius, a deadly outbreak that has so far been contained. Both the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have indicated that the broader public remains at low risk.

During a separate briefing Monday, WHO officials said all remaining passengers and crew from the MV Hondius are expected to disembark by the end of the day.

“They are departing Canary Islands by specially arranged flights,” WHO Manager of Health Emergencies Communication Nyka Alexander said in the briefing. “Nobody is traveling on commercial flights.”

Oliver le Polain, who leads the WHO’s Epidemiology and Analytics for Response unit, said there have been nine confirmed hantavirus cases tied to the cruise ship, including three fatalities. The latest case involves a French passenger who left the vessel Sunday and is currently in isolation, while one additional case remains inconclusive.

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump on Monday introduced a new nickname for congressional Democrats, referring to them as “Dumbocrats” as he criticized their opposition to his administration’s policies.

The remarks came during an Oval Office event where Trump outlined a new initiative aimed at reducing the cost of in vitro fertilization. Over the course of the nearly hour-long appearance, the president repeatedly faulted Democrats for what he described as their refusal to back proposals coming from the White House.

“You can say that we’re going to reduce drug prices by 80% and we won’t get one Democrat vote,” Trump said. “I don’t know how they get away with it. That’s why we call them the Dumbocrats. We have the new name, the Dumbocrats, because they’re dumb.”

“They’re dumb people, and they just can’t do it,” Trump said. “I’ve been waiting so long for them to change, but they just keep losing, and they’ve got to keep losing with their policies.”

Earlier in the event, Trump also made light of what he called “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” describing it as “actually a disease” while discussing Democratic opposition to a major healthcare funding measure included in last year’s One Big Beautiful Bill.

“Every Democrat in Congress voted against this historic funding,” Trump said. “Well, they suffer from Trump Derangement Syndrome. They don’t even know what they’re looking at. They can’t even see straight.”

{Matzav.com}

The Manchester Township Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying a suspect involved in a burglary that occurred Friday evening at a local convenience store.

According to police, the incident took place on May 9, 2026, at approximately 8:35 p.m. at Country Farms, located at 550 Route 530 in Manchester Township. During the burglary, Opia Kratom products were reportedly stolen.

Investigators say the suspect was captured on surveillance video wearing a green cut-off shirt with a blue and purple sweatshirt. Police noted the individual was also wearing a yellow sport-style watch or silicone bracelet on his left wrist, along with an additional red silicone-style bracelet.

Authorities described the suspect as having visible tattoos on his left arm and upper back, darker hair extending below the shoulders, and what appeared to be a laceration on his left arm or wrist area.

Anyone with information regarding the investigation is urged to contact the Manchester Township Police Department at 732-657-6111.

As the battle against Hezbollah continues on Israel’s northern front, the IDF is facing a critical juncture on another front: Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

IDF forces are increasing their presence within the Yellow Line area while continuing to clear terror infrastructure between the border and the Yellow Line. The IDF announced on Monday morning that it had completed the destruction of four Hamas tunnels in southern Gaza, including one that had been used to hold hostages.

At the same time, troops are constantly fending off attacks by Hamas terrorists who attempt to approach their outposts.

According to a Ynet report, one thing is clear: IDF forces are in Gaza to stay for the long term.

Ynet spoke with Southern Command officials who acknowledged that Hamas is attempting to rebuild as Israel’s attention is centered on Iran and Lebanon, but stressed that current IDF operations are forceful, sustained, and growing more effective with each passing day.

“Every threat is attacked, even if it is deep inside Gaza,” a senior military official said. “We have the tools we need from the Air Force and Military Intelligence. More can always be done, but wherever there are threats, we act.”

“We take into account that Hamas sees what is happening with FPV (first-person-view) drones in the north and likely wants to obtain similar capabilities, though we have not identified anything like that here so far,” the official said,

“At the same time, our hold on the ground is significantly more effective now. We aren’t stuck in positions. We initiate raids and attacks deep inside Gaza. Can they attack us? Certainly. That is a major concern, but we are moving and maintaining mobility at all times.”

The IDF is focusing on the elimination of “field ranks,” the terrorists who carry out attacks on the ground.

“There are numerous targeted killings of terrorists, the ones who actually carry out terrorist activity,” a security official said. “In many cases, those operations are far more effective than eliminating a well-known senior figure who mainly appears in photos. Effective counterterror operations come from the combination of all these efforts.”

Troops stationed along the Yellow Line say morale is high. Their positions enable extensive fire and observation control deep inside Gaza, providing a far stronger launch point for any future confrontation.

“We are at Gaza’s gates, ready for whatever is required of us,” the security official said.

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

A tense overnight search operation unfolded deep inside Harriman State Park on Sunday night after a 20-year-old bochur became lost for hours while attempting to hike to a remote shelter for an overnight camping trip, prompting a large-scale response from Chaverim of Rockland’s highly trained search and rescue teams.

Sources tell Monsey Scoop that the bochur left from yeshiva at approximately 5:45 p.m. after printing out a hiking route from a computer before making his way to the park. His plan was simple: complete an approximately one-hour hike to a shelter where he intended to spend the night.

But somewhere along the winding and heavily wooded trail system, the bochur apparently took a wrong turn.

As darkness quickly swallowed the mountain terrain, the hiker found himself alone, disoriented, and unable to locate the shelter or retrace his steps. With no smartphone, no GPS device, and no way to share his exact location, the situation rapidly escalated into a dangerous search deep within one of New York’s largest state parks.

At approximately 10:00 p.m., the frightened hiker called Chaverim Of Rockland’s emergency hotline reporting that he was lost somewhere in the park.

What followed was an intense and highly coordinated rescue effort.

With virtually no technology available to track the bochur, Chaverim’s search and rescue teams had to rely solely on clues gathered during phone conversations with the hiker. Volunteers painstakingly worked through trail colors, elevation changes, nearby landmarks, and even the direction of the sun before sunset in an attempt to narrow down his location.

One key detail dramatically shifted the search.

The hiker recalled passing through a rock scramble area, information that immediately helped rescuers identify several high-probability zones deep within the vast wilderness. Multiple Chaverim search teams were rapidly deployed into the dark forest terrain, navigating difficult trails and remote areas throughout the night.

The bochur had begun going into panic mode as the hours dragged on and temperatures dropped, realizing he was completely alone in unfamiliar woods with no clear route to safety. He no longer wanted to remain overnight after understanding he could not find his intended destination.

Bechasdei Hashem, after an extensive search operation, one of the Chaverim teams successfully located the bochur and safely escorted him out of the woods to safety.

New York State Park Police also responded and assisted throughout the rescue operation.

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(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

President Donald Trump is expected to be accompanied by several leading American business figures, including Elon Musk and Tim Cook, during his upcoming visit to China, according to a Monday report by Bloomberg News citing a White House official.

Also slated to be part of the delegation are David Solomon, Stephen Schwarzman, Larry Fink, Jane Fraser, and Dina Powell McCormick, among more than a dozen high-ranking corporate leaders expected to participate in meetings alongside Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The trip is being framed as an effort to secure a range of commercial agreements and investment deals between the United States and China, with the presence of top executives intended to facilitate negotiations and strengthen economic ties, the report said.

The companies involved did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Reuters.

Chinese officials have confirmed that Trump’s state visit is scheduled to take place from May 13 through May 15, according to the state-run Xinhua News Agency.

{Matzav.com}

Shmuel Zakay, head of the Israel Civil Aviation Authority, issued an unusually sharp warning to Transportation Minister Miri Regev that the heavy presence of American military aircraft at Ben Gurion Airport is severely damaging Israel’s civilian aviation sector, Calcalist reported.

Zakay warned that Ben Gurion Airport has effectively “become an American military airfield,” harming Israeli airlines, discouraging foreign carriers from returning to Israel, and likely leading to significantly higher airfare prices this summer.

According to the report, at the start of Operation Roaring Lion on February 28, Israeli airlines relocated many of their aircraft abroad, and many have still not returned. Israir CEO Uri Sirkis reportedly told the Knesset Economics Committee that although the airline normally parks 17 aircraft at Ben Gurion Airport, it is currently permitted to keep only four there — a situation that both raises operating costs and limits the number of flights the airline can operate.

In his letter, Zakay wrote that the massive presence of American aircraft at Ben Gurion Airport is severely restricting Israeli airlines’ ability to operate efficiently and expand flight schedules, while also discouraging foreign airlines from resuming service to Israel.

“It appears that the defense establishment does not fully understand the severity of the damage to civilian aviation and the effect that reduced flight availability has on prices and on all Israeli citizens,” Zakay wrote. “The defense establishment is preventing the Transportation Ministry from fulfilling its responsibilities. Under the current circumstances, Israel has no international airport capable of operating efficiently. Ben Gurion Airport has become a military airfield with limited civilian activity.”

Zakay also warned of the damage to smaller Israeli carriers — including Isair, Arkia, and Air Haifa—explaining that they face a genuine threat to their financial stability because of the evacuation of Israeli planes from Ben Gurion, forcing them to operate abroad under expensive and difficult conditions, including high jet fuel costs and overseas aircraft and crew parking expenses.

Zakay requested that Regev, who is a member of the security cabinet, demand that the United States relocate its aircraft from Ben Gurion Airport to Israeli Air Force bases and to Ramon Airport. “Ben Gurion Airport is the main civilian airport of the State of Israel; turning it into a military base harms not only the airlines but all citizens of the country,” he wrote.

Zakay also requested financial assistance for Israeli airlines. It should be noted that the current aid does not include compensation for loss of income, but rather reimbursement for the millions of shekels that the companies pay for parking crews and planes abroad, costs that an average airline does not pay when operating from its home base.

“This is not compensation for lost revenue,” Zakay wrote. “It is reimbursement for the additional expenses incurred — and still being incurred — as a result of the security restrictions imposed throughout the war, including the closure of airspace, restrictions on flight numbers, and limits on passenger capacity.”

Zakay warned that without such measures, “it will not be possible to ensure the survival of the airlines.”

Zakay further warned that the reduced availability of parking space at Ben Gurion Airport prevents foreign carriers from resuming flights to Israel, shrinking overall flight supply and driving prices upward for consumers.

The state of Israel’s aviation sector also came up yesterday in a meeting of the Knesset Economic Affairs Committee, which discussed compensation for passengers stranded abroad—another financial burden on the airlines. According to Sirkis, as long as a state of emergency is in effect on the home front, the Tibi Law, which is supposed to define compensation for passengers stranded abroad, is irrelevant because it does not apply when regular aviation services are not operating. Sirkis added that the situation also undermines the motivation of foreign airlines to return to Israel.

El Al’s Vice President for Commerce and Aviation Relations, Shlomi Zafrani, also spoke at the committee, saying, “People need to understand what it means for an Israeli airline to operate from abroad rather than from Israel, without coordination with foreign authorities. It has many economic and operational implications.”

Senior Transportation Ministry official Or Livis said that following meetings with airline executives, the ministry had instructed officials to work with the Finance Ministry on a possible support framework for the airlines.

Channel 12 reported that Regev has already demanded that IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir relocate the American aircraft to Ramon Airport and Air Force bases within 14 days, warning that otherwise Israel would struggle to bring foreign airlines back to the country.

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

(VINnews) – There are moments in politics that go beyond a single election. The Democratic primary race between Dalya Attar and Malcolm Ruff has become one of those moments.

What is unfolding in Baltimore’s 41st District is not simply a contest between two politicians. It has become a defining test of whether the Orthodox Jewish community can maintain meaningful representation at the highest levels of Maryland government and whether a coalition built across communities can continue to succeed in an increasingly polarized political environment.

Senator Attar is not just another elected official. She is the first Orthodox Jewish woman ever elected to the Maryland Senate and among the highest-ranking frum elected officials in the United States. Her rise represented something historic for a community that for decades worked to establish a serious voice in state government.

But this race is not about symbolism alone.

Supporters of Attar point to tangible accomplishments that have directly benefited the Baltimore Jewish community and the district as a whole. Over the years, she has helped secure funding for schools, nonprofits, transportation programs, security initiatives, and community services that impact thousands of families. Her supporters argue that she understands how to navigate Annapolis effectively and deliver results in ways that many freshman politicians simply cannot.

The race has become increasingly intense and emotional as questions of identity, coalition politics, and representation have entered the public conversation.

This race has taken a deeply troubling turn. Statements and attitudes by Ruff and his supporters have surfaced making clear that some believe a Jew should not represent this district. That is not a normal political disagreement. It is a statement about who belongs and who does not.

At the same time, Senator Attar’s opponent has been supported by voices that have used rhetoric widely recognized as hostile to the Jewish community. These are not isolated comments. They reflect a broader environment that is becoming more comfortable marginalizing our community.

Many within the Jewish community see this election as bigger than one Senate seat. There is a growing feeling that if the Orthodox community loses this level of representation, it could take years or even decades to rebuild the same degree of influence and trust in Annapolis.

Regardless of perspective, one reality is undeniable: turnout will decide this election.

In low-turnout state legislative primaries, organized communities have enormous influence. The Orthodox Jewish community has historically demonstrated the ability to mobilize voters when it believes core communal interests are at stake. Political observers across Maryland understand that if the frum community turns out in large numbers and remains unified, it could very well determine the outcome.

Click here to Donate to Senator Attar’s election campaign

Khal Adath Jeshurun (KAJ) in Washington Heights, NY has elected Rav Liron Rogovsky as the new rov of the kehillah following the announced departure of Rav Yisroel Mantel after two decades of leadership.

Rav Rogovsky, a resident of Chestnut Ridge, New York, currently serves as rosh kollel of Kollel Tiferes Avrohom and as dean of Bais Yaakov Meoros Rav Hirsch, both located in Monsey. He is a talmid of Yeshivas Ner Yisroel of Baltimore and Yeshivas Mir Yerushalayim.

Alan Ettlinger, president of KAJ, welcomed the appointment, saying, “The kehillah looks forward to Rav Rogovsky leading us in this new chapter in our notable history. As the successor to a line of great rabbonim, beginning with Rav Shamshon Raphael Hirsch many decades ago, we feel that Rav Rogovsky is a worthy choice to follow in their footsteps.”

The transition follows Rav Mantel’s announcement shortly after Sukkos that he would be leaving to assume the position of rov in Gateshead, England. In response, KAJ established a Rabbinical Search Committee tasked with identifying a suitable candidate to lead one of the most prominent kehillos.

“It has been an honor and a kavod to have led this kehillah kedosha for the last 20 years. Under the leadership of Rav Rogovsky, the kehillah should continue meichayil el choyil,” Rav Mantel said.

After a search process spanning more than six months, the committee presented Rav Rogovsky’s candidacy to the Board of Trustees, which subsequently brought the nomination before the membership. At a special meeting held last Sunday evening, members overwhelmingly voted to approve his appointment.

Rav Rogovsky is expected to relocate to Washington Heights and assume leadership of the kehillah prior to the Yomim Noraim, marking the beginning of a new chapter for KAJ.

Russia is shipping drone components to Iran via the Caspian Sea, exploiting the world’s largest inland body of water as a sanctions-evasion corridor while the US and Iran blockade the Strait of Hormuz, according to US officials.

The covert military transfers, combined with overt commercial goods, are helping Iran rebuild its drone arsenal after losing roughly 60 percent of its inventory in last month’s US-Israeli bombing campaign, officials told the New York Times on condition of anonymity.

The Caspian Sea provides a crucial advantage: Russia and Iran share lengthy coastlines but no land border, allowing them to trade openly without risk of interdiction by US or allied navies. The corridor bypasses the Strait of Hormuz, which has been blockaded for weeks.

Beyond military components, Russia is routing grain, animal feed, sunflower oil, and other staples through the Caspian that would normally transit the blocked strait, the report said.

“If you’re thinking about the ideal place for sanction evasion and military transfers, it’s the Caspian,” said Nicole Grajewski, a professor at Paris’ Sciences Po.

The geopolitical blind spot extends to Washington. “For American policymakers, the Caspian is a geopolitical black hole; it’s almost like it doesn’t exist,” said Luke Coffey, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

A Lakewood-based eCommerce development agency has just launched Shabbify, a free Shopify app that automatically closes online stores before Shabbos and Yom Tov — and reopens them when they end, the development agency told TLS.

The app, developed by Stronger eCommerce, requires just a 2-minute setup and uses your store’s location to calculate the exact candle lighting time for automatic closure. “No fees. Ever,” the developer said.

Features include a built-in Jewish holiday calendar, custom closure messages for merchants, and automatic reopening after Shabbos/Yom Tov ends — giving frum store owners true peace of mind.

Shabbify is available now on the Shopify App Store at apps.shopify.com/shabbify.

Gasoline prices across the United States may climb to $5 per gallon as the conflict with Iran continues to disrupt global energy markets, according to new projections from JPMorgan analysts.

The bank said the fallout from the Middle East war is no longer limited to crude oil, with the effects now spreading into refined fuel markets, particularly gasoline and jet fuel.

In a report led by analyst Natasha Kaneva, JPMorgan said refiners are increasingly shifting production toward jet fuel, driven by surging worldwide demand and supply issues stemming from tensions around the Strait of Hormuz and damage to energy infrastructure in the region, the New York Post reported.

That reallocation, however, is putting additional pressure on gasoline availability in the United States.

“This likely helps explain why U.S. gasoline prices are at $4.56/gal and why the risk of $5 gasoline can no longer be dismissed,” the analysts wrote, the Financial Times reported.

The report explained that increasing jet fuel output typically comes at the expense of other fuels, noting that diesel production declines “almost proportionally” and gasoline supplies tighten as heavier crude inputs are diverted away from gasoline refining.

As a result, U.S. gasoline output has dropped significantly compared to last year, even as demand rises heading into the peak summer driving season.

According to AAA data released Monday, the national average for regular gasoline stood at $4.52 per gallon, while premium fuel was already averaging above $5.37. Diesel prices were higher still, reaching $5.64 per gallon.

In several Western states, average gas prices have already exceeded the $5 mark, and analysts warned that even small additional increases could push much of the country to that level.

A nationwide jump to $5 gasoline would carry major economic and political consequences.

The last time Americans saw prices at that level was briefly during the inflation surge of summer 2022 under President Joe Biden.

JPMorgan’s outlook comes as the ongoing war with Iran continues to place upward pressure on global oil prices.

Brent crude has remained near $100 per barrel since hostilities intensified earlier this year, according to the Post.

The rise in jet fuel costs is already rippling through other sectors of the economy.

Airlines have cautioned travelers to expect higher ticket prices and additional fees, while Spirit Airlines reportedly ceased operations amid rising fuel expenses and tightening margins.

At the same time, Americans are growing more concerned about the overall cost of living.

The University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index recently dropped to a record low, with respondents pointing to gasoline prices and inflation as leading financial concerns.

Analysts said meaningful relief is unlikely in the near term unless supply disruptions in the Middle East ease and fuel markets begin to stabilize.

{Matzav.com}

One of the most common questions I hear from growing business owners is some version of this: “Do I need a bookkeeper, or do I need a controller? What is the difference, and how do I know what I actually need right now?”

It is a great question, and the honest answer is that it depends on the size and complexity of your business. But let me give you a clear framework so you can make that call with confidence.

What a Bookkeeper Does

A bookkeeper handles the day-to-day recording of financial transactions. This includes categorizing income and expenses, reconciling bank and credit card accounts, managing accounts payable and receivable, processing payroll, and keeping your books current so your financial statements are accurate.

Think of a bookkeeper as the person who keeps the financial engine running cleanly on a daily and weekly basis. They ensure the data is there and correct. What they typically do not do is interpret that data strategically, build financial models, or advise you on how to improve your margins or manage your growth.

A bookkeeper is the right fit when your business is relatively straightforward, your transaction volume is manageable, and you primarily need someone to keep accurate records and handle basic financial administration.

What a Controller Does

A controller operates at a higher level. They oversee the entire accounting function, ensure the integrity of your financial reporting, establish internal controls, manage the month-end close process, produce management reports, and often serve as a liaison between the accounting team and company leadership.

A controller is not just recording what happened — they are analyzing it, spotting trends, flagging risks, and helping you understand what your numbers mean for your business. They also bring structure: documented processes, a proper chart of accounts, consistent reporting, and oversight of whoever is doing the day-to-day bookkeeping.

You likely need controller-level support when your business is growing, when you are making decisions that require reliable financial data, when you are preparing for a loan or investment, or when your accounting has grown complex enough that a bookkeeper alone cannot manage it effectively.

The Case for Both

In many businesses, the ideal setup is a bookkeeper handling the daily transactional work, with a controller overseeing the function, reviewing the output, producing higher-level reports, and ensuring everything is accurate and strategically useful.

For many small and mid-sized businesses, hiring both of these roles full-time is not practical or cost-effective. That is where fractional and outsourced solutions become genuinely valuable. A fractional controller brings senior-level financial expertise at a fraction of the cost of a full-time hire, and pairs naturally with a dedicated bookkeeper to give you a complete, well-functioning accounting operation.

A Simple Rule of Thumb

If your primary need is clean, accurate, current books — start with a bookkeeper.

If you need someone to interpret your numbers, establish reporting, and bring strategic financial oversight to your business — you need a controller.

If you need both — and many businesses do — a fractional model gives you the coverage without the full-time overhead.

The worst outcome is hiring neither and hoping your spreadsheets and memory will carry you through. At some point, that approach becomes genuinely expensive. The errors compound. The blind spots grow. And the decisions made without good information start to show up in your results.

Invest in the financial infrastructure that matches your stage of growth. Your future self will thank you.

—

About the Author:

Joe Herskowitz, EA, is the President and CEO of Lionstone Bookkeeping+, where he helps small and medium-sized businesses take control of their finances with expert bookkeeping and financial insights. With years of experience in business finance, Joe is passionate about making numbers work for business owners—not against them.

Have a bookkeeping or business finance question?

Reach out to Joe at [email protected] or call/text 732-803-7793 (no WhatsApp).

Rafael Chairman Yuval Steinitz said today, Monday, that Israel’s Iron Dome system intercepted nearly 99% of the roughly 40,000 rockets fired by Hamas and Hezbollah since October 2023.

Steinitz said Iran has also launched around 1,500 ballistic missiles at Israel in two major attack waves since 2024, with “only a few dozen” managing to evade interception.

He added that Israel currently faces no shortage of interceptor missiles for its air defense systems.

The Trump administration is taking steps to bring down soaring beef prices by halting tariffs on all imported beef and planning to expand financial support for American ranchers, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.

Figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that the average price of ground beef in U.S. cities reached about $6.70 per pound in March, marking an increase of nearly one dollar compared to the same time last year.

Looking ahead, the U.S. Department of Agriculture projects beef prices will rise by 10.1% in 2026, though the actual increase could fall anywhere between 2.8% and 18.3%. Over the past five years, the cost of ground beef has climbed roughly 40%.

Under the administration’s proposal, the government would suspend the existing tariff-rate quota system, which imposes steeper tariffs once beef imports surpass a certain threshold, and apply the change to all countries that export beef to the United States.

The report comes shortly after federal officials reached a proposed settlement in an antitrust case involving a company that tracks and distributes industry data for meatpackers, which regulators had accused of contributing to rising grocery prices.

The case focused on Agri Stats, a firm based in Indiana that gathers confidential data from meat processors and compiles detailed reports that are then shared within the industry.

Federal authorities alleged that this system enabled producers of chicken, pork, and turkey to raise prices charged to restaurants, supermarkets, and other buyers who did not have access to the same data.

Separately, the Justice Department is continuing to examine potential antitrust concerns within the beef processing sector, following a directive from President Donald Trump to investigate whether foreign-owned meatpacking companies may be playing a role in driving up prices in the U.S.

Multiple factors have contributed to the surge in beef prices, including prolonged drought conditions and a declining cattle population.

A drought that began in 2020 has reduced available grazing land across much of the country and significantly increased feed costs. Dry conditions have continued, and this spring approximately 63% of the nation’s cattle herd remains in drought-affected regions, according to USDA data.

The overall size of the U.S. cattle herd, which has been shrinking for decades, is now at its lowest level since 1951, according to the USDA.

At the same time, advances in breeding and feeding methods have allowed ranchers to produce more beef per animal than in previous years.

Still, many ranchers have been hesitant to expand their herds due to the high cost of feed and labor, as well as ongoing dry weather.

Another factor contributing to tight supply and higher prices is the closure of the U.S.-Mexico border to livestock imports, a measure intended to prevent the spread of the New World screwworm, a flesh-eating parasite. Since late 2024, those restrictions have kept roughly one million cattle from being transported from Mexico into the United States.

{Matzav.com}

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (AP) — President Donald Trump nominated Cameron Hamilton Monday to lead the Federal Emergency Management Agency, a surprising comeback for the former Navy SEAL who was fired from his role as FEMA’s temporary leader last year after he defended its existence.

His nomination comes as the Trump administration has increasingly signaled it is backing away from promises to dismantle FEMA, an agency that has faced withering criticism by the president. The nomination of Hamilton, who argued abolishing FEMA was not in the country’s best interests, is the latest indication of that change.

If confirmed, Hamilton would be the principal adviser to Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin on emergency management and FEMA’s first permanent administrator in Trump’s second term. The agency has gone through three temporary leaders, including Hamilton’s brief tenure from January to May 2025.

He would take over an embattled agency still reeling from Kristi Noem’s turbulent leadership of the Department of Homeland Security, of which FEMA is part. FEMA’s workforce has been worn down by mass staff departures, policies that hamstrung operations and a 75-day-long DHS shutdown that ended Apr. 30.

Hamilton will need to ensure the agency is prepared for summer disaster season, just weeks away, while answering to Trump, who is likely to expect major reforms after a council he appointed recommended sweeping changes last Friday.

Thousands of British Jews and their allies gathered outside Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s official residence at Downing Street on Sunday to demand urgent action against what one prominent leader called an “epidemic of anti-Jewish hate” that has left the community reeling.

The rally, organized by dozens of Jewish organizations, comes in the wake of a horrifying series of antisemitic attacks, including the stabbing of two Jews in the heavily Jewish neighborhood of Golders Green, the torching of four Hatzolah ambulances, arson attacks on shuls, and a deadly shooting at a Manchester shul on Yom Kippur.

Attendees waved British, Irish and Israeli flags and held signs calling on the UK to stand against antisemitism, as organizers expressed hope that the “million mensch march” would finally spur the government to take the threat seriously.

But despite the massive show of solidarity, many Jewish leaders used the occasion to excoriate Starmer and his government for what they see as a feckless response to the rising tide of hate.

In a searing speech, UK Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis warned that antisemitism has become “normalized” across British society, permeating politics, media, universities, schools, the arts, the National Health Service and the streets.

“It is unacceptable that poisonous antisemitism has become normalized in the UK,” Rabbi Mirvis said, as he condemned social media platforms for allowing “Jew hatred” to spread and criticized Iran for allegedly fomenting violence against British citizens.

Saul Taylor, president of the United Synagogue, was even more blunt, lambasting the broader anti-racism movement for failing to stand up for Jews and accusing the government of dragging its feet in the face of an “epidemic.”

“If this were any other community, this would be a national outrage,” Taylor said. “Where are the Jewish Lives Matter marches? Where is the so-called anti-racist movement? As we know only too well, Jews don’t seem to count.”

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, one of the few high-profile politicians to attend the rally, vowed to confront rising antisemitism and pledged to fight for “a Britain where Jews can go to school and worship freely.”

But her presence only served to highlight the absence of Starmer himself, who was reportedly “considering” attending but ultimately did not show up.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

President Donald Trump personally rejected a Mossad-proposed plan to support a Kurdish-led uprising against Iran’s regime, despite publicly chastising Kurdish groups for allegedly failing to assist in toppling the government, sources told The Jerusalem Post.

The revelation sheds new light on the complex geopolitical maneuvering that has unfolded in the aftermath of the US-Israeli bombing campaign against Iranian forces. Foreign sources have widely reported that the Mossad had floated the possibility of facilitating mass protests to oust the Iranian regime, but the plan apparently failed to gain traction in the White House.

Sources indicate that Turkey, a key regional player, pressured Trump to abandon the Kurdish option, adding another layer to the intricate web of competing interests and alliances that have shaped the conflict.

The Post previously reported on high-level meetings between top Israeli military and intelligence officials, including IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir, Mossad Director David Barnea, and IDF Intelligence Directorate Chief Maj.-Gen. Shlomi Binder, and their American counterparts. These discussions, which in some cases included video conferences with Trump himself, were aimed at persuading the US to join the war effort.

However, the Kurdish plan faced stiff opposition from the outset, with top US defense officials firmly against the proposal. This resistance, coupled with other undisclosed factors, ultimately led Trump to reject the idea, despite his public pronouncements to the contrary.

In a bizarre twist, Trump publicly acknowledged providing weapons to the Kurds during a press conference on Monday, only to then pivot to accusations that they had failed to rise up against the Iranian regime. This claim appears to contradict ample evidence and the fact that Trump himself reportedly vetoed the plan to support such an uprising.

The president’s motivations for making these seemingly inconsistent statements remain unclear, though some observers suggest he may be seeking to deflect blame for the Iranian regime’s continued grip on power.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

President Donald Trump said Monday he is considering a temporary halt to the federal gasoline tax as Americans contend with sharply rising fuel costs linked to the war with Iran.

Speaking in a phone interview with CBS News, Trump said the suspension would stay in effect until prices begin to decline, after which the tax would gradually be reinstated.

“And yep, we’re going to take off the gas tax for a period of time, and when gas goes down, we’ll let it phase back in,” Trump said. “We’ll be doing something on that.”

The current federal excise tax adds 18.4 cents per gallon to gasoline and 24.4 cents per gallon to diesel. Any move to suspend it would require congressional approval, something lawmakers have been reluctant to grant in the past.

Gas prices have surged more than 50% since fighting with Iran began on February 28, with the nationwide average reaching $4.52 per gallon as of Sunday, according to AAA.

Experts caution that prices may stay high as Iran continues to threaten shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passageway for global oil supplies.

Trump also criticized Iran’s latest reply to a U.S. peace proposal, saying that while Tehran offered limited nuclear concessions, they fell short of what was needed. He described the proposal as “very stupid.”

The president’s comments followed remarks from Energy Secretary Chris Wright, who indicated the administration would support suspending the gas tax if it helps bring relief to consumers.

“All measures that can be taken to lower the price at the pump and lower the prices for Americans, this administration is in support of,” Wright said Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

{Matzav.com}

As parents, we want our children to feel safe, confident, and protected wherever they go. But personal safety is not a one-time conversation. It is something children need to understand in a clear, healthy, age-appropriate way, especially as summer approaches and routines become less structured.

CHEMED Talks, together with Lishmor, is proud to present Your Child’s Personal Safety, a free community event focused on helping parents speak to their children about healthy boundaries, avoiding unwanted touch, building resilience and avoiding trauma, both during the summer months and year-round.

The event will open with introductory remarks from Isaac Schechter, PsyD, Chief Clinical Innovations Officer at CHEMED.

**Separate sessions will be held for women and men:
**
**Women’s Event
**Tuesday, May 12
Presented by Debbie Fox, LCSW
8:30–10:00 PM
1771 Madison Avenue

**Men’s Event
**Wednesday, May 13
Presented by Dovid Becker, LCSW
9:00–10:30 PM
1771 Madison Avenue

This important evening will give parents practical guidance for building safe, confident communication with their children. The goal is not to create fear, but to give families the language, awareness, and tools to help children understand boundaries and know when to speak up.

**The event is free and offered as a community service.
**
To register, email [email protected] or call 732-364-2144 ext. 8132.

The New Jersey Senate Transportation Committee advanced legislation today that would establish a three-year pilot program allowing the testing of fully autonomous vehicles on roads across the state.

The bill, sponsored by state Senators Andrew Zwicker and Gordon Johnson, would require the New Jersey Department of Transportation and the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, to oversee the testing program and develop regulations governing autonomous vehicle operations.

“New Jersey has the opportunity to lead the northeast in developing safe and efficient autonomous vehicle technology that will revolutionize how we travel,” Zwicker, a Democrat representing parts of Middlesex, Mercer, Somerset and Hunterdon counties, said in a statement. He added that the pilot program could help improve transit infrastructure, public safety and transportation access.

Under the proposal, a nine-member task force would oversee the pilot program. The panel would include representatives from public safety, transportation, autonomous vehicle development, the insurance industry, motor vehicle dealers and consumer advocacy groups, along with officials from NJDOT and the Motor Vehicle Commission.

The task force would be required to issue monthly reports to state officials, gather public feedback and help develop protocols addressing autonomous vehicle crashes, cybersecurity threats, operational disruptions and liability concerns.

The legislation also directs state agencies to coordinate with the New Jersey State Police and the Office of the Attorney General to establish safety guidelines for drivers and pedestrians.

If enacted, the bill would require all autonomous vehicle collisions to be reported to NJDOT within five days.

The measure also calls for the creation of dedicated autonomous vehicle testing environments, including both closed-course and open-road test sites. State transportation officials would be tasked with identifying funding sources and working with local governments to deploy infrastructure designed to support autonomous vehicles, such as sensor-equipped roads, communication networks and real-time traffic management systems.

Within six months after the pilot program concludes, NJDOT would be required to submit a report to the governor and Legislature evaluating the program and recommending whether and how autonomous vehicles could be safely integrated onto New Jersey highways.

Last year, Alphabet’s self-driving unit Waymo announced they will begin manually testing its autonomous vehicles at Newark Liberty International Airport.

Every year around Jerusalem Day, the Jerusalem Institute for Policy Research publishes the Jerusalem Statistical Yearbook for Jerusalem, based on data collected during the year or two preceding the report’s publication.

This year, the report, published Monday in Yisrael Hayom, was based on data on the capital in 2024-2025.

At the end of 2024, Jerusalem is Israel’s most populous city with a population of over 1,050,200 residents, more than twice that of Tel Aviv, which ranked second with 467,900 residents. Of the capital’s residents, 596,400 are Jews and others (around 10,000 without religious classification and non-Arab Christians), making up 60% of the city’s population. The remaining 40%, numbering 401,400 residents, consisted mostly (97%) of Muslim Arabs, while a minority were Christian Arabs.

Among the Jewish population, 46% are Chareidi, 25% are religious or very religious, 13% are traditional, and 13% are secular. For comparison, among Israel’s overall Jewish population, 16% are Chareidi, 15% are religious or very religious, 22% are traditional, and 44% are secular.

Traditionally, the fertility rate in Jerusalem is higher than the national average, and in 2024 it stood at 3.7. For comparison, the rate in Israel overall in 2024 was 2.9.

Broken down by religion, the fertility rate among Jewish and other women in Jerusalem stood at 4.4 (compared to 2.9 for the same population in Israel overall), while among Arab women in Jerusalem it stood at 2.8 (compared to 2.6 for the same population nationwide).

The report also examined migration to and from Jerusalem, including movement to other cities and countries. As in recent years, Jerusalem’s migration balance remained negative in 2024, though the overall deficit narrowed from minus 9,800 in 2023 to minus 6,500 in 2024.

The balance is made up of several factors, including migration to other cities. Here too, there was a decline, from 11,300 people living in 2023 to 8,000 in 2024. The leading cities from which people move to Jerusalem are Beit Shemesh, Tel Aviv, and Bnei Brak. The leading destinations for Jerusalem residents leaving the city are Beit Shemesh, Tel Aviv, and Modi’in-Maccabim-Re’ut.

At the same time, there was an increase in the number of Jerusalem residents emigrating from Israel. After 1,500 emigrants in 2022, around 5,200 emigrants were recorded in both 2023 and 2024.

Construction began on around 6,900 housing units in Jerusalem in 2025 (compared to an average of 6,400 between 2023 and 2025). In 79% of the cases, these were residential buildings taller than eight stories. By the end of 2025, building permits had been issued in the capital for 8,200 housing units.

During the 2024–2025 school year, around 312,700 students studied in Jerusalem: 189,800 students were enrolled in Hebrew-language schools, 36% in the state education system, and 64% in Chareidi schools. About 122,900 students studied in Arab schools, 88% in public schools, and 12% in private schools. In 2025, students in Arab schools comprised 39% of all students in Jerusalem’s educational system.

In the 2024–2025 academic year, 41,600 students studied at higher education institutions in Jerusalem, accounting for 14% of all students in Israel. Slightly more than half of all students in the capital studied at Hebrew University of Jerusalem, one-third studied at one of seven academic colleges, and the rest studied at one of four academic colleges of education.

This year, the institute also published a special index called the “Jerusalem Falafel Index,” which examines falafel prices in city neighborhoods relative to housing prices and median income. In practice, the index estimates the standard of living and cost of living in the city’s neighborhoods.

According to the report, the price of a falafel portion in the city center is generally higher than in neighborhoods farther from the center. Prices in eastern Jerusalem are significantly cheaper than in the rest of the city, and there are also major differences between Chareidi neighborhoods and neighborhoods belonging to the general population. For example, a falafel portion in Rehavia costs 30 shekels, while in Meah Shearim it costs 18 shekels.

By cross-referencing median income, median apartment prices, and median rent prices in each neighborhood, the researchers concluded — based on the assumption that the higher the housing prices, the higher the falafel price would also be — and examined, among other things, how many local falafel portions could be purchased based on the median salary in each neighborhood.

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

A predatory towing racket is targeting Flatbush’s Jewish community – with scammers allegedly filing bogus blocked-driveway complaints to get neighbors’ cars hauled away, sometimes over Shabbos, then charging victims up to $500 to get them back.

The legal maximum for such a tow is $125.

Flatbush Shomrim coordinator Tzvi Weill tells Belaaz the scheme has victimized dozens of residents across the neighborhood over at least the past six weeks – and he’s got the footage to prove it.

“We’re talking dozens,” Weill said. “Five of them sent me that it happened within the last two weeks.”

The con is simple but brazen. Someone – not the actual resident, as required by law – calls the NYPD pretending to be a homeowner and complains that a car is blocking their driveway. A cop shows up, writes a ticket, and a tow truck rolls in to haul the car to an impound lot. The car’s owner then gets slapped with fees to get it back.

The scam is especially cruel when it hits over Shabbos. In one case Weill described, a man’s son-in-law drove in from Lakewood to drop him off in Flatbush on Friday – and came back after Shabbos to find his car gone. The bill? Five hundred dollars. Nearly four times what the law allows.

Weill said multiple victims have identified F&S Roadside Towing as the company behind the scheme. He’s been reviewing surveillance footage to track whether the same trucks keep turning up at different locations.

“Someone’s running around, obviously,” he said.

When reached by Belaaz, F&S Roadside Towing denied involvement, claiming it does not handle the removal of cars blocking driveways. A representative pointed a finger at a different company with a similar name: FS Towing. FS Towing did not provide comment, and a Belaaz reporter who called was hung up on.

After reaching out to the 70th Precinct Monday morning, Weill said the commanding officer agreed to open a formal investigation.

“I reached out to the 70th Precinct – the CO wants to sit down,” Weill said. “They want to start an investigation about it. Once you give them all the complainants, they’re going to take it seriously.”

The hits are spread across Flatbush, Weill says.

Weill’s message to anyone who gets towed: don’t pay a dime until you call Shomrim.

“If it happens to them, they need to call the local precinct and Shomrim – and we’ll get the car given back to them free of charge,” he said.

Three residents of New York are among the 17 Americans affected by a hantavirus outbreak linked to a cruise ship, with one from New York City and two others from Orange and Westchester counties, Gov. Kathy Hochul said Monday.

The governor did not disclose the names of the individuals but confirmed their home regions within the state.

All American passengers from the vessel were transported back to the United States on Sunday aboard a government medical evacuation flight and taken to the National Quarantine Unit at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha for further testing and isolation.

Two of the American passengers have already tested positive for the virus, including one who is currently experiencing symptoms.

Health officials said the individuals will be permitted to leave the facility once they complete their initial evaluations, though they must continue to undergo monitoring for six weeks due to the virus’s high mortality rate, estimated at about 38%.

“I believe that there’s a 42-day monitoring period, and they can decide whether they want to do that in Nebraska or come back and make other accommodations,” Hochul said.

Hochul noted she was unsure whether the affected New Yorkers would remain out of state or return home while completing the monitoring period.

Although she minimized concerns about a widespread outbreak on the scale of COVID-19, the governor emphasized that state officials are taking the situation seriously and preparing accordingly.

“This is New York, it’s a large, densely populated state and city, and I just need to do the responsible thing and prepare,” she said.

The development comes shortly after reports that two residents of New Jersey may have been exposed to hantavirus while traveling overseas and coming into contact with passengers from the same Dutch cruise ship.

{Matzav.com}

Religious Zionist MK Ohad Tal, a member of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, slammed the IDF for its conduct regarding religious and Chareidi soldiers seeking to maintain their religious lifestyle during military service.

Speaking in an interview with Kol Chai, Tal said that at the same time that the IDF is fighting on several fronts simultaneously and grappling with a shortage of manpower, part of the military system is busy promoting “progressive agendas” instead of practical solutions for recruiting additional combat soldiers.

“We are still in the middle of a campaign with extremely difficult challenges,” Tal said. “The road is still ahead of us. We must decisively win on every front, and we do not intend to stop before that happens.”

Tal then turned to the issue of mixed-gender service in the military, describing incidents that deeply disturbed the religious public.

“Absurd things are happening that no one could have imagined,” he said, saying that the integration of women into tank units without strict enforcement of the IDF’s separation guidelines harms religious soldiers who seek to preserve their religious way of life.

According to Tal, the deepest crisis is not only among soldiers themselves but also between the IDF leadership and Religious Zionist Rabbanim.

“All the Religious Zionist Rabbanim are deeply troubled by this,” he said, adding that IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir has been refusing to meet with Roshei Yeshivos of Hesder yeshivos for months, including Rabbanim considered part of the more moderate Religious Zionist camp.

“Even Ehud Barak always met with the Roshei Yeshivos of the Hesder yeshivos,” Tal said. “It’s unclear what is happening here.”

Tal tied the crisis to the broader issue over Chareidi enlistment, arguing that it’s unfathomable for the IDF to demand trust from the Chareidi sector when the Religious Zionist sector also feels disrespected.

“Don’t tell me you want to see Chareidim in the army,” he said. “How can you even talk about drafting Chareidim when you haven’t upheld a single commitment you made to the Religious Zionist sector?”

Tal added that a plan to establish Chareidi tank units was submitted to the IDF over a year ago, but it was never advanced. “Now it’s becoming clear why,” he said. “Because for them, integrating women into tank units is apparently more urgent than integrating Chareidim.”

It should be noted that Israel’s High Court and the left-wing organizations that take advantage of the Court’s corruption also play a large role in the army’s progressive agenda, with the most recent example being the Court’s ruling demanding that the IDF integrate women into tank units this year.

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

At least 11 swastikas were found Monday in Highland Park and Forest Park in Queens, the latest in a string of antisemitic vandalism incidents to strike the borough in recent weeks, officials said.

City Council Speaker Julie Menin condemned the discovery in a joint statement with Council Members Lynn Schulman and Joann Ariola, noting that the graffiti appeared exactly one week after similar vandalism struck two shuls and two private homes in Queens.

“This is yet another hateful incident meant to intimidate Jewish New Yorkers and divide our city,” Menin said. “We cannot and will not accept this as normal.”

The NYPD is investigating and the Parks Department said it will remove the graffiti as soon as possible.

Monday’s discovery comes one week after a coordinated overnight rampage in Forest Hills and Rego Park in which four suspects spray-painted swastikas and the word “Hitler” at five locations, including the Rego Park Jewish Center, Congregation Machane Chodosh, two private homes, and a car. One of the swastikas at Congregation Machane Chodosh — a shul built by refugees from Germany — was sprayed directly over a plaque honoring kedoshim murdered during Kristallnacht.

Jews in New York City were targeted in 60% of all confirmed hate crimes last month, according to NYPD data released Monday. In the first three months of 2026, antisemitic hate crimes surged 140%, and hate crimes overall in Queens were up 45%.

Local Jewish voices vented their frustration with city hall. “These incidents don’t seem to be calming down anytime soon when the Mayors ‘Office to Combat Antisemitism’ continues to be a token gesture rather than an actual government body that can work on hate crime prevention,” United Jewish Teachers head Moshe Spern, a Queens resident, told Belaaz. “When the Mayor actually begins to take this seriously then we will see the numbers go down.”

The NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force, which is investigating both incidents, has released surveillance footage of four suspects wanted in connection with the May 4 rampage, described as young light-skinned men, three of whom were wearing hoodies. No arrests have been made in either case.

Menin, the first Jewish speaker of the City Council and herself a daughter and granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, pointed to the City Council’s Five-Point Action Plan to Combat Antisemitism as a legislative response to the wave of incidents.

“That’s why the Council passed our Five-Point Action Plan to Combat Antisemitism,” she said, “and why we’ll continue fighting for education and accountability.”

Abraham Foxman, the former national director of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) who helped transform the organization into a powerful force against antisemitism and discrimination, died Sunday at the age of 86.

Born in Poland (now Belarus) in 1940, Foxman survived the Holocaust as a young child thanks to his Polish Catholic nanny who baptized and hid him. Foxman reunited with his parents in 1944 and the family immigrated to the U.S. in 1950. His story reportedly inspired the Abie Rotenberg song “The Man From Vilna.”

Foxman joined the ADL in 1965 as an assistant director of legal affairs. He rose through the ranks to become national director in 1987, a position he held until 2015. Under his leadership, the ADL expanded its reach with anti-bias educational programs, global antisemitism monitoring, and advocacy for anti-discrimination legislation. Some jokingly called Foxman “the Jewish pope” for his role as an arbiter of what constituted antisemitism.

Known for his willingness to call out hate from both the left and right, Foxman was credited with helping build a more tolerant America. ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt mourned him as an “iconic Jewish leader” whose “voice was heard by popes, presidents and prime ministers.” Israeli President Isaac Herzog hailed Foxman as “a legendary leader of the Jewish people, a champion of justice and equality.”

Foxman stepped down in 2015 at a time when antisemitism in the U.S. was at an all-time low by many measures. He expressed appreciation for the chance to help shape a world so different from the one he was born into, relentlessly pursuing his vision of “a world without hate.”

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Israel’s Minister of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, Amichai Chikli, says that he urged authorities to block American YouTuber Tyler Oliveira from entering the country, a recommendation that was carried out when he was stopped at the border and refused entry upon arrival.

Oliveira was detained during routine questioning at passport control and ultimately denied admission into Israel.

According to the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, the move was based on conduct that “goes beyond legitimate freedom of expression” and includes “inciting statements against Jews and the dissemination of content with antisemitic characteristics.”

Chikli stated, “The celebration is over. Anyone who comes here with the goal of spreading hatred will be sent back the way they came. As part of the implementation of the new policy I outlined, entry or activity in Israel will not be permitted for anyone who spreads antisemitic content, supports BDS, or incites against the State of Israel and the Jewish people. The rule is simple: whoever incites against us simply will not be here.”

Officials said the ministry’s director general, Avi Cohen-Scali, formally advised the Population and Immigration Authority to bar Oliveira’s entry after receiving prior intelligence that he planned to visit Israel. Upon landing, authorities acted on that recommendation and arranged for his return to the United States.

The decision followed Amendment No. 40 to Israel’s Entry Law of 1952, along with inter-ministerial agreements that allow the transfer of intelligence and recommendations from the Diaspora Affairs Ministry regarding visa denials.

The ministry described Oliveira’s YouTube content as primarily consisting of “field” reporting, including street interviews, investigative-style videos, and documentary content. It noted that several of his recent productions had drawn backlash, particularly those focusing on Orthodox Jewish communities in the United States.

Cohen-Scali stated, “We will not allow factors seeking to defame our country to operate freely. Thanks to the fruitful cooperation between government bodies, we are succeeding in preventing hostile elements from being present within our territory.”

Among the material cited by officials were comments Oliveira allegedly made in a May 8, 2026, interview with Tucker Carlson, where he claimed that “Jews systematically exploit the generosity of others” and “use intergenerational guilt surrounding the Holocaust for their own needs.” The ministry also said Oliveira argued that Jews label all criticism against them as antisemitism.

Authorities also pointed to a February 24, 2026, video in which Oliveira said he intended to “expose the invasion of the Jewish community” in New Jersey. In that video, he reportedly referred to the situation as a “Jewish takeover” and claimed the community was “very racist” and functioned similarly to “organized crime.”

The ministry further alleged that Oliveira accused Jewish communities of prioritizing their own members over others, relying on taxpayer funding, and exerting influence over politicians, claiming they “buy politicians so they pass laws that benefit them.”

In addition, officials referenced a January 16, 2026, video in which Oliveira described Kiryas Yoel as “a New York town invaded by Jews addicted to welfare.”

The War Department has launched a legal review into whether Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona improperly revealed classified material during a television appearance, with War Secretary Pete Hegseth raising concerns that the lawmaker may have violated his oath of service.

Hegseth accused Kelly, a retired Navy captain and former astronaut, of sharing sensitive details from a Pentagon briefing while speaking on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” where the senator addressed U.S. weapons reserves during the ongoing conflict with Iran.

“’Captain’ Mark Kelly strikes again,” Hegseth posted Sunday night on X. “Now he’s blabbing on TV (falsely & dumbly) about a CLASSIFIED Pentagon briefing he received. Did he violate his oath … again? @DeptofWar legal counsel will review.”

During the interview, Kelly told CBS anchor Margaret Brennan that recent Pentagon updates on Tomahawk missiles, ATACMS, THAAD interceptors, Patriot systems, and other weapons revealed alarming shortages after extended operations tied to the Iran war.

“We’ve expended a lot of munitions,” Kelly said. “And that means the American people are less safe.”

Kelly added that rebuilding certain weapons inventories could take a prolonged period, warning it may leave the United States exposed in the event of a confrontation with communist China over Taiwan.

Hegseth countered that the senator’s remarks appeared to draw from classified congressional briefings, suggesting the information should not have been discussed publicly.

The dispute is the latest chapter in an ongoing and contentious conflict between Hegseth and Kelly. The senator previously filed suit after the War Department sought to downgrade his retired Navy rank and issue a formal reprimand related to a video in which he encouraged service members to resist directives from the Trump administration.

Courts have so far prevented the Pentagon from carrying out those disciplinary measures, although the legal fight has not yet been resolved.

Last week, a three-judge panel at the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments tied to Hegseth’s efforts to penalize Kelly for urging military personnel to refuse certain orders, according to CNN.

Kelly responded swiftly Sunday night, posting footage from a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing in which Hegseth himself acknowledged that restoring U.S. weapons supplies could take significant time.

“We had this conversation in a public hearing a week ago and you said it would take ‘years’ to replenish some of these stockpiles,” Kelly wrote on X. “That’s not classified.”

In his CBS appearance, Kelly also took aim at President Donald Trump’s handling of the Iran conflict, arguing that the administration entered the confrontation “without a strategic goal, without a plan, without a timeline.”

Republicans, however, have warned that publicly discussing military preparedness and stockpile levels—particularly after receiving classified briefings—could provide adversaries with useful intelligence during a period of heightened international tensions.

{Matzav.com}

The New York Times is facing a firestorm of criticism after one of its photographers was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for a now-discredited image that was apparently deliberately staged to falsely portray widespread starvation in the Gaza Strip.

Palestinian photographer Saher Alghorra won the 2026 Pulitzer for Breaking News Photography last week for his series documenting the impact of the Israeli-Gaza conflict on Palestinian civilians. The committee wrote that it was awarding him the honor “for his haunting, sensitive series showing the devastation and starvation in Gaza resulting from the war with Israel.”

But the most famous image in the series — a front-page photo of an emaciated child that the Times initially claimed was “born healthy” before succumbing to malnutrition — has been revealed to be a brazenly misleading piece of propaganda. In fact, the child had cerebral palsy from birth, a fact that forced the paper to quietly issue a correction last year after a public outcry.

Despite the retraction, the Pulitzer committee went ahead with honoring Alghorra anyway, a decision that has sparked outrage from Israeli officials, U.S. lawmakers and media watchdogs who accuse the Times of enabling Hamas’ anti-Israel disinformation campaign.

“One of the oldest lies in human history, that Jews deliberately harm children, is award-winning journalism,” Israeli Consul General to Toronto Idit Shamir wrote on X.

“When so-called journalism receives an award for spreading fake news about Israel, it tells you everything you need to know about where the mainstream media currently is,” Sen. Rick Scott posted on X.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Treasury Department wants U.S. banks and other financial institutions to monitor for suspected Iranian money laundering networks that use their funds to smuggle sanctioned oil through shell companies and crypto networks.

The move, which effectively deputizes the global financial system to help disrupt Iran’s sanctions-evasion infrastructure, comes as the U.S. and Iran reached another impasse over how to end their war while their ceasefire has grown increasingly shaky.

President Donald Trump on Monday said the Iran ceasefire is on “life support” after he rejected Tehran’s latest proposal to end the war.

The Trump administration is calling on banks to flag certain customers who may launder funds for Iran’s Revolutionary Guard — including newly formed companies moving unusually large amounts of money, firms that route payments through multiple intermediaries or transactions connected to Iranian crypto firms, among other indicators.

As part of the U.S. initiative to monitor Iranian oil sales, banks are being asked to watch out for oil labeled as “Malaysian blend” to disguise its Iranian origin, missing or falsified shipping documents or ship-to-ship oil transfers that obscure where cargo came from.

A Treasury Financial Crimes Enforcement Network report released Monday says oil firms linked to Iran conducted roughly $4 billion in transactions in 2024.

And dozens of shipping companies based in Iraq, the United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong — all connected to transporting sanctioned Iranian oil — processed about $707 million through U.S. accounts in 2024.

Along with a bombing campaign in Iran, the Trump administration has turned toward an economic-focused effort aimed at choking Tehran into submission, through sanctions and the threat of secondary sanctions on Iran’s allies.

In April, Treasury sent a letter to financial institutions in China, Hong Kong, the UAE, and Oman threatening to levy secondary sanctions for doing business with Iran and accusing those countries of allowing Iranian illicit activities to flow through their financial institutions.

A $9.9 million federally funded pavement preservation project will bring daytime shoulder closures and overnight lane closures to portions of Route 70 and Route 9 in in Manchester, Lakehurst, Toms River, Lakewood and Brick, beginning Tuesday, according to the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

Daytime shoulder closures are scheduled from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday for construction sign installation along sections of both highways. The work will use moving operations along the right shoulder.

NJDOT said overnight lane closures are expected to begin in mid-May from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday through Thursday for several weeks to allow crews to remove existing striping and raised pavement markings.

Additional overnight lane closures tied to pavement preservation work are scheduled to begin in mid-June on Route 70 and in early August on Route 9. The work is expected to continue for several months using alternating traffic patterns.

Affected sections of Route 70 include eastbound and westbound lanes from the intersection of Whiting-New Egypt Road, County Route 539, Lacey Road and County Route 530 in Manchester to Vermont Avenue and Route 36 in Lakewood, as well as from Herbertsville Road in Brick to Riverview Drive between Brielle and Wall.

The project will preserve about 13 miles of pavement on Route 70 through Manchester, Lakehurst, Toms River, Lakewood, Brick, Point Pleasant, Brielle and Wall.

Transportation officials said pavement preservation work uses sealants to improve surface conditions, extend the life of roadways and provide a smoother and safer ride for motorists.

The project is expected to be completed in fall 2026.

U.S. Sen. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) issued a stinging rebuke to the Democratic Party, slamming his political brethren for their double standard on antisemitism, in an opinion piece for the New York Times Sunday titled, “I’m a Democrat. My Party Has a Double Standard on Antisemitism.”

The senator reminded readers that the Democrats were quick to condemn the “Unite the Right Rally,” the infamous 2017 neo-Nazi rally in Charlottesville, Va. During that rally, Heather Heyer, a 32-year-old paralegal and counterprotester was killed when a car was deliberately driven into the crowd.

He also pointed out his party’s immediate condemnation of President Donald Trump’s dinner with white nationalist Jew hater Nick Fuentes.

But when it comes to antisemites within their own ranks, not only do the Democrats stay silent — they embrace them, Gottheimer argued.

He pointed to Hasan Piker as a case in point.

Hasan Piker, a far-left streamer, has hosted such prominent Democrats on his show as Bernie Sanders, Tim Walz, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Zohran Mamdani.

Hasan Piker, considered by many to be a loathsome antisemite, has been embraced by some Democratic Party leaders despite what many consider his vile antisemitic rhetoric.

The Turkey-born influencer, known as HasanAbi on the streaming platform Twitch, has successfully faced down criticism for his antisemitic commentary and his support for Hamas after Oct. 7, as his popularity continued to grow.

After Oct. 7, he outright dismissed allegations of sexual violence by Hamas, calling them “rape fantasies” and “rape hallucinations.”

“It doesn’t matter if rapes happened on Oct. 7,” he said in a May 22, 2024, livestream. “It doesn’t change the dynamic for me.” He also said on Twitch that “in a totally just world, regardless of your background, any kind of f—— Zionist tendency should be treated in the same way as being a f—— rabid neo-Nazi … You shouldn’t even let someone be the f—— local dog catcher … if they have exhibited any sort of positive feelings about the state of Israel.”

He has called Orthodox Jews “inbred,” and in a grammatically challenged X post last May, wrote: “there’s no comparison between israel & hamas, one is a militant resistance comprised of orphaned soldiers born into a 77 year occupation, the other is a ethnoreligious supremacist apartheid state w nukes doing a genocide backed by the usa!”

Gottheimer noted with disappointment the Democratic leaders who had appeared on Piker’s podcast.

“I’ve spoken to congressional colleagues who have privately told me that many things Mr. Piker has said are disgusting. Yet they’ll say nothing about it in public,” he wrote.

He also raised what he described as his party’s double standards in its disproportionate condemnation of Israel and blocking of arms sales to the U.S. ally over alleged human rights abuses.

“Democratic members of Congress should at least be consistent,” he said. “Do they also believe we should block weapon sales to Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey, given the history of human rights abuses in those countries?”

“The Democratic condemnation piled on Israel’s government is overwhelming in comparison to other allies,” he added. “It’s also louder than Democrats’ condemnation of Iran’s regime for the slaughter of thousands of Iranians in December and January.”

Gottheimer concluded with a declaration that hate is hate, and it must be called out even when it emerges from your side of the aisle.

“When Candace Owens and Tucker Carlson use hateful rhetoric, they should be rebuked. The same should go for Hasan Piker. Everyone has a right to express his or her views, however repugnant those views may be. But Democratic leaders have the same right — and a duty — to challenge them,” he wrote.

“There should be one response to those who express hatred toward any American: condemnation. Hate is hate. It doesn’t get a pass because it comes from your side of the aisle,” he concluded.

Two young men in their 20s were injured Monday night after their vehicle plunged from a height on Rechov HaMaggid MiMezeritch in Beitar Illit.

Hatzolah and emergency personnel rushed to the scene and provided medical treatment to the victims, who were both listed in moderate but stable condition.

Your browser does not support the video tag.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

The White House plans to hold a Jewish American Heritage Month celebration, part of a “national Sabbath” for which U.S. President Donald Trump called, just before Shabbos begins on a Friday night, according to multiple copies of the invite.

The event is slated for the Indian Treaty Room, part of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, per the invite.

“This Shabbat is part of an initiative to promote Sabbath observance,” one invitee, who asked not to be named, told JNS. “It’s a sad oversight that attending this event would cause someone to violate it.”

“It’s a rare misstep from the Trump administration that is usually better about including Orthodox Jews at their events,” the invitee said.

Observant Jews who don’t live within walking distance of the White House would have difficult attending the hour-and-a-half event, which is slated to end less than half an hour before Shabbos begins.

Ezra Friedlander, who runs an eponymous public relations firm, told JNS that the scheduling “could actually be transformed into a genuine Shabbat event.”

Friedlander, who said that he has coordinated Jewish Heritage Month and Capitol Hill Jewish heritage celebrations, told JNS that the event “hopefully will bring Jews close to Shabbat, which the president’s proclamation will do and which we are very grateful for.” JNS

{Matzav.com}

A CNN investigation published today detailed how apparent Iran-linked networks allegedly recruit Europeans online for surveillance, arson attacks and other operations targeting Jewish and Israeli-linked sites across Europe.

According to the report, journalists posing as London-based Telegram users found channels openly advertising “high-paid agents” for covert activity. One account allegedly connected to the network told CNN it was looking to “hire anyone who can harm Israeli interests or individuals.”

The investigation centered on a group calling itself Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia, or HAYI, which emerged online in March and has claimed responsibility for at least 17 attacks across Britain and Europe. The incidents included arson attacks targeting synagogues, Jewish neighborhoods, volunteer ambulances and businesses in London, Antwerp and other cities.

CNN reported that recruiters allegedly begin with smaller assignments, including hanging posters or filming minor acts of vandalism, before escalating to more serious surveillance or violent operations. Experts interviewed by CNN said the structure resembles a layered proxy system in which operatives connected to Iran’s IRGC recruit low-level criminals or financially desperate individuals to carry out attacks while shielding higher-ranking organizers.

The report also cited Israeli espionage cases in which suspects allegedly recruited through Telegram were accused of photographing military bases, filming sensitive facilities and carrying out intelligence-gathering missions for Iranian handlers. Israeli authorities say at least 60 Israelis have been indicted on allegations of spying for Iran since 2023.

British counterterrorism officials said investigators are examining whether Iran-linked groups are increasingly relying on “violence as a service” by paying recruits with little ideological connection to the cause. Security experts warned the attacks could become more dangerous as the networks expand operations across Europe.

Dear Matzav Inbox,

There is a growing wave of excitement surrounding the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA), but much of that enthusiasm feels wildly out of proportion to what the program will actually deliver. Once the details are examined, it becomes clear that this is being sold as a breakthrough when, in reality, it is a limited initiative.

Sorry to burst everyone’s bubble.

These are not school vouchers.

ECCA will not pay people’s tuition.

It’s a tax credit.

So let’s take a look at this tax credit.

Start with who actually benefits. This is the main point. The income cap—set at 300 percent of the poverty level—means that many frum middle-income families, the very ones struggling most with tuition, will likely be shut out. A “frum middle-income family” usually earns more than the average American middle-income family, because we need more to live. These are families who earn too much to qualify for assistance but nowhere near enough to comfortably pay private school tuition. For them, ECCA offers nothing.

Even for those who do qualify, the numbers don’t add up. A maximum benefit of $1,700 is a small percentage of the cost of tuition. Most parents are paying at least 4 or 5 times that amount per child. Calling this meaningful relief is misleading at best. It does not meaningfully change the financial reality for families drowning in tuition bills.

Thirdly, an important point is that while 27 states have already opted in to the program, only one Democratic governor, Jared Polis of Colorado, has opted in so far. New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s support, which you reported on last week, may help encourage other states to opt in. But as of now, it is no guarantee.

Then there is the inevitable market response. If schools know that parents are receiving additional funds—even modest ones—there is a strong incentive to raise tuition accordingly. We have seen this dynamic play out in other sectors. Subsidies often lead to price increases. I’ve spoken to several school administrators. They openly admitted this to be the case. Instead of easing the burden, ECCA could simply shift it, leaving parents no better off than before.

There are other weaknesses in this program. I’ll let others chime in with them.

But let’s slow down on the celebrations. Seriously.

The bottom line and the point of this letter is that ECCA is being presented as a sweeping solution to the tuition crisis. It is not. It is a modest, complicated, and uncertain program that risks creating more expectations than it can possibly fulfill. Instead of celebrating prematurely, we should be asking harder questions about whether this is real relief—or just the appearance of it.

Sincerely,
A Concerned Parent

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President Donald Trump’s 31-year-old would-be assassin, Cole Tomas Allen, pleaded not guilty in court Monday to all charges.

At the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on April 25, the former California teacher and engineer, armed with knives and guns, broke through a security checkpoint and shot a guard in the chest before being tackled by security officers and detained. The guard who was shot was wearing a bulletproof vest and was not seriously injured.

In Allen’s selfie before leaving his hotel room, he displays his weapons. (Credit: Department of Justice)

Allen was charged with attempting to assassinate the president; transporting a firearm and ammunition through interstate commerce with intent to commit a felony; discharging a firearm during a crime of violence; and shooting a Secret Service agent.

Allen appeared in court wearing an orange shirt and trousers. He wore shackles and handcuffs attached by a chain to his waist that clanked as he walked into the courtroom.

Allen’s sister told law enforcement that, while her brother occasionally made radical commets, no one in the family knew that he kept firearms in their home and trained at shooting ranges. Allen himself told the FBI that he had not expected to survive the assassination attempt. Following his detention, he was briefly placed on suicide watch.

Allen’s next court hearing is scheduled for June 29.

There are certain things in life we take for granted, and a shiva house having a minyan is one of them. But in reality, that is not always the case.

Too often, individuals assume someone else will attend — yet at times, a minyan does not materialize, creating added stress for families already navigating aveilus.

In response, Baltimorean Jeff Cohn developed T’Nuchamu, a new global initiative designed to address this issue in a simple and effective way. A designated family representative enters and updates levaya and shiva details, while registered volunteers are notified via email, SMS, or WhatsApp to help ensure a minyan.

Beyond that, T’Nuchamu empowers the broader community with real-time updates — including changes such as an avel moving locations, updated minyan times, or newly added visiting hours. Users can also receive reminders as a shiva progresses, helping ensure visits are not forgotten, and can customize notifications by location.

The concept is straightforward yet impactful, offering a practical solution while strengthening communal awareness and responsibility.

For more information, to participate, and/or to support this effort, visit: Tnuchamu.org

It is with great sadness that Matzav.comreports the passing of Rav Dovid Michel Shmidl zt”l, longtime chairman of the Asra Kadisha organization and a leading figure in the fight to preserve the sanctity of Jewish burial sites, who passed away at the age of 92.

Rav Shmidl, who lived in Bnei Brak, passed away today after undergoing resuscitation efforts at his home. His condition had deteriorated in recent months, beginning in Kislev, and he had grown increasingly weak until his passing earlier today.

The levayah is scheduled to take place this evening in Bnei Brak. From there, the procession will travel to Yerushalayim, where the taharah will be conducted at Shamgar Funeral Home. The levayah will then proceed through Kikar HaShabbos on its way to Har HaZeisim for kevurah.

Rav Shmidl was born in Vienna, Austria, on Pesach 1934 (תרצ”ד), the only child of his parents, Rav Pinchas and Miriam Shmidl, who were of Hungarian descent. At the age of five, in 1939, he immigrated with his family to Eretz Yisroel. His father supported the household through business and retail trade.

In his youth, he studied at the Slabodka Yeshiva in Bnei Brak, where he absorbed Torah from the roshei yeshiva. During that time, he became close to the Chazon Ish zt”l and later became one of the prominent talmidim of Rav Gedaliah Nadel zt”l. He continued his learning at Yeshivas Be’er Yaakov under Rav Moshe Shmuel Shapiro zt”l.

He married his wife, Aliza, daughter of Rav Eliezer Steinharter z”l, who served as a teacher at the Rav Wolf Seminary in Bnei Brak. Together they built a home founded on Torah and yiras Shamayim.

Rav Shmidl was counted among the elder disciples of both the Chazon Ish and the Brisker Rav. As early as 1956 (תשט”ז), he acted on behalf of the Brisker Rav in efforts opposing excavations near the burial site of the Rambam in Tiveriah. In the 1960s, he played a central role in the chareidi struggle against autopsies in Israel and served on the public committee for the protection of human dignity established by Rav Rafael Soloveitchik zt”l.

From the mid-1970s, following the passing of activist Rav Avraham Baruch Arten z”l, Rav Shmidl assumed leadership of Asra Kadisha, an organization dedicated to preventing the desecration of Jewish graves in Israel and abroad. Under his leadership, the group spearheaded numerous high-profile battles against construction and excavation projects believed to endanger ancient burial sites. In 1979, he was even arrested for his involvement in protests at a military site on Har Shenan, where it was claimed that graves of Amoraim had been disturbed.

Rav Shmidl maintained close ties with leading gedolim, frequently consulting with them regarding his activities. He was a regular visitor to the home of Rav Elazar Menachem Man Shach zt”l, who once described him in a rare expression as “one who is unique in his sharpness, breadth of knowledge, and pure fear of Heaven.”

In one account shared by an activist who participated in a meeting between Rav Shmidl and a chareidi Knesset member, Rav Shmidl was asked how his group managed to endure repeated protests and physical confrontations. He responded firmly: “The power we have is to receive blows and not to give blows. That is the secret of our strength; on the day that we strike back, we will lose.”

Over the years, he was also involved in Torah scholarship and publishing. He headed a unique kollel known as Mesivta d’Rabbi Yochanan, which operated in the shul of the early chassidic community in Tiveria. Participants learned there throughout the week, returning home only for Shabbos. In 2011, after the local chassidic community expanded, the kollel closed in its original form, and Rav Shmidl relocated to Moshav Komemiyut, where it was reestablished. He also served on the editorial team of the well-known Rambam edition published by Rav Shabsi Frankel and authored numerous Torah insights published in various compilations.

Rav Shmidl is survived by a distinguished family, including eight daughters and one son, along with many grandchildren and descendants who continue in his path.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

LONDON (VINnews) – Metropolitan Police said a man has been charged following an alleged antisemitic assault against Orthodox Jewish women at a bus stop in London.

Police said Francis Achile was charged with aggravated assault, two counts of assault by beating, racially aggravated harassment and racially aggravated assault.

🚨 Antisemitic Hate Crime | Assault | Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG)

📍 Osbaldeston Road Bus Stop UA, Clapton Common, E5, Hackney
🕒 Sunday 10th May 2026 at approximately 3:45pm

👊 A male suspect assaulted multiple visibly Orthodox Jewish females, whipping them with… pic.twitter.com/rpG8gTjg80

— Shomrim (London North & East) (@Shomrim) May 11, 2026

According to authorities and the Jewish neighborhood watch group Shomrim, the incident occurred Sunday when the suspect allegedly struck multiple Orthodox Jewish women with a belt while shouting racial abuse.

Shomrim said volunteers responding to the scene were also allegedly spat at by the 64-year-old suspect.

The Metropolitan Police and Shomrim said responders arrived within minutes of the incident.

The alleged assault comes amid heightened concern within London’s Jewish community following a series of antisemitic incidents in recent weeks.

Separately, police said an east London man was charged Sunday in connection with an alleged assault against three Jewish residents in Enfield a day earlier.

Authorities said Dylan Ossei, of Hornchurch, was charged with assault, religiously aggravated assault, threatening behavior intended to cause fear, religiously aggravated harassment and threatening behavior intended to cause harassment.

The Metropolitan Police said it has increased patrols and community protection measures in Jewish neighborhoods across the capital.

President Donald Trump told Fox News Monday that he is considering renewing Project Freedom, the U.S. operation intended to provide safe passage to ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Previously, the United States halted the operation in response to anger from Arab Gulf allies who were reportedly blindsided by the move.

Trump said that a renewed version of the project would include sweeping operations, of which escorting ships would constitute only a small part, but said he has not reached a final decision.

Amid discussions with Iran on a deal to end the war, the president said that Iranian officials informed him that they had no way to reach the enriched uranium, which is buried deep underground, leaving it to the U.S. to determine how to retrieve it.

While acknowledging that this presented a unique dilemma for the U.S., Trump reiterated his unwavering stance that Iran will never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon. He also confidently asserted that Tehran is “going to fold” in the negotiations.

(AP) – The widow of a man killed in a mass shooting last year at Florida State University is suing ChatGPT maker OpenAI, blaming the company’s artificial intelligence chatbot for contributing to the tragedy.

Prosecutors say they believe ChatGPT advised Phoenix Ikner on which location and time of day would allow for the most potential victims; what type of gun and ammunition to use; and whether a gun would be useful at short range.

“OpenAI knew this would happen. It’s happened before and it was only a matter of time before it happened again,” Vandana Joshi said in a statement Monday. Her husband Tiru Chabba was one of two people killed, and six more were wounded.

Drew Pusateri, a spokesperson for OpenAI, denied wrongdoing in “this terrible crime.”

“In this case, ChatGPT provided factual responses to questions with information that could be found broadly across public sources on the internet, and it did not encourage or promote illegal or harmful activity,” Pusateri said in an email Monday to The Associated Press.

The lawsuit was filed Sunday in federal court.

Ikner faces two counts of first-degree murder and several counts of attempted murder in the shooting that terrorized the campus in Tallahassee, Florida’s capital, in April 2025. Prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty. Ikner has pleaded not guilty.

Separately, in April, Florida’s attorney general said there was a rare criminal investigation into ChatGPT over whether the app offered advice to Ikner.

Joshi said in a statement released by her lawyer that OpenAI “put their profits over our safety and it killed my husband. They need to be responsible before another family has to go through this.”

Several civil lawsuits have sought damages from AI and tech companies over the influence of chatbots and social media on loved ones’ mental health.

In March, a jury in Los Angeles found both Meta and YouTube liable for harms to children using their services. In New Mexico, a jury determined that Meta knowingly harmed children’s mental health and concealed what it knew about child sexual exploitation on its platforms.

LONDON (VINnews) — A senior figure in Britain’s Jewish community says many Jews in the United Kingdom are increasingly fearful amid a sharp rise in antisemitism, warning that the atmosphere reminds him of Europe before World War II.

Tony Gordon, an official with the Bristol Hebrew Congregation, said security concerns have dramatically changed daily life for worshippers at his synagogue.

According to Gordon, synagogue entrances are kept locked during services, with visitors monitored through surveillance cameras before being allowed inside. Police officers are also present during religious gatherings and community events.

Gordon, who said he has witnessed antisemitism in Britain over many decades, described the current situation as the most troubling period he can remember. He expressed concern that hostility toward Jews has intensified to the point that some members of the community are considering leaving the country.

The British government recently announced additional funding intended to improve security for Jewish communities and address rising antisemitism across England.

Officials in the U.K. have reported a significant increase in antisemitic incidents since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called on British society to take stronger action against antisemitism and support the country’s Jewish population.

President Donald Trump is expected to pressure China’s president, Xi Jinping, on Iran at their summit scheduled for later this week. The meeting had been scheduled for March but was delayed because of the war with Iran.

Trump will touch down in Beijing Wednesday evening local time and will attend a welcome ceremony and meeting with Xi Thursday morning, according to White House spokesperson Anna Kelly. Thursday afternoon’s tour of the Temple of Heaven will be followed by a state banquet Thursday evening. Friday, the two leaders are expected to take tea together, followed by lunch.

Throughout all of this extravaganza, there will be discussions. Trump is expected to press Xi on aid to Iran, which the two have previously discussed, including “dual-use goods, components and parts, not to mention the potential of weapons exports,” according to a senior U.S. official.

Video footage shows Trump’s arrival in Beijing for a 2017 summit during his first term as president of the United States. (From a post on X)

Trump is seeking to improve trade and economic ties with China amid rising tensions between the two countries. Last week, the administration sanctioned three Chinese companies it accused of providing Tehran with satellite imagery that helped its military survey U.S. forces in the region.

“I think you’ve seen some actions, meaning sanctions, coming out from the U.S. side just in the last few days that I’m sure will be part of that conversation,” the official said.

As part of the U.S. effort to squeeze Iran economically, the U.S. has also sanctioned Chinese companies that purchase more than 80% of Iran’s crude oil for further processing in what are known as “teapot” refineries.

On the other hand, some analysts believe China can leverage its enormous influence over Iran to pressure the regime to end the war.

The official said that Trump will “apply pressure,” but he did not specify what form that pressure would take.

JERUSALEM (VINnews) – The Israel Defense Forces General Staff Forum convened Monday in Jerusalem to mark Jerusalem Day, with Chief of the General Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir emphasizing the city’s central role in Israeli society and the military’s mission to defend it.

During the annual meeting, forum members met with Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion at City Hall, where he hosted the group and thanked the IDF for its contributions.

“Our connection with the city of Jerusalem is deep and meaningful,” Zamir said. “These days, we are working to establish a dedicated recruitment office in the city and to open an IDF museum in the city. We will continue working to create additional important connections like these.”

Zamir highlighted Jerusalem as a symbol of coexistence and national resilience.

“The story of Jerusalem represents the story of the entire State of Israel. A city where people live side by side, not against one another. Everyone is part of the unique fabric of this city,” he said. “The IDF is the same. The people’s army, which brings together all parts of Israeli society around one shared mission: defending the state and ensuring our future here.”

The chief of staff also noted ongoing efforts to strengthen ties between the military and the capital, including the relocation of IDF and defense establishment bases.

Lion welcomed the General Staff Forum in the City Council Chamber, describing the IDF and Jerusalem as foundational pillars of the state.

“The IDF and Jerusalem are two pillars of the State of Israel, and the connection between them is deep and inseparable,” Lion said. He praised Zamir for the long-standing partnership and called the agreement to move military bases to Jerusalem “a significant, and Zionist step that strengthens Jerusalem and the entire State of Israel.”

The gathering included lectures tied to Jerusalem Day themes.

Tensions are continuing to rise within the Likud party despite official denials issued last week over reports that Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu is seeking 10 reserved slots on the party’s Knesset list ahead of the next election.

Senior party officials, activists, and potential candidates are now openly debating the issue, with some backing Netanyahu’s desire for greater control over the slate while others warn that such a move could weaken the influence of party members and upset the internal balance within Likud.

According to sources inside the party, many believe Netanyahu’s public demand for 10 reserved spots is actually part of a negotiating tactic and that he ultimately hopes to secure five or six realistic positions for candidates of his choosing.

One member of the Likud secretariat dismissed the controversy as political maneuvering.

“This is all spin,” he said. “He doesn’t really want ten reserved spots. It’s nonsense. He wants three or four, so he says ten or twenty in order to negotiate.”

The official added that despite public criticism from some corners of the party, most Likud members would likely back Netanyahu in the end.

Ofakim Mayor Itzik Danino, a Likud member, voiced partial support for the proposal but said the scope should be reduced.

“The prime minister is the main engine bringing mandates to Likud,” Danino said, while cautioning that there is “an imbalance between the list that would emerge from primaries and the number of reserved spots being requested.”

Much of the resistance inside Likud is reportedly being led by MK Dovid Bitan, who has argued that the prime minister should not be given unchecked authority over the makeup of the party list.

Even so, party insiders believe some type of compromise will eventually be reached.

Sources familiar with internal discussions said Justice Minister Yariv Levin has also become involved in mediation efforts aimed at preventing a major internal clash within the party.

Likud officials believe Netanyahu hopes to place several outside figures and security personalities onto the list, including Gal Hirsch and Dedi Simchi, along with other new candidates.

One senior Likud minister offered a broader explanation of the political tensions developing behind the scenes.

“In the end, Netanyahu’s pressure is understandable,” the minister said. “He doesn’t want Dovid Bitan and the clique he brings with him. There are many people on the list whom he strongly wants — people with values and people close to him — some of whom were pushed aside in the last primaries, and he wants to advance them.”

The minister said one of the central issues revolves around the regional district system inside Likud.

“He doesn’t want the existing districts or the people who entered through them, and certainly not additional new districts,” the minister explained. “So his dilemma is significant. On the one hand, he wants reserved spots — at least two in every group of ten — in order to bring in fresh faces. But doing that pushes aside loyal people.”

Despite concerns that regional candidates could lose influence, some contenders inside the party are supporting Netanyahu’s efforts.

Shimon Booker, who is running for the Negev slot on the list, told Walla: “You have to give Bibi every reserved spot he wants, even if it hurts me personally — because it’s for the good of Likud.”

The senior minister added that Netanyahu’s inner circle has been discussing several compromise models, though each proposal appears to create new tensions.

“They’re talking about ideas like copying the current list and adding two reserved spots in every group of ten, freezing the list entirely, or changing the regional district structure,” he said. “But every one of those solutions creates internal conflict because it pushes out people Netanyahu values and wants to keep close.”

According to the minister, even more dramatic possibilities are being discussed behind closed doors, including reducing the scope of primaries or scrapping them altogether.

“There are even ideas not to hold primaries at all in order to save money, because the movement is in debt and is selling off assets and branch offices,” he said. “On the other hand, Netanyahu believes less in political operatives and more in the wisdom of the masses and social media.”

At the same time, heated debates have reportedly been taking place within Likud’s internal court system over the future of the party convention and membership structure.

MK Dovid Bitan and others have opposed attempts to reduce the influence of newly registered party members. Some within the party have claimed certain registrations were questionable, while others argued that canceling thousands of memberships or invalidating elected branch leaders would severely damage internal party democracy.

Party insiders now believe the larger convention itself may ultimately never take place, but say the real battle will center on the primaries and the final makeup of the Knesset slate.

Even Netanyahu’s allies reportedly understand that any overly aggressive restructuring could trigger a major internal war within Likud, increasing pressure to find a middle-ground solution that balances Netanyahu’s desire to refresh the party list while preserving the influence of longtime party figures.

{Matzav.com}