Scene of the attack in WashingtonREUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

Hanan Lischinsky, the brother of Yaron Lischinsky, an Israeli Embassy staffer murdered in Washington, D.C., will attend Tuesday’s State of the Union address as a guest of Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA), Speaker of the US House of Representatives, according to JNS.

Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and his colleague Sarah Milgrim, 26, were murdered after leaving an American Jewish Committee event at the Capital Jewish Museum on May 21. The pair had planned to become engaged in Israel the following week.

“These two young diplomats of the Israeli Embassy, devoted to the cause of peace and to one another, had their futures stolen in a violent act of antisemitism," Johnson remarked. “Yaron’s brother, Hanan Lischinsky, has shown remarkable courage in shedding light on the extremism that took his brother’s life."

In June, Johnson spoke at a bipartisan memorial service in honor of the victims at the US Capitol. During the 30-minute vigil, which drew over 100 attendees, Johnson decried the rising threats against Jewish Americans. “It’s a dangerous time to be a Jewish American," he said. He also expressed outrage over the lack of condemnation for the murders: “Where is the outrage for these two young victims? We must stand up and protect our Jewish brothers and sisters."

The accused murdered, Elias Rodriguez, 31, of Chicago, was charged in February with a 13-count indictment, including four terrorism counts and two counts of hate crimes resulting in death. If convicted, Rodriguez could face the death penalty. Authorities said Rodriguez shouted “free Palestine" during the attack.

Laniado Hospital in NetanyaGili Yaari/Flash 90

A fire broke out on Tuesday evening in one of the inpatient departments at Laniado Hospital in Netanya.

According to an initial report from the scene, the blaze was likely caused by smoking inside one of the patient rooms. Hospital emergency teams and firefighters quickly brought the incident under control.

The hospital said that two patients were injured in the incident. One is in moderate condition and is believed to be the patient who was smoking in the room. The other patient, who was in the same room, sustained light injuries.

The department’s automatic fire suppression system was activated immediately after the fire broke out, and firefighters who were called to the scene quickly gained control of the blaze.

Thanks to the prompt actions of the hospital’s emergency teams and firefighters, there was no need to evacuate the department.

Donald TrumpWhite House Photo by Daniel Torok

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday, ahead of his State of the Union address, that Iran wants to make a deal with the United States but refuses to state that it will give up its intentions to develop nuclear weapons.

Trump made the comments during a meeting with TV anchors from a number of networks at the White House to preview his speech.

“Iran wants to make a deal more than I do, but they just say the sacred phrase, we won’t build nuclear weapons," the President told the anchors, as quoted in The Hill.

On Monday, Trump rejected reports that the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Caine, had warned him against going through with a strike on Iran.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump also denied reports that he was considering limited strikes on Iran, and warned the Islamic Republic once again that if it does not make a deal, “it will be a very bad day" for them.

Meanwhile, Iran's deputy foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, warned of broader consequences if his country is attacked.

“We call upon all nations committed to peace and justice to take meaningful steps to prevent further escalation," Gharibabadi said during a speech at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva.

He emphasized that any aggression would have repercussions beyond the borders of the country targeted, warning that those who initiate or support such actions would bear responsibility.

הפיצוץ לזכר הלל ויגלצילום: באדיבות המצלם

An IDF soldier, a cousin of brothers Hallel and Yagel Yaniv who were murdered in a terrorist attack in Huwara three years ago, dedicated the destruction of a tunnel shaft in northern Gaza to their memory.

The incident took place during intensive operational activity by IDF forces in the Gaza Strip.

The brothers’ parents, Esti and Shalom Yaniv, responded to the gesture in a conversation with Israel National News - Arutz Sheva, linking their personal loss to the broader national campaign since October 7.

“Since the attack in which we lost our precious sons, the people of Israel have been going through an incredible process," the Yaniv parents said. “Since Simchat Torah, when the best of the best were massacred, some of whom are buried in the same section where Hallel and Yagel are laid to rest, we feel that the people of Israel want to win and want to defeat the enemy."

The parents added their thanks to the security forces: “Thank you to the IDF soldiers who, on our difficult day, dedicated a small part of the defeat of the enemy to the memory of our beloved Hallel and Yagel."

Aid trucks in the Gaza StripAbed Rahim Khatib/Flash90

An indictment will soon be filed against one of the individuals involved in the smuggling of goods into the Gaza Strip, according to journalist Avishai Grinzaig’s report on i24NEWS.

According to the report, the total value of the transactions and smuggling amounts to hundreds of millions of shekels.

Grinzaig noted that this is "a serious development in the smuggling case," and that the indictment to be filed "will shake the system." However, he added, "At the moment, it is not possible to provide further details."

"What has been discovered so far," he added, "is just the tip of the iceberg for this despicable phenomenon. The value of the transactions and smuggling is cumulatively in the hundreds of millions."

Last week, it was reported that the security establishment is in the midst of investigating a suspected new smuggling affair with sensitive political and security implications.

According to the report, the security establishment is investigating a suspicion that senior criminal elements worked to bribe foreign elements at the American headquarters in Kiryat Gat, which handles Gaza reconstruction matters, in order to smuggle prohibited goods into the Strip.

The suspicion being examined points to cooperation between Israeli criminals and foreign elements at the American headquarters, with the goal of smuggling goods into Gaza while reaping significant financial profits.

The affair comes about three weeks after indictments were filed in the previous smuggling affair to Gaza, in which 12 people were accused of smuggling goods worth 3.9 million shekels.

According to the indictment in that case, cartons of cigarettes, iPhones, batteries, communication cables, and car spare parts were smuggled into the Strip.

סמוטריץ' על חתימת הצודוברות

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Tuesday evening signed an order raising the VAT exemption ceiling on purchases from abroad from $75 to $130. The order will take effect at midnight.

Smotrich said, “As I have said all along, I will not allow a handful of communists in Likud and an irresponsible opposition that is fighting the citizens of Israel to win."

He declared, “I am determined in the fight against the cost of living. The previous order proved itself even before it expired tonight in the Knesset. The citizens of Israel have stopped being captive to the monopolies, and competition has already begun to lower prices."

In conclusion, he clarified that “In the face of those who seek to halt competition and keep the public dependent on monopolies, we choose the public. Against all the left, things can be cheaper here. I will continue to fight the cost of living for the citizens of Israel."

Earlier in the evening, the Knesset plenum rejected the previous order by a significant majority: 59 opponents versus just 25 supporters.

The failure stemmed primarily from Prime Minister Netanyahu’s inability to enforce coalition discipline, which led to a free vote and a series of objections from within the government itself.

Minister Amichai Eliyahu and MK Limor Sohn Har-Melech of Otzma Yehudit voted against the measure.

From Likud, Yuli Edelstein, David Bitan, Eli Dallal, Sasson Guetta, Shalom Danino, Hanoch Milwidsky, Akram Hasson and Osher Shekalim opposed the proposal. MKs Avi Maoz and Yitzhak Goldknopf also voted against it.

A significant number of haredi Knesset members were absent from the vote on the order, as were several senior government ministers.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today (Tuesday), at the Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem, met with a delegation of UN ambassadors, together with Israeli Ambassador to the US Danny Danon.

Prime Minister Netanyahu told the ambassadors: "People thought that after the Holocaust, antisemitism would disappear. No, it just took a rest, a brief respite. It has come back. The only thing that has changed is not what they say about the Jews and what they say about the Jewish state, they say the same thing about us. The one thing that has changed is that when they come to slaughter us, we have the capacity to defend ourselves."

"We've just emerged from a seven-front war. And the chants that they were shouting, these monsters of Hamas. They chanted: “Death to Israel, death to America.’ They slaughtered every man, woman and child they could get their hands on. They would have slaughtered all of us if they could, but they couldn't, because we rolled them back. But not only them, the whole Iran axis, which keeps them alive. Hamas, Hezbollah, the Assad regime, Houthis, Iran itself, these various militias, we rolled them back," he said.

"That is what has changed. Today Israel is a very small country, but it's a very powerful country. It's powerful not only because of technology, that too, not only because of science, that too. It's powerful because of the spirit of the people. It's powerful because we know that history is not going to give us another chance," Netanyahu added.

"There are so many miracles that a people can perform. Coming back from the dead, breaking all the rules of history, because you can't come back from the dead, but we did. And we are completely committed to protecting our future, ensuring a region of prosperity and security and peace, not only for us, but for all those who join us," the prime minister concluded.

F-22 RaptoriStock

As part of a broad deployment by the United States military in the Middle East, advanced fighter jets have been stationed in Israel.

According to the information provided, the US has deployed a squadron of approximately 12 F-22 Raptor aircraft to Israel as part of preparations for a potential strike on Iran.

The F-22 is considered one of the most advanced air-superiority fighter jets in the world. The US Air Force views it as a central component of the US’s deterrence capability.

At the same time, the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford passed Crete and is moving toward the eastern Mediterranean, where it is expected to join the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln.

Amid mounting military pressure, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi published a series of posts emphasizing Iran’s willingness to return to the negotiating table in Geneva.

Araghchi claimed that Iran is determined to reach a “fair and just" agreement in a short time. “Our principled positions are clear: Iran will under no circumstances initiate the development of nuclear weapons; and we, the Iranian people, will never relinquish our right to benefit from nuclear technology for peaceful purposes for our nation."

He added that “a historic opportunity stands before us to reach an unprecedented agreement that addresses mutual concerns and achieves shared interests. An agreement is within reach - but only if diplomacy is prioritized. We have proven that we will stop at nothing to courageously defend our sovereignty. We bring that same courage to the negotiating table, where we will work to achieve a peaceful solution."

Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reinforced the moderate line, stating that his country’s approach is based on supporting stability and that “tension in the region will harm all countries."

IllustrationiStock

For the first time, the recently approved national health basket includes weight-loss injections for teenagers aged 12-18. To discuss the psychological implications of this move, we spoke with psychiatrist and psychotherapist Dr. Ilan Tal of the Dr. Tal Center for Emotional and Mental Support.

“People often think of food as a source of comfort," Dr. Tal explains. “Because it’s so accessible, we’ve become accustomed to relying on it for emotional relief-whether to celebrate or to cope. Over time, we end up eating more than we planned. This happens to both adults and teenagers. Weight gain then leads to frustration, social rejection, and blame, as if the person simply lacks willpower. That’s not accurate. Most people who gain weight try to lose it but struggle. This is the basis of what we call addiction."

In such a reality, Dr. Tal says, it can be helpful to provide teens with a tool that gives them a sense of control over their impulses. “The problem is that if someone has learned to soothe themselves with food, stopping the injections will often lead to weight regain-similar to what can happen after bariatric surgery. The underlying habit hasn’t changed. Ideally, injections should be combined with psychological support. But in a country where stress levels are high and access to mental health care is limited, teens may continue a cycle of losing and regaining weight."

He also raises another concern: “Once weight-loss injections are available, discussions will arise about the ‘right’ weight to begin treatment, and whether it might be used even by those at a normal weight. There’s also a risk of misuse by individuals with eating disorders seeking further weight loss. Supervision is critical, and parents are now more responsible than ever to ensure the treatment is appropriate and that their children learn to regulate emotions without relying on food."

Dr. Tal notes that adults themselves often model emotional eating, which teens naturally imitate. He warns that injections could reinforce unrealistic and unhealthy body ideals, similar to the effect of conventional diets. Still, for teens struggling to lose weight and experiencing psychological distress as a result, the injections can provide a valuable sense of capability and relief. “Could they later be misused? Absolutely," he cautions.

When asked whether the inclusion of the injections in the health basket comes with warnings addressing these issues, Dr. Tal says no. “There aren’t enough mental health professionals to address even more serious cases, let alone the psychological aspects of weight issues. The responsibility ultimately falls on parents."

He adds that Israeli society has yet to fully recognize that obesity is often a form of addiction, which contributes to inadequate treatment. Even limited parental engagement, he emphasizes, can open an important dialogue with children about behaviors we struggle to control, including overeating-an essential conversation at any age.

Benjamin NetanyahuChaim Goldberg/Flash90

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke at a Shin Bet leadership conference and addressed trust in the organization, regional threats, and Israel’s security policy.

At the beginning of his speech, Netanyahu highlighted his confidence in the system, saying, "I want to begin by saying that I have full trust in the organization, full trust in its commander, David Zini. A commander with a rich history, an initiator, here’s an important word - a strategist, a reality changer. Because reality is constantly changing before us, and we must move with it."

The Prime Minister then addressed the regional threats and the emerging alliance system, noting, "On one hand, we are challenged by a wounded Shiite axis, but there is, of course, the Sunni axis of the Muslim Brotherhood. And we have a great interest in creating our own axis. An axis of countries opposing both extremes of radical Islam. This encompasses many countries. Some visit us, even today. Some of us visit them. I’m talking about a whole circle that encompasses the Middle East. I wanted to use the biblical phrase, which fits with Purim: ‘From India to Cush.’ Quite close. And everything in between and into the Mediterranean Sea. A new axis."

Netanyahu then moved to discuss Gaza and the hostages, declaring, "We have rescued the hostages, all of them, including Rani Gvilli, a hero of Israel. Now we need to complete it. We are in agreement with the international force, with the ‘Peace Council’ that Hamas must disarm, and we must demilitarize Gaza. As we always say: either this will happen the easy way, or it will happen the hard way, but it will happen. Then we must ensure Gaza will never again pose a threat to Israel. There is only one force that can guarantee this. It is, of course, that the growing security responsibility will be ours."

He continued by praising the Shin Bet's activities in Judea and Samaria, saying, "The terror front in Judea and Samaria and the operation you conducted is nothing short of impressive; the joint operation with the IDF to attack terror hubs in refugee camps, essentially uprooting the centers of gravity of terrorism. I don’t think the citizens of Israel realize how many lives your operations have saved. A lot."

Finally, Netanyahu addressed the issue of illegal weapons and crime in the Arab sector, stating, "There are hundreds of thousands of illegal weapons. This stockpile - we need to reduce it, we need to take it, because a stormy day could come. We always talk about turning the barrels, from here and there, from both sides. This is a supreme task, which obviously also affects crime in the Arab sector, and you have mobilized in a very important way for joint action to deal with it. But it is a symptom of a larger issue. We want a state with law, not a wild west, not a wild south, and not a wild north."

US Senator Ted Cruz (R-Tx) said in an interview with CNBC that he urged President Donald Trump not to "miss the opportunity" to strike and topple the Iranian regime.

"We are at a moment where, in the next six months, we could realistically see the regimes in Iran, Venezuela, and Cuba all fall, and we could see them replaced with governments that want to be friends with America," he stated.

Cruz acknowledged that "there are a thousand ways that can go wrong," but he emphasized, "if that happened, that would be the biggest geopolitical shift since the fall of the Berlin Wall."

Cruz stated that he spoke with the President last week about the issue and told him that "the regime has never been weaker" since it lost the 12-Day War with Israel in June of 2024. "They're teetering. There are real-world consequences to losing a war."

"What I've urged the President is: Do not miss this opportunity. If the Ayatollah is removed from power, it will make America much safer," he said. "This is the leading state sponsor of terrorism in the world. The Iranian regime is responsible for murdering hundreds of American servicemen and women. They fund terrorism all over the world. So, What I’ve urged the president is, number one, support the protesters and arm the protesters. Let the people of Iran have the ability to overthrow their government."

He added that he believes that "there’s a very real possibility we will see potentially in a matter of days limited strikes. What we’re not going to see is boots on the ground."

Earlier today (Tuesday), former State Department official Aaron David Miller theorized that President Trump could announce strikes on Iran during his State of the Union speech tonight.

"Rubio briefing Congress hours before SOTU, delaying his trip to Israel from Saturday to Monday, wouldn’t surprise if Trump announces beginning of strikes against Iran in speech," Miller wrote.

"No President has ever announced the start of military conflict in a SOTU. Why would they? That’s reason enough for Trump to do it," he added.

US Consulate in JerusalemYonatan Sindel, Flash 90

The US Embassy in Jerusalem has announced that as part of their “Freedom 250" initiative and the US Embassy’s efforts to reach all Americans, ‘Consular Officers will be providing routine passport services in Efrat on Friday, February 27, followed by planned outreaches in the next couple of months to Ramallah, Beitar Illit, Haifa, Jerusalem, Netanya and Beit Shemesh."

Further details are due to be posted on how to schedule appointments at each of these locations.

The US Embassy reports that this is the first time the Embassy is offering such services in Judea and Samaria.

Israel's Foreign Ministry stated in response: "We welcome the historic decision by the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem to extend consular services to American citizens in Judea and Samaria. Thank you @USAmbIsrael for making the relation[ship] between Israel and the U.S. closer and stronger than ever."

Tzvi YehezkeliArutz Sheva

Tensions between Israel and Australia are escalating. Tzvi Yehezkeli, senior Middle East commentator and host of "The Arabists" on i24news, may face a visa denial ahead of fundraising events in Australia after past statements in which he suggested that 100,000 Gazans should have been killed and referred to journalists in Gaza as "terror journalists," reports The Guardian.

According to the report, Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke is considering rejecting Yehezkeli's visa application due to these allegedly inflammatory remarks, potentially barring him from entering the country.

Yehezkeli is scheduled to participate in two events in Sydney and Melbourne next month, supported by the Australian Jewish Association (AJA) and other groups, alongside former Israeli President Reuven Rivlin.

In a statement, Burke noted that he is still reviewing Yehezkeli’s visa application. "It always surprises me when someone who has made the kind of comments this individual has is already promoting a lecture tour before even securing a visa," he said.

Previously, in his role as a commentator for Channel 13 News, Yehezkeli told the program "HaTzinor that Israel should have responded to the Hamas attack on 7 October with the killing of 100,000 Gazans as a “painful opening strike." “I know not all of those 100,000 would have been Hamas members," he added, at a time when he estimated that Hamas had around 20,000 members remaining in the besieged territory.

Police have arrested nine Arab suspects just hours after they allegedly threw stones at the home of Noam Glick, a resident of the Amishav neighborhood in Ramla. The attack was captured on video, showing the suspects hurling stones at the house while chanting, “The people of Israel are dead."

Officials from the office of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir told Channel 7 that there is “zero tolerance for anyone who attacks Jews because they are Jewish in the State of Israel." They added, “Anyone who humiliates the state and issues calls against it will quickly encounter our police-anywhere, at any time."

The statement concluded by praising law enforcement, noting that “Minister Ben-Gvir is proud of the hero of Israel, Central District Police Commander, Commissioner Amir Cohen, who is implementing this policy."

The swift arrests underscore the authorities’ commitment to responding rapidly to antisemitic attacks and ensuring the safety of residents in affected neighborhoods.

US President Donlad TrumpOfficial White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian

Former State Department official Aaron David Miller, asenior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, suggested that US President Donald Trump could announce the start of military strikes against Iran in his State of the Union speech tonight.

"Rubio briefing Congress hours before SOTU, delaying his trip to Israel from Saturday to Monday, wouldn’t surprise if Trump announces beginning of strikes against Iran in speech," Miller wrote on X today (Tuesday).

"No President has ever announced the start of military conflict in a SOTU. Why would they? That’s reason enough for Trump to do it," he added.

Miller served six Secretaries of State as an advisor on Arab-Israeli negotiations from 1988-2003.

Trump is scheduled to deliver his State of the Union address at 9 pm Eastern Standard Time tonight (Tuesday).

On Monday, President Trump rejected reports that the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Caine, had warned him against going through with a strike on Iran.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump also denied reports that he was considering limited strikes on Iran, and warned the Islamic Republic once again that if it does not make a deal, “it will be a very bad day" for them.

“Numerous stories from the Fake News Media have been circulating stating that General Daniel Caine, sometimes referred to as Razin, is against us going to War with Iran. The story does not attribute this vast wealth of knowledge to anyone, and is 100% incorrect," wrote Trump.

He added, “General Caine, like all of us, would like not to see War but, if a decision is made on going against Iran at a Military level, it is his opinion that it will be something easily won. He knows Iran well in that he was in charge of Midnight Hammer, the attack on the Iranian Nuclear Development. It is a Development no longer, but rather, was blown to smithereens by our Great B-2 Bombers. Razin Caine is a Great Fighter, and represents the Most Powerful Military anywhere in the World. He has not spoken of not doing Iran, or even the fake limited strikes that I have been reading about, he only knows one thing, how to WIN and, if he is told to do so, he will be leading the pack."

“Everything that has been written about a potential War with Iran has been written incorrectly, and purposefully so. I am the one that makes the decision, I would rather have a Deal than not but, if we don’t make a Deal, it will be a very bad day for that Country and, very sadly, its people, because they are great and wonderful, and something like this should never have happened to them," stated Trump.

Police in ParisiStock

An elderly Jewish woman living in Paris’s 19th arrondissement was the target of antisemitic abuse by activists from the far-left party LFI during a leaflet distribution campaign ahead of the upcoming Paris mayoral elections, Europe1 reported today.

The incident occurred on Sunday, when the activists arrived at her building to hand out campaign materials in support of the party’s candidate, Sophia Shikiru. Upon noticing a mezuzah on her apartment door, the woman refused to open the door. In response, the activists hurled verbal insults, calling her a “dirty Jew" and threatening, “We’ll be back," before fleeing the scene.

The woman promptly contacted the police and is reportedly considering filing a formal complaint. Security camera footage from the entrance of her building is currently under review, with authorities hoping it will help identify the individuals involved.

This episode comes amid a broader wave of antisemitic attacks in Paris. Just two days prior, the façade of the Cocorico restaurant in the 17th arrondissement was vandalized with acid thrown across the floor and into the dining areas, causing extensive damage to dishes and furniture. Authorities are investigating that attack as well, highlighting growing concerns over rising antisemitic incidents in the city.

Matanyahu EnglmanTomer Neuberg/Flash90

The State Comptroller has published a series of reports revealing significant systemic flaws in the government's preparedness and handling of the evacuated population and the readiness of local authorities and municipalities.

The report outlines a reality of a lack of coordinated leadership, failures in information management, and the disruption of essential services for the evacuated citizens.

According to the report, the emergency bodies did not prepare a plan for evacuating the population of Kiryat Shmona outside the settlement's borders before the war. The Kiryat Shmona municipality itself was unprepared for the scenario of fully evacuating its 24,000 residents.

In the South, while the Eshkol Regional Council was found to be well-prepared, the cities of Ashkelon and Sderot had outdated information on residents, making it difficult to manage communication with them in real-time.

The report on information management states that the Ministry of the Interior refrained from activating the "Noah's Ark" system, which was established for receiving evacuees. As a result, the Home Front Command operated an improvised system. Delays in transferring information between the National Insurance Institute, government ministries, and local authorities created difficulties in locating evacuees in the community and providing services for them.

Out of approximately 48,000 evacuated students, as of January 2024, there were no reports in the systems for about 16% of them. The report concludes that the Ministry of Education did not prepare a plan in advance for the rapid absorption of evacuated teaching staff in host schools. Many students evacuated to hotels suffered from instability and a lack of full educational and emotional support.

In the welfare sector, the audit found that the Ministry of Welfare had not prepared a dedicated plan to care for evacuated teenagers staying in hotels. Many receiving authorities struggled to locate at-risk populations due to a lack of data, forcing them to rely on local initiatives and volunteers to map the evacuees' needs.

The Ministry of the Interior's avoidance of activating the PSH (Evacuation, Assistance, Sheltering) system led to local authorities and volunteers being responsible for providing basic needs such as food, laundry, and hygiene supplies in the first weeks. The Comptroller commended the receiving authorities (such as Eilat, Tiberias, and Jerusalem) for filling the governmental vacuum.

The costs and loss of income for the evacuated and receiving authorities that were examined totaled approximately 316 million shekels by the end of 2023. The presence of the IDF in the settlements caused severe damage to infrastructure and agriculture. Additionally, municipal corporations in conflict settlements incurred estimated losses of around 123 million shekels due to halting operations.

The Comptroller concludes that due to a lack of decision-making in the government, there is no single body in Israel with the authority and responsibility for managing the civilian home front. The multiplicity of involved parties and disputes between government ministries contributed to a deterioration in the quality of services for the evacuees and systemic inefficiency.

Chief Rabbinate's kashrut warningCourtesy of the photographer

The Kashrut Fraud Division of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel has issued a special update revealing a series of serious deficiencies and misleading representations in basic consumer products imported and marketed in food chains.

The first case concerns long-life whole milk, 3.7% fat, in 1-liter cartons produced in Belgium by Solarec and imported by Euro Dairies Europe (Gold Frost) Ltd. of Yavne.

The milk packaging bears a kashrut claim of Chalav Yisrael under the supervision of Badatz Beit Yosef and with the approval of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel. However, an inspection by the Rabbinate’s Import Department found that the product was never approved by them. As a result, the product must be removed from shelves and returned to the importer immediately.

At the same time, a significant issue was discovered with "100% smoked cod liver in fish oil," 115-gram packaging - produced in Iceland and imported by G. Willifood International Ltd. The product was labeled as kosher with the approval of the Rabbinate and under the supervision of the private kashrut body OU, despite the Import Department having rejected the approval request for production batches beginning in January 2025.

The Rabbinate stated that “the refusal to approve the fish product stems from a lack of essential details regarding parasite treatment, as well as the absence of clarification as to whether the required close supervision was maintained concerning bishul Yisrael."

In the meat sector, a labeling deficiency was found in frozen beef shank No. 8 produced by Marcovif of Argentina and imported and marketed by Tnuva. An on-site inspection revealed a misleading discrepancy between the outer red weighing label, which described the meat as kosher-chalak, and the stamp on the meat itself, which stated only kosher without the chalak designation.

“In light of this discrepancy, which constitutes misleading a consumer who is careful about a specific level of kashrut, the Rabbinate has instructed that these products be returned to Tnuva in order to prevent the continued halachic stumbling block of marketing meat that does not correspond to its external kashrut declaration," the Rabbinate said.

The Kosharot organization responded: “We call upon the general public and kashrut supervisors to pay attention to the details of the kashrut update and to remain vigilant when purchasing imported products marketed contrary to the kashrut procedures of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, in order to avoid, G-d forbid, any halachic mishap."

DemocratsiStock

Gary Willig is a veteran member of the Arutz Sheva news staff.

The Democratic Party needed to be more antisemitic to keep the White House in 2024. That’s the conclusion reportedly reached in the Democratic National Committee's autopsy on Kamala Harris’s loss to Donald Trump.

According to Axios, Democratic officials, including Harris, agreed with the assessment of the anti-Israel IMEU Policy Project organization that the Biden Administration alienated Democratic voters by refusing to oppose Israel’s efforts to prevent another October 7 and to get back all of the hostages.

Given that the candidate who won the election was widely known as the most pro-Israel president of all time, what is the logic behind the idea that opposing Israel was the key to success? Is the idea that Harris could have won Michigan’s 15 electoral votes if she courted the antisemitic vote? Winning Michigan would have given her 241 electoral votes, still 29 shy of the 270 she would need to win the presidency.

A much stronger argument can be made that Harris and the Democrats hurt themselves by courting the antisemites too much. The Biden Administration looked weak when its support for an American ally facing a genocidal enemy wavered. Harris showed moral cowardice when she praised the racists who openly called for genocide and who actively made life unsafe for American Jews following October 7. Her statement that the most hateful people in America showed “exactly what the human emotion should be" was one of the most shameful acts by a presidential nominee in American history and disqualifying for public office.

If Harris and the Democratic Party had not attempted to appease the antisemites in their party, they would have had a better chance of winning. Harris blew her opportunity to win Pennsylvania, a far more critical swing state than Michigan with its 19 electoral votes, when she chose Tim Walz as her running mate over Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, who is popular and would have appealed to moderate voters in swing states far more than either Harris or Walz ever could. Shapiro’s problem was that he is a Jew, which made him anathema to the voters Harris was seeking and the Democratic Party is still trying to court.

The idea that the Democratic Party thinks it needs to double down on courting the antisemitic vote is truly frightening. It means that one of the two main parties is seeking the support of the people who assault Jews, who attack synagogues, who seek to put Jewish stores out of business. This can only lead to more attacks on Jewish life and violence against Jews in Democrat-run areas, and if a Democratic candidate wins after running on such a platform, it would be a license for antisemitic violence across the country for four years.

This is a dangerous time. America needs its political parties to have a spine, to stand up to their extremists and oppose hate and violence. The Democratic Party appears to be learning all the wrong lessons from 2024, doubling down on its worst mistakes and choosing cowardice over courage and hate over good governance.

The lesson of 2024 is that the antisemites can never be appeased. There is no degree to which Biden could have betrayed Israel short of nuking the only Jewish State that would have satisfied them. No amount of praise or endorsement from Harris would ever be enough for those who demanded Jewish blood day after day.

Doubling down on courting the Jew-haters is a Faustian bargain. For such a strategy to work, America would have to change into a far worse place. The idea of Jews having the right to attend school or synagogue, to work, even to live, would have to be abandoned by the land of the free. America would have to become like 15th-century Spain, the Soviet Union, or Nazi Germany. It is a strategy that normalizes hatred and violence and that assumes the worst of the American people.

To the Democratic Party, don’t take this Faustian bargain. Step back from the edge of the antisemitic precipice you are determined to plunge headfirst into. Empowering genocidal Jew-hatred and violent antisemites only ever ends one way. Don’t be the ones to turn America into Nazi Germany because you think it’ll get you a few more votes.

גדעון סערצילום: Yonatan Sindel/Flash90

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar held a phone conversation a short while ago with Rabbi Mayer Stambler, Chairman of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine (FJCU). The conversation took place on the fourth anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war.

During the call, Minister Sa’ar informed the rabbi that Israel will deliver 117 mobile generators to the Kyiv region tomorrow. This follows a conversation Minister Sa’ar held with Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha regarding the energy situation in the area.

During the conversation, Minister Sa’ar inquired about the situation in Ukraine and about the Jewish communities in the country, and asked to extend his wishes for a happy Purim.

Rabbi Meir Stambler thanked Minister Sa’ar for his support and for the warm conversation, as well as for his solidarity with the people of Ukraine and his connection with the Jewish community there. He said that the minister’s approach gives strength to community members. The rabbi also thanked Minister Sa’ar for establishing the J50 Forum, which brings together leaders of Jewish communities around the world, and said that the minister’s investment in Jewish communities abroad is strongly felt.

Rabbi Stambler further told the minister: “We are going through great hardship here, but my fellow Chabad emissary rabbis and I are determined to remain. This is our mission, at any cost, as outlined for us by the Rebbe of Lubavitch."

He shared that in recent days the Federation has distributed Purim packages, including Megillat Esther scrolls translated into Ukrainian, throughout Ukraine, with the aim of bringing the joy and mitzvot of the holiday to the country’s Jews.

At the conclusion of the call, Rabbi Stambler thanked Minister Sa’ar and said that despite the difficult situation in Ukraine, the Jews of Ukraine are also closely following developments in Israel.

הערבים זורקים אבניםצילום: באדיבות המצלם

A group of young Arabs threw stones at the home of Noam Glik, a resident of the Amishav neighborhood in Ramla. The incident was captured in a video from the scene, where the youths are seen throwing stones at the house while chanting "Am Yisrael mait" ("The people of Israel are dead").

Following the incident, a police complaint was filed. This is the same house that was featured in a video during the last Hanukkah holiday, in which Arabs were seen walking by and extinguishing the Hanukkah candles.

According to sources familiar with the details, the house has faced additional harassment over the past year.

Anti-Israel student union protestnOren Teichman

I wrote a column a couple months ago discussing an academic union’s embargo and divestment resolution against Israel, which contained distorted casualty statistics and inflammatory language falsely portraying Israel as an apartheid state guilty of genocide in Gaza. Aside from regurgitating easily disprovable anti-Israel canards that sounded more like propaganda than objective fact, its recitals echoed tropes reminiscent of classical blood libels (claiming the Jewish killing of innocents) employed throughout Christian and Islamic history to demonize and justify the persecution of Jews, when the truth is exactly the oppoite).

Though such calumnies have instigated real genocide, they are now part of a progressive political canon that seems to have influenced the resolution's thematic essence. Indeed, nowhere did it mention the depraved acts of rape, torture, and murder committed by Hamas terrorists against Israeli men, women, and children that precipitated the war, or Hamas’s insidious goal (stated in its charter) of exterminating all Jews.

Unfortunately, this hostile resolution was not a silent cry in a deaf forest but rather mirrored the radicalism of academic organizations across North America that dabble in politics with a virtue-signaling dilettantism that is intellectually shallow and morally vacuous. As a Jewish writer, my observations are influenced by religious, ethnic, and historical sensibilities that compel the defense of Jewish cultural integrity and national legitimacy against the hateful mendacity of antisemites - whether they are left, right, religious, or secular.

What happens, however, when Gentiles with no personal stake are angered by anti-Israel agendas they perceive as antisemitic, and what happens when they belong to unions that use organizational resources to support political causes irrelevant to or opposed by rank and file?

I spoke to one such person, Earl Ormond, a professor of legal studies who did not choose the union but was assigned to it. During a Zoom meeting where the resolution was discussed before being put to vote, Professor Ormond opposed it and demanded to know why it falsely accused Israel of genocide but failed to mention the horrific atrocities committed by Hamas terrorists on October 7th. Though some attempted to shout him into silence, he stood his ground and claimed his time to speak. In addition to objecting to the resolution itself, he wanted to know why his dues were being used to shill for a political cause he opposed.

When I asked the good professor - an Italian Catholic - why the resolution offended him, he said it was morally wrong and seemed motivated by disdain for the Jewish state rather than facts on the ground. And it was clear from our discussion that his feelings were not predicated on a surreptitious faith-based agenda (e.g., the dispensationalist propensity for supporting Israel in order to evangelize Jews). They instead reflected a moral compass that distinguished right from wrong irrespective of faith. That is, he was motivated by a pragmatic sense of good and evil, not some furtive parochial imperative.

And his opposition did not go unnoticed. Someone in the meeting connected him with a former Connecticut firefighters union president and labor analyst, who referred him to the Fairness Center, a nonprofit, public interest law firm that agreed to represent him in a lawsuit against his and another union. The lawsuit, “Ryan Bilodeau and Earl Ormond v. Connecticut State Prison Employees Local Number 391 of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees AFL CIO and Congress of Connecticut Community Colleges," alleges violations of a statute requiring unions with at least twenty-five members to file annual financial reports with the state labor commissioner and make those reports available to membership. (Ormond belongs to the second-named defendant-union.) The statute’s purpose is to provide members oversight over the utilization of their dues.

The gravamen of the complaint is not about antisemitism or Israel (the first-named union was not party to the offending resolution), but rather the failure to comply with state reporting and disclosure requirements. Professor Ormond in particular wanted to ascertain how much his union was spending on political activities extraneous to traditional labor interests (e.g., employee benefits and working conditions); and his initial concern was the use of his dues to promote a resolution he found morally objectionable. And though it might seem unusual for Gentiles to care about hostile attacks against Jewish interests - whether expressed as outright antisemitism or disguised as political criticism of Israel - it is not unusual for some to react out of moral conviction.

Such was the case with novelist Émile Zola, who staunchly defended the innocence of Alfred Dreyfus, the French army captain falsely accused of treason in 1894 for allegedly delivering military secrets to German contacts in Paris, and who was tried, convicted, and sentenced to life imprisonment on Devil’s Island in French Guiana. Despite the lack of evidence against him, Dreyfus was targeted for being Jewish in a case that unleashed a groundswell of antisemitism not seen in France since the Crusades, with rabid mobs demonizing him and screaming “death to the Jews."

With the disclosure of new evidence two years after Dreyfus’s conviction, it became clear that Major Ferdinand Esterhazy - a French officer with no Jewish ancestry - was the source of the leaks to Germany. However, the evidence was suppressed by a military tribunal that instead used forged documents to level new charges against Dreyfus, who was again convicted amidst a cacophony of antisemitic public unrest.

This miscarriage of justice prompted Zola to publish an open letter entitled “J’Accuse" in the newspaper L’Aurore, in which he passionately defended Dreyfus and accused the French military of Jew-hatred in fabricating evidence against him. As a result, Zola himself was convicted of “criminal libel," prompting him to flee to England to avoid imprisonment. Though safely beyond French juridical reach, Zola’s literary relationships suffered while the Dreyfus affair continued to roil French society.

Clearly, it would have been easier for Zola to retract J’Accuse and abandon Dreyfus, but he refused to ignore what he considered a stain on French society; and the rectitude of his position was confirmed in 1906 when the case was reopened, Dreyfus was exonerated, and Esterhazy fled to England - where he admitted the case against Dreyfus was a sham. After his release from prison, Dreyfus was reinstated to full rank, later retired as a Lieutenant-Colonel, and was posthumously conferred the rank of Brigadier-General.

Zola risked both career and reputation to advocate for someone he did not know personally because he believed the targeting of an innocent man - motivated by an ancient hatred ingrained in the common culture - had brought shame to France and disgrace to its cultural integrity.

American humorist Mark Twain was also moved by the vicissitudes of Jewish life in Europe; and after living in Austria for two years, he concluded that Jew-hatred there was used politically to unite diverse ethnic, cultural, and religious groups against a common scapegoat. But Twain viewed the Jews’ otherness positively, prompting him to extol their virtue in an essay entitled, “Concerning the Jews," which celebrated their ability to survive and remain vital compared to historical contemporaries who disappeared after periods of great ascendancy. His essay concludes with the following paean:

“The Egyptian, the Babylonian, and the Persian rose, filled the planet with sound and splendor, then faded to dream-stuff and passed away; the Greek and the Roman followed, and made a vast noise, and they are gone; other peoples have sprung up and held their torch high for a time, but it burned out, and they sit in twilight now, or have vanished. The Jew saw them all, beat them all, and is now what he always was, exhibiting no decadence, no infirmities of age, no weakening of his parts, no slowing of his energies, no dulling of his alert and aggressive mind. All things are mortal but the Jew; all other forces pass, but he remains. What is the secret of his immortality?"

Twain praised the Jews for their resilience, historical continuity, and refusal to fade into the sands of time. The reality, however, is that individual Jews who traded their faith traditions for alien values and strange worship did disappear, while those who clung to their ancestral birthright, grew in Torah, and embraced their distinctiveness not only survived, but ultimately thrived as an organic collective.

Perhaps that’s what Gentiles who feel genuine affinity with us are responding to - maybe they respect Jews who remain true to their traditions and reject “the ways of the nations." And maybe they understand that when G-d chose the Jewish nation, He made a covenant to preserve those who remained faithful to His Torah. Indeed, that is precisely what the Shomer Yisrael prayer recited during Tachanun suggests when it says: “Guardian of Israel, guard the remnant of Israel, and let not Israel perish, [those] who say, ‘Hear, O Israel.’"

To answer Twain's question, that's the secret of Jewish immortality.

tunnel checkpointYonatan Sindel/Flash90

Attempted ramming attack at the tunnel checkpoint. A terrorist arrived at the checkpoint with a vehicle this afternoon (Tuesday) and attempted to run over police officers operating at the scene.

The police force fired at the terrorist, but he managed to escape.

The IDF stated: "A short while ago, a report was received regarding an attempted ramming near the tunnel checkpoint adjacent to Jerusalem. No injuries were reported. IDF soldiers began a pursuit after the terrorist."

The surgical teamAssuta hospital

At Assuta Medical Center, doctors have successfully treated the first Israeli patient enrolled in the international OASIS clinical trial. This prospective, controlled study is evaluating a novel biological implant designed to improve outcomes in lumbar spinal fusion surgeries.

The groundbreaking procedure was carried out by spinal surgeons Dr. Eli Ashkenazi and Dr. Alon Grodenstein. The trial, which is running concurrently in the United States, Australia, and now Israel, aims to test the safety and effectiveness of the technology in adults with symptomatic degenerative disc disease of the lower spine.

The trial focuses on patients who have experienced persistent symptoms despite at least six months of conservative (non-surgical) treatments. It specifically examines the use of the investigational device in single-level lumbar interbody fusion procedures.

The technology under investigation is OsteoAdapt SP, developed by Theradaptive. This experimental biological implant is placed inside the interbody cage during the fusion surgery. Unlike traditional approaches that rely on autologous bone grafts (from the patient's own body), donor bone substitutes, or synthetic materials, which can involve issues like limited supply, donor variability, or inconsistent results, OsteoAdapt SP is designed to deliver a more targeted, efficient, and controlled bone growth and fusion process.

Commenting on the achievement, Dr. Eli Ashkenazi and Dr. Alon Grodnstein stated: "We are proud to be the first in Israel, and among the pioneering sites worldwide, to participate in this important study. When properly indicated, lumbar fusion remains a key option for patients with debilitating lower back conditions. The biological implant actively stimulates healing and bone fusion in the body, representing a powerful integration of precise surgical technique and innovative biotechnology. Combining Assuta's extensive clinical and surgical expertise with involvement in such a rigorously designed trial enables us to provide patients with a forward-looking treatment option held to the highest research standards. The procedure went smoothly, and we are delighted with the patient's positive response, including immediate pain relief."

HezbollahiStock

Israel has conveyed an indirect warning to Lebanon that it would respond forcefully, including by targeting civilian infrastructure such as Beirut’s airport, should Hezbollah take part in any war between the US and Iran, two senior Lebanese officials told Reuters on Tuesday.

The offices of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Lebanese presidency did not immediately comment on the report.

The development comes as Washington and Tehran prepare to hold a third round of nuclear negotiations on Thursday in Geneva, according to Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi. The talks follow heightened tensions and growing concern over the possibility of military confrontation between the sides.

During a war in 2024, Israel inflicted significant damage on the Iran-backed Hezbollah organization, eliminating its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, along with thousands of operatives and destroying a large portion of its weapons stockpile.

Hezbollah, a Shi’ite Muslim group founded in 1982 by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, has indicated it is closely monitoring the current standoff. In a televised speech last month, the group’s leader, Naim Qassem, stated that Hezbollah was “not neutral" in the confrontation between Washington and Tehran and described the organization as a potential target of aggression.

“We are determined to defend ourselves. We will choose in due course how to act, whether to intervene or not," Qassem said.

Separately, a senior US State Department official said on Monday that the United States is withdrawing non-essential personnel and eligible family members from its embassy in Beirut.

תיעוד: האישה נתלתה על מכסה מנועצילום: דוברות המשטרה

A 27-year-old man from northern Israel has been charged after allegedly driving off while his wife was lying on the hood of his car, following a confrontation outside a hotel in Haifa.

An indictment was filed Tuesday at the Nof HaGalil-Nazareth Magistrate's Court, along with a request to keep the suspect in custody until the end of legal proceedings.

According to a police statement, the incident occurred on February 14, 2026. A report was received on the Israel Police emergency hotline 100 from a woman who claimed her husband had run her over after she caught him leaving a hotel in Haifa with another woman late at night.

Investigators from the Northern District said the woman approached her husband’s car and attempted to speak with him through the window. When he allegedly refused to open the door, she climbed onto the hood of the vehicle. Police suspect that the man then drove off with her still on the hood, continuing until she fell onto the road and was injured.

The investigation further found that over the past year there were four additional alleged incidents in which the man violently assaulted his wife, reportedly during disputes over suspected infidelity.

Following the conclusion of the investigation, the Nazareth prosecution filed the indictment and requested that the court remand the suspect in custody until proceedings are complete.

Iranian missilesISTOCK

Iran is reportedly close to finalizing a deal with China to purchase CM-302 anti-ship cruise missiles, according to six sources familiar with the negotiations, Reuters reported. The supersonic missiles, which travel at high speeds and fly low to evade detection, have a range of roughly 290 kilometres and could significantly boost Iran's naval strike capabilities.

The discussions, which began at least two years ago, accelerated after the June 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran. Iranian officials, including Deputy Defence Minister Massoud Oraei, have visited China to advance the negotiations, two sources said.

The potential transfer of these missiles would mark one of the most significant military sales from China to Iran, challenging a UN weapons embargo first imposed in 2006 and reimposed last September. Reuters noted that the US administration did not comment directly on the missile deal, though President Donald Trump recently warned of possible military action against Iran if nuclear negotiations fail.

The missile agreement comes as the United States positions a substantial naval presence near the Iranian coast, including the aircraft carriers USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Gerald R. Ford, along with their strike groups. Analysts warn that the missiles would pose a considerable threat to US forces in the region.

China, Iran, and Russia have maintained close military relations, conducting joint naval exercises and expressing opposition to renewed sanctions on Iran.

Irina Radchuk and Nitzan GovichmanCourtesy

The Ashkelon Magistrate's Court on Tuesday extended by six days the detention of Yaakov Kobi Salem, a partner in the company that supplied medical air cylinders to the Ashdod refinery.

The incident claimed the lives of engineers Irina Radchuk and Nitzan Govichman.

Police sought a seven-day extension of Salem’s detention on suspicion of murder by indifference. According to the Ministry of Labor, the oxygen cylinders supplied to the engineers were found to contain 100 percent nitrogen.

At the hearing, a police representative said investigators had opened a criminal probe and identified Salem as one of the managers of the Yaakov Salem and Sons factory. “The suspect has already given a statement, and the investigation must continue," the representative said. “What he did was in violation of the law and showed complete disregard."

In his decision, Judge Yaniv Ben-Harush ruled that there was sufficient cause to extend the detention, though for a shorter period than requested, noting that the suspect has no prior criminal record.

Netanyahu in courtMiriam Alster/Flash90

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's testimony continued on Tuesday at the Tel Aviv District Court as part of the cross-examination in Case 4000, the Walla-Bezeq case.

During the hearing, prosecutor Yehudit Tirosh confronted the Prime Minister with his police testimony, which she argued was inconsistent with his claims in court.

During the investigation, Benjamin Netanyahu said, “Did the investigators say that before or after the rape?"

In response, Tirosh replied: “I don’t understand-are you also claiming that you were raped?" Netanyahu’s defense attorney, Amit Hadad, strongly objected, saying: “What is this? What kind of audacity is this-to ask the Prime Minister of Israel whether he was also raped? You should be ashamed."

Tirosh responded: “You should be ashamed. Mr. Netanyahu-what do you mean, before or after the rape?"

USS Gerald R FordREUTERS/Stelios Misinas

Israeli intelligence has assessed that the United States would be limited in the duration of any sustained military campaign against Iran, even with additional naval forces arriving in the region.

According to a report in the Financial Times, an Israeli intelligence official said that despite the imminent deployment of the USS Gerald R Ford aircraft carrier to the eastern Mediterranean, the US military would be able to carry out only four to five days of intensive aerial strikes, or approximately one week of lower-intensity operations.

The assessment comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran, as President Donald Trump has increased pressure on Iran in recent weeks. The US has amassed significant military assets in the region, including carrier strike groups positioned within range of Iranian territory.

The Financial Times reported that while the military buildup has been substantial, Israeli intelligence believes operational capacity for a prolonged high-intensity air campaign would be limited in scope and duration.

President Trump has stated that Iran cannot be permitted to obtain nuclear weapons or retain the capability to produce them, and has emphasized that a negotiated agreement remains preferable. At the same time, senior US officials have indicated that military options remain available should diplomatic efforts fail.

Regional experts have warned that any military action could prompt retaliation by Iran against US assets and allies in the region.

גופת הלוויתן שאותרה בחוף זיקיםליאור טובול; סטילס: אביתר בן אבי, רשות הטבע והגנים

The carcass of a large sperm whale was discovered Tuesday morning on Zikim Beach, inside the Yam Shikma marine nature reserve. According to Evyatar Ben-Avi, a patrol officer with the Nature and Parks Authority’s marine unit, the animal appeared to be a sizable specimen. “I saw a huge fin, and it didn't seem to be moving," he said at the scene.

A necropsy is expected to be conducted to determine the cause of death by the Morris Kahn Laboratory for Marine Research at the Leon Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, together with Matan Benedict from the Delphis association.

Dr. Mia Eleser of Delphis noted that since marine research efforts began in Israel, eight beachings of this species have been documented along the country’s coastline, including this latest incident.

In 2021, the Mediterranean population of sperm whales was classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The most recent estimates place the population at between 250 and 2,500 individuals, with numbers continuing to decline.

Jewish Ukrainians line up to receive aidTheia Chatelle

Viktoria Maksimovich’s students at the Sha’alavim Jewish Day School no longer run for shelters when air raid sirens sound.

“They don’t want to hear the alarms. They don’t care about the shots and bombs. They don’t care about it. This is the biggest problem right now, as they won’t look for a shelter," she said in a virtual interview from her school in Kharkiv, Ukraine. “It’s like usual life for them, and a lot of them grew up like this during the war and don’t remember normal life."

Indeed, the Russian invasion, which marks its fourth anniversary on Tuesday, has reshaped everything in the lives of Ukrainian Jews, from big choices about whether to stay or flee to the seemingly mundane decision about whether to take the elevator or the stairs when visiting high-rise buildings.

With Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure a near-daily occurrence, taking the elevator means risking being trapped for hours if the power goes out. Recognizing that the dilemma has trapped elderly Jews in their homes, Maksimovich and her colleagues recently organized a service day for their students, who baked challahs and hiked up many flights of stairs to deliver them to Kharkiv’s elderly Jews.

“They managed it and were so happy about it because they met those old people and saw in their eyes, ‘You are here and brought us challahs and candles for Shabbat,’" Maksimovich recalled. “It was amazing."

The fourth anniversary of the Russian invasion arrives in grim fashion for Ukrainians, with the Russian and Ukrainian armies locked in a bloody stalemate and support from the United States and Europe increasingly uncertain. Ukrainian cities are regularly barraged with drones and missiles, not only exacting a devastating tally of civilian deaths and injuries but making it increasingly challenging for Ukrainian civilians to carry out the basic functioning of their lives.

The last four months have been particularly challenging due to power and water cuts that have left Ukrainians frigid and in the dark. Whereas during the first three years of war, especially in the metropolitan center of Kyiv, life went on largely as normal, albeit punctuated by attacks. Now, mobile “resilience hubs" offering warming and charging dot the landscape, and the sound of generators is overpowering.

For Ukraine’s Jews, the situation means that children are gathering in bomb shelters to light Shabbat candles, the elderly rely on intermittent aid deliveries, and everyone is hunkered down for the worst winter since the war began.

“When the full-scale invasion began, I did not think it would last two weeks, but here we are," said Julia Goldenberg, founder of the Ukrainian Charitable Funds and partner of World Jewish Relief. “And I still do not think the war will be over even this year."

Before the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, according to the Institute for Jewish Policy Research, there was a core Jewish population of 40,000 living in Ukraine. Since then, however, thousands have fled to Israel and Europe, reshaping hubs of Jewish life in the country. Now, with conditions worsening, even far from the front lines, Goldenberg expects even more to leave.

Many will be seeking security for their children, whose schooling and experiences have been peppered with trauma and interruption since even before the war. In-person schools had only resumed after a yearlong COVID closure for a semester before war broke out.

“Parents tell us of children who can’t sleep at night, children who react to all kinds of different sounds. It’s challenging to work with them," said Rabbi Irina Gritsevskaya, who is based in Tel Aviv and travels to Ukraine regularly to lead Masorti Kyiv, one of the country’s only Conservative congregations.

Jewish schools have borne a wide range of effects. Ariel Markovitch, director of the JCC in Kyiv, recounted how a Russian missile struck the Perlina school and kindergarten in Kyiv in October 2024, where refugees fleeing fighting on the front lines in Ukraine’s east had been sleeping.

Inna Federova, 55, the head of Ukraine’s oldest Jewish day school, Lyceum No. 299 or Orach Chaim, said missiles were only one challenge of many.

“It fractured our community," she said about the war. “I am a Jewish mother first, and I wanted to be there for the kids, but I couldn’t be once they were scattered all over Europe."

At least one of the school’s alumni, Igor Tish, was gravely injured while fighting on the frontline, while the Israeli teachers who taught Hebrew and other subjects have not returned since being evacuated in the days before the Russian invasion. Instruction is more rudimentary now, Federova said.

“We have a physical education teacher who does exercises with the children in the shelter, because it’s very hard for them to sit still for so long without moving," she said, adding: “They’ve lived through bombings, evacuations, constant anxiety. Our teachers received special training from psychologists, including Israeli specialists, on how to support children emotionally during wartime."

Other support for Jews in Ukraine has come from the Joint Distribution Committee, which leads disaster response for Jewish communities living in conflict zones around the world ; Chabad, the global Jewish network whose emissaries are at the front line of Jewish life in many smaller communities; and Goldenberg’s group, which works to preserve Jewish life and welfare in Ukraine.

Sustained by a network of global donors, the Ukrainian Charitable Funds has helped elderly Jewish Ukrainians repair their homes after Russian airstrikes. Goldenberg recalled one woman she worked with: “She had no windows. She lost all of them in a Russian strike, but did not have the funds to fix them."

While the advent of war in Israel in 2023 spurred concerns about whether Jewish donors would continue to send support to Ukraine, Gritsevskaya said aid from both inside and outside had made a difference.

“I think in the Jewish community, there is a huge sense of being hugged," she said, adding, “Ukraine is an amazing example of the ability of Jews to unite and to help others in unbelievable situations. In general, I think that people who are connected to Jewish communities are more capable of going through the difficult things they go through because they have the wider Jewish world."

Even as she gears up for a potential war in Israel, Gritsevskaya is planning on heading back to Ukraine this summer for another session of Ramah Ukraine, a camp that has already filled with Ukrainian Jewish teens eager for a respite from the challenges of war.

“I would rather not think of the fears I have," she said. “They are so overwhelming, we have to focus on what must be done."

Federova, too, said she continues to focus on the positives as she and her students start a fifth year of war.

“We have children from different backgrounds, some from observant families, some who are just discovering their roots, and the school gives them that connection," Federova said about Orach Chaim. “Even during the hardest times when the alarms go off and when we don’t know what will happen tomorrow, I look at them and think ‘if we can give them knowledge and faith, then we have done something important."

This reporting was supported by the International Women’s Media Foundation’s Women on the Ground: Reporting from Ukraine’s Unseen Frontlines Initiative in partnership with the Howard G. Buffett Foundation.

A state memorial ceremony for Israel’s fallen soldiers whose burial places are unknown was held on Tuesday at the Hall of Remembrance on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem.

The seventh of the month of Adar is recognized in Israel as Remembrance Day for Soldiers Whose Burial Places are Unknown, as it is the day that Moses, whose place of burial is unknown, passed away.

The ceremony was attended by President Isaac Herzog, Defense Minister Israel Katz, Deputy Speaker of the Knesset MK Evgeny Sova, Deputy President of the Supreme Court of Israel Justice Noam Sohlberg, and bereaved families.

Arizona State CapitoliStock

The Arizona House of Representatives today approved House Resolution 2002 and House Concurrent Resolution 2047, legislation sponsored by State Representative David Livingston affirming Israel's sovereignty over Judea and Samaria and directing Arizona to use historically accurate terminology in official state communications.

The resolutions recognize the historical, biblical, and legal legitimacy of Judea and Samaria and formally reject the term "West Bank," which was imposed during Jordan's illegal occupation of the territory from 1948 to 1967. The measures advanced with bipartisan support following approval by the House Appropriations Committee last week.

"Today, the Arizona House chose accuracy over polities," Representative Livingston said. "Judea and Samaria are not invented terms and they are not negotiable facts. They are central to Jewish history, faith, and national identity, and Arizona will not participate in language meant to deny that truth."

The resolutions also recognize the importance of Judea and Samaria to Israel's security and to United States interests in preventing terrorist-controlled territory from emerging in the region. Representative Livingston thanked members of the House for supporting the resolutions and for standing firmly against efforts to rewrite the historical and legal record.

"This vote shows that respect for history still matters," Representative Livingston said. "Arizona stands with Israel, speaks plainly about the facts, and refuses to bend to political pressure."

Israeli Consul General Israel Bachar released a statement applauding the decision.

HR 2002 was adopted upon passage by the House. HCR 2047 now goes to the Arizona Senate for adoption.

Prime Minister Benjamin NetanyahuYonatan Sindel/Flash90

The vote by some Likud members against the order to expand the VAT exemption on imported goods may be a sign of the coalition's conduct and internal problems within the ruling party.

Arutz Sheva-Israel National News has learned that after the Knesset vote rejected the VAT exemption order, several Likud MKs approached a senior coalition member and warned that they will not vote for the conscription law either.

Prime Minister Netanyahu initially sought to impose "coalition discipline," but after realizing the balance of power, he allowed a free vote in the coalition, which translated into opposition, both from within the government and from within the Likud ranks.

The following Likud MKs opposed the proposal: Yuli Edelstein, David Bitan, Eli Dallal, Sasson Guetta, Shalom Danino, Hanoch Milwidsky, Akram Hasson, and Osher Shkalim. A large number of ministers abstained from the vote.

Smotrich responded to the rejection by announcing that he would soon sign the order again. "The economic left in the Likud is trying to harm the citizens of Israel in the service of monopolies and for a few votes in the primaries. While Prime Minister Netanyahu is preoccupied with Israel's security, a small group of Likud MKs is focused on petty politics and, together with the opposition, wants to make us all pay more. I will not allow the public to lose," he stated.

“Narrow personal interests will not triumph over the good of the citizens of Israel. I do not intend to give up or succumb to the left. I will, with God's help, sign a new order and continue to care for the citizens of Israel. Despite the left, it can be affordable here," Smotrich said.

The inaugurationSpokesperson

Minister of Finance and Minister in the Defense Ministry Bezalel Smotrich, Minister of Transportation Miri Regev, and Binyamin Region Governor and Yesha Council Chairman Yisrael Ganz inaugurated the beginning of work to pave the new Route 45.

Route 45 is one of the most significant infrastructure projects in the Jerusalem and Binyamin areas in recent decades and is projected to change the transportation situation in the area. According to the plan, the new road will connect the eastern Binyamin Region with Route 443, cutting travel time between Sha'ar Binyamin and central Israel by approximately 15 minutes.

The route, which starts at Sha'ar Binyamin and leads to Route 443, includes four bridges and an underpass near Qalandiya and is a complex, advanced engineering project intended to enable constant, secure, and efficient traffic flow. The scope of investment in the project is estimated at approximately 400 million shekels, as part of large-scale investments in transportation infrastructure that bolster Jewish presence in the area and connect it to the national transportation network.

Minister Miri Regev said: “We are launching the Highway 45 project, a strategic initiative that will connect the Binyamin communities to the national transportation network and provide residents with safe, fast, and continuous accessibility. The development of advanced transportation infrastructure in the area is a top national priority, and we are acting decisively to allocate the necessary resources to strengthen the communities, shorten travel times, and improve quality of life. Highway 45 is a direct expression of the policy I am leading to connect Jerusalem, Binyamin, and the center of the country through a modern, advanced, and continuous transportation network."

Minister Bezalel Smotrich emphasized: “The construction of Highway 45 is not only an important transportation project, but also a first-rate settlement, strategic, and Zionist development. The direct connection of eastern Binyamin to central Israel changes the reality on the ground and applies de facto sovereignty. The massive development we are leading here, together with my partner, Transportation Minister Miri Regev, and Binyamin Regional Council head Yisrael Gantz, deepens our hold on our ancestral homeland and, in practice, constitutes a targeted blow to the idea of a Palestinian state. We will continue to invest, build, and strengthen the communities in Judea and Samaria for the sake of Israel’s security and future."

Yisrael Ganz stressed: “We continue to make history and take care of the residents of Judea and Samaria and the State of Israel as a whole. The launch of Highway 45, another central access road to the capital, is a strategic move that changes the face of the region and will significantly upgrade residents’ lives. This is a decisive response to anyone trying to establish a terror state here; we are strengthening security and creating continuity between Binyamin and central Israel. Many thanks to Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Transportation Minister Miri Regev, who are leading a major transformation on the ground with us. Together, we are making Binyamin and Judea and Samaria an inseparable part of our land."

El Al aircraftIdan Vichtal

An El Al flight from Tel Aviv to New York was forced to turn back and return to Israel within the past 24 hours after encountering severe weather conditions en route to the United States.

After approximately eight hours in the air, the flight crew made the decision to reverse course when authorities at Newark Airport temporarily closed the airport due to extreme weather, prompting changes in landing instructions. The aircraft was unable to land safely under the revised conditions.

As reports indicated that the storm system along the U.S. East Coast was intensifying, the pilots opted to return the passengers to Ben Gurion Airport, prioritizing safety.

In the wake of the incident, a spokesperson for Arkia said the airline’s flights were also experiencing delays as crews awaited an improvement in weather conditions. The company said it is closely monitoring the situation in New York and remains in constant contact with airport authorities to ensure passenger safety.

Meanwhile, hundreds of Israeli travelers have been forced to remain in hotels due to heavy snowfall in New York, with no clear timetable yet for when flights will be able to resume.

The destroyed structures at one of the locationsCourtesy

A large force of Border Police officers and Civil Administration inspectors demolished structures overnight (Monday) at two hilltop encampments in the Binyamin region.

The forces raided the Gur Ariyeh hilltop near Adam, where they demolished the residents' residences and a sheep pen. After that, they continued to the Kol Mevaser hilltop near Michmas, where they destroyed its structures.

Residents of the communities expressed fury over the move. One of them, who resides in Kol Mevaser, noted that the encampment sits on an especially strategic slope and that the nearby Arab village is carrying out illegal construction with the support of the Palestinian Authority. "The state abandons entire tracts of land, and if we won't be here, we won't have where to return," the residents said.

They claim that the state does not appreciate Jewish settlement at strategic locations in Binyamin. "We are not enemies, we are pioneers, the same as at other settlement sites in Judea and Samaria. We will continue to build and will not give up."

תיעוד: חיבל בניידת משטרה בבני ברק - כנקמה על דוחצילום: דוברות המשטרה

An indictment has been filed against a motorcycle driver from Bnei Brak who damaged a police car as revenge for receiving a traffic ticket.

Last week, a traffic enforcement officer saw a motorcycle driving dangerously, at high speed, and zigzagging near Ramat Gan Stadium.

Upon inspection, the motorcycle was found to have a technical issue, and the driver was issued a 1,000 shekel fine. In response, the driver cursed the officer.

The next day, the driver arrived at the Dan Police Precinct on Kishon Street in Bnei Brak, where he damaged a police car, puncturing its four tires with a sharp object. He then fled the scene, riding a motorcycle whose license plate was hidden. A short time later, detectives from the Bnei Brak-Ramat Gan Station located the suspect and arrested him.

Nuclear IraniStock

To touch upon the core of the conflict, it must be considered that in the catastrophe of 1979, Khomeini’s radical Islamic terrorism seized power and turned Iran into a Shi‘ite state. In a bloodless coup, Iran transformed overnight from a pro-Western secular country into a radical Shi‘ite Sharia Caliphate.

Khomeini had published a sermon on the principles of an Islamic government while, in essence, he established a theocracy based on Islamist law (Shari‘a). The Iranian Khomeinist coup of 1979 was intrinsically hostile to the United States and Israel, and this hostility became manifest through sustained support for Islamic terrorism and fundamentalism.

Khomeini’s 1979 coup played a crucial role in the early emergence of religious terrorism. He sought to export his terrorist, anarchic coup throughout the world in March 1980, under the supervision of Montazeri and his pro-Qaddafi cult.

The cornerstone of policy in the Shi‘ite mullahs’ regime was enmity toward the United States and Israel.

The entire Shi‘ite religious cult is based on taqiya (prudence, deception, cheating, cunning, dishonesty, fraud) to deviate from the truth in order to survive. Shi‘ism seeks dominance and rejects all rules, norms, and principles. This was the core of Iran’s Khomeini coup in 1979.

Factually, the CIA had not understood Khomeini, the father of the Islamic Shi‘ite terrorist Caliphate. This lack of knowledge regarding such a phenomenon was treated with astonishing prestige and esteem within the intelligence world. Khomeini’s theology established a “Shari‘a state" in what he described as the kingdom of Allah, and he portrayed himself as a symbol of God (Ayatollah).

The phenomenon of a state sponsor of Islamic terrorism took shape in 1979 when, in the presence of Yasser Arafat, Khomeini announced the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI), an Islamic fundamentalist regime - a Shi‘ite terrorist Caliphate ruled by mullahs.

Since the 1979 coup, Shi‘ite mullahs have cruelly ruled Iran. Khomeini sought to become the canon of Shi‘ism and to establish a Shi‘ite empire in his delusions. He viewed himself as a divine figure with spiritual authority, reflected in the arrogance and pomposity of clerical behavior.

Khomeini and his cult used savagery and violence against Iranians to achieve political benefits for Shi‘ism. They competed with Saudi Arabia and Sunni Islamic states. Crucially, Khomeini lied to Iranians and to Western media alike. In his mental lexicon, there was no space for humanity, democracy, values, rights, or morality.

Then the battle against Israel and the United States intensified. After ten years, Khomeini died - an icon of barbarism. Ali Khamenei then rose to power in a clerical spectacle. The roadmap was clear: the extension of Islamic Shi‘ite terrorism and hegemony.

The regime has continued its role as the world’s central banker for terrorism and has maintained an aggressive, controversial military presence across the Middle East. The principal goal has always been hegemony. Islam, throughout its historical emergence, has sought dominance.

Khamenei has become the main sponsor of terrorism in the Middle East’s worsening history. He followed Khomeini’s playbook. Since 1989, Tehran’s dictator has been a paranoid and psychopathic monster on the political stage, causing death, crisis, destruction, crime, and terror throughout the region. As leader of the Shi‘ite regime, Khamenei has called himself the Amir of Muslims worldwide.

Both Khomeini and Khamenei have sought the destruction of the West, particularly the United States and Israel.

Khamenei, with his messianic vision, has had full knowledge of and responsibility for all Iranian regime terrorist operations since 1989. Like Bin Laden and al-Qaeda, he organized, legitimized, and sustained terrorism.

Between 1979 and 2026, Iranians protested against the Shi‘ite theocratic Caliphate at least nineteen times. Each time, the Islamic regime brutally suppressed them, killing thousands with boundless cruelty and barbarism. Shi‘ite Shari‘a represents another face of barbarism.

If the ISIS terrorist Caliphate claimed more than 6,000 lives in 2015, Khamenei alone slaughtered more than 40,000 innocent protesters, according to some counts, in January 2026. Both Caliphates justified their crimes through religion.

Today, ample evidence shows that Khamenei’s cynicism has reached its worst form. The regime’s foreign policy aims to transform Iran into a regional hegemon. On the international stage, the messianic and cunning Shi‘ite mullahs deliberately waste time in fruitless negotiations to advance their objectives. The JCPOA itself became an example of clerical deception and manipulation.

This dictatorship is not a rational actor in the global arena. Liberal democratic cultures lack a true understanding of Khomeini’s Shi‘ite jihadi Caliphate and Khamenei’s supremely dangerous mindset.

President Trump is now dealing with a state sponsor of terrorism. He understands that the rule of Shi‘ite terrorist-sympathizing ayatollahs represents the darkest chapter in Iranian history.

Coexistence with such a regime in a volatile region is impossible. This regime is the world’s number one destabilizing force. Its strategic doctrine is to keep Trump calm for the next two to three years; negotiations are merely political theater.

A regime possessing nuclear weapons, delivery systems, chemical and biological capabilities, and a deep commitment to Islamic terrorism poses a catastrophic threat to regional and global geostrategic balance.

The bottom line is clear: a fanatical Shi‘ite terrorist cult with its finger on the nuclear trigger is a terrifying and horrific reality. It is a sword in the hand of a psychopathic, stubborn Shi‘ite mullah such as Khamenei.

A so-called representative of God on Earth, with his finger on the trigger, constitutes an imminent threat to the stability of the Middle East and the world. This paranoid thug glorifies mass killing in the name of Allah.

One can only imagine the scale of annihilation he would order if armed with nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction.

In 1993, Mubarak - then President of Egypt - during the official agreement ceremony, in front of the world’s television cameras, said: “Sign, you dog!" At that moment, the Islamic terrorist actor, Yasser Arafat, stopped deceiving Prime Minister Rabin and signed.

Now, President Trump, in the first year of his second presidential term, seeks to make a deal. However, Tehran’s dictator has his own agenda. He has no desire for peace. Khamenei, who claims to speak the word of Allah (!), a Shi‘ite terrorist caliph, seeks to announce jihad against infidels and declare that the Shi‘ite Caliphate in Iran has become a member of the nuclear states club.

In this vision, the rogue and malign state in Iran would become the sole sheriff in town and impose a new regional order. This is Khamenei’s illusion. He must either drink a cup of poison similar to Khomeini’s, or remain hidden in an underground hole.

Erfan Fard is a Middle East political analyst. His latest book, Tehran’s Dictator_, examines the theocratic era of Ali Khamenei (1989-2026). Twitter/X: @EQFard._

My appreciation goes to Gabriel for his kindness and support in dispatching this analysis.

Pro-Palestinian protests at the University of ChicagoReuters

The Trump administration is expected to intensify efforts to curb foreign funding of U.S. universities and colleges, according to a report by Reuters.

The report says that in 2025, approximately $5.2 billion in foreign funds flowed to American academic institutions. Of that amount, about $1.2 billion reportedly originated from Qatar.

As part of a new initiative, the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Department of Education are expected to expand oversight of foreign donations and contracts involving universities and other academic institutions.

The administration has already taken steps over the past year to limit such funding, particularly following a wave of pro-Palestinian protests that spread across U.S. campuses.

According to the report, officials are increasingly concerned that foreign funding could influence academic curricula and campus activities. The administration is expected to continue monitoring developments at higher-education institutions to ensure that political interests do not undermine academic freedom or open discourse.

Israeli delegation in BakuIsraeli Foreign Ministry

Several weeks have passed since Vice President J.D. Vance’s February 9 arrival in Armenia and subsequent February 10 visit to Baku. These were not merely sequential diplomatic stops. They reflected Washington’s effort to reinsert strategic attention into a region where influence is increasingly diffused among multiple global actors. In the South Caucasus, presence alone is no longer sufficient; continuity and clarity now define relevance.

The visits occurred at a moment of recalibration. Armenia is reassessing long-standing security assumptions. Azerbaijan is consolidating its post-conflict positioning as a regional transport and energy hub. The broader environment is shaped not only by Russia’s diminished but lingering footprint and Iran’s sensitivities, but also by China’s expanding economic reach across Eurasia.

For Azerbaijan, U.S. engagement carries strategic validation. The Middle Corridor-also known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route-has gained new importance as trade routes through Russia face geopolitical constraints. The corridor links China and Central Asia to Europe through Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Türkiye. Baku’s infrastructure investments in ports, rail modernization, and logistics capacity position it as a central transit node in this emerging east-west architecture.

This is where China’s role requires deeper analysis. Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is not abstract in the South Caucasus; it operates through concrete investments and supply-chain integration. Chinese firms have participated in port development, rail connectivity, and logistics networks connected to the Trans-Caspian route. While Azerbaijan has carefully avoided excessive dependence, Chinese cargo volume remains essential for the Middle Corridor’s long-term viability. Economic leverage in such frameworks develops gradually: financing arrangements, construction contracts, and trade flows translate into structural influence without overt political declarations.

China’s approach differs from traditional geopolitical competition. It does not seek visible dominance. Instead, it embeds itself through infrastructure financing, long-term commercial partnerships, and integration into trade corridors that shape future economic patterns. If U.S. engagement proves episodic rather than sustained, Beijing’s incremental strategy could gain disproportionate weight over time.

For Armenia, the American visit signaled reassurance. Yerevan’s evolving foreign policy orientation-marked by diversification away from exclusive reliance on Moscow-creates space for broader Western cooperation. However, Armenia’s geographic and economic realities require careful balancing. Engagement with Washington must coexist with pragmatic management of relations with neighboring powers.

The stabilizing argument for U.S. involvement rests on three pillars. First, energy diversification. Azerbaijan remains a significant supplier of natural gas to Europe, contributing to reduced dependence on Russian energy. Second, connectivity. Supporting reliable transit corridors strengthens regional economic resilience. Third, conflict management. Encouraging durable arrangements between Baku and Yerevan reduces long-term instability.

Yet a credible analysis must also address counter-arguments.

One concern is strategic bandwidth. The United States is simultaneously engaged in Ukraine, Indo-Pacific deterrence, and Middle Eastern security challenges. Sustained policy attention to the South Caucasus requires resources and political continuity that cannot be assumed. Without consistent follow-through, high-profile visits risk becoming symbolic rather than structural.

Another consideration is escalation dynamics with Iran. Tehran closely monitors Western engagement along its northern border, particularly given Azerbaijan’s cooperation with Israel and expanding Western ties. Although U.S. diplomacy is not directed at Iran, perceptions influence reactions. A miscalibrated expansion of visible U.S. security presence could amplify rhetorical tensions or encourage proxy signaling. Stability requires measured engagement, not performative projection.

A third challenge involves mediation credibility. If Washington is perceived as favoring one side in Armenian-Azerbaijani negotiations, its capacity to facilitate balanced dialogue could weaken. Sustainable diplomacy in the South Caucasus depends on careful neutrality while advancing practical outcomes.

China’s expanding presence adds a further layer. Beijing’s integration of BRI corridors with digital trade systems, port infrastructure, and logistics financing offers regional states tangible economic incentives. In contrast to overt security alliances, economic integration reshapes strategic orientation gradually. The durability of U.S. influence will depend not only on diplomatic visits but on competitive economic engagement.

Russia, while weakened in relative terms, remains embedded in regional security calculations. Any shift in alignment occurs within a crowded geopolitical environment rather than a vacuum.

For Azerbaijan, the optimal strategy continues to be diversification. Baku has cultivated relationships with Washington, Brussels, Ankara, Moscow, and Beijing simultaneously. Its foreign policy emphasizes sovereignty through multiplicity rather than exclusive alignment. For Armenia, diversification has become a mechanism for reducing vulnerability.

The central question is therefore not whether the United States can appear in the region-but whether it can remain constructively engaged without overextension, escalation, or imbalance.

If Washington sustains economic cooperation, supports practical connectivity, and reinforces a stable peace trajectory between Baku and Yerevan, its influence will deepen organically. If attention shifts elsewhere, alternative actors-particularly China through Belt and Road infrastructure-are positioned to expand their structural role.

The South Caucasus does not operate within a binary framework. It sits at the intersection of corridors, capitals, and competing models of engagement. In such an environment, measured consistency carries greater weight than episodic visibility.

Diplomacy in this region is no longer defined by grand declarations. It is defined by who builds, who invests, who sustains, and who remains present when headlines fade.

Mike HuckabeeAvshalom Sassoni/Flash90

Senior officials in the Trump administration have contacted several Arab governments in recent days in an effort to ease concerns over remarks by US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, according to a report by Politico.

According to the report, Deputy Secretary of State Chris Landau, Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker, and other officials reached out to regional counterparts to clarify that Huckabee’s comments in a podcast interview reflected his personal views and did not signal a change in US policy.

The outreach followed an interview released Friday on the Tucker Carlson Show, in which Huckabee discussed biblical references to land stretching from the Nile to the Euphrates. During the exchange, Huckabee said, “It would be fine if they took it all," while adding that Israel is not seeking to control the entire region and is focused on protecting its people and the areas it currently administers.

Tucker Carlson later posted an edited clip of the remarks on social media, which critics said took Huckabee’s comments out of context. The US Embassy in Jerusalem said over the weekend that the ambassador’s words had been mischaracterized.

Multiple governments expressed alarm over the remarks, viewing them as inconsistent with President Donald Trump’s stated position opposing Israeli annexation of Judea and Samaria. More than a dozen countries, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates, issued a joint statement condemning the comments as inflammatory and at odds with diplomatic efforts related to Gaza.

The State Department did not respond to a request for comment, Politico reported.

The controversy comes as the Trump administration seeks cooperation from Arab and Muslim-majority states regarding its plans for Gaza. The report noted that regional support is also considered important in the broader context of US strategic interests.

One senior diplomat from a Gulf country told Politico that statements touching on the sovereignty of Arab states could complicate efforts to promote regional integration that includes Israel. Another official, speaking anonymously, said Huckabee’s views do not represent administration policy.

Huckabee has since criticized media coverage of the interview, arguing that his remarks were presented without full context. He has also taken issue with Carlson’s handling of the exchange.

Huckabee, a longtime supporter of Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria, made clear in the interview that Israel is not pursuing control over the broader Middle East. He described his initial phrasing as hyperbolic later in the discussion.

The episode has drawn significant attention across the region, prompting diplomatic engagement aimed at reaffirming Washington’s official stance while containing fallout from the remarks.

Ten CommandmentsiStock

A federal appeals court has ruled that Louisiana may begin enforcing a law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public school classrooms, JNS reported.

On February 20, the full US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit voted 12-6 to lift a lower court injunction that had previously blocked the law, HB 71, which was signed by Governor Jeff Landry in June 2024.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and several other civil rights groups immediately filed a lawsuit challenging the law, arguing that it would force children to be exposed to a distinctly religious message in compulsory educational settings. They also contended that the law violated the First Amendment’s prohibition against the establishment of religion by the government.

However, the appeals court sided with Louisiana, stating that it was "premature to decide the law's constitutionality before it had been enacted."

Joseph Davis, senior counsel representing the state of Louisiana, hailed the decision, stating, "If the ACLU had its way, every trace of religion would be scrubbed from the fabric of our public life." He added, “That position is at odds with our nation’s traditions and our Constitution."

Under HB 71, public schools - ranging from elementary through post-secondary levels - would be required to display a poster-size copy of the Ten Commandments in classrooms, along with a statement explaining the historical influence of the text on American law and government. Schools may also include other historical documents such as the Declaration of Independence or the Mayflower Compact.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, who represents Louisiana, has said he supports the Ten Commandments law and added he thinks the law will survive legal challenges.

“I’m supportive of it, yeah," Johnson told reporters last June. “And I think it should pass court muster. I think there’s a number of states trying to look to do the same thing, and I don’t think it’s offensive in any way. I think it’s a positive thing."

Har Herzl cemeteryFlash 90

Yael Davidowitz is the director of Last Kindness, a division of the National Association of Chevra Kadisha (NASCK), and works extensively to educate Jews of all backgrounds about the importance of dignified Jewish burial. Learn more at: lastkindness.org.

(JNS) On Feb. 24, most Jews will go about their day unaware that it marks a remarkable date on the Jewish calendar: Zayin Adar, the yahrzeit- the anniversary of the death- of Moses, the greatest Jewish leader in history. (Our Sages say it was also his birth date, ed.)

At the very end of the Torah (Deuteronomy 34:5-6), we are told something extraordinary. Moses was not buried by family, disciples or any members of his beloved people. He was buried by God Himself.

From that singular act flows one of the most sacred and least known institutions in Jewish life: the chevra kadisha, or Jewish burial society.

The chevra kadisha imitates that Divine act of kindness. Just as God cared for Moses at the moment of his passing, members of the chevra kadisha care for their fellow Jews in death with humility, gentle care and reverence. That is why Zayin Adar has become a day of reflection and recognition for these quiet volunteers, who perform what Jewish law calls chesed shel emet-the truest form of kindness, since the reciipient can never show his gratitude.

It is a day that most Jews have never heard of.

The chevra kadisha is almost always made up of volunteers: doctors, teachers, attorneys, retirees-ordinary people who step away from daily life when their phone buzzes. Often, even their closest friends do not know they serve in this role.

In Israel, Zayin Adar is known as Chevra Kadisha Day and officially designated as the yahrzeit, memorial day, of IDF soldiers whose burial place is unknown. Chevra kadisha members in Israel fast on Zayin Adar and pray for forgiveness if they have erred in any way in their efforts to honor the dead. After October 7, the IDF Rabbinate's Chevra kadisha at the Shura base performed their holy work non-stop, identifying bodies and bringing them to Jewish burial, continuing when the murdered hostages' bodies were eventually returned home.

My introduction to it began as a child. I remember the phone ringing at our dinner table. I would hear the word tahara, though I didn’t yet understand what it meant. I knew only that a Jew had died, and that my mother or father would quietly get up and leave to help.

The chevra kadisha prepares a Jew for burial through a process that is both physical and deeply spiritual.

First, the body is gently returned to its most natural state. Anything external-medical devices, bandages, makeup, even nail polish-is carefully removed. The goal is simplicity. We enter this world unadorned, and we return unadorned.

Then comes washing, performed with modesty and respect. Only the area being cleansed is uncovered at any time. There is no casual conversation. The atmosphere is reverent.

Next is the tahara itself, a ritual purification in which water is poured continuously over the body-or, when possible, the body is immersed in a mikvah, a natural body of water associated in Jewish life with profound transitions. There is no greater transition than moving from this world to the next.

Finally, the deceased is dressed in tachrichim, traditional Jewish burial shrouds. They are a full set of clothing-pants, shirt, outer garment, belt, and head and face covering-made of natural fibers such as linen or cotton. They are plain and white, symbolizing purity. There are no pockets or ornamentation since wealth and status do not accompany a person beyond life. What endures are deeds, character and our choices.

The casket used is a simple pine box, ideally without metal or any lining (the simpler, the better) allowing the body to return naturally to the earth. A small amount of earth from Israel is placed inside, linking the deceased to the land and people of Israel.

As a nurse for decades, I have stood in operating rooms with living patients under anesthesia while background music played and weekend plans were discussed. The first time I witnessed a tahara, I was struck by the contrast. There was no extraneous speech. Jewish tradition teaches that while the body has died, the soul-the essence of the person-remains present and aware.

Those performing the tahara are mindful that the individual before them is at a vulnerable moment of transition. They even pause to ask forgiveness if they have not acted with sufficient gentleness or respect.

I was also struck by the parallels to birth. I’ve been a nurse in labor and delivery, and when a child enters this world, we quickly clean, dress and swaddle the baby before returning them to their mother. At the other end of life, the chevra kadisha cleans, dresses and prepares the person for their next journey with efficiency and the same tenderness.

In an era when cremation rates continue to rise, the Jewish approach to caring for the deceased stands in sharp contrast to modern trends. Cremation is often presented as poetic or environmentally friendly. But it is neither gentle nor natural. It involves intense heat and industrial processes that incinerate the body and release pollutants into the air. It is also fundamentally at odds with a core Jewish mandate: the mitzvah to bury the dead.

In Jewish tradition, holiness is not burned.

Even a Torah scroll-the holiest physical object in Judaism-when it becomes unusable is not destroyed by fire. It is buried with reverence. History has shown us who burns holy objects: our enemies. From the Nazis in the 1930s to Hamas in 2023, the desecration of sacred objects and bodies has been a weapon of humiliation and erasure.

Judaism responds differently. We bury what is holy. And every human being is considered infinitely more sacred than a Torah scroll.

Zayin Adar is not merely a date. It is a reminder that how we care for those who have died matters deeply. It is an act of kindness that affirms that life has meaning beyond its final breath.

The chevra kadisha does its work quietly, behind closed doors, without applause. But their message is profound: Every human deserves to be cared for with gentleness and ultimate respect.

In a world that often measures value by productivity and visibility, this idea reminds us of something enduring: that quiet kindness may be the most powerful kind of all and that how a person is treated after death matters for the soul who has departed and for the living who remain.

Dignity for those who have died is not a formality or mere tradition; it is a declaration of belief in the innate sanctity of every human being.

Charles KushnerREUTERS/Jeenah Moon

The French foreign ministry has called for the blocking of US envoy Charles Kushner’s access to French government officials after he failed to attend a scheduled meeting regarding comments he made about violence in France, the BBC reported Monday.

Kushner, father of US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, had been summoned to meet with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Monday evening. However, Kushner sent a deputy from the US embassy instead, citing a prior engagement.

The French foreign ministry reacted angrily, accusing Kushner of failing to understand the responsibilities of his position. In response to Kushner’s absence, Barrot requested that Kushner “no longer be allowed direct access" to government ministers.

The diplomatic conflict stems from comments made by the US embassy regarding the murder of right-wing activist Quentin Deranque. The embassy posted a statement on social media suggesting that "violent left-wing extremism is on the rise" in France following Deranque’s death.

Barrot rejected the US embassy's use of the tragedy for political purposes. "We reject any use of this tragedy, which has plunged a French family into mourning, for political ends," Barrot said. He also added, "We have no lessons to learn, particularly on the issue of violence, from the international reactionary movement."

Kushner previously caused an uproar last August, following a public letter he sent to French President Emmanuel Macron, in which Kushner accused France of a “lack of sufficient action" against antisemitism. The letter was written amid a surge of hate crimes in France, coinciding with rising tensions over the Gaza conflict. France retorted that “the allegations from the ambassador are unacceptable."

In his letter, which was released to the media, Kushner claimed that gestures such as Macron's plan to formally recognize a Palestinian state “embolden extremists, fuel violence, and endanger Jewish life in France."

He underscored his personal connection, writing, “President Trump and I have Jewish children and share Jewish grandchildren. I know how he feels about antisemitism, as do all Americans."

Following the harshly worded letter, France’s Foreign Ministry announced that Kushner would be summoned for a conversation.

State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott later clarified that Washington stood by Kushner’s comments, adding, "Ambassador Kushner is our US government representative in France and is doing a great job advancing our national interests in that role."

UNRWA in JerusalemArie Leib Abrams/Flash 90

The Christian Democratic Union (CDU), the largest political party in the German federal legislature, is calling for an end to financial support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

This motion, approved unanimously by the CDU on February 21, was reported by Jüdische Allgemeine, Germany’s national Jewish weekly newspaper, and cited by JNS.

The CDU, led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, is demanding stricter criteria for aid payments to the Palestinian Authority and an immediate halt to German and European donations to UNRWA.

UNRWA has long been criticized for its cooperation with the Hamas terrorist organization, which has been proven time and time again. That criticism has increased since Israel provided evidence in 2024 that UNRWA staff participated in the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks.

Following the Israeli revelations, the UN formed a review group, headed by former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, to look into the Israeli allegations. The group said in its report that it found neutrality-related issues" in UNRWA but also claimed that Israel had yet to provide evidence for allegations that a significant number of its staff were members of terrorist organizations.

The CDU’s motion also proposes tighter monitoring of German and European Union funding for the PA, with noncompliance resulting in the automatic cessation of payments, according to JNS. The conditions outlined include stopping the PA's controversial "pay-for-slay" program, which provides salaries to terrorists based on the severity of their crimes. While the PA has claimed it is reforming the program, those payments have continued.

Additionally, the CDU's resolution demands that PA textbooks cease including antisemitic content, and that organizations carrying out projects in PA territory with German or EU funds must recognize Israel and adhere to Germany's zero-tolerance policy on antisemitism, including on social media.

Under the proposed motion, German and EU funding would shift to other U.N. organizations to take over UNRWA's responsibilities. Germany has already partially suspended funding for UNRWA in Gaza, though the EU remains a major donor.

However, the motion’s implementation is uncertain. The Social Democratic Party (SPD), Germany’s ruling party in coalition with the CDU, has maintained that support for UNRWA should continue.

Kazem GharibabadiZUMA Press Wire via Reuters Connect

Iran's deputy foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, on Monday warned of broader consequences if his country is attacked, following US President Donald Trump’s threat of strikes over Tehran’s nuclear program.

Trump has ordered a major deployment of air and sea power to the Middle East and threatened to take military action against Iran unless the country agrees to address several key concerns, with the nuclear program at the forefront.

“We call upon all nations committed to peace and justice to take meaningful steps to prevent further escalation," Gharibabadi said during his speech at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, as quoted by AFP.

He emphasized that any aggression would have repercussions beyond the borders of the country targeted, warning that those who initiate or support such actions would bear responsibility.

This statement came after Iranian and US negotiators held indirect talks in Geneva last week concerning Iran’s nuclear ambitions, with Oman acting as a mediator. The US announced that these nuclear talks will resume on Thursday in Geneva, where the ongoing dialogue is seen as a potential pathway to de-escalation.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran remains committed to diplomacy and dialogue as the most effective path towards de-escalation and sustainable security," Gharibabadi said on Monday, according to AFP. “Recent diplomatic engagement here in Geneva, which will continue this Thursday, demonstrates that a new window of opportunity exists for negotiations to address differences and build confidence - provided that they uphold mutual respect, equitable treatment, and non-selective application of international norms."

He continued by stressing that any negotiation must respect the legitimate rights of all states under international law, and should not involve coercion or threats of force.

Despite this, Gharibabadi emphasized Iran’s commitment to diplomacy, while reaffirming its readiness to defend its sovereignty and people. "We will exercise our right to self-defense if necessary," he said.

Trump on Monday rejected reports that the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Caine, had warned him against going through with a strike on Iran.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump also denied reports that he was considering limited strikes on Iran, and warned the Islamic Republic once again that if it does not make a deal, “it will be a very bad day" for them.

On Friday, Trump urged Iran to "better negotiate a fair deal." He also cited a figure of 32,000 protesters killed in Iran, a number put forth by Iranian opposition groups, significantly higher than other estimates. Trump expressed sympathy for the Iranian populace, stating, "The people of Iran are very different than the leaders of Iran. It is a very sad situation… I feel very badly for the people of Iran. They lived in hell."

Rob Reiner and Michele Singer ReinerImage Press Agency via Reuters Connect

Nick Reiner, the 32-year-old son of Hollywood director Rob Reiner and photographer Michele Singer Reiner, pleaded not guilty on Monday to two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of his parents, reported The Associated Press.

The plea, entered by his new attorney Kimberly Greene, marks the first time Nick Reiner has denied fatally stabbing his parents.

Reiner, who has been held without bail since his arrest on December 14, stood behind glass in a crowded Los Angeles courtroom as the plea was entered. The couple was found dead at their Brentwood home in Los Angeles, and Reiner has been in custody since the discovery.

During the hearing, Reiner answered "yes" when the judge asked if he waived his right to a speedy trial.

The hearing was the third scheduled attempt to enter a plea. Delays had occurred due to the high-profile nature of the case and a change in defense lawyers. Reiner's next court date is scheduled for April 29, when a preliminary hearing will be held. During this hearing, prosecutors will present evidence, and a judge will decide whether there is enough for the case to go to trial.

Reiner's previous lawyer, Alan Jackson, withdrew from the case in January, citing circumstances that he said were beyond his control. Jackson had expressed that, according to California law, Nick Reiner is not guilty of murder. Authorities have not disclosed any details about a possible motive, and leaks about the case have been scarce, leaving many key questions unanswered.

The district attorney's office is awaiting a full autopsy report, although all other evidence has been turned over to Reiner's defense team. According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele Singer Reiner, 70, died from "multiple sharp force injuries," and authorities believe they were killed hours before their bodies were discovered.

MK Evgeny SovaArutz Sheva

MK Evgeny Sova (Yisrael Beytenu) did not rule out potential cooperation in a future government formed by the left-wing bloc together with all Zionist parties.

In an interview with Arutz Sheva-Israel National News, he did not dismiss the possibility of partnering with Otzma Yehudit, a party many in his bloc oppose. “If there is a party willing to accept our principles and ready to be a partner, I prefer to discuss the matter based on the issue at hand rather than the individual," he said.

At the same time, he stressed that his party does not reject Likud as a movement but opposes sitting in a government led by its chairman. “We do not reject Likud; we believe Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister responsible for the events of October 7, needs to go home and take responsibility, as Golda Meir did in 1974. As long as Netanyahu leads Likud, we believe he is not a suitable partner for the next government."

Sova also sharply criticized fellow opposition members. He rejected the idea of forming a minority government reliant on Arab parties. “It’s simply not true that Gadi Eisenkot, whom I greatly respect, says a government could be formed here with 58 seats and function as a minority. This statement shows a lack of deep political understanding."

His criticism of Benny Gantz was even more pointed. “I would suggest Benny Gantz take a good look at his situation. He was polling at 40 seats, and now he’s down to 2.4%. If he continues running at this level, he will simply waste votes that could genuinely bring about change, and he will also be responsible for ensuring the right-wing government continues. I strongly suggest he reconsider and not run if he remains under the electoral threshold."

Watch the Hebrew video:

Scene of the Bondi Beach shootingReuters

Australia's royal commission into antisemitism has commenced public hearings in response to the deadly Bondi Beach Hanukkah attack, which killed 15 people and injured 40, reported the BBC.

The federal inquiry, the country’s most powerful form of public investigation, is tasked with investigating the prevalence and causes of antisemitism, as well as making recommendations to the government.

The commission, led by former High Court Justice Virginia Bell, began its proceedings on Tuesday. It will also review the events surrounding the Bondi Beach attack.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese initially resisted calls for a federal inquiry, arguing it could harm social cohesion. However, under public pressure, he later agreed to move forward with the inquiry.

Bell is expected to deliver an interim report by the end of April and a full report by the anniversary of the attack, which occurred on December 14. On Tuesday, she outlined the inquiry’s scope before a brief opening statement by the counsel assisting the inquiry.

The inquiry will hear from security agencies, intelligence services, as well as the families of victims and survivors of the shooting. One of the attackers, Sajid Akram, 50, was killed by police at the scene, while his son Naveed Akram, 24, was critically injured. Naveed has since been transferred from hospital to prison and appeared in court last week on 59 charges, including 15 counts of murder and one charge of committing a terrorist attack.

Given the ongoing criminal case, the commission has been instructed to avoid topics that could prejudice court proceedings, meaning some hearings may be held behind closed doors.

The Hanukkah attack has raised serious questions about the actions of police and intelligence agencies. Naveed Akram had been flagged by Australia’s intelligence services in 2019 but was removed from the radar after it was concluded that he did not pose an imminent threat.

Police documents released after the attack revealed that Akram and his father had conducted "firearms training" in New South Wales and meticulously planned the attack for months. The two also recorded a video in October, sitting in front of an Islamic State flag, in which they railed against "Zionists" and discussed their motivations for the attack.

Even before the Hanukkah massacre in Sydney, Australia had seen a sharp wave of antisemitism, including the firebombing of the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne.

Days after the arson at Adass Israel, a car was set on fire, and two properties were vandalized with anti-Israel graffiti in the Sydney suburb of Woollahra, which has a substantial Jewish population.

In another incident, the words "F- the Jews" were spray-painted on a car in Sydney.

In early 2025, the Southern Sydney Synagogue in Allawah, a suburb of the city, was vandalized with antisemitic graffiti.

A day later, the Newtown synagogue, located in Sydney’s inner west, was vandalized with red swastikas that were spray-painted across the building’s front wall.

Amit SegalOlivier Fitoussi/Flash 90

Channel 12 News chief political analyst Amit Segal revealed on Monday evening that ahead of the last elections, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered him a reserved fourth spot on the Likud slate.

"About three years ago, Netanyahu was the leader of the opposition, and I came to a meeting with him at the Metzudat Ze’ev building. He offered me the 14th spot on the Likud slate for the Knesset," Segal began.

He said the initial offer did not appeal to him. "What was the issue? As a political journalist, I understood the offer - not because of my good looks, but because there was a battle with Ayelet Shaked and he wanted religious-nationalist votes. He offered it to Menachem Horowitz, who declined, and then he turned to me. I said, ‘Thanks - but no thanks.’"

However, Netanyahu did not give up. "That evening, I was at home when my phone rang with a WhatsApp call. It was Netanyahu. He said, ‘I spoke with Sara, and she told me that number 14 isn’t enough, so I want to offer you the fourth spot and any ministerial position you want.’ I told him it didn’t appeal to me. He replied, ‘You’ll regret this.’"

Noam BettanYael Abas Guisky/Flash 90

Kan, the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation, revealed on Monday evening that Israel’s representative for Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, Noam Bettan, will perform a song titled “Michelle."

The song will be officially unveiled next Thursday. It was selected by a committee from approximately 200 submissions.

From these entries, about 40 songs were anonymously chosen for discussion by the final selection committee, which narrowed the list down to four songs to be recorded by Bettan. This allowed the committee to evaluate each entry based on his performance.

The final decision was made by a large majority vote.

The Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Vienna in May. Bettan will perform in the first semifinal of the contest, scheduled for May 12, and will appear in the second half of the show.

In the first semifinal, Israel will compete alongside Georgia, Portugal, Croatia, Sweden, Finland, Moldova, Greece, Montenegro, Estonia, San Marino, Poland, Belgium, Lithuania, and Serbia.

Israel’s participation in this year’s contest was in question but was made possible after the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) cleared it to compete, prompting withdrawals by Iceland, Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Slovenia.

KnessetIsrael National News

The Knesset on Monday evening rejected an order to expand the VAT exemption on imported goods, a measure promoted by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. 25 MKs supported the proposal, while 50 opposed it.

Minister Amichai Eliyahu and MK Limor Son Har-Melech of Otzma Yehudit voted against the measure. The following Likud MKs opposed the proposal: Yuli Edelstein, David Bitan, Eli Dallal, Sasson Guetta, Shalom Danino, Hanoch Milwidsky, Akram Hasson, and Osher Shkalim. MKs Avi Maoz and Yitzhak Goldknopf also opposed the proposal.

A significant number of haredi MKs were absent, as were several senior government ministers.

Smotrich responded to the rejection by announcing that he would soon sign the order again.

"The economic left in the Likud is trying to harm the citizens of Israel in service of monopolies and for a few votes in the primaries. While Prime Minister Netanyahu is preoccupied with Israel's security, a small group of Likud MKs is focused on petty politics and, together with the opposition, wants to make us all pay more. I will not allow the public to lose," he stated.

“Narrow personal interests will not triumph over the good of the citizens of Israel. I do not intend to give up or succumb to the left. I will, with God's help, sign a new order and continue to care for the citizens of Israel. Despite the left, it can be affordable here," Smotrich said.

Israel-Jordan border fence, near Hamat GaderMichael Giladi/Flash90

The diplomatic corridors of Washington and Brussels are currently vibrating with the familiar, high-pitched frequency of moral outrage. The catalyst? Recent remarks by the U.S. Ambassador to Israel regarding the historical and strategic legitimacy of "Greater Israel."

While the "Middle East Establishment"-that entrenched class of career diplomats and academics-scrambles to issue "contextualizations" and "clarifications," they are missing the most significant geopolitical shift of the decade.

This isn't a diplomatic gaffe. It is a long-overdue collision with reality.

For over fifty years, the international community has been held hostage by the "1967-border paradigm." This framework assumes that peace is a mathematical equation: land divided by two equals stability. Yet, decades of intifadas, billions in squandered aid, and the transformation of Gaza into a terror fortress have proven this equation is not just flawed-it is terminal. By moving the goalposts toward a recognition of Israel's historical and security-based sovereignty over the heartlands of Judea and Samaria, the current administration is finally speaking the only language the Middle East respects: the language of the victor.

The Failure of Managed Conflict

The traditional approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been "conflict management," a polite term for subsidizing a stalemate. This approach has allowed the Palestinian Arab leadership in both Ramallah and Gaza to maintain a permanent state of "revolutionary waiting." They wait for the West to pressure Israel; they wait for international boycotts to bite; they wait for a demographic miracle.

As long as the 1967 borders remained the "holy grail" of diplomacy, the Palestinian Authority had no incentive to change. Why negotiate in good faith when the world guarantees you a state on a silver platter, regardless of your support for terror or your refusal to recognize a Jewish state?

The victory model argues that peace only occurs when the defeated side acknowledges its loss and gives up its war aims. The Ambassador’s rhetoric on "Greater Israel" is the first step in forcing that acknowledgment. It signals to the Palestinian Arab elite that the clock has not only stopped-it is moving backward. The "land for peace" era is over; we have entered the era of "sovereignty for stability."

Reality-Based Diplomacy

Critics argue that such rhetoric "inflames the region." This is a tired trope that ignores the actual data of 2026. While the West frets over headlines, the Arab world is moving on. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) recently saw its combined GDP jump to $2.3 trillion. These states-Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Bahrain-are not looking for another "forever war" or a failed state on their doorstep. They are looking for security partners to counter the Iranian-Russian axis.

When the U.S. signals that it will no longer indulge the fantasy of a return to the 1967 lines, it actually stabilizes the region. It removes the ambiguity that Iran exploits to radicalize the Palestinian Arab cause. It forces the "moderate" Arab states to deal with the Israel they have, rather than the Israel the State Department wishes existed.

Forcing the Hand of Ramallah

The most provocative-and necessary-element of this shift is how it impacts Palestinian internal logic. For decades, the Palestinian leadership has been "incentivized to fail." By making the 1967 borders "disputed" rather than "settled," the U.S. is finally creating a cost for Palestinian Arab rejectionism.

If the Palestinian Authority wants a seat at the table, they must now negotiate from a position of profound weakness. This is not "unfair"; it is the historical norm for the side that has rejected every peace offer for half a century. Only when they realize that the "Greater Israel" reality is consolidating on the ground will they have the courage to abandon the "Right of Return" and other maximalist fantasies that make peace impossible.

The Iran Connection

We cannot view this in a vacuum. As the U.S. and Iran head toward a "fateful" meeting in Geneva, the rhetoric of strength in Jerusalem is the best leverage Washington has. While Tehran pumps shoulder-fired missiles into the region, the U.S. must show that its alliances are immutable.

The "Middle East Establishment" will tell you that the Ambassador’s words have "set back the peace process." On the contrary: by killing the illusion of 1967, they have started the only peace process that has a chance of succeeding. It is a process based on strength, sovereignty, and the undeniable reality of an Israel that has already won.

Amine Ayoub, a fellow at the Middle East Forum, is a policy analyst and writer based in Morocco. Follow him on X: @amineayoubx

Donald TrumpWhite House Photo by Daniel Torok

US President Donald Trump on Monday rejected reports that the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Caine, had warned him against going through with a strike on Iran.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump also denied reports that he was considering limited strikes on Iran, and warned the Islamic Republic once again that if it does not make a deal, “it will be a very bad day" for them.

“Numerous stories from the Fake News Media have been circulating stating that General Daniel Caine, sometimes referred to as Razin, is against us going to War with Iran. The story does not attribute this vast wealth of knowledge to anyone, and is 100% incorrect," wrote Trump.

He added, “General Caine, like all of us, would like not to see War but, if a decision is made on going against Iran at a Military level, it is his opinion that it will be something easily won. He knows Iran well in that he was in charge of Midnight Hammer, the attack on the Iranian Nuclear Development. It is a Development no longer, but rather, was blown to smithereens by our Great B-2 Bombers. Razin Caine is a Great Fighter, and represents the Most Powerful Military anywhere in the World. He has not spoken of not doing Iran, or even the fake limited strikes that I have been reading about, he only knows one thing, how to WIN and, if he is told to do so, he will be leading the pack."

“Everything that has been written about a potential War with Iran has been written incorrectly, and purposefully so. I am the one that makes the decision, I would rather have a Deal than not but, if we don’t make a Deal, it will be a very bad day for that Country and, very sadly, its people, because they are great and wonderful, and something like this should never have happened to them," stated Trump.

Trump’s post followed an Axios report claiming that Caine has advised Trump and senior administration officials that a potential military campaign against Iran carries significant risks, particularly the danger of becoming drawn into a prolonged conflict.

According to the report, a debate is ongoing within the upper ranks of the Trump administration over how to address the escalating standoff with Iran and what the likely consequences of each course of action would be. Several advisers have urged caution, while some sources believe the President has been inclined toward authorizing a strike.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned in a CBS interview on Sunday that Iran would strike back at US military bases in the region if attacked, while expressing hope for a diplomatic resolution to the nuclear standoff amid heightened US military presence in the Middle East.

Araghchi emphasized that diplomacy is the "only way" to address Iran's peaceful nuclear program, rejecting military escalation and US buildup. "There is no need for a military buildup, and also no use in it - military force cannot exert pressure on us."

Ayatollah Ali KhameneiReuters

Deputy Iranian FM has told BBC ‘ball is in America’s court,’ says talks have been ‘positive’; Iran won’t give up missiles, senior diplomat says, calling them ‘defensive capabilities’

Iran is in no position to compromise anything nor demand anything, nor, as is their wont, set conditions.

What we see in Iran under the Ayatollahs is a combination of narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and everyday sadism all justified by their religion, but essentially human self-interest by really evil human beings. When these traits intersect, the individual doesn't just lack empathy, they derive intrinsic utility from destruction.

The Ayatollah's great "beyond evil" is industrialised cruelty, where the scale of suffering (such as genocides or total war) outpaces the human capacity to process it. It represents a collapse of the ethical framework that allows a society to function.

What we see in Iran under the Ayatollahs, clothed in pretentious holy garments and “holiness", is the absence of good. It is something "beyond evil" and, given half a chance, would be an utter void where even the memory of "the Good" is erased.

The Ayatollahs and radical Islam, if not Islam itself, seeks a force beyond evil. What they seek is an un-creation and a recreation of the world in their primitive, pre-civilisation, pagan, medieval image and misguided self-justified imagination. They seek their definition of "divinity" that is a power so immense and terrifyingly "other" that it transcends human morality entirely. It is malevolent, or simply indifferent. They are beyond evil, which means reaching a state of total transgression. They seek power disabusing their concept of G-d.

The Ayatollahs' "beyond evil" moves past the simple binary of "right vs. wrong" and enters the territory of amorality, where the laws of human ethics simply fail to apply. The Iranian social constructs we see in all they say is used by the weak to restrain the strong, America and Israel. They are "beyond evil" in their misguided belief that they are Übermenschen. We have seen this before with the Nazis.

The Ayatollahs and their henchmen and acolytes do not follow external laws, but create their own new set of ethics. It is the act of looking at the world without the "lens" of morality, seeing only Will to Power and raw existence. They show the human tendency to prioritise self-interest "moral law". They are a bureaucracy or technology which causes mass suffering not out of malice, but because it functions outside of human feeling. Theirs is a perspective so cold and analytical that "evil" is seen merely as a necessary biological or mechanical function to achieve their ends.

What the world must face is the realisation that moral categories are "human, all too human" and that reality in Iran under the Ayatollahs is fundamentally indifferent to their people's suffering or anyone's suffering.

David Hersch _is Chairman of SAIPAC, the South African Israel Public Affairs Committee. Former chairman of the South African Zionist Federation (Cape Council) as well as a former national vice-chairman of the South African Zionist Federation (SAZF). He is also former member of the South Jewish Board of Deputies (Cape Council). Retired businessman and broadcaste_r.

15 February 2026

Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud AbbasFlash 90

Thirty years ago this week, Palestinian Arab terrorists bombed a bus on Jaffa Road, in downtown Jerusalem. Twenty-six passengers were murdered.

Among the victims were U.S. citizens Sara Duker, of New Jersey, and Matthew Eisenfeld, of Connecticut, students at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America who were engaged to be married.

The Israeli government subsequently identified a terrorist named Bassam Issa, a resident of the Palestinian Authority territories, as having assisted in the bombing. On July 7, 1996, Israel formally asked the PA to extradite Issa.

According to the Oslo II accord-Annex IV, Article II(7)-the PA is required to honor such requests. Instead, the PA ignored it.

Eight months later, the pattern repeated itself. The Israelis identified Nafez Sabih, another resident of the PA areas, as one of the masterminds of the bombing. On March 31, 1997, Israel formally asked the PA to extradite Sabih. Again, the PA ignored the request.

For some reason, the various governments that enthusiastically promoted the Oslo accords have never been troubled by such blatant violations of the accords.

There has always been another option for bringing the killers of Sara and Matthew to justice: American law permits the prosecution, in the United States, of terrorists who have harmed American citizens abroad. Yet no U.S. administration has ever demanded that the PA hand them over.

In June 1997, U.S. Mideast envoy Dennis Ross met with students at the Jewish Theological Seminary, and one of them asked Ross why the U.S. government was not pressing the PA to surrender the killers for prosecution.

Ross’s response was profoundly disingenuous.

He said that "one of the obstacles to doing that [bringing Palestinian Arab killers to the U.S. for trial] is the fact that the United States does not have an extradition treaty with the Palestinian Authority."

In reality, the U.S. frequently finds ways to bring criminals to justice, outside official extradition channels. Sometimes it does so through economic or political pressure. Sometimes it uses other means, as in the recent case of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores.

With his decades of experience in the political and legal aspects of the Arab-Israeli conflict, Ambassador Ross must have known that the absence of an extradition treaty is not a genuine obstacle to apprehending the killers.

So why did Ross mislead the JTS students? Why was he making excuses for the failure to bring the Jerusalem bus bombers to justice?

The Times of Israel reported last year that another terrorist involved in the 1996 bus bombing, Mohammad Abu Warda, lives freely in Gaza and was even seen attending one of the Hamas propaganda events involving the bodies of dead Israeli hostages.

Will the “international stabilization force" now being formed by the U.S. Board of Peace arrest Abu Warda and hand him over to the American government to face justice?

Dr. Medoff is the author of more than 20 books about Jewish history, Zionism, and the Holocaust. Follow him on Facebook to read his daily commentaries on the news.

Rabbi Eliezer MelamedRevivim

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Establishing an Additional Synagogue

Q: In our community there is one synagogue in which all members of the community pray. Recently, one person began initiating the establishment of a synagogue in memory of his father. For this purpose, he intends to purchase a ground-floor apartment in an apartment building and convert it into a synagogue. He is approaching people in the community and outside it, to donate money for the construction of the synagogue, claiming that this is a great mitzvah. Opposing him are those who argue that this is an unnecessary initiative, since the synagogue accommodates all the worshippers, and therefore, there is no mitzvah in donating to establish this synagogue.

Additional question: Residents on the upper floors object to establishing a synagogue beneath their apartment, claiming that it is forbidden to live in an apartment above a synagogue.

Communal Unity in the Synagogue

When there is room in the synagogue for all the worshippers, and there is no significant principled reason to establish another synagogue, it is forbidden to divide the community (Magen Avraham 150:23). Consequently, one who donates toward establishing such a synagogue does not have a mitzvah, but a transgression, for unity is a supreme value in Judaism. As our Sages said (Devarim Rabbah 5:6), when Israel are united, even if they have committed severe sins, the Holy One, blessed be He, assists them in defeating their enemies; but when there is division among them, even if they possess many mitzvot, God does not assist them, and they fall before their enemies.

Even the very name Beit Knesset (synagogue), refers to gathering together in unity. Moreover, the greater the number of worshippers, the greater the sanctification of Heaven, as it says (Prov. 14:28): “In the multitude of people is the King’s glory."

The Netziv wrote: “Division where there is no necessity is a great transgression… The more numerous the gathering, the more the prayer is heard; ten praying together are not comparable to one hundred performing one mitzvah and glorifying the King of the universe… In Bereishit Rabbah (parashah 4) it is stated that ‘it was good’ was not said on the second day because of the division of the waters. Rabbi Taviumi said: ‘If division that is necessary for the existence of the world is not called good, how much more so division that leads to confusion.’ And here ‘division’ does not mean dispute, but separation between those who were attached, like the separation of the waters-even if they are not quarreling."

Rabbi Shlomo Drimer likewise wrote (Responsa Beit Shlomo, Orach Chaim 26) that one should not separate for greater comfort or honor: if the study hall accommodates everyone and their hearts are at peace with the members of the congregation, they are forbidden to separate merely for more spacious seating or imagined honor and other weak reasons, which are not worthy when weighed against the honor of God, “for in the multitude of people is the King’s glory."

Similarly, the Rishon Le’Tzion, Rabbi Ben-Zion Meir Hai Uziel wrote (Mishpetei Uziel 7:19) that there is no permission to establish temporary or permanent synagogues in private rooms where public synagogues already exist, for such places diminish the stature and splendor of the synagogue and constitute a withdrawal from the community.

The Educational Value for the Community and Children

Experience also shows that people connected to a large community receive more support and encouragement in times of joy and sorrow. A large community can organize more Torah classes and charitable activities, and its members can grow more in Torah and good deeds. Children who grow up in a large and strong community remember more positively the prayers in the synagogue and the fellowship of the worshippers, and when they grow up, they are more inclined to continue in the path of Torah and mitzvot. Therefore, even if some individuals feel more comfortable in a smaller minyan aligned with their preferences, or where they can serve more often as prayer leaders, it is preferable that they forgo this in order to preserve communal unity.

The Lesser Evil When There Are Contentious Individuals

At times, establishing another synagogue is the lesser evil-when the impulse for dispute prevails, rebuke is ineffective, and members of the community - sometimes even the rabbis - sink into quarrels, and sin through strife. In such a case, it is preferable that they sin less by separating, and establishing another synagogue (Mishnah Berurah 150:2).

When One Must Establish Another Synagogue

When the synagogue is too small to contain all the worshippers, and there is no satisfactory solution, one must build another synagogue. One who prevents its construction, thereby prevents many from fulfilling a mitzvah. Likewise, if there are people in a nearby neighborhood without a synagogue who do not attend due to distance, and establishing one closer would enable them to pray with a minyan, it is proper to do so.

Sometimes, unfortunately, there is another principled reason that justifies establishing a new minyan-for example if in the existing one, there is estrangement from the mitzvah of Yishuv Ha’Aretz (settling the Land of Israel) and from unity with all parts of the people, and consequently, there is a desire to establish a synagogue faithful to the full values of Torah and appoint a rabbi who educates accordingly. Since this is a principled matter - to educate toward the proper values of the Torah - it is necessary to establish the minyan for this purpose (and see Avnei Nezer, Orach Chaim 36, who permitted dividing for the sake of a ‘proper reason’).

Multiple Diverse Minyanim Under One Community

At times, the disagreements are not personal but stem from emphases in the style of prayer, and then it may be appropriate to establish several minyanim within the framework of the community: one for those who wish to lengthen the prayer in order to have more concentration, one for those who wish to shorten it so as not to burden the congregation, and one for those who wish to increase singing and incorporate the youth into the prayer. For, unlike the value of communal unity, which overrides many other values, the value of “In the multitude of people is the King’s glory" does not override other values, but rather, must be integrated with them in balance.

Therefore, even when it is correct to establish minyanim suited to the different tendencies within the community, one must labor for the unity of the community through Torah classes and joint prayers. For this purpose, it is very desirable that the community have a rabbi who will be a partner in shaping the various minyanim, and who will labor together with the entire congregation, for the unification of the community.

Minyanim According to Ethnic Traditions Under One Community

Similarly, at times the need to separate stems from differences in nusach (version of prayer), for example, when the existing minyan follows a particular nusach, and meanwhile, the minyan has grown and now includes many who follow another nusach; or initially, they were accustomed to combining two nusachim together, and as the number of worshippers increased, many of them prefer to pray the entire service according to their ancestral nusach. And this is a justified reason for establishing an additional minyan, provided that the first minyan is not nullified (Maharam Shik 3:168).

Even in such cases, it is proper to consult the local rabbi, so that on the one hand, each person may pray according to his ancestral nusach, and on the other hand, the community will remain united-for example, that the two synagogues be in the same complex, and that the Torah classes and celebrations of both, be shared by all (see Peninei Halakha: Prayer 6:6).

A Synagogue on the First Floor of an Apartment Building

From here, to the second question: when an upper story was built above a synagogue, the early authorities ruled that one should not designate there a place for sleeping, and all the more so, one should not install a restroom there (Maharam of Rothenburg; Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 151:12). Likewise, our Sages forbade building a structure higher than a synagogue, and all the more so, one should not build an apartment above a synagogue (Ritva, Shabbat 11a).

However, when it comes to an apartment building, and only afterward was one of the apartments purchased for the purpose of a synagogue, according to halakha, the apartments above it do not become sanctified, and there is no restriction on the residents above the synagogue (Rema, Orach Chaim 112, according to Mahari Weil).

Nevertheless, many later authorities were concerned about a potential spiritual danger in this, and wrote that someone who wants to protect his life, should avoid living above the synagogue (Knesset HaGedolah, 16:4; Magen Avraham 18; Mishnah Berurah 42; and Mishpetei Uzziel, Part 3, Orach Chaim 19, prohibited). Indeed, according to their view, it is forbidden to convert an apartment on a lower floor into a synagogue, and thereby forbid the use of the apartment above it.

What Is Done After the Fact

However, after the fact, if they established a synagogue beneath a residential apartment, one may continue to live there, for Rambam (Responsa Pe’er HaDor 94) ruled leniently to live in an apartment built above a synagogue, and only above the place of the ark, did he write that one should not sleep, and should not place work tools there. And the Chida wrote, in practice, that one need not be concerned about segulah-type danger when living above a synagogue, because all the poskim who were stringent in this matter, did not see Rambam’s responsum, and had they seen it, they would have retracted (Birkei Yosef 151:10; Chaim Sha’al 1:56). Thus, it is proper to act in practice, because regarding all segulah-type concerns, one should be less concerned in our times (see Peninei Halakha: Faith and Its Mitzvot 26:11-12; 19:14).

A Case Where One Must Establish a Minyan in an Apartment

Sometimes, there is an elderly or disabled person who has difficulty leaving his home, and his relatives and acquaintances want to pray with him in a minyan, especially when it concerns a great Torah scholar whose students want to establish a minyan in his home. In such a case, the founders of the minyan must follow all usage rules established by law, and by the shared-use agreements. It appears that as long as the minyan is small and quiet, there is no disturbance to the neighbors.

When there is flexibility in interpreting the law, since this involves the needs of a mitzvah, it is proper to interpret it in favor of the synagogue, and not to prevent its use because of the minor noise caused by people passing in the stairwell, and by the prayers.

This article appears in the ‘Besheva’ newspaper and was translated from Hebrew.

הרב אבינרצילום: שמעון כהן

HaRav Shlomo Aviner is head of Yeshivat Ateret Yerushalayim in the Old City.

Question:

According to halakhah, is the death penalty permitted for terrorists? After all, we do not have a Sanhedrin.

Answer:

Certainly. A terrorist is a murderer. Although since the Sanhedrin left the Temple Chamber of Hewn Stone we no longer have capital jurisdiction, he nevertheless has the status of a rodef (murderous pursuer). In order to kill a rodef, neither a Sanhedrin, nor a court, nor formal examination and cross-examination are required since the purpose is to save the person being pursued.

A terrorist is not an ordinary pursuer intending to kill a specific individual, which is terrible in itself, but someone who seeks to kill any Jew who happens to cross his path. Experience also shows that 50% of released terrorists become involved again in murder. If he is left alive, he will continue to pursue and murder Jews.

Another factor is deterrence. The death penalty should be imposed on terrorists so that others will see and fear and will not act maliciously. The Rambam writes in Moreh Nevuchim (Guide for the Perplexed) that the punishments of the Torah are not primarily intended to punish the individual - for that, there is the Master of the Universe - but to deter transgression. He lists four criteria for determining the severity of punishment:

-The severity of the crime.

-The prevalence of the crime.

-The ease with which the crime can be committed.

-The strength of the impulses leading to the crime.

Here, all four of these factors exist in their most severe form. If a terrorist knows that he will eventually be released in a prisoner exchange, there is no deterrence at all.

Additionally, also involved is a situation of an Emergency Decree (Hora’at Sha’ah). It is permitted for a prophet, Sanhedrin, or king to enact an emergency decree. Although we do not have a king, Rabbi Kook proves in his responsum “Mishpat Kohen" (response 144) that an authorized and accepted leader of the Jewish people possesses certain powers of a king. One of his proofs is from the Rambam, who states that the Exilarch (Resh Galuta) in Babylonia had the legal status of a king even though he lived in Babylonia and was subject to the Babylonian king.

All the more so does an authorized leader in the Land of Israel have such authority. This refers to general governmental powers, such as levying taxes or conducting war (see further sources cited by Rabbi Tzvi Yehuda Kook at the end of the “Mishpat Kohen"). Therefore, the government has the authority to impose the death penalty on terrorists.

In Igrot Moshe (Choshen Mishpat 2:68), Rabbi Moshe Feinstein wrote to the governor of New York that one of the roles of government is to protect its citizens, even if this requires imposing the death penalty. Similarly, when the Arab who carried out the lynching in Ramallah during the Second Intifada was captured and confessed, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef said that such a person must be given the death penalty (“Rabbeinu," by Rabbi Eliyahu Shitrit, p. 153).

Finally, in wartime, different laws apply. In war, people are killed. From the establishment of the State of Israel until now, we have been in a war of liberation. Enemies who rise up against you are killed. Therefore, war must be conducted as war.

Congressman Andy Ogles & Yisrael GanzBinyamin Spokesperson

The head of the Binyamin Regional Council and Chairman of the Yesha Council, Yisrael Ganz, revealed during a conversation with Congressman Andy Ogles of Tennessee that bullets had been fired at his home. “They knew I live here. This is a bullet that hit my house. We cannot continue without making decisions, because doing nothing is also a decision. Today there is lawlessness on the ground."

Congressman Ogles visited Binyamin together with his wife at the initiative of the “Yes Israel" organization, founded by Ruth Lieberman and Sarah Paley, in cooperation with Avi Abelow. During the visit, they met with Yisrael Ganz and toured Ancient Shiloh. The tour was led by Eliana Passentin, Head of the Foreign Desk of the Binyamin Regional Council.

During their discussion, Ganz showed him the bullets and said that the current situation cannot continue. “If we do not decide, reality will decide for us. We need to take responsibility and say clearly: this is our land, this is our state. If someone wants to live here, they are welcome to do so under law and order. Why are people afraid of the word sovereignty? It simply means applying the law. Until last week I couldn’t purchase land here, in my own country. It’s absurd."

“We cannot continue living behind a fence and think that it will be enough," Ganz said. He showed the congressman on a map how what he described as Palestinian Authority encroachment in Area C threatens all Israeli residents. “The danger is also to residents of Netanya and Kfar Saba. Before October 7, we had a fence and thought it protected us. It didn’t work. We must not repeat the same mistake."

Ogles responded: “As I understand it, Area C is under Israeli control. Yes, agreements were signed in the past, but in practice the old agreement no longer truly exists. If you look at the map, there is no longer a clear separation between Areas A, B, and C as there once was. When I look at history-from 1967 to October 7-we keep having the same conversation over and over and never reach a long-term solution. Where I come from, we don’t return to the same place to have the same conversation we had a decade earlier."

“Someone needs to talk about the problems. What do you do with 45,000 soldiers or police holding weapons, with RPG launchers and explosive devices? Why are we talking about settlements when there are such severe security problems?"

The congressman added: “The land of the Bible is the historic homeland of the Jewish people. The Jewish connection to Judea and Samaria is not new and not political; it is ancient and rooted in our sources. As written in the Book of Ezekiel: ‘And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land…’ The Jewish people have the right to live in security in their homeland."

צפו: דיוויד פרידמן ומייק האקבי הקדישו שיר לטאקר קרלסוןחשבון ה-X של דיוויד פרידמן

Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan CaineREUTERS/Idrees Ali

Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine has advised President Donald Trump and senior administration officials that a potential military campaign against Iran carries significant risks, particularly the danger of becoming drawn into a prolonged conflict, Axios reported, citing sources familiar with internal discussions.

According to the report, a debate is ongoing within the upper ranks of the Trump administration over how to address the escalating standoff with Iran and what the likely consequences of each course of action would be. Several advisers have urged caution, while some sources believe the President has been inclined toward authorizing a strike.

Central to the deliberations is the question of what would constitute success in a military operation and the potential costs involved. At the same time, pursuing a renewed nuclear agreement could require revisiting some of the President’s previously stated red lines.

Axios reported that presidential envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff have encouraged Trump to allow more time for diplomatic efforts. Their position is based on the belief that additional negotiations could strengthen the US position before any decision on military action is made.

Caine’s views are seen as particularly influential given his role as the President’s top military adviser. Sources cited in the report said he has taken a more cautious approach regarding Iran than he did in other recent operations. One source described him as measured in assessing the risks, including the possibility of US casualties and deeper entanglement. Other officials rejected the characterization that he was skeptical, saying he has provided clear assessments of potential outcomes while preparing to carry out any decision made by the President.

A Joint Staff spokesperson told Axios that the Chairman presents a range of military options, including associated risks and secondary impacts, to civilian leadership, and that those discussions remain confidential. The White House declined to comment.

The report also noted that Caine has been the only military leader briefing the President on Iran in recent weeks. CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper has not participated in the meetings convened by the President on the issue, according to a senior administration official.

Vice President Vance has also raised concerns during internal discussions about the complexity of a potential operation, though sources said he is not categorically opposed to a strike. He is said to be presenting considerations on both sides as the President weighs his options.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has not taken a firm public stance in the internal debate, according to sources cited by Axios.

Meanwhile, Kushner and Witkoff are planning talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Geneva. They have advised the President that time could work in Washington’s favor and that military action should remain an option if diplomatic efforts fail to yield progress.

Axios reported that while the President has shown openness toward a strike in recent days, he agreed to allow additional time for negotiations in order to ensure that all avenues are explored.

Among those advocating for military action is Sen. Lindsey Graham, who expressed concern that delay could weaken momentum and result in an unfavorable agreement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also conveyed concern that the US could ultimately decide against a strike.

A senior administration official summarized the situation by stating that while various officials are carrying out their respective roles, no final decision has been made regarding whether or when to launch military action.

Herzog addresses the Iftar eventKobi Gideon (GPO)

President Isaac Herzog hosted the traditional Iftar meal at the President's Residence on Monday to mark the breaking of the Ramadan fast, welcoming diplomats, religious leaders, and dignitaries from Arab Israeli society.

Among those addressing the gathering were the Chairman of the Forum of Arab Local Authority Heads in Israel and Mayor of Sakhnin, Mazen Ghanaim; Director of the Sharia Courts, Adv. Ihab Abu Ghosh; and University of Haifa researcher Dr. Rahma Mahamid.

In his remarks, Herzog emphasized the shared foundations between Judaism and Islam, saying their common Abrahamic roots form the basis of Israel’s relations with Muslim countries and underpin both existing peace agreements and the Abraham Accords. He described the accords as "a model of partnership, peace, and shared prosperity between peoples and nations."

The President called for strengthening and expanding the agreements, urging that their cooperation be deepened in all spheres and expressing hope that additional countries would soon join.

Herzog noted the participation of ambassadors from the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, as well as ambassadors of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Côte d’Ivoire, and Tanzania, alongside diplomatic representatives from Chad and Nigeria and the United Nations Special Envoy to the Middle East. He told them, "Your presence here with us is most welcome and greatly appreciated."

Referring to regional developments, Herzog said, "We stand at the threshold of a new era, one that holds great opportunities for the entire region." He stated that the plan presented by President Trump has resulted in the return of hostages and a ceasefire, and is receiving broad regional and international backing.

He stressed that expanding "the circle of peace, normalization, and the Abraham Accords" is a shared regional interest and said it is achievable if countries stand together against terror, particularly from Tehran.

Calling for coexistence and mutual respect, Herzog declared, "Let us prove to the world that there is no hatred between the children of Abraham," adding that the peoples of the region are destined to live alongside one another, learn from one another, and build "a diverse and vibrant society that will stand as a model and an inspiration."

Addressing the rise in violence in Arab society in Israel, Herzog said the situation cannot be accepted. "The past year was the deadliest year for murders in Arab society since the establishment of the State," he noted, adding that only two months into the current year it has already been the bloodiest period on record. "We are in a state of emergency. This is a national security threat of the highest order."

Armed men in GazaSaeed Mohammed/Flash90

Hamas has made a strategic shift in its smuggling methods into the Gaza Strip for transporting materials used in rocket production.

According to Kan News, Hamas is moving away from its old smuggling methods via tunnels and trucks and is now relying on specialized containers that float below the surface of the sea, taking advantage of the winter sea conditions.

In line with the new method, the smugglers leave the contraband about five miles off the coast of Sheikh Zuweid in the southern Gaza Strip and use sea currents traveling at 2 knots during the night. The containers, traveling beneath the surface of the sea, reach the shores of Deir al-Balah and Khan Yunis within 10-14 hours.

The smuggling operations are managed by several cells: some operating in Egypt and Sinai, while others work along the Gaza Strip’s shores using distraction techniques, including the deployment of UAVs to occupy the IDF's monitoring and interception systems.

This new method allows Hamas to smuggle critical materials for rockets, such as components that enhance the accuracy and stability of the rockets.

This move indicates Hamas' efforts to restore its strategic capabilities despite the challenges and limitations it faces.

Haredi protests. ArchiveYossi Zeliger/TPS

New wave of protests on its way? Daniel Pinto, a 28-year-old haredi yeshiva student from Be'er Sheva, was arrested on Monday morning in front of his wife and children.

During the day, he was brought before an officer at Military Prison 10 and was sentenced to three days' detention.

Adv. Shlomo Haddad from the legal department of the Chayai Olam organization is representing Pinto and is working to ensure he receives his rights.

The arrest is the latest in a series of arrests of yeshiva students in recent days. On February 8, Eliyahu Kashi, a yeshiva student in Be’er Yaakov, was arrested - an arrest to which dozens of people arrived and attempted to prevent it.

The day before, a married yeshiva student who is a graduate of the Maor Hatalmud yeshiva was arrested while staying in the community of Tifrach by the traffic police. He was later transferred to the Ofakim police and from there handed over to the military police.

Taking off for the Iran strike 2025IDF spokesperson

Washington is once again flirting with the idea of a “limited strike" on Iran - a calibrated military action meant to signal seriousness, apply pressure, and improve negotiating leverage over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.

The theory is seductive: apply controlled force, avoid full war, increase diplomatic leverage.

But history suggests that half-war is often the most dangerous form of war.

A limited strike that leaves Iran’s retaliatory capabilities largely intact would not end the confrontation. It would begin a new and far more volatile phase of it.

The Fatal Illusion of Calibrated Violence

Limited strikes assume that adversaries respond proportionally.

But regimes under pressure do not respond proportionally - they respond politically.

Iran’s doctrine is built around retaliation capacity: ballistic missiles, proxy networks, maritime disruption, cyber operations, and regional escalation channels. If those remain operational after a U.S. strike, Tehran retains the ability to inflict meaningful damage.

At that moment, the strategic initiative shifts.

The United States fires first.
Iran decides what comes next.

That is not deterrence. That is gambling.

World War II and the Lesson of Incomplete Force

History offers brutal clarity.

In the 1930s, European powers attempted incremental deterrence against Nazi Germany - diplomatic protests, partial mobilizations, symbolic resistance. None altered Hitler’s calculus because Germany retained capability and initiative.

It was only when the Allies abandoned incrementalism and embraced overwhelming force - industrial mobilization, strategic bombing, and unconditional surrender - that the war’s trajectory fundamentally shifted.

The lesson was not subtle: when confronting a regime whose ambitions are structural, not transactional, half-measures prolong the conflict.

Consider the Pacific theater.

After Pearl Harbor, the United States did not seek a “limited strike" against Japan to restore balance. It mobilized its entire industrial capacity and pursued decisive victory. The objective was not symbolic punishment. It was the removal of Japan’s ability to continue the war.

The war ended not when Japan was pressured - but when its capacity to resist collapsed.

History’s harsh truth is this: wars end when one side no longer has the means to continue them.

Escalation Control Through Dominance

Modern strategic theory often speaks of escalation ladders - calibrated moves designed to manage risk.

But escalation control does not rest on moderation alone. It rests on dominance.

If one side retains credible retaliation capability, escalation remains symmetrical. Each action invites counteraction.

Escalation becomes unstable when both sides believe they still hold leverage.

Stability emerges only when one side’s ability to escalate is fundamentally broken.

This is why limited wars so often expand. Korea, Vietnam, and numerous Middle Eastern conflicts demonstrate the same pattern: partial force creates prolonged conflict because it fails to alter the underlying balance.

The most volatile position is not overwhelming superiority.

It is partial superiority.

The Political Dimension

There is also a domestic dimension.

A limited strike followed by Iranian retaliation - missile strikes, proxy attacks, cyber disruptions, or Israeli casualties - would immediately shift the political landscape in Washington.

The narrative would transform from “strategic pressure" to “avoidable escalation."

Public support collapses when the first move fails to secure tangible safety gains.

Political leadership weakens when the adversary retains the ability to strike back visibly.

Symbolism is politically fragile. Decisive outcomes are politically durable.

The Vietnam Precedent

The danger is not immediate catastrophe.

The danger is prolonged entanglement.

The Vietnam War did not politically damage President Lyndon Johnson because of one decisive battle. It eroded his presidency through sustained attrition - rising casualties, unclear objectives, televised escalation, and a perception that limited force was neither winning nor ending the conflict.

Johnson did not lose political standing because America used too much force.
He lost it because the force used did not produce decisive clarity.

A limited strike on Iran risks creating a modern version of that dynamic.

-Missile exchanges.
-Proxy attacks.
-Naval skirmishes.
-Cyber disruptions.
-Regional instability.

Not total war - but ongoing confrontation.

A grinding, televised, economically visible conflict without finality.

That is the political danger.

The Core Strategic Question

The real issue is not whether force is morally desirable or diplomatically convenient.

It is whether force achieves finality.

A limited strike would likely:

• Preserve Iran’s retaliation capacity
• Legitimize Iranian escalation
• Transfer initiative to Tehran
• Increase regional instability
• Risk domestic political backlash

If force is used while leaving intact the adversary’s capacity to respond meaningfully, it does not deter - it destabilizes.

History does not reward ambiguity in moments of strategic confrontation.

The Hard Conclusion

The most dangerous course is not decisive force.

The most dangerous course is half-force.

A limited strike would preserve Iran’s retaliation capability, legitimize escalation, and transfer initiative to Tehran. It would create the illusion of strength while inviting response.

If military action is chosen, it must not be symbolic. It must be overwhelming.

Overwhelming force is not escalation for its own sake. It is escalation designed to end escalation.

History shows that conflicts conclude not when an adversary is pressured, but when its capacity to continue meaningful resistance collapses. Germany and Japan did not surrender because they were warned or nudged toward moderation. They surrendered when they were strategically broken.

The same logic governs deterrence.

As long as Iran retains the ability to inflict significant damage on the United States or Israel, escalation remains unstable. Retaliation remains viable. Initiative remains contested.

Overwhelming force changes that equation. It removes the adversary’s confidence in its ability to retaliate effectively. It restores deterrence through dominance rather than signaling.

Half-measures create cycles.

Decisive superiority creates closure.

If the United States acts, it must act with the clarity that the objective is not leverage - but resolution.

Anything less risks lighting a fuse without extinguishing the powder.

Dr. Avi Perry is a former professor at Northwestern University and a former researcher and executive at Bell Labs. He served as Vice President at NMS Communications and represented the United States on the UN International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Standards Committee. He is the author of the thriller novel “72 VIRGINS", and of “Voice Quality Engineering in Wireless Networks." Recently, he published “Unlocked: A Practical Guide to Learning and Applying Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Solve Real-World Problems" as well as “A Winner’s Playbook: How to Win by Spotting and Using the Rules Governing Human Behavior," practical rules that guide the path to success. He is a regular op-ed contributor to The Jerusalem Post and Israel National News.

ambulance (archive)United Hatzalah

A nine-month-old infant, from Beit Shemesh, choked while eating on Monday evening. MDA paramedics and medics, who were called to the scene, treated her and transported her to Shaare Zedek Hospital while performing resuscitation.

At the hospital, doctors removed a foreign object from the baby girl's windpipe and continued resuscitation efforts while fighting for her life.

After numerous attempts, the medical team was forced to declare her death.

MDA paramedic Hegla Erez reported: "When we arrived at the scene, we found the infant unconscious, without a pulse and not breathing after choking during her meal. Using advanced equipment, we removed a piece of food from her throat and provided life-saving medical treatment. We continued resuscitation efforts while transporting her to the hospital, with her condition being critical and we were fighting for her life."

Netanyahu meeting Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev in BakuHaim Zach/GPO

Mordechai Kedar is an IDF Lt.-Col (res.,) an Israeli scholar of Arab culture and a lecturer at Bar-Ilan University, as well as the vice president of NEWSRAEL

Israel and Azerbaijan signed a memorandum of understanding in the field of artificial intelligence on Tuesday, 3.2.2026 at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem.

The agreement is another step in promoting the cooperation between the State of Israel and Azerbaijan in the field of artificial intelligence as part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's flagship goals which is shared by Ilham Aliyev, the president of Azerbaijan. This follows the signing of a joint declaration in this field with the United States last month.

In the presence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the declaration was signed by the Head of the National Artificial Intelligence Headquarters, Brigadier General (res.) Erez Askal and the Minister of Digital and Transport of Azerbaijan, Rashad Nabiyev.

Israel and Azerbaijan intend to deepen their ongoing alliance through artificial intelligence. The partnership will address supercomputing infrastructure, the application of artificial intelligence in critical civilian sectors, human capital and joint research.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who hosted the signing ceremony said:

"Welcome, Minister and distinguished entourage. AI, as you know, is Azerbaijan - Israel. AI is also artificial intelligence and we are connecting the two. We have a great partnership that has lasted for many years. I fondly remember my first visit to Azerbaijan many years ago and then on second visit, I saw the tremendous change and significant development that has taken place.

"Of course, over the years, our friendship has blossomed and is now looking towards the future and the future is already here. AI is not a tool of the future, but a tool of the present that is rushing towards tomorrow. We must make sure that we are among the leading countries in this field and I think we can do much more and better together.

"I am looking forward to this and I know that Brigadier General (res.) Askal will do everything he can to facilitate cooperation with our loyal ally, Azerbaijan and we have many plans. I am sure everybody will hear more about them, but I think this is another step up the ladder of establishing close relations between us.

"I ask that you convey my warmest wishes to President Aliyev, and you can tell him as we always say: 'Next year in Jerusalem' - tell him - 'this year in Jerusalem', that he will come to visit us. He will be received here with great warmth."

Head of the National Headquarters for Artificial Intelligence, Brigadier General (res.) Erez Eskel said:

"The State of Israel and the Republic of Azerbaijan have extensive cooperation based on appreciation and trust, as well as on common challenges.

"Cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence is another important layer between the countries, as it marks the future of two nations with unique challenges, which can lead to life-changing solutions for their citizens and even for the entire world.

"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defined artificial intelligence as an issue in which the State of Israel will be a world leader, and we intend to stand by this mission."

These two short speeches are short but meaningful. Everyone is aware of the common challenges of Azerbaijan and Israel, mainly, the Iranian threat and some are also familiar with the ways in which the two countries deal with this threat.

Artificial intelligence is not just a source of information but is increasingly becoming an operational device, which is a powerful tool for those that know how to exploit its capabilities. Cooperation between Israel and Azerbaijan unites the capabilities of the two countries that believe in technology and that have the talented and available human resources to develop this collaboration into an operational tool.

The enemies of Israel and Azerbaijan, who are concerned due to the long-standing and extensive cooperation between the two countries, today have another reason to worry. This joint venture will inevitably bring additional achievements for both countries, many of them that are better left unsaid.

US forces began withdrawing from their largest base in northeastern Syria on Monday, according to three Syrian military and security sources, in what appears to be part of a broader redeployment as the Damascus government moves to consolidate its authority in the region.

Witnesses reported that dozens of trucks, some transporting armored vehicles, left the Qasrak base in Hasakah province on Monday morning. Footage showed the convoy traveling along a highway near the city of Qamishli.

A complete departure from Qasrak would still leave the US-led coalition operating from a base in Rmelan, also known as Kharab al-Jir, close to the Iraqi border.

Qasrak has served as a central hub for coalition operations against the Islamic State. US troops have been stationed in Syria for more than a decade, working alongside the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in efforts to combat the jihadist organization.

Responding to a request for comment, a US defense official cited by Reuters said the military would not discuss future force posture or troop levels, citing operational security. Syria’s defense ministry and the SDF did not immediately comment.

One Syrian military source familiar with the plans told Reuters that the withdrawal from Qasrak is expected to take approximately a month, though it remains uncertain whether the move is temporary or permanent. A second source said the process would likely take several weeks.

The redeployment follows recent developments in which government forces under President Ahmed al-Sharaa assumed control of areas in the northeast previously held by the SDF. In recent weeks, US forces have also departed from a base in al-Shaddadi in Hasakah province and from the al-Tanf garrison near Syria’s borders with Iraq and Jordan.

A senior US official previously described the troop movements as a deliberate and conditions-based transition, stating that a large-scale American presence was no longer required given the Syrian government’s stated readiness to take primary responsibility for countering terrorist threats within its territory.

The Wall Street Journal reported last week that the United States is in the process of withdrawing its roughly 1,000 troops from Syria.

Islamic State, which once controlled significant territory in Syria and Iraq, claimed responsibility for two attacks on Saturday that resulted in the deaths of a soldier and a civilian.

the refinery in Ashdodלירון מולדובן, פלאש 90

A significant development has occurred in the investigation into the deaths of two workers in the disaster at the Ashdod oil refinery. The police arrested the supplier of equipment for the factory and decided to upgrade the allegation against him to 'murder with indifference'.

The victims of the disaster were Irina Radchuk (52), who left behind a husband and daughter, and Nitzan Goykhman (39), who left behind a husband and three children. Both were residents of Ashdod and worked at the refinery as chemical engineers.

The suspect denied any connection to the incident during his investigation. According to him, the containers he supplied to the refinery contained medical air, not oxygen, and he has no connection to the circumstances that led to the tragedy.

The police stated, "This is a complex investigation that requires a thorough review of all the data before making decisions regarding criminal measures. As the investigation progresses and in accordance with its findings, the necessary steps will be taken in accordance with the law. Tomorrow, the police are expected to submit a request to extend the suspect's detention."

The underground facilitySpokesperson

Assuta Hospital in the Ramat Hachayal section of Tel Aviv has opened a new underground hospital, which could accommodate approximately 200 beds.

The new complex is intended to receive patients from public hospitals that are not sufficiently protected, therefore ensuring continuous care even under a significant missile threat.

In addition, at Assuta Medical Center Ramat HaHayal, a system of fortified above-ground operating rooms is in operation, and in the past, during Operation Rising Lion, patients were transferred there for lengthy and complex surgeries.

Thus far, the Ministry of Health has ordered the closure of private health institutions during emergencies. However, lessons learned from the Swords of Iron War and Operation Rising Lion have led to a new approach.

In the past two months, intensive work has been carried out to establish medical gas, electricity, and communications infrastructure in the underground floors, in order to enable an immediate transition to inpatient hospitalization mode.

Dr. Shani Brosh, Head of the Medical Division at Assuta Medical Centers, emphasized: “In the past month or two, there has been very intensive activity. An agreement was signed, a contracting company was appointed, and infrastructure for medical gases, electricity, and communications was built to allow a move to underground complexes on the day of an order. Today, the infrastructure is in place and can accommodate about 200 hospitalized patients on behalf of other hospitals that do not have fortification."

Assuta Medical Centers CEO Gidi Leshet clarified that this is part of a long-term national resilience strategy: “Maintaining continuity of care as part of the health system’s emergency framework is a national mission, and part of our purpose - and we are proud to take part in its implementation."

scene of the incidentMDA spokesperson

Suspected ramming attack: A truck collided this evening (Monday) with a police force operating in the Tapuah Junction area and fled the scene.

Police forces from the Judea and Samaria District, who were called to the scene, began chasing the suspect driver, who was arrested along with another suspect who was in the vehicle with him.

As a result of the incident, a police officer was lightly injured. Large forces arrived at the scene and began investigating the circumstances of the event.

Magen David Adom (MDA) reported: "A report was received about a truck that collided with a vehicle and hit the bus stop's concrete post near Tapuah Junction towards Rehalim. MDA paramedics and medics are providing medical treatment on-site to a man, approximately 40 years old, in light condition.

המשאית הפלסטינית שפגעה ברכב המשטרתיצילום: דוברות מד"א

הבתצילום: אוהד רומנו

Keshet 12's new drama series, Unconditional, was sold to the Apple TV streaming platform, in one of the Israeli network's largest deals for an original program.

The series will premiere on Keshet 12 after Passover, and will launch globally on Apple TV on May 8th.

The eight-episode series was filmed in India, Georgia, and Israel. It was created byAdam Bizanski (“Magpie") and Dana Idisis (“On The Spectrum"), written by Bizanski, and stars Liraz Chamami (“Bad Boy," “Manayek") and Talia Lynne Ronn in her television debut. The plot follows Orna (Chamami) and her daughter, Gali (Ronn), whose vacation turns into a nightmare when Gali is arrested in Moscow on allegations of drug trafficking. Orna refuses to accept the accusations and embarks on a complicated journey to investigate the truth about her daughter. The journey will entangle her in a deadly web of crime and corruption abroad and make her ask what she really knows about her daughter.

Along with Chamami and Ronn, the show stars Amir Haddad, Yossi Marshek, Evgenia Dodina, and Vladimir Friedman. Director: Johnathan Gurfinkle (“The Accursed"). Produced by: Spiro Films’ Eitan Mansuri and Jonathan Doweck (“When Heroes Fly").

Avi Nir, CEO of Keshet Media Group, said: “We are especially proud of the series, Unconditional, one of the most gripping, ambitious, and meaningful series we have produced in recent years, the result of the talent and hard work of some of Israel’s finest creators. We are pleased, appreciative, and very grateful for the partnership with the groundbreaking television platform Apple TV+."

Keren Shahar, CEO of Keshet International, added, “Unconditional tells a powerful and universal story: a mother who will do anything to save her daughter. We are very proud that a series originally produced for an Israeli audience will now reach broad international audiences through Apple. This is further testimony to the quality of Israeli creativity and its global potential."

The drug labPolice Spokesperson

Detectives from the Bnei Brak-Ramat Gan Police Station raided an apartment on Dangur Street in Bnei Brak on Sunday to execute a court-issued search warrant.

In the apartment, the detectives found a laboratory suspected of being used to manufacture and grow drugs. In the laboratory, 156 cannabis plants, weighing a total of 31 kilograms, were found.

In a vehicle adjacent to the apartment, the officers found 10 grams of a substance suspected of being cocaine.

Police arrested two men, aged 25 from Bnei Brak and 24 from Rehovot, at the scene and took them for questioning. They were jailed, and a court extended their detention until February 26th.

Tel Aviv District Commander Haim Sargrof signed an order to close the apartment for one month, until March 23.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke this evening (Monday) during a Knesset plenary session called by the opposition with 40 signatures and issued a threat to the regime in Tehran.

"I have clarified and sent a message to the Ayatollah regime that if they make perhaps the gravest mistake in their history and attack the State of Israel, we will respond with force they cannot even imagine," Netanyahu declared.

He added, "We are in complex times, we are prepared for any scenario. This is not the time for debate. In those days, on the eve of Purim, as in this time, we need to close the ranks of the people and stand shoulder to shoulder. I am confident in our strength and in our warriors. When we stand together - we achieve great things. On the eve of Purim, we will stand together - and with God's help we will ensure the eternity of Israel."

Opposition leader Yair Lapid responded to Netanyahu on the issue of Iran: "There is a good chance that we are facing a campaign in Iran. If this campaign comes - and it must come - we will all put everything aside. All differences of opinion will be put into deep freeze, until the crisis passes. As in the past, I will mobilize for Israel's PR and strengthen Israel's international status. As with the previous attack, I will go wherever necessary, from CNN to the British Parliament, and tell them: 'You know that I am the leader of the opposition, you know that Netanyahu and I are rivals, but Iran must be attacked with all force, the rule of the ayatollahs must be overthrown.'"

He later harshly criticized Netanyahu: "What will define you in history is October 7th. I understand the attempt to write a different history - it won't work, it doesn't work that way." He continued: "No success, no failure, will resonate in the national memory like the October 7th massacre. Let's be clear - the word is massacre."

Yisrael Beytenu chairman MK Avigdor Liberman sharply criticized Netanyahu, calling him the "Prime Minister of October 7."

"This was a massacre on your watch," Liberman lashed out. "This is the most terrible massacre in the history of the state, and you are the main culprit in it."

In his remarks, Liberman referred to the answer Netanyahu submitted to the state comptroller, claiming that it ignores fateful past decisions. "You wrote a 50-page answer, but you forgot about the cabinet meeting on November 13, 2014," Lieberman recalled. "At that meeting, I demanded to begin a large-scale operation to eradicate Hamas, and you decided on a ceasefire over my head, and proposed a policy of arrangement and transferring money from Qatar to Hamas."

Liberman later mentioned his resignation as Defense Minister in 2018 on a similar background: "On November 14, I resigned from my position and said that a ceasefire with Hamas is surrender to terrorism. I tried dozens of times to reach that protocol, and I was prevented from reaching it, but don't worry - we will get there." Lieberman added and criticized the management of the current campaign and wondered about its achievements: "What is happening now, where is the complete victory? Why is there reconstruction of the Gaza Strip? Why is the State of Israel providing electricity, water, fuel and trucks every week?"

Bank of IsraelYonatan Sindel/Flash90

The Monetary Committee of the Bank of Israel decided to keep the interest rate at 4%, after it had been reduced in January for the second consecutive time.

The decision was made despite inflation moderating significantly to 1.8% last month, partly against the backdrop of tensions between the United States and Iran.

Up until December, there had been 14 interest rate decisions in which the Monetary Committee chose not to change the rate. The background to those decisions was the fact that inflation had fallen below the upper target, even after the rate cut in November.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich attacked the decision. “The governor’s decision to keep the interest rate high is a mistaken decision that is not supported by the macroeconomic data of the Israeli economy. The shekel is strong, inflation is weakening, and we are well within the target range. The central challenge today is growth, and the need is to ease the burden on Israeli citizens, households, mortgage holders, and small and medium-sized businesses. Credit is choking the economy and delaying recovery."

He added, “This is the time to move toward growth and give a significant boost to economic activity. There is currently no inflationary risk that justifies such a restrictive monetary policy. I call on the governor to reverse his decision and continue the trend of lowering interest rates. That is what is right for the economy, what is right for the market, and what is right for the citizens of the State of Israel and the fight against the cost of living."

Hassan RouhaniREUTERS

Reports in the Saudi-owned Al Arabiya outlet on Monday indicated that prior to the peak of nationwide protests in Iran last January, an alleged internal attempt was made to sideline Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

According to sources cited by the French newspaper Le Figaro, former Iranian President Hassan Rouhani led what was described as a "soft coup" effort from within the ruling establishment, aimed at removing Khamenei from the center of decision-making. The reported initiative took place shortly before the security crackdown of January 8 and 9, when demonstrations across the country were at their height.

The sources said Rouhani acted in coordination with prominent figures from his previous administration, including former Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, as well as clerics from the city of Qom and individuals said to be close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

However, the attempt reportedly failed after it did not receive the backing of Ali Larijani, who was appointed in August as secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. The report added that current President Masoud Pezeshkian was kept outside the discussions in order to prevent exposure of the alleged plan.

Reuters file photos published alongside the reports showed Larijani and Zarif separately.

Following the exposure of the alleged move, authorities reportedly placed Rouhani and Zarif under house arrest for several days, while reformist figures associated with them were temporarily detained before being released.

The developments coincided with reporting by The New York Times that Iranian officials confirmed Larijani had been tasked more than a month earlier with overseeing state affairs in the event that Khamenei became incapacitated. Since then, the 67-year-old Larijani has effectively managed the country’s affairs, according to the report.

Iran experienced widespread protests beginning in late December, initially sparked in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar over economic conditions before expanding into broader political demonstrations.

Human rights organizations and media reports described a security "crackdown" on January 8 and 9 that they said resulted in thousands of deaths. Iranian authorities, for their part, announced that more than 3,000 people, including security personnel, were killed. Officials accused external actors of inciting unrest, while also acknowledging that citizens have the right to protest and demand improved living conditions, and stating that efforts were underway to address economic challenges.

The books in the shopOr Le'ahim

The director of the Or Le'ahim organization, Binyamin Walken, sent a strongly written letter to the directorate of the Yad Vashem Holocaust remembrance center demanding that it remove Christian and missionary books from the private bookstore on its premises.

The letter follows complaints by visitors to the museum who claimed that they were surprised to find Christian and missionary literature at a place dedicated to the memory of the victims of the Holocaust.

In his letter to Yad Vashem Director General Tzvika Fayirizen, Walken stressed that these books harm the institution's values and public trust: "This is a serious lack of sensitivity, especially because the Yad Vashem museum is dedicated to the memory and sacrifice of the victims of the Holocaust.

The organization demanded that the books be removed and claimed that inaction would harm the national institution's reputation. "Immediately remove the missionary books from the museum shop, and take clear steps to prevent such incidents from repeating themselves in the future."

Museum management denied the claims of missionary activity and explained the rationale behind the book offerings at the shop: "This is a souvenir and book store belonging to an outside franchisee which caters to tourists from a variety of religions. The franchisee offers a variety of items, including those relevant to the location, as well as items relevant to the visitors of the site. It should be noted that this does not include missionary books."

The management further stated that "hundreds of thousands of tourists visit Yad Vashem in a year. Therefore, the store also caters to Christians who visit the site."

One of the books in the shopPhoto: Or Le'ahim

The Gerald FordREUTERS/Stelios Misinas

The US embassy in Lebanon evacuated dozens of its employees today (Monday) via Beirut International Airport, amid regional developments and concerns that the attack against Iran could begin in the coming days.

According to the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), there are already more than 200 American fighter jets in the Middle East, and over 300 if including those in Europe. Among them are 36 F-15 jets and at least 48 F-35 stealth aircraft. In the UK, 12 F-22 stealth jets are stationed, and there are also 36 F-16 aircraft in the region.

In addition to the fighter jets, U.S. forces in the region include more than 100 refueling, command and control, intelligence, and transport aircraft.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has postponed his visit to Israel from Saturday evening to next Monday.

The USS Gerald Ford, the largest aircraft carrier in the world, has reportedly been spotted near Crete after being dispatched to the region.

In addition, Several C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft, used by the United States Military to refuel jets mid-flight, were seen landing at Ben Gurion Airport on Monday.

Yesterday, The New York Times reported that Iran could instruct its operatives to carry out terror attacks against U.S. targets in Europe and the Middle East if Trump orders widespread strikes against Iran.

The New York Times reported that Trump told his advisors he is inclined to support a "limited initial strike" against Iran in the coming days.

The Times emphasized that no decision has been made yet, and a third round of talks between the U.S. and Iran will be held on Thursday in Geneva. According to the report, the talks are currently focused on a "last-minute proposal" that would lead to a nuclear agreement allowing Iran to continue enriching uranium, but in a very limited capacity, solely for medical research purposes.

תפיסת השב"חים בתא מטעןדוברות המשטרה

An indictment has been filed against a 40-year-old resident of Shu'afat who was arrested about ten days ago after attempting to smuggle two Palestinian Authority (PA) Arabs without entry permits into Israel, hiding them in harsh conditions inside the trunk of his car.

The attempt was discovered by Jerusalem District Police officers and Border Police fighters from the greater Jerusalem area, as part of the heightened operational readiness during the Ramadan period.

During operational activity at the Shu'afat checkpoint, police stopped a vehicle that aroused the officers' suspicion.

Upon conducting a thorough search of the vehicle, the forces were shocked to discover two PA Arabs "crammed" inside the trunk, intending to bypass security checks and infiltrate Jerusalem.

The driver of the vehicle was arrested and transferred for questioning at the Lev Habira police station. A check of his details revealed that this was not the first time he was involved in such activity; the defendant has six prior offenses for smuggling illegal infiltrators.

The Jerusalem District Police Prosecution Unit gathered evidence and filed an indictment against him for smuggling infiltrators under aggravating circumstances.

In light of his heavy criminal record and the security threat posed by his actions, the court ordered the defendant's detention until the conclusion of the legal proceedings against him.

Commenting on the matter, the police emphasized that they "will continue to act decisively, while protecting the public's lives and property, against anyone attempting to aid the entry of infiltrators and harm public security."

cancer testiStock

Each year, more than 4,000 young people between the ages of 18 and 44 are diagnosed with cancer in Israel, with the rate of new cases on the rise, according to a new report from the Knesset's Research and Information Center.

The report indicates that despite the increase in cases, there is not a single public clinic in Israel officially designated as a cancer clinic for young adults, and there are also no rehabilitation or follow-up clinics for young cancer survivors.

According to the Ministry of Health's data presented in the report, from 2018 to 2022, 19,612 young people aged 18 to 44 were diagnosed with cancer in Israel, accounting for 16% of all cancer patients in the country during this period. The overwhelming majority of these young patients are women, making up 76%, primarily diagnosed with cervical cancer.

The study also highlights significant geographic disparities in early diagnosis. In the central district, the diagnosis rate is 7.1 per 1,000 people of the same age, while in the Tel Aviv district, the rate is 6.9. By contrast, in the northern district, the rate is 5 per 1,000, in Judea and Samaria it is 3.1, and in Jerusalem, it is 3 per 1,000 - the lowest rate.

85% of the young patients are women diagnosed with cervical cancer, 7% with breast cancer, 6% with melanoma skin cancer, 1% with bladder cancer, and 1% with cancer in other female reproductive organs. The report notes that PAP tests, which are publicly funded for women over 25, may have contributed to early diagnoses among women.

The report also points to a significant gap in the number of oncology clinics between the center and the periphery. In Tel Aviv, there are 12 oncology clinics, 11 in the central district, and 9 each in Haifa, the north, and Jerusalem. In the southern district, there are only 4 clinics, and there are no clinics at all in Judea and Samaria.

Shira Segal-Kaufman, CEO and founding partner of the "Chalasartan" association, said, "The report shows that young age is a barrier to early diagnosis, and thus young cancer patients 'fall between the cracks.' They need a dedicated solution. The state has already recognized this when the Nursing Administration issued a circular defining the role of a coordinating nurse for young adults, and the oncology nurse training program was updated accordingly. The need has been recognized, now it must be implemented, the positions must be filled, and we must ensure a true continuity of care from diagnosis through to recovery. This is a national responsibility."

She added, "Young cancer patients in Israel should not have to rely on donations to receive tailored treatment. The Chalasartan Association, founded in memory of Tal Jacobson, accompanies young people from the moment of diagnosis through youth clinics and 'helpers' who are survivors, in 8 hospitals across the country, continuing with them through recovery and rehabilitation, which are no less critical than the treatment periods."

MK Iman Khatib-Yassin (Ra'am), one of the initiators of the Knesset caucus for young cancer patients and survivors, said, "As a cancer survivor, I have known for many years that cancer is not a passing event. Treatment has consequences, and it has physical, emotional, and financial effects that accompany the patient and their family, sometimes for life."

She added, "Based on my personal and professional experience, I initiated the research in the Knesset, and I hope the state will take responsibility for the designated clinics for young people by funding them and establishing recovery clinics that will accompany patients over time. In the caucus, the need for early diagnosis was emphasized, recognizing symptoms that should raise red flags for young patients among community doctors and the public."

El Al airplane, Ben Gurion International AirportNati Shohat/FLASH90

The Competition Authority announced today (Monday) that it intends, subject to a hearing, to impose a financial sanction of NIS 109,623,501 on El Al.

At the same time, personal fines between NIS 449,000 and 548,000 are being considered for two company executives.

According to the authority, El Al refused to grant Arkia access to hangars for aircraft maintenance, despite a multi-year agreement under which Arkia rents El Al’s hangars. Starting in August 2024, during the “Iron Swords" war, El Al consistently denied Arkia’s requests, citing reasons deemed insufficient by the authority, while creating the impression that the agreement remained unchanged.

El Al controls the Israeli passenger aircraft hangar market and operates on many international routes where it competes with Arkia. During the war, with foreign airlines reducing operations in Israel, Israeli carriers were the main competitors. Denying hangar access could have delayed or canceled flights, forced leasing of substitute aircraft, and caused financial and reputational risks, with costs potentially passed to consumers.

The authority said El Al unreasonably refused to provide a service in its monopoly and abused its position, violating the Economic Competition Law. A hearing will allow El Al and the executives to present their arguments before a final decision.

El Al responded: “We disagree with the claims in the authority’s letter. El Al always acts according to the law, including competition law. We are convinced no wrongdoing occurred. Throughout the war, El Al assisted other Israeli airlines far beyond legal requirements, out of solidarity and commitment to passengers, and continues to provide services-including hangars-to Arkia wherever possible."

Benjamin NetanyahuChaim Goldberg/Flash90

Likud MKs on Monday announced that they will oppose the position of Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and the support Prime Minister Netanyahu is providing for the order that raises the exemption threshold for personal imports to $150.

The order, which has taken temporary effect, is expected to be brought for a vote Monday. Under the order, Israeli citizens may order products from international e-commerce sites (such as Amazon, AliExpress, and Shein) for up to $150 without paying customs duties or VAT.

Previously, the exemption threshold stood at $75.

Knesset Economic Committee Chairman MK David Bitan stated firmly that he intends to vote against the order, even at the cost of violating coalition discipline. He was joined by MK Shalom Danino, who also pledged to vote against the move.

Meanwhile, Knesset Finance Committee chair MK Hanoch Milwidsky, is working to gather a majority in the Knesset to oppose the order. Milwidsky bases his opposition on the damage to the State's treasury - an estimated loss of around one billion shekels annually - and, more importantly, the severe harm to local merchants.

In a Monday morning Knesset discussion on the issue, MK Tally Gotliv explained why she is working to convince the Prime Minister to allow freedom of vote on the issue.

Gotliv presented a personal example to illustrate what she sees as absurdity: "I buy clothes on Shein. If they give a tax exemption for up to $150, then yes, I can buy more on Shein. It’s not related to the cost of living because it’s not related to what I buy in the supermarket, and it’s not related to what I buy anywhere inside the country. So, I’ll buy more clothes on Shein."

Turning to Smotrich, she added: "You want to give me a benefit? Give it to the store owners. Where will we end up if we ultimately harm local production? I’m simply trying to convince the Prime Minister to allow freedom of vote on this matter."

Cucumbers, illustrationiStock

The Knesset’s Health Committee has raised serious concerns over agricultural produce entering Israel from the Palestinian Authority. According to the latest data, nearly half of cucumbers and tomatoes tested contain banned pesticides linked to serious illnesses, including cancer and Parkinson’s disease.

The committee, chaired by MK Limor Sohn Har-Melech, reported that roughly 15,000 tons of Palestinian agricultural produce cross into Israel each year. Between 2015 and 2022, 27%-40% of samples were found to exceed safety limits, with contamination levels steadily rising.

Dr. Ziva Hamma of the Ministry of Health presented detailed findings: 50% of cucumber samples, 49% of tomato samples, and 66% of hot pepper samples were contaminated. Alarmingly, 14% of samples contained neurotoxic organic phosphorus, which can harm fetal and infant development and increase the risk of Parkinson’s. Another 13% contained a mix of more than five different pesticides in a single vegetable, posing risks to the liver, kidneys, and nervous system.

Despite regulations requiring produce to be held until lab results are received, contaminated goods were often sold immediately. Amos Zuarets, Health Coordinator for the West Bank, admitted that the Civil Administration prioritized shelf life and the Palestinian economy over public health-an approach that changed only after the October 7 events. In eight months, all produce will be held until safe test results are confirmed.

MK Amit Levi criticized government ministries and the Civil Administration, blaming the lax policy for years of preventable illnesses. He urged affected citizens to hold officials accountable and warned of rising unregulated smuggling of agricultural goods.

The Ministry of Health and Civil Administration plan several measures, including a computerized list of approved farmers, field inspections before produce enters Israel, increased sampling at crossings, and heavy fines for violators.

Sohn Har-Melech concluded with a warning to the public: “Nearly half of imported produce is contaminated with substances that threaten health, yet some prioritize profit over the safety of Israeli citizens. Check carefully where your fruits and vegetables come from and choose supervised Israeli produce."

ArchiveMagen David Adom

Sixty-five young drivers aged 16-24, driving private vehicles and motorcycles, were killed in road accidents in 2025 - three fewer than in 2024, according to data from the Or Yarok association, based on figures from the Central Bureau of Statistics.

Despite the slight decrease compared to the previous year, 2025 ranks as the second deadliest year of the past decade for young drivers.

A total of 1,563 young drivers were injured in road accidents in 2025 - an average of about five each day. Of those, 338 were seriously injured, nearly one per day on average. Over the past decade, the trend in fatalities has been on the rise. In 2025, there was a 67% increase in the number of young drivers killed compared to 2016.

Adv. Yaniv Yaakov, CEO of Or Yarok, said young drivers have unique driving characteristics that distinguish them from other motorists.

“The lack of experience and ability to read the map of dangers on the road, as well as driving at night, while fatigued, under the influence of alcohol, and at excessive speed, place them in a high-risk group for involvement in road accidents," Yaakov stated. “At the Ministry of Transport and Road Safety, they continue to ignore young people and cut the funding allocated to road safety education. Instead of strengthening education and training, the opposite is happening, and the severe results are accordingly. We want to create a new and better generation of drivers, and therefore we must invest in education. The Minister of Transport and Road Safety must place saving lives at the top of her priorities and advance measures that will save lives. Approval of a multi-year national plan that emphasizes driver education is necessary and required, especially in light of the major failure of the past two years."

Urban roads saw 22 young drivers killed in 2025 - a 38% increase compared to 2024 and the highest figure in the past decade. In addition, 723 young drivers were injured in accidents on urban roads in 2025, of whom 1,476 were seriously injured.

In Jerusalem, 79 young drivers were injured in 2025, five of whom were killed and 23 seriously injured. In Haifa, 77 young drivers were injured, one was killed and 13 seriously injured, while in Tel Aviv-Yafo, 54 young drivers were injured, including three fatalities and ten serious injuries.

In Be'er Sheva, 56 young drivers were injured, three of them seriously. Petah Tikva recorded 33 injured young drivers, including one fatality and six serious injuries, and Ashdod saw 30 injured, five of them seriously.

In Netanya, 27 young drivers were injured, one seriously. Ashkelon recorded 20 injured, including two fatalities and two serious injuries. Holon saw 20 injured, six seriously, and Rishon LeZion recorded 17 injured young drivers, six of them seriously hurt.

The deadliest days of 2025 were Friday and Saturday. Fourteen young drivers were killed on Friday and 11 on Saturday. Weekends - from Thursday night through Saturday night - see increased involvement of young drivers in road accidents, with nighttime driving, at times under the influence of alcohol and fatigue, serving as central contributing factors.

אליה כהן בנחיתהללא קרדיט

Hamas captivity survivor Eliya Cohen on Monday marked one year since his released from captivity in the Gaza Strip.

To commemorate the occasion, Cohen shared new footage from the moments when a the military helicopter carrying him made its way to a hospital in Israel.

In the footage, Cohen is seen gazing out the helicopter window toward the hospital, where hundreds of excited Israelis were waiting for him, waving blue-and-white flags. In other moments, his mother can be seen hugging him as he cries and processes the situation.

Cohen, who was abducted from the Supernova Music Festival, recounted in the past how just a week before the massacre, he purchased an engagement ring and planned to propose to Ziv during a surprise trip to Dubai.

While in captivity, Cohen thought that his girlfriend had been murdered during the massacre, and only after he was released did he learn that she was still alive.

After his close friends Alon Ohel and Elkana Bohbot were released from captivity in October 2025, Cohen followed through on his promise to propose only after the living hostages were released, and he and Ziv announced their engagement.

Ahavat Hashem GordonYossi Zeliger / TPS

Muay Thai boxer Ahavat Hashem Gordon landed in Israel on Monday morning to a stormy welcome at Ben Gurion Airport.

Hundreds of supporters waved Israeli flags and waited for him, less than 48 hours after he defeated his Turkish opponent by knockout in the ring in Lithuania.

At a special press conference held upon his arrival, Gordon addressed the dramatic victory, the tension surrounding the fight, and his personal feelings as a religious boxer representing Israel on the international stage.

The bout, held under the Lithuanian UTMA organization, had already drawn international attention before it began due to antisemitic remarks made by his Turkish opponent, Ali Koyuncu.

“This is the moment I’ve been waiting for my entire life," he said emotionally. “Everything is from Hashem [G-d]. Especially when the fight was against a Turkish opponent who is antisemitic. If I had spent time thinking about everything that was happening, it would have thrown me off balance and I would have stopped this fight."

He recounted a conversation with his Turkish rival: “I asked him why he wrote what he wrote and told him not to do it again. I do respect that he stepped into the ring because that takes a lot, but beyond that, I don’t respect him."

He revealed that he and his family were subjected to a wave of antisemitic responses on social media and during the event in Lithuania. “Even in the crowd I heard about various incidents. We are doing what we need to do, and we are doing the right thing," he said.

Gordon added, “It’s crazy and it’s a privilege. I used my strength and showed that a Jewish Israeli goes up with a kippah and tzitzit and doesn’t hide who he is."

He went on to describe the support he received from IDF soldiers: “The emotional messages I received were from IDF soldiers. Soldiers who watched the fight in Gaza - it moved me almost to tears."

אהבת השם גורדון בנאום בנתב"גיוסי זליגר/TPS

IDF forces operate in GazaIDF spokesperson

On Sunday, IDF troops operating in the southern Gaza Strip identified a terrorist who crossed the Yellow Line and approached the troops, posing an imminent threat to their safety.

Following the identification, the troops eliminated the terrorist in order to remove the threat.

"IDF troops in the Southern Command remain deployed in accordance with the ceasefire agreement and will continue to operate to remove any immediate threat," the IDF stressed following the incident.

This is the third incident in as many days in which Gaza terrorists violated the ceasefire: On Saturday, IDF troops operating in the northern Gaza Strip identified a terrorist in the area of the Yellow Line who approached the troops, posing an immediate threat to them.

"IDF troops in the Southern Command remain deployed in accordance with the ceasefire agreement and will continue to operate to remove any immediate threat," the IDF stated.

A similar incident occurred on Friday, when IDF troops operating in the southern Gaza Strip in accordance with the ceasefire agreement identified a terrorist who crossed the Yellow Line and approached the troops, posing an imminent threat to their safety.

The IDF stressed that in both incidents, following the identification, the IAF struck and eliminated the terrorist in order to remove the threat.

Scene of mass shooting in Tumbler RidgeREUTERS/Jennifer Gauthier

Months before the deadly mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, OpenAI considered alerting authorities about Jesse Van Rootselaar’s activity on its ChatGPT platform. The Wall Street Journal reported that Van Rootselaar described gun violence scenarios over several days last June, triggering automated alerts.

OpenAI employees debated whether her posts indicated a real-world threat. Some urged notifying Canadian authorities, but company leaders ultimately decided against it, citing that the content did not meet the threshold of an imminent risk of serious harm. Van Rootselaar’s account was banned. Following the shooting, OpenAI contacted the RCMP and is assisting the investigation. “Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the Tumbler Ridge tragedy," the company said.

Van Rootselaar’s online footprint included a Roblox game simulating a mass shooting and social media posts on anime, drugs, and her gender transition. She was previously known to local police, who had visited her home multiple times for mental health concerns and temporarily removed firearms.

The RCMP is examining Van Rootselaar’s online activity, past interactions with law enforcement, and mental-health history to determine motives and planning. Archived posts show she photographed herself at a gun range, claimed to 3D-print a bullet cartridge, and engaged in discussions about firearm videos on YouTube.

The case highlights growing challenges for AI and social-media companies in balancing user privacy with public safety. OpenAI trains its models to discourage real-world harm and routes flagged content to human reviewers, who can alert authorities when there is a credible and imminent threat. The company said decisions weigh potential risks of violence against privacy concerns and the distress caused by involving law enforcement unnecessarily.

The investigation continues as authorities piece together Van Rootselaar’s digital and personal history leading up to the tragedy.

Rafael Adana (L) and Carol Fassler (R)Jonathan Shaul/Flash90

An 82-year-old woman who killed four-year-old Rafael Adana in May 2023 has been sentenced to one year in prison.

Carol Fassler, 82, was sentenced Monday morning to one year in prison, permanent revocation of her driver's license, and a fine of 10,000 shekels after she was convicted of abandonment after killing Adana in a hit-and-run.

The decision comes after months of public and legal struggle by the Adana family. Fassler was driving on Ben-Gurion Boulevard in Netanya when she struck Tamir Tzagai and his two grandsons, Matan and Rafael Adana, before continuing to drive without stopping. Raphael sustained critical injuries and after several days, his death was declared at the hospital. Fassler, who had hit the child, fled the scene, and only several hours later reported to the police station.

During the sentencing, the court sharply criticized the driver's actions in the moments after the incident: "A hit-and-run offense is not only a violation of traffic laws, but a profound moral and human failure. It is the duty of a driver to stop and offer assistance, a basic obligation in civilized society, and it stands even when the driver is not at fault for causing the accident."

Fassler defended herself by claiming she did not realize she had hit a child. According to her, she felt a "boom" and saw the mirror break but thought that a motorcycle had hit her and continued driving. The court rejected this version and convicted her of hit-and-run about six months ago.

Initially, the prosecution initially decided not to file charges against Fassler for causing death, but only for hit-and-run, leading to heated protests and roadblocks under the slogan, "Justice for Rafael."

In February 2024, with Fassler's admission of guilt, moments of intense pain were recorded in the courtroom as family members hurled harsh accusations at the defendant and threw blood-stained dolls at her, forcing security personnel to evacuate her from the room.

Gravesite of Rabbi Eliezer of LizhenskHezki Baruch

A fire broke out Sunday in one of the large tents at the site of the gravesite of Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk in Poland, during preparations for the annual event marking the day of his passing on the 21st of the Jewish month of Adar.

Each year, tens of thousands of pilgrims from Israel and around the world come to the event.

According to local reports, the fire broke out due to an explosion in one of the large generators that supplied electricity to the site. Within minutes, the flames spread throughout the tent, which contained heating systems, air conditioners, lighting, tables, and chairs that had been set up for the expected crowds.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing thick smoke from a distance and that the fire's intensity was immense. Polish fire crews who were called to the scene were unable to save the tent, which was completely destroyed along with all the equipment inside.

No one was injured in the fire.

At the time the fire broke out, only a few workers were present, and they succeeding in escaping the tent before the fire engulfed it. The fire did not spread to the nearby guesthouse building.

Local police have opened an investigation to determine the circumstances of the fire.

Despite the heavy damage, the management of the "Lizhensk Guesthouse" announced that preparations for the celebration are continuing as planned.

"We are messengers of Rabbi Elimelech, and the entire Jewish community will come this year as well," the management said in a statement.

Israeli flag raised atop Mount SartabaSpokesman

For the first time, the Israeli flag was raised today (Monday) on the summit of Mount Sartaba, a historic site in the Jordan Valley. The initiative, led by the Ministry of Heritage, is part of a broader series of symbolic actions at historic sites across Judea and Samaria, aimed at strengthening the connection to Jewish heritage.

Rising approximately 650 meters above sea level, Mount Sartaba is closely associated with the Second Temple period. The flag, now visible from afar, marks Israel’s presence in this strategically significant area.

The summit is more than a geographic landmark; it holds deep religious and national significance. During the era of the Mishnah and Talmud, the mountain served as one of the main stations for a network of signal fires, which transmitted news of the new month from Jerusalem to Babylon.

Remnants of an ancient fortress built by Hasmonean King Alexander Jannaeus still stand on the mountain, reflecting the dynasty’s historic connection to the Jordan Valley.

Raising the flag is the first step toward a larger event planned for Rosh Chodesh Nisan. Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu announced that the ministry will revive the ancient tradition of lighting signal fires on the summit, echoing practices from antiquity.

“We are reclaiming what is ours," Minister Eliyahu said. “With God’s help, on Rosh Chodesh Nisan, we will light the fires on the summit as in the days of the Mishnah-a signal that then, as today, sends a clear message to Jews around the world: the people of Israel live, and they are walking across their historic land."

Chaim RafaelIJMG

HLHS - Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome - is responsible for 25% to 40% of all infant cardiac deaths, and without surgical intervention it is uniformly lethal (Source: PMC / National Institutes of Health).

Chaim Rafael was born with this condition. The left side of his heart never fully developed. From his very first days of life, he has fought through surgery after surgery in Israel - more procedures, more hospital rooms, more sleepless nights than any child should ever know. And now his doctors have delivered one final directive: the next critical stage of treatment must happen abroad, in Vienna, Germany, or Boston.

The total cost is $300,000.

His mother Chaya cannot even pay the deposit to hold his treatment slot.

>> To bring Chaim Rafael one step closer to the surgery that can save his life - donate now

Chaya said, "I feel helpless, because no mother should ever have to stand by and feel unable to save her child. My son Chaim Rafael is my whole world."

He has already survived what most adults never could. A long series of treatments and surgeries in Israel. Procedure after procedure. Hospital room after hospital room. Nights his mother did not sleep. And through all of it - he has fought. But this next stage cannot happen in Israel. Three world-leading medical centers have agreed to treat him. The treatment exists. The specialists are ready. The only obstacle is funding.

The $300,000 covers everything required: the deposit to secure his place at the specialist center abroad, all medical costs, specialist evaluations, travel, extended lodging near the hospital, medications, and the full follow-up care he will need to recover. Every item on that list is the difference between Chaim Rafael coming home - or not.

Chaya said, "People tell me to be strong. But I'm a mother... and I'm scared. Because now the doctors told us clearly: Chaim Rafael needs this next critical stage of treatment, and it must be done abroad. I don't even have the ability to pay the deposit to secure his spot. I'm begging you - please don't let us face this alone."

Research shows that with proper surgical intervention, up to 70% of children born today with HLHS may reach adulthood (Source: ScienceDirect).

Without it, the condition is uniformly fatal. The surgery Chaim Rafael needs exists. The doctors who can perform it are waiting. The only thing standing between this boy and that operating table is $300,000 - and the people willing to help reach this sum.

If you can donate - donate. If you cannot donate right now - share. Because for Chaim Rafael, every single day matters. And every donation brings him closer to the treatment that can keep him alive.

Spots at the specialist centers are limited and cannot be held indefinitely without the deposit.

The window to secure his place is open now - but not forever.

>> For Chaim Rafael - secure his treatment before it's too late. Donate today

David Zini (L) and Gali Baharav-Miara (R)Moshe Shai and Oren Ben Hakoon/FLASH90

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara's office is working on drafting a legal opinion to prohibit Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) chief David Zini from dealing with core issues related to Gaza, journalist Yaakov Bardugo reported on Channel 14.

Bardugo's report is based on sources within the Justice Ministry which allege that Deputy Attorney General Gil Limon, is leading the drafting of the opinion with full backing from Baharav-Miara and in coordination with the legal adviser of the Shin Bet itself.

According to Bardugo, the legal move comes "after the failed attempt to target the head of Shin Bet David Zini, following an investigation into his brother Bezalel, despite the fact that the investigation has concluded and that all those involved are detained."

He noted that "the investigation has ended and all those involved are detained," and therefore, he claims, there is no substantive reason to prevent the Shin Bet chief from being involved in security operations in Gaza, including efforts to combat smuggling attempts.

Sharply criticizing the judicial system's behavior towards senior security officials, Bardugo added: "This is a provocative, serious, and unnecessary blow to national security, no less. Imagine, for example, if Gil Limon informed the Chief of Staff that he is prohibited from dealing with the Air Force."

רגע מעצר החשודיםדוברות המשטרה

The Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) and the Israel Police thwarted a cell of several residents from the north who planned to carry out a shooting attack in the city of Carmiel targeting IDF soldiers.

As part of the operation, four Israeli civilians from the Galilee were arrested on suspicion of advancing security-related activity.

The suspects have been named as Ahmad Sarha'an, 19, Muhammad Khalil, 18, and two minors. The investigation was conducted by the Shin Bet and the Galilee police unit for crime investigation.

During the investigation, it was revealed that the suspects had conspired to carry out an attack on IDF soldiers in the city of Carmiel. It was also discovered that some of them had trained and received instructions to carry out the attack.

Following the investigation's completion, the authorities announced that the Haifa District Prosecutor's Office will file indictments against the four on Monday morning.

In a joint statement, the Shin Bet and Israel Police stressed that they "take very seriously any involvement of Israeli citizens in activities that endanger the security of the State and its citizens and will continue to act decisively to identify and thwart such activities."

"The investigation revealed serious activity involving residents of the Galilee, Israeli citizens, who conspired to carry out a serious security operation against the security forces," the statement added.